The Whisperer in Darkness (Academic Edition)

Set against the backdrop of post-flood rural Vermont, the story delves into the unsettling reports of bizarre, sponge-like life-forms discovered in a local river. Albert Wilmarth, a literature professor and folklore expert, approaches these claims with skepticism, believing the sightings stem from locals mistaking storm-damaged remains for otherworldly beings. As the narrative unfolds, the tension between rationality and the supernatural challenges Wilmarth's perceptions and leads to a chilling exploration of fear and the unknown.