L.E. Doggett's Blog, page 17
August 28, 2016
My newest book
'nother update: Aug 28.
Closer to having my book published. It is being looked over by the CreateSpace people for the paper version. I had a whole lot of problems and I was out of town for my anniversary for two days, not to mention just plain being tired at night, so it t look me longer than it should have to get her done. Anyway as I said it's now being looked over by them.
Next up will be Kindle, then other sites. I hate to say it because it might jinx things but this should be a lot easier and faster. I have a program that does E-book formats.
The giveaway will still happen. For the new book, The number one book-this is number two-and both.
Closer to having my book published. It is being looked over by the CreateSpace people for the paper version. I had a whole lot of problems and I was out of town for my anniversary for two days, not to mention just plain being tired at night, so it t look me longer than it should have to get her done. Anyway as I said it's now being looked over by them.
Next up will be Kindle, then other sites. I hate to say it because it might jinx things but this should be a lot easier and faster. I have a program that does E-book formats.
The giveaway will still happen. For the new book, The number one book-this is number two-and both.
August 21, 2016
Three Relationship Tales
This time I have three what I want to call Romance, but probably are more Relationship tales. I do Relationship stories ever now and then. I have them in steampunk, SF, fantasy, urban fantasy, alchemy settings. These three are all general fiction and very short. Some of my relationship or Romance tales are suppose to be humorous, some are serious. These three are more for fun. One is what I call a mini epic poem.
You might wonder about the wife in the second story, but it's all good, I wrote it. :)
These are a total of 2,700 and some words long.
So now to the stories:
Hinglefingle’s Lesson
By L. E. Doggett
Tommy Hinglefingle sat on a large rock, today he became single. His seat felt hard and rough but he didn’t care. A tear formed in one eye.
He didn’t notice Jeff Kerkerfell rush up to him from behind. The newcomer slipped around the rock seat, Tommy saw him just as Kergerfell rang his bell.
Tommy hit the ground, stayed there long enough to realize he tasted blood and that one hand rested on a thorny weed.
Once back up, he raised his fists and said, “What was that for?”
“You messed around with my girlfriend.”“Me? You stole her from me...I should punch you twice.”
Jeff waved his hand as if to dismiss what Tommy said.
“Don’t change the subject, you messed with Emily.”
“Not recently...of course I messed with her when we were together...what are you going to do punch all her old boyfriends?”
Kerkerfell said, “You were more than a boyfriend, she married you...and she still thinks of you.”
“What? We haven’t spoken in months.”
Kerkerfell shook his head hard, “Don’t try to sell me. She has been distant the last few days and she changes the subject when I talk of us.”
Hinglefingle said, “Maybe she just wants to be single.”
Kerkerfell said, “She has mentioned your name you in our discussions of late, she wore a ring last night on her left hand when she gave me a quick good night kiss. I knew then that you had to be messing with her behind my back.
Hinglefingle paced, put his hands in his pocket, jingled his keys, stopped himself. He turned back to Kerkerfell.
“Are you playing a game here? She let you take her from me and filed for divorce...and no matter what you believe I haven’t even seen her in ages much less messed with her.”
Kerkerfell said, “Listen to me, you can tell I’m not playing a game! She really has talked about you and is wearing a ring.”
“Maybe Hizzorlone gave her one. She seems to like him.”
“No, she talks about you not him.”
“But...”
Kerkerfell interrupted, “She still wears that small bell you gave her too. And it was a wedding ring not an engagement ring. Call her and see for yourself. You will see I was right to sock you.”
Hinglefingle pulled out his cell phone said, “She would have called me today of all days if this was true,” and punched in a number.
A moment later he said, “Damn, the battery is dead.”
Kerkerfell said, “Maybe that is why she hasn’t called you, she can’t get through...She’s probably at Dell’s party, you should go talk to her.”
Hinglefingle paced again, rolled his eyes and said, “Okay, I’ll go see her mingle at the party...I’ll get this straightened out one way or another.”
Kerkerfell said, “If you haven’t messed with her I’ll apologize for punching you...but go find out.”
Hinglefingle started off, stopped turned back and said, “I’ll give you a dingle afterwards.”
He thought, and if this is a game, I won’t call, I’ll give him two punches.
After he got in his car he added, maybe it is true, I didn’t tell Kerkerfell that she tried to call me four times last night, if she really is wearing that ring she must have changed her mind which would mean today the divorce would be off instead of final...maybe something good can happen to me after all.”
The End
——————————————————————————
Not So Disappearing Husband
Tyler walked outside and stayed. Sanra from three houses down ran out on the street. She screamed in what sounded like anger and hit a wood power pole twice. The second time she yipped in pain. He thought of her as a short Type A personality. Long brown hair with a skinny physique, but he had seen her lift things, she was strong.
He hurried up to her. When he stood next to her, his nose winkled. He thought, boy this day started off bad, now a neighbor is freaking out. On top of that she must have forgotten to use deodorant and has been sweating. No wonder though for she wore grey and blue sweats and a long sleeve shirt on a warm day while he wore shorts and a T-shirt.
Out loud he said, “Wait, don’t hit that again, you might hurt your hand.”
She looked at him with a half snarl.
Tyler felt like he should take a step back instead he said, “What is the matter? Can’t your husband help?”
