Imagine This Intriguing short stories Inspiring articles A Sunny Coast day out adventure Turns Imagine This, into this month’s must read
In This Month’s Issue: Stories from writers around the world THE FINE LINE Carter End of the love thing
Inspiring Pieces A life non-existent of self-discovery
Features Your monthly book catalogue Melanie Toye Reviews A Sunny Coast Adventure Featured book ASH: RETURN OF THE BEAST
Letter from the editor Welcome to the highly anticipated July edition of Imagine This readers online magazine. I love this month’s collection of short stories from writers around the world. Be sure to see what other published works they may have with the links provided and really discover another type of story. This month I was excited to share with you my travel adventure outing to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. As well as provide some insight with my piece, ‘a life non-existent of self-discovery’. Also be sure to like fan pages and share with your friends the link to read Imagine This. It’s FREE! Please note, writers have submitted content from all around the world, so I have left spelling of their language as is, even if in another country, the word is spelt differently. Be sure to spread the word of this free online magazine and tell me what your favourite piece is at imaginethismagazine@gmail.com. Yours sincerely,
Melanie Toye Editor of Imagine This Click here to become a fan on Facebook Interact on our blog at: http://imaginethismagazine.wordpress.com/ Disclaimer Not all opinions in this publication are necessarily those of the publishers. No responsibility is taken by Imagine This Publications for any errors, misleading information or the validity of any third party content. This articles, information and anecdotes are not necessarily the original work of the editor or writers. Content thereof published by Imagine This remain the property of Imagine This and cannot be reproduced under any circumstances without prior consent. All published information, to the best of Imagine This knowledge is correct at time of publishing. Copyright Copyright © of all images included in content within this publication, unless stated otherwise, are from 123RF Stock Photos at http://www.123rf.com/. All content submitted by a third party is copyright to the author.
A life non-existent of self-discovery
Imagine you were born into a career destined for you. Everything was tailored to you with the end result in mind. Your life focus was core and nothing would get in the way from you achieving it. You had all the right training, experience and success. It is interesting how sometimes stepping out of the everyday job to a life changing career can seem daunting. And how one would wish our true destined dreams would be served up on a silver platter. But I wonder if our lives were tailored for one major career? By the time we achieved it, would our hearts still be in it? Would our dream career really be a dream, or just something we felt forced to do? It’s important to never ask the questions, what if I had it easier to land my dream career, it’s important to focus on the questions that will help motivate you and eliminate procrastination, such as, is what I am doing going to get me a step closer to turning my dream into a reality? When we work for our dreams and do everything we can to turn our dream careers into reality, we step out of our comfort zones into a stronger self and have the coincidence to take on the world. Never wait for your dreams to just happen. Begin slowly into the direction you want. And each step of the way, congratulate yourself for making the change to being you. This is the life you want, now chase it and claim it as yours. Follow Melanie Toye’s inspirational blog at: http://melanietoye.wordpress.com/
QUESTION: What is consciousness, really? Can we––as some have suggested–– create our own reality? And what is “reality” anyway? The following is a "Flash Fiction" piece about one man's strange encounter with an enigmatic younger man in a quiet neighborhood park. To paraphrase the great Rod Serling: "You're moving into a dimension of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You're about to cross over THE FINE LINE into... the Twilight Zone.
THE FINE LINE By Gary Val Tenuta ©2012, Gary Val Tenuta
A middle-aged man strolled into the park. It was a quiet afternoon. Peaceful. A few children were playing under the gaze of their parent’s watchful eyes. The autumn breeze was barely enough to rustle the leaves. Then something caught the man’s eye. What was that young fellow doing over there? Curious now, the man moved a little closer. The boy looked to be a bit older than the man had first guessed. Late teens, maybe twenty. A sudden gust of wind rustled the leaves in the trees and the boy's long blond hair whipped about wildly. Then, just as suddenly, all was calm. The boy was standing absolutely still among the towering evergreens and maples that lined the park. The man could see the young fellow's eyes. They were gazing upward, staring, unblinking. The fellow was smiling. No. No, he wasn't. Or was he? Yes, maybe he was. But a strange smile. Barely noticeable. At the corner of his mouth there was a quirk of evidence. The man moved closer. Then, quite unexpectedly, the boy spread his arms wide and shouted into the air, "How fine the line between illusion and reality!" A bird fluttered in a nearby tree. A child playfully screamed somewhere off in the distance. The man ventured even closer. Now, within arm's reach, the man cleared his throat. "Hello there," the man said. "Are you okay?" The boy remained silent.
