tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47119165205101769312024-03-18T20:39:54.836-04:00REFLECTIONSSharing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences.John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.comBlogger1280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-41719714110120270592024-03-18T20:39:00.000-04:002024-03-18T20:39:23.264-04:00Stop Reading Novel if Horror Offends You<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrIqJIiVJ7gZQPovGrkjZydyNeZYE-KmUUxegGXcRXznGpWVp6oDFj-GknrT8y8JgCAFBrxBlTAZv0oG-2NXqUK9ao54aXwtn2hYloDuSLfbq31tfPSv_EzIRb_VQYO0-xbzVN4Eor5iKFcipOU5zhAbJzKlww5SPqP1SkeHwPTGI5vVXlqimYk5uVUk/s650/bbcomps3326_bb_02.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="650" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrIqJIiVJ7gZQPovGrkjZydyNeZYE-KmUUxegGXcRXznGpWVp6oDFj-GknrT8y8JgCAFBrxBlTAZv0oG-2NXqUK9ao54aXwtn2hYloDuSLfbq31tfPSv_EzIRb_VQYO0-xbzVN4Eor5iKFcipOU5zhAbJzKlww5SPqP1SkeHwPTGI5vVXlqimYk5uVUk/w640-h584/bbcomps3326_bb_02.webp" width="640" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">This is a bloody horror novel. I hope no one gets offended. I'll copy and paste the novel a little at a time and post a variety of other subjects in between. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It may not be the best, but it's not the worst that I've read or seen. Anyway, if it's at least a bit entertaining, then I'll be happy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">CHAPTER
FIFTEEN</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">When Tom awoke, he found himself down
on the sidewalk. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lilith was kneeling
over him, her warm moist lips on his.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s okay Tom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll take care of you."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom opened his mouth taking in a deep
passionate kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tongue gently
caressed his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment he
desperately needed the soft soothing emotions she brought to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith helped him to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Take this it will help,"
she put a blue liquid capsule deep into his mouth causing him to gage for a
moment before swallowing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I'm here to help you adjust to your
new life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom wanted no part of this new life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was the middle of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lilith walked with Tom arm in arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She supported most of his weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She leaned him against the window of
McQuade’s Tavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pleasant memories of
the night when he was there with Angela came to mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Angela," he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith wedged her knee between Tom’s
legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kicked him hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom gasped for air as the impact
forced him to double over in pain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Forget about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela is from your past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have me now."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith supported him before he could
fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She began kissing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom did not resist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Sexual arousal, fear, pain, anger; he
needed to break free so he could sort things out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time when Lilith let him go, he was able
to stay on his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was having
trouble with his breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not
only from Lilith's kick but also from a confusion of emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I can’t murder anyone,” Tom managed
to say while catching his breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s not that hard."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The capsule she gave him was
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when he saw a
demon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A transparent black haze about
twice his size formed itself into a blurry figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly everything became silent as a wave
of deafness came over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
frightening and strange yet all too familiar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The image flickered then swelled
coming closer to Tom for a moment then moving away in rhythm with his
breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resulting vertigo caused
him to sway in time with the changing image.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It had no real face only what can be
described as a swirling glob of flesh-like evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle of where a face should have
been, was a black void that seemed to suck his life away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom, look away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t resist or his power will kill you,” she
said turning him away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was gradually turning him
into a killer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Remember the agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gave him permission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s too late to back down.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom fell to the ground, unconscious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When Tom regained consciousness, he
found himself several blocks away from where Lilith left him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was no longer in front of McQuade’s
Tavern.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Filled with an uncontrollable hunger,
which he could not understand, Tom ran down the road looking for something he
knew nothing about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fallen leaves
crackled and stirred with each step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
tried to soften his steps, quick yet quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was what he needed, to be quick yet quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Up ahead a young woman stood walking
down the dark street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned to see
what was making such a loud swishing sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She saw nothing so she continued walking assuming it was a gust of wind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom hid behind a tree holding his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he silently followed making sure she was
unaware of his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She was an attractive woman about the
same age and build as Angela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
shoulder length light brown hair could not be mistaken for Angela’s almost
black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom was sure it was not her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The woman turned around the
corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom continued stalking her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he understood how a wolf, hawk or wildcat
must feel as it hunts its prey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
one of the most exhilarating feelings he had ever experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The road she was taking led back to
McQuade’s Tavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He remembered he was
supposed to meet there with Angela later that night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom knelt close to the ground on all
fours peeking around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
waited a moment to allow her to put some distance between them. The time was
not yet right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He felt the demon in his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It now had complete control of his
being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt he was only a spectator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Maybe he was fooling himself into
feeling this loss of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
way to ease his conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he was
not the one taking action, then he could not be to blame.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He wondered how he could enjoy the
excitement, the compulsion to go through with the hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was ashamed and disgusted with himself,
yet he continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom decided to forgive
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He leapt into action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heavy breathing turned into a rhythmic
panting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He let out a loud scream of
excited angry power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faster than he believed
was possible he was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The startled
woman turned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw Tom’s face inches
away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In her eyes, Tom saw what he believed
to be the reflection of his own eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looking closer he saw the reflection of something else, something evil,
something hideous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He watched her terror grow into
unbearable pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moment later she fell
to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom began to shiver with fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in disbelief as an unexpected sexual
passion grew in him until it overcame his fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Orgasmic pleasure erupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
panted to catch his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he fell
to the road in exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, he
lost consciousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When Tom awoke, he was on his
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next to him on the ground was the
woman he was stalking lying on her side facing away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to get to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road seemed to spin too much for him to
endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell back down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He looked at his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were soaked in blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The taste of blood and bits of steak-like
shreds were wedged between his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
explored the inside of his mouth with his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like the remnants of some barely
cooked steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wiped the blood from
his lips on the arm of his jacket staining it bright red.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He sat up to see if the woman was
okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood was dripping from her head
creating a small puddle of blood on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He could only see that much in the dim light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat up to have a closer look.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He saw her white blood-stained teeth
shining through what remained of the left side of her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flesh was ripped off but her lips,
painted in dark pink lipstick, were still intact as if nothing had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Vomit instantly erupted too fast for
him to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned his head to avoid
throwing up on the woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, she’s dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scared to death,” Lilith startled him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom tried to make sense of what
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His jumbled thinking only made
matters worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But how?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean I did not do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure of it. I was already passed out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith responded with a smirk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“She was dead before you had a chance
to kill her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman was scared to
death before you could kill her in a more direct way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Did I actually do this?” Tom asked
again, afraid of what the answer would be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You can’t take all the credit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Again, Tom looked at the woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sight of one side of her face missing and
her flesh torn away was too much to bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He looked away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom wiped more blood from his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But I had no choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You didn’t complain when you bit
into her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry. We’re not
cannibals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all symbolic.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s that on her head?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith bent down to pull the coin
from the woman’s forehead and showed it to Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“On the face of the coin is the
ouroboros dragon. On the back is what looks like a large letter ‘Y’.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom looked closely at the
bloodstained coin and asked her what it meant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“The ‘Y’ symbolizes the path someone
chooses in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The right path
symbolizes good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The left path
symbolizes evil, the path you’ve chosen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ouroboros with fire symbolizes the destruction of existence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-34323470692289026962024-03-03T21:07:00.001-05:002024-03-03T21:07:29.508-05:00Stick People <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJxFPCSqkJ0okg7_k7myYI1KppM7DD40mAey34RaHgy1u73fv2xnHmFT0uUWMqRnlIYnqeSYknUZldT0nDtYdvWq2C7bVfH4mvEbhCG9Ztn0j9QHYsBrhgfKLybAG-ZAI1J505b8eaKj5Fmskzto9pFPVsl0K4yTkMxMuS6gMeRfSHuxBjwKDsHnstnI/s830/5e150319f0ac0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="830" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJxFPCSqkJ0okg7_k7myYI1KppM7DD40mAey34RaHgy1u73fv2xnHmFT0uUWMqRnlIYnqeSYknUZldT0nDtYdvWq2C7bVfH4mvEbhCG9Ztn0j9QHYsBrhgfKLybAG-ZAI1J505b8eaKj5Fmskzto9pFPVsl0K4yTkMxMuS6gMeRfSHuxBjwKDsHnstnI/w640-h546/5e150319f0ac0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's not really a bow tie!</div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcM72kGgpo6uape0aB1HI7MnrPqRuY3tVyri_fSDFVKeghm3tol3uIew3ceR5bPaqVPuKp3tVjtDHEQqCtJN3MbJLP1yJxRHtt3zQM0ZgNBE8cl83iPLNfMCxeSiZtPAY37zMuR-mz6Q3C9P40ig7LphJ447iaI9a5Tq7P-UbfcId4pg4e9JGrPp3ZOY/s430/6549624b47364cc9177db2c7cfc53725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="371" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcM72kGgpo6uape0aB1HI7MnrPqRuY3tVyri_fSDFVKeghm3tol3uIew3ceR5bPaqVPuKp3tVjtDHEQqCtJN3MbJLP1yJxRHtt3zQM0ZgNBE8cl83iPLNfMCxeSiZtPAY37zMuR-mz6Q3C9P40ig7LphJ447iaI9a5Tq7P-UbfcId4pg4e9JGrPp3ZOY/w552-h640/6549624b47364cc9177db2c7cfc53725.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xhjZNWJA1pRGWW4D4-jBHLWn8B-4r5Q_zZWQt38J8sN3UZqOSKiVZRFZbAr5CMrXqF2LULs_w16FYDLqcZQjqE63Ui15IxRCQqIO8RAbg9VDZ0aIiOSahF_Ayukt1b11TjEgzwDXe_xqO0_ynkcz8yCacgvHbD7rjVswXHutnz5160YgE31XuKPfDs8/s450/e9787cb4da9e7e8c3f6a627922c6da55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPOdhxL-99cOHJAeZafUG3_1MQVFrKcgFjopyfMT17I3nibcDwxD_hWCFfPlAvJ0NHFhtCLZF3WHdbcbt_D8mSAE_fJQTp483lrmeQNaMMA-ZFsXlN6NFe5b5GwlNKyv9pPW-zXfKSQrfXC-ZdXX2D2GJ6a-OpCBD3VlQK8ggrHxOvhHQO7LSpuL14nk/s2240/Treisman-Scary-Stories.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="2240" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPOdhxL-99cOHJAeZafUG3_1MQVFrKcgFjopyfMT17I3nibcDwxD_hWCFfPlAvJ0NHFhtCLZF3WHdbcbt_D8mSAE_fJQTp483lrmeQNaMMA-ZFsXlN6NFe5b5GwlNKyv9pPW-zXfKSQrfXC-ZdXX2D2GJ6a-OpCBD3VlQK8ggrHxOvhHQO7LSpuL14nk/w640-h480/Treisman-Scary-Stories.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I've posted less recently because of being so tired from my neuropathy. I'll get back to it as I have more energy, It comes in waves sometimes worse, sometimes better. It is an autoimmune disease just like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus but with its own set of symptoms. The technical name is </span><span style="text-align: left;">"Asialo GM1</span><span style="text-align: left;"> Antibody Motor Neuropathy". At least it's not a worse problem like cancer.</span></p><p>I posted parts of my novel each week or so. I published it on Google_____, but decided to put it all in my blog. It has reached a point where it is more strange, evil and violent. I may just stop where I am. I don't want to appear to be an evil person.</p><p><br /></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-28261388531919821812024-01-18T14:04:00.002-05:002024-01-18T14:04:56.721-05:00CHAPTER FOURTEEN<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZGPZcrR1Tu9VlDyhCXkG7EyEqhisrzZhmLDD7TNMoYF_Omk_Pu5hCA8RRNOFkOkaUreRkcNTcdGpCUnlSOKYzwnhHCZ294gjK_ER7vlezbArcu70U8YyBMLA6dumfnAq6e4u1b6VEK71CHr3W0wKFv5PNnxUBIgm0ShAguogaDi5hExf4sdQMOeK804/s856/OIG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="856" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZGPZcrR1Tu9VlDyhCXkG7EyEqhisrzZhmLDD7TNMoYF_Omk_Pu5hCA8RRNOFkOkaUreRkcNTcdGpCUnlSOKYzwnhHCZ294gjK_ER7vlezbArcu70U8YyBMLA6dumfnAq6e4u1b6VEK71CHr3W0wKFv5PNnxUBIgm0ShAguogaDi5hExf4sdQMOeK804/w640-h548/OIG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER
FOURTEEN</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">The next morning it was ten o’clock
before Tom woke.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He neglected to set his
alarm clock, which forced him to hurry to be on time for his appointment with
Doctor Carlton.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">After a quick shave and
shower, he ran down his steps hoping to grab a quick breakfast on his way.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He was not sure if he had turned off the
shower but kept running.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Wasted water
was not that important to him now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey, what’s your hurry?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was Lilith. He felt his pockets. The note she gave him with the marks from her
lipstick was still there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why didn’t you call me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m on my way to an
appointment. I can’t talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“My car’s right here at the
curb. If you’d like I can take you
there. We can grab something to eat on
the way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah. Sure, why not? It’s better than being late.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Images of Lilith ripping off her
clothes as she went into the back seat flashed through his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Aren’t you going to open the door
for me?” She said as she stepped off the curb and stood by the side of the
taxi.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I thought you said you had a car.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t be silly. Isn’t this a car?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, but it’s not your car.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s the difference? It’ll still get us to Doctor Carlton’s
office.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom held the door open then followed
her into the cab. She sat in the middle
instead of sliding over to the far end of the seat forcing him to lean against
her side when he entered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Just as the cab pulled away from the
curb, she took his hand and held it in her lap.
Tom tried to move his hand away, but her firm grip held it in place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Wait a minute. How do you know where I live and how did you
know I was going to see Doctor Carlton?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He’s a good friend of mine,” Lilith
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What ever happened to patient
confidentiality? I don’t want the whole
world to know I’m going to see a psychiatrist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He only told me, your closest
friend,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I hardly know you never mind being
my closest friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I know you. Look we’re involved in this thing together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No, we’re not and I still want to
know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom pulled his hand away. Lilith put it back in her lap.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When the cab stopped at a traffic
light Levi turned to face them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hello, dickhead. Stop asking so many questions. Why don’t you just sit back and enjoy the
ride?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s going on? Now you even know this asshole?” Tom asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith shrugged her shoulders and
giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom felt trapped. If all these people were involved with the book,
then what did it mean?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I found Doctor Carlton on the
web at random so how could this be possible?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"When we get to the doctor's
office you'll understand," Lilith said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tell me one thing. How do the words in the book appear then
disappear? Is someone switching books on
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t be afraid. The Doctor will help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah dickhead. It’s all in your fucked-up mind,” said Levi.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Lilith, how do you know
Levi? He can’t be your boyfriend,” Tom
whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m glad you asked. Maybe when you get to know us better, you’ll
be friendlier.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She whispered softly to him as she
came closer, only inches from his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom resisted the impulse to put his
lips to hers. The same fiery red lips
that kissed the note she gave him at the diner.
He turned his face away. He felt
her warm breath against his neck. Her
short blond hair rested on his collar. It was soft and smooth, causing goose
bumps and shivers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Okay, I’m listening,” Tom pulled
away. He wanted to be with Angela, but
Lilith was making it difficult. He found
it difficult to look away from her blue-green eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Levi is always angry and ready to
get into a fight."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s just his natural
disposition. Maybe something happened to
him as a child. I don’t know. He won’t say.
But this is what causes people to reject him. When they reject him, he becomes even
angrier. He can hardly control himself. He’s been in trouble with the law, in and out
of prison.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Is he dangerous?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not when he’s with me."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Does he love you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not really. I don’t think he’s capable of love. He feels accepted by me just as he is. I keep him out of trouble with the law. In return, I have his help and
protection. It’s more of a brother and
sister relationship than anything else.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What about you? How did you get involved in this weird
situation?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He saw Lilith turn away so he could
not see her tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What the hell happened?” Levi stopped the car, turned around and
grabbed Tom by the neck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom could not breathe. His face turned a deep red. He felt his eyes about to explode from his
face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s okay Levi. Tom didn’t mean to upset me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi did not let go of Tom. Instead, he lifted him up out of his
seat. Tom heard a popping sound from his
neck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Levi, let him go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom fell back on his seat. His head ached and he could not speak for a
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t worry Tom. You’ll be fine. Levi would never hurt you without my
permission.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, what do you call this?” Tom
managed to whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You hurt my feelings. We are not weird. It’s the world that’s weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> "I didn't want to upset you, but this is
all so confusing. Are you trying to make
me believe in a...," Tom lost his train of thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Now that you've made a
commitment by using the book you are one of us," Lilith said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"What the hell does that
mean? I can see it as a fantasy game,
but do you want me to believe it's real?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith began crying. Tom was not sure what to do. He put his arms around her and hugged
her. She put her hands between his legs
grabbing him as she laughed. Tom pulled
her hands away. He wondered if she knew
the difference between tenderness and raw sex.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi turned around to see what was
happening until Lilith rubbed his shoulder to let him know she was okay.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Can’t you see? You’re evil inside just the way I am. We need each other. I love you for yourself and for the evil in
your soul. We were made for each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom made a face. He was about to tell her he was not going to
believe such an obvious over-acting attempt to convince him. When he saw Levi watching from the rearview mirror,
he stopped himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">For a moment, Tom wondered if she
could be right. He never really fit in
with other people. He was
miserable. But Angela was his hope for a
better life, not Lilith.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Stop here Levi, by the donut shop so
we can grab a bite to eat,” Lilith said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She was happy now. Her mood had suddenly changed from a
desperate pleading for Tom’s love to a cheerful lightheartedness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Bring me back a large black coffee
and a few donuts. Bring me different
kinds,” Levi said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on Tom let’s go. You don’t want to be late. We can eat in the cab,” Lilith said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">With mixed emotions, Tom followed her
into the donut shop. She had a firm
athletic body yet balanced with soft feminine curves. Her smooth cat-like walk fascinated him. If he was not already involved with Angela
and the right situation came up, he knew how easy it would be to give in to his
lust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey bad boy we can do that later,”
she said seeming to read his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom blushed when this time she held
the door open for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now it’s my turn to watch you move,”
she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Once inside the donut shop Lilith
stuffed a bag with about a dozen donuts.
