tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36575510631711358602024-02-02T01:30:34.909-08:00David V. MamminaDavid V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-23415177276998413102016-08-21T08:18:00.000-07:002016-08-21T08:18:16.830-07:00As He Once Sang - by David V Mammina<h2 style="text-align: center;">
As He Once Sang</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One love, one heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's get together, as he once sang.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And don't worry about a thing,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because every little thing will be alright.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live your life and stir it up,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as he once sang, little darling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good friends you have and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
good friends you've lost.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In this great future, you cant forget you past,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but you can forgive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, dry your tears and we'll help you sing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
these redemption songs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emancipate yourselves, as he once said.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because, although he is dead, we can still sing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Let's get together and feel alright."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As he once sang.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by David V. Mammina</div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-77052955158165374912016-06-26T08:45:00.001-07:002016-06-26T08:45:34.787-07:00A Teacher's Poem to Young Graduates by David V. Mammina<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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new race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We believe in your
spirit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because for you
this IS it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lovingly Dedicated
to the Class of 2016</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">by David V. Mammina </span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-55143956508440221412016-03-12T14:45:00.000-08:002016-03-13T11:37:57.995-07:00Short Story: Prey for Daughters (Part 1 of 3) by David V. Mammina <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Prey for Daughters </span></span></span></h2>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">A Short Story by David V. Mammina</span> </span></span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Corban Delaney, a small town sheriff in
western Oklahoma, heard the thump just outside his office and knew he had a big
town problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the heavy heat of the
early morning, he put down his coffee and sighed in his deputy’s
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then both shared a jaded
stare, hearing her already arguing with the law about the condition of her
potential bounty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In but moments, Kaiya
Kay charged into his office with a gritty appeal for getting paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pursued by two of the sheriff’s agents, Kay
marched up to Delaney’s desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before she
could lay her dirty hands onto the wood, Lee, Delaney’s most trusted deputy,
stood in her way and put up his hands, “That’s close enough, Ms. Passover.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A shot at her daunting reputation for
slaying outlaws in the dead of night, Kaiya Kay stopped in her tracks and put
her hands on her hips but inches from Lee’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her skin was very fair, if not pale white,
sporting lips with a bluish hue to them as if she had just come out of an ice
box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her black boyish hair was a
deliberate mess, topping off the stark black and white contrast to her
countenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donned in a tight worn
duster of weathered black, Kay sucked her teeth and waited anxiously for them
to go through the motions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the door
opened to the porch and road out front, Sheriff Delaney easily saw Kay’s
latest prey lay dead inside a frayed body bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His head and chest exposed, the infamous bandit had been shot in the
throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delaney could see that from his
seat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well, hell, woman.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He groaned, “Here we go again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that who I think it is with a giant bloody
hole in his neck?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not interested in looking back at her
bounty cadaver laid out beside her wagon and pair of horses, Kay answered
bluntly, “He fired on me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“They always fire on you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delaney riposted heatedly, “McCarthy was
supposed to be taken alive—alive for a reason.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The agents outside covered up McCarthy when
a lady was approaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay had returned
while looking back this time, “I asked nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He just wasn’t a nice guy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You ain’t gettin’ a dollar for this one,
Kay!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delaney jumped up from his seat
and hollered, “That man was wanted alive for interrogation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He alone isn’t worth the spit in my mouth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarthy is a squealer—a notorious
talker!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That poor sap would’ve sung a
song so loud, we would’ve run in the whole gang!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, instead, you present me with another
dead body!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, missy, this one’s the
last!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re done from here on out!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While a young lady desperately tried to
enter the sheriff’s office, the agents outside held her up until the heated
engagement was through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she put up
a convincing argument about the dreadful heat, they allowed her to sit inside
and wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, the well-dressed woman
watched the fiery exchange from the bench, taken aback by the whole scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though she came for an emergency, there was
no cutting in to this fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would
regretfully have to wait until the storm had passed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee looked through the bounty hunter to
gaze at the young lady sitting in the bench for her turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her brown eyes beamed out from behind the
delicate wisps of her long brown hair, cascading about the sides of her olive
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wearing a casual dress for a hot
weekend, the bottom rim had been catching dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her shoes, too, were flat, but overcome with dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been trudging in areas no proper
woman should have to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping only
a hand fan to keep cool and a small sack of miscellaneous things under her
seat, the girl returned his gaze and then winced to the side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then, Lee found himself back into the
frenzied mix, hearing the sheriff gripe back at Kay, “And why does every one of
your bounties return with holes in their throats?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That your calling card?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When a hostile shoots to kill, I
communicate in the language they understand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kay fired back, “You don’t bring home a live pig for dinner!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sheriff Delaney was ready for it,
shouting, “But you bring a live cow when you want a steady flow a’ milk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You robbed Mainstay of that, already!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I’ll communicate with you in the language
that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> understand!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show your pale, pasty face in this town after
tonight and we’ll shoot you—we’ll shoot you dead!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Affronted, Kay scowled at them both,
knowing that the threat was a promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lee pointed back out at the door for her to move on with her horse-drawn
wagon, staring her down with daggers in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled in disgust, turning away and
heading out for the heat empty-handed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking
out, she met eyes with the young olive-skinned lady sitting in awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before she could even think about her
attractive features, Kay dealt with Delaney’s last tip, “And get rid of that
heavy black duster!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a burning hell
out there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You crazy, or something?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But my heart is so cold, sheriff.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay retorted as she walked for the door,
taking a last look at the lady before stepping over the cadaver to return to
her wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning her body to look at
the ominous woman angrily flip on her hat from inside her wagon of steeds, the
lady held her beating heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it
was the touch of fear or regard, Kay had a presence she had never experienced
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No woman kept herself quite like
that from where she lived. A sinister, yet eccentrically heroic character, Kay
left her spellbound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the bounty
hunter had moved out, an agent cleared his throat from the lady’s side and
gestured for her to meet the sheriff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now, little lady, what brings you down to
these parts?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheriff Delaney said as he
tiredly returned to his seat, “You’ll have to forgive that messy spout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things happen around this town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which leads me to ask, again, what a lovely
girl like you—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My younger sister’s being held hostage,
kept against her will, in a giant house just outside of Blackwell!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She yelped it out all in one breath, frantic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Able-bodied men carried the outlaw’s corpse
away while Delaney and Lee were left speechless, digesting the young woman’s
desperate plea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taken aback, the sheriff
put up his hands and leaned back in his chair, saying defensively, “Whoa,
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slow down, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s this about your sister?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee retrieved a notepad and put his pencil
to the page, anticipating a frenetic story from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting from the beginning, Julia shared her
name and described what she knew about her sister’s captivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee scribbled as fast as he could while she
mentioned her sister’s peculiar young lover and his connection to a large house
a few miles east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the more she went
on about him and the strange house, Delaney held her up and interjected
wearily, “Wait a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your sister
willingly visits another man’s home with her boyfriend and never comes
back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that where your story is
headed?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He’s a doctor, she said.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia replied, fidgeting with her hands,
“I’ve seen it a few times—a big high ranch house.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That’s when Julia saw the immediate change
in their demeanor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Delaney and the
deputy turned to look at each other in brief distress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat crept up on them, promptly
moistening their brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia was not a
naïve girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt the floor drop from
underneath her, realizing that they knew more than they were telling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outraged by the tense stillness, Julia
couldn’t help but cry out, “Hello?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to ride down there and break her the
hell out!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suddenly restless, Sheriff Delaney said,
“Now, listen here, missy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Barley is
one of our greatest assets around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s a reputable man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four days
out of the week, he visits and freely—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t care if he raises the dead!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia countered furiously, holding back tears
brooding over her sister’s fate, “If you know that man, you need to break down
his damn door and pull out my sister!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s all I’ve got left!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just us now!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alright, now!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delaney rose from
his seat and came around to meet her in front of his desk, “We can’t just raid
a respected man’s private residence because of a girl’s tip, alright?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some things that don’t make a lick
a sense right now and I’ll need a lot more outta’ you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can have an agent make a visit with you
tomorrow at the doctor’s home, if that’s who we’re even talking about here, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, you need to breathe and give me a
better story.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re safe here in Mainstay, ma’am.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee came in closer to her, wishing he could
put his dry fingers into her light brown hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia cringed at the thought of that man nearing any closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way he looked at her, undressing her with
his lifeless eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She heard nothing
else the sheriff had said as he gave empty excuses for a man she never knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because she blamed herself enough for
allowing Kit to elope for nights on end with the young drifter, Julia was not
willing to go through the motions with the speculative law of Mainstay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing felt right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t the reaction she had expected from any
town’s sheriff’s office.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’ll put you up for the night at the inn
just down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any open room on the
second floor is paid for by the sheriff’s office, alright?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delaney tried to reassure her, holding her
arms gently, “You get your sleep and then join my most trusted officers in
paying a good visit at Dr. Barley’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If something ain’t right, they’ll be right on him like dew on a lily.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dew shakes off lilies pretty easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia gave in to their pony show and agreed
to stay the night, taking a signed voucher from the sheriff for a free room at
Booker’s Inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having fled all night from
the watchful eyes of the evil house, Julia found herself at the mercy of Mainstay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her last hope was catching a ride back home
to Enid and employing the law from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But time was of the essence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a reason they were keeping Kit inside that prison of a
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed to find out why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Mainstay was not going to help her, then
she’d go elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no
confronting the doctor at his home alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She could still feel the deputy gawking at
her as she strolled down the gravel street escorted by one of the sheriff’s
officers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took her through the town,
making the most of her lamentable stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Showing Julia the Mainstay bank, town hall, one stationary store after
another, the officer tried hard to convince her that she came to a small town
with strong communal values.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia only
saw an underdeveloped township, a base hole in the ground in comparison to
Enid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across from the saloon, he
escorted her into the inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having passed
the small covered wagon with two horses at the trough, he should have known
that Oklahoma’s most infamous bounty hunter patronized the inn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The agent carried her things inside with
her walking just behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hardly a
well-appointed place, for Julia had seen better taverns back home and at
Blackwell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small group of commoners
patronized the place, having breakfast or preparing to move on after a small
town’s sojourn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading her to the
concierge desk just to the side, he exchanged the sheriff’s voucher for a room
key upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the concierge gladly
obliged, Julia turned around to ogle the vacant bar with the anomalous bounty
hunter sitting by her lonesome, drinking some sort of clear liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the bartender kept his distance,
polishing some glasses off in the counter’s corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Miss?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The feminine concierge offered her the free room key while her escort
took her things and motioned for her to follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In walking up the stairs, Julia had to look
upon the lone drinker again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent
caught her bending her neck to catch another glimpse of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, someone had to break her away from her
stupor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“This way, ma’am.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waited by the room door as she unlocked
it, then saying as he followed her inside, “I wouldn’t get too involved with
that woman down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’m sure
you’ve heard already, she’s no good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s a walking curse.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A what—a curse?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia repeated, bewildered by the
controversial woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While heading out the door, he told her, “That
woman is dangerous, like her father was before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever heard of The Ashman?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Almost anyone who had ears around a spooky
campfire heard the tale of the ill-famed “Ashman,” a self-proclaimed
vampire-hunter who had murdered and burned his victims through three
states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having been tracked down in Broken
Bow, Vance Kay was caught in the act, attempting to burn another “vampire” out
of his world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died but ten years ago
in his prison cell a crazed man, leaving behind a widow and a daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man then whispered to her, “That’s his
daughter right down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s just
like her father, a sick demented thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kay claims to be a bounty hunter, but she’s really a hired gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more she hunts, the more she becomes like
that sick man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like father, like
daughter, if you ask me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It really did not make much sense for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories about The Ashman never
included his family, especially a daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Part of her didn’t believe the deputy, but the better part of her knew
that she was one thing for sure—a woman who hunts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pondering her sister’s fate as she shut the
door, Julia knew that the little town she ran into was too small for a mission
so big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no time for red
tape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no time for politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hired gun or bounty hunter, Julia didn’t
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needed any one of them to find
out what happened to her only sibling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe she did come to the right place after all. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Moments later, she opened the door a crack
to peek out at the bar below, hoping to still see the femme fatale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crossing her fingers, she headed to the
wooden railing and peered down at the bar scene, seeing the hunter sitting
right where she had been moments earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Treating it as a sign from a just God, Julia took a deep breath and
fixed herself proper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like before, she
connected eyes with her while headed down the steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay returned her gaze all the way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia ambled towards her, feeling the bite of
fear and foreboding chill run up her spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kay’s sharp eyes seemed to pierce straight through her soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having mustered all her courage, Julia sat in
the stool right beside her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After an awkward pause, Julia blurted out,
“Hi, there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kay, amused with her sudden company, took a
final gulp of moonshine and flicked the glass down the bar table, replying with
an alcoholic’s breath, “Is this for pleasure or for business?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Discomfited by her vulgarity, Julia
initially blushed before gathering her nerve once more, replying, “I have a
perilous task for you—a matter of life and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can determine which that would be for
yourself, but I need someone who can pull the right triggers if it means saving
my sister from her captors.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Squinting after processing her bold plea,
fighting through her light-headedness, Kay said, “Thought I saw you in Sheriff
Nottingham’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened to
that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t interested in your
rescue mission?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He doesn’t believe me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia was quick to respond, “And I suspect he
has connections to my sister’s captor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Inhaling her delicious fragrances and
hanging on every perfectly pronounce<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">d</span> word out of her mouth, Kay said,
intrigued, “Sounds scandalous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who has
your sister?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A doctor, I think.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She answered, probing her memory for
everything she learned about him, “Doctor Burley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister is being detained at Dr. Burley’s
place.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Barley, actually.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay sucked her teeth and tried shaking her
dizzy spell, “He’s the doctor that reaps the benefits from poor clients unable
to afford his many services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should have
lost his practice many moons ago.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So you know of him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why would he have my sister?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia made a fist, boiling over with tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She even heard her heartbeat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking the opportunity as it was provided,
Kay avoided becoming lost in her eyes and started, “Before we play this game,
you’ll need to buy me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Daring to bring her face closer to the
hunter, trading fear for faith, Julia boldly asked, “Name your price.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kay wanted to ask her for a one night
stand, a chance to take her to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
selfish dream—the whiskey trying to take over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, instead, “One hundred dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fifty before the job and fifty after it’s
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standard fare.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She could have charged the girl five
hundred dollars based alone on her character trait and urgency of her
mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia easily agreed and
stretched out her hand, ready to shake on the deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay felt her adrenaline flow from the moment
she sat down next to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beginning to
whisper now, she told Julia to follow the necessary steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hanging on to her every design, Julia
listened carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not
difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her instructions were to stay
in Mainstay for the day, retiring to bed early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hours after nightfall, Kay pledged to call upon her at her door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then that the first payment was
due.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From there, the remainder of the mission
came to light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay needed all the
details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When was Julia’s sister held
hostage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was the doctor’s
residence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who else was involved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia was easy to agree to everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She followed every detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sneaking into Kay’s tight wagon of supplies, goodies and boxes she was
