Not Dead!!!

I know, it’s been a sad case of pod-fading lately. I just wanted to let you know that I’m still here, still working hard on The Returning. The plan is to not release anything in the stream until I have enough recording work completed to get Season Three up an running without another big delay.  So that’s meant getting the last five episodes of season 2 converted to the new format (still in process) and getting the full story map (or outline or whatever you want to call it) for season three done, and making sure I have enough final drafts written so that when I start podcasting again we can get all the way through season 3 with no breaks.

  • 10 Plays
  • The Wounded QueenDavid Heyes
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Heyescast.com presents - The Wounded Queen

A story written in six drabbles

Written and Read by David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (9.5 MB 6:33)

This is a bit of were-creature fantasy from a setting I’ve been working on, well forever. I’ve recorded it and podcasted it to celebrate the arrival of my new pop-filter, and to give my long time fans a little something new to chew on while I continue working on the re-release of The Returning Season 2. It’s short and I hope you enjoy it. The story is copyright David Heyes 2012, and this recording is licensed under a creative commons 3.0 attribution, non-commercial, no derivates license.  Which basically means you can share it, but just make sure you give me my props. All music was provided by Kevin Macleod, and you can learn and hear more of his amazing music at incompotech.com. Please see the show notes for the titles of each piece used in the podcast.

Music (all by Kevin MacLeod)

Ghostpocalypse 6 - Crossing the Threshold

Devastation and Revenge

Darkness Speaks

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

  • 9 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 012: Escape from Pynchon MountainDavid Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 012: Escape from Pynchon Mountain

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (42.5 MB 30:47)

Previously on The Returning,

Convinced by Sheila that looking for Mark the old fashioned way isn’t getting them anywhere, Becca reaches out through their psychic connection. Mark explains that all of the abductees will arriving at the ship’s landing site. Sheila’s presence catalyzes the emergence of a new persona from the mix of the abductees’ shared minds. This new persona, which Sheila dubs “Francis” explains that she and Becca must find a way to deal with the approaching DEA agents before the colony arrives in full in order to complete what it calls the “maturation”.

Faulkner finds his way to the clearing by the beetle shaped vessel, jarring Becca from her shared communion.  She spares a small thought for her responsibilities at the server farm, but recognizes that while the shared consciousness effect occurs when any of the abductees are together in a certain number, it takes special individuals such as herself, Sheila, and Mark to cause the emergence of a persona like Francis.

Sheila attempts to calm the fearful mind called Francis who seems focused on a flight-or-fight response towards Special Agents Kelley and Grant.  Sheila tries to buy some time for the colony, as Francis calls them, by allowing herself to be restrained by Kelley.  This is more than Francis can tolerate and he launches Mark at the agent. And when we left off last time Kelly had fired his side arm.

And now it’s time to sit back and prepare for The Returning

Promo for this episode:

1919 Nocturne Boulevard by Julie Hoverson

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

  • 9 Plays
  • Guest Author Series 003: Silk City Wolf Bird, by Erik AdmunsenErik Admunsen and David Heyes
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Guest Author Series 003

Silk City Wolf Bird, by Erik Admunsen

Download the MP3 file here (31.8 MB 21:58)

Erik Amundsen has been removed from display after it was determined that he was zoologically improbable and/or terrifying to small children. He haunts swamps and desolate suburban sprawl.  His range is mostly confined to central Connecticut, though he did once fly to the moon on a pink flamindigo. His short fiction has been exposed in Clarkesworld, Jabberwocky, and Fantasy Magazine. His poetry has been revealed in Strange Horizons, Goblin Fruit, and Apex Magazine. He received Rhysling second place honors in 2012.

And now it’s time to put some hydrogen peroxcide on your knuckles and prepare for Erik Admunsen’s: Silk City Wolf Bird

  • 19 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 011: Meanwhile/ElsewhereDavid Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 011: Meanwhile/Elsewhere

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (13.6 MB 9:20)

This is a short experimental piece that was meant to bridge a large gap of time between Season 1 and Season 2 when they were first released. It’s something of an elongated “Previously”, but in a very different format.  For those of you who listened to this when it first aired, the “game” proved to be overly inaccessible, and while it was set up with the best of intentions, I had to let it go in order to get the story and the podcast produced.  So please enjoy this little tidbit while you get ready for the re-release of season 2.