“That’s the problem, he’s gone.”
She wiped her face, he thought a couple of drops of seat landed on his nose. At least they hadn’t landed in his mouth, but if he tasted salt he would know where it came from. She took a deep breath.
“What do you mean he’s gone?”
“I mean he left-disappeared! With no trace, or note, or any word. I don’t know if he left me or-or what.”
“Did you call…?”
She interrupted him, “Yes, I called the police, it’s not long enough for them to investigate. I called a couple of friends, they think he’s off having a good time somewhere. I checked two neighbors but no one was home. His parents live too far away to come help look for him.”
“When did he disappear?”
“This morning, he said he was leaving for work and walked out the door. I watched him walk to where the car is parked on the curb. I turned away and started getting my breakfast ready. I looked up after a minute or two because I never heard the car start. He was gone and the car was still there. I ran outside and there was no sign of him. I looked up and down the street and called him.”
“You think he ran away from home?”
“Some of his stuff is missing, but because of how quick he disappeared-maybe a gang kidnapped him. That just happened to someone.”
“Before we go that far, let’s go back over where he disappeared. You might have missed something.”
She looked angry like she thought he had insulted her but a moment later motioned for him to go with her. On the way he took out some gum, the peppermint flavor would help him think, as it always did. It might be more the chewing motions but he didn’t care, it worked.
Sanra led him to her house and showed him the car.
She stared at him, said, “You think you can find something I missed?”
He shrugged, “Sometimes a new set of eyes helps and I know a little something about investigations. I watched enough crime shows and read Sherlock Holmes many times.”
She looked at him funny, but pointed at the car. Tyler knew what the car looked like already, but went along with it because of the mood she was in.
He grabbed the handle to see if it was locked, the handle felt very warm but it was a hot day. He looked up and down the street, examined the curb. Nothing but bits of paper the wind blew around. Tyler went across the street and talked to a neighbor who lived there. He nodded and came back.
“Show me where his stuff is missing from.”
She rolled her eyes, probably thought it was wasting time, but led him inside and into their bedroom. He stayed on the other side of the room, as he thought she was ready to hit him if she thought he might make a pass at her. The bed was unmade but he didn’t care about that. PJs lay on the floor-they looked like guy’s sleep wear.
He rummaged though their closet. The whole place smelled of hairspray, thick enough to taste. It really did look like some of her husband’s stuff was missing. Mostly his work clothes. After a few moments he nodded.
He said, “He didn’t leave a note or call?”
“No! I looked and he won’t answer his cell phone.”
“Well, let’s go in the kitchen and double check.”
“Okay, but you won’t find anything.”
He shrugged. She led him to the kitchen, he could still smell bacon from breakfast. It made his mouth water since it was lunch time. A bacon tomato sandwich would taste good about now, he thought.
Since he couldn’t have any right now, he blocked that thought and looked around. No notes. He moved things around on the table but nothing. He looked under the refrigerator but he didn’t think a piece of paper could slip all the way under it. The floor felt hard on his bare knees so after another two-seconds he stood, moved over to the counter.
Two large round plates rested there. One looked clean while the other had pieces of dried food on it. He looked at the plates and thought.
After a moment he called her over and lifted both plates. She looked at him puzzled then at the counter. He looked at her as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “Oh God.”
She stared at what lay on the counter, for a long moment before her arm moved quick like a snake as her snatched two pieces of binder paper. She read them over.
“Oh, oh. He wasn’t kidnapped, he got a call last night saying he had to go out of town for work. One of his coworkers would drive. He found out this morning that his cell phone was out of power and the guy’s car doesn’t have a cig lighter or any thing else to charge the phone. He has to wait until they get there to call me. That’s going to be about dinner time.”
She looked down at the plate, Kyle had put back.
“I must have been half asleep when I came in here this morning. I put down the plate and didn’t see the note, he was just walking out the door and I was thinking of him too-we had a fight the other day and I was still angry. We didn’t talk last night and I went to bed early. The phone rung twice and his cell rung three times. He must have used it up last night and forgot to charge it-he does that. How did you know there was a note?”
“I guessed at it. As I said I’ve watched detective TV shows and read Sherlock Holmes. When I looked over his clothes I noticed that it looked like he had taken his work clothes not his every day things. At least if he is like me and other men I know. In addition it looked like one small suitcase was missing from your set. I took the chance that you didn’t just lose it...finally the real clue came from the guy who lives across the street.”
“The one you talked too?”
“Yes, I asked him if he saw anything. He said, yes he did. You husband was picked up by a car full of men but he thought it was okay since they all waved and your husband carried a backpack and small suitcase.”
“I never thought about checking for his backpack, or what clothes were missing.”
She stopped talking, blinked five times.
Kyle said, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, no...I mean God, I was so angry with him, but when I thought he was gone I panicked. I thought something had happened to him and his last thoughts of me would be how angry I was.”
“You better apologize when he calls.”
“I will, I will tell him how much I can’t wait until he’s back.”
“In that case I better go...but I can get you the number of a good marriage counselor-sounds like you might need one.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Okay,” he walked to the door and turned to say bye she stopped him.
She followed him touched his arm with her hand it was still sweaty, “Thank you-and maybe we do someone to help us. I...I don’t know how to deal with him or my anger when we get like that.”
