while (self seeks holiday light) { self -= fragments; if (self == "silent night") break; }

On the edge of a snowbound town, Dr. Elliot Voss spends his nights immersed in experiments, delving into the hidden realms of the unconscious mind. This Christmas, he is determined to unveil the darkness that lingers beyond the boundaries of self. But as he peers into the ancient myths lurking within, he finds himself haunted by figures twisted beyond recognition—Saint Nicholas with hollow eyes, the horned Krampus wielding chains, and the Black Yule, a spirit born of winter’s darkest heart.

Each vision leaves him more frayed, erasing the line between reality and nightmare, until Dr. Voss’s identity begins to unravel. And as Christmas Eve descends, he discovers a truth too terrible to bear: the shadows he sought to understand have come calling—and they will not leave without a part of him.

The Black Yule is a chilling tale of descent, where the holiday spirit reveals its darkest face.

Read the short story [runtime=”30m”]:

Enjoyed this story? Discover more chilling Christmas tales in The Shadow of Yule – Nine Tales of Festive Fear. Available now in paperback and ebook on Amazon.

Soundtrack (from The Darkwave Before Xmas): Winter’s Chain