Checking on the Noise from the Neighbor’s Home by F. F. Burwick (1148 words)

Isiron lived in a spacious home attached to that of his neighbor, Gerald Thorensar, in a duplex. Isiron was yet engaged, without a set date, with Isiron’s fiancee, who Isiron went to see more often than she came to this home. Isiron’s neighbor Gerald who had lived there much longer was widowed, one year ago, and he lived in that other home alone since. Isiron chatted at times with Gerald outside around the shared entrance into the front hall of the duplex, but only there, and there were no visits to one another’s home. And the neighbor was quiet enough to never be an issue.

This weekend went by without Isiron seeing that neighbor Gerald at all, which was a little unusual. That evening at the end of Sunday, there was a noticeable sound that was like a creaking noise, from Gerald’s home. After that went on for a moment, there was a sound of a thump, then there was only silence after that.

Isiron was worried then. Was Gerald at home at all? Was his home broken into while he was gone? Or maybe he was home, and had some accident happen. But the sound of that creaking noise could have been anything else, which Isiron could not think of. Maybe Isiron should do something. But what should be done about this noise that could not be identified. Should Isiron go knock on Gerald’s door, to check on him? What if Gerald was not at home and it really was someone who broke into that home?

Isiron decided to go across the hall outside Isiron’s home to his neighbor’s door, and knock. But the thought of some criminal in there who had broken in disturbed him. Isiron did not have a weapon to arm himself with. But Isiron had a bat, he remembered, so he could carry that with him, and be sure to use it and strike first if someone other than Gerald answered the door then.

Isiron carried the bat along, readied to strike, across the hall to that door, and knocked. Isiron waited then.

Some time went by with nothing happening and there was only silence on the other side of the door. Finally Isiron was more concerned than cautious, and he called out, “Gerald, are you there?!” But Isiron tensed the right arm to strike immediately once it was seen someone other than Gerald answered at the door. But still nothing happened. Isiron felt at the door, but sure enough it was locked. Isiron would not get in that other home without breaking the door down, it seemed. And Isiron did not even see how that would be managed. But then Isiron thought of going outside, and checking the windows on Gerald’s side.

Isiron went back and brought his keys out, and locked his home up, and went with this bat outside the duplex to the front, and then to the side of it on Gerald’s side, as he went he looked in from the dark outside through windows that he passed. There seemed to be a nightlight on inside Gerald’s home, giving the home some amount of light. Then he came to a window that seemed slightly open. Isiron thought, that is just how anything, or anyone, could have gotten in.

Then Isiron saw this thing, right nearby to him outside this window. It was like a tree. But it had just moved. Isiron jumped away, as a limb from this tree being struck out right by him. Isiron hurried back to the corner to the front, looking back in the dark area by the side of Gerald’s home. Whatever that was it was still remaining there, while Isiron could still discern movement of the limb.

Just then Isiron saw someone walking along the side of the street in front, and that person now came in this direction. Isiron saw then it was Gerald, carrying a bag of things in his arms.

Isiron called to him, “Gerald! I did not know if you were home or not, but there was a suspicious loud noise in your home, and when I called to you you were not in there to answer, but I didn’t know. I came out to look in to see if you were in there needing help or if someone broke in. But on this side there is some monstrous thing like a tree, it moves, and is by your window and may have made the sound I heard!”

Gerald answered, “I know about that! Stay away from it! It is a superscalywood, my wife’s family had brought it here years ago, for it to grow here by our home. They did not mention that it moves around, and responds to anyone around it, and it has only grown larger since, and I think it is dangerous.”

Isiron said, “I am glad to hear you know about this, and certainly to see that you are alright. I had thought that maybe we should call authorities to deal with this thing.”

“Don’t do that. We should call scientists, perhaps botanists, to look at this. It could be something really rare such that we shouldn’t let it be destroyed, like authorities might do. But we can let scientists take it from here where they will.”

Isiron said, “Then let us do that soon. I don’t know what noise it was making to your home, but it seemed it was trying to attack me. So you should agree it shouldn’t stay here.”

“Right, I will try to find someone interested in right away in the morning.”

