Liss Thomas's Blog: Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals, page 11

No Way Home - Chapter 14 - Beyond Pacifica

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CREDIT: S. Abramowicz, Dinosaur Institute, NHM

 

Del scrambled back to Kira’s side.  “Can you move?” she asked.  Kira shook her head.  Del looked back at the man with the rocket launcher.  He smiled while another man helped load the rocket.  And then Kyran appeared.  He pulled them both into his arms and dove for the downstairs cabin.  He twisted and landed on his back cushioning Del and Kira’s fall.  He rolled them over and pounded his fist hard against the side of the boat.  In a flash the boat lurched forward at incredible speed.  Del rolled and hit the wall.  She pulled herself up and looked out the portal as they sailed away from the poachers.  She saw the rocket ignite and rush toward them but their boat outran even the rocket.  Soon the poachers were far behind.  Kyran slammed his fist against the side again and the boat slowed.

 

“What happened?” Del asked.  Kyran moved Kira to the small bed.  He looked up and nearly snarled at her.

 

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?  I told you to stay below!  Now those guys know you’re alive and will hunt until they find you,” Kyran snapped.

 

“She saved my life, Kyran,” Kira said.  Her voice sounded weak.  Del rushed to her side to examine her again.  Her skin looked dry and had begun to turn a mossy shade of green.  Kyran no longer looked angry.  Pain marred his face at his sister’s discomfort.  He brushed his fingers across her brow and looked at the residue on his fingers.

 

“Shhhh, Kira.  Don’t speak.  I’ll take care of you, I promise.”  He turned to Del.  “The gasoline is toxic to her skin.  Get as much off as you can before it seeps into her pores.  I’ll get us back to land and find us a safe place until she’s better.”  He turned and rushed upstairs.

 

Del worked quickly to remove Kira’s tattered clothing.  She found a bucket and filled it with warm water and dish soap and lightly washed Kira’s skin.  She washed Kira’s hair next as best she could and changed the bedding.  Del made sure Kira was comfortable before she went topside.  She found Kyran at the wheel.  He didn’t look at her as she sat beside him.

 

“Kira’s clean and resting.  Her skin doesn’t look so good.  The green scaly patches are spreading and becoming like calluses.  Is she going to be ok?” Del asked.

 

“Yes.  But I need to get her to a safe place so she can heal,” he said.

 

“So what happened back there?” Del asked.  Kyran blew out a heavy sigh.

 

“I should have made her stay with you.  We got on board their vessel without any problems and found your duffle in the captain’s chambers.  But they were waiting for us.  They knew we’d come to get your stuff.  They had weapons but Kira and I know how to take them out.  Anyway, Kira grabbed your duffle and ran to the deck.  The other’s returned and she fought several of them before they overpowered her.  They knocked her back and she fell into a cargo hold.  She must have landed on a container of gasoline.  We made it back on deck at the same time but I knew she wouldn’t last long.  I grabbed her and the duffle and jumped overboard.  Several sharks kept the poachers from pursuing us and they pulled us back to our boat.”

 

“How did we outrun the poachers?” Del asked.  Kyran smiled.  He set the throttle to cruise and walked over to the side of the boat with Del following.  He looked around for any other boats before he gave a high whistle.  Del watched something rising through the water and when it breached its head she gasped.

 

“Is that?”

 

“Lochness monster.  Water horse.  Plesiosaur.”  He smiled and patted the creature’s head.  “Thanks for the lift, you better go back down before anyone else spots you,” Kyran said.  Del reached out and ran her fingers down the long neck of the plesiosaur and smiled.  It turned her way and licked at her hand before it splashed back into the ocean and drifted down.  Kyran returned to the wheel while Del pulled the remains of her duffle out to inspect.  She pulled the time remoter out and sighed.  Several bullets left the device in ruins. 

 

“Now what?” Kyran asked as he steered toward the lonely dock of a small fishing village.

 

“I find another way home.”