Tom poured the three mugs of coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t say a word. Follow along with what I’m doing. Okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I guess so. Do you need some money?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith did not reply. She walked up to the cashier to ring up the
purchase.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“My dad will pay for this when he
finishes picking what he wants. He’s the
gray-haired man by the coffee machine.
Here he comes. Is it okay if we
take these out to the car?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The man behind the register smiled
back and nodded his head.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You don’t know that man,” Tom said
once they were back in the cab.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey dickhead, watch this,” Levi
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He slowly inched the cab away from
the curb. The donut shop cashier came
out spotted the cab then ran towards them.
When he reached the car door the roar of the cab’s engine masked what he
yelled. Muddy water from a nearby puddle
sprayed the man soaking his clothes and face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi put his arm out the window of
the cab and held up his middle finger.
Tom watched in silence while the two of them broke out in uncontrollable
laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi parked in front of an
immaculately clean three-story brownstone building. Lilith walked Tom up to the front door.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'll wait here for you. Try to do what the doctor tells you."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom went inside and down a short dark
corridor. He came to a partly open door.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m here to see Doctor Carlton.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on in. I’m Doctor Carlton.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He was a thin frail man with neatly
cut blond hair and light brown eyes. Tom
found him lying on a leather couch next to his desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m here about a problem I’m
having.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know why you are here. Let me
explain. There's some part of everyone's
mind that is evil but kept in place by feelings of morality. When someone's evil traits are strong enough
it only takes a push to let them take over.
This can easily be accomplished using drugs and the power of
suggestion. The power of suggestion is
very important. Outside corroboration
that the hallucinations and delusions are real is necessary. In your case this is just what is
happening. After your evil self is revealed,
you will no longer need the hallucinations.
Then you will join Lilith and Levi in their operation."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But I was led to believe I could
reverse the procedure. The only reason I
performed the ceremony in the first place was to have a little fun then stop
and go back to the way things used to be.
It was only a game,” Tom tried to explain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Let's be honest here. You accepted the agreement because you wanted
to get the power. You thought you would
be clever and get just enough to satisfy yourself then stop. Well, it isn't so easy. You should have stopped right away but there
is some strong quality of evil in you.
That’s what was unleashed when you performed the ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Who would do such a thing to
me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">With a smooth motion, Doctor Carlton
sat up on the couch then swung his legs on to the carpet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I can't deal with this. I can't tell what's real and what's in my
head."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh, this is real all right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"But why do I have to be dragged
into this? Why can't you let me
go?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Doctor Carlton laughed before
continuing. He stood up and sat in a
chair behind his desk. He was quiet for
a while then told Tom how it was going to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In his mind, Tom saw the doctor’s
eyes take on a strange fierce glow, almost not human.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I want to get out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh no, my friend,” Tom heard
Doctor Carlton’s voice bellow in an animal-like growl.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom heard the doctor's demonic
laughter as he ran for the door afraid to look back. He made it out of his office past the waiting
room and out onto the street. He knew he
was not safe. He would never be safe
again. He knew it was only a matter of
time before they caught up with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He ran out of the building and jogged
past the cab where Lilith and Levi were waiting for him. Lilith ran after him. No matter how fast he ran, she was catching
up to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He turned at the corner hoping to
escape down a side street. The sound of
her footsteps followed getting closer with every step.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Up ahead he saw the blurred image of
a man running in the same direction. Tom
was sure he knew him and was sure the man had something to do with his present
predicament. He needed to find out how.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The sound of Lilith’s footsteps
became louder as Tom got ever closer to the man up ahead of him. He heard the man’s footsteps and heavy
breathing. The sound of his steps fell in
rhythm with Tom’s steps and his breathing was in sync with Tom’s breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Down the block, the man ran across
the street to the left stopping to check for passing cars. That was when Tom had his first clear look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It can’t be,” he mumbled to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The man was his mirror image. Tom ran
diagonally across the street nearly running into a car. He was determined to have a closer look. When his double ran past a couple walking
hand in hand by a large glass storefront window the man had no reflection. The couple’s reflection was clear but there
was no reflection of Tom’s double.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">With all his strength, Tom caught up to his
double and put his hand on the man’s shoulder.
When the man turned his head, Tom saw his own face as if looking in a
mirror. That was when he lost
consciousness.</span></p><p><br /></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-24450771386763993042024-01-15T16:18:00.000-05:002024-02-08T18:14:34.949-05:00A Few Scary Clowns<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCetXmLzwtV8pIuPz9-ETLU4c7xAxicVwFL-pFMzrvRo1Y8nPqVjP3y7aTCGnKXM8c3SWJ23Ghs1Ci9gska-n4E3RmjwmXCj2wE0KpKSx1_iCH7VjiCvqgzYiByZXFCwK0jclraI0tL64WQObHoPQhN5Dd4tJ20fOC1h53pOPh_aXnudekbAkwgzfpw0/s259/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCetXmLzwtV8pIuPz9-ETLU4c7xAxicVwFL-pFMzrvRo1Y8nPqVjP3y7aTCGnKXM8c3SWJ23Ghs1Ci9gska-n4E3RmjwmXCj2wE0KpKSx1_iCH7VjiCvqgzYiByZXFCwK0jclraI0tL64WQObHoPQhN5Dd4tJ20fOC1h53pOPh_aXnudekbAkwgzfpw0/w640-h479/images.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p>For me clowns are often the opposite of what they are intended for. <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_wmhBEwvGPRHdS8D5OZywsoke2Rb-N1kWTBOVOSqM5lkaY3MK7mynLq3iG9NZDUmlMG_d3q9sk-SAWbMcg4WD49HJRay1qhwUMjVTwL3avrwlEkBgzTw8wtwsqc40SCmtnspykJ6BYqXABL2wbSl-vAf-0ehY95CII2eyQ9vhSCdI3TOS2o2M8U0DQg/s275/images%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_wmhBEwvGPRHdS8D5OZywsoke2Rb-N1kWTBOVOSqM5lkaY3MK7mynLq3iG9NZDUmlMG_d3q9sk-SAWbMcg4WD49HJRay1qhwUMjVTwL3avrwlEkBgzTw8wtwsqc40SCmtnspykJ6BYqXABL2wbSl-vAf-0ehY95CII2eyQ9vhSCdI3TOS2o2M8U0DQg/w426-h640/images%20(2).jpeg" width="426" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2tLjH5BnbnCe62tSRaVvMqwZGSfgXDWSwJAAdoFbTUOgKFcm7ZMmmA8ld1UYBfYV5DpfxYxMzm_Dj4wIYw6yZQxCFs_xal8wWjtaWJYdeMuxeD6zUHoL_x2M3E2UfQ7PkAWQOhXdFFVE9A1UEG4DGVKGqQfkbmHlsOW5pjNEGaG2QCyme-I1NeY6_XE/s270/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2tLjH5BnbnCe62tSRaVvMqwZGSfgXDWSwJAAdoFbTUOgKFcm7ZMmmA8ld1UYBfYV5DpfxYxMzm_Dj4wIYw6yZQxCFs_xal8wWjtaWJYdeMuxeD6zUHoL_x2M3E2UfQ7PkAWQOhXdFFVE9A1UEG4DGVKGqQfkbmHlsOW5pjNEGaG2QCyme-I1NeY6_XE/w640-h443/download%20(1).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnN082DIj2rN5ph_rN7SRuTlVtWkiW-UPPr7FiWUO1rPuY7GRYDi-Ae98vH73lflMpG8tvwKQazIfe3CFhqpglBBaR2MU5QKaHQrfnW40CX7UsuSi-wHPGoZhAD40ZcuJr996xXpLjuEqD4ahLtn2ZDIBF5DCheLc0zofl2mznLa9-anGmtbtonbDqvc/s275/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnN082DIj2rN5ph_rN7SRuTlVtWkiW-UPPr7FiWUO1rPuY7GRYDi-Ae98vH73lflMpG8tvwKQazIfe3CFhqpglBBaR2MU5QKaHQrfnW40CX7UsuSi-wHPGoZhAD40ZcuJr996xXpLjuEqD4ahLtn2ZDIBF5DCheLc0zofl2mznLa9-anGmtbtonbDqvc/w640-h426/download.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINOfnMFWO0d10VAUPG74xZQkiwrPp7Ib19m9A38mUA8zx2Attch0QiGK5cw2ZQgrBfEUDDLfeR9Xx0Kqrw6sozdfhwKWDpyXr9LTRgJSwnT2krgqb_6Hn5COZvu274tompjwCzihZvJFpQneDNmHALlZyTpwZ_ItFf25NkKKWuMf6B8m89hAsY2Clrp8/s1423/Ancient%20Clown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINOfnMFWO0d10VAUPG74xZQkiwrPp7Ib19m9A38mUA8zx2Attch0QiGK5cw2ZQgrBfEUDDLfeR9Xx0Kqrw6sozdfhwKWDpyXr9LTRgJSwnT2krgqb_6Hn5COZvu274tompjwCzihZvJFpQneDNmHALlZyTpwZ_ItFf25NkKKWuMf6B8m89hAsY2Clrp8/w460-h640/Ancient%20Clown.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-46542265939660621222024-01-09T08:30:00.001-05:002024-01-09T08:30:00.134-05:00CHAPTRER THIRTEEN<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOtjXxtoBpVwUMIs5-FQHVfIUfknr5BmbcbNFSdMXn59Ki8UkrQo7Qyhh0udQMntUwALcL1bkZ1FGNtB6RH90PyDmk9A7OBHulljXWiLMs-oAtkOuO4Bj7wXf_F92y5kDsgC11FKT4JzouQjiZYN4nACLIoVxNO-G5iA7DMsF4chttaWzNXVEyit9BQA/s277/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="277" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOtjXxtoBpVwUMIs5-FQHVfIUfknr5BmbcbNFSdMXn59Ki8UkrQo7Qyhh0udQMntUwALcL1bkZ1FGNtB6RH90PyDmk9A7OBHulljXWiLMs-oAtkOuO4Bj7wXf_F92y5kDsgC11FKT4JzouQjiZYN4nACLIoVxNO-G5iA7DMsF4chttaWzNXVEyit9BQA/w640-h421/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER
THIRTEEN</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith lived alone in a large
cape-cod style house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at the end
of a long curved rose bush lined driveway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tall trees all around the house caused it to be for the most part always
in a dark shade.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi parked on the street at the end
of the driveway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house could not be
seen from the road, but he was familiar with its location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He visited Lilith regularly for what he
called his "instructions".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They both had one deep need, to find
someone to commit murder for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
met at a local college public lecture about serial killers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There they learned the details of Charles
Manson's life. Just as he was never actually found guilty of committing the
murders himself, he was still responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time instead of a cult following, Lilith and Levi intended to set
things up; quietly and safely enjoying the results from a distance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Open up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the fat assed, bald headed pizza boy
with your pies,” Levi pounded on the front door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t worry, it’s only me,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Put the pies on the dining room
table while I get the wine,” Lilith said as she opened the door allowing him to
squeeze his large body through the entranceway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I got the large pie with extra
cheese and meat for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have your
small pie with extra sauce and very little cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess we both have to watch our figures!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levi did what he almost never did, he
laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a loud laugh, a wild
angry laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Tomorrow’s plan is to get Tom
as he leaves his apartment and take him to Doctor Carlton,” Lilith said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But he’s a waste, a piece of
crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not just let me take care of
this as I usually do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t use
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just chalk it up as a failure then
look for someone better.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith took a slice of pizza and
blotted off the surface oil with several paper towels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she took a nibble.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s different with Tom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a feeling he’s the same inside as we
are,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“He’s trying to dump us like
garbage,” Levi shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“A little more time to adjust, that’s
all he needs.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But why bother with him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to go back on his agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s my turn to make him pay.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith had to find a way to convince
Levi that Tom was not a threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
sure that Tom loved her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her mind it
was "love at first sight." The way he looked back at her with desire
was her "proof".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi took several bites then
swallowed the rest of his slice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gulped down his wine then filled another glass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let me do my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t waste time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doctor Carlton will not be able to convince
him,” Levi insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But I need someone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lilith's eyes began to tear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">For Lilith this need for a personal
closeness was completely unexpected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being alone never bothered her before she met Tom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not sure what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At the diner she knew she made a fool
of herself by trying to flirt with him, but she could not help herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She remembered how Tom laughed at her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Damn it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm such an idiot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea how to do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could only convince Tom to accept
me," she yanked her hair and squeezed her eyes shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was not the sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lilith could have as much sex as she
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was young and
attractive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Tom it would be
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could be close lovers
helping each other, spending time together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi kept eating and gulping down
wine seeming to ignore what she was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stopped eating for a moment to look at her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“This is a chance to have my own soul
mate,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“If you’re so horny, why don’t you
just go play with yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you like
I can help,” Levi said seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Thanks, but I need someone who’s
just like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone who’ll understand
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I understand you,” Levi said before
picking up another slice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know and I’m grateful to have you
but we’re not lovers.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What the hell are you talking
about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love? Come on now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know we’re best friends and I want to
help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you turn into a saint, I don’t
know; it would be hard for me to kill you,” he laughed his loud wild angry
laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith remained quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was in no mood to laugh at Levi's silly
joke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know where you can find all types
of young studs with all kinds of fetishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just tell me what you need.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Levi, it’s not the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want him to be with me because he truly
wants me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What does that mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom is the way I was when I first
started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just as lost as I was.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“So what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I want him to be with me, so I won’t
feel so all alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I still don’t understand but I’ll do
what I can to help with this fantasy of yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then when you get tired of him, if he still doesn’t join us, you know
what I’ll have to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lilith ate half of her pizza and gave
the rest to Levi.<o:p></o:p></span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-9231756354614397722024-01-08T17:45:00.001-05:002024-01-08T17:45:00.133-05:00CHAPTER TWELVE<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmFcHJU1VH9-2dn6dY81yBOLiK-ITUE_UVuz0hsTqnPChAVKIxa03NzTI-AGbhpxt6NSDkXCTZt6v08NHM-rEoPkgBwT8KxjnPuaXtx4dZy_B19LnqZCavHqiAal7X-nUWfEtQ9WXhfblzQuyH7pOVDhaA3HGrG9iipduDjMtPCba7xb5JDSe5SgdEbE/s840/Ch%2012%20Psychiatrist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="840" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmFcHJU1VH9-2dn6dY81yBOLiK-ITUE_UVuz0hsTqnPChAVKIxa03NzTI-AGbhpxt6NSDkXCTZt6v08NHM-rEoPkgBwT8KxjnPuaXtx4dZy_B19LnqZCavHqiAal7X-nUWfEtQ9WXhfblzQuyH7pOVDhaA3HGrG9iipduDjMtPCba7xb5JDSe5SgdEbE/w640-h429/Ch%2012%20Psychiatrist.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER
TWELVE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Back in his apartment, Tom took the
book into the bedroom and sat in front of his computer on the small desk next
to his bed.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He looked out the window for
a moment lost in thought.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Before giving in to a compulsion to
open the book he looked at the note Father Alphonsus wrote for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It listed the names and numbers of the
psychiatrists he recommended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which one
of these doctors would help him the most?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His future relied on a random selection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When he opened the book, he saw a
gray haze come over the pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He blew
the vapors away then gasped in astonishment as he saw that the text was back on
the pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chapters were the same as
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the chapter on
reconciliation was still missing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Thoughts raced through his mind too
fast and chaotic to comprehend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
closed his eyes for a moment then looked out the window to calm himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cars going down the road distracted him,
slowing his agitation until a cab pulled into a parking space by the curb in
front of his building.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom could make out the silhouette of
Levi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sure the cab driver was
following him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran to the door and
locked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking out the window, he
saw the cab was still there, but Levi was not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the door locked, Tom felt safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He put his cell phone on the desk just in case Levi broke in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After a moment, he turned his
attention to the computer and began searching the web for the names of
psychiatrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to find one on
his own; someone who could give him an impartial opinion and not someone who
might be influenced by Father Alphonsus’ religious beliefs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">All at once the web page of a
psychiatrist who treated problems like his popped up on the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The website had a black background with gold
lettering except for a rectangular area in the upper right side of the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this rectangular area was the image of an
open book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the page to the left was a
drawing too small and hazy to make out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the page to the right, the word “Reconciliation” was set diagonally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He read the text.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you find yourself in a bind where
you ask yourself if your problems are only in your mind or if there is
something actually wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is your
distress due to a bad mental state or to a real misfortune?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I specialize in such cases and am always
available to help you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first session
is free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call me or send an e-mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please fill out the form. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Doctor Carlton.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The site provided the usual form
asking for name, address and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a
section describing his present predicament, Tom explained as best as he could.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm not sure of what is really
going on in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it all in my
mind or is it real?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with a
strange book I found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a vial
of blue liquid in a hidden compartment at the end of the book, which I
drank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that is what is causing all
my problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effects should have
worn off by now, but I feel worse than I've ever felt in my entire life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a ceremony described in this book, I made
a commitment to change my life and follow the suggestions that would come to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I see strange shadows and have
horrible evil thoughts."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The final section of the form
requested a choice of several personality traits that best fit him and how he
learned about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom checked off the
section about being an introvert.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"The introverted person can be
outgoing in some situations but usually stays to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extroverts are usually more outgoing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both the introvert and the extrovert depend
on the circumstances to determine which will do better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Introversion is marked by several
different sub-traits:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Very self-aware<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Thoughtful<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Enjoys understanding details.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Interested in self-knowledge and self-understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tends to keep emotions private.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Quiet and reserved in large groups or