Isiron agreed to that being done, and after just a little more talk, both returned to the homes of each that were next to each other.

After Gerald made one of several calls that next day, specialists came with tree service workers from the Department of Intelligent Response of the Institute of Applied Quantum Abstractions. They spoke with Gerald when they had seen it and how it would move about. Doctor Wondapel said to him, “This superscalywood you have here is an alien plant being. There has been only one other ever found in our world, that we know about. I wish we could know how your wife’s family found this one. This like the other one found is territorial, and would try keeping anyone, or any animals, away. And it can be aggressive. We will have it moved very soon, it won’t be safe to others that could come around here. We will have it in a location where we can study its behavior thoroughly.”

Later that day with those from the tree service, and with the limbs of the superscalywood held by very strong bonds to not strike out, it was carefully moved onto a large truck brought to move it, and they all had it carried back to the Institute of Applied Quantum Abstractions.

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Paul Ahnert
Redemption Moon Pt 2
1493 words

Redemption Moon Pt 2

Dale Prescott sat in his living room watching the full moon rise. The monthly guilt reached out to him with icy fingers, as he held his Bible, praying for peace and for deliverance of those whom he knew were cavorting with evil, this night. Every month, for the past ten years, Dale battled his conscience. No one outside his family knew the dark secrets he carried and most in the family did not understand the weight he shouldered as chief of The Hunters. He gained a new identity in his faith, but not everyone shared his faith nor did they agree with calling off The Hunt. The Hunt, just as deadly to the hunters as the hunted, after centuries of war failed to tip the balance one way or another. Dale believed there had to be a better way to eradicate the evil his family battled for generations.

The verse the senior Prescott meditated on most came back to him: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. For generations the Prescott family hunted an abominable perversion of nature, a pervasive and dangerous evil. The Prescott family, alone, knew lycanthropes were real and, for reasons lost to history, were tasked with their eradication. Ten years earlier Dale was installed as clan chief after the passing of his father. To prove his worthiness, he had to make a kill, which in modern times, was far more difficult than it had been for his medieval relatives.

Hunting the Pack was more dangerous than any other prey in the world. Members of the Pack presented only one night per month, possessing supernatural abilities to ward off attack. Making a successful kill was equal parts luck and skill. Sometimes decades would pass before a successful kill and every kill usually incurred retaliation to the hunters. Violence always begets violence. Dale, in his first month as chief, made the kill, cementing his place at the head of the table. Wayne Morris was his victim. Wayne left behind a wife and a seven year old son named Benny. After the kill, Dale watched as the abomination transformed back into human form, a man like him, a man with a family and a life. Furthermore, the Pack had not hunted human flesh for over two hundred years, so there really was no justification for killing them.

After the kill, Dale decided to numb his conflicted conscience by visiting the local liquor store. On the way, he passed a brightly lit church from which he could faintly hear lively music. Seeing the giant cross atop the church steeple was more than Dale’s soul could bear, he pulled into the parking lot, sat in his car and cried. After he cried himself dry, he noticed the music had stopped and felt compelled to enter the church. Taking a seat in the back, Dale heard a message of God’s love for sinners, even a murderer like himself. More importantly, he heard a message of redemption through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Dale’s life was never the same.

Realizing the Hunt was futile and ineffective, after much prayer, Dale was able to convince the Hunters to call a truce. For the first time in human memory, a Prescott revealed himself to the Pack and both sides realized mutually assured destruction was a pretty good enticement for peace. The truce held firm for ten years, until two weeks earlier when Wayne Morris’ kid almost broke Dale’s nephew’s arm at school. A parlay between Dale and the high school Dean of Boys smoothed over any potential problems but he knew something had to change, so tonight, while the Pack ran, Dale prayed more earnestly than ever.

The following weekend, Dale had dinner at his brother’s house and over dessert, asked his nephew Sean how school was going. “It’s Ok, I guess, the biggest trick is staying away from the bullies. Some of the bigger kids like to pick on the new freshmen.” Since becoming a follower of Christ, Dale had a knack for naturally turning any conversation into an opportunity to share spiritual truth, and was able to impart some Biblical wisdom to his nephew. Intrigued, Sean asked questions allowing Dale to share the Gospel clearly and concisely. By the end of the night, Sean prayed with his uncle, placing his faith in Jesus Christ. Sean didn’t feel anything physically take place, but mentally and spiritually he felt as if a tremendous weight lifted from his soul.

