RHHuman pt.1 LR

STORIES OF THE LAST APOSTLE

by EDWARD W. CAMP

Human

Table of Contents Part ONE: The CAST

3

ON THE WAY TO THE TEMPLE Old friends meet for the first time.

4

9

KATHERINE & EDWARD A day at the office.

HOUSE CLEANING

A vampire comes to town, turning a Field of Dreams into a nightmare.

Cops hot on the trail after double murder.

SATAN’S PLAYGROUND

BIRTHDAY FOR BARBARA Blow out the candles and let’s see what’s in the dark.

BAR FIGHT

ON THE SCENE

Boxers meet their match.

The police find clues at The Neon Gym.

12

8

BLOODBATH AT THE NEON GYM

18

Ghost begone!

6

15

12

SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN

21

25

ON THE SPOT Katherine makes Edward an offer he can’t refuse.

A CHALLENGING BIBLE STUDY A class turns on the teacher.

Night of the janitor.

TM

Contents copyright © 2009, all rights reserved. www.righthandhuman.com info@righthandhuman.com This illustrated e-book is a work of fiction intended for entertainment purposes only. Names, characters, places, events and incidents appearing in this work are a product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, incidents, locales and real persons, living, dead, resurrected or undead, is entirely coincidental. These e-books are intended only for adult or mature audiences.

Some of the descriptions include sex, profanity, graphic torture, violence and rape.

2

JERUSALEM,

9 AD

Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

- Isaiah 50:9

A

n eleven-and-a-half year old boy walks peacefully near a busy roadway. The loud voices blending with the sounds of cattle, goats and sheep. A subtle change in the wind carries down the music and chanting of the priests. His eyes turn upward toward the towering temple high atop Mount Moriah. It dominates the landscape. The brilliant sunlight has no effect on him as his eyes survey the area dreamily and a smile spreads across his face.

ARCHIPPUS, NO!

Young boys are playing mancala in the dirt near the same roadway.

They catch the eye of a five-year-old boy on the other side of the thruway. People and animals are rushing back and forth. The young boy pulls away from his father. He throws himself headlong into the bustling throng. In Aramaic, his father calls out to him ...

The rushing crowds part as a small squad of Roman soldiers tears up the street on large, sweaty horses, yelling for the people to move. The older boy no longer smiles and turns his attention towards the oblivious young boy as he makes his way through the wild crowd.

The small boy is knocked into a stumbling spin.

Frantic people pitching his little body forward into the newly emptied space. He is trampled under the thundering hooves. It happens so fast that no one notices besides his father and the older boy. He doesn’t even have time to cry out. His lifeless body tumbles limply to the other side of the road. The older boy finds him despite the chaos and dust.

The older boy then grabs the filthy, bloodied form and easily pulls it to a safe spot and whispers softly (also in Aramaic) into the boy’s dead ear.

The boy rises up and smiles to the older boy as if he wasn’t just lying dead in the street.

Get up.

3

The older boy (smiling again) steps forward and impossibly brushes the wounds, dirt and blood from the boy’s clothes, face and hair.

The father bursts through the crazed mob and finds his son, miraculously unharmed talking to an older boy who he’s never met.

The young father calls out to his boy. The boy doesn’t hear him over the noise.

Philemon, the father, watches the other boys rush over. The boys seem to know the older one. The older boy puts his arm around Archippus and addresses the boys. The confused father steps closer, listening as he reaches for his son. One of the boys from the game asks, “We thought you left with your family?” The older boy answers, “There are a few things I need to take care of first. Did you meet Archippus?” Philemon is close enough to reach his boy and says, “He needs to come home with me.” The boy removes his arm from around Archippus, who is still smiling. Philemon is oblivious to his son’s new scars. The older boy just smiles and under his breath says, “I’ll see him again soon enough.”

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 6, 2006

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

- 1 Corinthians 15:54

A

n empty dead-end street in front of a patch of dense, woods. A black 1968 Camaro quietly glides to a stop.

The driver’s ringless left hand on the steering wheel is clearly visible. A strong-looking but badly-scarred pale hand. It looks as if at one time someone tried to cleave the hand in two between the middle and ring finger leaving a thick scar running down to the middle of the palm and back.

Another long scar runs the length of the pinky from the nail to just below the knuckle. The hand springs open and quickly pulls away.

A crucifix hangs from the rearview mirror. A golden, muscular and badly-scarred Jesus wearing a shimmering, silver cap of thorns over his long hair, which is pulled back into a braid. He hangs from three silver nails under a gold titulus with Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews written on it in three languages on a silver cross carved to resemble rough wood. The right hand comes into view gently cradling the cross as the driver leans forward to kiss the feet and whispers a quick “Thank you.”

A large and badly-worn burgundy colored King James Bible sits in the passenger seat. The right hand comes to rest atop the book.

From outside of the car the lonely dark silhouette of the driver can be seen. He bows forward. A barely audible oath is sworn before the driver bursts from the car, slamming the door shut, rocking the car as he sprints furiously towards the woods.

He now sprints through the woods and after a few seconds comes to an abrupt stop. Amazingly his breath is still steady. The front of his black workboot is barely an inch away from some old, discarded police tape like Christmas decorations left up long after the season’s over. He stares intently at the large, decrepit and abandoned house. He hears a low moan and then a loud crash shatters the eerie silence. The man doesn’t react. He keeps staring. Several long creaks escape from the house and then silence again. The front door suddenly slams shut. Now the man again breaks into a run. His hair wildly snapping in the turbulent wake. He lunges at the formidable looking door reducing it to splintered rubble from an explosive kick but he abruptly stops short of the large gaping hole in the floor. He looks down and sees dried-black blood stains on the cement floor of the basement.

4

4

He easily leaps the hole, bounds across the room and then sprints up the stairs taking several steps at a time. At the top of the stairs he cuts right and enters a bedroom. A mirrored vanity/dresser slides from the corner to face the man, kicking up clouds of dust.

The car outside starts up on its own and on the radio plays “Donut City” by Edward Van Halen. Back in the house, a gust blows through an open window. The wind itself is visible as if someone has an added sense letting him see air move. The mirror shatters, spraying dark shards of glass at the man. A groan escapes the man’s clenched teeth.

Time slows. The man is roughly hoisted off his feet. He is then thrown through the nearest wall by an unseen force. A cloud of drywall debris and dust tumbles down. Time speeds up again as the man crash lands on the dusty hardwood floor and stops at a large, filthcovered bed in front of a wall with a small, broken stained glass window.

He slowly gets to his hands and knees. He whips his head to the side and goes into a roll as a large dresser suddenly slides towards him and then tips over in an attempt to crush him. He rolls away easily. The man, who we never see clearly, slowly gets up and then dusts himself off and sets his eyes on something unseen. A mass of energy, a sort of glow more than any mix of moonlight and madness, hovers in front of him and moves forward.

The man begins to say something, “In the name of...”

An oval picture frame with the faded image of a soldier pulls free from the wall and pin wheels towards the man’s face. He catches the picture and tosses it aside. He finishes, “In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach begone from here!”

There is a huge groaning, shudder throughout the house. All the shadows then seem to come together over the stairway. Then the shadows descend upon the man. He opens his arms and takes them all in, he then looks upward and opens his mouth shooting a powerful white light up to the heavens and in a loud WHOOOSH the light disappears. The car outside suddenly stops running.

The man’s stance goes from a spring-loaded warrior to an old, stooped wash-woman in the blink of an eye. He makes the sign of the cross and then slowly, shuffles out of the house.

Back in the car we see a shining, silver thermos on the floor in front of the passenger seat. A pale, shaky hand grabs it. The other hand quickly flips the lid off. The water shines blue in the container. He attempts a drink but stops. Something is wrong.

“Oh,” he says to himself. He reaches up. We see his right hand disappear behind the silhouette of his head. The hand returns with a large piece of blood-stained glass he just pulled from his face. He looks down on the floor in front of the passenger seat and pulls out a large black plastic bag. Shakes it open and tosses the glass into it. He looks up into the rearview mirror and we then see him quietly pull out several more bloody and jagged pieces. Once done, he grabs the thermos and chugs at the water greedily, “Thank you, Lord,” he says humbly.

5

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 6, 2006 the same night

“That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,” - Zephaniah 1:15

A

bartender is closing up for the night. His bar is the “Field of Dreams” and his nickname is “Rocky” from the famous movie because he resembled the lead character (with the exception of being taller and actually more muscular) and he also had a fairly successful boxing career 25 years ago.

Trophies, photos and an old pair of gloves hang in the bar as reminders. There are also a couple of old photos from his tour in the Marine Corps. No one gives him any crap, especially in his own place. His girlfriend and lead waitress Linda is with him tonight. He stops and watches her finish sweeping. He could watch her all day. The blonde hair, the generous curves.

He smiles and walks over to her.

tomorrow.” They look at each other and laugh. She smiles, looking at her man, “Let’s get out of here.” Rocky answers, “I’m right behind you.”

Rocky shuts off the lights as Linda heads to the door. Linda reaches for the handle but jerks her hand back in surprise as she hears another set of knocks. Rocky jogs over to her. She grabs the handle and opens the door. Linda is the first to see the face of death. He is an average-sized man who has a wicked smile under glittering, cobalt blue eyes and wavy dirty-blond hair. He is very handsome but something about him seems off and she can’t place it but all her warning flags are up.

The man breaks the awkward silence, “May I come in?” Linda can’t place the strange accent but answers, “You can come in tomorrow. We’re closed for the night.

Sorry.” Rocky picks up where she left off, “We were just leaving ourselves.” The man’s face takes on a serious tone momentarily as he surveys the scene and looks back at the couple. He looks intently at the man and the woman. He sees them through a haze of their own warm blood.

“It will only take a couple of seconds.”, he says. Rocky is now annoyed. “Look, we’re closed for the night. What is this all about?” He asks in a nasty tone.

“How about a rubdown when we get home?,” he asks. “Ohhh, you read my mind. That would be heaven,” she purrs.

They embrace and kiss. There is a soft knock on the door.

The strange man is smiling again, “I’m brand new to this town and I would just like a quick drink, that’s all. I’m a man generally accustomed to getting what he wants.” His tongue darts out and he quickly licks his lips. The smaller man comes forward and then like a shot he tosses the big man back effortlessly and in the same motion backhands Linda to unconsciousness.

Rocky stumbles into the jukebox. The song “Bodies” by Drowning Pool fills the bar.

Rocky is stunned by what has just happened but regains himself quickly as his anger wells up to the point where he is almost out of control.

His heart thunders in his temples. “What the hell do you want?” Rocky yells. The man bravely steps forward, now hissing into Rocky’s face, “I all ready answered that.”

Rocky yells out, “We’re closed!” Linda pats his chest and calls out, “Come back

Rocky kicks out at the man. The man easily darts to the side and then back in, 6

punching Rocky square in his face, snapping his head back. The stranger who is now grinning menacingly says, “That kick was pretty quick. Have I got a fight on my hands? I must warn you, I’m quite an accomplished fighter. Last I checked, I had thousands of wins with two losses. Not bad,

huh? Well, are you up for it? Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?”

Rocky lets his fists answer the question.

Rocky swings a thunderous right hand at the man but hits only the air. “That’s strike one,” the man says calmly. Rocky moves in with a powerful combo and again misses the target. “That’s strike two and three. I’m afraid you’re out.” He says smiling at the big man. Rocky goes in for the kill. Swinging at the man from every angle as fast as he can. The man dodges or blocks every single shot. Suddenly he darts in punching Rocky in his broad chest. Rocky’s breath explodes out of him as he is thrown back. He crash lands into a table and chairs, falling roughly to the now clean floor. He growls as he gets to all fours. A frustrated Rocky, “I’m gonna ...”

The stranger glides up and with one fluid motion kicks Rocky into a sideways tumble launching him into the next set of table and chairs. Rocky leaps to his feet.

