if (grief + illusion > acceptance) then self = void;

In a quiet, snowbound town, Elliot Graves grieves the loss of his wife, Clara, haunted by the fire that took her. But when black snow begins to fall—warm to the touch and unnervingly alive—Elliot is drawn into its eerie embrace. The whispers in the snow promise solace, even a reunion with Clara, but at a terrible cost.

As the ash-like flakes consume the town, revealing the darkest regrets and sins of its people, Elliot confronts the truth of his past and the seductive pull of the snow’s power. Will he succumb to the illusion of redemption, or will he face the pain he’s tried to bury?

“Cinders in the Snow” is a haunting tale of grief, guilt, and the fragile line between salvation and self-destruction. Perfect for fans of atmospheric, psychological horror.

Read the short story [runtime=”16m”]:

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): Sootfall Serenade