And now it’s time to sit back and prepare for The Returning

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

  • 39 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 010: Convergence, Part 2David Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 010: Convergence, Part 2

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (29.2 MB 20:10)

Special Agents Grant and Kelly arrive at Pynchon Mountain Park and Grant decides that they need to investigate on their own first, in case Sheila’s cell has infiltrated any other of law enforcement personnel. Both agents consider whether or not they should merely apprehend or kill Sheila for all the trouble she’s been.

Mark leads four of the abductees through the woods to the ship, but is forced to rest when the strain of carrying the ship’s data in his mind is too much for him to bear.  The other abductees reach out to soothe and feed him so that the journey can continue.

Becca and Sheila are exhausted and frustrated looking all over the abandoned park for Mark, and Sheila convinces Becca to stop wasting their time and to her abilities to locate Mark.

Promo for this episode:

One Among the Sleepless by Mike Bennett 

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

  • 29 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 009: Convergence, Part 1David Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 009: Convergence, Part 1

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (33.4 MB 24:05)

Previously on The Returning,

Sheila and Becca set out in the green and tan Subaru to protect Mark from whatever is happening at the top of Pynchon mountain. As they drive through the backroad highways of Western Mass, Shiela reveals her past as a drug runner and a how a deal gone bad put her in the DEA cross hairs.

Faulkner is driving to Pynchon Mountain’s fountain of lights sure that he will find redemption in the irrefutable proof of alien contact. He imagines that at long last this proof will bring his children, if not his long estranged ex-wife, back into his life.

Mark has summoned the first group of  abductees to his apartment to begin making preparations meet the others that will make their way to the ship at Pynchon Mountain. Having delegated the tasks of watching over his apartment, his terrified landlord Frank, and making living arraignments throughout the complex for the rest of the abductees, Mark and four of his chosen head back to Pynchon to rondezvouz with Becca and Sheila.

Brians has convinced Kelly and Grant to make a raid on Mark’s apartment. What they find looks more like a terrorist operation than a small time drug outfit. Brians discovers that his connection to the other abductees is more powerful than just a hunch when they force him to draw his weapon on his DEA teammates.

Kelly gives Brians the benefit of the doubt after restraining him, because now he finally has the goods on Sheila and her gang.  They’re all headed to Pynchon Mountain, and Kelly is gonna make her pay.

Promo for this episode:

Nocturnal by Scott Sigler (this is also a link to the author’s homepage or whatever page)

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

  • 19 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 008: Up to Pynchon MountainDavid Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 008: Up to Pynchon Mountain

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (34 MB 24:39)

The Returning - Episode 008:  Up to Pynchon Mountain (this is also a link to the file on libsyn) [Author attribution goes here]

Previously on The Returning,

Becca and Sheila recover from the sickening effects of Mark and the Lights calling to them.  Faulkner tries to warn Becca off of spending time with Sheila, even as she remembers having met Faulkner at the dingy trucker motel the last first time she and Mark encounter the lights. Just as Mark and the lights draw Becca and Sheila to them, other minds are summoned to join them, including DEA agent Brians.  Brians awakes in hospital to discover that he has a new perspective on life, now that he can see using not only his eyes but his skin - and somehow he knows that Mark is to blame for his sudden change. He wants to make them pay, Mark, Becca, and even Sheila - all of whom he mysteriously knows are a part of this. Two dozen others answer the call and zero in on the apartment that Becca and Mark share, much to the worried surprise of Frank their landlord. Sheila’s roommate Nessa makes first contact with whatever Mark has become with his glowing eyes and six new appendages that have cracked out of where his ribs were supposed to be. At last mark returns to his newly summoned friends at his apartment, and Frank finds that his relationship with Mark may have changed.

Promo for this episode:

In Broad Daylight by Seth Harwood 

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

Heyescast.com

  • 0 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 007: Finding Mark David Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 007: Finding Mark

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (42.2 MB 29:13)

Previously on The Returning, 

We get a peek at the inner workings and reasonings of the strange vessel that has long been abducting Sheila, and has newly been drawn to Mark and Becca. It is the same craft that Faulkner chased from Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts. The craft is dying, running low on energy, and running out of time to finish it’s agenda. Worse still the subjects of its work are resisting it, causing the ship to expend ever more of its precious energy. It must pick one target for a last ditch effort to save its work, and perhaps to warn the other extra-solar vessels that have also lain dormant on the earth. It calls for Mark, and Mark obeys.

While she believes Mark to be out running a simple errand, she interviews a private detective to help her with her security problems at work. While he doesn’t recognize her, she knows it is the man from the motel who also experienced the visitation of the Lights.  Sheila, on the other hand, recognizes him but keeps it to herself while she explains her growing problem with her own housemate, Nessa. Even as Shiela is explaining just how Nessa feels about Mark, Mark sends a call to them so powerful it overwhelms them. Overwhelms two dozen minds.