not permitted to touch, Julia made the sign of the cross lying on her
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then rode out of town in the dead
of night, leaving the stenches and depravity of Mainstay for good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While on the venture out, Kay felt the law snooping
on her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her senses were good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaking his head, Lee said from his
wicker chair, “See that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like they
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">M<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">s. Passover</span></span></span> definitely has that girl in
that wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt about it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking on from the porch, Sheriff Delaney said,
“We should have put all our men on watch for that woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a feelin’ this could happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just had a feeling.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And you know where they’re headed,
right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee said, worriedly, “I knew by
looking in that girl’s eyes that this wasn’t goin’ away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then Kay comin’ here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just bad luck.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hanging his head down, stewing, Delaney
proclaimed, “Follow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take three of
your best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let them do anything
stupid, you hear?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heading out to assemble his men, Lee turned
to ask shrewdly, “Permission to kill ‘em if I have to?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Feeling the heavy burden of the caustic
turn of events, the sheriff could not risk the doctor, or his business, being
disturbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rubbing his eyes first,
Delaney said, “Just do what you need to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’re too close now anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make it clean, quiet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee nodded his head and was off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*Stay connected to read part 2 of 3 in a few days...Find out who's really the good, the bad and the ugly in the next installment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-DVM</span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-50998197987699161152016-03-11T15:38:00.000-08:002016-03-13T11:38:22.835-07:00Short Story: Prey for Daughters (Part 2 of 3) by David V. Mammina<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prey for Daughters</span> </span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by David V. Mammina</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Two hours later, Kay set up a small
campsite by a large lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supported by a
tiny campfire for some light, she suspended her lit lantern off the back of the
wagon and began sharpening her knives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia was soon awakened by the shearing sounds of blades as she tried catching
up on sleep inside the carriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
the feint light of the lantern and crackling sticks from the fire, Julia just
figured she join her temporary companion outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the horses neighed as she stepped out
into the stillness of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay sat
with her back against a raised stump, sharpening her knives even as she came to
sit with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia looked over the small, popping fire as
she sat in the grass, considering the menacing aura of the hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her striking eyes reflected the fire’s
flickering glow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dark duster
removed, Kay’s thin shirt hugged her form loosely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blades caught the fire’s light just the
same, reminding Julia that there were many weapons in Kay’s arsenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like in Booker’s Inn, Julia felt that she had
to initiate the conversation or there would be no conversing at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Aren’t you tired?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked with the blackness of the lake at
her back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Placing sharpened knives of various sizes
and serrations onto an opened fabric, Kay replied coolly, “I slept during the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat made me tired.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia nodded awkwardly before saying, “I’m
too anxious to sleep.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, the horses were neighing from the
front of the wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then said,
“That’s Phobos and Deimos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
been my steeds since the beginning—my only friends.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Can’t imagine why you don’t have friends.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia jested, then instantly regretting
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Human friends?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She countered on cue, “Those don’t work
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I determined a while ago that
friends are bad for business.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> your business?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia
pushed warily, “If you don’t me asking.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rolling up the array of blades brandished
out before her, Kay replied bluntly, “My business is population control.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You hunt people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said amid the crackling fire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The bad ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The broken ones.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay took out her revolver from inside her old
duster laid out next to her, “Unlike my father, The Ashman.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia was frozen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay, in beginning to clean her six shooter, heard
her heart rate increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smelled her
fear, nearly tasting it in her mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was an erotic sport, at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
of leaving her in her trepidation, Kay coldly explained, “There are stories
that follow us like shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though
you cannot see them in the dark, they’re still there, ready to torment you
after a fragment of light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father is
one of those stories—one of those shadows that has followed me throughout my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a vampire hunter, or so he
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now, every snap of the
fire calls ‘murderer.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, they all
have their stories, girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you heard in that inn was
but a tale of a tale from a taleteller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you really knew my father, then anxiety would be the last thing that kept
you from your sleep.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her eyes gleamed with an anger tested
through years of nights such as these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia could feel her skin crawl under her day old clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t believe she entrapped herself
into believing that such a woman could rescue her sister from captivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no escaping it anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia had run to Mainstay after her spooked
horse raced away from her just the night before, not far from the lake behind
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting across from such a daunting
woman put her into a sudden panic, fearing for her safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reloading her revolver, Kay followed, “You
need not fear me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re my client and I
am at your service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am not my
father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hunt <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> demons, human ones.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finding her mettle, as she often did
throughout her life, Julia said, “My father was hardly a saint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He abused my mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He abused us—my sister and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abuse can have many different forms and my
father was dedicated in all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had to serve as my sister’s mother, guardian and caretaker for most of my adult
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left us alone when I stood up
to him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kay knew she was telling the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Underneath all her beauty and fine clothing,
there was a scarred child and war-torn warrior dueling it out for the external
show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She detected it now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only made her more desirable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ogling her from across the fire, she asked,
“Where is your father now?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Enid cemetery.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia replied boldly, “That’s why we’re
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d travel with the daughter of a
vampire hunter if it meant finding my sister and bringing her home.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Enamored, Kay asked another question to
satiate her peaking curiosity, “Would you kill someone to save your sister?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking the next step in her dark
confessions, Julia riposted in a hesitant whisper, “I already have.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kay held her revolver tightly then, pushing
in the last bullet with her thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was telling the truth yet again, trusting the hunter to handle her bad secret
responsibly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having finished loading her
gun, Kay rested it on her inner thigh and asked, “And what if this is all just
a big misunderstanding between your sister and someone else?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Changing her disposition after taking one
of her deep breaths, Julia said, “I want to make it very clear, Ms. Kay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want any trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want her back safely.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Silent, Kay returned the revolver to the
inner pocket of her duster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then
brought a bag of hay to her steeds, feeding them as Julia sat there by the
fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just when she turned her body to
look out at the black lake, Kay spoke, “Barley’s house is just up the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll scout around before sunup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to get some rest.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Running her fingers through her brown hair,
Julia scratched her scalp nervously and returned to the wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before swapping the starry night for the
cramped bedroll, she called from the side of the carriage, “What if the sheriff
looks for me in the morning and I’m—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No one’s looking for you in
Mainstay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay said, “That page has
turned.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia, after a last look out at the dark of
night, nothing for miles, attempted to find some sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no promise of tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She juggled the many scenarios of the coming morning,
each one worse than the next, as she laid her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shared too much with the bounty hunter,
wondering why she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She appeared too
vulnerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Kit was free, could
they really distance themselves from Kaiya Kay and Mainstay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tried to fall asleep, knowing that she
made a deal with a stark stranger for the sake of her loved one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only God knew what the morning would
bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for Kay, she petted her
steeds’ heads and stared out into the night, anticipating Delaney’s posse not
far behind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Flashes of a bloody, screaming massacre
rushed through her head as she slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
dream so vile and dooming could make any hard man awaken to a moistening
tremor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia burst from her sleep and
whimpered, moving sweaty hair out from her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In trying to become accustomed to her
surroundings, she felt about and then looked down by the end of the wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She squealed when she saw Kaiya Kay standing
at the opened back of the carriage, detaching a heavy duster of some kind from
the boot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They typically brushed the
ground as the wagon went along, wiping away track marks from the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was still dark and the crickets were
singing loudly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While Julia held her heart in sheer terror
after waking up from her nightmare, Kay asked, “What happened to your mother?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Confused and shaken, she could only utter,
“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are we?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your mother.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay repeated, rolling up the duster and
packing it behind the boot of the wagon, “You never mentioned what happened to
her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look, I shared too much with you last
night.” She said, defensive, “I paid you for a job and I want to see it
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are we?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Extending her hand for her client to exit,
Kay answered in full garb of pinched hat and black duster, “We’re here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be morning soon.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The house?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia took her hand and climbed out
guardedly, “Where is it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just up the hill behind us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay replied amongst the crickets, “We are
where you were before you ran to Mainstay.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia felt naked in her eerie clairvoyance,
remembering where she was when spying on the suspect house one night
earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to ask, “How did you
know that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Telling her straight, Kay declared, “I
smelled you here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, Julia retreated into herself, her
blood pumping faster through her vessels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trying to change the attention to her sister, she composed herself and
said, “What do we do now?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking like she was heading into a
gunfight, Kay checked her blades and guns concealed within her duster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phobos and Deimos were gone, as if they
evaporated from the hitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay never
left her friends to wait in compromising situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never wanted them to suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same for the girl she felt attraction
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even just touching her delicate,
but able hand, was electrifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
she told her, “You will wait inside the wagon for me to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I’m finished scouting the area, I may
need you again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you said, this is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> job and I’m good at it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not satisfied, Julia returned agitated,
“And what about Kit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you see her,
what will you do?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Bring her out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You’re a hunter of people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia proclaimed, “But, this is not a time to
hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a time to rescue her, even
if she’s fine and in love or cooking breakfast or whatever—she needs to be
taken out of that place.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fixing her hat to lean just over her eyes,
Kay started up the hill, saying, “You hired a hunter of people, girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to see your sis again, you’ll let
me be.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There, holding her forehead in angst, Julia
sat on the open end of the wagon and slightly rocked herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching Kay sneak up the grassy hill and
disappear over the black peek, she was sure that all bets were off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They crossed the Rubicon together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the questions assailed her mind
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How was she going to pull her sister
out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could she convince her to
leave?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would she pummel her way in and
out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if the law of Mainstay found out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a roll of dice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the top of the hill, Kay overlooked
the isolated house of Dr. Barley and the city of Blackwell in the far distance
lit by lanterns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In heading down to
reach the fence line of the doctor’s property, she saw two loutish men laughing
together under a single porchlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
didn’t fit into the puzzle of things, but the more she glared at them from
afar, she focused in on what they were laughing over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stumbled upon McCarthy’s bandit
brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of roaches like them
meant there were more inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Smiley
Smuts patronized Barley’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
question remained, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were they
bandits or customers this night?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unable to collect their bounties at
Mainstay, Kay was eager to cash in big after it was all over in Blackwell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, first, her real priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morning was but an hour or so away, so there
was no time to wait them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a
selfish way, she wanted it like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stealth
driven, Kay ran along the head of the hill and then crept down the knoll to leap
over the perimeter fence, trespassing the Barley residence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dashing along the side of the large home, Kay
hugged the edge of the front porch to spy on the two Smut bandits still
laughing like drunken idiots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, for
them, she needed to make her way inside without eyewitnesses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With a fast flick of her wrist, Kay cast a
small throwing knife through the lantern hung over their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before they could handle their alarm, Kay
overwhelmed them in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rushed
in and slit one of their throats, then stabbing the other in the eye
socket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In but seconds, they were slain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay effortlessly dragged their corpses off
the porch and nudged them against the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She rummaged through their pockets, finding wads of cash and stolen
jewelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them had a revolver
fully loaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She claimed it as her own,
shoving it into a deep inner pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the two bandits out of her way, Kay darted for the rear of Barley’s
home unopposed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a bad luck evening for the Smiley
Smuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay only prayed that Kit did not
share the same luck, if only for Julia’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Making it to the back property, seeking a shady way to break inside, her
keen sense of smell consumed her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
foul aroma had come from the cellar doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a stench any feral creature could catch, but Kay knew it as
rotting flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staggered by its potency,
she pulled off the lock with just her grip and entered the cellar with a long serrated
knife at the ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The odds of Julia’s
sister being brought out alive suddenly took a putrid dive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Upon entering the doctor’s basement, she unknowingly
interrupted breakfast between three ravenous dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They easily noticed her intrusion, though
only one of them charged to attack her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She did not know dogs, let alone which kind came charging to maul her in
a bloody snarl, but Kay had no patience for a bad one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it bounded to take a mangling bite out of
her throat, she forcefully took it by head and snapped its neck with a savage aggression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That caught the attention of the other dogs,
compelling them to take their meal outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They hurriedly ran passed her with chunks of meat in their jaws, running
out of the cellar without delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
they raced passed her, Kay recognized the red meat in their mouths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Human meat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking no chances, she sheathed her knife
and brought out the revolver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new
depravity of the circumstances made her gnash her teeth in disgust—in a bitter
rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there came any other body
before her that was not Kit she determined to kill them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the inspection of the bloody massacre left
behind by the hounds, as well as its stink and taste, could not have belonged to
Julia’s sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had essences of an Apache
or Cherokee male.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Controlling her
nerves, Kay growled and headed for the stairs up into Dr. Barley’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">*Stay
connected to read the climactic conclusion in a few days...Find out who's really the
good, the bad and the ugly in the final installment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-DVM </span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-75205636868391726612016-03-09T19:07:00.000-08:002016-03-09T19:07:05.076-08:00Short Story: Prey for Daughters (Part 3 of 3) by David V. Mammina<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Prey for Daughters</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
by David V. Mammina</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bursting out from the basement door, Kay
promptly clouted the half-naked outlaw in the jaw, putting him against the
wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dazed, he held his face with
buckling legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grabbed him by the
belt and flung him down the steps from where she came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he tumbled helplessly down the stairs, she
carefully shut the door behind her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was the only man she smelled in the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of the hour, many were still asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In waiting quietly within the darkness of the
hall, she shut her eyes and tried to listen to additional heartbeats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were there, but weak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Following her instincts, she headed down
the hallway and turned the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
pulsating emanated from the second floor somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She headed up silently with the intention of
beating answers out of the next person she bumped into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down the next hallway, she gravitated towards
a shut door with activity behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay
put her ear up against the wood, overhearing sounds of two other men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, from the cracks about the door,
emitted the stench of opium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attaining
all the evidence she needed, a heavy kick bashed in the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the splinters still scattered into the
room, Kay scurried in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Smut boy was
still putting on his pants as the other reached for his gun on the bed
stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a grave mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She fired on him, waking nearly everyone
inside the house, and blew open his stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he keeled open in pain, she put the gun on the other with dead aim at
his forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put up his hands in
surrender, letting his pants fall to his ankles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then made her way inside, keeping the gun
aimed for him all the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as she
came in closer, she noticed the Cherokee girl under the sheets breathing
erratically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her bronze skin was sopping
wet, her heart racing dangerously fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other outlaw had begun groaning in agony from the mortal wound, laying in a
fetal position by the bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remnants of smoke
lingered about the room from previous opium use. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What the hell is this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay growled through her teeth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He knew precisely who she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dead to rights, he uttered, “Ms.