around unfamiliar people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">More sociable and gregarious around
people they know well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Learns well through
observation."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was a familiar description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost the exact same way that his high
school counselor described him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Five minutes after he sent the email
Tom received a phone call.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hello, my name is Doctor
Carlton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this Tom Bianco?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was fast. Were you waiting online for
someone to email you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not at all, I had a feeling someone
was trying to reach me."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"You had a feeling?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Why yes, intuition can be a
powerful tool."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom thought the doctor's belief in
intuition was strange, but he still set up the appointment for the next morning
at eleven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A quick look out the window gave him
some relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cab was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-53537099835780290372024-01-08T16:30:00.001-05:002024-02-08T18:15:04.170-05:00Some Alchemist Images<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx9nXRGjMuyo9Du2b0Oui9CzwwN-1AX-2D9izT6l0jQNTzzPHrC_atJQZu6kJlMSlLdRGSxgCltSasHxKB7Wfq2pAVGxAaAmNi3wghYajatdACk5uZGP-eNkr1R6Nuw0-FtBe3jcCEm091QpQMiRcdas5ffouf21PPfOeFYzZvjlnGZEwYIyuuZINiZM/s1200/alchemist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1200" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx9nXRGjMuyo9Du2b0Oui9CzwwN-1AX-2D9izT6l0jQNTzzPHrC_atJQZu6kJlMSlLdRGSxgCltSasHxKB7Wfq2pAVGxAaAmNi3wghYajatdACk5uZGP-eNkr1R6Nuw0-FtBe3jcCEm091QpQMiRcdas5ffouf21PPfOeFYzZvjlnGZEwYIyuuZINiZM/w640-h422/alchemist.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">She may not be an alchemist, but the image was too good to leave out. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYKCcCSjFgvQaQmvJCNXWezgKgC2yMPxmDrI2lwUanPOLLwiPkDA8217Ug8a2_6iqMfo3WDNerruif2ERDIOwOSUM5OaSXqCXaFDDixp5ScDkdz3YRVLsFVcqrK99oQTk66e6JZwJ2lnSmYL3DJQwHKwrxe0IsHplUTmWo_iCc6iHJ6KoaCWS4Clknng/s736/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="736" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYKCcCSjFgvQaQmvJCNXWezgKgC2yMPxmDrI2lwUanPOLLwiPkDA8217Ug8a2_6iqMfo3WDNerruif2ERDIOwOSUM5OaSXqCXaFDDixp5ScDkdz3YRVLsFVcqrK99oQTk66e6JZwJ2lnSmYL3DJQwHKwrxe0IsHplUTmWo_iCc6iHJ6KoaCWS4Clknng/w640-h448/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1Ra1KUm9RdmC5htcUc__2Fzre-lxvVeyjfu_AjsteP9TEQHbv5ni-zwJdtDK0QTmZ8haiUeI2MckaD_33b6nM5k1g30cZ2Avleh8G672ehKSSLq8BXZDhXuE-Bjo8xRe30ySb-UBFbeXrbh1iY1BWEuAyr36xw_mGlLPX3TAzrV7OF28B16tDcdNJ1Y/s1000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1Ra1KUm9RdmC5htcUc__2Fzre-lxvVeyjfu_AjsteP9TEQHbv5ni-zwJdtDK0QTmZ8haiUeI2MckaD_33b6nM5k1g30cZ2Avleh8G672ehKSSLq8BXZDhXuE-Bjo8xRe30ySb-UBFbeXrbh1iY1BWEuAyr36xw_mGlLPX3TAzrV7OF28B16tDcdNJ1Y/w640-h474/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rRxQBFR1ohfsaJC17331NQnBISI0W3JggOplgesnmhy6dWpwBzrm6IUkFKimNLL9ZmgfF-NrxSR6h5Yd6VNn0aauTJrh6t8qjhvodG76KFf7DD1SHKJEE-WzEgJe8vSqxWlRn4Cxij_j2ZOj8i1PHfepTw6fm5E6en-mp5ixc1R2qvUtqEBfXGMqtbY/s1500/alchemy-symbols-and-meanings-4065063-FINAL-7ccfc13060184de1971b749a9b5bdc5b.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rRxQBFR1ohfsaJC17331NQnBISI0W3JggOplgesnmhy6dWpwBzrm6IUkFKimNLL9ZmgfF-NrxSR6h5Yd6VNn0aauTJrh6t8qjhvodG76KFf7DD1SHKJEE-WzEgJe8vSqxWlRn4Cxij_j2ZOj8i1PHfepTw6fm5E6en-mp5ixc1R2qvUtqEBfXGMqtbY/w640-h427/alchemy-symbols-and-meanings-4065063-FINAL-7ccfc13060184de1971b749a9b5bdc5b.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xcowq0ADzOZe19VrN-BNqzhtHpCVJncJ5x4dVng_GyIVhJKGvF2tlxG9ca7UPjHm0rEh3UzrpkWc9yTOMOzUnY1FMDCwoi4Gra1-DWpLDQ894sMbGQWyRVJdIp-WrQkVOE6N7Ju1PCOQtmtTPjVmuYrCaXAVdZ3NPzivWeqMZ6g9HrXv4fBA43qGxR8/s1200/5.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1200" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xcowq0ADzOZe19VrN-BNqzhtHpCVJncJ5x4dVng_GyIVhJKGvF2tlxG9ca7UPjHm0rEh3UzrpkWc9yTOMOzUnY1FMDCwoi4Gra1-DWpLDQ894sMbGQWyRVJdIp-WrQkVOE6N7Ju1PCOQtmtTPjVmuYrCaXAVdZ3NPzivWeqMZ6g9HrXv4fBA43qGxR8/w640-h358/5.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-810452742872780772024-01-04T14:27:00.000-05:002024-01-04T14:27:21.038-05:00CHAPTER ELEVEN<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjpXURufGog_WqaQcgYsbqUnNJJ7uV2DVUBAZxl13RlFc9DnwQR8PKV6NwDKqHgTz2OX5N-qWnu01dKHqIVG_YlI9ogwrNA6ipfFGCReFR8mZcZPxyH6bsXF448rdNaI_1ZJ_prV66NZydM52xriH4KngTNXCt6qvzK1WisIow1zQ72ub5NxG38EcVcQ/s1009/Lilith%20USE=CHAPTER%20ELEVEN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="995" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjpXURufGog_WqaQcgYsbqUnNJJ7uV2DVUBAZxl13RlFc9DnwQR8PKV6NwDKqHgTz2OX5N-qWnu01dKHqIVG_YlI9ogwrNA6ipfFGCReFR8mZcZPxyH6bsXF448rdNaI_1ZJ_prV66NZydM52xriH4KngTNXCt6qvzK1WisIow1zQ72ub5NxG38EcVcQ/w631-h640/Lilith%20USE=CHAPTER%20ELEVEN.jpg" width="631" /></a></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">CHAPTER
ELEVEN</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">The next day it was almost ten before
Tom finally woke from another night of fitful sleep interrupted by vague
nightmares.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He put on a pot of coffee
and poured himself a bowl of cereal.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He
was not sure if it was corn, wheat, or whatever kind of flakes or squares.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">It really did not matter to him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">They all tasted like pieces of cardboard and
Styrofoam coated with sugar.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Clumps of foul-smelling semi solids
came from the container of milk. Tom
decided it was best to skip making breakfast.
There were several fast-food restaurants on the way to the church. He was sure Angela would not mind stopping
for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After a quick shower, he went outside
to wait for her, this time making sure the book was in his shoulder bag.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“We’re early,” Angela said as she
drove up to the curb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Good, we can stop to get something
to eat.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom checked his shoulder bag again to
make sure the book was there. He knew it
was there, but he had a strange feeling that it was somehow trying to escape.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s wrong Tom?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m a little nervous. That’s all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You met Father Alphonsus
yesterday. Didn’t you like him?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He’s okay, I guess. It’s only that I’m not that religious. I’m only playing along, humoring him. I seriously doubt he can do anything to help
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Five minutes later they were at the
Train Stop Café. From the outside it was
a typical 1950’s style diner but with the appearance of a railroad dining
car. Inside the original diner was
remodeled into a miniature restaurant. A
few tables set close to each other replaced the old booths and barstools.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela parked in one of the only
three spaces left. A short walk across
the graveled lot, up the steps, then Tom held the door for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I have a seat in the back by the
window. Is that alright?” The waitress
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">While they looked at the menu, Tom
noticed a woman sitting at the table across from theirs. Her sparkling blue-green eyes and
straw-colored blond hair that almost hung down to her shoulders fascinated him. She stared at Tom while smiling playfully,
obviously flirting with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela turned to see what he was
staring at before giving him a questioning look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I can’t help it. It’s only a physical response, like a
reflex,” he whispered hoping the other woman could not hear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, right; some reflex,” Angela
whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But it doesn’t mean…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know. I’m only giving you a hard time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I recognize her. I saw her at the bookstore where I found the
book. She was the one who put it back on
the shelf."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The blond smiled at him again and
then crossed her legs, her short skirt riding up high on her thighs. The edge of her blue panties was just
visible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Why are you staring at her
again? If you’re so attracted to her,
why don't you go sit with her instead of with me?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's just that I recognize her
from the bookstore, and she had the book before I did. That's why I'm looking," Tom lied. He felt a strong attraction to the woman, but
it was not just a physical attraction.
There was a mysterious almost spiritual fascination.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you two talking about me?” The
blond asked, giving Tom an alluring wink and a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom found it funny. She was being too obvious and silly. He shook his head in disbelief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Ah, no; not at all,” Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you two lovers or only
friends? Because if you’re free I’d like
to meet with you sometime. My name is
Lilith.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“We’re in a relationship,” Angela
said in an angry tone of voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I wasn’t talking to you
sweetie. Let the man speak for himself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m flattered but she’s right. We’re going out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“We’ll see how long that lasts. She's delusional if she thinks you won't drop
her to be with me," Lilith said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"You're the one who's
delusional. We have something special
that no one can ever stop," Angela yelled back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom spent the rest of the meal trying
not to look at Lilith. He could tell
from the corner of his eye that she was still staring at him. When he took a chance on a brief look Lilith
fondled her breasts over her blouse slowly moving her hands up to her bra
straps pretending to adjust them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Come on Tom let’s get out of
here. We have an appointment to keep.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela took his hand and led the
way. As they stood up Lilith jumped to
her feet and bumped into Tom causing him to drop his shoulder bag. The book was
now on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Here's your book," Lilith
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thanks."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"My pleasure," Lilith said
as she surreptitiously kissed a note and slipped the lipstick covered scrap of
paper into his pocket. Following Angela
to her car Tom glanced at the note.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Lilith Veil. I know about the book. Call me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">On the other side of the scrap of
paper was her phone number.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela was quiet during the short
ride to the church. Tom also remained
quiet. His thoughts alternated between
wondering what Lilith had to do with the book and his appointment with Father
Alphonsus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela parked at the curb.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom that woman at the diner is up to
no good. I have a strong feeling about
this and I’m usually right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You have nothing to worry
about. I’m with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t forget the book,” she said,
handing him his shoulder bag.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom walked up to the rectory. Before going in he hesitated for a moment to
look back at the car. Angela nodded
encouragement, motioning with her hands to go inside. He took a deep breath, pulled the door open
then went inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s nice to see you again,” said
the same receptionist he rushed past on his last visit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m sorry if I was a little rude
last time,” said Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t worry about it. I understand how difficult life can
become. Father Alphonsus took me under
his wing. He made a real difference in my
life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom put on a polite smile. He wondered if she was being paid to drum up
business for the priest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“How much will it cost to see Father
Alphonsus?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He doesn’t accept money.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Really? I thought he was once a psychiatrist. He must charge something or require a
contribution to the church.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He insists on no discussion of money
at any time. He only wants to do God’s
work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom decided to stop the conversation
before she tried to recruit him into the faith, “The Armed Forces of the
Church”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Her enthusiasm stopped when she saw
the expression on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll tell him you’re here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A moment later Father Alphonsus
appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Good to see you again Tom,” he said
giving him a firm warm handshake.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let’s go into my office where we can
talk in private.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus pulled the chair out
from behind his desk so they could be face to face without the barrier of the
desk between them. Their knees almost
touched.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“How about a short prayer before we
begin?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“If it’s alright with you, I’d rather
not." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The priest looked a bit disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“That’s fine. Now have you brought the book that’s been
giving you so much trouble?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">First Tom explained the details of
the ceremony he performed. Then he took
the book out of his shoulder bag and handed it to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Fine leather, gold leaf page edges,
the ouroboros etching on the cover. This
is a beautiful book. The ouroboros is a
bit odd because it’s shooting fire towards its tail instead of eating it. It must mean destruction instead of renewal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">On the back cover of the book, I see
a letter ‘Y’ that’s been altered. The
side pointing to the left ends in an arrow while the side pointing to the right
ends in a short horizontal line. I’m not
sure what this letter ‘Y’ symbolizes.
I’ll have to look it up but for now let’s concentrate on the book
itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus gently ran his
fingers across the gold edges of the book.
The back of the book gradually opened allowing the empty vial,
candleholders and serpent illustrated cloth to fall to the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“A hidden compartment! I see what you mean,” he said with the
innocent excitement of a child finding a new toy. He put everything back into the compartment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom took the book from him and opened
it up to the missing pages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“See here is where the chapter on
reversing the ceremony is supposed to be.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes, I see it's blank."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus sat back in his
chair and slowly turned the pages. Tom
watched the priest’s face as he slowly studied each page one after the
other. The expression on his face
changed from curiosity to an extremely troubled look.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"This is the book that is giving
you so much heartache?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Skim through some of the pages to
get a general idea. The illustrations
are good. The instructions tempt your
curiosity urging you to read more. It
seems like play acting; only a game but after leading you into the ceremony
there’s no way back out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why did you drink the liquid in the
vial? It may have been a hallucinogen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Look at the directions in chapter
three the Initiation Ceremony,” Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus adjusted his glasses
before looking closely into the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Reconciliation was supposed to be
the next chapter. As you can see it’s
missing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus brought the book
closer to the desk lamp, his face closer to the book and began thumbing through
the pages. Tom remained silent for a
while to let the priest concentrate on the text. It was taking longer than expected. Tom could not wait.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well? What do you think I should do? I mean do you think you can help me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus’ face now took on a
sad look of sympathy. He looked at the
book then he looked at Tom. Then he took
a deep breath and let out a long-troubled sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"See I told you it was bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The old priest remained silent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know it’s not some magic spell,”
Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus was about to
speak. He stopped when Tom continued.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I want you to help me get passed the
guilt. I think the guilt is making me
lose touch with reality, making me believe that what I read in the book is
true. You even said to yourself that
someone can stop believing with their mind but still believe deep inside. I need someone to help me sort this out, to
help bring me back to my normal self again.
You were once a psychiatrist. You
must know a way to help me."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The priest paused for a moment before
speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"My son, this is nothing but a
blank book. There is nothing printed on
these pages. It must be some sort of
diary.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom took the book from him and looked
at the pages. He was right. They were all blank.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Listen, don’t panic. I don’t practice psychiatry any longer, but I
can help you find someone to evaluate what’s happening to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Father Alphonsus there could be
another explanation. I don’t believe in
the supernatural powers of the book, and I don’t believe I’m insane.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t misunderstand me. I never intended to imply that you’re
insane. There are many possible
explanations. A psychiatrist can help
explain a delusion caused by too much stress, a fever, lack of sleep or
depression and anxiety. During the
ceremony, you drank the blue liquid that was in the vial. It may have contained a hallucinogen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Someone could have gone into my
apartment and switched books on me. He
could have taken the original book and replaced it with a book containing only
blank pages,” Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Isn’t that explanation a bit
far-fetched?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“There was a cabdriver who seemed to
know something about me. He didn’t even
wait for me to pay him, saying I owed much more than I could pay for with
money.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But that doesn’t mean…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom interrupted the priest before he
could finish.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then there’s the woman at the diner
who gave me this note.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom checked the note to make sure her
writing was still there. He did not want
a repetition of disappearing text.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It says her name and that she knows
about the book,” Tom said as he handed the note to priest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I see it does, but it can also have
many other meanings. Perhaps she learned
about your shoplifting the book.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t know. I’m so confused.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The old priest took Tom’s hands in
his.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It won’t hurt to see a
psychiatrist. At the very least, he can
give you something to ease your anxiety until everything is straightened
out. I have the names of a few doctors who
practice nearby. One of them can help
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I guess I can try.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus wrote the names of
the psychiatrists then handed the note to Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll check up on you in a day or so
to see how you’re doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom thanked him, took the book, and
went back to Angela waiting in the car.
He entered the car without saying a word.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s wrong? I can tell it didn’t go so well,” Angela
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom shrugged his shoulders as he
looked down at the book on his lap.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Can I see the book now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“There’s nothing to see,” he said,
handing her the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela thumbed through the pages of
the book. When she saw nothing, she
rolled down the car window and held it in the sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom there’s nothing in this book,
only blank pages.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela stared at the open book on her
lap.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Angela, what are you thinking? Do you think I’ve lost my mind? Someone could have switched my book with a
blank book.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m confused. The book is blank, but you truly believe
there was something in it. But then
again you seem to doubt this is the same book.
I don’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, you’ve perfectly described my
present predicament.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Someone switched my book with a
blank one. Either that or I’m losing my
mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“But who would do such a thing and
why? Who would even know you had the
book or even care?” Angela asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“The cabdriver seemed to be angry
with me. He must know something about
it. Then there’s Lilith, the woman at
the diner.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What can she possibly have to do
with all of this?” Angela was still upset about how Lilith flirted with Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom showed Angela the note with
Lilith’s name and phone number.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"That bitch! She's trying to steal you away from me. You are with me, right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure I am. But maybe it’s all part of an
initiation. They’re following me to make
sure I’m worthy enough to join them.
They keep switching books on me.
First, they switched it with a book missing the chapter on
reconciliation. Then when they saw, I
was going to the priest for help they switched it again but this time with a
completely blank book. That way I
couldn’t give away their secret society.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom, what did Father Alphonsus say
about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“He gave me the name of a few
psychiatrists.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">They both burst out laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom this sounds very strange. The vial of blue liquid could have brought on
this completely delusional experience.
Tell the psychiatrist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah. Why not?