 

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No Way Home - Chapter 14 - Beyond Pacifica

DAN WRIGHT - Author Interview

My Guest Author today is DanWright, author of The Legacy of the Dragonkin. I’ve asked Dan a few fun and unique questions about his writing and characters.  I’m thrilled Dan agreed to this interview since it’s my first.  Monsters and Mortal, enjoy!

 

1)     Who is your favorite character from one of your novels?

This is a tough one as I have a lot. But if I had to pick one I would say Zarracka Dragonkin. In my series, she starts off a straightforward villain, but in later writings I tried to add a little bit more depth to her character, showing that she actually isn’t really a bad guy per say, she’s just a little lonely. She’s a little bit of a femme fatale, but also extremely goofy and pouty and adds a lot of comic moments in the books. She’s sort of like an 80’s cartoon villain – a little over the top and goofy, but with sinister motives.

 

2)     If you had a super power, what would it be?

I like to believe that, as a writer, I have a superpower anyway! J After all, writers create worlds and characters – and decide their eventual fates. In their own way, writers are gods that can create (and destroy) life. If that’s not a superpower I dunno what is!

 

3)     Self publish or traditional?  Why?

I’m actually in favour for both, however I personally self publish. Reason being is that I like having the control of telling the story the way I want to and putting it out as I want it to look like. I’ve never been traditionally published so I can’t really comment on that, but self publishing works for me. I guess it really depends on what works for who.

 

4)     What is your favorite mythical creature?

Dragons. What’s not to love about them? They’re powerful, breathe fire (and other elements) can fly and kinda look like dinosaurs. I actually had a huge interest in dinosaurs when I was young so I guess this is where the inspiration came from. Also, dragons feature heavily in my writings.

 

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  5)     Wind up and short Pitch your book to the audience

My book is Legacy of the Dragonkin – a sequel to my first novel Trapped on   Draconica. It’s a young adult Fantasy novel that is heavily inspired by Manga and Anime and contains some Manga style illustrations. It focuses on a race called the Dragonkin, humans with dragon powers, and the sequel features the son of the greatest Dragonkin learning to be a hero. It’s an exciting mix of action, comedy, drama and romance and is a great read for Manga fans.

 

 

 

 

6)     What is your current WIP?

I’m working on a sequel to this book I have out. It will be quite a large book and may have to be split up into 3 books as it is quite an epic storyline! Without giving too much away, it will possibly be the most desperate of the stories and will bring together a lot of themes and storylines from the previous books.

 

7)     What do you do when you need a spark of creativity?

Usually I just turn to another medium for help. Be it a video game, film, comic or novel. Or sometimes just reading about a famous historical event. I can pretty much find inspiration from anything if I’m in the write mood.

 

8)     Is there anyone you would like to write into your next novel, so you can plot their demise?

Oh, there are a few – but I’m saying nothing. That’s the good thing about being a writer, if someone pisses you off, you can write a character based on them in your book! Hehehe.

 

9)     What time of day is best for your writing?

I normally try writing throughout the day on my days off. I try to at least get in between 4-5 hours of writing if I can. Night time is not good for me as I just end up getting too tired, so it’s best to do it when I’m fresh.

 

10) In your current novel, who would play the leads if Hollywood came calling?

Not sure really. I always said that this book will need to be an animated film to do it justice. Given the choice, I’d rather it be done in an Anime style. I’d love to have the voice actors Cam Clarke, Phil LaMarr, Peter Cullen, Steven Blum and Frank Welker all have a part in it. But as far as live action goes I’m not really sure to be honest.

 

LINKS FOR
LEGACY OF THE DRAGONKIN

 

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AMAZON USA

AMAZON UK

SMASHWORDS

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Dan Wright lives in Canterbury, United Kingdom writes and publishes his own books through traditional paperback and ebook format. He writes novels with a strong manga influence to them and are filled with action, comedy, romance and drama. His first book even contained manga style illustrations.