Adrenaline pumping through his veins now. He dives out of the way just in time to avoid the next kick. Rocky lunges with all his might to the bar. The man impossibly catches up to him and shoves him roughly from behind. Rocky catapults into the bar with a loud crash. He pulls himself up and over the bar, grabs two

beer mugs in one big hand and his Louisville slugger in the other. Blood streams from his nose and lips.

Rocky dives at the man, hurling the mugs. The man dodges the projectiles. Rocky swings upward with the bat, hoping to cave in the man’s ribcage. He slips out of the way unharmed, however, the momentum causes Rocky to crash into the smaller man, they are chest to chest.

Rocky goes all out swinging desperately. His knee slams into the man’s groin as his thick forearm slams into the man’s chest driving him further back. Rocky grabs the bat with both hands and brings it down onto the man’s forehead breaking the bat in two in a shower of splinters. The man then spins beneath Rocky’s crushing weight. There is an explosion of white filling Rocky’s glassy eyes as his head is snapped back from a vicious blow. The next instant the big man is sailing through the air and crashing into the far wall.

Rocky is now a man possessed. He bounces off the wall, rolls, then lunges after the man again - pumping his hands and feet with all his might - to no avail. He sees a trickle of blood running down the man’s face as one of his kicks finally lands. The impact doubles him over, but he still grabs the leg, twists it (a popping sound) and yanks Rocky off the ground and tosses him aside like a rag doll. Rocky manages wobbly to get back to his feet.

Rocky and Linda

The smaller man now goes after Rocky punching the big man over and over. Every punch doing more damage than the last one. Rocky’s face is a mask of blood, snot and spittle. Rocky throws another haymaker which is caught in mid-flight. A quick twist and the powerful arm is now broken at the wrist and elbow. A feeble wail escapes through Rocky’s clenched teeth. He incredulously summons the strength to throw another left at the now laughing man. The man lazily ducks the punch and comes up with a wicked combination to the kidneys. Rocky’s legs begin to go as the man catches him by the throat.

the freedom of speech is actually the sixth or maybe the seventh amendment from the American Bill of Rights or at least it used to be. I don’t really know for sure so it might actually be the fifth. (dramatically gesturing) Does it really matter? (He whispers over to Rocky’s bloody ear) I’m not an American, you know, an American citizen and all that. (Back to his regular grandiose volume) Does anyone really know for sure? No comment, eh? I have grown weary of this, you’re so stuck up.

I’m just trying to be friendly and socialize.

It’s good to socialize, you know, to interact especially when you’re the new kid in town. That’s what my therapist says. Well, so much to do, so little time, soooo without further adieu, good night sweet prince.”

The man stops laughing and speaks, “You have thoroughly entertained me.

You have single-handedly given me the best fight I have had in many, many years.

Wasn’t it glorious? Cat got your tongue?

Well, now you’re just being rude and there is no call for that. Still, pleading the fifth? So everybody says, I believe that

A quick flick of his wrist and Rocky’s neck is broken. He stares at the man who now is paralyzed and slowly dying. This strange man who entered this bar now bears a set of long fangs and sinks them into Rocky’s thick neck draining his blood in seconds. Rocky thinks of Linda as he floats off into the unknown.

7

The man drops the lifeless body. He then kicks the jukebox over stopping the music. He then turns to the woman. He smiles and sits down next to her motionless form. He puts his hand on her hip and gently shakes her. “Time to wake up, sweetie.”

After a few more shakes, she begins to come around. She groans, rubs her already swollen cheek and then looks around.

She looks over at the smiling man. Linda asks groggily, “Where’s Rocky?” He answers, “It’s just you and me now, kiddo.” Now, still shakily and with much, more fear, “Where’s Rocky?” The man smiles that wicked grin and says plainly, “He’s dead. They all die.” He points upward, “Maybe he made it to Heaven. Was he a good man? Did he believe in Jesus?”

She begins to sob uncontrollably.

never seen it. If it truly exists then it doesn’t seem interested in little old me.” He chuckles to himself again and nudges the woman. She tries to recoil into herself. “Maybe they’re afraid I’ll take over.” After his sick joke he laughs loudly.

He then asks, “Is there anything I can do for you?” “I just want to die,” Linda replies, sobbing even harder. Then, with an enormous child-like grin, he says, “Very well.”

“If it is any consolation. He died most impressively. He was a great fighter.” He says proudly, as if he had anything to do with it. “Go to hell,” She hisses at him. He gathers himself before speaking again. “If there is such a place I’ve

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Isaiah 57:1-2

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 7, 2006 the same bar

Detective Daniel Quinn

D

etectives Michael Albano and Daniel Quinn, each in plain clothes, walk through the destroyed bar, looking at the broken glass, blood and bodies. “A hurricane?” Asks the angry-looking, moustached cop (obviously) to his younger but taller blond partner.

“It wasn’t a hurricane. A human being did this.” “Are you sure they were human beings? The bites on the necks look like animal bites. They take anything?,” Albano still asking the questions. Detective Quinn replies, “Didn’t appear to.”

“You know right now I’m glad you’re not married. Nobody’s gonna ask you how your day was when you get home.”

Albano states plainly, craning his thick neck around. “Maybe it was a gang with attack dogs?”

Dan says, “This is weird. The blood is drained from both of them. I don’t know of any dogs that do that. They were obviously beaten by human hands. Does somebody want this to look like a vampire attack?” “Yeah,” Mike answers, “Let’s get our stakes and crucifixes or is it crucifii? Put out an APB for Dracula!”

“Oh fuck …” the young partner starts. Albano inquires, “What did you find?” Quinn has his hand in Rocky’s mouth, “Guy likes to take more than people’s blood and breath away.” “Why, is something missing?” Mike asks. “Our guy did take something.” Dan states as he quickly surveys the area again from Rocky’s point of view. “What?” Mike asks as he steps closer to the body. “Tongue’s missing on this guy. I guess it wasn’t bad enough that he was beaten to death. He had to be mutilated also. Is our killer, or killers trying to tell us something?”

8

Detective Michael Albano

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 8, 2006

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” - Proverbs 18:24

you ever grab one when we put them out?” She asks. “Why don’t you?” He answers with a question. “I’m usually not hungry until later.

I’m not always in the mood for donuts anyway. You still didn’t answer my question. Why didn’t you grab one? I know I got your favorite,” she asks patiently. “You always get my favorite. I’d eat any of them if I was hungry. I just know a lot of people here look forward to the donuts so I like to give them a chance before I grab one for myself.”

Katherine raises an eyebrow, “Is that your final answer?”

Edward says, “Yes.” She’s still looking at him with a playful expression, “I bet you don’t even know where I got that question from?” Edward looks uneasy and happy at the same time now, “Why didn’t I grab one or Is that your final answer?” She bails him out, “Is that your final answer?” He thinks for a second before he answers her, “I didn’t really give any thought, where you would have gotten that question from. Does it hold some kind of significance?” She laughs out loud, “I knew it. I got it from a popular show on T.V. I’ve all ready figured that you either watch very little T.V. or you don’t watch it at all. Am I right?” Edward again thinks about his answer, “You’re always right.”

“Do you even own a T.V.?” she counters. He’s on the ropes now, “No, actually I don’t.”

“You may be the first person I have ever met who doesn’t own a T.V. and I’m not really sure I know what to make of it.

Usually, popular shows give people a starting point for conversation.

Katherine Nice water cooler small Einin talk. But you’re not

n overcast and breezy Monday morning in the parking lot of The Island Observer weekly newspaper. An attractive woman with long, light brown hair with blond highlights caught up in the breeze walks toward the building. She is carrying two large boxes of donuts, a bag full of bagels, a small cake, her pocketbook and a handful of CDs. She manages the load with expertise. She approaches the front door and sees it is being held open by some gentleman. She smiles a huge smile at seeing him. She had hoped again that he would be holding the door for her.

A

“Good morning Katherine. You look nice today,” the man is the first to speak. She pauses in front of him, “Hello Edward. How do you always know when I get here?” “I don’t. Just lucky, I guess,” he answers and then asks, “Can I take some of that?” She offers up some of the load. He grabs the bagels and donuts from her as she says, “I don’t believe in luck but thank you so much.

You’re great.” “No, you are,” he snaps back with a chuckle.

They head into the singlestory office building, through the entranceway, down the hall and make a left entering the break room. Muzak is heard playing in the backEdward ground. They work together as Othniel if they had done this routine several times, opening donut boxes, getting napkins, putting out plastic knives for the bagels along with the jellies, butter and cream cheeses. Once everything is in place they look at each other smile, quick high five and then both head out of the breakroom. They head down another hallway and take their seats in a large cubicle after announcing that breakfast is here.

Several employees make comments and hurry to the breakroom.

Katherine turns to Edward. He smiles but speaks before she does, “As usual, great job with the donut selection.” “Why don’t 9

much for small talk either are you?” He smiles, “Do you think I’m weird?” She laughs again, “I know for a fact that you’re weird, well, everyone is weird, but you’re a whole different level of it, but that’s O.K. because I really want to get to know you.

By the way, you’ve never even told me where you’re from. Everyone is curious about your accent but you never give any details about where exactly you’re from or where you were born and nobody can place the accent either. It’s not English, it’s not Australian, nobody knows.” He brightens more, “Maybe I’m a psycho killer and don’t like people getting too close or asking too many questions, especially about my past.”

She smirks at his quip, “Maybe. But you know what?” “What?” He asks. She steps in closer, grabs his collar and pulls him even closer. Her big, pale, blue eyes burning into his emerald green eyes with no fear at all, “I’m not afraid of you.” Edward plays it cool despite the trickle of sweat he feels run down his side and his pounding heart. He smiles and says, “Maybe you should be.” She smiles huge and then kisses him on the nose and shoves him away.

She turns and heads toward her seat but changes her mind. She turns on Edward again, “I know more about you then you realize, mister!” Edward, straightening out his collar, “An example?” She’s smiling

She makes the music you hear from The Wizard of Oz whenever you see the witch.

Edward gets back into his seat and struggles to get into his work. Katherine sneaks up close behind him, grabs the arm of his chair, brushes his dark hair back behind his ear leans in close and then whispers, “I will get you one day, Ed. I’m thinking lunch. Yeah, that’s it. I’m gonna treat you to a lunch. Everyone knows you love to eat. It’ll be just you and me.” Edward hunches his aching shoulders, “C’mon cut it out. That tickles. You’re breath really tickles my ear.” His nervousness reaches new levels

She steps in closer, grabs his collar and pulls him even closer. like the cat that got the canary, “Like, even though you don’t watch or own a T.V. you do go out to movies and you really commit them to memory fast. It is actually quite impressive. I can tell this just from the things you say because you like to incorporate movie lines and even the mannerisms of the actor into your own dialogue. I think it is very funny and it just peaks my interest in you even more.” Edward is blushing fast. He looks around nervously, “I should get to work. I have a lot to do.”

She puts her hand on his chest, stopping him, “You’re also great at your job and even though you have a lot to do you’ll have it all done in two hours at the most and you’ll be bugging people for more work to do.” He is beat red now and really wants to get away, “O.K., O.K., you’re scaring me now. I think I have a stalker.”

She can see his heart pounding against his shirt, “You bet. I’ll get you my Eddie and your little Mac computer too!” She cackles. Edward shifting to the side, “Stop it!

You’re scaring me.”

as he feels a long-forgotten excitement rushing through his body. “Well, what do you say? Will you go to lunch with me?,” she nudges him.

He locks his eyes on his monitor and struggles to disappear, “Let’s talk about it later please, you’re really embarrassing me.” She softens, “I’ll let you off the hook this time. Oh guess what?” “What’s that?,” he asks. She can barely contain her excitement, “I got a surprise for Barbara’s birthday!” They laugh softly as she glides back to her desk just across from Edward in the production pit. Russell the Creative Director, a tall well-built man rushes over to Edward.

