A Matter of Faith

Ghost Hunter I

by Martin J. Best

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy 

 


A complex and engaging blend of paranormal urban fantasy and occult horror! 

A Matter of Faith

Ghost Hunter I

by Martin J. Best

Genre: Paranormal Urban Fantasy 

Fledgling Ghost Hunter Malachi Hunter is back with a vengeance in the first full-length novel of the macabre Ghost Hunter series!


Lonely paranormal investigator Mal yearns to find some direction and true happiness in his life. His world is rapidly changing- and not necessarily for the better. That is until he receives a fateful call which will once again put his eerie expertise into play. Fiercely independent single parent Teena Maunder is determined to handle anything which dares to cross her path. She is resolute and determined. However, when her home becomes the scene for a terrifying and baffling haunting, Teena appears to have met her match. Turning to Mal for help, the scene is set for a deadly paranormal onslaught. Mal quickly finds himself embroiled in a supernatural battle unlike any he has faced until this point. He could very well be out of his league this time. Be that as it may, the stakes could not be any higher as a blossoming romance has ignited between Mal and Teena. This could finally be his chance to claim the love and happiness he so desperately craves. All that stands in the way is a hideous entity which has entirely different plans!


Come join Mal as he continues his journey to become an elite paranormal investigator. When you have managed to regain your composure, be sure to check out the other chilling titles in the Ghost Hunter series!


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Of Gods and Ghosts

Ghost Hunter II

Everyone hold onto your hats! Intrepid paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter has returned in the second novel of the Ghost Hunter Series. It is time to step it up a notch!


Resolute ghost hunter Malachi Hunter is no longer the lonely outcast that he once was. He is now armed with blossoming confidence and sheer tenacity. This transformation is undoubtedly due to Mal’s new crack team of ghost hunters. His fierce partner Teena and her clairvoyant daughter Carolyn fit Mal like a glove. A good thing too…because the eerie job of ghost hunter is about to get increasingly terrifying and precarious.


In the midst of investigating a strange and peculiar haunting, the freshly formed group of ghost hunters have new and terrifying challenges unexpectedly thrown their way. Occultists are battling to awaken and gain control of Camulos, the mythical Pagan God of Warfare. The consequences of this evil rebirth would be catastrophic. Mal and his team will soon face danger on a scale unlike anything they have seen. Horrific and unimaginable!


At the same time, a betrayal is afoot. An insidious force is working behind the scenes to break up this new team of ghost hunters before they even have a chance to start the ball rolling.


Will they overcome such insurmountable odds and prevail? Or are things on Earth about to drastically change in a way nobody could possibly envision!


Be sure to join Mal and his group of phenomenal ghost hunters as they continue their exciting journey. You don’t want to miss the other gripping titles in the Ghost Hunter Series!


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Blood Ties

Ghost Hunter III

Relentless paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter and his team are back in the third novel of the Ghost Hunter Series. Hopefully your sixth sense has prepared you for the ghastly, supernatural terror which is to come in this instalment!

Mild-mannered Charles Chandler is all set to enjoy a well-earned early retirement with his family. However, after they relocate to a new residence, eerie and frightening things begin to take place in their home. A terrified Charles reaches out to Mal, and the hunt begins. Although – who is actually the one being hunted this time around?

At the same time, a fresh band of ruthless occultists have their sights set on a familiar yet deadly target. They are determined to capture and subjugate Camulos, the Celtic God of Warfare. The callous group will soon find themselves on a direct collision course with Mal and his exceptional team. A terrifying supernatural and hard fantasy encounter which is bound to produce some very nasty results.

However, who will ultimately prevail? Mal and his team may be in well over their heads this time. Come join them on their journey and be sure not to miss the other chilling titles in the Ghost Hunter Series!


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Remnants and Revenants

Ghost Hunter IV

Steadfast paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter and his formidable team are back in Book Four of the renowned Ghost Hunter Series. Everything is on the line this time- and the odds are stacked against them in a ghastly fashion!

Retirees, Ray and Christa Brown have taken the plunge into the world of the hospitality industry. They have precipitously invested all their money into buying and restoring the Torre Mews guest house. Unfortunately, the purchase has come with an unexpected and ghostly “fringe benefit.” Mal and his team are once again called into action and tasked with investigating and eradicating this intractable paranormal disturbance.