"I say, are you alright?" Still nothing. The man raised his hand to place it on the boy's shoulder. The boy snapped his head toward the man, his eyes glaring. "Don't touch me!" A cold chill rattled down the man's spine. "But I was just..." "I'm a tree!" the boy shouted, his face breaking an odd smile, his eyes filling with tears. "I'm afraid I don't underst..." "I'm a tree! I'm a tree! Can't you understand? I'm... a... tree! Look at me! I'm one with all! Look! I'm love!" Tears streamed down the young man's face and the sap bled from the trees. Again the man raised his hand toward the boy. Again the boy shouted, "Don't touch me!" This time it wasn't a threat. It was a plea. His soul screamed for mercy. The man's hand gently touched the boy's arm. Instantly, hundreds of birds screeched and scattered from every tree in the park. Startled by the explosion of flapping wings, the man ducked. He looked up and watched the sudden flurry of confusion. The branches of the trees were left quivering in the wake of the sudden clamor. It was over in mere moments and then all was calm. The man straightened up and turned to the boy but the boy was gone. He looked around, perplexed by the boy's sudden disappearance. There was no sign of him anywhere. The man’s attention, however, was briefly captured by the sight of a certain large tree. He didn't know trees very well but a vague awareness crossed his mind that it was different from the other trees. His eyes continued to search in vain for the boy. The long shadows of late afternoon were beginning to creep across the park grounds. A chill was in the air. The man stuffed his hands into his coat pockets and looked down at his feet. He nudged a fallen leaf with the toe of his shoe. A large bird scolded and flapped its wings high in the tree above the man's head. The man looked up and squinted against the brittle cold. "Where'd he go?" the man called to the bird before making one last quick survey of the park. Hunching his shoulders, and turning his collar up against the afternoon chill, the man shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets and continued on his way. He stopped at the edge of the park and turned around for a final look. The afternoon sun was behind the trees now. A few thin shafts of light filtered through the deepening blue shadows. The man turned back toward the street and paused a moment to light a cigarette, cupping the match against the breeze. He exhaled the smoke and watched it wisp swiftly away into the air. "How fine the line between illusion and reality, indeed," he muttered to himself. He shook his head as he strolled out of the park. "How fine, indeed." Back in the park a small girl hugged her doll and stared at the one tree that seemed different from all the others. "Mommy!" she called to her mother. "Look at this tree! It's smiling!"