Monday morning, at school, Sean saw Benny Morris, the older boy who had nearly broken his arm a few weeks earlier. Sean made a point to avoid Benny and his buddies but today, Sean felt an urge to, not only talk to Benny, but to try to smooth things over. “Hey Benny,” Sean said, tentatively. “Huh? Oh hey kid, listen, I’m sorry for, ah, you know, well, I was just messing around, I didn’t mean to really hurt you.” Sean stuck out his hand and Benny shook it, and for the first time ever a Lycanthrope and a Prescott took steps over the threshold of friendship.

Weeks earlier, Benny experienced his first transformation and was feeling excited, scared and a bit isolated from his friends. Changing into a ravenous beast and running with the Pack had been the most exhilarating experience of Benny’s life, but it also meant a life of secrets and isolation. Being seventeen was tough enough, realizing he was truly different from most people added a whole other layer of uncertainty. Sean’s unexpected overture of friendship could not have come at a better time.

The Dean, a leader within the Pack, kept a close eye on the friendship forming between Sean and Benny, wondering if it was a good or bad thing. He wanted to believe it was a good thing, but, gnawing at the fringes of his consciousness was an inexplicable alarm. The Dean decided to monitor the situation, ready to take action if necessary.

Both Benny and Sean experienced life altering events in the last weeks, however, Benny was unable to share his experience. Sean, on the other hand, was very excited to share his newfound faith and began asking Benny what he thought about God. It seemed Sean had the same natural ability to share his faith as his uncle, just not the knowledge his uncle possessed after a decade of study. Benny was aware, now more than ever, of his misdeeds, and the idea of being right with God appealed to him like never before. As the conversation progressed, Benny had many questions, unfortunately, Sean had few answers. Finally, Sean suggested they visit his uncle Dale, a man who had answers.

Dale Prescott could not have been more surprised when he opened his door to Sean and Benny. Dale was always cognizant of the fact he was responsible for the death of Benny’s father and now the child he had left fatherless stood on his doorstep. Swallowing his fear and confusion, Dale asked, “what can I do for you fellas?” Sean excitedly stepped in past his uncle and explained how he and Benny had been discussing Jesus but he had run out of answers so they were there to fill in the gaps.

Dale began to lay out the basics of the Gospel message, as Benny listened intently. Dale noticed the air in his home had become almost electric, much like when a thunderstorm was about to strike. A chill filled the air and the odor of rotting garbage wafted across the room. Dale, the only one who seemed to notice, realized something spiritual was happening, something malevolent was stirring.

Finally, Dale asked Benny if he was ready to pray and ask for forgiveness, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Benny seemed eager, even as the room began to smell acrid. Benny prayed out loud while his body went rigid and shook. As he continued to pray, a low moan began to emanate, from behind his own voice. The moan grew louder, growing to a horrific shriek as Benny’s body convulsed violently and then, a sudden release, as an ancient evil entity was expelled from his body. The windows in the living room shattered, the air returned to normal and the odors of burnt and rotting garbage dissipated.

Dale now knew what his family had been fighting for centuries. As all three sat in shock, staring at the shattered windows, Dale realized the war was back on. This would not be war against flesh and blood but war fought on a spiritual level. As Benny and Sean attempted to process what they had just experienced, Dale accepted his mission and was grateful for the two young men sitting in his living room, knowing they would be his first recruits in a battle for trapped souls.

I am posting this on behalf of Mirta who posted her story at Goodreads November 1st.

A DESPERATE MAN
By Mirta Oliva

My husband will be gone on a business trip for two weeks. I do not like being home alone but traveling is part of his business life so I am trying to adapt.

It’s raining and my hubby just ran out the door to catch the waiting taxi. I could hardly see the license tag, ending in 05G. I waved goodbye and cried a little as the car drove away. All the while Jay had cracked the window to send me kisses. Oh, I love this man!