Passover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy hell—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The poor girl, hardly out of her teen
years, fought off the effects of a drug fueled rape session at the hands of the
Smiley Smuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though she wanted
answers, the sheer injustice of it all reached into her chest and yanked out
her cold heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were others in the
house to question, after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came
in close and grabbed him by the throat with her unyielding left hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay looked over the Indian girl with a
stewing fury, squeezing what little life was left out of the degenerate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he fell out of her grip, unconscious,
Kay leaned in over the girl’s gaping mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In just three painful breaths, she fluently identified the opiates in
her system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was nothing she could do for the
child now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More were headed her way and
she had five more bullets to donate to the Smiley Smut Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voices rung down the hall, sounding like the
same caliber of scoundrels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twirling the
revolver in her fingers, Kay pressed her back to the inside of the room and
waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were just three of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two more somewhere in
the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the three positioned themselves about
the open doorway, she came up with a simple plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them called out, “Show
yourselves!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ernie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That was when she lifted the paining outlaw
with her bullet in his stomach and flung him hard out into the hallway, calling
back, “Passover!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He slammed into the opposing wall and came
crashing onto the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They flinched
at the abnormal sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having heard a
female’s voice, one of the three thought he could surprise and overpower
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cried out before firing several
shots inside the room, only hitting the wall across the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as he volleyed in a panicked frenzy, Kay
rolled under the spray of bullets and shot the brigand up through the jaw and
up out of the skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blood with
chucks of brain matter hit the ceiling before he hit the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then dashed out and unloaded a fury of
her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She slid out on the floor and fired another
shot into her next challenger, putting him out for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last one dropped his gun and lowered
himself onto his knees, trembling in fear for his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rose to her feet slowly and placed the
hot barrel of her trusty six shooter an inch from his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a young one, no older than fifteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fine opportunity to ask hard
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hissed over the groveling
teen sinisterly, “See your friends here?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He only nodded his head in fright, sweating
out the drugs from the night as she proceeded, “That’s what you’re gonna look
like if I don’t get the truth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, the boy nodded his head frantically,
having firmly woken from his night of perverted ecstasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then crouched in to communicate with him
at eye level and asked, “The white girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where is she?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As he stuttered an incoherent answer, Kay
smelled it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to get this close to
notice it, but a dash of Julia’s scent was on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, it wasn’t Julia’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It belonged to her blood, her sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the “boyfriend” she spoke
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of this, Kay was dead sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So close now, she put the heat of the barrel
on his forehead, compelling him to cry out, and barked in his face, “I don’t
need you alive, boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have just one
more chance to lead me to that girl you lured to this hell show.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Terrified, he answered slow and in a few
words, “Last door on the left behind you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please, ma’am!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t kill
me!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shut up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said, pulling the barrel away and lifting him up by his wet shirt,
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no mercy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She pushed him ahead as they moved down the
hallway, extending the revolver over his right shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that he was only alive to serve as a
slab of meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay kept the pace and
kicked open a door to her left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kicked the door to
her right, revealing a walk-in closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Further down the hall, she shoved him ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they neared closer to the door he
described, he yelped, “There!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That door,
right there!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The door was already opened, a result of
him running out after hearing Kay’s gun-shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As Kay approached the door, a surprise attacker emerged from the corner
of the den up ahead and fired his flintlock rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a flash of light, the boy took a hole the
size of an orange in his chest and Kay dove to the side, shooting as she hit
the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her shots were on point,
placing holes in his left shoulder and mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feminine cries sounded from the floor above as the abrupt violence
ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was all over, she hurried
to her feet and rested her back against the wall, covered in the boy’s blood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A virtual bloodbath in just that hallway
alone, Kay caught her breath and gazed into the opened room with the hopes of
finding Kit alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the Native
American girl before her, Kit lay naked under the sheets with strained
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt her heart beat, as
low as it was, and forced her eyes opened by the eyelids, all in an attempt to
snap her out of her opiate stupor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
shouted over her, “Kit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your sister sent
me to rescue you from this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
just outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to take you there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold on!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her skin wet and on fire, she uttered in a
lethargic gasp, “Julia?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wrapping her up with the sheets to clothe
her, Kay started to lift her up, but then heard Kit cry out,
“Skin…burns…Julia—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was going to be a risk moving her like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had seen morphine overdoses in
opium dens and Kit had many of the symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Drug paraphernalia was left on the bed stands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To avoid carrying her out and driving Julia
into a maddened panic, Kay came up with a different solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the doctor was truly here, then he would
be the only one to save her—if it was even possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mind made up, Kay patted Kit’s face dry
and said, “I’m coming back with someone who can help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be back real soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She made her way out the door and closed it
just a crack, intent on saving her at any cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Listening in for heart beats and sounds of movement, Kay slowly moved
into the den and pinpointed five additional bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She removed her hat and let it fall behind
her, quietly heading up the stairs with her revolver at the ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second floor was a mess, a drug fueled
bedlam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sensing three fretful bodies up
the way, she raced down the hall and elbowed the door into shards of shattered
wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One black man and two women of
mixed race screamed out in fear, huddled together in the corner of what
appeared to be an opium lab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
sure that death had come after looking at the bounty hunter stand in the
doorway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The doctor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She commanded in an angered desperation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While the women sobbed together, the man
pointed back out the door, saying, “The gang leader has him held up in the
office!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And off she went, saying under her breath,
“We’ll see.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just heading down to the doctor’s so-called
office, a high-pitched shout called to her, “Drop yer guns and come in with
hands up!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How ‘bout I just blow your face off?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay returned, leaning against the wall next
to the doctor’s office.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Try it and I shoot the doctor dead!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outlaw cried back, unnerved by the rapid
raid on the home, “Who’s that—a woman?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trying to keep the peace if only to save
Kit’s frail life, she cried back, “Just want the doctor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let him free and I’ll let you live out one
more day!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No kidding!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cried back among the doctor’s petrified
mumblings, “How many of my boys did you kill to get here?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Started with McCarthy and I’ll finish on
you if you don’t let him go right now!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kay screamed back, losing her patience by the moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once he heard that, there was a worried
pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally met the infamous Ms.
Passover for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bounty on the
Smiley Smut gang was high and he knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In a rattled comeback, the outlaw said, “Glad you killed that snitch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did me a favor!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Never the negotiator, Kay dashed into the
doorway and grunted, “Let me do you one more!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Firing her last shots at him, one spinning
bullet nipped the doctor’s shoulder and blasted through the outlaw’s
throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell back against the wall,
spurting blood from his mouth as he fired recklessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Barley hit the ground moaning, but he was
alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then strolled in, reloading
her six-shooter unafraid of a counterattack from Sully “Smut” Codey—the gang’s
illusive leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had never seen him
in person, though if she had before, he would have been dead earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, now, he faded away with his head against
the doctor’s blood-spattered wall, leaking from his gullet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as he left the world, Kay spun the
cylinder and hissed, “I’ll live a free decade on just your bounty alone,
Codey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good riddance.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the doctor crawled away from her,
holding his wounded shoulder, Kay stared him down with eyes of hatred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She walked closer as he crawled further
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grasping that there was no
escaping the reaper, he let go of the floor and turned around, yelling out, “Aw
hell, please don’t do this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Stepping on his ankle, reveling in him
writhe in pain, Kay pointed the barrel of her busy pistol for him and said,
“What kind of doctor are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know,
I should feed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> to the dogs like
you did that Indian.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Frantic, he cried from the floor, “I didn’t
do any of this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear I—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your home is a front for a drug den!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tried roaring sense into him, “All those
people who are dead because of you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those girls!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The addicts roaming
the wild!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Smut boys took my house right out from under me!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He screamed for his life, his voice cracking,
“They abused my morphine supply!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
what I specialize in, morphine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
took it all and did what they did here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was nothing I could do, I swear on my life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing I could do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were going to kill me!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kay heard everything he was trying to tell
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe she was wrong about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe her instinct was off for once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps he was telling the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After listening in to his heart beat and
smelling the odors of his sweat, she knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Putting her gun
inside the holster within her duster, she grabbed him from the collars and
lifted him off the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally
cried in fear of what she was going to do to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay brought his face close and growled
through her teeth, “You listen to me, you sick lying prick, if you think I’m
another crooked lawgiver from Mainstay or Blackwell, you’re in for a hostile
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your dirty business is over
starting from this very second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, do
you still want to stay off the hounds’ dinner menu?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The doctor needed only to nod his head in
surrender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shoved him down the steps
and ran him into Kit’s door, throwing the criminal doctor onto the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing her lay motionless in the sheets, he
covered his mouth and put out an exaggerated gasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay then unsheathed a long serrated knife and
took but one step closer, sensing that his usefulness was nearing an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forced to check her pulse and condition,
Barley went to work on her, but only for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon hanging his head, dropping her lifeless
arm back onto the sheets, the disgraced doctor began to tremble in fright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay knew why, standing there in stiff dread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally had to bear the news, “She—she’s
dead.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Beginning to squeeze the handle of the
knife with a quashing ire, Kay griped, “Resuscitate her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fearing what she might do to him if he
didn’t try, Barley feverishly worked on the girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again and again, he tried to revive her,
pressing down on her chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lasting for
over fifteen seconds, Kay began to lose faith in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sensing a faint pulse, the doctor finally
pinched her ear and spurred a reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kit jerked from under the sheets, then crying out in a paranoid shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if God gave him a second chance at life
just the same, Dr. Barley yelped, “I need my staff to tend to her, okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t overdose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was her first time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Walking in closer to him, knowing that
Kit’s wellbeing was the only thing keeping him alive, Kay snarled, “Was it
worth it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this the legacy you were
looking for?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Defensive, he stood up and said, “I already
told you—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When you are charged for this and find
yourself in a Blackwell prison cell,” Kay hissed as she slithered dangerously
close to his moistened face, “I’ll be sure to pay you a visit to remind you
that, if you ever escape that elusive hanging you rightfully deserve, I’ll be
waiting just outside in the dead of night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You hear me, doc?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If justice
isn’t served cold in court, I’ll serve it bloody.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Message received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, as Kit was vomiting into a bucket
provided by the doctor’s staff, Kay leaned over and told her, “Julia is waiting
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell her the bittersweet
news she’s been hoping to hear.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking Kit’s dress with her to prove that
she was alright, Kay emerged for the front of the doctor’s opium den and headed
back to her wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With dress in hand,
she made it over the hill, seeing her wagon just down the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morning was close, but a half-hour away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gory encounter was not expected, but it
went as good as it could have gone considering the grim circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a long time since she was able to
give good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So trigger impulsive,
Kay had almost forgotten how to save lives as opposed to greedily taking them
away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And yet, when she reached her wagon, Julia
was not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smelled her scent in
the open air, but not hers alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was another—one she had breathed in before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The dress becoming hot in her hands, Kay was just about to call for
Julia when a direct bullet punched through her chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took her by surprise, inducing her to drop
Kit’s dress into the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it
fell, Kay put pressure on the critical bullet wound and limped backwards in disbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when Julia’s horrified cry resounded
from behind a cluster of trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay
looked up to find the source of her scream as she fell to her knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deputy Lee had then surfaced and unloaded seven
shots into her torso.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He fired with two Colt pistols, advancing
towards her with every next shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lead pierced into her, spraying blood and pushing her into the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fell in agony beside Kit’s dress and her
wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seemingly breathing her last, Kay
lifted her head in discomfort and watched Lee come to stand over her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said something, but she had already begun to
lose consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At her final moments
breathing the Oklahoman air, Kay dreaded leaving Julia in deep sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All went black.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lee’s men frisked Kay’s person as she lay
lifeless and riddled with bullets, taking her pistols and knives as
evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being decent agents, they
searched the blood-spattered home of Dr. Barley and marveled at what was left
of the Smiley Smut gang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee ordered one
of his men to remain with Julia outside while he went in to see the mayhem for
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was worse than he could have
anticipated, for the gang had dropped in on the doctor by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having realized that the doctor finally bit
off more than he could chew, Lee ordered his three officers to remain at the
house to take the doctor’s statements on what went down and safeguard the
victims inside, including the Native American girl and Julia’s sister.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, against her wishes, Lee forced Julia
to ride out with him for Mainstay to alert the sheriff of the deadly
showdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia, however, fought him
tooth and nail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as she thought
from the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had connections to
the doctor, and with Kaiya Kay shot down she couldn’t even see her sister to
know she was alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His word meant
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kit’s dress falling from Kay’s
hands replayed in her mind as she struggled to leap off Lee’s moving
horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, with her sheer power
alone, Julia pushed Lee back enough on the horse for her to lean to the left
and escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the horse galloped on,
she fell off to the side and rolled into the dirt, bruised and scraped.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dammit, girl!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee shouted, turning his horse back around to
pick her up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not know how much
she learned about the doctor’s underground opium and morphine business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just couldn’t risk her causing a
stir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Julia, as determined as she
was trying to make it to her sister again, nearly took a bullet in her
leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee’s one good shot pounded the
soil and brought up dirt into her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was a warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She halted in
her tracks and held her arms out at her side, anxious of what he was going to
do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Get back here!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hollered for her off his horse, “You ain’t
runnin’ back to that house!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can bet
on that!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turning around to see him hold her up with
the same pistols he killed Kay with, Julia considered the area she dove
into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creek was to her far right,
light trees were scattered about and just open soil around for miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was in the middle of nowhere with a
corrupt Mainstay deputy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia, on the
other hand, had come too far to give up on her sister now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching Kay die under a barrage of Lee’s
gunfire was a stake in her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
never knew what the hunter had uncovered inside the revolting house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what Lee was going to try on her,
Julia was resolved to defy him at even the cost of her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia glared at him and countered, “I knew
you were bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re poison—you are
poison if you don’t let me even look upon my sister!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You should’ve gone to Blackwell
then!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called back, nearing closer
with slow steps, “You just don’t know how to follow a man’s orders!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She cried out, unable to hold in her impairing tears, “What could make
you be the devil that you are?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The devil?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really, girl?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee riposted,
obviously affronted, “The sheriff and I fought and bled in the war!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t dream about the things that
happened to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think we got
for it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without morphine, we’d be sad sacks
of nothin’!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that Doctor Barley
gives us doses for free?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a model
American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, if we take a little
bit more on the side, is that so bad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m entitled to it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We’re</i> entitled to it for what we paid in
Lincoln’s war!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“My sister is not liable for your crappy
sob story!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia screamed back at him
as he continued to come closer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well maybe your poor sister should’ve been
a bit more picky in boyfriends!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
barked with his guns still up, “She hung around some bad boys and that’s on
her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, girl, this world ain’t no
place for lonely daughters!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I ain’t no lonely daughter!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came right back at him, feeling like this
was her last big moment before he took her, “My father’s dead!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother’s long gone and I’m the proprietor
of their farmstead!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and me
alone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have been for eight years
since!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ain’t no daughter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m everything you’re not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You needed drugs to sleep?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m more of a man than you are, ya’ damn
child!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">About ready to take pistol-whip her over
the head, Lee groaned through his teeth, “I’ll show you what I am, girl!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But then, behind Julia in the distance, he
saw a horse come running forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
not quite morning yet and Lee couldn’t make out if it was one of his agents’