"Don't be silly," her mother said. "But mommy! Come look!" The girl's mother approached and lolled her head to one side then the other, examining what was, indeed, an unusual formation in the grain of the bark on the trunk of the tree. "Oh, it's just a trick," she said. The girl looked puzzled. "A trick?" "Yes, dear. It's just a trick of light and shadow. That's all it is." Then, with an affectionate grin, she added, "And, of course, your wild imagination." She spoke with a tone of assurance and wisdom––the kind that adults acquire from their years of experience in a world where illusions can often fool even the most skeptical observer. "Come on, now. It's getting late. We have to go." As they walked away, hand in hand, the little girl stole a glance back over her shoulder for one last look at the tree. It was nearly dusk and the lighting had changed but she could still see a smile on the face of the tree. She smiled back and cuddled her doll up close to her cheek. "Adults don't know everything," she whispered. The doll grinned. ••• A note from the author: Thank you for reading The Fine Line. If you enjoyed this little story, and if you like tales that are darker and drenched in the paranormal, you’ll definitely get your fill of creepy with my novel, Ash: Return Of Beast. It's a serial killer chiller, a supernatural mystery, steeped in occult lore and inspired by a real life (or should I say, real death?) mystery. Curious? Read the synopsis and watch the book trailer at http://AshReturnOfTheBeast.webs.com. You can purchase from the following online stores- http://amzn.com/B006J6HRGE, http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006J6HRGE, http://amzn.com/1478314192 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1478314192
ASH: RETURN OF THE BEAST By Gary Val Tenuta ASH: Return of the Beast is a modern-day supernatural crime chiller, a tale of revenge steeped in the occult. The story is a work of fiction inspired by a little known factoid about the death of Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), the notorious occultist whose favorite number was 666 and whom the British press once labeled as "The Wickedest Man In The World". Crowley’s body was cremated but the unexplained 1947 disappearance of the urn containing his ashes has remained a mystery… until now. ••• "Rivals the best I've ever read by Stephen King, Peter Straub, or Dean Koontz. Hell, Clive Barker would be proud of this one. Yes, it's that good." - Jeff Whelan ••• This diabolical tale propels the reader through a series of curiously interconnected events spanning the years from 1947 (and the death of Aleister Crowley) to the 1990s and the coming-of-age (and eventual stardom) of a "death-metal" rocker with the unlikely name of Rodney Duckworth. ••• I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and literally unwilling to put it down!" Nikki, book blogger ••• The time-line shifts to the present day where Brian Kane, a gruff and gritty street-worn Seattle Police Detective, reluctantly teams up with the mysterious Rowena Ravenwood, an attractive and rather unconventional female FBI agent assigned to a most unusual investigative unit. Their task is to figure out why good, healthy, God-fearing preachers in their fair city are suddenly dropping dead... one at a time... exactly nine days apart. ••• "Brilliantly conceived and executed. I couldn't put it down." - Rai Aren ••• What is the meaning of the strange symbols branded onto the bodies of these hapless victims? Are they all part of some bizarre cult? No eyewitnesses. No fingerprints. Is it really murder? Where’s the evidence? And what is the disturbing secret that Detective Kane is holding so close to his chest? ••• "It threw me for a literary loop, and I could NOT put this baby down!." - J. Wall ••• The investigation catapults Kane and Ravenwood headlong into life-threatening situations as they feel their way through the strange, dark labyrinth of the world of the occult and find themselves battling for their lives against the powerful forces of ritual magick.
••• "Filled with magic... at times drawing one into the evil." - Ellen In Atlanta, amazon.com reviewer ••• A bloody carnage of unimaginable horror is about to be unleashed upon the world as the offspring of the fabled “Old Ones” are awakened from their ancient slumber. ••• "The character creation is fabulous." - Christina M. Condy, goodreads.com reviewer ••• The survival of the entire human race hangs in the balance and the clues to help solve the case are in desperately short supply. Worse yet, so is the amount of time left to stop the mysterious killer's reign of terror before all Hell breaks loose. And – according to Special Agent Ravenwood – that’s not just a figure of speech. ••• "An ending you will never see coming!" - Lila L. Pinord ••• Purchase ASH: Return of the Beast from: KINDLE (U.S.) $3.99 - http://amzn.com/B006J6HRGE PAPERBACK (U.S.) $12.95 - http://amzn.com/1478314192 KINDLE (U.K.) £2.64 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006J6HRGE
Body and Soul Why looking good improves your mood? We all have those days. We wake up still tired, we choose whatever attire is closest. We wash our face with warm water and begin the day. I find my mood stays at the tired, bored and dull feel for the rest of the day. Nothing exciting could pull me out of my mood. The way we dress, look and feel immediately changes the way our outlook on the day will be. I am not a huge fan of wearing black coloured attire. Adding a splash of colour instantly lifts my mood. Corporate clothes traditionally were styled in black, white and brown colours, but it does not always have to be so dull. Spice it up and when I say that, I do not mean going to work in the most non-modest attire you can find. Spice up your colour department and see how your day changes. I can only imagine, your day will be better.
