Tarbabies

Allen R Brady presents a harrowing tale of isolation and transformation in Tarbabies. The narrative follows an unnamed narrator trapped in Otterkill as the town succumbs to a mysterious plague. Police forces are overwhelmed by a Manhattan quarantine, leaving residents to face the escalating threat alone. What begins as a single entity on a porch quickly multiplies into a horde of monsters. Every neighbor lost becomes a new predator, including members of the Spiller family and local pets like the Mathises' Rottweiler. A mere touch transforms victims, turning them into stalking threats that hunt the remaining survivors. The story expands beyond Otterkill to reveal the terrifying scope of the outbreak. Tarbabies appear in Albany, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, indicating a widespread catastrophe. The narrator realizes there is no escape from this creeping horror. Shadows themselves seem to pursue the living, making hiding futile. Brady constructs a claustrophobic atmosphere where trust erodes with each passing day. Fewer people remain, while the number of monsters grows daily. This work suits readers who enjoy visceral body horror and tales of societal collapse. It may not appeal to those seeking complex character arcs or hopeful resolutions. The narrative relies on immediate danger and the breakdown of community bonds. There is no rescue coming from outside authorities. The focus remains tightly on the psychological terror of being hunted by those once known. Brady uses the setting to amplify feelings of helplessness and dread.