mares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it galloped passed them, Julia
easily recognized Phobos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Equipped with
saddle and stirrups, Phobos dashed by without a master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee watched him go, mystified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after him, Deimos came running just
seconds behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee cursed the unmanned
steeds, because they belonged to Kaiya Kay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia stared at them hypnotically as they
rode away unhitched, racing free into an open world of peril and choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as she and Lee looked on, a dark figure
had rushed in and tackled the deputy into the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The force was such that Lee dropped his guns
and slid on his back without air in his lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kay then, as a savage demon, sunk her razor teeth into his throat and
tore it asunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gurgled helplessly
in a bitter torment, being eaten alive by the true to life monster of
darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay chewed and tore at his
jugular, gulping the spurting blood from his arteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia, feeling as if she would faint from the
horrific sight, collapsed to her bare knees and dizzily watched it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee’s horse had already run off, spooked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In only seconds, there was close to nothing
left of his neck but bone and champed muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia held her mouth, wanting to gag, but the fear prevented her from
doing anything else but keeping still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay
then rose from her meal, better restored from the curative feast, and turned to
face Julia with her face and chest covered in Lee’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia couldn’t say anything after what she
witnessed, though dry heaves unhappily hunched her over the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay tore off a piece of his shirt and wiped
her mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Oh God!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia heaved some more on her knees, traumatized, “Kay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The revitalized hunter then proclaimed,
“You owe me fifty dollars.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Phobos and Deimos finally reappeared at
Kay’s sides, as she anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julia
could only look up at them, thunderstruck, for it eerily made sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was always more to the bounty hunter
than she could hold in a realm of God and reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay had shared her dark secret with her—one
that no other person would ever believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, as she swore to herself that night, Julia would have summoned a
vampire if it meant saving Kit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long
as she was on her side in the matter, Julia was able to make it back on her
feet unafraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deimos came up to her
with the intention of riding her all the way back to Dr. Barley’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay easily climbed into Phobos’ saddle and
petted his crest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Together, they rode back for the house
side-by-side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Lee never lived
long enough to make it back to Mainstay, Sheriff Delaney would not learn of the
rout of the infamous Smiley Smuts this night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At last, the sun began to rise from the east, bringing the long awaited
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reunited with the woman she
found a liking for, Kay said to her, “When your sister recovers, do yourself a
favor and give her more to do on the farm.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nodding her head, indebted to the
supernatural hunter, Julia replied, “Agreed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And if I needed to say it, keep clear of
Mainstay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay said, “They’ll be out of
a sheriff for a while.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julia shook her head, hearing more than she
wanted, and brought it back to their present business, “Well, you still haven’t
earned your last fifty yet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The job
isn’t done until my sister is out of that house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the deal.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s true,” Kay replied, “but curly
wolves with badges weren’t part of the deal either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have to play your part this time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bargaining with the hunter, Julia had to
ask. “You didn’t kill the doctor, did you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kay uttered, “I don’t put down a man until they’ve served their purpose,
no matter how long it takes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hunter
must be patient, but a scavenger must also eat.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Catching on to her new ally’s baleful world,
Julia found what she had been lacking for all her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stung her like Kay’s own retractable
fangs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a force within that
longed to be unleashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching her
lips move, still tinged with Lee’s blood, an awakening took place of her fears
and qualms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kay sucked her into the
reassuring shadows of the feminine predator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Julia prepared to kiss the hot sun of a man’s will to the desert, for
there was prey in the dead of night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Prey for Daughters</span></b></div>
<b>
</b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">by David V. Mammina</span></b></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-61681116488962389042016-02-15T12:59:00.001-08:002016-02-15T12:59:26.048-08:00Short Story: A Man That Knows by David V. Mammina<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h2 class="MsoTitle">
A Man that Knows</h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By David V. Mammina</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
most dangerous man is a man that knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what my father used to tell me when I was young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d always come home late from his dreary
detective work and spend some time telling me about the stark realities of the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Argumentatively, a selfish form of child
abuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t tell my mother,
because she’d shut him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he
thought I was strong enough to hear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe he wanted me to build a bulwark around me for when the levy broke
in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t know why he told me
about his experiences on the black streets, always over a hard drink, but those
liquor-stricken chats changed my lot permanently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, because of him, I have become him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> tried to be something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could have been a teacher or a writer, or something like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, no, this is blood and blood tells our
stories before we even know we’ve lived them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When my father died, I felt his spirit leave this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His last breath left my lungs that night and
I knew he was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the only man of
the house, mom was sure that there was nothing that could steer my ship away
from my father’s tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
something pulling me—a string that tugged me like a fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I didn’t drown in his liquor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Years
later and they send me to Grenville for a “serious investigation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is one hell of an understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They set me up with some fast-talking rookie,
Arty McCarran, and away we go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in
the dark light, much like it was back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bad scenes make bad dreams and I’ve had the worst of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This scene, however, takes me for a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Arty is vomiting words in the passenger
seat, I’m already realizing why they called me in for this particular
assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not that I’m the best
they got or that I had the most experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They chose me, because they had no other stones to turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So did Arty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Agent
Archer, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The captain of Grenville
police shakes my hand at the front door to the crime scene.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes,
Alan Archer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I show him my badge, “And
this is my partner, Agent McCarran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
not here to take over—“</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We
know why you’re here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come in.” He
replies, walking us into the fine high ranch home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Breaking
through gawking cops, the captain leads us into the former commissioner’s
personal office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More like a personal slaughter
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nathan Stevenson was the
Commissioner of the GPD for ten years before he retired, but I knew him for a
darker reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew him but good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father used to mouth off on him, cursing
his name and gnawing his teeth at every tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew how corrupt he was, but wouldn’t do anything about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stevenson had ties to covetous journalists,
drug traffickers and even the mob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew my dad was onto him, and
boy did he take care of that loose end. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dad
was transferred, and fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the first
night on the new job, he received a phone call from this anonymous pawn telling
him to keep quiet and be grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Funny, I made it into the FBI without any black marks on my record, at
least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stevenson’s crooked lifestyle was
bound to catch up with him, but not like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank God he was alone when the killing started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His family was not in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems convenient, because it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone knew Stevenson was alone last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there wasn’t any struggle either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh
dear, someone special filleted this fish.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>McCarran chews his gum and starts writing notes about the crime
scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s actually pretty good at
that, as it turns out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stevenson’s
throat was cut out and his hands were tied tightly around his own seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood had splattered crudely all over his
desk, common for such a nasty laceration of the throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that wasn’t the worst part of it
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not why I was called
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One for the money…</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
was written in blood on the back wall just above his head, usually where his
certificates and awards would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
was the only clue to the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell,
the police dusted and scanned for prints, but there was nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The commissioner’s security cameras weren’t
even rolling the tape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, all
too convenient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eerie phrase above
was written with a durable glove, maybe kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran is laughing to himself and looking
at me as if I’m part of the joke he’s telling himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, he is right to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CSI is cooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No phone calls made to his office or cell
phone, no strange emails, messages, nothing in the trash or shredder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No witnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just one damn clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even I write
the idiom down, repeating it to myself, “One for the money.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Something
funny?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The captain growls at my
temporary partner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The asshole was still
snickering to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are they
doing to me, sending over a sap—a dud?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tell him to shut his mouth or leave before they start suspecting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grenville had more than a dozen connections to the commissioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some hated him, but most loved him—those that
didn’t know any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was always on
the TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a celebrity death, the
media had taken over the street like hungry vultures at a dead lion’s banquet. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
thirty something long minutes in this cursed place, I find myself in need of
some fresh air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As McCarran and I step
outside, there she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A girl, no older
than twenty, sitting on a black moped locks eyes with me over the yellow tape
that separates us from the mob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once she
sees that I’ve seen her, she’s gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This woman wasn’t
here for the scene, I know she was here for something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can’t care enough about that now, nor
could I even try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reporters are
flashing pictures and giant lights are beaming on us both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I fight to watch her ride off, my
cellphone vibrates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only time this
phone rings is when I’m in for some bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And wouldn’t you know it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This
is Archer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I answer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Archer,
we’ve got something big going on here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get
down to East Hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is gonna blow
up fast.” Says my higher-up, “When you’re done, get here as fast as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got something else that could be
connected to that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And how the hell do you know what I
have?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A monkey could tell that this is the big
story right here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I leaving it
all this quick? It’s lunchtime, but an agent eats after the job, especially
this next one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>East Hills is only one
town away, but wealthier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving up and
down hills, this easy rode brings us to a big house in the middle of
surrounding spruce trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one
eluded the media for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone and
his step-twin are at the commissioner’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The police only discovered it forty minutes ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no doubt that this was my
case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had my name written all over
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran sighs and opens his little
notepad a second time, sucking his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s been a strange day already—an unorthodox way to do the job.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Up
on the third floor, the police are giving me cold looks as if to say, “You’re
in for it now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire house looks
fine, until we enter the victim’s bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There he is, all limbs tied to the bedposts with his throat cut out and
his fifth limb cut off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a murder
victim version of John Bobbitt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the
law explain the connections of this crime to the one I just left, it hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just above the bedstead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…two for the show…</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
guess that means that there’s going to be a “three to get ready” coming
soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene is similar, too
similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is another killing by the blade,
another message written in blood, and, of course, dry evidence at the well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one witness, not even his dick hung
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The psycho took that, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How classy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While the cops take in the scene, I get a good look at the guy’s
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when my hearts sinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this guy, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well,
I’ve only met him a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name
is, or was, Kevin Malone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CEO of a
struggling private school for learning disabled kids, he was my mother’s boss
and worst weasel she ever met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
his secretary, until he made sexual advances towards her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even told her that she would get a twenty
percent increase in her pay if she would only sleep with him once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This degenerate pig fired her when she
refused, setting her up with a good excuse to let her go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he only knew who my father was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been dead three years before that. I
can’t be bothered to remember what that waste of space and time pulled off to
get rid of her, but I was always willing to clock him square in the jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like someone had a better reason to
take him out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So,
what is the definition of irony?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
two of the victims today, indirectly, and they both wind up dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time of death was about an hour or so
after Stevenson’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s pretty good
time for committing two squeaky clean murders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both happened in the dead of last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We go through the same routine until we lose our patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t every day on the job when trained
professionals look at each other with the same face they used when learning how
to read their W2 forms for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, our pens just hover over our pads.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
not a good day, to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
lunch and further investigation among the Grenville and East Hills crime scenes,
it’s getting darker and McCarran gets restless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m starting to think that it’s all just a hoax—a “This Was Your Life”
game show moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tired and suffering
from an induced headache, I glance at my watch and find that the day has
treaded over my resolve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did I
accomplish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indigestion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back
at the office, hearing it from everyone and racking my brain with every detail,
McCarran calls my name and enters my radius of concentration uninvited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dropping my pen and rubbing my eyes,
listening to the gears of the clock nearing the end of my shift, I shake my
head and wait for the rookie to bark something newly futile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knocks on my desk, saying, “Join me for a
drink so we can forget about all the things we didn’t learn.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hearing
his request is like a tourist asking for directions after you’re lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn’t this kid get it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just fighting to stay above crazy, swimming
against the current of making these two murders personal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m too damn close, and I almost feel like
walking into the director’s office and calling it quits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If not for my own worrisome curiosity, I need to know how I am connected
to these sadistic homicides—if at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
when I realize that McCarran doesn’t know my past, where I came from, and
couldn’t know how deep into the shit I really am, he calls out, “Alan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You in there?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
should deny him and just go back to my cozy little inn just two towns away, but
after a day like this one, a beer is an elixir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We haven’t had a chance to really get to know each other, let alone swap
personal notes on the disturbing case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
we leave the offices and hit a bar nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We sit and drink until talking is easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been in a bar for three years and,
somehow, I feel like I never left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
babbling about the lot we’ve been given when the rookie actually says something
interesting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
know what this is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the J.D.
killer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finishes his second glass
nonchalantly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The
what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ask before taking another
swig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I know who he is talking
about, but I want to hear what he really knows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Looking
at me with this stunned face, he goes, “The John Doe killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t look me in the eyes and tell me that
you never heard of the John Doe Killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How could you be an agent, or even a regular shmuck, and not know of—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
you gonna set me straight, or what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shake my head and pick up the next round, still intent on finding out where
he’s going with all of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Tell
me, something.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says, “What’s the
most dangerous attribute a killer can have—the most perfect talent that would prevent
him from ever being caught by anyone?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Humoring
him, I say, “Smarts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A genius.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Try
again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He offers a crooked grin before
shooting down another drink.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shaking
my head, I say just to get to the point, “Someone on the inside of the law.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
looks at me real mysterious-like and whispers, “Psychic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A psychic killer. That’s what J.D. was when
he killed those people three years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An elite psychic will
never leave any evidence he knows is going to give him away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always knows where the cops are gonna be,
or what they’re gonna look for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows
where his victims are and how vulnerable they will be at a certain time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s who we got here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the psychic killer.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
try to hold my laughter in, but it’s no good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A burst of hysterics rushes forth and I wipe my mouth with a sleeve, “No
kidding.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
nods with the same dumb smile, “Swear to God, that’s not just an urban legend,
you know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gotta say, I’m a little
shocked you’ve never heard of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re a real ostrich!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Keep
your voice down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell the idiot, “If
this is why you brought me out here—to have a debate on whether we’re dealing
with a psychic, then, clearly, you need—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No
prints, no witnesses, no real leads, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He barely whispers back to me at the bar table, wobbling on his stool,
buzzed, “Same as last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re just going to file this
into another cold case bin.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A
cold case bin?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m compelled to repeat
it, mirroring his lack of experience, even with his vocabulary, “Look, I’m
taking you off this case first thing in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not the job you’re looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m not the mentor you need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The director will have to appease me this
time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
him looking me up and down, I pay for my drinks and stumble out of the
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never bothering to look back at
him, I flag a taxi and give the driver the inn’s business card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I look out of the cruising cab’s rainy
window, I suddenly can’t help but ponder McCarran’s far-fetched theory of my
case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five minutes away from the motel
and I’m thinking about how I would convince the director to drop him off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This man is a liability living in a toon
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has no business being on my
case, let alone one he suspects is the work of a murderer with psychic powers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soon