Joy, is when you finish writing a story and realise, you did it! ~Melanie Toye
Be Seen Feature your business and products in Imagine This. Contact Melanie at: imaginethismagazine@gmail.com.
Imagine This caters to a world-wide audience. The United States, Australia, Canada, the UK and even France are among the top readers, reading Imagine This. Be seen by an international audience and advertise your business in Imagine This online magazine. Here is how: It’s very simple, there are three ways you can have your business promoted: 1- Provide an advert to be featured in Imagine This – for specifications contact Melanie at: imaginethismagazine@gmail.com. Price starting from $82.50 AUD. 2- Donate a product to be used in a competition or giveaway which will be featured in Imagine This. 3 – Sponsor the production and creation of Imagine This over a six month period, includes free advertising and promotion throughout Imagine This editions. Normally priced at $495.00 AUD current promotion is $299.00 AUD. Get in quick! This is six months coverage for your business. To feature your business and products in Imagine This, contact Melanie at: imaginethismagazine@gmail.com.
Imagine This Space Imagine being lost in a forest. Nobody knows you are there. You cannot find the way out. Your heart starts beating as you wonder what will happen when the sun goes down. Imagine being lost in one of the most beautiful places in the world. But being alone, makes it terrifying. Imagine someone or something helps you find a way out. Your heart beat returns to a normal speed. And the smile on your face returns as you realise you have another day to live in paradise. Imagine This.
A Sunny Coast Adventure We made the long drive up to the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia. I soon noticed the lush tropical trees everywhere used for house frontage and along the streets. The beautiful endless green hills and ocean view were stunning to witness. We decided to go on an adventure. We started by visiting the Sunshine Castle at Bli Bli. My husband and I had never visited a castle before, so we were more than delighted to witness such a spectacle. Upon arrival we were greeted by a Lord. Of which I was a bit taken aback by with their immediate role play. I guess I expected princesses and princes rather than knights and maids. I am sure the royals were performing their royal duties outside the castle when we visited. It was nice all the same. To be sucked into an older era, long forgotten or rarely experienced by the Aussie younger generations. We stepped into the castle's courtyard and across a bridge to enter the palace doors. Immediately able to read the rich history and see the exhibits on display. A creep down the tiny winding dark stairs and we walk straight into a dungeon. It does not look like a fun place to hang out, especially with the torture chambers and worse a tin tub for the toilet. Skulls can be seen from the caged cell. Climbing the tower stairs and reaching the open space at the top are glorious 360 degree views of the hinterland and coast, to be seen in all its majestic. There is an even higher tower of which the steps get smaller and winding. My knees begin to wobble, my legs shake. My hands become clammy. Oh, I forgot. I have a fear of heights. Brilliant. I make it high enough and see the view from a window. My husband climbs to the top and takes the most incredible pictures of the castle underneath us (as pictured
above). After the exploration of the castle, we click a button and view a glass window display of scenes from well-known fairy tales, as well as watch a train set in action. At one point, we enter a room of dolls, they are looking at us. And my husband and I both laugh out loud after we acknowledge that we are lost, we cannot find the way out and we don't want to be stuck with these crazy dolls looking at us. We retrace our steps and arrive to the front, in one piece. An experience like no other, visit the Sunshine Castle. Dress-ups are optional. Of course it is only fitting to reveal my children’s story, ‘A princess for a day’ where Sophia experiences life as a princess when visiting a castle, similar to the Sunshine Castle in fact. Click here to read the story: http://www.amazon.com/A-princess-dayebook/dp/B00DPTCQQE/ The day does not end here and we drive along the Maroochydore Coastline and stop to stretch our legs along the beautiful sandy beach. Even with the threat of rain, the beach is glorious. We drive further and on an act of spontaneous excitement, my husband drives us through the hinterland down and up, very high mountains (did I mention my fear of heights?) the immaculate green luscious grasslands, the cows, sheep, goats and horses all enjoying the natural surroundings, as we are. At one point we are so high, we look out to the view (I am feeling brave) and we see a cloud drifting past us. If my hands weren't gripping my seat, I would have taken a photo. We soon arrive to the ever classy and elegant Montville. Unfortunately as it is the middle of the day we cannot find a park anywhere. To be expected of course on a rainy day at the coast, everyone visits the hinterlands, where the rain only makes the surrounds even more enchanting. We travel to a nearby dam and trek through the forest. Hunger makes us leave and we make a stop at the Maleny Cheese shop. The store had a continue run of people coming in, tasting and buying. We sit down for lunch and also ordered a cheese platter to go. A cheese platter like no other, one bite will melt your heart. I swear my eyes popped, as I took the first bite. So delicious and ever so scrumptious.