Unable to find her using his own abilities, Mark finds himself at the home she shares with Nessa. But Mark isn’t the same anymore and Nessa’s jealousy over Sheila is changing too… into terror.

Promo for this episode:

Candy for Strangers by Mark Coggins

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

Heyescast.com

  • 0 Plays
  • GA 002 - Curfew by Cecil LawsonAuthor: Cecil Lawson, Narration and Production: David Heyes
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Guest Author Series 002

Curfew by Cecil Lawson

Download the MP3 file here (16.6 MB 23:03)

Cecil Lawson is a writer and reporter who lives in Carlisle, Kentucky.  He made the full tour of university education before he decided that the life of a professor wasn’t for him.  His influences include H. P. Lovecraft, Ernest Hemingway, Henry Miller, Hunter S. Thompson, and The Twilight Zone.  He occasionally tries his hand at poetry, which he rarely let anyone read.  When he’s not being nosy and pounding the keyboard at his day job, Cecil enjoys hiking, tracking animals, and getting his hands dirty.  Had he to do it over again, he would have studied carpentry, but he would still be writing.

Curfew is a previously unpublished story

And now it’s time to zip that flak jacket and prepare for Curfew by Cecil Lawson

The music used at the beginning of this podcast is Ambient Cool by the band Sunsearcher

You can find this track and more of their music at the Free Music Archive website, freemusicarchive.org

Additional music used in the podcast:

Walking with the Wicked by Wayland Thomson and the Heavy Hands

Was used to introduce the story

And 

Walking Boss by The Sadies

Was used to close out the story

Both of which can be found at the Free Music Archive website

Additional Military and Canine sound effects provided by the generous users of the freesound.org website:

“ERH”, and “Uncle Sigmund”

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

  • 30 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 006: A Change in TacticsDavid Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 006: A Change in Tactics

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (51.4 MB 35:37)

Previously on The Returning,

Mark, Sheila, and Becca have their little get together disrupted by what Sheila knows to be the tell tale sign of The Lights on approach: Radio static. While Becca and Sheila take charge of their escape, Mark falls limply under the influence of the Lights. While the three hide out from their pursuers we learn just how far back Sheila’s story goes. Meanwhile Faulkner begins his investigation of Becca’s workplace, and notices that he remains under the attentive eye of the DEA. While sorting out his professionally rendered evidence for Becca’s job, Faulkner gets a call from his DEA friends.  Threatening but non-sensical, the call puts Faulkner on a higher level of alert as he’s told to back off of his personal investigation of Sheila, whom he’s lately encountered again - at the home of his new client. 

With the danger from the Lights over Mark drives Sheila home where he and Nessa didn’t exactly hit it off.  Is it that Nessa thinks Mark of all people has some debaucherous intent on Sheila’s person, or is there something about him that she recognizes as simply other? And finally we meet DEA agent Kelly who has his sights set on Sheila and his plan to use Faulkner to get at her.

Promo for this episode:

Garaaga’s Children by Paul Elard Cooley. (this is also a link to the author’s homepage or whatever page)

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

Heyescast.com

  • 20 Plays
  • The Returning - Episode 005: RunningDavid Heyes
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The Returning - Episode 005: Running

An Alien Abduction Podcast Novel

By David Heyes

Download the MP3 file here (42.4 MB 29:21)

Previously on, The Returning:

Becca dove into her work at Jeffery Technical Community College and landed in a nest of to-dos and crises. Two of her three person team, Tom and Rafiq, may have enjoyed the run of her network but Becca whipped them into shape.  With the twin nightmares of network slowdowns and lax security to tackle, Becca puts in a very early and a very long day on the job. This on a server farm that was not supposed to be up and running, even on a trial basis, until the start of the fall semester. Conflicts arise with a certain professor Rowly who seems to believe that Becca, her team, and her facilities fall under his domain of control. While she and her team are able to discover that something more than minor glitching is causing the new server farm issues, it’s Tom who suggests they employ a private detective to get to the bottom of the problem. As if that weren’t enough for one day the strange woman Becca and Mark encountered on the highway and searched for at the Watny Inn motel, Sheila, made contact. And she has a theory connecting the strange abilities they share and the lights from which she runs.

Promo for this episode:

Crescent by Phil Rossi

For more information about Heyescast stories, including guest authors and bonus materials, please visit

heyescast.com

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