after I tip the cabbie, my sixth sense tells me to scout my surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the car drives off, I feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone is watching me and I’m rarely
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there she is again—twice in one
day on that moped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connecting eyes with
me a second time, the strange woman drives off in the opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First at Stevenson’s residence and now
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This woman knows something
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows a lot more about me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is never black and white for people who
do what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, the job bleeds
into my real life and real life just becomes the gray area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So where does this girl fit in?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
taking those drinks, I actually slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wish I could have gotten more hours, but I’ll settle for small miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like clockwork, my phone rings and I know
it’s not a wakeup call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran lets me
in on some early morning bad news from the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like he’s gotten less sleep than I
did when he says, “Rise and shine, you poor soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got a problem.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
if it was on the tip of my tongue, I come out with, “Three to get ready?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You’re
catching on, Archer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coram Heights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll pick you up in ten.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…three
to get ready…</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
not surprised anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scene is variably
different from the previous two in that there are four victims who were beaten
and forcibly overdosed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hypodermics were
lodged into their bare chests, while only one of their throats was actually
cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likely died from the overdose,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slicing seems to be this
guy’s calling card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blatant
similarities are perplexing as usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The murders were not done overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The approximate
time of death, as the CSI team reports, was an hour or so after the last one in
East Hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran is very helpful at
laughing again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This stupid
son-of-a-bitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beyond
the lack of evidence and the same old stare from the faces around me, I’m only
interested in one thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I know any
of them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were druggies, two of them actual drug
dealers, who had their little cove here in Coram Heights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s three towns over and the murders were committed
as if the killer knew when and where they would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were just waiting for their grim reaper
to come and give them a taste of the wrong medicine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost want to name him the J.D. Killer when
I notice something that sends my world for a spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
know that face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goddammit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second dealer pressed up against the bed
suddenly looks very familiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to
school with this punk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were high
school friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hung out with this
loser long enough to get a sample of bad drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At one point, his uncle had to drive us to the emergency room after this
prick picked up laced drag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took that
experience to shake me off a bad course so that my mother could smack me onto
the right one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a cop, years later, I
got this little bastard put away for dealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As an agent, I’m staring into his cold, dead face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
thing that takes me over the edge is that he’s the only one who sustained the
signature throat laceration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the
only one out of all these lowlifes who merited the signature service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach turns and my nerves shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bloody phrase on the wall mocks me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all this, there is only one possible
lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This sick, calculated person knows
me and wants my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, or she,
is reaching out for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what is the
connection?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I a potential puzzle
piece?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Damned if I’m going to tell a
soul about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God help me if they find
out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please be the only case today, I tell myself,
though I would rather just get the last part of the idiom splattered on
someone’s wall and be done with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
keep that to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the wondering
and the waiting that rips my insides apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone is playing this game on us, but I’m the only one taking it
personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran’s psychic theory is
still rattling around the empty crypt of my brain as I update my higher-up on
the day’s events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is less than
pleased with my results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t blame
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I should just tell him that
a psychic killer is on the loose cutting jokes and using me for a punch line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
whole rest of the day, McCarran is starting to meet me at the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally has accepted how deep we have
become in this job, scrounging for evidence and connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just give me one damn witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amid the growing media presence blowing up
the internet and front pages blurring my vision, we make a chart on the wall back
at the office and pretend that we can connect dots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the
day’s break, we eat lunch back at the inn, realizing that we may not have this
bloody case for much longer. After eating our Chinese food at the end of a
dark, cloudy day, he leaves and I sit at the end of the mattress holding my
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people want answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like them, I’ve got nothing to write on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m fried.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly,
my phone rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let it ring four times
before I have the nerve to pick it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who could this possibly be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
knows I’m here besides McCarran?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon
picking it up, I don’t answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my astonishment, a female’s
voice starts on the other line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She says
with hesitation, “At the 13<sup>th</sup> Street trestle, right?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shaking
my head in a frustrating daze, I bark, “What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who the hell—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meet
me under the 13<sup>th</sup> street trestle at ten tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t be late.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then hangs up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
know it’s the moped girl following us around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s stranger is I
know exactly where that trestle is located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sends chills up my spine when I think of how far lost I really am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did she know I was here in this
room?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did she know that I knew where
the trestle was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where did she get my
personal number?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what I really
want to know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Curiosity
kills cats, but I’m still putting on my clothes to meet this mysterious
woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked me about the trestle
first—timidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, she told me where
to go, as if she was reading from a card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This girl knows too damn much, but does she expect me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can catch on to things fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me one shot at you—just one shot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking to myself, I almost don’t hear my
cellphone talking to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s McCarran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though he’s calling to run something by me
concerning our investigation, I cut him short and let him know about the 13<sup>th</sup>
street trestle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sounds thrilled to be
a part of the expedition down the rabbit hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I make sure my gun is loaded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran waits in a vacant lot across the
street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t see him through the
steady rain, but I know he’s waiting in the driver’s seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cabbie takes me right under the trestle,
taking cover from the impulsive storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
McCarran run across to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no
time to be cordial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all seems too
eerie, even for film noir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The traffic light is blinking red tonight,
shining on our faces and wet overcoats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
exactly ten o’clock now, and McCarran can hardly contain his excitement as we
watch the cab drive away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His shoulders
are bouncing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I notice the trestle’s
utility door behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the door is
a big white arrow pointed towards the knob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On any night, this door should have been locked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I pull
it open and let McCarran head in first with his firearm drawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I turn the light on, the bulb overhead
blows out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I get a fast glimpse of
something that rested on the ledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
looks like a knife of some sort, but I can’t be sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the sound of falling rain is cascading
down the sides of the trestle’s edges, McCarran sets the flashlight where I
want it to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rushing the light over
stacked traffic cones and miscellaneous construction litter, he shines the
light over a bloody dagger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
serrated knife with a customized handle, like something from Ancient Egypt,
featuring birds of prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just above the
display, the serial killer spray-painted the last phrase of that classic idiom
on the wall, but with an enlightening twist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…and now you know. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
there it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like that, I’m
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As promised, I put on my gloves
and seize the knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran utters in
shock, “What the hell is going on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s
Kaylen—that bitch?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
tell the asshole real calm, “Come here, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Read this phrase on the blade.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
comes scurrying over and shines the flashlight on it, blinding his sight for
but a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all I need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quickly, I slash his throat and watch him
yank back in terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flashlight
falls to the ground and lights up his bustling shoes while he bleeds out,
struggling to crawl away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally,
I put him out of his misery with his own gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, ownership was relative, since he stole the piece from a
gangbanger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shots echo and almost
make me deaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His overcoat serves as a
blade cleaning for my best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
unique piece of art has taken out all my targets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
creep was a smart one—a true charmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
joined the force years ago, but a more crooked cop I did not know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t wait to take this job for that
reason alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a mockery of my
father’s legacy, representing everything my dad tried to purge from the force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A murderer, rapist, drug trafficker and
corrupt son to a corrupt town supervisor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It just so happens that Kaylen and I had commonality in this bastard’s
dirty demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is Kaylen, you
wonder?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait for it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
phone lights up with her number and I answer coolly, “Kaylen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cautious,
she mutters on the other end, “Is it—is it done?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Done
deal, as promised.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reply while
removing McCarran’s car keys from his coat pocket, “You know, you didn’t have
to follow me around, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how I
do things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t have to ghost me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
just had to know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She says almost in a
whisper, “So, what now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do you
want me to meet you this time?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
pick the diner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll meet you there as
soon as I can.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I place the gun back
into his holster and take my dagger along, staring outside at the heavy rain of
the night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Wait,
which—oh, right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She catches herself,
“You already know where I’m going to go, right?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ll
be there as soon as I can.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I answer
before returning the phone to my pocket and running into the rain to take
McCarran’s car for a last ride.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Pan Diner was on the beaten path actually, for a beaten path is a better place
to hide than the hole in the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Escorted
by the hostess, I sit in the back corner booth with Kaylen and order a coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t like looking straight at me
first, but, like our last meeting, she adjusts her gaze and musters up the
confidence to seek the eyes of a killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s a pretty girl with fair skin and smooth brown hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting there with her hands folded in her
lap, Kaylen gets right down to business, saying, “I have the last two thousand
when you’re ready.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ll
relieve you of that phone I gave you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
outstretch my hand to take back the cell phone I lent to her for direct
communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she puts it into my
hand, I place it into my inner blazer pocket and say, “Keep the money until we’re
done here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you have lots of
questions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Looking
around to ensure no one could hear them, she said, “Where is his body?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Receiving
my coffee, I order some rice pudding and wait until the waitress pulls away for
me to answer, “He’s where I left him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
doesn’t matter how he’s found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be
a long time until he’s discovered, killed with his own gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crooked son of a crooked town official
will make the papers soon enough and the spotlight will be shining on the worst
type of people connected to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
can blow back to you, so don’t panic about all that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drinking
her tea, she says nervously, “Good riddance.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Retribution
feels good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For whatever he did to you
or to someone you love, I’ve been there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You and I are done after this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t promise you’ll sleep easier, but you won’t be worried about him living
the American dream at the expense of other people’s lives.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell her straight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
clear that she still fears me, unable to figure me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike my previous clientele, she was just an
ordinary person with a decent heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can see her past in my mind as I take another sip of my coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran had crossed the wrong person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t have known that a young woman as
obscure as she could have found a weapon such as I. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That man ruined many lives in his unchecked existence
as a rotten, sadistic tool, but now he’s gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Funny how <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she</i> was the last straw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did right by seeking me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word of mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Having
finally gotten the pudding, I start into it and ask her nonchalantly, “So you
felt you had to spy on me, eh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afraid I
couldn’t pull it off?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Almost
hoping I would open the door, Kaylen leans into the table and whispers with resolve,
“I had to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were roaming around the
town, talking to yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many
taxies did you take to nowhere—just different peoples’ homes and then to the
bar and back to the inn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were you
doing?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Smiling
in response to her bewilderment, I feel that I should explain it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not that type of psychic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can get complicated with so many factors
involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I have everything set up
where I want it so that I’ve seen every possible way it could play out, I put
myself into a catatonic state and go through the story I’ve concocted.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Puzzled
and amazed at once, she comes back with, “You mean you hypnotized yourself?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“In
a sense.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shaking
her head, Kaylen replies as anyone else would, “Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not just use your psychic abilities and
just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A
fair question.” I begin, taking another spoonful of rice pudding, “Well, if I
just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> it, many different things can
go awry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing too much beforehand can
make one ignore the little signs that come and go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every little trivial component to life’s
ordinary happenstances can’t be accounted for all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t imagine how fast my mind works
under that sort of pressure and how tempting it becomes to tear away from the
plan to follow deeper kernels of the mind—little visions that offer new, more rousing
avenues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ensure that I follow the
original plan set up so perfectly, I put myself under a sequence murder mystery—a
“who done it,” which leads me with just the right morsels to bring me back at
the right time of the hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See what I
mean?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yeah,
right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kaylen says to herself, feeling
to laugh after hearing my ludicrous explanation, “So you purposefully trick
yourself into an imaginary detective life to follow your own clues to wake you
up at the time of—the deed, the hit?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
mockingly clap with my fingers amid finishing the delicious rice pudding and
proceed to impress even myself, “You use a memento to snap yourself out of it
and as long as the stage is set as you set it before you go under, the hit goes
off without a hitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I put myself
under the spell, I called him on his cell and told him that I was hired by you
to take incriminating pictures of him for blackmail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he called me back, as I subconsciously
anticipated, I told him to meet me where you informed me, as we discussed, at
the 13<sup>th</sup> Street trestle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
never even asked how I got a hold of his number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCarran wasn’t the first and his sorry ass
won’t be the last.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, Kaylen is just nodding her head
in shock of so many things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
completion of McCarran’s big karma coffin and my sharing of how I do what I do,
I suppose anyone would be just as speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I finish our business, poking my hand under the table, “But this is
the last you’ll see of me, Kaylen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
take care of the tip and you just take care of yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy your Star Wars, Hunger Games and Harry
Potter books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your troubles are over.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She slips
me the rest of my dues in a lunch bag full of cash and I easily take it with me
as I leave, knowing exactly how much is inside and how much tip I need to put
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another customer made whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another bad soul stripped of life on this
earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And another play on my past to
fulfill the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t an easy
thing to do, reliving my life’s most intimate enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father’s shady superior, my mother’s
sleazy boss and the goon I once called friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They all suffered fates as God provided, but they receive worse in the
rendition I play every time I need a clean kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not be like other seers and clairvoyants
and telepaths out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t claim
to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But my father was right about me
before he even knew about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
dangerous man is a man that knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
you know what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s right every time.</span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-76662214121158180212016-01-31T11:56:00.000-08:002016-01-31T11:57:08.391-08:00Short Story: "The Chains of Our Progress" by David V. Mammina<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<h1>
<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chains
of Our Progress</span></u></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By David V. Mammina</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is it that you can’t live
without?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For millions of years, history
has shown us that water, food and shelter are crucial to humanity’s survival
and growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking even one of these vital
elements out of our lives will result in certain death. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without question, they are necessities to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, years ago, they were also
indulgences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The few squandered these
elements when the many craved for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is when they added an extra element to our crucial few.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clearly, this fourth element did not
belong, for God or natural design did not bestow it to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What once was a convenience swiftly
transformed into a necessity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brethren,
this is how it was until 2028.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live
in a very different world today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
fourth element is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a power
that only nature could control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had
existed long before life was breathed into this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it did not belong in our hands, it
was taken away forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was a capable young man when it
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Electromagnetic Smart
Pulse, or EMSP as it was called, was first used in the Middle Eastern war-zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a missile that dug into
the sand and emitted a powerful pulse potent enough to nullify enemy
technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time, the United Nations
used it as a proactive approach to pigeonhole terrorist organizations and
nations that supported them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also
worked well as a negotiating tool, warning all potential threats to submit or
lose that fourth element: electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I was working as a U.N. soldier, they
placed me in the EMSP response team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the weapon had done its deed, we had to go in and confirm that the
area was safe for allied arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
weapon was left unchecked, the nullified zone could become heavily
unstable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People react to the loss of
