Congeal is a post-apocalyptic horror story of the Scaeth Mythos. Set in a near future, it’s one possible progression of another tale of darkness and dread, the Bledbrooke Works. How the world ends may not be how you expect. Nuclear Armageddon or a zombie apocalypse could get beaten to the punch. Our apocalypse may come from below.

Congeal · A Post-Apocalyptic Horror Story

It starts with reports on the news of an inland lake turning semi-solid. Surely, a media joke, some lame April Fool’s prank? The before and after pictures are vaguely ludicrous and oddly disturbing, the contrast stark and strange.

First, darkly rippling water that hints at hidden depth. Slightly spooky and perfectly normal. Next, a putrid blotch of clotted sludge which bears little resemblance to anything aquatic.

Those news reports aren’t any sort of joke, seasonal or otherwise. They’re true.

And pretty soon, that greasy, sickening substance isn’t confined to an inland lake. It’s spreading. Flowing over fields and filling streets. Exhibiting characteristics and capabilities that are beyond bizarre. They’re absolutely horrifying.

Each morning brings a new revelation. Countryside denuded of life and towns empty and echoing.

The progress is largely subterranean and nocturnal. The night is when it changes, becomes something that consumes. Something infinitely worse than a congealed impossibility.

Congeal is a novella, that lovely mid-point between short story and novel. A tale of apocalyptic horror, our normal world fallen to an ancient, cosmic entity bubbling up to the surface in search of food.

It’s also the story of one individual and her fight to stay afloat in a sea of despair.