 

 

Connect with Dan @

WEBSITE: www.pandragondan.co.uk

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/PandragonDanWright

TWITTER: @PandragonDan

WIKI PAGE: http://trappedondraconica.wikia.com

 

 

 

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DAN WRIGHT - Author Interview

Take Aim - Chapter 13 - Beyond Pacifica

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Photo credit: gre.ceres / Foter.com / CC BY

 

Waves rocked the small chartered boat pulling Del from a quiet slumber.  Sunlight shone brightly threw the clear portal above where she lay.  Del sat up slowly and glanced around the small cabin.  No one else occupied the small space but she heard Kira and Kyran arguing above her.  She rose, dressed in shorts and a tank top and went on deck.

 

“You should be in bed,” Kyran snapped when he saw her.

 

“I’m fine.  So where are they?” Del asked as she checked the headings and scanned the horizon.

 

“Several miles ahead of us.  We’re keeping our distance until we have a plan that doesn’t involve calling up a kraken while sharks circle their boat,” Kira said with a scathing glance toward Kyran.

 

“I’m leaning toward the kraken idea myself.  Wait, are there really krakens?”   Del asked.  She caught a sly wink from Kyran.  “Anyway, what’s the other plan?”

 

“They’re headed toward a small inlet farther down the coast.  I think we can sneak on board while the crew is off looking for prey.  We’ll recover your equipment and vanish before they realize it,” Kira said.

 

“I’m surprised, Kira, using poor defenseless animals as a distraction for our goals?”

 

“Hardly!”  Kira scoffed.  Let’s just say we have a few land connections and the prey they’re after have gone into hiding.  Those filthy poachers will find nothing but sand and rocks!”

 

“Someone is bound to be left behind to guard the boat,” Kyran said.  “What about them?”

 

“Ah, dear brother, I guess it’s time you earned your keep!”

 

“But they have guns, Kira!  You can’t send Kyran in there alone and unprotected!”

 

“Is that concern I hear, dear human?  Relax, I can handle ten of those guys.”

 

“And guns!  Can you handle ten guns, oh and bullets, you can handle those as well?” Del mocked.  Kyran glanced over his shoulder and winked again.

 

“Fine, well, what do you want me to do?” Del asked, still uncertain about the current plan.

 

“Stay here and out of the way.  Kira and I will go get your equipment,” Kyran said.

 

“I can’t let you do that.  I should go or at least help out in some way,” Del argued.

 

Kyran pulled into a small inlet and dropped anchor before he turned to face Del.  She saw no humor in his eyes.  He descended upon her with a slow sinewy gait that warned her to be afraid.

 

“You will remain on this boat and you will stay out of sight.  We’ve dealt with these guys before.  If they even suspect you are alive, they will not hesitate to kill you, or did you think they shot you by accident?  These guys are more than just poachers. They run guns and drugs as well and a witness like you is a liability.”

 

“But I didn’t see anything that would make them suspect that I know anything,” Del protested.

 

“You saw them near the islands, that’s all that matters.”

 

“I’m not completely helpless you know.  I do pretty well taking care of myself!” Del said.  Kyran moved so fast she didn’t have time to react.  He latched onto the back of her neck and forced her back downstairs.  Once below deck he pulled her flush against him.

 

“You can either stay in here on your own, or I lock the door.  We’re too far away from Pacifica now or any medical facility.  If you get shot again, you will die,” he said.

 

Del wanted to protest, throw the same argument back at him for their safety as well but his eyes burned the threat deeper and left her mute.  He finally released her and left the cramped room, shutting the door behind him.  A few minutes later she heard splashes and watched out the window as they swam away.

 

Del tried to relax but her nerves kept her pacing the small space for over an hour until she heard a loud thud hit the deck.  She rushed to the portal and saw Kira laying stunned on the deck, her breathing heavy and her clothing ripped and torn.  Soon she saw Kyran jump on deck throwing the boat into reverse and making for open water.  Gun shots split the air next and Del dove to the ground and crawled toward the cabin door.

 

“Kira!” she yelled as she made her way on deck.

 

“Stay down there, Delphina!”  Kyran shouted.

 

“But what about Kira?”  Del ignored him and rushed across to where Kira still lay.  Her face looked pinched in pain but otherwise she appeared ok but smelled heavily of gasoline.  “What happened?” Del asked.

