Into the Dark of the Woods

The Merrit family is on their way home. They are going to leave Christmas and all of it's weirdness behind and get back to their lives...but fire doesn't cage. Fire waits. 

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This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a podcast.

It is not an audiobook or a reading of any previously published work.

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The Merrits stay over one extra day but today isn't quite as idyllic as it was yesterday. Little things keep happening; breaking glass, stoves that overheat, engines running too loud, sparks being thrown off things.

And then the laugh.

This episode is written and performed by Bryan Foster

Please consider joining our Patreon: Rust Belt Studio | Patreon

This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a podcast.

It is not an audiobook or a reading of any previously published work.

Its been years since the fire that claimed the ornament factory in Christmas, Michigan. Now, just a sleepy little stop over of a town, we meet a lovely family traveling back to Wisconsin from visiting family in Cheboygan for the holidays. But the weather has other plans and they have to make a unplanned stop

This episode was written and recorded by Bryan Foster.

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This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a podcast.

It...

Time has passed and few remember the fire of Bay Furnace. An ornament factory in the town of Christmas, Michigan brings prosperity and good tidings the year round. But one man, an old Cornish "Cousin Jack" was there when the fire laughed as it chased him and his cohorts through the woods. And he sees the flames in the kilns of the factory and knows the truth...fire doesn't cage. Fire waits.

This episode was written and narrated by: Bryan Foster

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This...

The City of Bots. Somewhere out in the wastes beyond the Wilds, there exists a city built by and inhabited by Autonomae; robots that have been given sentience by Spark. But how did they form? When did they come to be? And what do they want? We find that out here.

This episode is a Rust Belt Studio production. It was written and performed by: Bryan Foster

This is part of Christmas Extravaganza event and will be available from now until January 15, 2026 and then will be available forever on our Patreon in our $5...

The ground was frozen and a body lay stiff. There was no way to bury it. So the well meaning miners of Bay Furnace, MI let the fire take him. The fire took him....and kept him...

This episode was written and performed by Bryan Foster

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This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a...

Our trio of students have made it out of the woods - but one of them, Jonah, is taking some of the woods back with him.

This episode was written and performed by Bryan Foster

This is a Rust Belt Studio production.

This concludes the Hermit of the Pines story arc. We're rolling directly into another story next week.

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This is an original work of episodic...

Hello my Favorite Listener - This is a special announcement to talk to you about what's coming your way for the Holidays. We have 6 - yes 6! - different pieces of content headed your way starting December 18th. These are limited time deals and then they will migrate to the Patreon where they will live forever in our Projectionist tier.

Thank you for being here during these early days of the studio and until next time, my Favorite Listener.

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This is an original...

Our trio of students have had enough. This was just supposed to be a scenery shot, turned into a hunt for a mythic figure, turned into now a fight just to survive. Michigan winters have a way of doing that to a person. On their way back to their car, back to their homes, the woods take one more shot at making them permanent residents and the Hermit makes himself useful again.

This episode is written and performed by: Bryan Foster

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The three students from Ferris State University have seen their quarry. They know he exists and they try to find him. But this is November and even though it may be early, it's still the Upper Peninsula and the lakes can effect the weather fast and hard. As these three are beginning to learn if you're not from the land, the land may have plans for you.

This is a Rust Belt Studio Production

This episode was written and performed by Bryan Foster

Please consider joining our...

Into the Dark of the Woods is a Rust Belt Studio production

The three students from Ferris State University head deeper into the woods, looking for confirmation that the Hermit is real, that he's what's leaving these "trades" to find. They find it, and more.

This episode is written and performed by Bryan Foster

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Please consider joining our Patreon: Rust Belt Studio | Patreon

This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a...

Hermit of the Pines is the next story arc from Rust Belt Studio's "Into the Dark of the Woods" show

We meet three Ferris State film college students traveling north for some shots, some sounds, and some story. They find there way near Tahquamenon Falls where the pines hide a story as old as they are.

This story was written and narrated by Bryan Foster

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This is an...

This is "Bargain of the Field" episode 5 - the final episode. We come back to the present to see what happens to the Kallio's from the bargain that was made in the past.

Into the Dark of the Woods is a Rust Belt Studio Production

Written and Narrated by Bryan Foster

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This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a podcast.

It is not an audiobook or a...

Episode 4 of "Bargain of the Field" brings us back to the past, back to Eno and his family. We watch as they try to carve out their piece of the land and see the land push back, trying to throw them out. We see why a man would make a deal and what that deal cost him."

"Bargain of the Field" is a generational horror podcast set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is a Rust Belt Studio production.

This episode is written and performed by Bryan Foster

<...

We follow Eero and Anja, one enjoying everything the town has to offer with blissful ignorance. The other, feeling the growing dread of knowing that a deal was made and that prices are coming due

"The Bargain of the Field" is a generational horror drama set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We follow the Kallio family from their roots coming over to the United States from Finland to their thriving farm today.

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This is an original work of episodic audio fiction...

Eno Kallio, the patriarch of a small family, herds his wife and children on a ship bound for the new land. Hear their journey and see them find their new home.

"The Bargain of the Field" is a generational horror story set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We're following a Finnish family as they find their way, and so much more.

Into the Dark of the Woods is a Rust Belt Studio production: horror and folklore from the heart of the Midwest.

💀 Written and narrated by Bryan Foster

The frost came early that morning, slicking the Kallio fields with silver. The pumpkins sat in rows like fat lanterns, their skins shining where the sun caught them. Eero Kallio walked the rows in his flannel and boots, the cold on the air had nothing to do with the cold in his heart.

"The Bargain of the Field" is a generational horror story set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Kallio family must keep their pact with the soil, and soon, payment will be due

Into the Dark of the Woods is a Rust...

Welcome to Into the Dark of the Woods, a Rust Belt Studio production. In this brief introduction creator Bryan Foster shares what's ahead - horror rooted in the Upper Peninsula. Follow the show for weekly episodes starting October 2025

Please consider joining our Patreon: Rust Belt Studio | Patreon

This is an original work of episodic audio fiction, produced and released as a podcast.

It is not an audiobook or a reading of any previously published work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.