power in the same way all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, they panic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, they cry
out for help amongst each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly,
they destroy themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a terrible
three-phase horror story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We never
wanted that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Whoever held the weapon held the
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any nation could lose their
fourth element with the touch of a button, for that missile became the bomb of
the 21<sup>st</sup> Century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t
turn people to ash or vaporize the food source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It didn’t poison the water or discharge nuclear radiation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brethren, it just eliminated the power
supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the world until 2028.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As I remember it, it was a Sunday afternoon
here in New York when we learned that Beijing, China had lost all power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire city was out of commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole world reacted gravely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were they attacked by a rogue rival wielding
the EMSP?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were they trying to make it
themselves and tragically blundered?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Members of the United Nations turned on each other to uncover the culprit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all denied responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In days, Beijing was evacuated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took that long for Shanghai to be the next
to fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hong Kong followed a week
later.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With China’s three major cities drained of
all electric power, the once prevailing nation was but a dark void.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one dared to go there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stories told of the hell that ensued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tales that one would never speak of at
dinner, I can tell you that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To spare
you the details, imagine a mass of people losing all power in the blink of an
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine the chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine the horror.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the world feared an economic collapse,
thousands upon thousands of displaced Chinese migrants wound up on the United
States’ western shores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were too
many of them, of course, and the rapid overpopulation of California proved to
be too much for the country to handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was just the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the days to
come, San Francisco went the way of the Chinese cities and blacked out
indefinitely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sacramento followed suit
and then Los Angeles in three days’ time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The terror that the Chinese migrants faced in their homeland had tracked
them to the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This inexplicable
nightmare was finally here on our home soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The thief of the fourth element was among us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was as if the hand of God came down and
smothered our technological advances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How arrogant we must have seemed to the heavens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord created all that we needed, but it
was not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to manufacture a
better, more convenient world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that
world was falling into oblivion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stationed in New York City, I knew that this phantom thief of
electricity was going to strike here one way or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of force was causing this? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoever or whatever it was had traveled the
Pacific Ocean to make us its newest prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How far would it go—the whole world?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once California was dead, the government
shut down our borders and issued an unenforceable background check on every
man, woman and child that recently entered the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too late by then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This terrorist was finished with
California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Albuquerque to Oklahoma
City, Memphis to Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, it came straight
for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a week, we received a tip
that it was going to strike New York next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By this time, the country was breathing its last breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doomsayers cried in the streets, looters and
rioters laid waste to cities and all order had broken down for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heavy boot of Darwin crushed the idea of
police saving the day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How could they not have seen that such a
day would come?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no one prepared
for it, not even the stupid geniuses that created the damn weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no point in debating then, for the
dreaded thief of the fourth element advanced for New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While New Jersey was in the dark, we were
busy evacuating the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People asked us where they were supposed to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could only lower my head and close
my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even my own family snuck onto a
ship for Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone knew that the
thief of the fourth element would hitch a ride on one of them, much like it did
from China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, the hope of just
having a small promise of light attracted a mass exodus of sorry souls like the
moth to the flame.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">People cried out against the hacker
terrorists of the world, finally blaming them for destroying the feigned
network of the human hubris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a
delicate infrastructure was never made to last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For years, the issue hardly made it into the situation rooms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So weak, so fragile was our fake world of
lights and instant gratifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
never really mattered to me who was to blame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all were guilty of it, having been disconnected from natural reality
and plugged in to a frail mockery of pleasure and control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In traveling uptown, Americans from all
over cried at the sight of Broadway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soon, even I knew that these lights, phones, supermarkets, train
stations and whatever else were going to die in a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The military escorted people out of the city
and tried to stop the thief of the fourth element from even reaching us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem was that no one really knew what
it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did anyone ever really see
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it a man with a special EMSP
weapon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it a cyber-virus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brethren, I came to terms about my life
from that moment on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to live
in darkness forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Times Square never
looked so beautiful that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
kept the lights on, as if the blackout epidemic was not a threat to New York’s
electric prosperity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, as promised, New York City had turned
into a ghost town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The military and the
EMSP response teams cleared the streets the best they could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only crazed and terrified stragglers
remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Newspapers and garbage
littered the streets amongst broken glass and bodies of lifeless
strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember crying as I walked
up 8<sup>th</sup> Avenue, watching frantic looters break into stores to steal
electronics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the panic-stricken
thieves were broken-minded, unable to accept the gravity of the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything I thought I knew about my world
was going to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about my
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It pained me to reminisce,
because there was nothing hopeful on the horizon—only blackness and silence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And then, in the middle of the night, the
wave of everlasting darkness came over us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My phone had died. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
communication gear froze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The city that
never slept fell into a deep coma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
heard shouts and cries from outside the hotel, shouts of terror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking out from my window, I would rather
not convey to you the sights of bitter sadness and chaotic rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon above gave us a stark reminder of
who we were going to be as a species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The many stars shined in the sky like a diamond-encrusted ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That vision of great beauty stemmed my
fears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never seen such a magnificent
spectacle before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overbearing lights
of the city were always in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having climbed to the top of the grand building, I slept on the roof and
surrendered to the night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was then that it happened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A feint feeling of energy radiating like a
beacon tore me from my sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A feeling too strong, I checked my watch and
peered through darkness for the strange feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rubbing my eyes, I found him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes seemed to glow a faint white and his
head was completely bald, as if he never had hair to begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though he wore simple kakis and a hoodie, the
man uncrossed his arms and pushed himself off the vent and spoke first, saying,
“Did fate bring me up here, or did it bring you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His voice was soothing, with hint of an
English accent coupled by a metallic static.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As if he was an android, he answered himself, “Perhaps both.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In shock, I could only muster, “What are
you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am free.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He replied from the roof’s edge, looking out
over the blackness of the new city, “Unlike you, a prisoner to your primitive
mind.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Taken aback, I withdrew from the
supernatural man, slowly backing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sensing that he was losing me, he proceeded, but turned to look at me, “Have
you seen it all while you were up here, alone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s eerie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always eerie, at
first.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Eerie was one way to describe it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The city was nearly silent upon the high
roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No planes soaring overhead and no
loud honking far below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still standing
in my place, baffled and confused, I watched parts of the cityscape glow with
uncontrolled fires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the scenery ate
its way into my stomach, he declared, “I call myself Organism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your name?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My anxiety brushed off his question as I
felt my voice break, “How?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Organism replied spiritedly, “That is
usually the first question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a good
one.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
know.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought to myself, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So let’s hear it.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He started without any hesitation, saying
with poise, “A Chinese diplomat offered me a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I agreed to undergo a top-secret
experiment that could kill me, I would become a hero to the new world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the risks, for I was a nobody—an expendable
asset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, even a traitor to Queen
and Country?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, if not for
pride alone, I agreed to become their lab rat—and a hefty lump sum.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What transpired was a major
breakthrough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their scientists had
studied the various applications of the EMSP in secret for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 72-hour procedure made me a host for EMSP
energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Circuits ran through my body, up
into my fingertips, and even my brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My core contains a nucleus for this great power even now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had become a human EMSP weapon.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Mother of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could only muster, “It was you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this was—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Organism interjected, continuing his story,
“However, they did not anticipate how powerful it really was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within me, I had the ability to feel and
control electric currents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
switch power on and off at will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unquestionably, I obeyed their will alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there came a time when I chose not
to heed their beckoning calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
realized that this power within my very being was meant for greater things—a
greater purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was no longer a
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a conduit for God.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I had to ask, feeling myself step closer to
him, somehow lured in by his words, “So they made you an organic weapon?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes. With no strain at all, I disabled
their entire facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realizing what I
could accomplish, the mission became clear to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beijing was the first city I freed from the
fourth element.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that moment forth,
no city would be safe from my gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
needed to be free to become humans again, rather than slaves to the technology
they thought they controlled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
controlled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In shock, my next question came out with my
next breath, “The fourth element?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is the element our world chose to rely
on most.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Organism said to me, “It is
the foundation of all our technological advances as a civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is electricity.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still not satisfied with him, I continued,
“Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why just take it all away?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This question tugged at his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From all the times he had to answer for his
deeds, it never seemed to get easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Organism
turned to consider the dark peace of the city and replied, “Do you remember
when you were young and the power went out in your home—your neighborhood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sinking feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always hoped that our service workers were
working overtime to put the power back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The one thing we should have been wondering during those times was what we
would do if it never came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why were we so dependent on it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were we not better than that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we not now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you remember using pencils and pens to
write?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you remember what it was like
to actually interact with a person off of the computer—off of the mobile
devices?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to think about what
makes us human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun for a while,
until it raced past our understanding of what it really was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It evolved so fast, we never had time to see
it clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Look at what we are without this
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are those people down in the
streets now without this element?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are stupid, scared and useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behold
how many lay down and die because they do not know what to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were blinded for so long, they lost
their humanity to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you see
now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food shall no longer be
manufactured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social networks shall no
longer enslave us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, most of all,
lives will no longer be chained by the fake promises of progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nature has given us all we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, why are we fighting so hard to make it
ourselves?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The words of Organism sunk deep into my
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world was out of control, lost
in its hope for perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brethren,
I understood, for there was no turning back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Humanity did not rule the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fourth element used us as hosts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was still scared of this change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wished to be weaned off it, instead of losing it altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as you heard, this was the point of no
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After letting him monologue on me, I only
dared to ask one more question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said,
“Why do you call yourself Organism?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There, he looked at me with an expression
of wonder and said, “Because it is the one thing I wish to be and I am not and
it is the one thing you are, but have taken for granted.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ll never forget that answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Organism lost his humanity to his pride the
moment he chose to become a cyborg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the moments following his transformation gave us hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was more human than most of us then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many other questions I could
have asked him on that roof, but I chose to let it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I have fought for the millions of
people who died because of his deeds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe he would have given me another answer to convince me of the harsh truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chains of our progress put us all into an
illusion of freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were we ever really
living?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many died that year—millions, including
those I loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The survival of the fittest
was true again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we not civilized
animals under all these lies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
creature, Organism, offered me his companionship on that roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days I wonder what would have happened
to me if I agreed to follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
couldn’t see it again and again, that fall of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder still what became of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For us now, surviving on solar, hydro and
wind generators, it doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have a farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe our children will be happier than we
are, having been born into a world where they are free and need not pay the
price to become unchained—unplugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.35pt;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The saddest thing about having lived
through the Fourth Element Era is my lack of memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the life of me, I just can’t remember it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, like so many others, chased carrots right
into the cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What had it
accomplished?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have memories in my
dreams, or so I think they are memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of my life was a blur, just a long blur with sound, colors and a
ceaseless search for an indulgent life that never bore the fruit craved.</span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-42840961763849265202016-01-18T08:36:00.001-08:002016-01-18T08:36:08.880-08:00Short Story: Even Death Hates This Town by David V. Mammina<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Even Death Hates This Town</span></span></h2>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by David V. Mammina </span></h3>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There is no
benefit in taking one’s life to heaven or hell if it means stepping foot in
this anus of a town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long I have
lived and satisfied the heavens as a celestial assassin only to be punished
with this final task?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Centuries!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have dreamt of this moment, having taken
the ultimate trip in fulfillment of my duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this—I can gag before the job is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the baron wastes of Asia Minor offer
greater solace than this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diker
Heights, you are dead to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My resume is
impressive, for none have escaped me—ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be him old or young, handsome or hideous, gay or straight, smart or
dumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all become mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, until they sit it out in
Purgatory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lone dimension as that can
make one ponder a life’s tale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
there is something about this miserable town that makes my knees buckle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Perhaps it is
the loneliness amid the bustling lot?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every one of them walks like aimless cattle to their next slaughter of
their own souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many 99 cent stores
can one town have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It vexes me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three on a block, four on another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, in between those are the sidewalks
of despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old hags retch their
breakfast right into the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cars
and smog-spewing trucks blast their horns at each other, as if the machines are
actually communicating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garbage and
half-eaten cat food litter the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
feels like a gauntlet just making it from one avenue to the next.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There are no
displays of affection—no open sentiments of any kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, there is the smell of rotten culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rats lethargically wait until the dead of
night to pick their morsels of strewn fish bones and bird carcasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scraps and newspapers roll in the wind
tunnels and press against the chain link fences, perhaps trying to evacuate the
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no places to eat or for
children to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell you, as death
tells the living, the only reason to step foot into this pit of a town is to
escape me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let that be enough.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I was human
once, like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle class by western
social standards, my life was average.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
lived and I died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, that was the
trouble of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In retrospect, I only
existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not enough hardship
to know what living could feel like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
dreams were easy whispers in the wind, carrying anywhere and for nothing but
pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not wealthy enough to
understand power and how it corrupts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were no lessons learned—no lessons to teach another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In putting it plainly, I was a spark that
never caught fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was like every lost
soul here—a living zombie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There she
sits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a Halloween pumpkin ravaged by
a starving squirrel on the stoop, she squats and eats sugary donuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her skin is pale and her eyes are low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she could see my face, I would shun
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would know that I have no pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my own life was taken, heaven and hell
had no reason to take me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I claim
her vapid soul, it will be price enough to let me have another chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wastes of Purgatory have taken its toll
on me, but this town has done worse to this pathetic person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I do not care
