Black Hood Press

23/07/2025

ERICA TAKAHASHI gripped the boat railing in panic as she peered over the side. Her breathing heavy. Her heart pounded.

Her entire body instinctively convulsed with fear.

Dark fins surrounded the entire vessel as they thrashed about in the deep ocean water. Hungry for their next meal, there had to be a couple of dozen at least. Possibly more.

The four of them were about to dive in to feed these underwater predators. By hand.

“Jiminy Christmas…” Erica mumbled under her breath.

Her husband, Nick, on the other hand, was bursting at the seams. He’d been wanting to do this for years and couldn’t wait to get in the water. Just another way that the two of them were so different.

Every year for Nick’s birthday, they did something adrenaline-boosting. White water rafting, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, sky diving, you name it. As his life partner in all things, she'd faced her fears and done them all.

Yes, she’d been nervous, even frightened before (especially the sky diving). But this was on a different level.

This was primal.

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Danger lurks in the shallows. And it’s ready to feed.

Erica always loved the ocean. Having grown up just off the coast of NC, it was always a part of her life. And something she’d never once feared. But when her husband, Nick, suggested a shark-feeding dive for his 40th birthday, instinct told her otherwise. She should have listened. Five y...

22/07/2025

News Channel 7 is hearing reports an unusual amount of shark activity off the coast of NC. And with the quickly approaching Hurricane Fatima, it could prove to be a deadly combination. Fans of Jaws and Shark Week could get their own personal encounter. So take precautions!

Erica always loved the ocean. Having grown up just off the coast of NC, it was always a part of her life. And something she’d never once feared. But when her husband, Nick, suggested a shark-feeding dive for his 40th birthday, instinct told her otherwise. She should have listened. Five y...

21/07/2025

Extensive power outages are expected along the NC coast in the wake of Hurricane Fatima. Customers could be without power for weeks. Both local law enforcement and the National Guard continue to urge residents to evacuate before the storm makes expected landfall tomorrow. For those who are sheltering in place, make sure that you have made all appropriate preparations.

20/07/2025

A 15-year-old runaway from NC was arrested this afternoon following an altercation at a Myrtle Beach strip club. The scuffle occurred after she was questioned about her age. The underage girl, who went to the hospital for stitches, pretended to not speak English. Not until an arresting officer recognized the name she’d provided was actually a Japanese pop star. Stay tuned to Channel 7 News for more on this story as it develops.

19/07/2025

The National Guard is urging residents of New Sauver, NC, to evacuate in preparation for Hurricane Fatima. A fleet of trucks is on standby for what is expected to be a potentially large recovery operation. Col. Alton Maddox assures News Channel 7 that he has hundreds of troops ready to deploy prior to the storm making landfall. Stay tuned for more updates.

18/07/2025

With Hurricane Fatima quickly approaching, Sheriff Ralph Webb of New Sauver, NC, recommends that everyone stock up on essentials, make sure your home and animals are secure, and your at-home generator is fully fueled. Especially those planning to ride out the storm, which is expected to make landfall on Tuesday.

17/07/2025

Hurricane Fatima shows little sign of weakening as it makes its way northwest across the Atlantic. It’s currently a Category 4, but could downgrade to a Category 3 as it as it heads toward the NC Coast. Stay tuned to News Channel 7 for more updates.

16/07/2025

Tropical Storm Fatima has officially been upgraded to hurricane status. It continues to gain steam out in the Atlantic as it moves toward the NC Coast. Current projections have it making landfall by next Tuesday. Stay tuned to Channel 7 News for regular updates.

15/07/2025

Tropical Storm Fatima is brewing out in the Atlantic. It’s expected to reach hurricane status by tomorrow. Residents along the NC Coast are urged to make evacuation plans for what could prove to be a potentially deadly storm. Stay tuned to News Channel 7 News for regular updates.

14/07/2025

A SC man nearly lost his hand this week in a harrowing shark feeding outing. NC residents will remember the shocking feeding incident five years earlier that resulted in two deaths. Software Engineer Nick Takahashi and a guide, Alex Davidson, were both tragically killed.

Takahashi’s wife, Erica, who was severely injured, sued the dive company, which was forced to close. Stay tuned to News Channel 7 for all your breaking news.

14/07/2025

There’s a storm coming.

10/07/2025

Sadly, what Thomas and Sarah Gregor did not know is that there was a ghost out that night. A frightening one. While they were upstairs to tuck in Brent, they didn’t suspect that the ghost was making his way through the darkness across the mansion grounds.

Neither they, nor their servants — who had all retired for the night — heard the breaking of glass in a distant, downstairs room as the ghost made his way inside.

They didn’t sense the lumbering footsteps as the ghost wandered through the endless hallways to where a light shone down from the staircase.

They had no idea he was there at all until they came downstairs and he surprised them in the hallway. Sarah barely managed a scream before a large hand with only three fingers covered her mouth. The other pressed the muzzle of a gun to her head.

Thomas had no time to react, even if there were anything he could have done, before the husky voice barked out to him in broken English, “In there — if you wants her to live!”

“Three-Finger Ned” Vogel shoved Sarah forward, pointing them both towards Thomas’ study. Moving into the dimly lit room filled with bookcases that stretched to the ceiling, Thomas was finally able to get a look at their attacker and assess the situation.

Vogel towered over him and held his wife’s very life in his iron grip. He was a huge man with bulldog-like features, dressed in a dark coat that seemed to barely contain his bulky form. There was nothing Thomas could do at the moment except comply and pray for her safety.

“Open the safe.” Three-Finger Ned’s instructions were quick and guttural. Thomas took one look in his wife’s frightened eyes and wasted no time in doing exactly as Ned ordered.

He pushed aside the framed portrait that covered the safe and spun the dial as fast as he could. In seconds, the vault was open. He looked back at Ned, hoping to be rewarded for his obedience.

“Empty it,” was the only response.
Thomas looked frantically on the desk. He grabbed an empty portfolio from beside a sword-shaped letter opener and scooped the papers and money inside with one quick motion.

He turned back to Ned again, pleading with his eyes for his wife’s safe release. If only he’d had a weapon or some means to fight back. If anything were to happen to her or Brent, he thought, he would never forgive himself.

Thank goodness Brent was upstairs asleep. Hopefully, he would stay safe.

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A young reporter fighting for her big break. A reclusive millionaire desperate for a cure. Against a city drowning in corruption!

Get the whole story in GHOSTS IN THE ASYLUM, Book One of the Black Spectre saga!

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