“The Erlking” by John Connolly
Disclaimer: This story is copyright 2005 by John Connolly. I claim no rights to it whatsoever; my reading is for entertainment purposes only.
Warning: Potentially triggering content. I am not entirely sure how to specify it, so please just listen with caution.
I was planning to read John Connolly’s “Some Children Wander by Mistake” today, but in looking through the book for it, I came across this one first and stopped to read a bit of it. I have read it before, but forgot about it. I think it is far more affecting than the other, and, as much as I love creepy circuses, creepy myths are even better.
This story feels like a nightmare, with horrifying images and events that don’t entirely make sense. There is a real feeling of dread, and the childhood fear and confusion are perfectly captured, and I just love it so much. I really hope you do, too.
I couldn’t find an online version, but it can be found in John Connolly’s short story collection, “Nocturnes”, if you want to read it. I recommend it; it is brimming with wonderful stories.