What else can I do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll be here to help you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom leaned over trying to give her a
warm kiss. Angela hesitantly puckered
her lips keeping her mouth closed. His
lips encircled her lips, his tongue coming to a stop. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela started the car and drove off
without saying anything. She was worried
about Tom, but she was also worried about herself. She was not sure why she wanted to stay with
him, why she let herself get involved with such a man.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-77513000386769662622024-01-02T12:15:00.000-05:002024-01-02T12:15:36.013-05:00CHAPTER TEN<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmrrFrxyxf4ZQUVigI13-tL8NG5FYl0vBfuSSOxVOC-EMzXdmxzWM6mejfrGLWw9BC4xSYne57U1JlucrWoQAuPixvh72-c0uDwhNbj4zNU2V51nuEfERQHcn0vq8um0RD0lV5t_aJWYlNiIUbFYmecG6vDenpoSeeW-Ug1IAopeY2wC547vYy1HAXkY/s200/levi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmrrFrxyxf4ZQUVigI13-tL8NG5FYl0vBfuSSOxVOC-EMzXdmxzWM6mejfrGLWw9BC4xSYne57U1JlucrWoQAuPixvh72-c0uDwhNbj4zNU2V51nuEfERQHcn0vq8um0RD0lV5t_aJWYlNiIUbFYmecG6vDenpoSeeW-Ug1IAopeY2wC547vYy1HAXkY/w640-h640/levi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER TEN</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 45.75pt; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Too intoxicated to drive, Levi Osama
left his cab parked by McQuade’s tavern and walked home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He usually parked his cab on the street in
front of his one room apartment located in the basement of a three-story
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sectioned off area of
the basement by the plumbing pipes, electrical wires, and heating system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two one-foot-high windows created the dim
lighting and a view of the sidewalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
room with a cot, stove and shower made up his living area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Even though he had more than enough
money to live better it was all he wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had no need to keep the room neat or even clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His few pieces of clothing were hung on a stand
under one of the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He only
changed what he was wearing, when necessary, usually if they became too stained
and smelly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no need for the
stove because he only ate out at a fast-food restaurant or a pub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Levi this was home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Earlier that night when Levi took Tom
to McQuade’s tavern he followed Tom in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Levi ordered a beer at the bar before going into the dining area on the
other side of the tavern where it was dark and hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was comfortable in the dark where he could
watch without being seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom was on the other side of the bar
having dinner with Angela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levi
watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Tom was not with Angela, he
might have taken a chance on following her outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be no need for small talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he wanted was simple and
straightforward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi did not understand why anyone
would ever want to get married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trying
to have children baffled him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why go through all that trouble just
to get laid?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He was not sure if he wanted to go to
a strip club or rent a porno disk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was too tired to visit one of his prostitutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey dumb ass, how much are you going
to soak me for tonight?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The waiter reluctantly came to his
table with the bill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Here, take this and keep the
change.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is very generous.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Shut up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop the bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easy come, easy go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make so much money I have no idea how to
spend it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have to go around
kissing everyone’s ass to pay the bills.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The waiter could not understand how
Levi made so much money driving a cab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was sure there was more to it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi pushed the waiter out of his way
as he headed for the door where he paused for a moment, then walked back to his
table and sat down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey dumb ass, come join me for some
conversation and hard drinking.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not allowed to drink while I
wait tables.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi got up knocking the table over
with his belly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The door leading to the tavern office
was at the back of the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levi pushed
the locked door open bending the hinges and cracking the doorframe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Here’s some money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be drinking with your dumb ass waiter so
don’t fire him or I’ll come after you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The manager thought it best to humor
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The money helped make up his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Back at his table, Levi ordered
drinks for his waiter and himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a short while, both slurred their words and had difficulty keeping their eyes
open.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Listen…Ah…What’s your real name?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“James.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well James, if you make me happy, I
might be able to let you in on what I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean how I make my living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s plenty of money and very little effort.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What is it?” James asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you a religious man?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m about as religious as anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You’ll have to give it up if you
want to do this work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t think I can."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well let me explain how it is with
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Both men were quiet for a while until
James spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You were going to explain something
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot what it was, but I think
it had something to do with church.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Oh yeah, that’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this is how it is for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi paused for a moment to collect
his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why did God make me big, fat and
ugly; with no control of my emotions?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">James raised his eyebrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not sure how to answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I say fuck him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll stay with the ones who understand and
accept me as I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put me in an
important position, to help Lilith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
my beautiful companion, not a girlfriend but someone important who needs my
protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I help her eliminate the
newcomers who refuse to keep their promises.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Newcomers for what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this a club or something?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“If you want to be part of whatever
it is we’re doing you'll have to renounce your religion and join us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But I can’t give up God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Levi passed out, his head on the
table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I need some help here,” James called
out to the bartender.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I see your companion has had enough
for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know where he
lives?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bartender asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I have no idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen, can you help me get home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t drive like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sure, I’ll take you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what do we do with him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t leave him here,” the bartender said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How about if we leave him in his
cab?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he wakes up, he can drive
himself home,” James said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-53801860300109558572023-12-31T14:29:00.002-05:002023-12-31T14:38:20.165-05:00Happy New Year<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9cubUKfo5drfK3TQ6gGezpKJvpM_Ze3KLX1tbtqbAGlIDpfTBhKwTqqctDJ21KM-qdjoD_lfHnGDIUNq4vBNy2rpcKflO-ECZ3mRofjM1HQiokVmoGUtsNYgkVX4B-rQshBJkbmKxpJD5RCiUTww8D83bKcL8fDlA6DwfTaU-f0BZyuJFA2XXiQ9hoE/s340/flowerline2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="340" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9cubUKfo5drfK3TQ6gGezpKJvpM_Ze3KLX1tbtqbAGlIDpfTBhKwTqqctDJ21KM-qdjoD_lfHnGDIUNq4vBNy2rpcKflO-ECZ3mRofjM1HQiokVmoGUtsNYgkVX4B-rQshBJkbmKxpJD5RCiUTww8D83bKcL8fDlA6DwfTaU-f0BZyuJFA2XXiQ9hoE/w640-h60/flowerline2.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIaEXirEUszAYshC29sYd3imLaMD1mDqA5757jJHdeQVXYpQZ3hnubWlBZyxSYsJ6xbQvWgStc8ekEzy1vs-OZdP-xPPklU4zsPe9MdL26OxVrIJkGztGzvGjbw3cVOu_NHCV0oUbzS6AgIynwlQcb9aK1RVCzgMRavOAAEyp4gIK6FTaHRc5k1YuMZM/s480/R.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIaEXirEUszAYshC29sYd3imLaMD1mDqA5757jJHdeQVXYpQZ3hnubWlBZyxSYsJ6xbQvWgStc8ekEzy1vs-OZdP-xPPklU4zsPe9MdL26OxVrIJkGztGzvGjbw3cVOu_NHCV0oUbzS6AgIynwlQcb9aK1RVCzgMRavOAAEyp4gIK6FTaHRc5k1YuMZM/w640-h640/R.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SAhixHWcwb_OlWRVOhSS9LieqlyimutnhNJhI7fqdRW8rrB8kW4VOLpc-5qCDQMMktZYgP1-mrsqqdxggMjnuWvMEsD2apzsWRMDNc0FwwtYz_n3G23pbG9nT-IvgpBzQX7OST4-z2Q6-3Jt5xJHUhUEQ1T8FyGFZIEJosr-L7H8yKCS17tcHBb1qxM/s340/flowerline2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="340" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SAhixHWcwb_OlWRVOhSS9LieqlyimutnhNJhI7fqdRW8rrB8kW4VOLpc-5qCDQMMktZYgP1-mrsqqdxggMjnuWvMEsD2apzsWRMDNc0FwwtYz_n3G23pbG9nT-IvgpBzQX7OST4-z2Q6-3Jt5xJHUhUEQ1T8FyGFZIEJosr-L7H8yKCS17tcHBb1qxM/w640-h60/flowerline2.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-45685478383060509252023-12-28T15:08:00.000-05:002023-12-31T14:10:47.970-05:00CHAPTER NINE<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUodkI9DqtIUBPd5dG8VE_j7iar4wMjUQK61mlIV84CpiMUJ_Ye2pY3376pAyy1JgCPrBhZmhdineGwZ6zy3giJde26hTQhrLIQ4r1LLVg1CqQF1P6WfNCpkDuIMOPRrtMYfEG35siUd-GGyOlg9OqEOKov9EIA_9uSCONEpgeHQowAKrWHeTDPjGP7mM/s640/levi%20sepia%20loomish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUodkI9DqtIUBPd5dG8VE_j7iar4wMjUQK61mlIV84CpiMUJ_Ye2pY3376pAyy1JgCPrBhZmhdineGwZ6zy3giJde26hTQhrLIQ4r1LLVg1CqQF1P6WfNCpkDuIMOPRrtMYfEG35siUd-GGyOlg9OqEOKov9EIA_9uSCONEpgeHQowAKrWHeTDPjGP7mM/s16000/levi%20sepia%20loomish.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">CHAPTER NINE</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once outside the rectory, Tom’s cell
phone rang.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hi Angela."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"How did it go with Father
Alphonsus?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn't find the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sure I had it in my shoulder bag, but
it wasn't there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's very
strange."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I can't wait for you to tell me
all about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we still going to meet
at McQuade's?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure, I’ll catch a cab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me about half an hour.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A cab came around the corner by the
church and pulled up to the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
driver was an enormous man with a large round face and short crew cut
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was too bulky for the cab
almost taking up the entire front two seats.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Need a ride?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shouted, peering at Tom over a pair of
tiny wire framed glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more a
statement of fact than a question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom was just able to enter the cab
and close the door before it sped away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey, I didn’t tell you where I want
to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The driver slammed on the brakes
causing Tom to bang his head against the thick clear plastic partition
separating the driver from the passengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He twisted around in his seat leaning back until his head protruded
through a small window in the plastic divider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only inches from Tom's face, the driver’s breath reeked of garlic,
onion, tobacco and, beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom sat back to escape the
stench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver stared over his
glasses, which sat down low on his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were more of a decoration than a practical visual aid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well then where would you like me to
take you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked with an angry
knowing smirk before sitting back down in his seat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom heard the man mutter under his
breath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know where I’d like to take you,
to hell with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Take me to McQuade’s Tavern.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In case there was any trouble, Tom
took note of the driver's name on the license underneath his photo, “Levi Osami”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"McQuade’s Tavern,” the driver
shouted as he slammed on the brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time Tom put his arm up in time to prevent banging his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped out of his seat on the driver’s
side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How much do I owe?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How much do I owe?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You owe much more than you can pay
for with money dickhead.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">With that, he sped away before Tom
could pay him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now who’s the dickhead?” Tom shouted
back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The shadows by the tavern shifted
from the passing car headlights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
believed he saw a detail in the shadows that did not make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One long shadow did not move with the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It remained in a fixed location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when he moved closer to get a better
view the shadow appeared to run behind the building and then it disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A customer left the tavern a moment
afterwards sending a dim stream of light across the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would explain why the long shadow
disappeared except that it disappeared before the door was opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom assumed the discrepancy was only due to
his mind confusing the entire situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When he reached the glass door of the
tavern, he saw his reflection in the glass along with the reflection of a man
right behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom entered then held
the door open for the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no
one there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, he wondered if these
visions were all due to being tired or if there was more to it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once inside it took a moment for his
eyes to adjust to the darkness of the tavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Angela was sitting at the far end of the tavern in the same well-hidden
booth where they sat the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she saw him, she got up to give him a tight hug and a soft kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How did things go?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took his hand and led him to the seat
next to her on the same side of the booth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Did you like Father
Alphonsus?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom was about to speak but stopped
when he saw Levi the cab driver come into the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom imagined him to be a gigantic beach ball
with a huge round head balanced on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wondered if the cabby was looking for him to pay for the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levi sat at the bar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey asshole can I get a beer or
what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“No need to get rude,” the bartender
replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Get me a beer, whatever’s on tap.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We have several…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What are you stupid or
something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring it to me right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Even though Levi obviously did not
exercise to keep fit, carrying all that weight gave him tremendous
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a fight, the bartender
would be no match for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom walked towards the bar intending
to pay the cabby what he owed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Going somewhere?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It reminded him of what she said when
they first met at the Café de France<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I have to pay for my cab ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man didn’t wait for me to give him the
money.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom turned around to look at the
bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levi was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must have left the tavern or sat somewhere
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In any case, Tom was relieved that
for now he did not have to confront the man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Tom, did you have a chance to
speak with Father Alphonsus?” Angela asked, wondering why Tom seemed
disoriented.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, but like I told you, I didn’t
have the book with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I put it
in my bag but when I looked for it, it was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s somewhere in my apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I’ll meet with him tomorrow at one.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I can come with you if you like.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t want you to go to so much
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take a cab.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Don’t you have a car?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t really need a car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It saves me a lot of money.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll pick you up and take you to the
church if you like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can come in with
you or I can wait in the car until you’re done,” Angela offered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I could use the ride and moral
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t mind waiting in
the car?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not at all, I’ll do some
reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides I’m eager to see that
mysterious book of yours and find out what Father Alphonsus thinks about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not so sure I want you to see
the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not until Father Alphonsus has
a look at it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean it would make me feel better if Father
Alphonsus saw it first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can show me the book only when you’re ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela leaned against his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached over putting his arm around her
waist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s getting late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t I drop you off at your
apartment?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your apartment is close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did you drive?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m still a little scared from the
other night.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When they left the bar, Tom looked
for the cab driver again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
cab parked outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You don’t need to look for a
cab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember I have my car,” Angela
said watching Tom stare at the cab.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know but it’s the same cab that I
took to get here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver is a
weirdo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t understand why he didn’t
even wait for me to pay for the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway, I appreciate you taking me home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela’s car was at the far end of
the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom was glad he was
there to keep her safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was finally
with someone who seemed to care for him the way he cared for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-6249069214410328172023-12-20T16:24:00.000-05:002023-12-20T16:24:16.442-05:00Christmas Photo from Daughter and Children 2023<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ei8Oz1mWm9Kra3245haI_lomFgdvp3IUN2bcg3srK04aRNFg918XKF6FiIARQJr35Uk23y5ERx3xHmuP8vHf_10_df3CH88GOangTpsB4FINOUj3o484F06RRyjERoAJrLLQhPeTtLqWldJJT8Ci4pmDFqhMTZ8VKl2bFmNFfJZw4tlrI8QungvInqA/s1582/xmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1186" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ei8Oz1mWm9Kra3245haI_lomFgdvp3IUN2bcg3srK04aRNFg918XKF6FiIARQJr35Uk23y5ERx3xHmuP8vHf_10_df3CH88GOangTpsB4FINOUj3o484F06RRyjERoAJrLLQhPeTtLqWldJJT8Ci4pmDFqhMTZ8VKl2bFmNFfJZw4tlrI8QungvInqA/w480-h640/xmas.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The youngest grandkid is more interested in Santa Clause than the camera. They are standing in front of the "Christmas Bus". I think it's really a fire truck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I bought two frames for this photo, one for them and one for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-52617093153194342792023-12-19T13:54:00.000-05:002023-12-20T16:25:40.483-05:00CHAPTER EIGHT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DRP5typyz1TbyomVHLaKvQetBobiHWp1xmsoxTITLwrsxjLV-Knp1Lc2ZrJynvo8oVv0B19c2XZeFvJH7YSqFIfNVTYilga1kcTsDIxeNMjDNS14jdsut8j3looDO-WtONHBeTu7p4GgtcF6j4nKSjORGXI3nxMymC8ecousTKzSFrVwUYSFAnIZEQc/s1348/confession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1348" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DRP5typyz1TbyomVHLaKvQetBobiHWp1xmsoxTITLwrsxjLV-Knp1Lc2ZrJynvo8oVv0B19c2XZeFvJH7YSqFIfNVTYilga1kcTsDIxeNMjDNS14jdsut8j3looDO-WtONHBeTu7p4GgtcF6j4nKSjORGXI3nxMymC8ecousTKzSFrVwUYSFAnIZEQc/w640-h428/confession.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER EIGHT</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tom took a cab to Saint Michael the
Archangel Church.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was not because of
any strong spiritual beliefs.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He was
desperate.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-spacerun: yes; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was worth a try. He
promised Angela he would see Father</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Alphonsus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Assuming the priest might have an office
somewhere in the church he looked there first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The church was in the style of a great medieval cathedral only on a much
smaller scale, a miniature cathedral built of stone and stained glass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Over the large wooden doors leading
into the church was a statue of an angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The angel’s wings were spread out behind him for balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pushing a long sword into the chest of
a horned demon lying on his back with his hands unsuccessfully trying to
deflect the sword.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Almost as good as Spiderman,” Tom
mumbled to himself as he pulled open the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The light coming in with him sent
shadows in every direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
door closed behind him, the shadows vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were replaced by a dim light coming from several lights encased in
tall hexagonal glass fixtures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lights were held up by chains strung down from the high ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a moment, his eyes became accustomed to
the dim lighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could see the
daylight pressing against the many stained-glass windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light was held back by the thick glass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Except for an old man sitting in the
front pew the church was empty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There was a statue of Saint Michael
by the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time his sword was
inches away from the chest of a serpent-like demon instead of the horned devil
in the statue above the front doors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When Tom saw beams of red and blue
light landing beside the statue, he turned and went back outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too much like the lights that
frightened him in a church when he was a young boy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He looked for another way to see the
priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he noticed a covered
walkway towards the side of the church that led to a modern brick two story
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reaching the door, he read the
note taped to its window.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Confessions from three until five.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was a quarter to five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom went back into the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the old man sitting in the front
pew was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanting to get it over with
he decided to find Father Alphonsus in a confessional if he must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could not wait until five.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There were four confessional areas
built into the walls on each side of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had closed wooden doors flanked by deep
purple curtains where the penitent would enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By looking closely, he could see that only one confessional was dimly
lit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above the door was Father
Alphonsus’ name engraved on a small rectangular wooden board that slid into a
metal holder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom pushed past the
curtain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside there was a padded
wooden plank for kneeling facing a dark double-screened window that concealed
the view.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Father Alphonsus, are you there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He believed he saw a wood panel slide