A day of fun and adventure is what you can expect when visiting the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Beach side adventure, to hinterland enchantment and riverside views, it cannot get much more versatile and has so much beauty to behold in one location.
End of the love thing Written by Anita Makaju
I still remember those days and all those nights when I had no choice other than to pour my teardrops on my guitar and to sing the song of distress. How can I even forget that time when I was feeling helpless and depressed? Do you even remember that time or not? All those flashes you passed with me were something I shouldn’t have done. All the memories fill my mind with your delicious behavior and all the bitter experiences. My life was shattered, my days were passing futile and my nights were passing sleepless. I wish I had realized earlier that you were not the one for me. I felt remorse for trusting you so easily. I felt dumb and stupid to think that someone like you fell in love with me. Was it really possible to have such lovable feelings between two persons whose ideologies are completely different? I must have thought deeply why would anyone like you ever fall in love with me? My heart begins to beat with that music of sorrow when I think about the heartbreak that you made me experience. Each and every moment after you betrayed my trust upon you was like walking over thorns. Who should I really blame for that situation I was going through? Should I blame you who played with my heart? Should I blame myself for trusting in your fake love? I wonder should I really put the blame on you for making my days pathetic or should I thank you for implanting a stronger heart in me. Should I thank for making me believe that I shouldn’t trust anyone so easily? My instinct directs me to thank you so, without any hesitation I thank you from the bottom of my heart for developing a stronger version of myself, for making me realize that I am that coal
which is in its course of turning into diamond, for enhancing myself to rise as a skyscraper from the ground and for teaching me how to keep going with this life full of struggles. Thanks a lot. You made me realize that I have greater things in my life than to keep engaged in the love thing with you. The real meaning of life I’ve learnt now. The bigger dreams to touch the sky, I’m determined now. And to spend my time in something creative than to making myself dumb in the ocean of the fake love you showed to me, I’ve started. Your heart break lesson turned to be something precious in my life. I feel happy that you entered into my life and taught me that life and love are not the easy things to trail. Have you heard one saying my so called dear? Even a beautiful mirror changes into something lethal when it’s broken. But I turned into something much more than beautiful. I transformed into something shiny, something great and something which is filled with more enthusiasm to pass every day with a new resolution to do something interesting for myself and to make a difference in others life. I feel very much happy to express how good it feels to dig out the buried life of another person. Even happiest thing in life is to hear you as some other people’s inspiration and motivator. All the credits go to you dear for turning someone as rough as coal to something neatly extracted as a diamond. What if I had not taken your anguish lesson positively? I guess at this point I must thank my inner soul for keeping positive thoughts towards your heartbreak. I had heard that our own shadow leaves us when we are set up in darkness but you are the real hero for me who stood by my side every time, during all those happy times, all those heartbroken situation and all those hardships when my eyes were singing the song of sorrow pouring the precious diamond embedded within, on my only friend guitar’s chest. These days I hear from the whispers on the streets that you are wanting to get back to me. If it’s true I’m really sorry dear because I’ve been hearing a lot of Taylor Swift’s and Demi Lovato’s songs that do not help me to turn back to my past which was bitter but are inspiring me to move on to a future which is sure to be bright. Few words sprung at this time which I guess will turn something good: “Right this moment, all I’ve got to say is Good bye to your love thing, I’ve got greater aims and dreams And inspiring songs to sing, I’ll always remember I’m the same being Whose trust was shattered by you, something” At last a great happy ending to the
Well it’s me, Anita Makaju. You can simply follow me on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/makajuanita13 Or you can also like my fan page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anitamakaiuimaginethis