10

“Hey Ed, I hope you’re not busy because I really need your help.” “Of course I’m busy but whatever you need I’m here for you,” Edward answers as he gets up from his desk. Russell, smiling, adds, “You’re awesome. I have everything in my office come with me.” Edward follows right behind him, “You got it!” They head out of the production pit to Russell’s office. Glenn the mostly crabby production manager comes back from the breakroom with a coffee in one freckled hand and a coconut donut in the other. He is a tall, balding redhead with a potbelly. He smells like cigarettes and sometimes like alcohol as well.

Glenn, saluting her with his donut, “Good job with the donuts, Kathy.” Katherine smiles, “Thank you Glenn.” Glenn sits down in front of his computer with a loud exhale.

In between sips of coffee and bites of his donut he just clicks around on various folders and from time to time his eyebrows and right shoulder twitch involuntarily. Jesse, a young brunette graphic artist walks in with a large handbag, “Hey everybody.” Katherine is genuinely happy to see her, “Hey Jess.”

Glenn grunts his hello, nods and checks his watch. Jesse sets up her stuff and then heads into the breakroom. She comes back with a bagel and a very large cup of tea. She stops next to Katherine. Jesse turns to Katherine, “Did you ask Ed out yet?” Katherine shakes her head, sounding slightly down, “I’m still working on it. He doesn’t make it easy.”

Jesse shakes her head also, “What is with him? I love him and I think he’s a great guy but why wouldn’t he just go out on a lunch date with you? I can’t figure him out. Do you think he may be too good to be true?”

Katherine answers, “I think I know him pretty well. He is the real deal. I honestly just think he’s incredibly shy and I also

think he has some serious baggage from his past. I mean, just look at those scars. Even with the scars, though, I still think he’s really friggin’ hot.” Jesse agrees quickly, “He is really good-looking. I gotta give you that. I think he’s got a scary side to him though. I think he’s too nice so he’s probably bottling a lot of stuff up. He’s holding it all inside and one day he might snap. I think he looks like he has the potential for danger too. We all know he isn’t a wuss even though he acts so sweet.”

Katherine looks off dreamily as she says, “I agree with you somewhat. Just from his contests with Joe I know for a fact, he’s one seriously tough customer but I think he has phenomenal self-control and that he would never snap. I think he might actually have the, I don’t know, uh, the zen control or patience of a buddhist monk or something like that. I don’t know what I’m saying. Oh, here he comes. Watch this.” Both women turn to Ed as he walks over looking over a folder and some papers. He looks pretty deep in thought. He doesn’t notice the women waiting for him. He looks up at the last minute.

Edward looks up to see the actual pattern of the air moving as wind becomes visible Edward looking genuinely happy, “Oh, hey Jess. The bagels are here.” “Oh, thanks.

I got one all ready,” she waves the bagel.

Katherine chimes in, “Ed, do you hold everything in and are you going to snap one day and go postal on us?” He laughs, “Yeah, maybe. The voices in my head have been telling me that I could dispose of a few more bodies in my backyard. Just kidding, honestly, no, I would never snap and harm anyone. I do hold some things in but not everything. Trust me, I would never hurt you guys ever. Well, maybe Glenn but not you ladies.” Now, Glenn (annoyed that the girls haven’t started working yet and that Rachel isn’t even in yet) puts in his two cents, “What about Glenn?” Katherine and Jess together, giggling, and still eerily in stereo, “Nothing Glenn. Don’t worry about it, we’re just professing our love for Ed.” Ed immediately turns beat red.

Glenn (more annoyed) chimes in, “You guys need something to do?” Edward replies

first, “Relax, Glenn, we got enough work.”

Then Katherine (ignoring Glenn) adds, “Jess thinks that you may snap on us someday because you hold everything in.” Ed laughs again. Rachel, a young blond graphic artist walks in with her bag and some folders in her crossed arms, “Hey guys.” Glenn grunts and without looking up from his monitor he says, “It’s about time.” Ed defends her, “Ignore him. It may be hard to believe but he’s crabby today.” Everyone in unison acts shocked and gasps. Katherine adds, “Wow. Imagine that, Glenn in a foul mood.” Jesse next says, “What are the odds?” Then Rachel, “About the same odds of finding a beer in a bottle I suppose.” They all laugh.

Glenn shovels the rest of his donut into his mouth and storms away in a huff. He heads outside to have yet another in a series of long smoke breaks.

Edward tries to sneak around the ladies to his seat to get busy with his boss’ work.

Katherine sees him, “Where do you think you’re going psycho?” He smiles and says, “I need to work out my alibi’s.” Rachel, putting her stuff down on her desk, “What’s going on? What did I miss?” Katherine answers, “Jesse thinks that Ed holds too much in and will snap one day.” Jesse, somewhat embarrassed now herself, “I didn’t mean anything by it...” Rachel, acting very surprised, “Ed?” Katherine, gesturing towards Jesse, “That’s what she said.”

Rachel looks Ed up and down, smiles and says, “I think Ed is an old, old gentle and beautiful soul and nothing really bothers him much. I think almost everything rolls off of his back. I also think he is a pisces, born in the early part of the month of March, like in the first week and that he would lay down his life for any one of us without hesitation. I even think he holds the key to some ancient mysteries. He is a mystical sage and warrior from the most ancient order. That’s why he has that interesting accent that no one can place because it is from a past we can’t remember. Even he can’t hide all the traces 11

of his amazing past even though he pretends to be just another regular guy.”

Everyone is somewhat stunned by her statement, even Edward is looking at her with his mouth wide open. Katherine breaks the stunned silence, “I think you’re on to something there Rachel. Ed can we see your driver’s licence?” Ed starts to get it but thinks twice, “No, that’s O.K., I’ll just tell you, yes, I’m a pisces and my birthday is March 6th.”

Katherine doesn’t let up, “Well? What about the other stuff, Ed. I’d really love to hear about some of those ancient mysteries.” Ed dismisses her question with a wave of his hand, “I gotta get to work. I don’t want Russell or Glenn getting more stressed out or angry.” Katherine replies, “Russell is always stressed out and so is Glenn. As a matter of fact, if Glenn weren’t stressed out and angry he probably wouldn’t know what to do. Let them get pissed I don’t care. You’re always bailing out Russell and saving his butt. We all know you’re as talented as he is any given day except that you keep a cool head and you’re ten times smarter about, well, just about everything.”

Jesse says, “And we all now that Glenn doesn’t even really do anything around here anyway except stress out about every little thing, upset everyone and stink up the place of cigarettes, booze and body odor. Crabby old fart! He doesn’t even realize that he’s lucky to have any job at all.” Edward takes control, “Alright, Alright. Let’s all get back to work now. It’s starting to get mean and that’s Glenn’s job and he’s better at it than all of you put together.” They all laugh and head to their desks except for Rachel, she goes to get some coffee and a bagel while her computer boots up again. Edward turns on all the computers when he gets in as a courtesy since he is almost always the first one in. Rachel and Glenn usually try turning on their computers again which means they actually shut them down and then they have to reboot.

Katherine stares at Edward as he starts working for a few seconds. Edward, Katherine, Jess, Rachel and others work, facing computers in their cubicles with daily papers lying around nearby. Air blows out of a ceiling vent. Edward looks up to see the actual pattern of the air moving as wind becomes visible.

Edward greedily gulps ice-water, his throat dust dry. The ice cubes sink every time he grabs the glass but no one notices.

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 8, 2006 later, still at the Island Observer

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

- Romans 12:15 for the Celtics today.”

Edward smiles and says, “Really? What position?” Barbara gives him a smirk, “Cheerleader, wise-ass.” Joe chimes in, “He knows.” Barbara says, “I know he knows,” as she bumps Edward with her hip. Ed, still smiling adds, “Let me know if she gets the job. I’ll pray for her.” Barbara mouths a silent thank you when Katherine comes over, “Everybody loves good news. Happy Birthday Babs.” Katherine and Edward look at each other.

T

he workers gather to throw a brief party for Barbara. The lights go out in the break room.

Edward looks at the auras around people in the dark.

A candle is lit on a small chocolate cake.

The workers sing out, “For she’s a jolly good fella, which nobody can deny.” Barbara yells at them, “I’m not a fella!” Katherine louder than the rest, “For she’s a jolly good lady, which nobody can deny!”

Barbara blows out the candle. Edward looks around the darkness observing the auras that shimmer as if the people were rainbow stars submerged in a black, velvet pool. Edward looks up and smiles as he is bathed in invisible light.

The lights come on and people start eating pieces of cake.

Joe offers a piece to Edward, “Want one?” “No thanks.”

Edward answers. Barbara says, “Come on, Ed. Have some cake.” Joe turns to Barbara, “You’ve been kinda out of it this morning. Distracted by your birthday or is there something else? What’s on your mind?” Barbara turns to everyone in answer to his question, “Wish me luck. My niece is trying out

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 10, 2006 an old, burned-out school

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ” - Hebrews 2:14-15

12

L

ate at night in a burned out hulk of an old school building. The driver walks down the dark hallways. The wind batters the building, loud noises and echoes fill the air. He feels them. He walks into a nearby classroom. The room is empty. He looks around confused, now he no longer feels them. He looks around the entire room. He turns and exits the room. They are in the building somewhere. He heads down the hallway again towards a badly blackened section. It still has the smell of smoke. He steps over some old, faded pieces of police tape. He feels a strong presence but it is on the move.

He goes into the room on his left marked Janitor’s Office. It is burned pretty badly in here.

He follows his feelings. He crosses the room and starts climbing up a wallmounted ladder on the other side. He disappears into a chute built into the ceiling.

It is completely black in here. He reaches up and feels a metal door. He pushes the door and it opens. He goes up and steps into the attic of the school. He feels a huge difference in the temperature. The hairs on his neck stand up and chills run up and down his spine. Moonlight comes in through the windows on the dormers.

He sees the silhouette of a man materialize before him. He feels his malevolence.

The driver takes a step back.

“In the name...” is all he gets out when the man runs at him and through him. The driver stumbles backward startled and trips over debris and then falls as the floor gives way. He crashes onto a large, blackened desk below. He rolls groggily over and then falls to the floor. He hears little voices and then the sounds of little squeaking wheels rolling towards him.

Suddenly, he is being dragged, hoisted up and rolled over onto some kind of wagon.

He is wheeled out of the classroom. He doesn’t know what to make of the situation. He feels as if he should just wait and see what happens. He is not being hurt in any way as he is hurriedly wheeled down the hallway. He looks up and takes a moment to pray as black ceiling tiles glide by in a symphony of little squeaks and muffled little voices.

They pick up speed. He is now rocketing down the hallway. They stop suddenly and he is caught up and hoisted to his feet. He feels a little hand in his and then little hands all over as he is pulled, pushed and led into another classroom.

The door is opened for him. As he walks

in, he sees little desks set up to his right. They are in a circle.

He sees that the blackboard still has some letters on it.

They head towards the teachers desk when the little hands tug and push him to the left.

“What? Oh,” he says as he is turned around and led into a little alcove/closet.

Charred little coats are still hung up on the hooks over burned and blackened little lunch bags and warped lunch boxes.

There is a closet door at the end. An unburned little white fabric cross is hung on the door. The little hands disappear. The last little hand lets go of his. A small circle of children slowly materialize before the driver. They are sitting cross-legged on the floor. They never completely materialize. They are all diaphanous and large parts of them flicker in and out as if large waves of invisibility are rolling before them. He notices that none of them have shoes on.

He smiles at God’s handiwork there. It only makes perfect sense considering where they’re going. They all look up at the driver and smile. The two closest children reach up for him. He steps forward, kneels down and takes their hands in his.

“Is this where you pray?