open removing one of the screens. He could see an obscure shadow on the other
side of the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you Father Alphonsus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to talk with you about something which
has me deeply troubled.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The shadow moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he heard an indistinct mumble or hum or
rasping sound, which Tom assumed was the priest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“A friend recommended I see you about
a problem I’m having.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see I’m
reading a book that has me troubled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Following the author’s instructions, I took the book without paying for
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He listened for a response from
behind the screen but only heard the same mumble or hum or rasping sound he
heard before, which he took as a sign that the priest was listening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then I performed a ceremony
involving candles, incense<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:John%20Mallozzi" datetime="2023-06-27T11:10">,</ins></span>
and a vial of blue liquid, which I drank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was all only a game for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The same mumble or hum or rasping
sound came from behind the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It has to do with free will and
forces released when turning away from traditional spirituality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And well, I’m not sure how to explain
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to put it all behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I’m haunted by terribly evil
thoughts, nightmares, and shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure it all has to do
with having a guilty conscience.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This time there was only silence from
behind the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom wondered if he
might have shocked the old priest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Father Alphonsus, are you listening
to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you have to say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">More of the same mumbling sounds
which Tom wished he could understand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know it was wrong for me to take
the book and experiment with spiritual ceremonies I know nothing about, but can
you help me get back some peace of mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Again, there was no response, only
the sound of wind passing by the confessional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When Tom looked through the screen separating him from the priest the
dark shadow moved to one side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why don’t you have the decency to
answer me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Still there was no response. In a fit
of rage, he left the confessional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom
was determined to find out why the priest behind the closed door did not
respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried the doorknob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was unlocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door flew open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pushed from inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he looked, there was no one there, only
an empty chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Terrified that he was either being
haunted by evil spirits or completely losing his mind he ran outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“This is all due to a guilty consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m more religious than I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what it must be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guilt must be driving me crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Hoping the old priest had the answer
that would set his mind at ease; Tom left the church and headed back to the
rectory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He pushed open the door to the
rectory and went inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
large desk set at an angle facing the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A grey-haired woman sat behind the desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I must see Father Alphonsus
right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"He's very busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must have an appointment to see him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"If you don't get him out here
right now, I'll go back there and get him myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'll see what I can do,” she
said more out of being frightened by his wild demeanor than having any true
compassion for him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A portly priest with a red face came
out from the next room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brown eyes
were partially hidden behind a pair of large wire framed glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was wearing the customary black suit and
white collar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm Father Alphonsus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Step back into my office where we can talk in
private,” he said in a gentle soothing voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom followed the priest into a large
room with an immense desk, twice the size of the receptionist’s already large
desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The desk was set against the wall,
which had the usual paintings of Christ and Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a painting of Saint Michael,
this time with huge wings that could easily power a small plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was standing on a man with hoofed feet and
a long tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time there was a
different shorter sword plunged deep into the creature’s chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Now how can I help
you?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The priest asked, closing the
door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He sat behind the desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom took a seat on the leather chair facing
the desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Father Alphonsus I’m having some
difficulty with feelings of guilt, nightmares, evil thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend told me about your ability and I
ah…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Nervous, he could not concentrate,
for a moment unable to explain why he was there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You said you are bothered by
guilt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did you do to make yourself
feel this way?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I sort of; well, I shoplifted
a book.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus looked at him for a
moment before speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“There is much more to this isn’t
there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take your time and explain it as
best you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The old priest swiveled his chair to
the side then cupped his hands as if in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time his thumbs were under his chin, his fingers encircling his
nose, his head bowed, and his eyes closed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I found a mysterious book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has no title and no author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a serpent engraved on the front
cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The serpent is sending fire towards
its own tail.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for the fire it’s a variation of an
ouroboros.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, that’s right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Okay, continue.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I shoplifted it, the way the
author suggested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believed it was all
an interesting game, a sort of playacting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later that night I performed the ceremony described in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The back of the book opened into a sort of box that contained all the
items I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even drank the vial of
blue liquid that was included.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What went wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“There was supposed to be a chapter
to reverse the ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made sure I
saw the chapter before doing the ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the ceremony the chapter was gone, only blank pages in its place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Continue please.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now, I see strange shadows come and
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have terrible thoughts and
urges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost raped my
girlfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want it all to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to start over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want special freedom or knowledge.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You said you almost raped your
girlfriend.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“We were both drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so drunk she did not resist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t even realize what was happening.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why did you stop?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I couldn’t go on with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t take advantage of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted her to be sober and willing, not
drunk and helpless.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus looked up and then
turned his chair to face Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“You did the right thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps we can have a formal confession where
we can try for reconciliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if
you do not intellectually believe in the spiritual reality something deep
inside you feels this reality and needs to make amends so you can be at peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom felt relieved that the priest
understood his predicament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered
if it was possible to have religious feelings on a deep emotional level even
though intellectually, he did not believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He hoped the priest was right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom, if you’re not ready right now
we can have the confession at some other time when you feel the moment is
right.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, that might be best.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let me have a look at the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I can help you better once I’ve seen
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It was strange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sure he put it in the pocket of his
shoulder bag before leaving his apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tom got up and searched all the pockets of his bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book could have slid into one of these
pockets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom checked each pocket twice,
but the book was not there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Father, I must have left it at
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I didn’t lose it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually, I have it in one of the pockets of
this shoulder bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how it
happened but it’s not here now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, bring it in tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be free after lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meet me here at about one. In the meantime,
perhaps we can say a prayer together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean I don’t want to pretend at something
I’m not sure I believe in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do it to humor me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The priest came out from behind his
desk and then pulled up a chair facing Tom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He took Tom’s hands, placed them on their now touching knees and covered
them with his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't feel comfortable doing
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you don't mind, I'll just
leave now."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, I understand,"
Father Alphonsus walked Tom to the door.</span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-47923840709422033282023-12-14T16:58:00.001-05:002023-12-14T16:58:00.133-05:00CHAPTER SEVEN<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWT-CMeExkWyJj-VChYIFQdToeQ63QfnryJoTt2Rxm6A6HN7CyVVJZH9qbGT4SSCquoLuDtKXY2knouvN80gHwUBJTGMZGvCzuXqOy2DN2bsSiG7c2zDftT7jKb_CS5sMGTNjTlm99Z7FA-MwaD1A4C1wC7l2SOxwytb7mxZFYD50JUrEpEAqcJv5Mt4/s275/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWT-CMeExkWyJj-VChYIFQdToeQ63QfnryJoTt2Rxm6A6HN7CyVVJZH9qbGT4SSCquoLuDtKXY2knouvN80gHwUBJTGMZGvCzuXqOy2DN2bsSiG7c2zDftT7jKb_CS5sMGTNjTlm99Z7FA-MwaD1A4C1wC7l2SOxwytb7mxZFYD50JUrEpEAqcJv5Mt4/w640-h426/1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER SEVEN</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Father Alphonsus sat alone behind his
desk at the rectory deep in thought.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He
remembered his life before he entered the priesthood.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was when he was married.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Even now twenty years after her death he
often thought about his wife.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">A stroke
took her from him in an instant.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He was
grateful she did not suffer a long illness, yet the shock of her death meant
the end of his former life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Religion always played a major role
in his life. Before he met his wife, he
intended to join the priesthood. They
met in college while taking the same course on philosophy. As her death happened in an instant so too
did their falling in love. It seemed to
him so long ago, more a dream than a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When he chose marriage over the
priesthood Father Alphonsus felt psychiatry was the best alternative. At one time mental illness was believed to be
a form of demonic possession. Gradually
it became an accepted illness that responded to treatment. He would serve God by helping the sick of
mind instead of helping people spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After her death, he gave up his
psychiatric practice to join the priesthood as he first intended.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Though at times being alone was
painful, he was sure he could never find another woman to take her place. All he wanted now was a quiet life. Celibacy in the Church seemed the best way of
living, freeing him from the distractions of money, family, children and sex. Yet he often wondered if his
decision to leave everything behind to begin a new life as a priest was the
right one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus went to the window
overlooking the backyard of the church.
Sparrows gathering by a hanging birdfeeder reminded him of Saint Francis
who saw all of nature as a mirror of God.
Saint Francis believed he was a brother of all that was alive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A story about Saint Francis came to
mind. Birds of various kinds were
feeding on the ground near the monastery where the saint lived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Saint Francis spoke to them about
praising God who clothed them in feathers, gave them wings to fly, provided
them with pure air and cared for them without any worries. The birds came to him instead of flying away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All Father Alphonsus wanted now was
to be like those birds free from the cares of life. He laughed.
Whenever he walked up to the birds, they flew away in fear long before
he could take a step closer. They knew
he was far from being a saint.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He returned to his seat behind the
desk to continue brooding. When he first
entered the priesthood, he found the quiet peacefulness he desired. That only lasted a short time. One day the bishop came to Saint Michael the
Archangel Church to give him a special assignment. The conversation about his assignment played
in his mind, more like an imaginary happening than a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Father Alphonsus I want your
expertise in psychiatry to fill an important need for our parish.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m honored and will gladly do what
I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“If you knew what I want you to do
you might not be so eager.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus’ curiosity peaked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“With the illness of Father Jones, he
is taking an early retirement and I want you to help our new exorcist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But I’m a psychiatrist. I believe such matters have a physical bodily
cause and can be treated with medication and counseling.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, that’s the reason I want
you. I want you to use your knowledge of
psychiatry to help determine if a person is in fact possessed or the victim of
mental illness. You will not treat
him. You will refer him to a local
psychiatrist. If, however you can find
no medical explanation you will refer him to our exorcist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“First of all, I’ve told you already
that I do not believe in demonic possession.
Secondly, I have no idea how an exorcism works.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"As to the first objection, you
are a priest and there are many references to exorcisms in the New
Testament. ‘He gave the power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out’ (Matt. 10:1) is one example. You must try to have faith in this. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The second point will be resolved by firsthand
experience. I’m certain that when you
encounter a true demonic possession you will see how it works.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m a psychiatrist. I’m sure these cases are due to epilepsy,
hysteria, schizophrenia, or some other physical and psychological disorders,”
Father Alphonsus protested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes.
But not all. That’s why we want
you to make sure the person is really possessed before we send him to the
exorcist who will perform the ritual.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Both Father Alphonsus and the bishop
were quiet, not sure what to say. The
bishop spoke first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Everywhere people are afraid of
demonic possession. They don't know much
about it but still they fear it. They
look to us for answers. Even though the
entire subject is not clear we must help them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But how?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We can’t say we have no idea what to
do. You have more of a belief in
psychiatry than in exorcism. Once you
learn what to look for, once you are sure psychiatry will not work then you'll
know when to send the afflicted soul to the exorcist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus paused for a moment
before deciding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll do my best.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There was always one point that
troubled Father Alphonsus. When he
possesses someone against his will, the devil attempts to scare and force the
person into giving up his soul. In
effect, the victim has not chosen to be with the devil. He cannot be totally to blame. Prayer and exorcism can save his soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">On the other hand, he could never
understand why anyone would freely choose to give up his eternal soul for a
temporary gain. Why would anyone sell
his soul to the devil knowing he must spend eternity in hell?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus believed a more
likely scenario was to seduce the man gradually into committing ever-increasing
acts of evil in exchange for what he desires.
As the sinner becomes closer to Satan, he begins to reject God. He finds himself at home with the devil and
other evil doers. He becomes like a
member of a gang. The result is the
same. In effect, he has sold his soul to
the devil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In such a case, an exorcism was of no
benefit because the devil has not entered the person's body. Instead, the man is fulfilling his part of
the agreement in exchange for the benefits Satan can give him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">How could he solve such a case? He was sure there must be a way to invalidate
such an unwritten contract, but he did not know how.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Father Alphonsus checked his
watch. It was almost time to hear the
confessions of his parishioners in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This always made him anxious. He calmed himself then headed for the church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</span>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 22pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-52947635800242166262023-12-11T20:32:00.000-05:002023-12-11T20:32:28.592-05:00IKEA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9_O1iH-S6o1we1fC2__p3arQcJzDHG7lLC6HwdhNty1ezYUiVqWWG2YqGvLWesWdep_nisg1hvJ3c02RLdd2TCJ6_UKNBjJ8bXX3DALgsOG-ftNP1oDSbuXbykU81zv1d1SgiznioqZmHwOs5GWRs8NN0Ky_EnkL7s8444lBXcNnlnDJLsFWcQc3dfg/s1053/im-the-museum-03-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="1053" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9_O1iH-S6o1we1fC2__p3arQcJzDHG7lLC6HwdhNty1ezYUiVqWWG2YqGvLWesWdep_nisg1hvJ3c02RLdd2TCJ6_UKNBjJ8bXX3DALgsOG-ftNP1oDSbuXbykU81zv1d1SgiznioqZmHwOs5GWRs8NN0Ky_EnkL7s8444lBXcNnlnDJLsFWcQc3dfg/w640-h268/im-the-museum-03-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQxX61e9nfGbRhAl43t9N2fo0em_zsdeLW4XEi0igT493TQtwyK1yTQr9DaCgI34NCmgN3kwwVubU_a5E8_JPTFImCPKg2N8WuMN8wHHUMK3YJY6_9DKvUl7xnljejaAkwkRt80td1MyBstYMwkWWoXNNupbFY99_GSkZBQTjget_uUINGm8txImmY10/s680/1%20(84)%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="680" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQxX61e9nfGbRhAl43t9N2fo0em_zsdeLW4XEi0igT493TQtwyK1yTQr9DaCgI34NCmgN3kwwVubU_a5E8_JPTFImCPKg2N8WuMN8wHHUMK3YJY6_9DKvUl7xnljejaAkwkRt80td1MyBstYMwkWWoXNNupbFY99_GSkZBQTjget_uUINGm8txImmY10/w640-h556/1%20(84)%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMmN2d1EoyXGKIs9oNYGdmKkA4sQIGvKcUYiadOWFv9RBMiRzPbBDzTZPYBb2atuGsdcCQxtfxZtWCcZVQ9LKirZd2Ql8Sc_xcUfUCUOnlU8OFWphDzg1Hn1ukQzOpUnbetFWFSZmiw6g7hBorhAKluvm1FBU4Anwfn5encShwHJpjndlgnXXIAornW4/s1200/funny-relatable-ikea-memes-cover_800.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMmN2d1EoyXGKIs9oNYGdmKkA4sQIGvKcUYiadOWFv9RBMiRzPbBDzTZPYBb2atuGsdcCQxtfxZtWCcZVQ9LKirZd2Ql8Sc_xcUfUCUOnlU8OFWphDzg1Hn1ukQzOpUnbetFWFSZmiw6g7hBorhAKluvm1FBU4Anwfn5encShwHJpjndlgnXXIAornW4/w640-h426/funny-relatable-ikea-memes-cover_800.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSPD-s5GnQ8TRV3P9xXyBEKwB7I5uxHtz_FOg06rIlLmHanh1ZwCYf15LW6kuI0_3AQtFARmNe45BEbqMhyphenhyphenjXeA6VGzYVA8-_R4Rwdp81iYkaILEupJakqALiAx_aW3xcMyW_2Own_uijTA1bF6DIj3qEnlp-_9aGwnUng7-F3zatcAWcqRVoVqji-TA/s717/oxyg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="717" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSPD-s5GnQ8TRV3P9xXyBEKwB7I5uxHtz_FOg06rIlLmHanh1ZwCYf15LW6kuI0_3AQtFARmNe45BEbqMhyphenhyphenjXeA6VGzYVA8-_R4Rwdp81iYkaILEupJakqALiAx_aW3xcMyW_2Own_uijTA1bF6DIj3qEnlp-_9aGwnUng7-F3zatcAWcqRVoVqji-TA/w640-h390/oxyg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0SlvR4TjPM7GgEtI-B0BCsIp8MBrq9NO0JDDswwqaghGirQYOCSUmXmISlNBI_aBtwsic29wwUHUFLua9F8fX2H7X_jKsrUfOVYb1gPy7HNYeByQIsaNCjWlzEugZhjiZR_trQdDH9otRfE8gswTpPdjEMoiWVoWHdr14OvhcAS6_wrf4DutcjHDYGU/s1024/OIG%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0SlvR4TjPM7GgEtI-B0BCsIp8MBrq9NO0JDDswwqaghGirQYOCSUmXmISlNBI_aBtwsic29wwUHUFLua9F8fX2H7X_jKsrUfOVYb1gPy7HNYeByQIsaNCjWlzEugZhjiZR_trQdDH9otRfE8gswTpPdjEMoiWVoWHdr14OvhcAS6_wrf4DutcjHDYGU/w640-h640/OIG%20(2).jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">CHAPTER SIX</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 360.3pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tom showered, shaved, put on his
nicest shirt and corduroy jeans.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">After
checking the time, he ran down the steps and out on to the street.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">The book was still in his shoulder bag.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">If he did not hurry, he would be late for
their first date.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela lived only a few blocks away
from his apartment. He thought again
about how strange it was that they had never met before last night. A strong gust of wind pressed the book into
his side, as if pushed by someone, as if bringing to his attention its part in
helping them meet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He arrived at her building early, but
he did not want to appear overly eager.
Besides, she might still be getting ready. As he waited, Tom leaned against the building
and watched the cars as they passed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey mister, want to buy some
flowers?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At first, he saw no one, only hearing
the hesitant voice of a woman. He looked
down to see a poorly dressed elderly woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Only five dollars,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Some flowers for Angela would
certainly make a good impression.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom felt the book press into his side
again as if being jostled by someone pushing by him. When he turned to look, he saw no one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In a fit of rage, he imagined
punching the old woman hard in the face, breaking her nose, blood pouring down. Even though the image was only in his mind,
he winced at the brutality closing his eyes in disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The woman showed him roses,
carnations<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:John%20Mallozzi" datetime="2023-06-27T11:10">,</ins></span> and daisies. All were wilted with most of the stems bent
or broken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yeah, this will make a great
impression.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He laughed to himself but felt sorry
for the woman who most likely picked the flowers from a trashcan. He gave her a ten-dollar bill and told her to
keep the change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He entered the short hallway leading
into Angela’s place and then stopped at a glass-paneled door. It was locked. A security camera attached to the ceiling
faced directly at the entranceway. He
looked for Angela’s name on a row of a dozen buttons on the wall to the right
of the door then pressed her button.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who is it?” Angela’s sweet soft
voice answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s Tom. Are you ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"There’s no elevator. You’ll have to take the stairs. I’m on the third floor, apartment 3B. I’ll unlock the door when you get here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She buzzed the electronic door
lock. Tom entered the dimly lit
hallway. He was about to walk up when he
thought he saw something in the shadows underneath the stairway. The silhouette of a man darted into the
darkness. Taking the chance that it
might be someone dangerous Tom walked towards the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who’s there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He walked deeper into the darkness
looking for the source of the shadow. At
first the shadow did not move. Then it
slowly blended into the background with the other shadows until he could no
longer see it. When the headlights from
a passing car lit the corner all the shadows below the staircase vanished
except for what he thought was the shadow of a man. When he approached the silhouette, it became
smaller until it too seemed to disappear into the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now the damn book has me seeing
things.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He told himself it was only the
shadow of a passing car, but he was starting to worry. His experience with the dragon last night,
the image of hitting the cashier at the donut shop, images of beating the poor
old flower lady, dark figures lurking in the shadows; Tom felt violent
disturbing changes in his thoughts and feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He ran up the staircase to the third
floor. The flowers were now completely
bent with petals falling everywhere. In
a fit of rage, which was way out of proportion and not the way he usually behaved,
he flung the flowers hard against the wall.