Meanwhile, this troublesome haunting leads directly to an unsolved murder which is about to create some serious complications for Mal and his crew. Significant occult research has been exposed which could unmask some meticulously hidden and very dangerous secrets. Further, a wicked group known as the Esoterica Foundation has discovered this information and will do whatever it takes to capitalize upon it. The stage is set for the ultimate showdown…and precious lives are hanging in the balance.

Will Mal and his crack team of paranormal investigators be able to connect the dots and solve this case? Or is the world as we know it in for a dose of an entirely new and horrifying reality? Be sure not to miss the other eerie titles in the Ghost Hunter series!


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Pariahs

Ghost Hunter V

Ardent paranormal investigator Malachi Hunter and his crack team return for Book Five of the transcendent Ghost Hunter Series. The group are set to tackle intense and unparalleled challenges which could very well reach beyond their extensive acumen this time!

While renovating a former Roman Catholic orphanage, a construction team has encountered bizarre and unexplained incidents. With the work on the project virtually ground to a halt due to this suspected paranormal activity, Mal and his team are called upon to conduct a ghostly investigation. Whatever could have happened in this lonely orphanage so many years ago? The ghost hunters are about to find out, and the terrifying answer to this question will come in the form of a spiteful poltergeist infestation which will test them to their limits!

While the team of steadfast ghost hunters are busy confronting the troubling haunting- there is another perilous plot afoot. A surreptitious group known as the Partisans of Taranis are zeroing in on the secret gateway to the Summer Lands, which is the home of the Celtic Gods. Discovery of this portal could be the catalyst for death and destruction on an unprecedented scale. Having an insider planted within the Partisan group, Mal and his team of ghost hunters are tipped off about the deadly incursion.

The race is on to prevent this catastrophe in the making…with the outcome very much in doubt! Come join Mal and his crew as they once again confront the unknown. Be sure not to miss the other chilling titles in the Ghost Hunter Series!


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Occultus

Ghost Hunter VI

A predatory entity from religious mythology has attached itself to hapless Seth Bowden, leading his terrified sister to contact the ghost hunters. They agree to investigate, and uncover a disturbing history of mental illness, suicide, and an intelligent haunting.


As the team seek to resolve Seth’s problem, their leader, Malachi Hunter, becomes involved with the police investigation into a horrific ritual murder, finding himself pitted against a member of the Order of Nine Angles, the most dangerous occult organisation in existence, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.

The scene is set, and the ghost hunters face the most difficult and dangerous challenges of their lives. Will their courage and determination be enough to see them through, or is victory beyond their reach?


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


**FREEBIE ALERT!!**

Get The Baby Farmer’s Ghost (The Carolyn Hunter Stories Book 1) 

FREE March 16th – 20th!!**

Get it on Amazon


Martin J. Best was born in Torquay, England, in 1965, where he lives with his wife, Kim, and their dogs, Shadow and Raven. Dubbed the Prince of Paranormal by antipodean author Mark Carnelley, Martin grew up in an actively haunted house, which probably accounts for his abiding interest in all things supernatural. He has had a varied work life, and spent many years running his own mobile disco business. He now writes full-time, and when not working, is a keen walker, music enthusiast, and ghost hunter.


Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway


No Way Back The Underworlds Book 1

by Dennis Scheel Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy

 


A search for a way home becomes a journey into his father’s past. 

No Way Back

The Underworlds Book 1

by Dennis Scheel

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy 

A search for a way home becomes a journey into his father’s past.

When an ancient Gate transports his son, Daniel, to another world, Denida follows, thinking it will be an easy matter to bring his son home safely.

As they travel from world to world, Denida starts to wonder just who he is and why almost everyone knows more about him than he does about himself.

At home, his wife and friends send a robot to follow Denida’s tracks but treachery undermines their efforts.

Through magic, betrayal, and Darkness Denida fights his way toward home, it’s no longer a matter of missing his wife but of preserving his home and all the Underworlds from evil.

Scroll up to start reading No Way Back: The Underworlds for free using Amazon’s Look Inside feature. This book is available in Kindle and paperback – order your copy today.


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads




Writing about myself… oh, the horror!

As a Christmas Child, I believe magic is everywhere, especially during the winter, and I try to weave that magic into my stories. After all, my firm belief in karma and destiny has shaped who I am, so it should guide my stories, as well.