“Good-I’ll get back to you.”
He walked out and back to his house. He felt good, the day was better than it started, he had helped someone and maybe even saved a marriage. Not a bad day after all.
The end
————————————————————————————
Ted went to bed after he led Ned to get fed. Ned liked Ted for he had cred.
Next they went to a store to buy red Keds and some meds to calm him,
So he could get wed to Sed, before Jed from the Feds could stop them.
For Jed wanted Sed to be wed to him. She wanted Ned. To wed him,
To bed him, to go from now ‘till they were dead with him.
Ted knew Ned was a good guy. A catch for any woman who would wed him.
He stood tall, with black hair and a serious sense of humor.
Ned worked well and was a head man in his company.
Sed was very pretty, nice, red hair, had a brain, had dogs she mended,
All of which was why Jed the Fed wanted her.
The next day Jed from the Feds tried to stop Ned and Sed from being wed.
He said that Ned was a red. Jed told Sed Ned wasn’t.
Jed told Ted to stop the marriage or he would be led to a cell.
Ted told Jed, “You have no cred, so go take some meds to chill out.”
Ted said, “That’s it then, you made your bed lie in it.”
Sed said, “We plan to after we’re wed.”
Ted got a call from Jed. He wanted Ned and Sed’s nuptials put to bed,
Or his face would get red. Ted took some meds for his head ache,
Laid on his bed to think and to rest. But his mind led him to dark thoughts.
He wondered if he should get some keds to run from the feds.
For he would not be led by Jed to stop them from being wed.
Ted called Sed told her what Jed said about their nuptials.
She said that Jed was an old friend who was now in need.
Sed would say to him to get the lead out and go away.
Even if he had to go in a red wagon pulled by Ged.
But she would not be near his bed nor be scared of the Feds.
Jed dressed in red called on Sed said, “Yo, come with me,” grabbed her.
He was tall and strong, angry with a red face, and he yelled. She thought he might rend her dress. Instead he forced fed her some meds to make her sleepy, led her away.
Ned saw them leave, yelled for Ted. He came over with his keds.
Both of them ran after Jed to save Sed. They found Jed’s house, busted in.
They saw her on Jed’s bed, Ned punched Jed in the head, thought he wore a lead hat.
He led Sed back outside to a car then to a place to mend.
Ted called other Feds who came and spirited Jed away.
Once Sed awoke Ned guided her back to her place.
So she could mend with her red stuffed salamander.
Sed slept and dreamt, woke and was fed.
Ned called Ted to ask about Jed and if he could wear his red keds.
Ted said that the Feds had led Jed away, they would make sure that
Jed was fed meds to make him stay in bed when Sed and Ned wed.
They could have their nuptials as planned, and go where they wanted.
Even if Jed wasn’t dead they would have no snags in their plans.
The next day Sed said her and Ned’s nuptials were not dead. They would be wed.
The next Sunday Ted led Sed and Ned to the church.
The Church with a nice steeple and stained glass windows
It was decked out in Blues and Green flowers, plus white ribbon.
The bells rang that they would be wed here.
Ned had his Meds, but was on the mend.
They wore Keds to run if Jed showed, but they also had tuxes on.
Ted plus many friends watched them wed and all were fed.
Sed and Ted said bye as they rode away in a red limo
To where their nuptial bed waited.
The end
You might wonder about the wife in the second story, but it's all good, I wrote it. :)
These are a total of 2,700 and some words long.
So now to the stories:
Hinglefingle’s Lesson
By L. E. Doggett
Tommy Hinglefingle sat on a large rock, today he became single. His seat felt hard and rough but he didn’t care. A tear formed in one eye.
He didn’t notice Jeff Kerkerfell rush up to him from behind. The newcomer slipped around the rock seat, Tommy saw him just as Kergerfell rang his bell.
Tommy hit the ground, stayed there long enough to realize he tasted blood and that one hand rested on a thorny weed.
Once back up, he raised his fists and said, “What was that for?”
“You messed around with my girlfriend.”“Me? You stole her from me...I should punch you twice.”
Jeff waved his hand as if to dismiss what Tommy said.
“Don’t change the subject, you messed with Emily.”
“Not recently...of course I messed with her when we were together...what are you going to do punch all her old boyfriends?”
Kerkerfell said, “You were more than a boyfriend, she married you...and she still thinks of you.”
“What? We haven’t spoken in months.”
Kerkerfell shook his head hard, “Don’t try to sell me. She has been distant the last few days and she changes the subject when I talk of us.”
Hinglefingle said, “Maybe she just wants to be single.”
Kerkerfell said, “She has mentioned your name you in our discussions of late, she wore a ring last night on her left hand when she gave me a quick good night kiss. I knew then that you had to be messing with her behind my back.
Hinglefingle paced, put his hands in his pocket, jingled his keys, stopped himself. He turned back to Kerkerfell.
“Are you playing a game here? She let you take her from me and filed for divorce...and no matter what you believe I haven’t even seen her in ages much less messed with her.”
Kerkerfell said, “Listen to me, you can tell I’m not playing a game! She really has talked about you and is wearing a ring.”
“Maybe Hizzorlone gave her one. She seems to like him.”