They made a splat leaving a wet green stain. Afraid of his overpowering rage, he stopped
for a moment to calm himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Her apartment was to the left. After taking several deep breaths to quiet
himself, he knocked. The door slowly opened,
and he caught a glimpse of Angela running into her bathroom wrapped in only a
towel. She covered her breasts with her
arm. The towel rode up exposing half her
bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll be out in a minute. Can I bring you something to drink while
you’re waiting?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“No thanks, I’m fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When Angela finally came out Tom
lightly embraced her at first then hugged her firmly, pulling her close. She lightly brushed her lips against his.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You’re so beautiful. Is that the bruise from last night?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Does it look bad?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's not too bad. I only hope I won't get arrested for beating
my girlfriend."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela pretended to slap him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm joking. No one will see it unless you point it out to
them in a bright light."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Did you mean what you said
about my being your girlfriend?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Of course."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When they looked into each other’s
eyes time seemed to slow into a dreamlike pool of wordless awareness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, are we going out?” She
whispered quietly, seductively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are we going out now or would you
like to sit for a while?” She asked putting her hand on his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She led Tom to her sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"First we should talk about what
happened last night. We must get things
right about this. It was terrible yet in
a way it brings us closer in a very short time," Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"As you told me, I didn't call
the police. I owe my life to you. My hero," she said with a warm smile
hugging him close with her head on his shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom petted her hair. It was still a little damp from her
shower. He breathed in the lavender
scent of her shampoo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Do you trust me? That I'm not a murderer just because I went
too far and killed a man to rescue you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Of course, I trust you."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Can I trust you not to go to
the police?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't want to get involved
with long police procedures. Besides, I
wasn’t hurt much. But you know what’s
strange? In the news on TV this morning
there was no mention of a murder last night," she told him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't know why they wouldn't
report it. Maybe they haven’t found the
body yet."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Walking out of her apartment and down
the stairs Tom saw something approaching them from behind. Angela turned to look when she saw him turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He distracted her by taking her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Where are we going?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“McQuade’s Tavern, it’s quiet. A lot of college students hang out
there. They have surprisingly good food
for a fair price. We can get to know
each other a little better. After dinner
we can catch a movie if anything good is playing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once at the tavern Tom opened the
door for Angela. A tall man, his eyes
half closed from too much alcohol pushed passed them before she could
enter. Angered by the man’s rudeness Tom
headed towards him in a rage. In a way,
it felt good to him. The chance to hurt
the man was exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela stopped him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let’s not let him ruin our time
together,” she said gently squeezing his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It took a moment for him to calm
down. The strange thing about the
incident was how he overreacted. It
would have never bothered him so much before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom led the way to a booth in the
back of the tavern where they would not be disturbed. He took a seat. Angela sat next to him on the same side of
the table. She slid over and took his
hand. Their bodies made soft
contact. The warm comfort of her touch
put him at ease.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What would you like to drink?” He asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t really drink much. Most of the drinks burn my throat and taste
bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“How about trying a sweet wine? It has a mild taste. It may not be that good to a wine expert, but
I like it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After a few glasses of wine and some
food, their conversation became easy and open.
However, Tom was still visibly upset.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Is something troubling you? Why don’t you tell me what it is? It might make you feel better to share it
with me. If not, just tell me it’s none
of my business. Was it what happened
last night?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You don’t have to tell me all the
details but maybe it will help us feel closer knowing we can trust each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After another glass of wine, Tom
decided to give her a general idea of his problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m upset with this book I’m
reading. It has something to do with
free will. It claims there are powerful
forces released when turning away from traditional spirituality. It’s all nonsense, yet it bothers me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s only a book. So, stop reading it. You’ll forget about it,” Angela said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s not just a book.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He went on to tell her some of the
details.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After another hour they were half
finished with the second bottle of wine when he decided to let Angela in on a
little more of his secret.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, how can I explain it? My thoughts, feelings; even my actions are
somehow different. Sometimes I feel something
is following me urging me to do things I would never dream of doing before.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They were silent for a moment before
Angela spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When I used to go to church at Saint
Michael’s I really loved Father Alphonsus.
He was kind and helpful when he heard my confessions. Go have a talk with him. Maybe he can help ease your mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom felt Angela was the woman he was
searching for his entire life. He knew
he was being overly romantic, maybe because of the wine but it was like being
reunited with his long-lost soul mate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela looked through her purse
shuffling papers, looking for something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Here it is. I have Father Alphonsus’ card. He gave it to me when I was having some
problems with an old boyfriend. Take it. Give him a call. Tell him I sent you. You have nothing to lose.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom took the card to humor her. He never intended to call this Father
Alphonsus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’ll be Halloween soon,” Angela
said, trying to keep up the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you like Halloween? Do you get dressed up?” Tom asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“No.
I was curious to see if you liked it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I think it’s for kids. We pretend at
scary events where you can laugh afterwards is silly. There’s nothing to laugh about with real life
horrors like wars and murders. People are killing and torturing each other
all over the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I didn’t mean to make you angry. I
was only curious. What about the other holidays
coming up, Thanksgiving and Christmas?” Angela asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“My mom and dad passed away. I’ve lost touch with the rest of the family,
so I stayed home. Sometimes I go to any
restaurant that’s open then go home and watch TV.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We have a lot in common. When my parents were divorced, I stayed with
my aunt until I was old enough to be on my own.
We never got along. Now I never
hear from any of them. I sometimes spend
the holidays with a friend or stay home like you,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We can spend the holidays together,”
Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’d love that. We can make them special.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They talked about many things and the
time went by quickly. Before long, it
was too late to see a movie. Tom suggested
she come by his apartment for coffee and more conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When they stood up to leave Angela
stumbled. She grabbed on to Tom’s jacket
to prevent an embarrassing fall.
Unaccustomed to drinking alcohol she could barely walk without leaning
on him. Tom intended to bring her safely
back home after some coffee and time for the effects of the alcohol to wear
off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once they were outside Tom thought he
saw the strange dark shapes again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela held on tight to Tom’s
jacket. She focused on not falling and
did not notice how upset Tom was becoming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He told himself it was only his
imagination. That it was the
aftereffects of the wine combined with the nervousness of a first date. What he wanted most now was to be free from
the commitment he made to the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom turned his attention to helping
Angela walk. He almost had to carry her
to his apartment. She dragged and
tripped over her own feet. Once inside
he sighed with relief. They were now
safe from the shadows of the night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He sat her down on the sofa of his
living room. She seemed so helpless, so
foolish to trust a man she hardly knew.
A wave of pure lust came over him.
All romantic caring feelings he had for her were gone. This was so different from his usual
personality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Angela, while the coffee is brewing
would you like to try a bit of liquor?
It’s sweet orange in taste. I'll
mix it with some ice. It’s very
refreshing. It may help wake you up,” he
lied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He poured the drink, fantasizing
about being naked with Angela on the couch.
It was a normal healthy daydream, which soon turned into something
unspeakably evil. Little by little, they
drank one glass after another until the fantasy turned into a hellish
nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The lust raging through his body
became uncontrollable. Plans on how to
dispose of her body after he raped her forced themselves into his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom pressed his hands hard against
his temples until the thoughts stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When Angela passed out on the couch,
he lost all control.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He rolled her on to the floor face
down, loosened her belt and pulled her skirt down. She wore a paper-thin red panty, which he
pulled down with a quick tug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He pulled up her blouse undid the
back of her bra and turned her over onto her back. Her breasts and soft nipples easily slipped
out when he pulled down her bra. Angela
quietly moaned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was all happening too fast. Tom imagined he was only watching himself in
a porno movie not actually doing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I love you, Tom.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She did not in the least way
resist. But he could not go on with
it. He could not take advantage of the
woman he loved. He wanted her to be
sober and willing not drunk and helpless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I love you too. I’ll make you a little more comfortable.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He gently put her perfect breasts
back into her bra and fastened the back.
Her blouse, panties and skirt came back in place; Tom sat her on the
couch and began massaging her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“That feels so good…Tom…” She sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I only want to make you happy,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom, did I fall off the couch?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You fell alright. I straightened your clothes. Now we’ll have some coffee before I take you
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You’re so good to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not at all and I mean that. I’m not good at all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When they finally made it back to her
apartment Angela could not get her key into the door lock. Tom opened the door. He picked her up and carried her to her bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela loved the feel of Tom's
muscular body as he lowered her onto the bed.
She wondered how he could be so strong yet so gentle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Why didn't you take advantage
of me when we were in your apartment?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm not sure," Tom
whispered as he sat on the edge of her bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was all happening so quickly. In only a few days, Angela was in love with
him. This frightened her. She asked Tom again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You could have easily turned
this into a..." Angela was not sure what to say next.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The bedroom was quiet for what was
for her an uncomfortably long time. She
held back her tears. She wondered if
maybe she was not his type that he did not want to become too involved with
her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I want to have a serious
relationship with you, not some one-night stand," Tom said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Give me a kiss goodnight before
you go," Angela whispered as she put her arms around him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-10785881320269352432023-12-05T18:04:00.002-05:002023-12-05T18:04:31.940-05:00CHAPTER FIVE<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEizoqUUEzIYBXc9na9nhEV-J4-2miBduiAQyfk_Jq8uqtZO6nrqtwMSvFj1vw6JtWQcCqsKagVWN1lRuEz9cd49mET7sEPvd68MzhIPlErXh00EfRNlusiECqaaTmHLYRlVZewJ89rYTh-idoXuvWEy188J3uiMysFSj_cxbwNcKgOd6x4JIqrP4wkY/s3334/store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3334" data-original-width="3013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEizoqUUEzIYBXc9na9nhEV-J4-2miBduiAQyfk_Jq8uqtZO6nrqtwMSvFj1vw6JtWQcCqsKagVWN1lRuEz9cd49mET7sEPvd68MzhIPlErXh00EfRNlusiECqaaTmHLYRlVZewJ89rYTh-idoXuvWEy188J3uiMysFSj_cxbwNcKgOd6x4JIqrP4wkY/w578-h640/store.jpg" width="578" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 22pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">CHAPTER FIVE</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Through tightly closed eyelids, Tom
saw some light, a good sign.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He was not
completely blind.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He opened his
eyes.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">The clear image of the cloth with
the serpent on it was the first thing he saw.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He felt relief at not being blind,
yet he was angry with himself for taking such a risk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the floor of his living room were the burnt-out
candles, incense, and empty vial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It looks like a crack addict lives
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would Angela think if she saw
me now, naked and stoned?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He looked for the book, but it was
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not on the coffee table
where he left it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Searching for the
apartment, he found it sitting on the open windowsill in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He assumed he must have put it there
when he was wandering around his apartment in a drugged state.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom reached for the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gust of wind sent it flying down to the
sidewalk three floors below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still naked
he ran down the steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was outside in
less than a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Even though he did not actually
believe it, he felt inside that if he lost the book, he might not be able to
reverse the ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His feet were numb
from the frozen sidewalk, and he shivered uncontrollably from a wintry gust on
his bare back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he picked up the book,
he was surprised it was not damaged, not even a scratch or dent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What the hell are you looking at?”
Tom yelled at a lady passerby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprised
at seeing a naked man standing on the cold street she turned her head and
quickly walked away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A moment later, he was once again in
his kitchen looking through the book for the chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in a hurry to reverse the
procedure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sure the entire
experience was due to whatever was in the blue liquid from the vial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the smoke from the candles and incense
had an effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All he wanted now was for
everything to be back to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom thought about how sometimes
everyone performed some small ritual to ease their anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people knock on wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others cross their fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to read the chapter so he could
reverse a spell he did not genuinely believe in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would make him feel better about the whole
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">But when he looked for the chapter,
it was not there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several
blank pages between the chapter before and the chapter after but nothing where
the chapter should have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
no drawing, nothing but blank pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was when he feared he was in for some trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">His pulse raced, he broke out in a
cold sweat and felt an intense tightness in the pit of his stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not sure if it was the aftereffects of
drinking the vial of liquid or if it was only fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">All he wanted now was a new start
with Angela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put on his clothes,
grabbed the book, and ran down the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was on his way back to the bookstore to set things right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">On his way to the bookstore Tom
passed a gas station with a combination donut, ice cream and sandwich shop
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided to go in for a quick
breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He walked up to the counter and
passed several other customers wandering through the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man behind the cash register seemed bored
and angry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’d like a jelly donut with coffee
and some orange juice please.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“We only have orange juice in a quart
or half gallon container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The donuts are
on a rack on the side wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coffee
is in the center aisle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few tables and
chairs are by the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grab what you need,
and I’ll ring it up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom imagined smashing his book into
the man’s face splattering blood in every direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vivid images came to him unexpectedly and
involuntarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes and
shuttered in horror.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you alright or what?” The
cashier asked more annoyed than concerned for Tom’s wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom did not answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gathered what he wanted, paid for it and
then took a seat at the last table in the corner by the front window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a sip of coffee and a bite of the
donut, he took the book out for another look.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He hoped that somehow the
instructions on reversing the ceremony were still in the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He checked to make sure if a printing error
may have resulted in the chapters not being in numerical order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, only blank pages were where the chapter
once was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Frustrated he began reading the next
chapter titled Guiding Forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
illustration was of a man walking down an alley with the light source coming
from behind projecting his shadow in front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other shadows in lighter shades of grey came from different directions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"A new guiding force will soon
come into your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This force will
help you realize all the options now open to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is up to you to follow the new path your
life will take."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom took another bite of his donut,
washed it down with some more coffee, and then returned to the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“This guiding force is sometimes
experienced as a new thought or idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Often it is only a vague feeling, one that would never have occurred to
you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometimes the feeling that someone is
watching might precede the thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
other times, you may see a vague image moving from the corner of your eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, after turning your head you will see
nothing there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom was sure the entire description
was nonsense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The author might be using
the power of suggestion to make him believe that the changes in his life were happening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your senses are now heightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your reflexes are quicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have precise control of your
actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will need to use these
powers in your new life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Finished with his meal of caffeine, <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:John%20Mallozzi" datetime="2023-06-27T11:10">sugar,</ins></span>
and fat; he discarded the remnants in the trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bookstore was down the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was eager to put an end to his involvement
with the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">At first, he walked right past the
bookstore without seeing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped
at the corner and retraced his steps until he found a bookstore, but it was not
the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A red-lettered sign on a black
background displayed a new name for the store, A Band of Books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It replaced the faded and chipped gold
lettered sign on the old door, Abandoned Books.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Through the window he saw couches and
chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sturdy wood shelves replaced the
rickety shelves he saw the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The well-lit store had a tall ceiling with the usual security cameras
hiding behind the obvious black half-globe covers. In the back of the store was
a coffee shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">An electronic beep replaced the
jangle of sleigh bells as he stepped up into the store.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“May I help you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman behind the cash register asked
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an attractive woman in her
late thirties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tight skirt and low-cut
blouse revealed a firm athletic body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I can’t believe how much you’ve
improved the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night it looked
like a dump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s brand new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did this all happen?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"What do you mean?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"We’ll be here for three years,
come this December.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"That’s not possible. I was here
last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this was not here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She gave him a strange look.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Maybe you were somewhere else.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom was not sure what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sure he was in this store the night
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of continuing to
question her, he decided to get down to the business of returning the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Are you the manager of this
bookstore?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well last night I left the store and
forgot to pay for this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t
until I got home that I remembered,” he tried to put a nicer spin on his
shoplifting to prevent any trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">She took the book from him and turned
it over to look at the front and back cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then she cracked the book open for a moment before slamming it shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“This is not one of our books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you forgot to pay for it at some
other bookstore,” she said, putting an emphasis on the word “forgot”, implying
Tom was dishonest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom could not concentrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw the woman’s lips moving but could not
respond.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hey, wake up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said this is not one of our books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you listening to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Take the book and leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Still there was no response from Tom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Please go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t stand here trying to get an intelligent response from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“How can you be so sure?” Tom asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“We don’t stock diaries or journals.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom chose not to insist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must have seen the blank pages where the
missing chapter was supposed to be and assumed the entire book was blank.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sorry to have bothered you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll check the other bookstore.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m sure you will,” she said
emphasizing the word “sure”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rolled
her eyes in disbelief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In a hurry to get ready for his date