I was born and raised in Denmark, but faced many challenges during my life, one of which was my inability to write my stories in Danish! I’ve had my stories brewing in my head since I was a child and struggled for years to express them properly. After recovering from a diabetic attack that left me hospitalized, I managed to find my writer’s voice in English, and am thrilled to now have the ability to share my tales with you.


Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Rainbow Diary

 Embracing Life’s Final Colors: A Heartfelt Journey through Loss, Redemption, and the Unknown

Drama

Date Published: February 20, 2024

Publisher: Palmetto Publishing























Embracing Life’s Final Colors: A Heartfelt Journey through Loss, Redemption, and the Unknown


Drama

Date Published: February 20, 2024

Publisher: Palmetto Publishing


 

In the tender pages of The Rainbow Diary, embark on an extraordinary odyssey that transcends the boundaries of life and death. This poignant tale weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and redemption, resonating deeply with anyone who has felt the sharp ache of losing a loved one or grappled with the haunting anxiety of mortality.

Meet Kenneth Talbot, a man on the precipice of his final journey. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he confronts the fragility of his existence. As the sands of time slip away, Kenneth’s reflections paint a vivid portrait of human emotion. His story becomes a mirror, reflecting the joys and regrets, the triumphs and heartaches that define us all. Amidst the pain, Kenneth finds unexpected solace in the most unlikely places. His bond with his teenage son, Brian, becomes a source of profound reconciliation, a testament to the enduring power of familial love. The gentle presence of MaryAnn, his devoted nurse, becomes a beacon of hope, guiding him toward acceptance.

The Rainbow Diary is more than a novel; it is a sanctuary for the soul. It delicately explores the complex nuances of life’s final moments, offering a glimpse into the afterlife that is both imaginative and comforting. Through Kenneth’s introspection, readers are invited to confront their own fears and anxieties, finding solace in the shared human experience. This book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a celebration of the enduring power of love that transcends the boundaries of time and space.

Immerse yourself in this extraordinary narrative, and let The Rainbow Diary be your guiding light through the labyrinth of life, death, and everything in between.




About the Author

Dr. Mitchell Maiman became a physician at age twenty-four and is now retired. As a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and sub-specialist in Gynecologic Oncology, he has had a distinguished academic, clinical, and research career in medicine and served as both a Director of Gynecologic Oncology and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at major New York City-based university hospitals. He has been recognized for his numerous educational contributions in the field and his devotion and commitment to the teaching of residents and fellows.

 

Mitch lives with his wife, Dr. Judy Levy, in Long Island, New York, and is an avid tennis player and practitioner of yoga. They first met during their residency training. This is his first novel.

 

Contact Links

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Twitter

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

ThriftBooks

Walmart


RABT Book Tours & PR

A Win Won Situation

Motivational/Business improvement

Date Published: March 12, 2024

Publisher: Elite Online Publishing

 

Crossroads to Collaboration, A Personal Development Journey to Building Successful and Synergistic Relationships


Motivational/Business improvement

Date Published: March 12, 2024

Publisher: Elite Online Publishing





























Crossroads to Collaboration, A Personal Development Journey to Building Successful and Synergistic Relationships


Motivational/Business improvement

Date Published: March 12, 2024

Publisher: Elite Online Publishing



In A Win Won Situation, Reggie Gray embarks on a profound exploration of personal development, interweaving his life experiences with insightful lessons on building successful and synergistic relationships.

WIN WON comes from what Reggie puts into practice in his business and personal relationships.  WHAT I NEED – WHAT OTHERS NEED

Through engaging chapters filled with personal accounts deeply woven with important life lessons, Reggie imparts wisdom gained from his unique blend of experiences. He challenges the reader to rethink conventional notions of success and relationship building, offering a fresh perspective on how to lead a more fulfilling life. This book is not just another motivational read. It is a call to action, inviting readers to scrutinize the motives behind the self-help industry and to seek authenticity in their personal growth journeys.

Perfect for anyone at a crossroads in their personal and professional relationships, A Win Won Situation is a guide for those who seek to live a meaningful last third of their life, leaving behind a legacy of collaboration, success, and genuine connection. 


Excerpt 

When making decisions and considering both sides of a situation, it boils down to the person’s or organization’s viewpoint. 

 How are you looking at the situation or issue? What is its value to you or the other side? What is the background of how you got to this interface? What are the backgrounds of those influencing the outcome. What motivates them? 

 This is a series of questions for you to run through your consideration as you begin the process or at least right before you make a decision impacting the process. 

