Julius Long’s The Pale Man is a masterclass in quiet dread—an intimate journal of a traveler who becomes aware of a strange newcomer haunting the corridors of his hotel. Nothing overt happens, nothing jumps out, yet the sense of creeping inevitability grows with every page. Its power lies in what we notice… and what we don’t want to.
Julius Long (1907–1955) was an American author best known for short, tightly constructed tales of mystery and the macabre. Though he never became a household name, his work appeared in popular pulp magazines of the era, where readers came to admire his talent for slow-building tension and understated chills. The Pale Man remains his most enduring piece—a quiet legend among fans of subtle horror.
Thank you for listening. This story is part of Short Storyverses, a growing multiverse of storytelling—classic tales, original fiction, children’s adventures, holiday stories, and more. Explore every world at ShortStoryverses.com, and discover your next favorite story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