The next morning I was outside in our vegetable garden, picking up some lettuce. I had spent the night alone but there were no apparitions so I slept well. Now I am enjoying what we both love to do: to work in our backyard to complete the area around the gazebo plus to follow our planting project as laid out in a drawing we had made. It will be a lovely, secluded place including a secret garden. As I continued my wandering thoughts, a noise scared me but it was only the mailman.

“Good morning, Mr. Fultz, I hope there are no bills today!”

“I have no idea,” replied the mailman, “but I am sure a little bill would have found its way in this big stack of mail.”

I bid Mr. “F” goodbye and hurried inside the house to begin sorting out the mail. I wasn’t expecting any from Jay… too soon now but I will open the computer later to see how things are going.

“What’s this?” I asked myself when I saw a handwritten envelope with the worst cursive I had ever seen. I was hesitant to open it but, with my husband gone, I thought it prudent to see what this was all about so I began reading out loud:

“Mrs. Jay Blunden, I know your husband is away… I saw him leaving in a taxi. I know you are not rich but you live in a nice house and have an expensive car so you must have some money in the bank. Yes, you guessed it right. I will be asking you for money but you must follow my instructions completely or else. I am not telling you what will happen but it will not be pleasant or safe. For that, you must not call the police. Wait for my phone call on Wednesday the 3rd.”

Had I not been sitting down, I would have dropped to the floor. Why us? I left for the kitchen and poured a cup of my freshly-brewed coffee. I needed to relax and figure out what to do. After a while, I thought it would be best to hear what he had to say over the phone, record our conversation, and then see what is asked of me.

At the set day, the phone rang. It was a man’s voice identifying himself as the letter writer. He was quick to ask very apologetic that I bring $9,000 in twenty and ten dollar bills, around 7 p.m., right after dark through the pathway just behind the empty field. I should stop by the front door of the old, abandoned church, three blocks off Main Street. I knew the place well, dark and gloomy, surrounded by empty lots. The man claimed he had run out of luck for too long now and needed money for his wife’s hospital bills. I was too afraid and worried to say no so I agreed to deliver what he asked in a couple of days.

During our first years of marriage, Jay and I worked two jobs to be able to buy our first house. Later, we were lucky to find better jobs where we made enough to begin saving for when the kids arrived. When my husband was promoted, arrangements were made by the company to sell our house and buy us a better one in our current location. We finally had it all… or almost all! But if I complied with the man’s request, a good portion of our savings would be gone. If not, I would have to go to the police though this could bring more worries if their plans failed and the man was out there, where he could haunt us again for money.

From the day I received the letter, I had dwindling headaches that would not allow me to concentrate on what to do. In the meantime, I kept my husband unaware of what was going on for a good reason. This was a very important trip for him and many things depended on the outcome. Positive for sure. Not thinking it twice, I headed for the bank and requested the monies as casual as I could manage. Nothing was asked and I left the bank as there was nothing to it.

On Wednesday evening, just as it got dark, I placed the monies in a lunch bag and drove to Main Street, parking my car one block away from the old church. Making sure no one was following, I began walking toward the abandoned building, still no signs of anybody walking by. As I approached the church, a man stood by its huge wooden door waiting for me. I felt as though my legs could not carry me any longer but I had to walk up to the man and get this over with. I was just a few yards away when a policeman came out of the bushes and pulled me away from sight. At the same time, other policemen came out from hiding and asked the man to drop the gun. Without hesitation, he dropped what was later on found to be a fake one and surrendered without any problems.

At the station, still shivering, I sat down in the Sheriff’s office. I welcomed the glass of water offered as he began explaining what had brought them to the church. The desperate man had also contacted two other women in the neighborhood, requesting under ten-thousand dollars from each. Luckily, one of them had gone to the same local bank that I had gone to on the same day.

The similar withdrawals and a suspicious teller who noticed that both women had acted rather nervous, caused that the bank Manager reported the coincidences to the police.

I thanked the officers involved profusely and paid a visit to the bank the next day to thank the keen-eyed teller and the Manager.

Although my husband was not in agreement with my decision, he was happy that it turned out the way it did. Now, he told me, we can continue hoping for the first baby and a second one later on.