 

“Don’t worry about me,” Kira said between clinched teeth.  “Really, I’ll be ok, you need to get below before they spot you.”

 

Del looked around and saw the poachers’ boat coming at them full speed.  Several men lined the deck with machine guns and high powered rifles.    Kyran manned the wheel and hadn’t noticed her.  Del scanned their deck and spotted her equipment duffle.  Del scrambled across to her duffle and wrenched it open.  She unzipped the side pocket and pulled out two 9mm hand guns.  She checked the magazines and pocketed two more in her back pocket.  Another round of bullets riddled the deck sending Del rolling for cover.  Bullets tore through her duffle and half the deck.  Kira still lay where she’d been, fortunately unscathed. 

 

The poachers’ boat seemed to be catching up with them.  Del watched the men as they cursed and yelled obscenities in Spanish.  One pointed to Kira who hadn’t moved and took aim.

 

Del pulled both guns to the ready, stood and fired.  She aimed for their hands  and knees and she didn’t miss.  Their shouts turned to screams until their guns were neutralized.  Another man appeared his gun at the ready but Del sliced a bullet so close he dropped it.  They made eye contact and stared at each other for several seconds before his eyes widened in recognition.  He retrieved what looked like a rocket launcher from the deck and took aim.

 

“Damn,” Del said.

 

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Take Aim - Chapter 13 - Beyond Pacifica

Cool Pics Sunday

Ok these are not as cool as the last ones
but I took these myself.
Enjoy and Comment!

 

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I thought the knots in this tree looked amazing

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Nature is Never Ordinary
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Cool Pics Sunday

In Hot Water - Chapter 12 - Beyond Pacifica

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Photo credit: Jonesemyr / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

 

Del felt over her body, not feeling pain.  She pulled her hand up and saw the blood.  Then pain start to burn it’s way through her limbs.

 

“The jump slowed down the reaction.  My body is catching up with the injuries,” she said.

 

“We need to heal her quickly!” Kira said.  Without waiting, Kyran lifted Del into his arms and followed Kira from the room.  They ran through corridors as Del watched flashes of faces and sea creatures blur past.  Her hearing seemed muted and her eyes lids grew heavy.  She felt warmth spread over her like bath water lapping at her skin.  It grew hotter and soothed away the hurt.  Her mind drifted in and out of consciousness.  Something smooth and slick glided across her skin, encircling her waist.  Del opened her eyes to see a moray eel just as an electric shock riddled her body and then blackness.

 

Delphina woke to a darkened room with small slivers of light peeking through heavy curtains.  She searched the dark for something familiar but found nothing.  Panic soon followed.  Del tried to sit up but a wave of nausea sent her back to her pillows.  She felt a body next to her stir and a small hand rubbed at her brow.

 

“You still need rest, Delphina.  Try not to move too much.”

 

Del relaxed at Kira’s soothing voice.  She turned her head and met Kira’s sleepy eyes.

 

“It is quite early still.  Try to sleep a little more,” Kira said.

 

“Where’s Kyran?” Del asked.  She licked her dry lips.  Kira handed her a small water bottle and Del drank deeply coating her dry throat.  “Thanks.”

 

“Kyran’s on the balcony looking for the poachers’ ship.  The wharf is just below us.  We’ve encountered them before and if it’s the same group, he should spot them easily.”

 

Del wanted to ask more questions but her body resisted the urge to stay awake and she drifted back to sleep.

 

###

 

Nikos stormed through the doors of the small building housing the Conversations Over Time Organization where Delphina spent most of her time.  Several guards followed in his wake as he moved past the stunned receptionist and into the main lab.

 

“Where is my daughter?  She hasn’t been home in two days and I want to see her now!” he roared.

 

Harper looked up from his roster in shock at the king’s appearance.  He dropped his list and rose to meet the angry father.

 

“Your Highness, I’m Professor Gregory Harper.  Delphina left two days ago on an assignment but we lost contact with her as soon as she made her jump.”

 

“Why wasn’t I informed?” Nikos asked, his voice still booming.

 

“Well sir, it’s not unusual for our jumpers to experience setbacks.  We’ve contacted the captain of the small vessel she traveled on and he’s still in position.”