“No, she talks about you not him.”
“But...”
Kerkerfell interrupted, “She still wears that small bell you gave her too. And it was a wedding ring not an engagement ring. Call her and see for yourself. You will see I was right to sock you.”
Hinglefingle pulled out his cell phone said, “She would have called me today of all days if this was true,” and punched in a number.
A moment later he said, “Damn, the battery is dead.”
Kerkerfell said, “Maybe that is why she hasn’t called you, she can’t get through...She’s probably at Dell’s party, you should go talk to her.”
Hinglefingle paced again, rolled his eyes and said, “Okay, I’ll go see her mingle at the party...I’ll get this straightened out one way or another.”
Kerkerfell said, “If you haven’t messed with her I’ll apologize for punching you...but go find out.”
Hinglefingle started off, stopped turned back and said, “I’ll give you a dingle afterwards.”
He thought, and if this is a game, I won’t call, I’ll give him two punches.
After he got in his car he added, maybe it is true, I didn’t tell Kerkerfell that she tried to call me four times last night, if she really is wearing that ring she must have changed her mind which would mean today the divorce would be off instead of final...maybe something good can happen to me after all.”
The End
——————————————————————————
Not So Disappearing Husband
Tyler walked outside and stayed. Sanra from three houses down ran out on the street. She screamed in what sounded like anger and hit a wood power pole twice. The second time she yipped in pain. He thought of her as a short Type A personality. Long brown hair with a skinny physique, but he had seen her lift things, she was strong.
He hurried up to her. When he stood next to her, his nose winkled. He thought, boy this day started off bad, now a neighbor is freaking out. On top of that she must have forgotten to use deodorant and has been sweating. No wonder though for she wore grey and blue sweats and a long sleeve shirt on a warm day while he wore shorts and a T-shirt.
Out loud he said, “Wait, don’t hit that again, you might hurt your hand.”
She looked at him with a half snarl.
Tyler felt like he should take a step back instead he said, “What is the matter? Can’t your husband help?”
“That’s the problem, he’s gone.”
She wiped her face, he thought a couple of drops of seat landed on his nose. At least they hadn’t landed in his mouth, but if he tasted salt he would know where it came from. She took a deep breath.
“What do you mean he’s gone?”
“I mean he left-disappeared! With no trace, or note, or any word. I don’t know if he left me or-or what.”
“Did you call…?”
She interrupted him, “Yes, I called the police, it’s not long enough for them to investigate. I called a couple of friends, they think he’s off having a good time somewhere. I checked two neighbors but no one was home. His parents live too far away to come help look for him.”
“When did he disappear?”
“This morning, he said he was leaving for work and walked out the door. I watched him walk to where the car is parked on the curb. I turned away and started getting my breakfast ready. I looked up after a minute or two because I never heard the car start. He was gone and the car was still there. I ran outside and there was no sign of him. I looked up and down the street and called him.”
“You think he ran away from home?”
“Some of his stuff is missing, but because of how quick he disappeared-maybe a gang kidnapped him. That just happened to someone.”
“Before we go that far, let’s go back over where he disappeared. You might have missed something.”
She looked angry like she thought he had insulted her but a moment later motioned for him to go with her. On the way he took out some gum, the peppermint flavor would help him think, as it always did. It might be more the chewing motions but he didn’t care, it worked.
Sanra led him to her house and showed him the car.
She stared at him, said, “You think you can find something I missed?”
He shrugged, “Sometimes a new set of eyes helps and I know a little something about investigations. I watched enough crime shows and read Sherlock Holmes many times.”
She looked at him funny, but pointed at the car. Tyler knew what the car looked like already, but went along with it because of the mood she was in.
He grabbed the handle to see if it was locked, the handle felt very warm but it was a hot day. He looked up and down the street, examined the curb. Nothing but bits of paper the wind blew around. Tyler went across the street and talked to a neighbor who lived there. He nodded and came back.
“Show me where his stuff is missing from.”
She rolled her eyes, probably thought it was wasting time, but led him inside and into their bedroom. He stayed on the other side of the room, as he thought she was ready to hit him if she thought he might make a pass at her. The bed was unmade but he didn’t care about that. PJs lay on the floor-they looked like guy’s sleep wear.
He rummaged though their closet. The whole place smelled of hairspray, thick enough to taste. It really did look like some of her husband’s stuff was missing. Mostly his work clothes. After a few moments he nodded.
He said, “He didn’t leave a note or call?”
“No! I looked and he won’t answer his cell phone.”
“Well, let’s go in the kitchen and double check.”
“Okay, but you won’t find anything.”
He shrugged. She led him to the kitchen, he could still smell bacon from breakfast. It made his mouth water since it was lunch time. A bacon tomato sandwich would taste good about now, he thought.
Since he couldn’t have any right now, he blocked that thought and looked around. No notes. He moved things around on the table but nothing. He looked under the refrigerator but he didn’t think a piece of paper could slip all the way under it. The floor felt hard on his bare knees so after another two-seconds he stood, moved over to the counter.
Two large round plates rested there. One looked clean while the other had pieces of dried food on it. He looked at the plates and thought.
After a moment he called her over and lifted both plates. She looked at him puzzled then at the counter. He looked at her as her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “Oh God.”