Melanie Toye Reviews: One false move by Harlan Coben Without any expectations of what genre or reviews this book has received, I flicked to the first chapter. Interesting. I was instantly drawn in to Myron's life or shall I say, mind? A sports agent who appears cocky and has smart comments had me laughing out loud. The mystery had me on edge. And when my husband was watching the football, I told him to stop laughing because the scene I was reading was so intense I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. Although the intensity and suspense of the story was obviously there, the rest of the story was so fun and light which had me turning to read more. I enjoyed the small chapters and would think, just read one more chapter, it won't take long in times when it was hard to put the book down but reality was needing me too. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and with the last chapters putting all the pieces together I felt absolutely shocked. I even opened my mouth, it just hung there, waiting for me my mind to take in, what I had just read. An incredible story, a must read for entertainment. About the book - Myron Bolitar might have a slightly dubious past, but he knows how to handle himself and is doing just fine as a sports agent. And then he meets Brenda Slaughter, one of the hottest female sports stars around. She's gorgeous, funny and single, and also seems to have mislaid her agent. But when her father disappears, and the Mob starts leaning on her, it soon becomes apparent that potent forces are at work. And the more Myron tries to help, the closer he gets to losing his heart - and his life...
Here’s how you can be seen in an upcoming edition: Contribute on our blog with your comments which may be featured in Imagine This online magazine. Read more here http://imaginethismagazine.wordpress.com/be-seen/
You can submit your unforgettable holiday story.
Tell us how you use your imagination in your everyday life.
Send in your unique reading places.
Submit your true story of a interesting situation that occurred while you were reading.
Writers can submit content that follow what we are seeking.
And you can add to a story created by everyone. Wow, who doesn’t love to contribute to a great magazine that everyone loves to read!? http://imaginethismagazine.wordpress.com/be-seen/
CARTER by Carlos Perez Carter Henderson quickly slipped out the door before his wife could notice him. He had run a successful advertising agency for over thirty years, and the last thing he needed was a babysitter. Besides, all he was doing was collecting sand dollars. Any moron could do that. He clutched the black garbage hand in his hand and clenched his fist as hard as he could. As he walked along, jumbled thoughts ran through his mind. First there was the fact that his wife, Edna, didn't trust him to do the simplest of things. "No, I don't want you to go out by yourself. You always take me with you. Do you understand? Never go out alone." Jesus, he thought. Since when did she get in charge? His thoughts then ran to his work and the slimy young jerks who had forced him out. He knew that switching to a corporation was a mistake, but he had to listen to Edna.
"The work is getting to be too much for you. If you incorporate, you'll have more help and we won't be as liable if things go wrong." Well, things went wrong all right, he thought. The damn board of directors threw him out on the street, giving him a pension when he had been the one who'd built the company. He spied a sand dollar on the beach and went to grab it, but saw that a seagull had already had its way with it. There was a large gouge in it from where it tore it open to get what was inside. That's it, he thought. Eat out the good stuff and throw what's left onto the sand. He watched as the surf came in and then carried it back out to sea. Other than the sound of the surf there wasn't anything else to distract him from the beauty and power around him. He liked going out so early that no one was on the beach. In a way, it became his domain. A domain free of men, the same kind of men who destroyed his life and left him the shadow of the man he once was. He felt the water as it slid around and over his feet. The water should be cold, he thought. Why