with Angela he shoved the book back into the pocket of his shoulder bag then
headed for home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">page 39</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-32186523130741499772023-12-04T20:27:00.002-05:002023-12-04T20:27:00.132-05:00The Reluctant Killer, Some Notes <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eHnxLeLsnA8CRcLTjMz1KmyTTwC-bfdAf_fadV4FLgyfaOsoDJ8I26EB6DeIST8NLKXYmf5ZtlJoH3lIsswFNY4pTqdWq3TXZZs7kPLkOeFzlAYpwoPeWgrbLw2Uyj0XSnxRi1twO0VN5mspdNS5mFf8vt8SQ9KzrBvE8b6S2puARrPQCNCeH5no95U/s860/note-taking-feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="860" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eHnxLeLsnA8CRcLTjMz1KmyTTwC-bfdAf_fadV4FLgyfaOsoDJ8I26EB6DeIST8NLKXYmf5ZtlJoH3lIsswFNY4pTqdWq3TXZZs7kPLkOeFzlAYpwoPeWgrbLw2Uyj0XSnxRi1twO0VN5mspdNS5mFf8vt8SQ9KzrBvE8b6S2puARrPQCNCeH5no95U/w640-h358/note-taking-feature.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOJ7l5OwGag6_v2eM4CojNeRVMNofi2PPGTHUQk7GMMVI-yqbmR3iHBybCV8ROtWojHGX7d-Wv-BNIP-dBCPgoHNh5lt-9hQZHPrTlSv4AKEOZX00yr5nU8hX6isuNk2w_PAczycbMq_Q6cf7di3hy1_y9gTbkvcDskRhb64cNXCdxEdvWy79zf5D0zE/s2724/1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="2724" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOJ7l5OwGag6_v2eM4CojNeRVMNofi2PPGTHUQk7GMMVI-yqbmR3iHBybCV8ROtWojHGX7d-Wv-BNIP-dBCPgoHNh5lt-9hQZHPrTlSv4AKEOZX00yr5nU8hX6isuNk2w_PAczycbMq_Q6cf7di3hy1_y9gTbkvcDskRhb64cNXCdxEdvWy79zf5D0zE/w640-h125/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>How to get the chapters to line up. </u>At the top of the page on the right are three horizontal lines. <span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;">(This icon, consisting of three horizontal bars, is also known as the </span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(80, 151, 255, 0.18); color: #040c28; font-size: 20px;">collapsed menu icon</span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;">.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 20px;">Press this icon to open the side, revealing:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj52VOmxQV9LEQHRdFFViROgH5UlRls5wG8L0mTTXQnVWf9GirrxNY8ZvP14iKJc7yc7hRULhJ3FdJ29AYtOLqAJj1OZ-pZTARvtUiNGxubWdl4FNPw3JCHYu6azNhcm1gszszfVv9Fn5rNSL5DHrauc-fs0L9ykKLGAKqwSL9-xD4VO-nYSDSzO5y4o/s678/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="584" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEj52VOmxQV9LEQHRdFFViROgH5UlRls5wG8L0mTTXQnVWf9GirrxNY8ZvP14iKJc7yc7hRULhJ3FdJ29AYtOLqAJj1OZ-pZTARvtUiNGxubWdl4FNPw3JCHYu6azNhcm1gszszfVv9Fn5rNSL5DHrauc-fs0L9ykKLGAKqwSL9-xD4VO-nYSDSzO5y4o/s320/2.png" width="276" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Press "labels" and "Reluctant Killer" will appear. Press it and the chapters will line up, but with the later chapters first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book is classified as a horror novel. The story will become bloodier with delusional and mysterious scenes. If you will be offended by this, don't read any more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkHGeT_F2Z4NrdHDJxbVPXzA-zMnVji-u9Qa3qE9P7hGG8eWN9Zye4z4Owm6r0heZoCjtw6i5aQoragkGqfHkIwhPf1NrGuolAQ5LgZUeejxb5GW2NxjYT-BDfX0ZzZEfHLYMzHJxxYBHyX__Q2cwKi-X_mnei15le2BPKgMkA8MfmiXV6wanVSgDNiE/s572/Screenshot%202023-12-03%20175024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="572" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkHGeT_F2Z4NrdHDJxbVPXzA-zMnVji-u9Qa3qE9P7hGG8eWN9Zye4z4Owm6r0heZoCjtw6i5aQoragkGqfHkIwhPf1NrGuolAQ5LgZUeejxb5GW2NxjYT-BDfX0ZzZEfHLYMzHJxxYBHyX__Q2cwKi-X_mnei15le2BPKgMkA8MfmiXV6wanVSgDNiE/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-03%20175024.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfFDB9LY7JoHFoIqbI-IB84LUfcGIjadye3KFRI1wJ7MUkvjsW1DeQNe61pHAQoitTiwx6X3j_dL04e_rfSEA07s93MagzJXbplmYb6CLkW5uFi-wASsI-9_rhfRrXl8CZ8t-vOjVj5tf9gElN1bVPPoqADKn63i9kM1eMEqYBNoVy0U02txzeVAWa2U/s58/Screenshot%202023-12-03%20175423.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="55" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfFDB9LY7JoHFoIqbI-IB84LUfcGIjadye3KFRI1wJ7MUkvjsW1DeQNe61pHAQoitTiwx6X3j_dL04e_rfSEA07s93MagzJXbplmYb6CLkW5uFi-wASsI-9_rhfRrXl8CZ8t-vOjVj5tf9gElN1bVPPoqADKn63i9kM1eMEqYBNoVy0U02txzeVAWa2U/s1600/Screenshot%202023-12-03%20175423.png" width="55" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(These images are not in the book)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-48835365035520098512023-11-25T19:54:00.002-05:002023-11-25T19:54:28.895-05:00CHAPTER FOUR<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn8q-9KrCKCgsWhaKEqv-IiznRfXq6G0NNH6WoGF3ntitWX6SFn1ydOXzMgqHW3MnXwMJuQnQm5cAFxQ1IgTFAkuji3KDOuP2spT5FaiiQaj-GqvZqmw-7fOOFL-n-BKViK2M-L1O_HEaW1m3iE5HB2zveV19DCfu0fFKJQdyGjK0BL6IAIPsyuFRQO0/s1588/y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1588" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn8q-9KrCKCgsWhaKEqv-IiznRfXq6G0NNH6WoGF3ntitWX6SFn1ydOXzMgqHW3MnXwMJuQnQm5cAFxQ1IgTFAkuji3KDOuP2spT5FaiiQaj-GqvZqmw-7fOOFL-n-BKViK2M-L1O_HEaW1m3iE5HB2zveV19DCfu0fFKJQdyGjK0BL6IAIPsyuFRQO0/w640-h640/y.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER FOUR</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 387.3pt; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Back at his apartment, Tom
immediately returned to where he had left off on chapter three, "Initiation
Ceremony".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The illustration was of a man on a
road that ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There it split into two
paths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The path to the left was wide and
straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gently sloped downward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The path to the right was narrow and
had several sharp turns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a steep
climb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">On this Y-shaped road, the man headed
down the path to the left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The chapter began with the
reassurance that if he later changed his mind and believed the new direction in
his life was not right for him, he could easily go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following chapter held the key to
reversing the ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom decided to read over the next
chapter quickly to be sure it would be possible to change his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though he did not believe that anything
in the book was real, he was curious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He was having such good luck; meeting
Angela, an expensive gourmet meal for free, rescuing her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom felt it would be foolish to stop now even
if his good luck was only a series of coincidences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was enjoying himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should he stop?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The author explained the ritual. It
was more a matter of giving the reader the courage to be on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it still required that he set the
proper atmosphere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom closed the blinds to block out
the streetlights because the room had to be dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had to be complete silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, the other tenants in his apartment
building were mostly older retired people who went to bed early.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When he read the next paragraph about
the need for candlelight and a certain type of incense, he feared the ceremony
would have to wait for another night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In frustration, he turned to the back
of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last pages were stuck
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he took a closer look, he
found a crack between some of the stuck pages and the loose ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His thumbnail barely fit into the crack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By using more force, he was able to pry the
pages apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carefully rubbed the
seam hoping he had not damaged the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It formed a tightly fitting box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soft red felt lined this hidden compartment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">One item at a time he carefully took
the contents out of the compartment and placed them on the kitchen table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything he needed was there; candles,
candleholders, incense, a razor blade, a white rag, and a round cloth that opened
into a circle about one yard in diameter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Imprinted on the cloth was the same
image of a serpent that was on the front cover of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back of the cloth had the symbol that was
on the back cover of the book, a large letter “Y” altered in the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The left fork ended with an arrow while a
short horizontal line blocked the right fork.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Underneath the cloth at the bottom of
the compartment was a small clear glass vial half-filled with a dark blue
liquid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed the back of the book
to continue reading where he had left off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Following the directions was like
playing a game for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
different type of game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not a computer-generated
game nor a board or card game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
novelty of the procedures lured him into the ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered what would happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would it feel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was next?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slowly went ahead with the ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As instructed, he took off all his
clothes then sat on the floor of his living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book with all its contents was now on the
coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The side of the cloth with
the altered letter “Y” was facing up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">page 26</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom hesitated when he read the next
section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It required him to cut his left
palm with the razor blade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must smear
the blood from this wound along the bottom of the “Y” and then continue up to
the left fork of the letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
blood soaked into the cloth, he was to turn it over, so the serpent side was
facing up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom paused for a moment before
continuing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The razor easily cut deep
into his hand with only the slightest pain, but when he smeared his blood on
the cloth an intense heat went from his hand up his shoulder, past his neck and
into his head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Damn it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must be something on the cloth."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He knew it was too late to wash his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any damage would have happened by then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the instructions forbade it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He used the white rag from the book
as a bandage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat instantly
stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom continued with the ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He placed one candle on the dragon’s
head and one on its tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dragon’s
fire destroying its own tail symbolized the end to Tom's old ways to make room
for the beginning of his new life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At first, he could not get the
candles to light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down to his third
attempt he was about to give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
believed the candlewicks were too damp to take the flame.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom tried another match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both candles simultaneously shot up flames
over a foot high filling the room with an intense skunk-like smell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Gagging and nauseated by the
overpowering stench he blew hard into the flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first the flames jumped up even higher
almost setting his eyebrows on fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
moment later, they died down to a more normal size. The skunk-like scent
changed into a pleasant creamy aroma.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Inhaling the creamy scented smoke
from the candles, he forgot for a moment where he was and what he was
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom realized he was intoxicated
by whatever was in the smoke from the candles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He continued the ceremony by placing
the black inch high incense cone in the center of the cloth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He touched the tip of the cone with one of
the lit candles. Instantly, the cone hissed sending sparks flying in all directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thin black line of smoke rose straight
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hit the ceiling forming a huge
mushroom shaped black cloud that spread out in all directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the cloud floated down to the floor, Tom
did not choke or cough on the heavy fumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, he enjoyed being light-headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A moment later, the smoke detector beeped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Inebriated by the fumes Tom staggered
into the kitchen where the detector was in the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chair he climbed on swayed back and forth
while he twisted off the top of the device and pulled out the battery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Back on solid ground, he opened the
window to let the smoke escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest
of the black smoke was in the living room making it difficult for Tom to see
where he was stepping.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The smoke's scent reminded him of an
old church he once visited with his parents when he was about six years
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was after the funeral for a
friend of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents wanted
to say some prayers before leaving for home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At the time, a quiet peacefulness
came over him as the sun began to set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows on the right
side of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
lingering scent from the incense used in the ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The slowly changing light of various
colors coming in through the stained-glass windows passed over the casket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long dark shadows forming behind the casket
from the setting sun fascinated him as they crept in overtaking the entire
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An evil power seemed to force
out the holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He panicked, grabbed his mother’s
arm, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and began to cry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid of the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll soon turn on the lights.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Even now, the memory of evil dark
shadows creeping in to overtake the holiness occasionally came to mind in a
fleeting moment or in a nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Next, Tom examined the vial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It held about a tablespoonful of dark blue
liquid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vial itself was made of
clear glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was embossed with the
image of a serpent wrapped around the vial until its head faced its tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Etched fire came from its mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The vial had no label, which worried
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be some narcotic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he did not want to stop now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as he knew, one vial of dope could not
get him hooked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom unscrewed the cap and carefully
smelled its contents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stench caused
his nose to burn and his eyes to sting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a moment, the irritating fumes changed into a pleasantly soothing
vanilla-like scent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He took a deep breath, closed his eyes,
and swallowed the sweet liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing
happened for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then all at once,
it hit him hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room began to spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He planted his hands firmly on the floor to
keep his balance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">His vision began to fade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words in the book became blurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to focus his eyes by squinting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a panic, fearing the liquid might have
permanently damaged his vision, he ran to the bathroom sink to splash cold
water into them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a moment, he
realized there was no reason to try flushing the poison from the outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The substance was working from inside his
body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What if there was something
poisonous in the vial?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Methanol can
blind you if taken internally,” Tom questioned himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“If my vision is affected it might be
too late to do anything about it now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He could only hope his partial loss
of vision was temporary, that it would pass when the effects of the liquid wore
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had come this far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided to complete what he started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He returned to his place before the book and
candles on the living room floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He felt the presence of evil in the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the darkness, he saw something
move but he could not be sure because of the dimness of his vision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who’s there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it,” he bluffed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Before he could get up to look for
the intruder a fine high-pitched ringing in his ears increased in volume until
it was unbearably painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom covered
his ears then shook his head until it stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Assuming there was no one else in his
apartment he returned to reading by candlelight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words were barely legible in his present
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He read several passages aloud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In a dreamlike state, he heard the
loud clang of a cathedral bell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why aren’t you at work?” An echoing
voice thundered through the apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Seeing only darkness, he realized the
blue liquid from the vial in combination with the incense and smoke had now
completely blinded him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of fear,
he could care less.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He heard himself mumble something
incoherently.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You sound terrible,” the thundering
voice reverberated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Why don’t you take the day off?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll put you down for a sick day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom dreamed he got up and walked down
a long corridor still naked from the ceremony and still in a state of
bewilderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How he found himself in
this corridor was a mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">His vision was returning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was able to see blurry shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom realized he was hallucinating but
could not stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just felt so real.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There was something he was intent on
doing yet had no idea what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Then he saw himself outside in an
open field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind him from a distance,
the indistinct shape of a flying creature with glowing fiery red eyes came ever
closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature kept getting closer until it
changed into the form of a dragon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It flew slowly flapping its
wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air swished with every slow
flap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom screamed out in pain as the
dragon’s flames burned his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flames
engulfed his entire body until all he could feel was pain before losing
consciousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">page 32</span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-3149416115306644112023-11-21T19:47:00.003-05:002023-11-21T20:29:23.181-05:00I Just Learned About Baritenors<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLittQjmPYGUu0Y_KqVMC-D-DDZIBj4Eq3CN7ReCideKrPBDladW2LtVMO0S0w6CKljCzvd0URaSZJGL3ANcQU6sy82yaGzqrJCOyNDBZXYOLP2wmv6CWPPEpKVTOvUjt7t4EWEOKYdqYe7VzjxwegKltZzRur2-keYHdGr3K4Y3Zjss6KivwPurSy9Lc/s556/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLittQjmPYGUu0Y_KqVMC-D-DDZIBj4Eq3CN7ReCideKrPBDladW2LtVMO0S0w6CKljCzvd0URaSZJGL3ANcQU6sy82yaGzqrJCOyNDBZXYOLP2wmv6CWPPEpKVTOvUjt7t4EWEOKYdqYe7VzjxwegKltZzRur2-keYHdGr3K4Y3Zjss6KivwPurSy9Lc/s16000/download.jpeg" /></a></p><br /><p></p><div>I just found out about "Baritenors". I love it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Music is NOT one of my strengths. I can't read music. I don't play an instrument. I don't know most of the famous personalities from the past nor from today.</div><div>But, I enjoy listening to good music, popular or classic. I wish I'd spent more time learning about and listening to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is an explanation of Baritenor:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwNcNXmzlgliyde7fF5OJocbCG8hB-WZ8f1grhWauNXPKUQdLijNt57O1ZkGkowZRV-7LGpybhr8PAEG7GlNg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>A little mix:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6gRtScvScKX7tyI_dVq9B1zToXBx-wbMD5PRGTexh4Kgqvgi2SwDk734CGYtbLd8Maik3zDlIUbGZcBeJvA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Tenor:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzm6hxXHbwKFWE5Nd5rEmWjh9yEvNhQs0mXj4hq9A7kV0qwXaHnITShJqCA6a70j4sTCgWjZ8wToXFcJfFWtw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-74647497322846213352023-11-21T16:34:00.003-05:002023-11-21T16:35:32.610-05:00CHAPTEER THREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2vN0dZDNHoKeP1WGjpWLhC-j4ZgLXerRJ6GGCOLbou4pQ3gCiNlVaVpJirD-9YYS7OucUXwHVs8InY_DT7SURfMgpTEMnxl5klfTXe5JUFTOni1cPjDxFJxQC3QosjySdGDgEghwV3nwFmp56O3TY1BXCiqWM90_4VOPbdFRPySrFxtgo_fEcaxALh0/s640/1600px_COLOURBOX986645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2vN0dZDNHoKeP1WGjpWLhC-j4ZgLXerRJ6GGCOLbou4pQ3gCiNlVaVpJirD-9YYS7OucUXwHVs8InY_DT7SURfMgpTEMnxl5klfTXe5JUFTOni1cPjDxFJxQC3QosjySdGDgEghwV3nwFmp56O3TY1BXCiqWM90_4VOPbdFRPySrFxtgo_fEcaxALh0/s320/1600px_COLOURBOX986645.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> Chapter Three is mostly in my post about </span><a href="https://johns-spot112948.blogspot.com/2023/10/too-realistically-scary-for-halloween.html" style="text-align: left;">Too Realistically Scary for Halloween!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">So you can go back to see it again if you like before going to Chapter Four. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">There's no need to repost it here. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Chapter Four is next.</p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-91926240993887338702023-11-16T16:36:00.000-05:002023-11-21T16:39:30.180-05:00CHAPTER TWO<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEiuTdgMfTaJPY-xmuTVDdqzDCmQHCD7-TNlkFl0YnGc2pXdPIh7RANgQ9x300n_DHiKy7sybito_Lm6zUh7v6IR20Kt-FzWPj69sHUr7MdK_hNQk4cuDDWvIax6BIByGFxipdNrcrTyVqpkEGdMNkuFH-D_hT1q8q_9rkxXo02Hxqm5SSRbSv7nCEzc/s949/OIG.YlpGYyQ.diY8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="884" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEiuTdgMfTaJPY-xmuTVDdqzDCmQHCD7-TNlkFl0YnGc2pXdPIh7RANgQ9x300n_DHiKy7sybito_Lm6zUh7v6IR20Kt-FzWPj69sHUr7MdK_hNQk4cuDDWvIax6BIByGFxipdNrcrTyVqpkEGdMNkuFH-D_hT1q8q_9rkxXo02Hxqm5SSRbSv7nCEzc/w186-h200/OIG.YlpGYyQ.diY8.jpeg" width="186" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo is for blog post, not book.</span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 200%;">CHAPTER TWO<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After leaving the bookstore Tom
headed for the Bus Stop Diner where he usually had supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on the way to his apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Snow began to fall with a cold wind
blowing the icy snowflakes in his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wiped the melting flakes away from his eyes as he squinted to
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diner was only half a block
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By jogging he was soon at the
front door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The familiar smell of stale coffee
and greasy food made him nauseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Standing inside the doorway he stopped for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Across the street was Café de France, a
restaurant he always avoided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too
expensive for a student like himself with a part time job and an ever-growing
student loan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The excitement of getting away with
stealing the book put him in the mood to take a chance, to try somewhere new
even if he could not afford it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s the worst that could
happen?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He went back outside into the cold to
cross the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pushing his way
through the heavy wooden doors of Café de France<i>,</i> he found himself in
the vestibule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt good to be inside
away from the cold snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he passed
the second pair of doors a comforting warm burst of air filled with the sweet
aroma of various foods deepened his hunger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A tall attractive woman in her late
forties dressed in black greeted him at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked him over doubtfully a few
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she asked him if he had a
reservation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I didn’t plan on coming
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I didn’t make a
reservation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I don’t think we can seat you,” she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The place is half empty and it’s
snowing out there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m sorry but,” she began to ask him
to leave when a waitress came to the door and whispered something to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The waitress was about his age, in
her mid-twenties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was attracted to
him when she first saw him come into the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reminded her of a lost dog that needed to
be rescued.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Oh, all right but I don’t see why
you want to bother with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The woman reluctantly escorted him to
a small table at the far end of the restaurant near the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“We usually save this table for one