She stared at what lay on the counter, for a long moment before her arm moved quick like a snake as her snatched two pieces of binder paper. She read them over.
“Oh, oh. He wasn’t kidnapped, he got a call last night saying he had to go out of town for work. One of his coworkers would drive. He found out this morning that his cell phone was out of power and the guy’s car doesn’t have a cig lighter or any thing else to charge the phone. He has to wait until they get there to call me. That’s going to be about dinner time.”
She looked down at the plate, Kyle had put back.
“I must have been half asleep when I came in here this morning. I put down the plate and didn’t see the note, he was just walking out the door and I was thinking of him too-we had a fight the other day and I was still angry. We didn’t talk last night and I went to bed early. The phone rung twice and his cell rung three times. He must have used it up last night and forgot to charge it-he does that. How did you know there was a note?”
“I guessed at it. As I said I’ve watched detective TV shows and read Sherlock Holmes. When I looked over his clothes I noticed that it looked like he had taken his work clothes not his every day things. At least if he is like me and other men I know. In addition it looked like one small suitcase was missing from your set. I took the chance that you didn’t just lose it...finally the real clue came from the guy who lives across the street.”
“The one you talked too?”
“Yes, I asked him if he saw anything. He said, yes he did. You husband was picked up by a car full of men but he thought it was okay since they all waved and your husband carried a backpack and small suitcase.”
“I never thought about checking for his backpack, or what clothes were missing.”
She stopped talking, blinked five times.
Kyle said, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, no...I mean God, I was so angry with him, but when I thought he was gone I panicked. I thought something had happened to him and his last thoughts of me would be how angry I was.”
“You better apologize when he calls.”
“I will, I will tell him how much I can’t wait until he’s back.”
“In that case I better go...but I can get you the number of a good marriage counselor-sounds like you might need one.”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Okay,” he walked to the door and turned to say bye she stopped him.
She followed him touched his arm with her hand it was still sweaty, “Thank you-and maybe we do someone to help us. I...I don’t know how to deal with him or my anger when we get like that.”
“Good-I’ll get back to you.”
He walked out and back to his house. He felt good, the day was better than it started, he had helped someone and maybe even saved a marriage. Not a bad day after all.
The end
————————————————————————————
Ted went to bed after he led Ned to get fed. Ned liked Ted for he had cred.
Next they went to a store to buy red Keds and some meds to calm him,
So he could get wed to Sed, before Jed from the Feds could stop them.
For Jed wanted Sed to be wed to him. She wanted Ned. To wed him,
To bed him, to go from now ‘till they were dead with him.
Ted knew Ned was a good guy. A catch for any woman who would wed him.
He stood tall, with black hair and a serious sense of humor.
Ned worked well and was a head man in his company.
Sed was very pretty, nice, red hair, had a brain, had dogs she mended,
All of which was why Jed the Fed wanted her.
The next day Jed from the Feds tried to stop Ned and Sed from being wed.
He said that Ned was a red. Jed told Sed Ned wasn’t.
Jed told Ted to stop the marriage or he would be led to a cell.
Ted told Jed, “You have no cred, so go take some meds to chill out.”
Ted said, “That’s it then, you made your bed lie in it.”
Sed said, “We plan to after we’re wed.”
Ted got a call from Jed. He wanted Ned and Sed’s nuptials put to bed,
Or his face would get red. Ted took some meds for his head ache,
Laid on his bed to think and to rest. But his mind led him to dark thoughts.
He wondered if he should get some keds to run from the feds.
For he would not be led by Jed to stop them from being wed.
Ted called Sed told her what Jed said about their nuptials.
She said that Jed was an old friend who was now in need.
Sed would say to him to get the lead out and go away.
Even if he had to go in a red wagon pulled by Ged.
But she would not be near his bed nor be scared of the Feds.
Jed dressed in red called on Sed said, “Yo, come with me,” grabbed her.
He was tall and strong, angry with a red face, and he yelled. She thought he might rend her dress. Instead he forced fed her some meds to make her sleepy, led her away.
Ned saw them leave, yelled for Ted. He came over with his keds.
Both of them ran after Jed to save Sed. They found Jed’s house, busted in.
They saw her on Jed’s bed, Ned punched Jed in the head, thought he wore a lead hat.
He led Sed back outside to a car then to a place to mend.
Ted called other Feds who came and spirited Jed away.
Once Sed awoke Ned guided her back to her place.
So she could mend with her red stuffed salamander.
Sed slept and dreamt, woke and was fed.
Ned called Ted to ask about Jed and if he could wear his red keds.
Ted said that the Feds had led Jed away, they would make sure that
Jed was fed meds to make him stay in bed when Sed and Ned wed.
They could have their nuptials as planned, and go where they wanted.
Even if Jed wasn’t dead they would have no snags in their plans.
The next day Sed said her and Ned’s nuptials were not dead. They would be wed.
The next Sunday Ted led Sed and Ned to the church.
The Church with a nice steeple and stained glass windows
It was decked out in Blues and Green flowers, plus white ribbon.
The bells rang that they would be wed here.
Ned had his Meds, but was on the mend.
They wore Keds to run if Jed showed, but they also had tuxes on.
Ted plus many friends watched them wed and all were fed.