 Are you the solution to problem(s) or are you the problem? When I hire someone, it is usually because I have a problem that I need solved. Make sure you don’t hire people that just become another problem for you to resolve. 

 Many people also use problems (excuses) not to complete tasks or projects…not enough training, not enough, information, not enough assistance, etc. One can always find excuses and ways to not succeed, but employers and leaders like those that look for ways to overcome the problems. 

 Be tolerant of others’ views. Don’t even say I disagree with them, they are their rights, but they stop when there is any force, verbally or physically, to express or apply yours to others. Your rights have stepped over their boundaries into someone else’s. You have yours, they have theirs. The views of accepting people regardless of religion, sexual preference etc. It’s not my paygrade to judge people.


About the Author



As the President of the Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce, Gray has been a pivotal figure in the Houston area, with a strong presence in the community for over 25 years. Gray has served on numerous area boards and received numerous awards from those area organizations for his commitment and service to Houston-area communities. Previous to the Chamber, he was a Vice President of Marketing in the real estate management and development industry and Vice President of Business Development for an international logistics corporation.

His projects and positions have taken him throughout the U.S. and to nearly 60 countries worldwide, where he has collaborated with a variety of industries, corporate executives, international leaders, and royalty. Gray has received awards of designation, appreciation, and partnerships from numerous countries, such as Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Malta, China, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Monaco, and Panama.

Gray spends time and speaks often of his three sons and his focus on them or, as he has repeatedly been quoted, “They are the oxygen in his lungs.”

 

Contact Links

Website

LinkedIn

 

Purchase Link

Amazon


a Rafflecopter giveaway 


The Gnome and the Seedlings

by Marilyn Slaughter

 

 


























Illustrated by: Angel Neha

Children’s Book

Date Published: February 27, 2024

Publisher: Mindstir Media



This short story is about a mother wanting balance for her children. She wants her children to spend more time outdoor exercising, running and having fun. One weekend mom encouraged her children to stop playing video games and streaming movies while sitting on the couch and spend some time in the local National Park. While at the park the children, Nathan and his sister, met a mythical and magical Gnome, named Gob. Gob the Gnome explained to the children what his role is at the National Park, and how to plant seeds to grow trees.

I chose to add a Gnome as one of the main characters because since the 1400s, folklore has described Gnomes as guards of treasure and the protector of earth. Gnomes represents stability, growth and Good Luck. My six children books all revolve around a Gnome, the protector of a local forest who became friends with Nathan and Iris.


About the Author

Marilyn Slaughter is an educator with experience teaching second through fifth grades, middle school science, and social studies. She now spends time authoring books for children and adults for engagement, learning, and entertainment. Marilyn’s first six books are a set with the theme of children, with their families enjoying the outdoors; and with teachers and classmates learning about the environment. The children are introduced to a magical and mythical being in the forest and they work to save the local forest. Her goal is to provide a fun read with an entertaining way for children to learn about science.


Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

LinkedIn

Instagram

 

Purchase Link

Amazon

Website


RABT Book Tours & PR

Storm Seed

Sacred Band Series Book 7

by Janet & Chris Morris

Genre: Epic Fantasy

 


 High adventure and mystical intrigue await…


Storm Seed

Sacred Band Series Book 7

by Janet & Chris Morris

Genre: Epic Fantasy


 Hot off the presses, the final “lost” volume of the iconic Sacred Band series in an all-new Author’s Cut edition.


High adventure awaits in Storm Seed by Janet & Chris Morris:


– Travel with the Sacred Band of Stepsons to a future undreamed.

– Meet the changeling son of Tempus and the Froth Daughter.

– Learn what it takes to become a dragon.

– Bring gods to a godless realm.


Tempus the Black, avatar of the Storm God, and his partner Niko reunite the Sacred Band for a mission to a dying world. And from there — should the gods allow — to mystical Lemuria. –


Praise for the Sacred Band series: “Janet Morris, Tempus (1987), and, with Chris Morris, Tempus Unbound (1989), The Sacred Band (2010).