of the staff when they take a break, but I’ll let you sit here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She tossed a menu on the table before
turning her back, returning to the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tom managed to catch it before it slid off the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he opened the menu, he saw it was more
than could afford.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The waitress who got him past the
woman at the front door came to the table with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment he forgot why he was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything in the room faded away until it was
only the two of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you like what’s on the menu?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a choice of an appetizer, a main <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:John%20Mallozzi" datetime="2023-06-27T11:09">course</ins></span>,
and a dessert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house salad and bread
come with the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight’s special is
a roasted Cornish hen with the chef’s special sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also have salmon or the usual steak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I bring you something to drink?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He loved the sound of her voice; not
paying attention to what she was saying, only listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not a blond, blue-eyed cliché.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smooth white complexion was framed by wavy,
shoulder length, almost black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
eyes were dark blue, dark enough to appear black in dim lighting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What’s your name?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom asked in a firm yet friendly tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He was surprised at himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He usually spoke in a low, almost inaudible
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His boldness in coming into an
expensive restaurant, his confidence when speaking to a beautiful woman, he
wondered if stealing the book was somehow responsible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 335.25pt; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Angela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s yours?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Tom,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved how well her name suited her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s nice to meet you Tom.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Angela, I have a bit of a
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a part time student with a
part time job and a large student loan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway, I’m not sure why I even came in here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know how it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a student too and I work here part time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Listen if you can’t do it, I’ll
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll quietly leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to cause any trouble, especially
for someone as nice as you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see I
only came in because I pass this place every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was curious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t realize how expensive it is
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it okay if I only get some
coffee with a small piece of dessert?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She gave him a warm smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let me talk with the chef.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom watched her walk past the
swinging door next to his table, which led into the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got ready to sneak out, but she returned
just as he stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Going somewhere?” She smiled in a
teasing lighthearted manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well, I…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sit down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re very lucky tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Snider, he’s one of our best customers
but he’s also hard to please sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He ordered the Cornish hen then changed his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he wants salmon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chef is fussy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never cook the hen then warm it up again
if someone decides to order it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would be a waste to throw it in the trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Besides, part of my pay includes having whatever is left over in the
kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He agreed to let you have a
meal on the house.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You saved me much
embarrassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about having dinner
with me sometime to thank you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom was prepared to accept her
rejection gracefully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’d love to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about tomorrow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my day off.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Sure…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Excuse me Tom, Mr. Snider wants
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be right back.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It seemed too good to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was going out with him tomorrow
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He realized it must only be pure
chance but, in a way, taking the book did lead him into this restaurant, which
allowed him to meet Angela.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela smiled at him while gracefully
balancing a stack of dishes on her way back to the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll be right back,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She was back a short moment
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her speed impressed him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Here is your salad and bread
sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you don’t mind I put the
house dressing on the salad, a light sweet olive oil and vinegar mixture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here is small plate with olive oil to dip
the bread.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will the appetizer take long?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom said playing along, pretending to be a
demanding customer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll bring it out right away
sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry for the delay.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What about my drink?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked feigning irritation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Again, I must apologize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you like to drink?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Oh, nothing; the water will be
fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela smiled, and then playfully
smacked the back of his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached
for her waist, but she was too quick for him, disappearing through the swinging
doors into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Surprised and pleased with his new
personality, Tom was sure the only difference that could account for this
change was the book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Angela brought out the appetizer of
three types of cheese and the Cornish hen at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s slow tonight so I can sit with
you for a few minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Great, I love your company.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking his fork, she helped herself to a
piece of cheese before taking another piece and bringing it up to his
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he opened his mouth, his
tongue reaching for the cheese, she pulled it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She took a tiny nibble from the end
of the cheese before bringing the fork toward his mouth again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time he was quick enough to bite the
cheese before she could pull it away for the second time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, they both laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Here, I’ll let you eat in peace,”
she said handing him the fork.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’ll be back with dessert and
coffee.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was one of the best meals of his
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angela made it special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat down with him for coffee and
dessert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They exchanged phone numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Angela,” Tom hesitated for a moment,
losing his train of thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved
the sound of her name, gazing into her soft welcoming eyes, and...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What were you about to say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Oh…ah… I mean you live so close to me;
I wonder why we never met before.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does seem a bit strange at first, but we
work different hours and go to different schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the only time we had a chance to
cross paths, that’s all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She walked with him to the front
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled her close, gave her a
tight hug and kissed her on the cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The softness of her skin against his lips and the sweet scent of her
body filled him with passion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He expected her to pull away from his
embrace, tell him the date was off, and maybe even slap his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she hugged him back and lightly
pressed her lips against his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
dainty hug, the touch of her lips, their physical closeness, all increased the
fire in his soul beyond anything he had ever experienced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They slowly pulled away from each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom took her hands in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled, slightly blushed then looked away
for a moment before gazing deeply into his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were both lost in a state of wordless
fascination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She watched him leave the
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once outside he hugged his
shoulder bag with the book inside close to his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brought him such good luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He planned to go back to the bookstore in the
morning to explain how he “forgot” to pay for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only instead of returning the book, he would
keep it after paying what he owed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;">Page 14</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">(Chapter Three is Next)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916520510176931.post-88537727436285918192023-11-13T12:00:00.002-05:002023-11-13T17:27:11.223-05:00Feeling Old Sometimes <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMiu9DTAJI0HarGSWexEKszcFECMIR1WpDtH6P2JB5DfHd8GTQ0b7Exv_Y6LPGSVEcEWGVTavLQZYbXg-vunHq2ZICWMMLS0D9k1PJdAJAUyqna15NQu0G_zp_fmSsPew8e-9Xr6hzT1EBHTH4Ya7eS1DJ6dPfwvFbmRavpjifq9CGxP8do9Calv7Nb4/s320/1%20(154).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrHY5aXeKbdSftfgEKnafbkpGRuMgTWMo3GNlblZlwK5RL3jhjtmWeexxWiojPl7GLzCICQYFvUoHGHpFIGYtU0UnuYm_1A6-5Xbo4vLWz97iViTSQu8wvjOadJNkaqgwiV-Fo8A3jyr7dqj-mEkBpjGD5MXGPMS1r16SlibUWsRae8Y3VmSfMCIiU0o/s900/close-up-of-an-open-book-with-pages-stockbyte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="898" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrHY5aXeKbdSftfgEKnafbkpGRuMgTWMo3GNlblZlwK5RL3jhjtmWeexxWiojPl7GLzCICQYFvUoHGHpFIGYtU0UnuYm_1A6-5Xbo4vLWz97iViTSQu8wvjOadJNkaqgwiV-Fo8A3jyr7dqj-mEkBpjGD5MXGPMS1r16SlibUWsRae8Y3VmSfMCIiU0o/w638-h640/close-up-of-an-open-book-with-pages-stockbyte.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tom ran out of the apartment before
she could see his tears forming</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All he wanted now was to go home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He decided to spend some time in the
bookstore he passed every day on the way home after work.. He wanted to calm
down and distract the thoughts of the best way to kill
himself. He would never actually do it
but the old suicidal feelings he once had were coming back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> page 7</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">This bookstore was not one of the large chain
stores with bright lights, coffee shop and couches. It was a</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"> small independently owned store</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The faded and chipped gold lettered
sign on the door of the bookstore was barely legible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aba...don...d Boo...s was all that remained
of the intended Abandoned Books lettering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sleigh bells attached to the inside of the glass-paneled door jangled
loudly when he pushed the door open and stepped up into the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thin shorthaired teenager wearing wire
framed glasses sat behind the cash register at the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He briefly looked up then returned to his
reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The worn badly scuffed wood floor
creaked with every step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner had
constructed shelves from old planks of scrap lumber placed close together
making it difficult to squeeze through the aisles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The weight of the books bowed down
some of the shelves so much that the slightest nudge could cause them to crack
sending the books tumbling to the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A few tables covered in dust
displayed the larger books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole
place was cluttered and sloppy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He rubbed his nose, which burned from
the strong musty smell of damp decaying paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bookstore’s name
was appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only offered old
unpopular books mostly used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were
leftovers from other bookstores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
the prices of these books were surprisingly low, the problem was in finding
something worth reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Walking through most of the aisles,
he found his way to the back of the store.
He laughed when he saw the sign above the last section of shelves
handwritten in pencil on a piece of warped white cardboard: “Self-Help”. He believed a more appropriate title was
“False-Hope”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">He read the book titles recognizing most of the
popular fad therapies from the past that had gone out of style. At one time or another, he read most of
them. The memories </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">of his past as a sad desperate reader
went through his mind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"If I can only find a book to
point me in the right direction, I'll be able to turn my life around. I'll find how to make my life have meaning
and discover true happiness. I'll be rid
of this black cloud of sadness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was the same as all the other
times. He believed his compulsion to
look for a solution in self-help books was pathetic. Many times, in the past, he looked for the
one book that promised to make things better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When he thought he found the book
with the answer to his prayers a feeling of hope would temporarily soothe
him. After trying the suggestions, he
did feel better. Even though the
depression was gone, nothing had changed.
It was all an illusion. He needed
the delusion that he was in control doing something to make his life
better. Then when the depression
returned, the way it always did, he realized once again that he was fooled into
having false hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He was certain that behind his
sadness there was a real evil that was somehow hidden from him. It was not all in his mind. Some evil reality was there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">For a while, he was not even reading
the titles; only looking at the different heights, colors and thicknesses of
the books. Some were in good condition
almost new. Others were ripped, stained
or had broken spines. They all began to
become a blur. He stood staring into
space as if in a trance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Unable to find a book that interested
him he shoved a book he was holding back onto the shelf. From out of nowhere there was a woman
standing several feet away from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She pushed the book she was holding
down on the same shelf. It was placed in
an odd way with the spine down and the pages up, wedged in tightly between the
other books.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom could not look away from her deep
blue-green eyes. She had straw-colored
blond hair that almost hung down to her shoulders. She stared back at Tom and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He began to walk towards her. She turned and ran. All he could see was her firm athletic body
as she left the store and went down the street.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Curious, he took her book off the
shelf. It was about an inch thick with a
smooth black leather binding. The page
edges were gleaming with beautiful gold leaf.
It felt pleasantly heavy with a strong scent of leather and old incense.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Engraved into the leather of the
front cover in vivid colors was a large dragon.
It was curled in a broken circle with its open jaw reaching for its
tail. There was a stream of fire coming
from its mouth shooting towards its tail.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When he looked for a title or author,
he found none.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He opened the book to the
introduction page that began with an explanation of the image on the
cover. According to the anonymous
author, the engraving was a variation of an ouroboros, a serpent eating its own
tail to symbolize the eternal cycle of Nature.
It was Nature re-using the minerals from dead animals and plants to grow
new life. It meant creation from
destruction, of life from death.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">However, on this cover instead of the
serpent eating its own tail to sustain its life there was a dragon destroying
its own tail with the fire spewing from its mouth. It symbolized the destruction of the
universe, putting an end to itself and everything else.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Tom looked at the back cover. Taking up the
entire space was a large gold letter “Y” on a deep blue background. This letter was different from an ordinary
“Y”. The </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">side pointing to the left ended in an
arrow while the side pointing to the right was blocked.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It ended in a short horizontal line.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">He skimmed through the book but could not find
an explanation of its meaning.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">For now,
he was more interested in exploring the rest of the book.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He turned to the first chapter titled
“Beginning”. There was an illustration
with the viewpoint from behind, looking over the shoulder of a man holding a
blank sheet of paper. The man’s left
hand held the paper steady on a dark wooden desktop while his right hand held
an old wooden fountain pen with a metal nib, its point about to touch the
paper. It was like a painting he once
saw but could not remember where, maybe in a museum or a book on art history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Looking up for a moment to see if
anyone else was in the store Tom saw the young man behind the cash register was
still reading. Except for the two of
them, the store was empty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The first chapter explained the
author’s philosophy and reason for writing the book. Not in the mood to study the details, he read
quickly through the chapter. After a few
pages he was a bit confused, but he understood the point; we cannot always be
sure of what is real.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Attempting to sit on the floor to read more, his
legs started to cramp. Because the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Because the store had no seats, he
made his own seat by piling up a few books and sitting on them.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was easier than standing.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">While he skimmed through the pages,
he found many beautiful illustrations in vivid color done in pen and ink,
framed in gold leaf. With the book
opened flat these illustrations always appeared on the left page with the
chapter headings on the right page.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In a chapter titled “Seduction” there
was an illustration of two young lovers sitting on a bench holding each other
close and kissing. This struck a chord
with Tom. What he really needed was
someone to accept him as he was. He
needed someone who loved him and wanted to share her life with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The problem was his anxiety around
others. He hated being alone yet that
was when he felt most comfortable. When
he forced himself to be with others, he saw how uneasy he made them feel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom became used to only a few dates
before the woman was gone. A few drunken
nights together did not make for much of a love life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He returned to his reading. A chapter on “Well Being” began with an
illustration of a naked young man with a strong muscular body in top physical
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A servant helped a man into a coach
in the chapter titled “Fortune”. The man
was well dressed. He had a sack of gold
coins in his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He turned to the second chapter
titled “True Freedom”. The chapter began with the assertion that everyone is
born with a conscious force or spirit of nature.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This force was supposed to protect
the man or woman from the opposing forces of evil. Without this protection the temptations of
evil were too strong for an ordinary person to resist. However, the author argued that even though
this was a necessity when people were ignorant the modern educated person has
no need for this outdated protection. In
fact, the force interfered with the amount of freedom and opportunity open to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What a load of crap," Tom
muttered. He was tempted to stop reading
and put the book back but was curious.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The problem was his anxiety around
others.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">He hated being alone yet that
was when he felt most comfortable.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">When
he forced himself to be with others, he saw how uneasy he made them feel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom became used to only a few dates
before the woman was gone. A few drunken
nights together did not make for much of a love life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He returned to his reading. A chapter on “Well Being” began with an
illustration of a naked young man with a strong muscular body in top physical
condition.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A servant helped a man into a coach
in the chapter titled “Fortune”. The man
was well dressed. He had a sack of gold
coins in his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He turned to the second chapter
titled “True Freedom”. The chapter began with the assertion that everyone is
born with a conscious force or spirit of nature.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This force was supposed to protect
the man or woman from the opposing forces of evil. Without this protection the temptations of
evil were too strong for an ordinary person to resist. However, the author argued that even though
this was a necessity when people were ignorant the modern educated person has
no need for this outdated protection. In
fact, the force interfered with the amount of freedom and opportunity open to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What a load of crap," Tom
muttered. He was tempted to stop reading
and put the book back but was curious.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The author went on to describe the
dire effects of this interference. As he
continued reading the chapter Tom was amazed at how accurately the author
seemed to be describing his present situation.
Freedom to have more control over his life was what he needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What he read next perplexed yet
excited him at the same time. The author
insisted that to have true freedom to live a better life he must willfully take
an action that might seem wrong at first.
Nonetheless, this action was the first step in taking back control of
his life. Not sure what it meant he
continued reading what seemed more suited for the introduction to a fantasy
video game than a work of non-fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The author insisted the reader take
the book without paying for it. He
claimed that willfully taking this action was the first step in taking back
control of his life. He explained that
the reader would understand after discovering the secret that he was going to
describe later in the book. Tom
continued reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I no longer have the need to make
money. My only motivation is to help the
few select people who are wise and brave enough to learn how to use the secret
I am about to reveal. These are the
people who deserve to know what I know and when enough people learn the secret,
we will meet sometime in the near future to form an elite society and join
forces to change the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Even though it seemed irrational,
even silly, Tom thought it would be fun to play along and take the
challenge. The risk of being caught
excited him. His pulse raced with the danger
and the guilt of doing something wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tom looked for security cameras. Then he thought about it. If the storeowner was too cheap or too poor
to buy decent shelves, he was certain he could not afford an electronic security
system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">By the cash register, the young man
was still preoccupied with what he was reading, completely ignoring him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Tom unzipped the top of his shoulder
bag.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He always had this black leather
bag with him wherever he went.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was a
comfort for him, a sort of security blanket.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Its many zippered pockets and slots, more than enough for pens and memo
pads, gave him a false sense of being organized.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Giving in to the impulse, Tom slipped
the book into his shoulder bag, put the bag’s strap over his shoulder and
quickly left the store.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Once outside he laughed to
himself.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">It felt good to get away with
the crime.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He never shoplifted before
and was not eager to start now.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">He
rationalized his behavior by telling himself he was going to return the book
the very next day, no harm done.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">His
mood magically changed from despair into excitement and hope that come with a
new adventure.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">This alone was worth the
risk.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">page 12</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">(Next is chapter two)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></p>John Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185765129472832100noreply@blogger.com2