Sed and Ted said bye as they rode away in a red limo
To where their nuptial bed waited.
The end
August 12, 2016
Books on sale
My two E-novels are still one sale.
Not sure if I posted of my sale of when they first went on sale but since I keep forgetting to raise the prices back to where they usually are I figure I would post this reminder.
A Urban Fantasy tale and a Steampunk-special ops story. Both exciting and both fun reads.
Here is my author's page on amazon with both novels
https://www.amazon.com/L.-E.-Doggett/...
Not sure if I posted of my sale of when they first went on sale but since I keep forgetting to raise the prices back to where they usually are I figure I would post this reminder.
A Urban Fantasy tale and a Steampunk-special ops story. Both exciting and both fun reads.
Here is my author's page on amazon with both novels
https://www.amazon.com/L.-E.-Doggett/...
July 31, 2016
So that is why-duh
Okay realized what I was waiting for with my novel Learning CurveX2 .
I would like a review to include in the back of the paper version and inside in the E-version. But so far no review returns and no further volunteers for new ones.
If I can get one from a published writer that would be good.
So now I need to work on getting the format right for createspace and I will be ready.
I would like a review to include in the back of the paper version and inside in the E-version. But so far no review returns and no further volunteers for new ones.
If I can get one from a published writer that would be good.
So now I need to work on getting the format right for createspace and I will be ready.
A favor for a friend-a great Devotional book for everyone.
Something different from me today. Something I have meant to do for a few months but today I did it.
I want to share two books with you-both are devotionals which is what is different about this. Both were written by the same man, Larry Briney, who just today, July 31, celebrated 60 years as a Foursquare minister.
During one segment of those 60 years he worked for Valley Christian Center where he wrote a column for the bulletin for over 20 years. Both of these books are made up of many those messages. I read them for many of those years and I always looked forward to what Larry had to say. He's great, has good insight, good sense of humor, great illustrations.
In each of these two books are enough messages for every day of the year. They are worth the price and make good gifts.
Check them out at the link below and while you are there heck out his blog. He has some messages on it too. Great stuff there.
Right here
I want to share two books with you-both are devotionals which is what is different about this. Both were written by the same man, Larry Briney, who just today, July 31, celebrated 60 years as a Foursquare minister.
During one segment of those 60 years he worked for Valley Christian Center where he wrote a column for the bulletin for over 20 years. Both of these books are made up of many those messages. I read them for many of those years and I always looked forward to what Larry had to say. He's great, has good insight, good sense of humor, great illustrations.
In each of these two books are enough messages for every day of the year. They are worth the price and make good gifts.
Check them out at the link below and while you are there heck out his blog. He has some messages on it too. Great stuff there.
Right here
July 26, 2016
Two revisions
Thought I would let people know that I am revising two novels at the same time. Both are Steampunk even though one is straight steampunk set in our time, while the other is a Preindustrial Steampunk Fantasy Fusion.
The first one is The Courier and was last years National Novel Writing Month novel. (For more info on that go to nanowrimo.com or check out the nanowrimo community here on G+. Basically they want you to write a at least 50,000 word novel during November. They give you helps and advice.)
Anyway, with the Courier I will be adding a chapter or three as well as revising it. I finished chapter one with a bit over 800 words added to it. That is after deleting some. I started Chapter two. The below pic, by Vincent Warrican, will be the bases for the cover, I hope. I have talked to him about that but this has taken me longer to get to than I had hoped at the time.
The second novel is a Serial I placed here on G+ a few months back. Segments came out every week for months. I have almost totally revised the first chapter so if anyone read it they will notice the large number of changes. I added a character or two, moved numerous sentences and paragraphs and added a ton of new writing: descriptions and details and inner thoughts of my hero. If anyone is interested in reading the original here is the Collection that contains it. https://plus.google.com/collection/IUI_Y This revision will probably take me longer than the Courier.
I hope to have each done by the end of the year-it could be sooner on the Courier but I have a number of other projects to do also. I enter a certain contest every three months and need to write my next story for it, This time it will be a rewrite of a certain older story. Plus I have flash stories to write every week another contest to enter if I get on the ball. And any other sorts of writing ideas that may demand attention.
The first one is The Courier and was last years National Novel Writing Month novel. (For more info on that go to nanowrimo.com or check out the nanowrimo community here on G+. Basically they want you to write a at least 50,000 word novel during November. They give you helps and advice.)
Anyway, with the Courier I will be adding a chapter or three as well as revising it. I finished chapter one with a bit over 800 words added to it. That is after deleting some. I started Chapter two. The below pic, by Vincent Warrican, will be the bases for the cover, I hope. I have talked to him about that but this has taken me longer to get to than I had hoped at the time.
The second novel is a Serial I placed here on G+ a few months back. Segments came out every week for months. I have almost totally revised the first chapter so if anyone read it they will notice the large number of changes. I added a character or two, moved numerous sentences and paragraphs and added a ton of new writing: descriptions and details and inner thoughts of my hero. If anyone is interested in reading the original here is the Collection that contains it. https://plus.google.com/collection/IUI_Y This revision will probably take me longer than the Courier.
