
Friendship, Survival, and the Light That Fights Back
At its heart, Agony is not just a horror story—it’s about love, loyalty, and the human need for connection. This post explores the bond between
When Claire’s life crumbles under the weight of her own mind, she chases whispers of hope to an abandoned ghost town. But what she finds isn’t salvation—it’s a nightmare that mirrors her soul.
Agony explores the thin line between reality and delusion, where friendship becomes the only light left in the dark.
I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, with a lifelong love for horror and the supernatural. Like many others, I’ve lived with and continue to experience depression, which has shaped both my perspective and my creative voice.
When writing this book, my goal was to create something authentic and heartfelt, a story that treats mental illness with the honesty and sensitivity it deserves. Too often, fiction sensationalizes or misrepresents these struggles. Through this story, I hope readers who haven’t experienced depression might gain a better understanding of it.
Claire’s journey reflects my own perception of depression. Everyone faces it differently – Claire finds strength in physical activity, something I deeply admire, while I cope through writing, gaming, and immersing myself in other worlds to escape my own shadows.
Agony draws partial inspiration from the Silent Hill franchise. Its foggy, haunting atmosphere has always felt more like a haven than a nightmare to me, and I wanted to transform that inspiration into something both unsettling and meaningful.
The bond between Claire, Amo, Rachel, and Chiyo represents the heart of this story. Their friendship and love for one another symbolize how support and connection can be our greatest defense against darkness. Not all battles are meant to be fought alone; sometimes, the fight to survive is one we face together, with friends and family by our side.
This is my first book, and I’m incredibly proud to share it. I have many more stories planned, so stay tuned, and thank you for joining me on this journey.
Agony by Clay Tarlton-Hensley is a gripping psychological horror and survival thriller that explores friendship, trauma, and the weight of living with depression. When Claire’s life has fallen into a dark pit of misery and suicidal thoughts, she stumbles upon a possible cure for her clinical depression in an abandoned ghost town. What begins as a desperate search for hope quickly spirals into a nightmare of creatures, collapsing cities, and psychological torment. Haunted by betrayal, fractured identities, and the lingering scars of abuse, Claire and her friends, who have come to save her, must confront not only external horrors but also the demons within. As reality twists and the town closes in on them, they are forced to question who they can trust and whether survival is even possible when the true enemy is themselves. Blending emotional depth with heart-pounding suspense, Agony is a chilling journey into love, loss, and the agonizing fight to hold on to hope and find the courage to ask for help.
Step into the fog and witness the story unfold—where nightmares breathe, hope flickers, and the mind becomes the final battleground.
Watch the cinematic trailer for Agony, the psychological horror debut by Clay Tarlton-Hensley.
Join Clay Tarlton-Hensley for exclusive interviews, live Q&As, and virtual readings where he unpacks the inspiration behind Agony.
Explore the deeper meaning of friendship, trauma, and how horror can become a language for healing.


Agony is a psychological horror and survival thriller exploring depression, trauma, and the power of friendship.
Yes, Clay drew inspiration from the Silent Hill franchise—particularly its foggy, haunting calm that feels more introspective than terrifying.
It’s a standalone novel for now, but future stories set in the same universe are already in development.
Yes. It addresses depression and suicidal ideation with honesty and care. Reader discretion is advised.
Available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.

At its heart, Agony is not just a horror story—it’s about love, loyalty, and the human need for connection. This post explores the bond between

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Horror isn’t always about monsters—it’s about the quiet moments when your mind turns against you. Agony began as a personal reflection on depression, transforming emotional