He asks them quietly. The closest child answers him, “Yes, this is our safe place.”

Wondering why this place would be considered safe, “The janitor doesn’t come in here?” “No, he never comes in here.” One of the other children says, “We think it is because we always pray in here so Jesus is here.” The driver looks at all the children, “Jesus is everywhere. Do you like to pray?” A collective, “Yeah!”

Another child, “Timmy started it. He put the cross on the door,” she says as she points to the cross. The man asks, “Which one of you is Timmy?” They all point to the boy closest to him and again collectively say, “He is.” “I am,” admits the boy with a smile. “Was it your idea to bring 13

me here?” Timmy answers, “Yeah. We all work together though. We all brought you here. We didn’t want the janitor to hurt you like he hurt all of us.” The man thinks to himself for a second, “Thank you.” Collectively, “You’re welcome.”

“Would you guys like to go and see Jesus? Jesus will protect you from everything!”

Once again, the kids say, “Yay!” Timmy says, “That would be awesome!” “You need to listen to me carefully,” the man says with a serious tone. The children focus on him. “We need to pray. I’ll start, then Timmy and the rest of you repeat what Timmy says, OK?” They nod in unison.

The man looks to Timmy, “Timmy, are you ready?”

“You bet,” he answers.

“Repeat after me. In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach. Hold on. Better yet, say ... In the name of Jesus Christ.” They repeat it. He continues, “Please let these children come to you.” “Please let us come to you,” they say. “Please let them come home to you Lord, Amen,” concludes the man. The children repeat the last.

Timmy let’s go of the drivers hand and stands up. The driver stands up. Timmy hugs him. The other children stand up and give the driver a group hug. They all thank him politely. Timmy turns and looks to the closet door. The cross peels off the closet door and falls gently to the floor. It begins to glow and pulsate with ever growing flashes of bright bluish-green light. The light grows and grows and then actually appears to reach out to the children. It swirls into a tunnel of flashing light, energy and color. As the tunnel grows the colors become shapes and the shapes become an alternate reality on the other side of the light tunnel. The driver looks into the tunnel and sees a beautiful woman in front of a large lake, glimmering in the warm sunlight. It looks familiar to him. The children “ooh” and “ah.”

It is a breath-taking scene. The sky is beautiful. There is plush, tall grass rippling in the easy breeze. A couple of birds fly by, singing softly. The woman looks like a mother. Something about her

just screams mother, safety, security, warmth and unconditional love. She looks over to the children and then calls out, “Come here, children.” The words seems to resonate across the little alcove, rippling over them. Waves of a mother’s love wash over them all, even the driver. Timmy looks up to the driver, “I got it from here. Bye, thanks again.”

Timmy walks into the light grabbing the hand of the next child. They all follow hand in hand. Each one turning to wave or say thanks or goodbye to the driver. The driver smiles and says, “She will bring you to see Jesus.” The kids cheer and scamper happily over to the woman. Timmy catches up to the smiling woman and takes her hand. Timmy takes a quick look back and waves. He mouths something but the driver doesn’t know what it is but we do. Timmy tried to tell him that he is awesome. The light blinks out.

The driver thinks to himself how nice it would be to join them.

That is when it hits him. He knew he was seeing part of heaven but why did it look familiar? He remembers the place. It is heaven’s version of a place he’ll never forget. He can even smell the juniper and the cedar trees. He remembers the lake too. There are so many names for such a little lake.

Again, he feels God’s intervention and smiles, “It makes perfect sense.”

He kneels down, bows his head, makes the sign of the cross. He now gets up and looks around, feeling the building. He feels only one presence left. He leaves the room quickly. In the hallway he breaks into a run. In his head a song starts, “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” by Smashing Pumpkins. He smiles as he runs. He finds the janitors office and bursts in.

He slams the warped and black-

ened but still functional door closing them into the small room. He roars out, “In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach, begone from here!” Loud crashing noises with strange muffled screams suddenly fill the room. The screams repeat one word over and over, “No! No! No!” The driver repeats, “In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach, begone from here!”

The crashing sounds are even more violent. More screams. Then the door on the other side of the room crashes open and a wildly struggling black figure rolls onto the floor and slides slowly towards the driver as if it is a disobedient child being dragged off against its will by an angered father. The figure grabs at anything it can. Pieces of furniture, odds and ends are being tossed about and strewn around in it’s wake.

More screams as it draws closer to the driver.

The driver yells out, “In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach, begone from here! The creature from the janitor’s office screams even louder, “No! No! No! No! No!” The man answers back in a commanding tone, “Yes! In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach, begone from here!”

The black shape is propelled from the floor and collides with the driver. They fall to the floor hard. They are wrestling frantically. The feet and legs of the black shape sink into the driver as the struggle continues. They crash around the room. After about a minute of a brutal wrestling match, the driver is soaked in sweat, blood and dust with a weird light flickering from within him and the upper torso of a creature appears as if it is drowning in the drivers chest.

The driver is fighting to drown the creature into himself and the other is fighting to keep its head above the surface, screaming over and over. The driver gets up to his feet but is driven back again. He smashes through a table and is slammed to the floor. The shadow looks as if it may actually be able to pull itself out.

14

The driver groans desperately, “God help me.” The creature screams and claws at his face, carving deep gouges into the man’s cheeks but just missing his eyes. Again, despite the pain, “In the name of Yahweh-shua Ha Mashiach, begone from here!” In reply, the creature bellows with enough volume to shake the building, “No! No! No! No! No!” One last frantic clawing leaves the drivers face covered in blood.

Only one arm remains clawing at anything to keep from drowning.

The head resurfaces.

Pan out into the hallway. More loud screams, crashes and grunts echo through the halls. Then it stops abruptly. Light explodes around the door frame as a shudder rips through the battered, blackened building.

Pan out of the school. The driver walks to his car opens the door and gets in. In the interior light of

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 10, 2006 the same night

the car he looks down at his shirt where the blood from his torn face is dripping down onto dirty little hand and face prints. He looks closer in disbelief at the little prints. He pulls the door closed and we hear soft sobbing.

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ” - Romans 15:1

A

radio plays “Give Blood” by Pete Townshend at a massive modern neon, digital gym. Shiny machines and big screen TVs everywhere. The place is deserted but there is a faint light in the back. Sounds of fighting can be heard. Towards the back of the gym is a walled-in area with windows. The lights are on but the blinds are down. In this area we find a back to basics boxing gym. The walls are pretty bare except for a handful of posters showing past and present champions.

There are no electronics or neon in here.

Everything can be summed up rather quickly: heavybags,

speedbags, jumpropes, mats, pads, dumbbells, one universal weight set, headgear, gloves and a wellused boxing ring. There are two men fighting in the ring and one man circling the ring and yelling.

15

The trainer yells out’ “Jab! Jab! What the hell are you waiting for? Throw some jabs! C’mon!”

A tall, black middleweight soaked in sweat is pummeling a much larger and muscular Mexican fighter. It is the 17th round of sparring for 21-0 middleweight contender Ray Marvyn (former Army champion and two times Golden Gloves champion) facing sparring partner number five for today. Emmanuel Rodriguez struggles through his fifth round.

The trainer calls out, “Time!”

The Mexican fighter hops out of the ring and goes to the trainer while Ray continues to shadow box at a dizzying pace. The trainer takes the fighters head in his hands, looking him over, yelling at him at the same time, “You’re moving in slow motion! What the hell are you waiting for? I want to see more activity from you! I want to see more jabs! Jab! Jab! Jab! It was as if you were waiting for him before getting your punches off!

You can't do that! I gotta see more jabs!” The fighter seems more concerned about the trickle of blood from his nose.

The vampire glides toward the ring, “Is this gym open to all fighters?” The trainer answers, without even looking, “We’re closing up here. Come back tomorrow.” The vampire won’t take no for an answer, “But I really want to fight.”

The trainer is now looking at the man, sizing him up at the same time.

What he sees looks more like a movie star in a stylish gray suit, “No, you really don’t. You seem confident - I’ll see what you’ve got tomorrow.” Ray looks concerned and starts taking off his gloves.

“Nope. I believe I have found what I’m looking for. Here, tonight. Right now,” the vampire says as he steps up to the trainer. The trainer and the fighter are now face to face.

“Look fella, I don’t want any trouble here.” The vampire answers, “Hate to be the bearer of bad news but a whole lifetimes worth of trouble just walked into your open front door and is about to explode onto your scene, daddy-o.”

The trainer shakes his head, “Look, I’ve been patient with you long ...”

The vampire cuts him off, “Is that a crucifix you’re wearing?” The trainer looks down just in time to see the vampire

grab his necklace and rip it off, “Hey!” The vampire looks it over, “Do you really believe?” The trainer can’t believe this is happening, “What the hell are you talking about?”

The vampire is starting to get annoyed, “Quite simply, do you believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God? That his blood gives everyone eternal life?”

The trainer has lost all patience at this point, “I don’t have time for this shit! Give me my necklace and get the hell out of my gym!” He reaches for it.

The vampire crushes the cross and tosses it aside, “I thought as much.” He then slaps the trainer, knocking the old man out instantly. The Mexican fighter steps forward as Ray struggles to get his second glove off, “Be careful Pancho, I have a bad feeling about this guy.”

The vampire smiles, “Good advice.

Your friend has great instincts.” The large man steps forward, “Why don’t you try slapping me?” The vampire smiles even broader now, “So macho. Have you got the guts to face me, big fella?”

A different song begins on the radio, “The Fight Song” by Marilyn Manson. Pancho walks slowly to his left facing the smaller man, moving in closer, little by little. He is just about 16

within reach. In a blur, the vampire backhands the big fighter knocking him back a couple of stumbling steps. Blood now flows from his mouth and nose. The vampire inquires, “Was that what you wanted?”

Pancho growls and lunges for the vampire. The vampire drops down and produces large claws and guts the big man in mid-flight. Pancho crashes to the ground clumsily. He starts crawling around in a daze, then he tries grabbing desperately at his steaming entrails trying to get them back where they belong.

The vampire, giggling, “I guess you do have the guts after all.”

Ray leaps out of the ring gloveless.

He still has his black wraps on his left hand but he ignores that and races to help his rapidly dying friend. The vampire kneels next to the fallen man sitting in a growing puddle of his own blood. The vampire dips a finger into the puddle and drinks the blood, “Mmmm, yummy. Tastes like O+.”

The vampire laughs then tears Pancho’s throat out. The vampire then leaps to his feet to face Ray. Ray stops, facing the creature, “You came for a fight right?”

The vampire almost swoons with delight, eyes sparkling, “Yessssssssssssssssss.” Ray snaps back, “I’m warmed up.” The vampire smiles and stretches, licking his

fangs, “C’mon boy, the smell and taste of blood has me on fire.”

Ray moves in throwing quick jabs (each one easily blocked), fakes a combination and then delivers a crossover kick to the vampires knee. There is a loud CRACK! as the vampire stumbles back.

Ray reacts with lightning speed landing a thunderous right cross to the vampire’s mouth. Blood sprays and a long fang skitters across the gym floor. There is no hesitation as Ray moves in attacking the body. The vampire slips back and punches Ray square in the nose shattering it and knocking Ray on his ass.

Ray shakes it off and leaps to his feet.

The vampire starts, “Well done, you’re...” Ray goes after him again, punching and kicking at a furious pace.

The vampire blocks everything and then punches Ray in the chest. Ray finds himself on his ass again and struggling to catch his breath.

The vampire says, “Want to see a neat trick?” Ray gives him the finger and starts to get up never taking his eyes off the creature. The vampire is visibly angered by the gesture. The vampire in an annoyed tone, “You’re going to see it

anyway.”

He shakes out his leg. There are some cracking noises as it straightens itself out, he then does a quick dance step.