I hope to have each done by the end of the year-it could be sooner on the Courier but I have a number of other projects to do also. I enter a certain contest every three months and need to write my next story for it, This time it will be a rewrite of a certain older story. Plus I have flash stories to write every week another contest to enter if I get on the ball. And any other sorts of writing ideas that may demand attention.
My book almost up
New update on Learning CurveX2 .
It's almost ready to put up for preorders. I was waiting for something-maybe two reviews and see if I can get more-hint hint-but now I'm not sure what.
I just need to put it altogether in a mobi format for Amazon. Oh that could be it. I need to finish the paper format for CreateSpace. I zeroed out on that but I just remembered it. So maybe by this weekend it will be up for preorders.
It's an exciting story which I believe will be fun for readers. Second in a thrilling Urban Fantasy series set in Boulder Colorado
NA deserves a rest. She recently fought and won a very hard battle with a mage bent on revenge and a second battle with her inner self. Now all she wants to do is to help people, work at the Rusty Bean, make some extra money playing her congas. However she finds Boulder is crawling with new Mythos, some of whom are hungry, it’s raining hard and there is less of the energy she needs to do her Tricks. She mets a fairy and fights a unicorn. To make things worse her ability is over firing, or not working, and for a mysterious reason she can’t seem to fill her inner tank with what energy there is.
Along with two new mysteries she has to solve, she needs help with her friendships which includes learning how to be a good friend. On top of that the special Geas is back and someone she met during the last adventure gives her a puppy that grows and grows…
It's almost ready to put up for preorders. I was waiting for something-maybe two reviews and see if I can get more-hint hint-but now I'm not sure what.
I just need to put it altogether in a mobi format for Amazon. Oh that could be it. I need to finish the paper format for CreateSpace. I zeroed out on that but I just remembered it. So maybe by this weekend it will be up for preorders.
It's an exciting story which I believe will be fun for readers. Second in a thrilling Urban Fantasy series set in Boulder Colorado
NA deserves a rest. She recently fought and won a very hard battle with a mage bent on revenge and a second battle with her inner self. Now all she wants to do is to help people, work at the Rusty Bean, make some extra money playing her congas. However she finds Boulder is crawling with new Mythos, some of whom are hungry, it’s raining hard and there is less of the energy she needs to do her Tricks. She mets a fairy and fights a unicorn. To make things worse her ability is over firing, or not working, and for a mysterious reason she can’t seem to fill her inner tank with what energy there is.
Along with two new mysteries she has to solve, she needs help with her friendships which includes learning how to be a good friend. On top of that the special Geas is back and someone she met during the last adventure gives her a puppy that grows and grows…
July 16, 2016
Two general fiction tales
I have been posting a lot of short stories lately but soon a post about my new book. Enjoy these stories and remember I don't mind comments and even a real criticism or two.
Again I post two flash stories from those 600 word tales I mentioned last week. So far these two are the shortest of the revised stories in that both are both under 900 words. This time there are both general fiction, even if the beginning of the first one might make people think horror. They are two completely different stories other than not being SF, fantasy, Urban Fantasy, steampunk etc, and being very short.
Story One:
Mind Blob
I sat in the small chair they allowed me, next to my bed. No padding under my rear, on the arms or back, any occupant could chew on. He wouldn’t do that, just the thought dry stuffing filled with sweat and grim made his mouth go dry. However he had heard that some in here have done. I was dressed even though a bit warm in here. Voices and steps outside in the hallway drew my attention, but it wasn’t time yet. Then I will out of this room with its light blue and pink wallpaper.
That dream came again last night. I wish I knew where my subconscious came up with the idea: a dark blob, with uneven sides, with thicker sections here and there, and some missing spaces. Almost like a solid fog at night. It’s taller than I am and wider than my bed is long. It’s not a nightmare because I’m not afraid since it just sits there double my reach away. I have had that dream almost every night for the last three months. At first I was scared; woke up sweating, even though the air is cool, with a half yell, but it doesn’t do anything. I just watch it. Its shape changes a bit in every dream, but as I can figure out that’s just my subconscious adding a dimension to it. I think I know what the blacker areas are but not the empty spots. Areas of my life not effected by it? That would be good. I had to fight my reaction to it for eight months but it looks like I have it at bay. If it touches me, I get confused and usually freeze without knowing what to do next, sometimes I set out to do something that doesn’t need doing.
A glance at the clock showed that I better get ready; my wife is coming, with our two kids, to pick me up and take me home. It will be nice to get away from the odors in here. They try to keep them down but vomit, piss and cleaning fluids are always in the background.
It’s been a rough eight months, especially on Tammy. I’m glad she is still there. My recovery would be rougher without her.
I hear other patients walking up and down the hallway outside. I never did that, but I can see why some would. I had breakfast already, which I won’t miss. I hope we can go out to dinner tonight to celebrate, but Judy probably will want to stay home and get used to us being together again. That would be fine, maybe I can talk her into ordering pizza delivery. The food here is enough and eatable, but it’s not all that good.
After a few minutes I again make sure my few things are really packed and ready. Finally Doctor Jim comes to the door and tells me my wife is here. I shake his hand, thank him for his help. He tells me I helped myself and that he just directed me.
He takes me out to the lounge. There they are. I couldn’t help myself, I rush to Judy and hug her. Her body feels so good in my arms, her hands on my back are even better because of what they mean. I saw her only last week, but this is different. I hug my two kids. My eight year old daughter isn’t too sure about me.