 

“Well it’s obvious to me something is wrong.  Send someone back there now to collect my daughter!”

 

Harper kept his eyes on his feet as he spoke.  “We can’t, Sir.  Our policy only allows one jumper to a specific time and place.  It is imperative we leave the smallest trace of our jump in time so as not to disrupt the current time line.  She was well aware of the rules when she took the assignment.  If she’s run into difficulties, we have protocols on how to handle them.  But we can’t interfere,” he said.

 

 ”Can’t or won’t?”

 

“I’m sorry, Sir, we can’t.”

 

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In Hot Water - Chapter 12 - Beyond Pacifica

The Mind Jump - Chapter 11 - Beyond Pacifica

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Photo credit: not on your nelly / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

The King came forward  with a smile. 

 

“Kira, Kyran, I want you to assist her.  We can’t afford the humans getting too close to our location and they’re probably topside already and snooping about.”

 

“She doesn’t need us both, father,” Kyran said, the annoyance clear in his tone.

 

“Would you have your sister go out into the human world unprotected?” The King asked.

 

Kyran looked away like a scolded child unable to get out of an undesirable chore.  “No Sir.”

 

“Good, then you will go and protect your sister and this woman from harm.  The error must be repaired as quickly as possible.”

 

With that the King turned on his heels back toward his throne.  The conversation over.  Kyran wordlessly led the way back to the bedroom Del had awaken in.  Two guards followed behind escorting them, waving off curious onlookers.  Once inside and away from prying eyes, Delphina pulled the capsule out again.

 

“I don’t understand, Del.  How does that little pill work?” Kira asked, examining it over Del’s shoulder.

 

“It’s difficult to explain.  I’m going to attempt a time jump in mind only.  If it works, I can throw my consciousness into my body in the past.  It can only work within the first 48 hours so it must be done immediately.  I’ll only have 90 seconds to fix the error before I’m pulled back.  I need to have a plan before I do this,” Delphina said.

 

“Tell us exactly what happened,” Kira said.  Del explained it all again down to the finest detail.  The rain, speed of the oncoming vessel and her stalled motor.  She cataloged all items on the small raft including, two small paddles, backpack full of specimen holders and jars, life jacket, fire extinguisher, water bottles, flare gun, outboard motor.  “But none of it should have caused such a massive explosion,” Del said.

 

“Perhaps the poachers carried more than what we found,” Kira said.  She glanced over at Kyran who had taken up lounging in a chair.  “You could help us!” she scolded.

 

“I’m here to protect you.  Consider yourselves protected,” he said before shutting his eyes.

 

“It’s ok, Kira.  I think I have the answer.  Once I jump back to myself in the raft, I’ll use the extinguisher to propel my craft away from the fishing boat.  It should push me just enough to miss the collision.”  Delphina climbed into the clam shell bed and lay down.  She focused her mind on the exact point when she first time jumped and held it there, remembering the rain stinging her skin and the toss of the waves.  She slid the capsule between her lips and envisioned where everything was on the dingy.  She looked back at Kira.  “90 seconds is all I have, I’ll see you soon.”  Del swallowed the pill her mind intent on the timeline.

 

Waves crashed against the small boat and threw Delphina off balance.  Remembering the task at hand, she quickly found the fire extinguisher, pulled the pin and set it in the water.  She saw the fishing vessel from the corner of her eye and pressed the trigger.  At first it didn’t seem to move her any but slowly she saw the distance between them widening.  The fishing boat careened past with a slight bump to her craft.  Del fell back and heaved a huge sigh of relief until she noticed the fishing boat coming about.  They’d spotted her.  She checked her time, 50 seconds had lapsed.  The boat circled around and she saw men lining the deck and pointing.  65 seconds.  She heard shouts over the pounding rain just before she saw the guns.  Del felt several bullets wiz by her before she dove into the ocean.  75 seconds.  She kicked down to get away from the bullets that riddled the turbulent sea.  Soon she heard nothing at all, looking back she saw her small craft being hooked and pulled toward the larger vessel.  They were stealing her boat!  80 seconds.  She thought of her ultra modern equipment and the time remoter in the hands of poachers.  Her heart skipped and she kicked for the surface.  90 seconds. 