“A fantasy series about the Sacred Band of Stepsons, an elite army modeled on the fourth-century B.C.E. Sacred Band of Thebes. The stories explore the fraught personal relationships of mixed hetero- and homosexual troops, only sometimes paired, as they fight for their commander, the immortal Tempus. Morris includes archaeological and historical details, from physical items to social practices, religion, and philosophy, to create a fantasy world that is, in many ways, more historically accurate than many popular accounts of antiquity.” — Robert W. Cape, Jr, in Classical Traditions in Science Fiction, Brett M. Rogers & Benjamin Eldon Stevens, eds., Oxford University Press


**ON SALE now for only $2.99!**

Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads



** The Sacred Band Series is Perseid Press’ featured series of March **

–Get them all on sale for Only $2.99 each!–

Find the buy links at

Perseid Press


Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.


Christopher Crosby Morris (born 1946) is an American author of fiction and non-fiction, as well as a lyricist, musical composer, and singer-songwriter. He is married to author Janet Morris. He is a defense policy and strategy analyst and a principal in M2 Technologies, Inc. He writes primarily as Chris Morris, but occasionally uses pseudonyms.


Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Bookbub

Amazon * Amazon * Goodreads * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Choice of print or ebook copy of Storm Seed , 

$10 Amazon giftcard 

– 1 winner each! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Hold Circulation

by Syntell Smith

 

 Trial and Redemption

A Call Numbers Novel


Literary Fiction


























 

In the book of life, the page must always be turned.

 

Robin Walker is at a crossroads. It’s 1994, and he’s been suspended from his part-time clerical position at the 58th Street Branch Library. His co-workers are overburdened, even with visiting clerks from other libraries.

Still mourning the loss of his grandfather, Robin also pines for Shinju, his former girlfriend and the niece of his supervisor Sonyai Yi. Meanwhile, library page Tonya Brown attempts to reconcile with her cheating boyfriend Andrew Friedman. Information assistant Angie Trueblood is given the cold shoulder by Heywood Learner, still despondent over a breakup. And former 58th Street page Janelle Simms is due to give birth and go on maternity leave, all while feuding with her parents.

But all is not lost. Over time, these co-workers have become much more than that. Joy, anger, love and pain are etched among them like ink on paper. Now they must decide whether to renew their life choices or reserve a new path. And with their due dates fast approaching, one thing becomes clear – everybody wants a happy ending.

Hold Circulation is the latest entry in the Call Numbers series. Author Syntell Smith crafts a layered and thought-provoking novel that examines the drama-filled lives of the people that are best known for keeping quiet. Underneath the surface, these fascinating characters try to break free of life’s burdens… by leaping off the page.


About the Author


Syntell Smith was born and raised in Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan in New York City. He began writing while blogging his hectic everyday life experiences in 2004. After gaining an audience with a following of dedicated readers, he studied scripts and plays and got into screenwriting. “Call Numbers” is his first novel that he plans to develop into a series. He loves comic books, video games, and watching reruns of Law and Order. Syntell is active on Facebook. Tumblr & Twitter, and currently lives in Detroit.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

 

Purchase Link

Amazon


RABT Book Tours & PR

Dark Goddess

a Novel by J. Raventós

 

 Thriller

Date Published: November 16, 2023























 

 

January 2009. In the midst of the financial crisis, a mysterious figure, Satoshi Nakamoto, publishes the Bitcoin code. The disruptive power of this digital currency is enormous, as it has been designed so that it cannot be controlled by any banking or government authority and allows for completely anonymous transactions. Special Agent Harris is assigned to find out who is hiding behind that identity. Meanwhile, a powerful cybercriminal organization is also searching for Nakamoto and will stop at nothing. Ada, a young prodigy studying in Barcelona, and L30n, an elusive hacker, will be swept up in this pursuit.

Reality and fiction intertwine in this techno-thriller that weaves a tense plot exploring the power of money and technology.


About the Author



J. Raventós is an engineer and serial entrepreneur. After working in Silicon Valley, he founded several tech startups in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, 5G, and telecommunications networks. He is currently working on a new AI and data security startup. He also serves as a technology advisor for a venture capital fund.

 



Purchase Links

Amazon

iBooks

Kobo

Smashwords


RABT Book Tours & PR

Slam Dunk Job Search

 

 6 Steps to Landing your Ideal Job in Any Market

 

Business / Self-Help / Motivational

Published: March 2024

Publisher: Beyond Competitive LLC

 

 

 

An energetic, helpful, and thought-provoking coaching manual for improving job-applying skills.