what she has done to deserve my visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It matters not a speck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any one
of these apes would do to feed the void.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, still, I hesitate before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t explain why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate this
town with such animosity that a mere touch upon her gaunt face would release me
of its foul grasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it about this
one that makes me shutter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it isn’t
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the place for which she lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this rancid, hopeless and dreamless
town that deters me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she is to die
today, let them all see what life meant to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perchance, Diker Heights needs a wakeup call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I will make
something of her life—an example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is enough natural gas inside this derelict building to blow it and her to the
next world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All it needs is a little
spark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is all I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is all she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is all I need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A loud, deafening blast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Engulfed in a second by the flame—the hurling debris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at how the vermin of this town
gasp!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, they show a flicker of
interest in a happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The traffic
stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wandering apes look upon it
as if it were a lone fire in the frigid night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them see what an idle,
apathetic person gets in an idle, apathetic town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good riddance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bid you all adieu.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">About the
Author:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Born and raised
on Long Island, NY, David V. Mammina grew up in North Lindenhurst as a young
boy having written various free writes inspired by his exposure to comic books
and video games, along with his will to create better stories than the late
eighties and early nineties could provide him. It remains his goal to write
novels and short stories containing a solid storyline with deep characters and
strong, believable dialogue—having written seven novels thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.mamminabooks.com/home.html" target="_blank">David V. Mammina's Official Website</a> </span></span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-65362900732075443622015-11-24T17:12:00.000-08:002015-11-24T17:12:08.936-08:00Book Signing & Sale December 6th <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/905246386223946/" target="_blank">Book Signing & Sale!</a><br />
<br />
Come down and get your Christmas gift for sci-fi/dark fantasy readers! Signing is free and my books are discounted! Trust me, this is like a mini-Book Con Christmas thing. Okay, I think you get the point. :-)<br />
<br />
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<br />David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-79646540762811205682015-09-14T13:42:00.001-07:002015-09-14T13:47:42.815-07:00Indie Author Spotlight #2: Steve Spatucci<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> This month's choice for Indie Author Spotlight, as part of my Indie Authors Unite campaign, is Steve Spatucci. A designer, illustrator, animator, developer and author, Steve is a Jersey Boy who has written screenplays since the 90's, particularly his dark comedy "Play Date." Currently, he has released his new (and first) novel <i>Breach Point</i>, <span style="line-height: 115%;">the story of Clara Tuffney, an inquisitive high
school sophomore who moves to the quiet seaside town of Breach Point, New
Jersey, where she learns that a boy who died in a mysterious fire may have
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> You can find it here: </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Five Lessons He Learned
in Writing and Publishing Breach Point:</span></b></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">1) Having a cover that
people respond to goes a long way in marketing the book.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">2) eBook formatting in
2015 is a lot like creating a website in 1995.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">3) Being able to split
my brain between publisher, author, and cover designer was a challenging but
necessary skill.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">4) The
editing/rewriting/proofreading cycle could easily become endless without a firm
deadline… and it almost did.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">5) Once the book was out
and people began asking me about it, telling them only a little about it was
more effective than trying to convey the whole plot</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Bio: </b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;"> Steve has created
websites, online games, and other material for clients such as Dreamworks, Fox
Searchlight, and Live Nation.</span><span style="line-height: 120%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 120%;">As a musician, he’s
played drums in several bands and is currently part of the musical improv game
show Rock Improv-a-Ganza.</span>
<span style="line-height: 120%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 120%;">Steve is married to a
pastry chef, and together they have a seven-year-old boy who he’s training to
be a ninja. Sounds interesting, enough. As a Jack of Many Trades, a family man and first-time indie author, I believe he deserves this spotlight honor. Way to go, pal.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;"><b>Links to his media:</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">book website:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://breachpointbook.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 120%; text-decoration: none;">http://breachpointbook.com/</span></a><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">
</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Instagram:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://instagram.com/breach_point_ya_novel"><span style="line-height: 120%;">http://instagram.com/breach_point_ya_novel</span></a><span style="line-height: 120%;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">book trailer:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">cover progression video:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftRZAx4nFAA"><span style="color: #103cc0;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftRZAx4nFAA</span></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Others: </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Twitter:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">http://twitter.com/BreachPointBook</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Facebook:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">https://www.facebook.com/breachpointyanovel</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">YouTube:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrmj-fpPgi3c-0WhqRRXdCg</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Goodreads:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25950877-breach-point </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 120%;">Wattpad:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">http://www.wattpad.com/story/13849383-breach-point </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">-This is David V. Mammina, signing out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 120%;">Happy Writing! </span></span>
</div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-42462378217945104002015-08-24T08:12:00.002-07:002015-08-24T08:12:46.329-07:00Indie Author Spotlight: Leeloo Deschain Launching the "You Don't Make It On Your Own" campaign with indie authors like myself is a real privilege, considering how much untapped talent is really out there. So, to put a spotlight on any self-published author, I believe, is an honor. In this case, my first choice happens to be a 43 year old single mom of 6 (if that isn't deserving of a spotlight in and of itself) who writes unique dark fantasy and erotica. While I am not an advocate of Fifty Shades of Grey (at all), I have to promote this author for her originality. While erotica is a rapidly growing genre, expanding more every year, Leeloo Deschain adds dark fantasy into her steamy content, creating extraordinary reads. Combine Fifty Shades of Grey and Twilight on steroids. Her books are attracting attention, especially in California where these stories take place.<br />
You can find out more about her exciting work here:<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2545">
<b>The Vampire's Virgin <br />
Book 1 <br />
The Desert Bloodlust Series</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2543">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampires-Virgin-Desert-Bloodlust-ebook/dp/B010BE4D9I" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2542" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampires-Virgin-Desert-Bloodlust-ebook/dp/B010BE4D9I</a></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2540">
<b>The Vampire's Oasis <br />
Book 2<br />
The Desert Bloodlust Series</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2538">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010BZH9Y8" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2537" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B010BZH9Y8</a> </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2535">
<b>The Vampire's Hall <br />
Book 3<br />
The Desert Bloodlust Series</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2533">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Hall-Desert-Bloodlust-Book-ebook/dp/B011PK83V6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2532" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Hall-Desert-Bloodlust-Book-ebook/dp/B011PK83V6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8</a></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2530">
<b>Ectoplasm: A Paranormal Erotic Quickie</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2528">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ectoplasm-Paranormal-Quickie-Leeloo-Deschain-ebook/dp/B01259O9WI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2527" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Ectoplasm-Paranormal-Quickie-Leeloo-Deschain-ebook/dp/B01259O9WI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 </a></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2528">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2528">
While her erotica work gains traction, Leeloo Deschain is currently working on a dystopian sci-fi novel which is set for release soon. Like Steinbeck, Deschain writes most of her intoxicating stories set in her native California. Aside from her talents in writing, she also creates erotic and empowering poetry. It would do you well to follow her on social media platforms to stay in her artistic circle. Get a taste of some via her Instagram, Facebook & Pintrest pages below...</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2528">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440421009833_2528">
<b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2415">Author Bio:</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2416">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2409">
<u id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2421">Favorite
things</u>: Coffee, wine, driving with the windows down and blaring some
Volbeat or Tool while singing the wrong lyrics and comedies. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2408">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2407">
<u>Her passion</u>: Writing novels, short stories & poetry for both the erotic and the dark.</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2422">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2405">
<u>Things She's Learned</u>-<br />
"The biggest, and most rewarding, thing I've learned since
self-publishing, has been that indie authors are the most supportive,
generous, and helpful group of people I've encountered in a very long
time. When I first started this journey, I was stunned at the amount of
help people were so willing to share. I am part of a private group on
Facebook just for indie authors, and the way everyone was so willing to
jump in and help... well... I felt so blessed. What a wonderful
community to be a part of. I'm so thankful!</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2423">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2424">
"Other Things I've Learned-<br />
I'm one strong bad ass woman. I knew that early on in life, but then I
had forgotten it along the way. Being single again and making my own
decisions for the first time in years, raising my kids without any sort
of help whatsoever from their father, it has shown me that I'm pretty
tough. Once I get knocked down, I bounce back up ready to go another
round. But say or do something that touches my heart and I'll cry for days!"</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2425">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2426">
<b>Social Media Links:</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2427">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2428">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2429">
Facebook: <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorleeloodeschain" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/authorleeloodeschain</a></div>
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Instagram:<br />
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Goodreads:<br />
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-Thanks for reading my first pick for Indie Author Spotlight, Leeloo Deschain. </div>
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Indie Authors Unite</div>
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-Happy Writing </div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;">David V. Mammina</span><a href="http://www.mamminabooks.com/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.MamminaBooks.com</a> <br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440428622723_2445" style="font-family: bookman old style, new york, times, serif;">Self-published dark fantasy/sci-fi author</span></div>
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David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-57334225873741062982015-08-21T09:22:00.002-07:002015-08-21T09:22:27.279-07:00You Don't Make It On Your Own: 3 sobering tips for indie authors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6coCe2pD2HaDapWm9uy9oVpU9Y1NjpQsoSDqowdmCdXO4a6d_V0-KhM_d-G5UCv-SdFVKrioNBh55J4Vmr_pWSksw2AgXdyMbNkV3T1GhSHj0jQ5noKg6UqOZNlNxWXvKx6rAU8flXuI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6coCe2pD2HaDapWm9uy9oVpU9Y1NjpQsoSDqowdmCdXO4a6d_V0-KhM_d-G5UCv-SdFVKrioNBh55J4Vmr_pWSksw2AgXdyMbNkV3T1GhSHj0jQ5noKg6UqOZNlNxWXvKx6rAU8flXuI/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
You don't make it on your own in this business. We all have something to contribute to this world and, in our case, its a great story. However, getting out there to share your work is almost impossible when there is relentless competition and lots of "loud noise and bright colors" (as I like to call it) shrouding your dreams. The dream will come true as long as you visualize it and believe in it. However, if you think its you <b>against</b> the world or you<b> on top of</b> the world, you're wrong. The fact is, you don't make it on your own. We all need a helping hand. The more you help others, the more others will want to help you. It's symbiotic.<br />
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<b>1. Allow your friends to help you.</b> They are your friends, and they care about you. When you succeed, they (if they are truly your friends) will want to help you rise even higher. If you lack success, they'll want to lift you out of the mud, clean you off and get you back on the road again. <b>They help because you help them, and they know that when you make it, you take them with you. </b>Never be afraid to ask for help. That's what friends are for.<br />
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<b>2. Don't feel betrayed.</b> Not all members of your family will really care about what you've done, or what you're trying to do. <b>After all, not everyone has stake in your dreams.</b> Yet, family sticks together and you need them to help spread the word and encourage you to push on. That's what family should be, but no one is obligated. Stay tuned to your loved ones, but do not feel betrayed if they do not help in your success. They love you, though that may not include your talents or dreams. Friends are the same. Do you really care about Sally's countless duck paintings? Would you share her paintings on your page, pass out flyers to the community, buy a $100 picture of a duck? Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn't. What you <i>can</i> do, is inspire them and help them find venues where others can help them too. Just don't write off a family member or friend if they don't actively assist you in your journey. That's business. Remember that they're your family and friends, not your business associates!<br />
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<b>3. Scratch some backs.</b> Basically, find those who want to help you, and help them with their dreams in return. Scratch peoples' backs and they may scratch yours. Find those who are like you and reach out to them with a helping hand. There are many writers, artists and artisans like you who are trying to break out. If you think that others who you support will just pass you by without a thank you, you're statistically wrong. <b>No one forgets the person who promoted them and asked for nothing in return. </b>The hope is that they understand this principle. No one makes it on their own. So, shout out to those who have helped you reach goals you may not have been able to achieve on your own. Never take all the credit. It doesn't all belong to you. Your fans that read your product supported you too. Scratch their backs just the same with a shout out, kind thank you, retweet, etc. <br />
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-Happy writing!<br />
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-David V. MamminaDavid V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-55923845802287581232015-07-01T12:07:00.002-07:002015-07-01T12:07:53.475-07:00Self-publishing ebooks: Sounds easy right? A self-published author of various works, I know what its like keeping up with the new age of the craft. Authors need to stay in touch with their fanbase via:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MamminaBooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mamminabooks.com%2Fsocial-media.html&screen_name=MamminaBooks&tw_p=followbutton" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/111170407239742164401/about?utm_source=PlusPages-Newbie-D3-en&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PlusPages-Newbie-D3-en&partnerid=gplp0" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="https://instagram.com/davidvmammina/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and so on...<br />
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But today's social media avenues all point to reading new books with the touch of a button. Videos, articles, songs and nearly everything else online is but a click away. Its a great way to connect. So, it makes sense for self-published authors to convert their paperback and hardcover books into ebooks for venues such as the ipad, kindle, and nook. Access to your novels for interested readers is immediate, but the process to convert print into epub (format used for some ebook models) is not so immediate--not at all.<br />
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In fact, its really complex. While published authors have the perk of having their publishing company taking care of this, self-published authors have two choices:<br />
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<b>1) Pay professionals to make your book ebook ready, or</b><br />
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<b> 2) Do it yourself</b><br />
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Either is quite consuming. But which one is best? Well, I'm in the process of converting (possibly) two of my novels into Kindle. Why only two and why only Kindle? Read on...<br />
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<b>1) PAY PROS TO DO IT</b><br />
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<b> Pros:</b><br />
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<b> It will be done right</b><br />
<b> Distributed to the right sources, for a fee</b><br />
<b> Fully compatible to specific platforms</b><br />
<b> May retain rights to your book </b><br />
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<b> Cons:</b><br />
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<b> Expensive services (cost depends on service provider)</b><br />
<b> Costs extra for distribution </b><br />
<b> Book length, pictures, & fonts affect pricing</b><br />
<b> Must purchase your own ISBN </b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>2) DO IT YOURSELF</b><br />
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<b> Pros: </b><br />
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<b> Cost effective</b><br />
<b> May retain rights to your book</b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> Cons:</b><br />
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<b> Requires extensive research, or knowledge of programing</b><br />
<b> May contain errors in formatting</b><br />
<b> May not be compatible to platforms</b><br />
<b> Pictures and unique fonts may not be embedded properly</b><br />
<b> Must manually include a specific index for each book (very complex)</b><br />
<b> Time-consuming </b><br />
<b> Must purchase your own ISBN </b><br />
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As for my experience, I could not format my novels properly on my own. Don't get me wrong. I researched, I practiced, I took frequent breaks...and then decided that the professional way was the right way to go. But, each book has its own price for proper conversion, so I chose two of my most desired books to be converted to Kindle for the time being. If sales are good, which I predict they will be, then perhaps I will use the same company to convert them to other platforms and maybe include other novels of mine as well. <br />
In the end, its what works best for your style and your bank account. Have pride in your work. Treat each book conversion like your own hygiene. As you have your nails done, your hair cut and your suit tailored, have your ebook formatted properly. You don't want a "rolling stones" or "ice-skate uphill" experience. Do your own research and don't panic. All things you really believe in will work out in the end. As with everything else in the self-publishing world, its your choice. Happy writing!<br />
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-David V. Mammina<br />
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<br />David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-51318672301433939482015-05-16T15:34:00.000-07:002015-05-16T15:34:36.318-07:00From Antagonist to Villain What makes an antagonist for a story? Quite simply, the force that opposes the protagonist. The antagonist could portray that of a person, an animal, a storm, a situation and so on that serves as the conflicting force for the protagonist. But, a villain is something far different. A villain is the antagonist, but an antagonist is not always the villain. Did you get that? This is similar to a hero vs. a protagonist. The protagonist is the main character, not necessarily the hero. Just ask Edgar Allan Poe or William Shakespeare for that matter. A villain doesn't just oppose the main character, but goes so far to cross that line and become a serious danger to all that can be considered "good." There is always a villain in a "good vs. evil" archetype story. The villain is the bad guy. The hero is the good guy, right? Well, it depends on perspective. One hero is another man's villain.<br />
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To make a good villain for a story, you need to find conflict. Why is the villain bad? What does he/she/it want and why is it a bad thing? Like every hero needs a backstory, so does every villain. These villains serve as the polarizing force to the hero, so they must be dynamic and show some sort of self-righteous that almost mirror's the hero in some way. A villain should be able to defend their actions and almost convince the reader that they belong--that they are worthy of their title. In many ways, a villain should outshine the hero. If the hero is any hero at all, they'd be able to reclaim their audience by displaying their true spirit to do what is right, regardless of their own desires and doubts. The villain does not have this self-control. Villains are selfish, calculating, hateful, etc. To be more clear, they are the urges of humanity that are unchained, unrestricted. Heroes are selfless, or they are supposed to be. If you would like to really differentiate them: The hero will make the self-sacrifice. The villain could give a damn. <br />
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What's the best part of it all? The best part is when an antagonist becomes the villain. The final fall from antagonist to major bad guy is a shocking and enjoyable experience for readers. This is when the opposing force acquires bad ideas that become dangerous to all of us. Usually the villain makes the hero, but the hero cannot make the villain in the same way. Basically, if your story has a protagonist (but not necessarily a hero), please don't include a villain (to oppose the hero). It wont really gel. An antagonist could be many things, but a villain is a figure. Here's the difference:<br />
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<u><strong>Antagonist Villain</strong></u><br />
Hurricane Darth Vader<br />
Abusive parent Ultron<br />
Bully at school Voldemort<br />
Poverty Ursula<br />
Corrupt boss Joker<br />
Opposing team The Devil<br />
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Happy writing!<br />
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David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-44353054038489160872015-04-02T05:16:00.001-07:002015-04-02T05:16:41.324-07:00Weather Games The most important aspect of a story's setting is its environment. This means describing the scene surrounding the characters without being over descriptive. This can be a big mistake for some stories. Some settings need to be described well, like the first time inside an illustrious castle hall or the frightening characteristics of a haunted house. But, sometimes, us writers can get caught up in describing new settings too much that the real point of that scene is lost. Losing the reader into the setting is a disappointing loss of their attention to the true concept of your message. So, a good way to staple in a setting with its main events is to blend in weather. This will help the reader pay attention to detail as well as the setting, since the setting affects the characters.<br />
Weather can be utilized almost effortlessly to move the scene along as well as give the reader a detail to remind them of its importance. Some examples can include a heated argument under the hard falling rain in the middle of a street. An epic battle can be fought amid the falling snow. A baseball game can be played in a relentless heat wave. A crash of lightening can solidify a desperate scene. Like how a smell or moving song can recall memories from way back when, so does the mentioning in of weather in a story aid in the impact of your big scene. Write about it. Here are some of my examples...<br />
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<u>Paltronis:</u> Large battle in <strong>open dry land</strong> under <strong>light falling snow</strong>, before a <strong>volcano in the distance </strong>untimely erupts.<br />
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<u>Protector of Children</u>: An emotional <strong>rooftop battle</strong> to the death between two former friends <strong>under falling rain</strong>.<br />
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<u>The Angels of Resistance</u>: A warlord crosses over into the Shadowland of the Demon Plague, a radial area where the <strong>sunlight is blocked</strong> <strong>out</strong> amid <strong>dead soil, dry bones and rotting flesh</strong>.<br />
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<u>Redeem the Knight: Eden</u>: Battle against vampires in a complex where the <strong>power has gone out</strong>, leaving only some <strong>flashing emergency lights</strong>.<br />
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-Happy Writing<br />