He then smiles an enormous grin and points toward his open mouth. Ray watches as a long fang grows in and replaces the broken one and the mashed lips come back together as well. The vampire laughs heartily. Ray is on his feet and slowly, cautiously walks towards the vampire. The vampire mocks him with an impersonation of the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz, “Put em up! Put em up!”

Ray takes a stance. Ray realizes what he must do. He must take whatever punishment is necessary to deliver the big shots and he may survive this encounter yet. The vampire moves in. Ray tries to dodge and evade what he can but the creature is way too fast. The vampire lands another combination then Ray drives a beautiful front kick into the vampires hip. There is a loud POP! Ray goes in for the kill but finds himself crashing to the floor. He scurries back up and goes after the vampire before it can heal itself again. Ray throws barrage after barrage of combinations and kicks.

The vampire grabs his leg and throws Ray across the entire room. Again Ray goes 17

after the vampire immediately. Ray is not fast enough. The vampire has healed itself already. The two begin fighting again but it is really looking bad for Ray now. The vampire is on the attack pummeling Ray at will. Each punch produces a small explosion of sweat, blood, padding and leather from the nearly ruined headgear.

The vampire lands a huge uppercut launching Rays bloody mouthpiece into the shadows of the gym. Ray stumbles back several steps before finally falling.

Ray struggles to get up as the vampire flies into another attack, driving a kick at Ray which the battered fighter manages to block but at the expense of a broken forearm. Ray leaps to his feet to catch a thundering right to his left ear rupturing his ear drum. Ray hears a loud ringing that won’t go away. Everything he can see is blurry and in a red mist. The vampire nails him with another right but despite the pain Ray rolls with it delivering a lightning fast spinning back kick shattering the vampires pelvis. This is the last blow he lands as the vampire (with new claws) slashes at his lower back tearing out a huge chunk of flesh and severing Rays spinal chord. The vampire straightens up with a series of loud splintering cracks as his pelvis restitches itself. Ray crashes to the floor, his head bouncing from the impact. A different song on the radio starts, “Such A Night”

by Elvis Presley. Once healed, the vampire does a quick Elvis impersonation singing a couple verses from the song and does a short dance which ends with a stomping kick on Ray’s head.

The vampire steps on Ray’s chest and raises his hands in victory. He stops when he hears the groan of the trainer. He whirls into a beautiful series of spins which end with him sitting cross-legged next to the groaning man, “Hey kiddo.”

The trainer looks up, “Wha? What happened?” He looks around frantically, “What the hell happened?” The vampire answers, “Did you want to pick up where we left off?” The dazed trainer, “What?

What the hell did you do?”

The vampire patiently repeats, “Did you want to pick up our conversation again?” The trainer looks at him amazed, “Are you kidding me? You’re fucking insane!” The creature returns the amazed look, “I don’t think I’m insane. Maybe bored. Maybe losing my patience with you but I don’t think I’m insane but I won’t rule it out until all the tests are in.

Are you a medical doctor or a therapist? I doubt it, so one more time, did you want to pick up our previous conversation with regards to Jesus of Nazareth? Remember the crucifix?”

The trainer still looking around the room again, “My God. What have you done?” The vampire feigns excitement, “You said, ‘My God.’ Your God. So we’re back on track? Are you teasing me about the conversation? Or are you just disoriented about all that has happened here?” Tony answers, “I need to

call the police!” The vampire is annoyed again, “You’re being very rude.” The trainer looks at him in shock, “What the hell are you talking about you sick, twisted bastard?

The vampire huffs, exasperated, then reaches over and snaps the man’s neck and proceeds to drink his blood before the heart stops beating.

He then rushes over to the fallen Mexican fighter to see if there is any life left in him. Unfortunately for big man there is. The mangled gold cross is the last thing he sees.

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 11, 2006 The Neon Gym

“And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. ” - Genesis 4:10

I

t is a bright, sunny day with a gentle breeze.

Early morning. Police officers investigating a crime scene at the gym discussing the recent string of grizzly murders happening in their area.

They feel fairly lost and confused and under a great deal of pressure from the public. Rocky Kowalski and Linda Grant were very popular and now the local celebrity, boxer Ray Marvyn is found beaten to death with others.

officers, duck under the crime scene tape and enter the gym.

There are a lot of police in here but it isn’t crowded. They take everything in, not missing any details. There is a lot of activity in the back. There are a lot of flashes coming from the back room. They pass several officers on the way there with no greeting just occasional nods. They enter the small room.

Detective Quinn presses the record button on the small recording device in his inside breast pocket and he is already donning rubber gloves and removes a baggie from his pocket. The room looks larger than one would expect. It is a mess. There is a lot of blood. A beefy, red-faced and very intense looking uniformed officer greets them just inside the door.

Outside of the modern-looking facility, a brown Crown Victoria slowly pulls up to the gym which is surrounded on all sides by a great mob of people and vehicles (police cars, trucks and vans, news vans). The bulk of the crowd is trying to get a glimpse of anything that they can. The police have things well under control, no one will pass unless the police let them. Two men in suits step out of the Crown Victoria. Despite, the nice suits they both still look like cops. The driver, who is a stocky, broad-shouldered, Italian-looking man with a moustache goes across to the passenger side and looks to a tall, slender, younger man with a short blond buzz-cut carrying a large black bag. Detectives Albano and Quinn are still on the case.

Mike sniffs the air quickly and looks to Dan, “The air smells like copper. Lots of blood. Breathe through your mouth Dan.” “I’m with you Mike, thanks.” Mike looks to the uniformed officer, “How bad is it, Gene?” “It is a lot worse than the bar. To tell you the truth, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. It’s like something out of some kinda friggin’ horror movie.” Mike looks past him and nods again, “Great.”

He looks back to the officer, “Please call the lab and tell them we need every forensics tool available to us here right away.” He pauses, “This is the only crime scene this morning, right?” The officer nods and answers, “Yes, sir.”

“I guess this is the place,” Mike states plainly. “You always say that, Mike. You gotta come up with something new.”

Mike stops and pretends to be in deep thought, “How about, hmm... Blow me, assface?” The younger detective laughs, “Ahhh, much better. You shouldn’t be afraid to embrace change.”

Mike asks again, “Is everything as you found it?”

“Everything is just as I found it. Nothing’s been touched. The whole crew is here. The only thing anyone has done is take pictures and fill out a shitload of paperwork.” Mike looks around the area again, “Did the count change?” “Nope.

Three dead just as I told you. Three men, one caucasian, one hispanic and one African-American. A nice little United Nations of death.” Detective Quinn chimes in finally after he spotted something, “Did anyone check that?” He points to a very small spatter of blood on the wall by a dark corner and pro-

They wind their way through the crowd hooking their badges on their breast pockets. They approach the nearest uniformed officer. He greets them politely, “Hey Mike, Hey Dan.” Detective Albano (nodding), “Tom.” Dan asks, “Pretty bad in there, eh, Tom?” Detective Albano shakes his head and huffs while giving his partner a dirty look. The officer just nods and lets them through. They stride purposefully through the crowd of police

18

ceeds to walk over. He’s got his partners attention, “What is it, Dan?” Gene looks confused, “No one noticed that yet.”

They head over as a group. Detective Quinn puts down the black case, opens it, looks down below the spatter behind a stack of black exercise pads. He starts to move the pads and Detective Albano helps him. He gets down on all fours to get a closer look at it before picking it up. He takes out a small plastic stand with a number on it from the case and places it over where the tooth was.

The detective says, “Some one took a hit. Get a load of this, Mike.” “What is it, Dan?” “We have one bloody fang from a dog or some kind of decent sized animal” His angry-looking partner now looks worried, “Or maybe our vampire lost a tooth.”

telling you, this kid was going to be the champ and he was going to be on top for quite some time as well.”

Detective Quinn marks a number on the baggy and drops the tooth into the baggy as they slowly walk over to the small group nearest them, “The tooth fairy ain’t getting this one.” The police officer, “Nobody reported any screams or anything. This one went unnoticed until this morning when they came to open the gym and found it open all ready. The owner was ready to rip into the boxing trainer because he is responsible for closing up but then he found this. As far as we can tell they have been dead for a little over 8 hours.”

Mike is still annoyed as usual, “Well, that’s all great Doc but can I do my job and you do yours. I see an average-sized middle-aged male with blood on his broken neck and a bruise.

There are no drag marks. His head is facing north and his feet are pointing south. He is laying approximately four feet from the north wall. The window is intact. What do you have for me?”

The doctor smiles and nods, “All right. This is dead body number three for today. His name is Tony Nicoluccio, 56 years old, 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 150 pounds, former professional fighter, as of last night, boxing trainer and employee of the gym.

He has a broken neck, a bad bruise on his cheek, a missing tongue and no blood to be found.”

Mike asks, “What time did you confirm the deaths?” The officer answers, “I only got here about an hour ago. I checked the vitals of the trainer but the other two are pretty much torn to pieces so I didn’t touch them. Our current guess is that they were killed between 9 and 10 P.M. last night.” Mike, “Please let the owner know that I’ll need to go over all of their personal property as well.” “Yes, sir,” the officer answers and walks off in another direction.

Mike now looking perplexed and impressed, “How do you know the name, stats and employment stuff? The doctor points to the back corner, “There is a list of who is here and when they train, etc. on the door to the trainers office. It not only lists the day, date and times but their names, ages, heights and weights. I guess this helped the trainer to try to match up who was here as best he could. I also took a quick glance on the trainers desk, the boxing cards and driver’s licenses of the fighters are laying on his desk as well. I’m also a fan of Ray’s so I stopped in from time to time and I knew everyone, well, I knew Ray and Tony pretty well.

Don’t worry, I didn’t touch or move anything.”

Mike and Dan move through the other officers and come to a well-built silver-haired, dark-skinned man squatting next to a large, professional camera, a digital camera and a Polaroid camera and on his other side there is a good-sized medical bag. He is wearing a suit with a lab coat that was obviously rolled up into the bag and a medical mask. The name on the lab coat says Dr. Kumush Ahkil.

“

Dan beats Mike to the next question “That would tell you about the fighters but how do you know the height and weight of the trainer?” “His stats are in there as well. I guess, for whatever reason, he keeps himself on as a fighter of amateur status. Maybe this allows him to get more involved with the fighters and events, I don’t know. There are some posters and pictures of him on the wall from when he was a pro and his stats are on there as well and according to those he has only gained about eight pounds in the last thirty years. Not bad, huh? He must have kept himself in great shape as well. Plus, I’ve been doing this a long time. I can tell someone’s height and weight just from a glance. I can tell that you are 6 feet 3 inches tall and weigh around 185 pounds and Mike is 5 feet 10 inches and around 185 pounds as well. You two could be in the ring together according to your weights. I gotta give Dan the advantage of reach and age but pure meaness and nastiness would have to go to Mike.” Mike, “Thanks. That’s the impression I give, mean and nasty? No, never mind, forget that crap. What about the others?”

We have a busted up place, dead bodies completely drained of blood like they want us to believe Dracula did it.

”

Detective Quinn is the first to greet the man, “What’s up Kumush?” The doctor looks up and smiles, “Hey Danny.” Mike steps up, “What’s up Doc?” “Never heard that one before, Mike,” the doctor shakes his head. “Believe it or not, that wasn’t meant as a joke.” Detective Quinn and Dr. Ahkil (in stereo) “Good thing.” They look to each other and laugh.

Mike is annoyed now, “All right you homos, can we get serious now for a minute. Have you had a chance to check out all of the bodies yet?” “You don’t have to be a detective to figure out that these were done by the same guys who did those people at the Field of Dreams. We have a busted up place, dead bodies completely drained of blood like they want us to believe Dracula did it. I believe it has to be more than one person because if this is the work of one man then he has to be one incredibly powerful human being and the toughest son of a bitch to walk this planet as far as I know. I’ve seen Ray fight and I’m

Detective Albano and the doctor walk over to the others.