 

Kirkus Review

 

 

Contact Links

Website

LinkedIn

 

Purchase Link

Amazon


RABT Book Tours & PR

The Cyclopes’ Eye

by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius

Teaser Tuesday

 

 YA Dystopian, Soft Sci-Fi

Date to be Published: 04-09-2024

Publisher: NineStar Press























 

First they came for his sister’s eye. Now they’re coming for his. And what’s even worse is he deserves it.

Henry has never had anything good happen to him, period. Full stop. That’s why, after school, he’s going to put on his big-boy pants and confess his love to his best friend—because the universe owes him one, dammit, and he needs a win.

But maybe doing it on Drill Day wasn’t the best idea—the one day a month that healthcare conglomerate Axiom infiltrates schools across America to select a new candidate to give up one of their eyes, for… research? And if this Drill Day is anything like the last, Henry will never get a chance at a good life. Especially if his past keeps threatening to eat him alive, and especially if his old ways of keeping the darkness at bay refuse to work anymore.

 

Excerpt

I hate attention. I hate causing a scene. I hate being noticed. And I’m very, very aware that, right now, that is exactly what’s happening. I’m also noticing how sweaty I am. My face is either ghost white or bile green. Or beet red. All three?

A part of me knows they can’t be looking at me any worse than they usually do, though. Poor Henry with his one-eyed sister. Poor Henry with his drunk of a dad. Poor Henry with his convict of a mother.

I think about reaching down to my thigh to catapult me out of this moment, the tangle of cuts and scars I could squeeze and knead like dough so the jolt of hurt would replace this ache of embarrassment. But I can’t. Not here.

We take the third speed bump slower than the last two, but I still feel touch-and-go. At this point, the best option is to just get out of here as fast as I can. Since I’m already standing when we pull into the parking spot, I don’t wait for all the people in front of me to get off first. I march right on up to the front like I own this bus. And you know what? For right now, I do, fuckers.

“You in a hurry or something?” asks the driver. He removes his shades to reveal two very intact and very brown eyes. His fist is wrapped around the lever to open the door, but he’s not opening it.

I wasn’t expecting this, and with each second, my blood feels thicker and thicker, like sludge. I mumble something about a test I have to study for.

“One day you’ll realize life’s about more than school,” he says, believing, I’m sure, that he’s being very profound at six-thirty.

I just nod and smile, hoping my face doesn’t betray my anguish.

He smirks and finally pulls the lever, and the door squeaks and sighs as it opens. I jump down the stairs, and I must go a little too fast because there’s no way I can hold it in anymore. I’ve got to puke, and I’ve got to puke now.

I race around to the front of the bus, shielded on all sides by other buses that I really hope are empty, and let it go.

It’s so painful coming up, like someone is stabbing me. My eyes flutter open and closed as it comes pouring out, and it’s like I’m watching myself in stop motion. It forms puddles around my feet. Some of it gets on my shoes.

It’s hot and gross, and some of it sprays up into my nose, which might make me puke more. I try to be quiet so nobody will hear me, but the bus engine is so loud that it probably doesn’t matter. Or maybe that’s delirious thinking. Maybe the driver is watching from his window right now. But if anybody does come over to see, they don’t wait around long enough to say anything.

A minute later, when I’m sure it’s all out of me, I feel light, free. Empty. I think this might be the best I’ve ever felt in my life. Maybe I can read this poem today. Maybe Sam will respond the way I want. I should puke more often.

Everything in me goes still and quiet. It’s almost like I’m floating through fog as I wind my way through the maze of buses all parked in a cluster. I’m so light, it feels like a dream. Like I’m not real. Is this what it’s like to get high?

As soon as I round the last bus, I come down.

If getting sick was a dream, reality is not worth waking up for. The nightmare of my life is as bleak as it’s ever been.

Ah, yes, here we are. Drill Day.

Across the parking lot, a few hundred feet away, is the entire student body—two thousand of my peers. They’ve been rounded up like cattle in front of school, their incessant chatter like primal, god-fearing cries for help before being led to slaughter. And just like real cattle, they know there’s no escape.

But at least the cows get to die before their mutilation

 

 

About the Author

Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius works in healthcare by day and writes weird fiction and poetry by night. His shorter work has been featured in numerous literary journals and has been nominated for prizes, including Best of the Net. He currently lives in the Midwest with his unbelievably handsome and perfect dog, and also a human whom he loves. The Cyclopes’ Eye is his debut novel.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @jeffreyhvwrites

Instagram: @jeffreyhvwrites

TikTok: @jeffreyhvwrites


RABT Book Tours & PR