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-David V. MamminaDavid V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-60551281575755196572015-03-15T16:11:00.000-07:002015-03-15T16:11:31.578-07:00The Outline: Happy Outline - Happy Writing Every great writer has done one great thing in common: The Outline. Da-da-dah! It's actually the single best thing you could do before actually writing the first page of your best story. Though you may not use it word for word, it will definitely organize your thoughts, ideas and the overall sequencing of your story. Often, many writers begin to write their first page before ever structuring their ideas. This can result in discouragement and an inability to move passed that first page. The first page, after all, is the most challenging page in creating a masterpiece. Without an outline, the finished first page could read rusty, rushed and unrealistic. Whether writing a short story, non-fiction or fictional book, the outline offers confidence in planning a smooth and dynamic introduction, middle and conclusion. How can this outline be employed you ask? Actually, even a diner's napkin will do.<br />
Start out by writing in the main idea or theme for your story. After that, put in the setting, then plot, and then conflict. Finally, throw in some of your character's names or character types and their place in your book. From there, you've already established the concept, the conflicts and character design for your story. Jot down some possible starters for your prologue, intro or first chapter. What is the setting? What is the purpose of this chapter? How would you see this chapter ending? In some cases, a writer can create the introduction, the middle and then proposed ending to the story on a piece of construction paper, a napkin or a notebook. Jot down your ideas. That's an outline--a basic brainstorm that can make your idea tame into a realistic and complex story. Here's an example:<br />
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<u>Proposed Title</u>: The Seven Archers (short story)<br />
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<u>Theme/Big Idea</u>: Seven archers become deserters from a state that demands they slay innocent villagers for a corrupt king, making them controversial heroes throughout the land.<br />
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<u>Main characters</u>: Captain Alexon, six other archers ------, corrupt count, revolutionary leader, ?<br />
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<u>Intro:</u> Count orders captain archer to assemble a secret force to destroy a village of "traitors and conspirers," but he knows that the count is corrupt and is trying to eliminate political rivals and a looming revolution.<br />
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<u>Middle:</u> His six archers decide to help him and they all leave the state to find better lives in another place in the kingdom, (perhaps lead a revolution against the count?)<br />
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<u>Ending:</u> Archers lead a rebellion of others outside of the state to dethrone the count, helping to fuel a revolution and install a new leader.<br />
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<u>Beginning</u>--<br />
(In count's court, Captain Alexon comes to kneel before Count Callous, the count reveals the secret mission to him, Alexon knows his corruption and does not want to kill innocent people, agrees to carry out the task, but then assembles other archers who are willing to leave the evil count's service and warn the village, etc.)<br />
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<br />
-Hey, its a start. Now I can begin writing my work with some guidelines to help the flow. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Deserters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The seedy township of Callos had always
been quite the popular place for seedy souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For hundreds of years, the people in the southwestern realm had lost their will for goodwill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, one noble man, out of so few, was bred in a rather different
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain Alexon waited in
the antechamber for his turn to talk to the count in the throne room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not sure why Count Callus called for
him, but he was never optimistic about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Captain Alexon was an esteemed leader of
one of the archer divisions in Callos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was hardly anyone that disrespected him in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brave and selfless, the captain was an
admired veteran in Callos’s army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
described him as being of average stature with hazel eyes, a sharp nose,
pointed ears, a handsome smile and a face almost always hosting stubble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain Alexon was in his late
thirties—a decent age for experienced military leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The door to the count’s room opened up and
a guard met the captain in the antechamber with a reverent grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After shaking hands, the captain entered the
crowded throne room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place was
always crowded with the royally bigheaded—all cocky fools who serve the count
blindly for their own rewards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cared
almost nothing for the township at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was always the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alexon walked through
the hall and nodded humbly at his superiors, though he really cursed them
inside. ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Happy Outline - Happy Writing!!!<br />
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Your friendly neighborhood author,<br />
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-David V. Mammina<br />
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David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-25820014846510036222015-02-19T19:09:00.001-08:002015-02-19T19:09:43.172-08:00Don't Judge a Book by its FameI was at an independent book store up in Port Washington, admiring some work from talented authors and illustrators, when a woman walked up to the counter with three novels in her arms. AS she placed them down and took out her money to pay for them, she asked, "So, are these books good? I heard the first was good, but not sure about the rest." After recovering from my immediate anxiety, it took nearly all of my strength to bite my tongue and not say, "Uh, why not think for yourself and do your research to see if you like the plot summary?" Why did she buy them blindly? They were famous. Sadly, they were the 50 Shades of Grey books. It was pretty much a slap in the face for me as a self-published author that this consumer would read work written using the vocabulary and grammar of adapted fan fiction at a 6th grade level. I must admit, it bothered me. <br />
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No, relax, it wasn't the book choice that rubbed me the wrong way (though it did). It was the fact that she didn't even know what she was buying. That is judging a book by its fame. Many books fall into that famous category--but don't fall into the trap of believing its "good." Everyone has a different way to read books of various genres. We're all different and have different tastes. But it is the media that judges our choices, if you haven't noticed. Fame is the best marketing tool, as a Yogi Berra fan might suggest. But was it always like that?<br />
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Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, died knowing that his work had not achieved the fame he had hoped. In fact, the critics hardly saw it as a potential best seller. Now, its a classic. Shakespeare's plays were not acknowledged as masterpieces in his time. In fact, it was only after his death when some of his biggest fans compiled his work that it had finally became recognized as a must read classic. Imagine people turning the author of Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, etc. away? Well, it happened...and it is still happening today. This has been the highly competitive literature field for many years. It isn't easy to compete with those biographies from reality TV stars who promise to reveal their most shocking secrets! (Most likely written by ghostwriters.) Tip them please!<br />
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Do us self-published, independent authors a service and read the back of the book. You just might find a concept so exciting, so bold, so original that you just might pick it up and never want to put it down until the ending. Don't fall into the hype, though its challenging not to. Book clubs and reading circles are exempt. That's a bit different. But, as an individual, search for books that peek your interest, and not just something you HAVE to read because EVERYONE is reading it. Hey, you might like what everyone else is reading, but I'll bet you were handed a book from a friend once who said, "You'll like this one. Its you." Word of mouth is true networking of interests--unless the media knows you better. Now, to finish this excellent novel The Hunger Games. (A kid version of The Running Man) Yeah, I said it. <br />
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Opinions are fun. I'd love to hear yours!David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-25308416131412788792015-01-10T10:05:00.002-08:002015-01-10T10:05:32.540-08:00Protagonists: When weaknesses are strengthsWhen writing in a protagonist or hero for your story, make sure you focus on their weaknesses just as much as their strengths. This is really key to depth of character. No one likes a flawless hero, just as much as no one likes a flawless villain. The reason for this is that no one can relate to those types of character attributes. A true character should have a mixture of three things: A strength, a weakness and a struggle to balance the two. This weakness will bring out your character's true strengths. Such examples of these weaknesses could be ego, a disability, stuttering, muteness, a phobia of something, lack of faith, addiction, etc. A weakness can be overcome in the story to exhibit growth in the character, though it is just as strong to write about a protagonist who cannot over come the weakness, but somehow steers around it. Try a free write using this strategy. You may have noticed some of these characters in my stories. A few examples:<br />
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Karlus Rite - Muteness <br />
Vincent Putnam - Alleged schizophrenia<br />
Prince Eric - Pain from betrayal <br />
Gatlin Aquinas - Facial scar<br />
Predella - False reputation of terrorism<br />
Lai Gakuin - Blindness<br />
Lana - Memory loss<br />
Ores Paltronis - Loss of family<br />
Mary Dire - Alcoholism<br />
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The list can go on and on...Can you recall some weaknesses in your favorite characters from your favorite novels and films?<br />
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David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-62200406232989720212014-12-24T11:20:00.001-08:002014-12-24T11:20:36.052-08:00Merry Christmas: "Marty's Santa Thesis" Merry Christmas, indeed. May I encourage, this Christmas season, that we look to the sentiments of love greater than the urges of hate. Lots of heart-splitting news everyday out there, especially this fall and winter. So, when you do pick a side--make it love, not hate. Those are the only two sides in any fight, really. Never easy for us to do, but the trying is better than the ignoring. Anyway, to thank you for such a lovely year, may I present to you an awesome short story about three pages long about a young boy, Marty, who sternly believes that there is a Santa Clause, but definitely NOT in the way you would suspect. Enjoy it and I hope it makes you laugh. Happy Holiday!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Poor Richard","serif"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Marty’s Santa Thesis <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Allow me to
introduce myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Marty and I
believe in Christmas—that is to say the holiday when we celebrate the birth of
baby Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christmas imposter known
as Santa Clause, on the other hand, I loathe with all my being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can anyone else not see the facts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an evil, evil sorcerer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t believe me, eh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve compiled a list of ten grievances
against him that I would like the pope to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please take this real seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are the pope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to stay
on top of these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1. The new Santa killed the original Santa
Clause<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a real Santa a long time
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a saint named Saint Nick—travelled
to America with Columbus and all that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, does anyone call him that anymore? Does even Santa call himself
that anymore?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, because he is not a
saint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an imposter in Santa’s
clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his identity and moved
right in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is this traitor to
Christmas you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done my research
on Google.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the Krampus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look it up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He now has this world right where he wants it, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read on and you’ll see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">2. The new ‘Santa’ is the cause
of the Commercial Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He doesn’t
need to force his ‘elves’ to make thousands of toys made of wood and
plastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used to, many years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But today, he made a deal with the
business world, like Macy’s, Walmart, Amazon, you name it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all bow to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JCPenny, Target, and even all of Wall
Street—Santa controls them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
the greed that binds them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created
Black Friday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Christmas rush
to buy, buy, buy presents, presents and more presents!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santa brainwashed millions to believe that
material things were more important than Jesus Christ’s birthday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">3. He is always watching<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That
song!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever really listened to
it, word for word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His minions made it
as a secret warning to us all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You all
know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘You better watch out, you
better not cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You better not pout, I’m
telling you why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santa Clause is coming
to town!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s watching us, always!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can see your children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can see you reading this right now! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just hear the words!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He sees you when you’re sleeping!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows when you’re awake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be
good for goodness sake!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who stand
against him, disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">4. He bribes us kids to obey him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, how
easier to keep us under control as a society?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Start with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presents
don’t have anything to do with celebrating baby Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not in the bible to exchange expensive
gifts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all just a big scheme to
keep us believing in this new Santa Clause, instead of focusing on the real
meaning of the holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made us all
greedy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krampus used to steal ‘bad’ kids away and
kill them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has changed his very
hostile ways into a much more cunning scheme to control us, not kill us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">5. He runs a sweatshop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know elves and those things look more like tiny people than elves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re actually people who spoke out against
him and now must do his bidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
all work in a sweatshop in a secret location known as the ‘North Pole.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably somewhere in Greenland. Now, he
forces them to assemble all our stupid things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ipods, laptops, DVDs, even Christmas ornaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘You better watch out,’ as they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could be next!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could be next!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">6. He is a sorcerer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How does a
man fit into a chimney to break into our houses?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even have a chimney, but he made it
in somehow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sorcerer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flies and can be at any one place at any
given time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teleportation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, he is like a ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has ever really seen him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invisibility!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He never ages anymore, either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s, like, a thousand years old!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still fat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same old outfit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he wear that everywhere, even in
Pakistan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shape shifter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorcerer, for sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">7. He is also a propaganda
expert<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Every
Christmas season, it’s the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go sit on Santa’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sitting on no stranger’s lap,
let alone a thug in a ‘Santa’ costume sent by the sorcerer himself: the Krampus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likes to be in posters and in songs and
kiss little children on his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
crazy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And parents just allow this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows where that lap has been! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s to say they’re not pedophiles? He thinks
he can fool people into believing that he is cute and will give toys to
whatever us kids will ask for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clever
trick, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, he didn’t pull one
on ol’ Marty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the top in my
class!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get fooled easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">8. He stole Christmas from baby
Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">People are so
afraid to recognize that Christmas is for Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sad enough for the Krampus to take
advantage of everyone’s ignorance and make it a taboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that little Jesus wasn’t born on
Christmas all the way back when.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But ‘we choose this day to honor
him,’ as my religious teacher says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
least educate the fools about the real Saint Nick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, maybe they’ll all see the truth in
it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Keep Christ in Christmas,’ as my
step-twin likes to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">9. He convinced the world that
he does not exist<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They say that
the devil’s greatest trick was convincing the world that he did not exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that’s what ‘Santa’ did, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He convinced everyone that he’s just a myth,
except for us dumb kids on Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks to all you adults for playing right into that imposter’s hand!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">10. Santa is a code name for the
devil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Krampus has taken Santa for a simple
reason: ‘Santa’ is jumbled for ‘Satan.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go ahead, mix the letters around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I rest my case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us, Your
Excellency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re our only hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">-From Marty <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Footlight MT Light","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">p.s. Do I get a reward for
telling you all this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just asking,
because my Christmas stocking might not be so full this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just too smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess ignorance really is bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-51608096176329106852014-11-30T09:29:00.000-08:002014-11-30T09:29:08.821-08:00My Thanksgiving: A Humble Author's GratitudeThis Thanksgiving was a very special one for me, as it was my first spent with my lovely wife at my home. As a union, her family and mine had come together under one roof to eat and celebrate each others company. We, like the two of us, were one in spirit. That was a sobering moment for me to reflect on. Without our marriage, these two family entities would not have ever broken bread. Making this short, it was the largest and most memorable Thanksgiving I can personally remember. The food tasted better, the wine was refreshing and the dessert made us heavy enough to stay seated in each others presence for even longer than expected. This is what this holiday is really about. Yet, on the same token, I must give thanks to those who came to visit me at my little book signing before Thanksgiving on Nov. 23rd. It was an absolute honor to meet excited fans of some self-published fantasy author, just trying to break out and share his work with people. There was a great joy in my heart as I discussed my work with them and watched them look over the book they purchased for themselves or someone else with longing to journey into its pages or have the chance to tell their loved ones on Christmas that, "I got it signed by the author for you!" So, let me take this time to give thanks to God, my wife, my family and friends for making me a better man--but also to my "fans," or generous supporters, who shared that special day with me. They gave me their time, their ears, their kind words and good tidings. As a self-published author, that is the very fuel that drives me to climb further up the mountain. I have no more fear or doubt about my destiny as a writer. Great things are coming, no matter how far the climb is, I thank all of you for helping me up. When I make it to the peak, we will celebrate Thanksgiving together.David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-23332907224239900682014-11-09T10:34:00.004-08:002014-11-09T10:34:41.818-08:00Self-editing: The Marathon of the Modern Day Self-Publisher Having written seven novels and an array of poems and short stories, it has become evident that I am (not to toot my own horn) quite an excellent story teller. I love writing dark fantasy and I believe it shows in my work. However, nearly every novel of mine contains that blemish. It is the dreaded editing mishap. Perhaps it is a misspelled word or a grammar mistake--maybe even an indent put where it doesn't belong. In the long passionate process of writing a novel that can inspire readers and die hard fans of the genre, it happens. I miss one. Maybe two. Maybe, how many you said??? Best practice is to follow your heart with the story, but let a friend read it over first. Give it to an objective reviewer you are close to. To cover every base, hire an editor to give it the professional once or twice over. Its your work, and you can't catch 'em all. But, then again, a few here and there never killed the impact of the story...one hopes. I mean, movies have their inconsistencies in filming even the highly acclaimed and most watched. Every game, especially the most played and celebrated have their glitches. I love playing Skyrim, but, man, those glitches!!! Still, I love the game. Why? The experience. Its my hope that if you do come across a blemish in my work, smile and find the humility in it. I am not one to easily accept grammatical flaw in my stories, no matter how rare. I am still so grateful for all those who have read and are reading my work now. Your support and kind words mean everything to me. Criticizing my editing is a part of the self-publishing process and I've grown from it. Thanks for that--and thanks for having faith in my novels. Positive feedback is the fuel I use to keep writing. And, boy, I don't think that fuel will ever run out. Its been on full for a long, long time. <br />
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p.s. I'm still trying to get over the "K" in Mortal Kombat. Why the heck is there a--oh never mind.David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-47716081245171181692014-11-06T17:57:00.002-08:002014-11-06T17:57:33.578-08:00Ebola has left the buildingWell, that was scary. Ebola, the dark, sinister force come to take the world by force, has shied away from the headlines. But, was it every really a threat? The media made it seem like a zombie apocalypse had come calling. The bells rang and everyone was talking about it. "It's here! Ebola is here!" Well, its gone now and it left through the back door like a second cousin who came uninvited to a party after spilling a drink. It is truly amazing how mass hysteria can change conversations, water cooler dialogue. I wonder if the public would have responded that way if the report was, "Ebola is in the country, but it is of no real threat to the public. We have it under control." Heck, who am I kidding? Just announcing it is enough to make the society believe that it is even worse than it seems. I guess what I'm getting at here is: Do your research. Read up on things. The media is one of the best fantasy and science fiction authors around, second to politicians of course. David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-15983997677568583732014-10-23T17:37:00.002-07:002014-10-23T17:37:30.253-07:00Ultron: A model for all real bad guys?After reviewing the new Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer, it reminds me how important a villain can be for a film or literary tale. He, a robot, possesses the scariest attribute of a dangerous villain: total lack of emotion with absolute resolve. My villainous characters have lots of human weakness and relatable characteristics, but none like the heartlessness of Ultron. It is only when Ultron develops the human characteristics of pride and conquest that he begins to become vulnerable. What are some of your favorite attributes of villains?David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-70446831853131007612014-09-27T09:58:00.002-07:002014-09-27T09:58:23.367-07:00Redeem the Knight: Eden now available! Check it out. Its a perfect end to an awesome trilogy. David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3657551063171135860.post-31246927332573181152013-09-30T19:24:00.001-07:002013-09-30T19:24:36.278-07:00The Angels of Resistance out now! You need to read this dark fantasy epic novel! One thousand years after the assumed apocalypse, a demonic army known as the Demon Plague has invaded the new world. With various races and cultures split by their differences, one man inspires them to unite in order to defeat the unfathomable evil force. Experience the epic story that follows these heroes into the darkness. Join the resistance and find out what it takes to defeat demons. <br />
<a href="http://mamminabooks.com/Writings.html" target="_blank">Paperback and Hardcover available now...</a>David V. Mamminahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400884552815434415noreply@blogger.com0