Detective Quinn squats next to the trainer and looks around a few more seconds before catching up to them. Mike is the first 19

“I’m fine but this young man was brutally beaten. He was beaten worse than any man I have ever seen. The size of that tooth seems appropriate for the puncture wounds on the necks but don’t ask me what to make of that.”

Mike, “It does look far worse than Rocky at the bar. Probably because he lasted longer due to his health, age and the damn headgear.” Dr. Ahkil, “His skull is fractured from the impact of a foot stomping his face in, but before that his spinal chord was severed by what looks like claws. Before that, his skull was all ready fractured, he had a broken jaw, his cheekbones and eye sockets were cracked, most of his teeth were knocked out and mostly swallowed except for those four on the floor. His eardrums were ruptured and his right forearm is badly broken as well as several of his knuckles.”

to speak, “I see a very large hispanic male torn apart and laying in a pool of blood. Again, no drag marks. His head is facing west and his feet are pointing east. He is laying approximately forty feet from the west wall about fifteen feet from the ring.” Dr. Ahkil (following Mike’s lead), “This is dead body number two.

This large fellow is Emmanuel Rodriquez. He is 22 years old, 6 feet, 4 inches tall and about 250 pounds. A professional fighter who had his throat torn out and was gutted. Some of his blood was drained from his torn neck but most of it is actually all over the floor as you can see. He was allowed to suffer for a while before being relieved of his life. His tongue is missing as well.”

The doctor’s beeper goes off. He turns to the detectives. Dr. Ahkil (pointing near the opposite wall), “O.K., one more quick thing I want to tell you guys. After killing these men he must have had some energy left because he then went and punched his fist repeatedly through the material of that 100 lb. canvas heavy bag a few times and hit a leather speed bag over there so hard (pointing to the adjoining wall) he knocked it off the overhead rebound board and into pieces, the remains of the torn poly-liner and the leather skin panels are all over those dumbbells by the mirror and the broken ring is still on the overhead board. Please get this guy because I don’t like knowing that something like this monster is loose in my neighborhood. It is like swimming in the deep ocean and seeing massive shadows moving around below you, you know what I mean? (the detectives nod) I gotta go, did you gentlemen need me for anything else?”

Mike, “So, this maniac, after realizing this man was dying still felt the need to drain the remainder of his blood?” Dan, (Squatting and looking closely at the dead fighters thick neck), “Those little holes in the jugular over here, is that where the draining occurred?” The doctor answers, “Yes, exactly.

Surprising anyone would go near that, huh?” He walks over to the next body.

Mike, “No, that’s fine. We’ll catch up with you later either in the morgue or at your office, we’ll find you when you’ve had more time with the bodies and your photos. Don’t forget photos for us, blown up times ten.” Dr. Ahkil, “I know the drill. No problem at all. I all ready have two sets for you from the Polaroid and I’ll burn two CD’s for you from the digital camera first chance I get.” Dan, “Catch you later, Kumush.” “Catch you later, Danny. Good luck with this mess. I hope you guys get this monster quick because he scares the hell out of me,” he grabs his bag, stuffs the cameras in with his mask but keeps the coat on as he hurries off, flipping open his cell phone.

Mike starts off, “I see a muscular African-American male who appears to have been beaten to death. No drag marks. His head is also facing west and his feet are pointing east. He is laying approximately thirty feet from the west wall about five feet from the ring.” Dr. Ahkil (disappointed but professional), “This is our celebrity and dead body number one. The former contender. Up and coming prospect Ray Marvyn. He is 24 years old, 6 feet tall, about 160 pounds and this incredible fighter who was in peak condition was beaten to death and then his blood was drained and his tongue torn out. It also looks as if he put up a hell of a fight before he went.” Dan (Squatting and looking closely at the dead fighter) “I’ll bet. Is that the remains of headgear?” Dr. Ahkil (nodding) “Yes it is. He was beaten to death while wearing protective headgear. I’ve never seen or heard of anything like that.” Dan continues, “That was his mouthpiece and some of his teeth over there.” Dr. Ahkil, “Right.”

“

Do you believe in vampires, Mike?

”

Mike yells out to the other cops, “All right! I need you guys to clear this room out for a few minutes please! Dan and I want to check a few things out so please cooperate. Thank you for all your hard work and we will let you back in, in just a few minutes. Thanks again.” The other officers file out, seemingly having no problem with having to leave. For the most part they all seem to be in shock at what has happened and what they’ve seen.

Dan pulls the baggie from his jacket pocket, “Do you think Ray knocked this out of an attack dog or some rabid animal?”

The doctor asks, “Where did you get that?” Dan gestures away, “Behind some pads over there.” The doctor grabs the bag and studies it through the plastic, “I’m no dentist but except for being long and coming to a point I would say this is a human upper canine.” Mike scrunches his face in combined wonder and annoyance, “Humans have canine teeth?” Dan answers, “Yup. Four of them. What do you think Doc?” The doctor looks confused as well now, “I don’t know what to think.” He steps away for a second, looks up, takes a deep breath. Mike and Dan look at each other and shrug their shoulders. The doctor shakes his head and starts rubbing his weary eyes. Dan asks, “Doc? Are you OK?”

Mike starts in, “OK. The doc is getting weird. First he says a couple of guys did this but before he leaves he tells us to get this guy because he’s scared. What gives? Do you think he believes it is a vampire?” He looks around and changes his tone, “It looks like we’ll have plenty of fingerprints, just like the guy from the bar or the same as the guy from the bar.” Dan, “You mean the fingerprints of only one man. A man who is supposedly not in any data banks?” Mike, “Do you think we’re missing something? How can 20

one man do this? And to top that, what the hell do we do if we catch this guy? If he’s capable of this, I don’t think we’re going to have a chance even with our pistoles, capeesh?”

pal. I’ll start with the trainer’s office over there and work my way over to the other side where you found that, uhm, that tooth and when you’re done over here, you pick up from the trainer’s office behind me.”

Dan, “I gotta agree with you partner. I gotta agree with the doc too because it really does seem as if this was done by a vampire, just like in the movies. Do you believe in vampires, Mike?”

Mike rolls his eyes, “No, Danny, I don’t.” “I do, Mike. I do now.”

Mike throws his hands out and steps around in a small circle, “Jesus, Danny! I’m gonna pretend I never heard that. Keep it together Danny, because I need you. You are a phenomenal detective. I’m at a loss here and I need all the help I can get and I trust you and your instincts.”

Dan looks over to Mike, “Somehow, someway, I don’t think this guy cares if we catch him or not. I don’t think this is a coverup. I don’t think that this is more than one guy either. I think this is some psycho hopped up on crack and steroids who thinks he is a vampire, otherwise, it is a vampire and either way, we are going to find him. We just have to be ready at night because that’s his M.O. so far.” Mike smiles, “I hope we catch this mother fucker quick.” Dan, “I know how you feel, bro.”

Dan, “I tell you what. I need you more than you know, my friend. My mind is reeling. If we catch this sick freak, I guarantee you that I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side other than you.

I’m scared shitless here, Mike. Let’s check, recheck and triple check this place before we let them back in.” Mike, “You got it,

Mike heads into the trainer’s office donning rubber gloves.

He is looking everywhere. Dan remains squatted by the body of Ray Marvyn. He leans in closer. If there are clues he will find them.

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens.

He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.”

- James 1:17

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 11, 2006 at the Island Observer, later in the day

M

uzak plays quietly in the background as we see Edward and Katherine sitting in their work cubicle, their seats are next to each other but they’re facing opposite corners working on their computers.

You had welts on your face this morning, maybe even cuts but now they’re gone. Another Ed mystery that may never be solved but I’m gonna try. You obviously don’t want to talk about it and for some reason, I bet you did have a dog named Brandy but I bet you don’t have pictures do you?”

Katherine turns to Edward, showing him a piece of paper, “Hey Ed, do you remember this ad, did you work on this?”

Edward recognizes it, “Yeah, I did that one. It’s in client’s ads.

I didn’t PDF it yet because I don’t know if it’s approved. If it’s been approved I’ll PDF it for you.” She smiles, “That’s O.K., I can do it. I wish we had better communication around here.

What do you think about that Ed? Didn’t you have some kind of welts on your face when you came in today? It looked as if some dog clawed you or something, have you ever even owned a dog?”

Edward has a huge grin on his face, “You’re an amazing woman.

You’re incredible at picking up on things. You should have been a detective or something. You’re wasting your talent here. You’re totally right. There were marks on my face this morning that I don’t wish to talk about, but, at the same time, I don’t want to be rude. I do enjoy talking to you very much so don’t take anything the wrong way. Oh, and unfortunately, they didn’t have, I mean, I didn’t own a camera when I had that dog. He was a great dog and I think about him often. He even saved my life once by...” Glenn storms into the production pit and yells out (just outside Edward’s ear), “Truck’s Here!”

Edward leans back in his chair, “Wow. You are full of questions. Where do I start? Just kidding. I might have had some sleep wrinkles on my face this morning or maybe even some razor burns from shaving, I’m sure that’s all it was. I’ve had pets off and on in my life. I had an Irish Setter once named Brandy who was a great dog. He was beautiful and very loyal.”

Edward, shaking his head, chuckling to himself, “My ears work fine Glenn you didn’t have to yell.” Katherine laughs too. Glenn grumbles to himself and walks over to the editorial department where he yells to them about the delivery truck with this week’s publications. Most of the men head to the front of the building to unload the truck. They make an assembly line with which to pass the bundles from one to another to make the work easier and faster. Edward goes directly to the back of the truck itself because it is the hardest part since it involves a lot of bending and lifting. He enjoys the work. Glenn, if he even shows up, goes to the furthest end of the line.

Katherine smirking, “You lied to me. I can tell when you lie because you’re very bad at it. I believe you about the dog though. I bet he was a good dog, do you have any pictures of him?” Edward is slightly taken aback, “How can you tell when I lie? Maybe you’re wrong about my lying?”

Katherine laughs, “Ha! Me wrong? That’s a good one. Well, it’s like this. I can’t explain it but I feel a very strong connection to you. I think I know you better than anyone has in a long time.

Some of the others grumble. Several minutes into the work, as they get about halfway through the second pallet. Katherine excuses herself getting passed the line of men to get to where

21

Edward is. He calls out (announcing the location of that bundles distribution site), “Stony Brook!”

direct supervisor, the editor and the publisher are over in the line and they seem to be clapping and cheering so I guess we’re off the hook this time.” He looks at the bundle in his hands, “Hofstra!” He passes another bundle.

Everyone in the line repeats it as they pass the bundle to each other. Katherine finally gets to where Edward is and stands next to him. He smiles to her, grabs another bundle and passes it.

Edward (looking to Katherine now), “I’ll talk to you more later, get outta here before I change my mind about the lunch. Stony Brook!” He passes another bundle. She’s beaming, “You mean our date for Monday?” He quickly answers, “Lunch!” She twirls and strolls away. He passes another bundle.

Some of the men yell out, what bundle is it? He is flustered and still red, “I’m sorry I didn’t look.” They all resume the taunting and teasing as the truck gets unloaded. Katherine skips back inside smiling from ear to ear. Joe Franks, who is the maintenance guy, is helping in the line and decides that today is the day for Edward to be humiliated a little more. He feels very strong today and has been working out very hard over the last six weeks, waiting for this day to come. Once the papers are all put away he moves closer to Edward before everyone leaves.

He calls out again, “Stony Brook until further notice!” Katherine says, “I want to take you to lunch next Monday.” He passes another bundle, “You couldn’t ask me this in the production pit?” He passes another bundle, “We sit right next to each other.” He passes another bundle. She answers, “You would just say, no.” He passes another bundle, “So you think asking me here will make a difference?” He passes another bundle, “Hofstra!