 

Delphina opened her eyes, no longer underwater but back in Pacifica.  Kira and Kyran stood over her, their faces anxious.  Kira looked to be crying.

 

“I’m back, it’s ok Kira, I avoided the collision.  No explosion.  But those poachers took my boat and shot at me!”  She made to sit up but Kyran held her down, an unusual expression in his eyes.

 

“Delphina, they didn’t miss,” he said.

 

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The Mind Jump - Chapter 11 - Beyond Pacifica

Sunday's Cool Pic

Comes from
Where cool things happen 

 

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Sunday's Cool Pic

Guest Post Wanted!

Seeking Mortals to Guest Blog!

 

As much fun as I have writing fiction for my blog, I think my readers would enjoy a few new voices around the blog.  I’m opening my blog up for guest post of several varieties.

 

Reviews of YA Novels: 

I’m looking recommendations for my readers on some of the best YA novels out there.  I’d love to showcase Independent Authors to my readers.

 

 

Author Interviews: 

If you are an Indie Author, who writes YA, I would love to send you interview questions and post the answers on my blog along with a picture of you and a link to your novel.  If you write something other than YA, I’ll consider it.

 

Character Interviews:

Authors, this is an awesome way for readers to get to know your characters and in term your novel.  I’ve done character interviews here with my first novel and the response was excellent.  Write up your own questions and conduct the interview as if in real life.  If you need help, here is a link to one of my interviews (it’s my villain so don’t let it scare you!)

 

 

The Book Hook: 

Indie Authors, hook us with 300 words or less from your published novel or short story.  Catch readers by giving us the best of one area of your story that will make us go out and get the rest!  Make sure it makes sense as a stand alone scene.

 

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Guest Post Wanted!

Seeking Mortals for Guest Posts!

As much fun as I have writing fiction for my blog, I think my readers would enjoy a few new voices.  I’m opening my blog up for guest posts of several varieties.

 

Reviews of Young Adult Novels:  I’d love recommendations for my readers on some of the best YA novels out there.  I’d love to showcase Independent Authors to my readers.

 

 

Author Interviews:  If you are an Indie Author, who writes YA, I would love to send you interview questions and post the answers on my blog along with a picture of you and a link to your novel.  If you write something other than YA, I’ll consider it.  Oh, who am I kidding, most genres are welcome!

 

 

Character Interviews:  Authors, this is an awesome way for readers to get to know your characters and in turn your novel.  I’ve done character interviews here with my first novel and the response was excellent.  Write up your own questions and conduct the interview as if in real life.  If you need help, here is a link to one of my interviews (it’s my villain but don’t let him scare you!)

 

 

The Book Hook:  Indie Authors, hook us with 300 words or less from your published novel or short story.  Catch readers by giving them the best scene from your story.  Make us go out and get the rest!  Make sure it makes sense as a stand alone scene.

 

 

Watch for a sign up page but in the meantime, if you’d like to participate in one of these fun posts, drop me a line at

 

lissthomas3152[at]gmail[dot]com

 

 

 

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Seeking Mortals for Guest Posts!

CCC #337

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Monastery
Operate
Religious
Trunk
Interment - the act or ceremony of interring; burial.
Crematory
Item
Airliner
North
Silver

 

Exiting the Silver Airliner with a small roller trunk attracts little attention.  No one asks about the items being transported across state lines to a remote location near the Canadian border. 

The rental car bumps along the forgotten road heading north to a stretch of woods near a crystal clear lake.  I remember the place well.  It’s an annual visit for a solemn occasion.  I park next to a faithful tree and a shovel and get to work.  The earth gives way easily to my efforts and soon I have a sufficient hole. 

The interment is private and without ceremony.  No monasteries nearby to gaze upon or religious articles to pray upon the departed.  Just me and two urns and the knowledge that two more of the missing will never be found.  No one seems to suspect the Crematory Operator.

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CCC #337