wasn't it cold? In the distance he saw a jogger coming toward him. Damn! He thought. Why can't they ever leave me alone? The man looked to be about five nine and quite healthy. I was healthy once, he thought. I could jog a mile without breaking a sweat. As the man got closer, almost without realizing it, Carter dropped the black garbage bag. The young jogger quickly stooped down and grabbed it up. Suddenly, Carter's face filled with rage, and then just as quickly with alarm, as he noticed that it wasn't the black bag the jogger picked up; it was something else. Whatever it was in the jogger's hand was alive and squirming around his hand, almost as if it might envelop his hand at any moment. It looked like a large black jellyfish. Just as the jogger was a few inches from him, Carter quickly hit him, knocking him down into the surf. He had to save him. He grabbed at the black creature, which seemed to wriggle on and around the man's hand. Carter quickly pried the black thing from his wrist, but for some reason it suddenly slid over the jogger's head; its movement so fast, Carter had hardly seen it happen, yet somehow, it did.. Panicking, Carter quickly tried to remove the black creature from the jogger's face. The jogger was struggling beneath him, also attempting to remove the creature. Carter was amazed at how
strong the jogger was and how even with his help they couldn't remove the damn thing. Odd, but it was almost as if the jogger was trying to stop Carter from helping him. Carter tried to force the creature back into the surf, but the jogger kept struggling, making it even harder for him to remove the creature and send it back into the sea. He pressed down hard on the creature, trying to smash it into the sand. Soon, he and the creature was both knee deep in the water. After a few moments, the creature seemed to release itself from the jogger and float away into the surf and out into the ocean. Carter looked down at the jogger, who was now lying still in the water with his dead eyes looking up toward the sky. A sense of dread swept over Carter. He knew something had gone wrong, something really bad. He needed Edna and he needed her now. He quickly backed away from the jogger and sprinted toward home. His physical movements, though awkward, seemed to have fluidity to them. There was a sudden energy in him that forced onward, onward toward Edna. Once on the steps of the front porch, he composed himself and went inside. No need to frighten Edna, he thought. Everything was fine. It was very important not to frighten Edna. As he entered the kitchen, Edna turned to him with a worried expression in her eyes. She took in his appearance; his wet sand covered clothes sticking to his wiry, yet taut muscled frame, and the look of confusion on his pale face that had now become quite commonplace. An intense fatigue fell over her. "Did you forget the garbage bag again?" She asked hesitantly. Carter just stared at her and then almost fell down onto the kitchen chair. He noticed that there we slight tears forming at the corners of his wife's eyes. "Don't be frightened, Edna," he said. "Everything's fine. It's fine. Please don't be mad at me." "It's okay," she said. "We always have more garbage bags." She went to the cupboard and quickly grabbed the box of black garbage bags and threw them into the trash. She then grabbed a new box of garbage bags, only these bags were white. She tossed the trash, along with the box of black garbage bags, into the white bags and quickly took them out to the trash, burying them far underneath the garbage that was already in the large trash bin She paused, taking a deep breath. Her hands were shaking and she could hardly stand at this point. She slowly made her way back into the house where she found her husband asleep on the couch. She walked over to him and started stroking his head, then glanced down at the bruises on her wrists. She knew the doctors were right, but she couldn't do it. She could handle a few bruises. Her husband deserved better, and he was right, she should never have hounded him into incorporating. Dying at his desk would have been the best thing that could have happened to him. Much better than watching his once alert mind slowly dissolve before her eyes. "Don't worry, everything's going to be okay," she said. "I'll protect you. I always have." With that, she walked into the kitchen to start breakfast. Carter always liked having a large breakfast after his trips to the beach. The End Carlos Perez's works include "Tales From a Disturbed Mind," "School Days: Tales of Teen at Weeping Willow High," and "Playland: For Adult Games."
Have your book seen in Imagine This Promote your book in ‘Imagine This’ next online edition. There are various packages available to showcase your book. The more your book is seen on different marketing platforms, the more people who will be reminded to buy it! Read more on the type of packages we promote here: http://imaginethismagazine.wordpress.com/authors-promote-your-books/ Genre: Fiction
Click to buy from Amazon
Click to buy from Createspace
Click to buy from Amazon.com
Click to buy from Amazon.com
Click to buy from Amazon.co.uk
Genre – Non Fiction
Click to buy from Clewbook Click to buy from Amazon Click to buy from Barnes and Noble
Click to buy from Amazon
Live each day as if you are a famous explorer. ~ Melanie Toye