Hofstra until further notice.” He passes another bundle. She looks around, “I figure everyone will help me out.” He passes another bundle. He looks scared now, “What? Wait. Oh no, Kathy, don’t do this...” He passes another bundle.

Katherine turns to the line ignoring Ed’s pleas, “Hey guys, I want to go to lunch with Ed on Monday. What do you think he should say?” They start yelling for him to go with her. Some call him names. Some wondering what he is thinking? What is the big deal about a lunch? She’s gorgeous, say yes, etc., etc...

Joe yells to the guys, “Today is the day, everyone!” There are mixed reactions because some people have no idea what he is talking about but some guys react excitedly right away.

Edward rolls his eyes. “You don’t think I’ve been through enough today?” Joe replies, “You’re tough enough. You can handle it. You’ve been making me look bad for years but today is the day, Eddie, my boy!” Joe flexes his large biceps. Ed just smiles.

Joe is about three inches taller and weighs about 60 pounds more. He is very muscular especially his upper body.

Edward tries to ignore them, “Stony Brook!” He passes another bundle. The other guys are still yelling to him. Even the truck driver is now chiming in making comments. Edward strains to ignore them all. “Nassau Community!” He passes another bundle.

Edward asks, “Which are we doing first?” Joe excitedly answers, “Pushups, baby!” Edward now asks, “Right here?” Joe shaking his arms out, “Yeah, let’s go.” The two men drop down on the sidewalk. They are facing each other. They wait. Glenn is actually smiling as he approaches the men, “Ready?” They both nod, eyes locked on each other. Glenn yells out, “Go!”

Katherine with a tremendous grin on her face, “Well, what do you say? Will you go to lunch with me? Please?” He feels sweat run down his back and his knees are trembling as he passes another bundle, “Hofstra!” He passes another bundle. Still more taunting but he ignores it. He finally acknowledges her again, “I don’t know. Why me?” He calls out louder, “Hofstra!” He passes another bundle. She calmly answers, “Because I want to take you to lunch. I’m taking you Monday whether you say yes or not!”

He shakes his head and calls out, “Stony Brook!” He passes another bundle. He adds in a frustrated tone, “Well, what choice do I have now? I’ll go with you.” He again calls out louder, “Dowling!” He passes another bundle.

They begin the pushup contest. The remaining men count loudly including most of the management. Some of the women show up, including Katherine. She has a huge grin. She knows Ed will win again, he always does. A long time passes before Joe starts to slow down. The count is at 88 as Joe starts to slow down and tremble. Ed stays with him but isn’t trembling. A few more pushups and Joe breaks out in a heavy sweat.

Ed isn’t sweating yet. Even more pushups and now Joe is starting to lose control of his breathing. He starts to hold his breath on the push up and exhales loudly as he drops down. A large vein now bulges out across his forehead. He is trembling a lot now but not letting up. A small trickle of sweat runs down now from Edwards temple. Edward has now taken on a more clunky robotic style to his formally fluid pushups and a slight tremble starts in his shoulders but Joe is just about gone. His whole body is red with his face fast becoming a mask of deep purple. Some spit is spraying from his lips as he forcibly exhales. Small pin pricks of blood are

Edward looks to the line, “Did you all hear that, I’m going to lunch with her on Monday!

Dowling!” He passes another bundle. The other guys and the truck driver start clapping. He turns red despite his own efforts not to. He looks to Katherine, “Why are you still here?” He calls out louder, “Suffolk Community!” He passes another bundle.

Katherine looks at him intently, “For this.” She grabs him in between bundles and kisses him full on the lips. Edward with a beat red face, “You’re going to get us both in trouble.” Everyone is clapping loudly and cheering now. Katherine smiling, “Your 22

breaking out across his forehead as Edward finally starts to get red in the face as they both are now passed one hundred pushups each. The quality of Joe’s pushups is starting to decrease rapidly. After 110, he is now sticking his butt in the air as pain dances across his lower back and his feet are starting to slowly shift apart. After 120, he is no longer fully extending on the upswing or touching the ground with his chest but Ed doesn’t say anything. Ed is starting to struggle now but his form is clean. Joe slowly makes it to 129 before collapsing to the ground. Edward remains steadfast until number 131 and then collapses across from Joe. Cheers ring out.

Glenn looks disappointed. He wanted to see Ed lose.

Edward gets to his feet, “Whew! You really pushed me far this time! Man, that was amazing! You beat your old record by 11. That’s great!” Joe waves him off, “I don’t want to hear it! I thought I had you!

Just give me a couple of minutes and then the chin ups, O.K.?” Edward smiles, “If you insist. That was great though. 129 is a lot! You should be proud! Very few men could pull that off!” Joe barks, “I’ll be proud when I beat your dried up old ass!”

“

Let’s do this, Tarzan!

Before those muscles of yours break through the skin.

”

They both get up and dust themselves off. If Joe looked big and muscular before, he looks twice as monstrous now because he is totally pumped up.

Everyone enjoys these competitions. The two men cross the parking lot to the chin up bar station on the east side of the parking lot. Joe is smiling now, “Wait until you see what I can do with these now. I learned a new trick called kipping. You don’t stand a chance! Navy Seals use that technique! They also use it in the Army and in the Marines! He-he! You’re going down, Pops!” Edward, still in a calm tone, “Don’t you want to keep your strategy a secret from me and possibly save your breath for the contest?” Joe snaps back, “There’s not going to be any contest this time, Pops! Are you looking at these? Do you see these massive guns?”

He flexes again going into several different poses, looking even more imposing and tremendous. He even kisses each one of his biceps. Edward interrupts him,

“Let’s do this, Tarzan! Before those muscles of yours break through the skin.” Joe laughs at that.

They both jump up and grab the bar.

They look to each other and just begin.

Joe is rocketing up and down at a great speed. He surpasses Edward on the speed but Edward is going slow and steady showing very clean form. Joe flies through to the count of 20 before he starts to slow down. As Joe pulls himself up for 21, Edward smoothly pulls himself up for number 16. The crowd starts discussing how impressive it is that these men can be in such great shape and where will these contests lead because the amounts these two do all ready is incredible. Joe is slowing down and losing his kip. After 31 he is now muscling his way through the chin ups and struggling. Edward is finally starting to make up lost ground as he smoothly completes number 28. Joe has slowed down a lot now as he painfully muscles through number 35 and a fresh river of sweat engulfs his upper body. Edward’s face is glistening as well as signs of struggle start to show as he clears his chin for his 33rd. Edward catches up to Joe as he kicks his legs out and pops his chin over the bar for number 36. Edward takes the lead with numbers 37 and 38. Joe is trying so hard. He is jerking himself little by little, his legs bicycling in the air. We can hear Edward breathing hard now as he finishes 39. Several seconds go by before Joe agonizingly gets his chin over the bar for number 37. Edward cleanly finishes number 40 looks over at Joe and drops from his side of the bar.

Edward, barely breathing heavy, “Now's your chance, Joe! Do it! Just three more chin ups!” The crowd moves in closer, cheering Joe on loudly. A small lifetime passes before Joe jerkily makes number 38. One long, painful minute passes before Joe gets eye level with the bar again. He is inhaling and exhaling

23

powerfully. His entire body is shaking violently from the exertion and rocking and twisting from his furiously pinwheeling legs. Another minute passes before he goes from eye level on the bar to miraculously getting his chin over. He holds tight to the bar as his body drops down. He takes several long, deep breaths. His massive chest filling up and emptying. He does everything he can to spread his shoulders out and inhale even deeper. He says a quick prayer in his head.

Edward tells him, “Just one more and you’ll be my hero.” The people from the office explode into cheers for the powerful young man. Edward spurs them on even more. Joe looks out into the horizon and up at the bar several times. Breathing deeply and summoning up every possible bit of strength he has left. He yells out loudly and starts to raise up toward the bar. He gets to about the halfway point before he starts to shake and tremble again. Edward smiles. He knows this is a good sign. The boy got off to a great start and at this stage that is extremely critical.

Joe grunts and groans loudly, twisting and shaking. He gets a little higher each time.

He kicks out with his legs over and over.

This time he is actually going up lopsided.

His left arm seems to be working better than the right. He’s almost there. Edward is jumping and screaming now and so is most of the office. His nose goes over the bar. More spit sprays from his clenched teeth. Blood trickles from one nostril and some blood dribbles down his chin as he unknowingly bites down on his own lower lip. He realizes none of this as he stares off into the clear, blue sky. In his mind, he screams to God for just one more chin up.

Unknown to anyone beside himself and God, so does Edward. Time slowly ticks by as his chin slowly grinds up and over the bar again. Despite the struggle and strain he manages a huge smile and opens his clenched eyes to the sky. The cheers from the small group become almost deafening. Everyone is happy for him. Joe lets go and drops. His legs go out as they crash to the ground but Edward catches him and lowers him to the ground gently.

Edward yells to him, “You did it!” Joe smiles. Joe, still shaking, breathing heavily and looking at his hands which are still locked into painful claws, “Oh yeah, piece of cake.” Edward helps Joe to his feet and raises his arm in victory. Edward turns to Joe. More loud cheers form the office people.

Edward asks, “Did you want to save the running for tomorrow?” Joe waves off that idea, “Nah, No way, just give me a little water and a couple of minutes. Today is the day!” Edward smiles again, “All right. This very well could be your day. I won one and you tied me on the second.

If you beat me on the run it will be an overall tie!” Joe, “Oh man! That would be something! I’m going to try, but just matching you on one event is a huge accomplishment for me! I’m definitely going for it though! It would be great to actually beat you once!”

Edward leans in towards the young mountain, “I’m not going to make it easy on you.” Joe in a very serious tone, “I don’t want you to or expect you to.” Joe is recovering fast, He is almost completely back to normal now. Someone hands him a cup of water. He drinks down two small sips, takes a big swig to rinse out his mouth but doesn’t drink it, he spits it out, off to the side.

He wipes the blood, sweat, tears and water from his face and starts to breathe deeply again, bouncing up and down on his toes then jumping higher bringing his knees up to his enormous chest.

Joe, exhaling loudly one more time, “This is it old man! It’s about time! This feels good! No matter what, you didn’t shut me out again! I’ll always have the chin ups! Whew!” They both walk over to the middle of the parking lot. Joe turns to the crowd and flexes again. The office goes nuts. This is the most exciting competition yet! The two men take their positions.

Glenn edges closer. Glenn calls out, “On your mark! Get set! Gooooo!”

“

I’m not going to make it easy on you.

”

Edward and Joe break into a wild explosive sprint. They both pump their arms and legs furiously as they round the corner of the building. The crowd turns and faces the opposite end of the building. It is a quarter of a mile around the building. The seconds slowly tick by as they anxiously await the runners to come back. Who will be first? Ed has always smoked Joe pretty badly on all events but today Joe seems like a man possessed. A full minute goes by before Ed and Joe explode into view both racing passed the large sign on the front lawn. They are neck and neck as they fly back onto the parking lot.

Katherine screams out, “C’mon Old

Man!” Glenn moves out to the center of the parking lot and raises his arms. Ed and Joe race toward the smiling man at breakneck speed. They both seem to get to Glenn at the same time blasting through his outstretched arms but Edward did win by a fraction of a second and Glenn did pick up on it but still calls it a draw. Edward smiles an enormous grin as Joe yells out in triumph!

Joe is ecstatic, “I did it! I did it! I did it!

I tied you! (looking to Edward) I tied the incredible Ed Othniel at two events! Two events! Two events in one day! (now looking to the office people) This is a new era, everyone! It’s my time! You hear me, Ed, my time is coming! WHEW! Yeah!”

Edward walks forward and comes face to face with Joe and puts out his hand, “Great job, kid!” Joe grabs his hand and pulls him in to a massive bear hug. Edward hears his back crack several times but there is no pain. Edward hugs him back.

Joe feels the tingle of electricity that everyone talks about when Ed touches them. It is usually attributed to the carpeting but they are in a parking lot. Joe ignores it. He also doesn’t realize how the throbbing pain of his no longer bleeding lower lip and his muscle aches just disappeared as well. It is a historic day at The Island Observer. Joe finally let’s go of Ed and they start talking as the crowd starts to trickle back into the building. They seem almost as exhausted as the competitors.

Joe, “I downloaded Sylvester Stallone's workout from the internet and have been doing that for the past six weeks preparing for you. I’ve only been eating really 24

healthy stuff. A lot of chicken and fish. I’ve also been working out my mind, giving a lot of thought to what you always say about the illusion of our self-imposed limitations and how they can make us prisoners from our incredible potential to fulfill our parts of God’s plan.” Ed is impressed, “Show me what you retained from our conversation.”

Joe answers, “I think I retained it all. It’s all God. It’s God in our hearts and mind.

And it is our hearts and minds over matter.

We are more than our DNA. God created us all perfect. We are in His image. We just need to believe in ourselves. According to science: Our entire body pretty much recycles itself every few years, the human heart should last 120 years even if we don’t take care of it; human bones are 8 times harder than reinforced concrete; we only use 10% of our actual physical strength and we should be able to hold our breath for over 2 minutes. Supposedly we only use 10% of our minds as well, which is an idea shared by such people as Albert Einstein, Margaret Mead, William James and Sigmund Freud. Every time there is a limitation put on humans we find a way to break that barrier. We have humans living over 122 years of age. We have runners finishing the mile anywhere between 3 minutes, 22 seconds and 3 minutes, 43 seconds when it was believed to be impossible for a human to break a 4 minute mile. I don’t remember the names. A person lifted almost 600 pounds over his head. A 5 foot 8 inch person jumped over 7 and a half feet into the air. They’re even considering raising basketball hoops from 10 feet to 11

and how it is one of the oldest symbols still in use and how it goes back to being a symbol for female wisdom and fertility and how it even resembles the double helix strands of DNA and how God wanted, and still wants us to realize that we are His children. We are far more than just our DNA, more than our genetic makeup, our animal side, our animal nature, but the serpent convinced us to focus on our humanity instead of God and...

feet. What’s next? Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. Now, according to God and the Bible, humans, who don’t decide to conquer death, should live over a thousand years, walk on water, fly and go 40 days without food and water. This is from the one religious book that has dared to predict the future and has been successful. You told me, and I have recently been reading it myself, that the Bible is more than two thirds prophecy to which more than half of these prophecies have come true. So I know where to put my trust and to believe in my perfection and forgiveness in the eyes of God. You mentioned how it was like the story of The Wizard of Oz because the good witch gives Dorothy the ruby red slippers in the beginning of the story but if she clicked her heels and said there is no place like home three times then she wouldn’t have believed it so it wouldn’t have worked because the importance of it all, the meaning of the story was that she always had the power she just needed to believe in it so she needed to go through the trials and tribulations to help her in her faith, for her to believe that there truly is no place like home. So I need to believe in the perfection of God’s plan and my reward in Heaven in order for my power to manifest through God’s unconditional love and the sacrifice of Jesus. How did I do?”

“

Thank you but I wouldn’t wish my age on anyone.

”

Edward interrupts, “Woa, woa, woa. Wow. I had no idea you were such an apt pupil. Say no more. You’ve got it all right. I’m sorry to interrupt but I need to go sit down and relax for a little while, in case you didn’t notice, it has been a very physical Thursday for an old timer like me. Joe laughs, “You got it, Pops! You know what?” Edward, “What’s that?” Joe, “I hope I’m half as tough as you are when I’m your age.” Edward laughs this time, “Thank you but I wouldn’t wish my age on anyone.” Joe cracks up and they enjoy a good laugh at that and head back into the office building.

The two men walk through the entrance, down a hallway and into a breakroom. Joe buys Ed a can of Coke and thanks him for setting the bar so high so he keeps pushing himself mentally and physically. Katherine is the last one back to the cubicle as she has been eavesdropping on Edward’s conversation with Joe.

Edward is amazed, “You’re great. You definitely retained everything I told you.” Joe continues, “You also wanted me to think about the Genesis story and how the snake talks to the woman first. And how the most ancient pieces of art depict female anatomy and female wisdom and how the snake represents female wisdom.

Also how the medical caduceus represents a sacrifice to the gods

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

- Deuteronomy 4:29

LONG ISLAND, NY, OCT. 11, 2006 Evening at a local church

7

:45 P.M., Edward is teaching a Bible study class for adults. This night the class decides to turn the tables and hit him with a test. A very tall black man in his early twenties named Ben, loudly gets the classes attention, “It’s time for Ed’s pop quiz!” The small church library erupts with cheers and clapping. Ben enjoys seeing the teacher squirm.

The entire group knows how he hates the spotlight.

was.” Ben, “Really?” Edward smiles and nods. Ben asks, “Was Mesopotamia in Iraq? Edward still smiling, “It may have been, I’m not sure the Bible mentions that either. Are these all Iraq questions? Ben, “Yeah, sort of, it’s timely as we’re at war with Iraq. Was Noah’s Ark built in Iraq?” Eward, “Again, the Bible doesn’t specifically say.” Ben is getting a little frustrated now, “Was the tower of Babel in Iraq?”

Edward, “I’m not sure. It may have been.” Ben looks to the class, Should we count that as wrong?” The class in unison says “No.” Ben continues, “OK, next question, Abraham was from Ur, which is in southern Iraq, right?” Edward, “That one may be true.”

Ben, “Isaac’s wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq, right?” Edward laughs, “Well, that is a weird one. Nahor is not really a place. Nahor is the name of Abraham’s grandfather and his brother and well, they may actually have been from Iraq.” Ben, “Did Jacob meet Rachel in Iraq?” Edward, “No, the area where they met was around southern Turkey or northern Syria. That one has nothing to do with Iraq.” Ben, “OK, next, did Jonah preach in Ninevah, which is now Iraq?”

Edward, “You worded that one a little weird. Jonah did preach

Ben starts, “O.K., now we can’t take credit for these questions because it was actually an email that I got. We have some good bets going on as to whether or not you know all the answers or not.” Edward with a red face, “We’re in a church!” Ben replies, “OK, OK, we’ll settle up outside of the building but here goes the first question.” Edward, “How many questions do you have?”

Ben (laughing), “Don’t you worry about that.” Edward shrugs, “Hey, whatever, I like a challenge. Let’s do this.”

Ben, “Was the garden of Eden in Iraq?” Edward smiles, “The Bible doesn’t specifically mention where exactly Eden

25

in Ninevah. I’m not sure if that is modern day Iraq but it might be.” Ben, “The Assyrians conquered the ten tribes of Israel and Assyria is located in Iraq.” Edward laughs, “That one was not in question form so you lose a point.” Ben and the rest of the class laugh. Edward continues, “The Assyrians and the Babylonians conquered the ten tribes of Israel and Assyria might also be modern day Iraq.” Ben fires out the next one, “Did Amos cry out in Iraq?” Edward, “No. That took place in Israel.” Ben, “Hmmmm, all right, next, Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem, right?” Edward, “Babylon did destroy Jerusalem and it might have been in Iraq.” Ben, “Daniel was in the Lion’s den and that took place in Iraq, right?” Edward, “Yes, Daniel was in the Lion’s den but I’m not so sure if that was actually located in modern-day Iraq or not.” Ben, “The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq and so was Jesus who appeared as the fourth person in the fiery furnace, right?”

Edward laughs again, “They were not children. They were three men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and they refused to bow down to an idol made of gold. It is not mentioned who the fourth person was. I believe it was an angel and again, this may or may not have been in Iraq.”

rejoiced; for the wrath of the eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace. What do you think of that, huh?” Edward looks a little stunned, “Honestly, I don’t think much of that at all.

Whoever sent you that email is spreading more anger and confusion than truth and love so any Bible or Koran information should not be a part of that email in any way. Well, actually there is no part of the Koran in that email because that verse is not in the Koran at all. I don’t know where that came from. I think it may be some strange combination of Nostradamus, Jeanne Dixon, C.S. Lewis and Harry Potter put together but it is definitely no sacred writing that I’ve ever heard of or am familiar with. I’m no expert in the Bible or the Koran but I have read both. I’ve only read the Koran once but I can tell you that what you read is not in there at all. Ironically enough, I do happen to know chapter 9, verse 11 of the Koran and it says: But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate they are brethren in faith; and we make the communication clear for a people who know. This verse is about prayer, brotherhood, tolerance, knowledge and literacy which kind of says something about the email, doesn’t it? I don’t believe in the religion of Islam but the Koran is a beautiful book that is about forgiveness, brotherhood and even the protecting of the people of the word which means, Muslims, Jews and Christians.”

Ben, “Really?” Edward, “Yeah, really.” Naomi, a twenty-something redhead chimes in, “You say that you’re no expert in the Bible yet I’ve been learning from you for the past two years about the bible, which I have read a few times and you know that book way better than I do and you claim you’re no expert in the Koran but you just quoted a verse from it without batting an eye. What gives?” Edward chuckles, “OK, maybe I downplayed my knowledge of these books a little but nothing gives. Let’s wrap it up for tonight. How did I do with your quiz?” Naomi answers first, “Phenomenal as always. You always seem to shy away when we try to find out about you though.” Edward packing his backpack with his books, “This class isn’t about me.”

Ben, “I’m glad I quizzed you before sending that email on to anyone else. Thanks again, you are the man!” Edward, “No, you are! Thanks for the challenge. Catch you later, man. Goodnight class.” The class slowly leaves discussing various topics like the war in Iraq, another plane crashed in the city and the recent murders happening locally. Most wish Ed a goodnight and congratulations. Ed locks up and heads out into the dark night thinking about the recent murders to himself.

Edward locks up and heads out into the dark night thinking about the recent murders to himself.

Ben doesn’t let up, “Belshazzar, King of Babylon saw the ‘writing of the wall’ in Iraq, right?” Edward, “That could possibly be true.” Ben, “Nebuchadnezzar, another King of Babylon carried the Jews captive into Iraq, right?” Edward, “That could also possibly be true.” Ben, “Did Ezekiel preach in Iraq?”

Edward, “The Bible is not really clear on the location for that one.” Ben, “Weren’t the three wise men from Iraq?” Edward shakes his heads and laughs again, “No, not at all. Most people believe they were from Persia which is now Iran but I believe they were from Afghanistan, India and Ethiopia because there is actually mention of these men in the Old Testament in the form of prophecy.” Ben, “Really?” Edward, “You bet.” Ben, “That’s cool.” Edward, “Isn’t it?” Ben, “O.K., next question, didn’t Peter preach in Iraq?” Edward, “Not as far as I know. I don’t believe there is any mention about this at all. Is this almost over?” Ben, “All right, we’re almost done. The ‘Empire of Man’ mentioned in Revelation is called Babylon, which is a city in Iraq, right?” Edward, “That one may possibly be true also but I’m not sure.”

Ben, “O.K., so those were almost half right. Now I thought this next part was amazing. Israel is the nation most mentioned in the Bible but Iraq is the second most mentioned...” Edward cuts in, “Well, technically, Iraq is never even mentioned in the Bible.” Ben, “What?” Edward, “Yeah. Some of the names mentioned in the good book are Babylon, Land of Shinar, Ur and Mesopotamia not Iraq. I’ll admit that Iraq is a country with deep roots and a very significant country in the Bible but Israel is and always will be the primary focus.”

Ben, “O.K., fine, well, get a load of this. This is something to think about. Since America is typically represented by an eagle then Saddam should have read up on this Muslim passage from the Koran chapter 9, verse 11, interesting numbers too, right? O.K., here’s the verse. For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome eagle. The wrath of the eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more 26