I say, “I’m sorry for scaring you, I didn’t mean to. It didn’t have anything to do with you: I have a problem.”
She said, “I know mommy explained that you have a black blob in your head that makes you see things differently and confuses your thinking. It’s not your fault that it decided to hurt you.”
I blink at that, first in surprise, second because of tears. I look up at Judy, mouth “Thank you.”
But at the same time I realize that was my dream. Maybe she had mentioned her explanation to me and I had forgotten it, but my subconscious hadn’t. Or maybe I had spoken of it at one point.
I stood, grabbed my small suitcase and we walk out to the car. Judy tensed, said, “You didn’t harm any of us, but you scared us. If you had harmed one of us, I wouldn’t be here.”
I nodded, “I understand and agree, if my blob ever made me hurt one of you, you should stay away. But now we know the signs of it moving my way and can deal with it before it touches me.”
She relaxed as if she hadn’t been sure of my response yet she still had to say it. She nodded, took my hand and, said, “Lets have pizza for dinner tonight at home.”
I smiled.
The end
Story Two
First Photograph
Deborah Chilled stared at the old, yellow Newspaper. It crinkled with age. This was one of the earlier editions of the Republican, now Fresno’s ex paper. It had been replaced by something else with a shorter name.
One could still make out the picture on the front page. She recalled the smell of the ink the day it came out-all of the papers in those days had that stink even two days after printing. This picture was the very first photograph to be ever printed in the Republican. It showed the Police Chief with a just caught bank robber. The Chief stood there in his blue uniform, you couldn’t tell the color in the picture, but she remembered the color and style, with a big smile. The robber had a frown. It was rumored that the Chief had had to threaten the guy with his billy club to make him stand there for as long as it took for the photographer to take the picture. However one couldn’t know when a rumor was true or not. In the picture you could make out the bank on one side of the Chief and a teller who happened to be standing in the door. She had known that teller.
However more important to her was who stood on the other side. Two people. The woman’s side had been cut out but you could see her face well enough. The man’s face could be made out too. He had a huge smile on his face and Deborah could recall the sparkle in his eyes even to this day. Her expression showed doubt, but not because of what he had just asked, as some friends and relatives thought when the paper came out. She wore a new blue dress that day-he had wanted her to wear on their wedding day but she insisted on the traditional white gown. He had saved five copies of the paper. They still had this one.
After he had popped the question Jason had rushed them to be near the camera because he had heard that the photograph was to be taken. He wanted his big question to be recorded and printed in the paper. She had said yes almost immediately but then wasn’t sure why they were in that spot or why Jason had her turn to the sun and wait.
Deborah sat down, at seventy years old she couldn’t stand as long as she used to, such as on that day waiting for the photographer to get ready and to take the picture. It had taken seconds after he had set up everything, placed the hood over his head and snapped the button.
She figured it out as soon as she had seen that blinding flash. It had been so bright and unexpected that the Chief let out a curse word and had to publicly apologize later. The robber almost got away while everyone was blinded and the black smoke curled around in the air.
She slipped a kerchief out of her sleeve and whipped her eyes. No one would think an old woman in black as being silly for tears on this day. After all today was one year after Jason’s death. They had been married a full fifty years. She liked to think that no couple had been in love with each other as much as they had been the whole time. She knew that wasn’t true. Other couples had just as much love for each other.
It was easy to recall some of their arguments but easier to remember the day he saved her life at the cost of some bad injuries to himself, five years into their marriage. He never regretted the pain, or the fact that he almost died. She had though. Jason was not perfect, she knew that by experience, they had some bad fights the first couple of years but then they got used to each and the fights dropped dramtically. They didn’t disappeared though. And he could be stubborn at the most odd times. To the day he died he thought a woman’s place was in the home. They had some major disagreements over that. At the same time he hadn’t complained too loudly when she insisted in taking a couple of classes and too learn how to do new things. Now that she was so old she didn’t know if those classes would help her now. After all her fingers ached and she couldn’t bend over as well as she used to, nor move as quick. At the same time she was healthy and her mind still clear. Which meant that she would have to live without him from now on.
She sighed. There were things she could do and she had some money—he had made sure about that—so she could work for charities or the church. She nodded, she would keep living as long as the Good Lord had her down here.
The end
Hope you enjoyed them
Again I post two flash stories from those 600 word tales I mentioned last week. So far these two are the shortest of the revised stories in that both are both under 900 words. This time there are both general fiction, even if the beginning of the first one might make people think horror. They are two completely different stories other than not being SF, fantasy, Urban Fantasy, steampunk etc, and being very short.
Story One:
Mind Blob
I sat in the small chair they allowed me, next to my bed. No padding under my rear, on the arms or back, any occupant could chew on. He wouldn’t do that, just the thought dry stuffing filled with sweat and grim made his mouth go dry. However he had heard that some in here have done. I was dressed even though a bit warm in here. Voices and steps outside in the hallway drew my attention, but it wasn’t time yet. Then I will out of this room with its light blue and pink wallpaper.
That dream came again last night. I wish I knew where my subconscious came up with the idea: a dark blob, with uneven sides, with thicker sections here and there, and some missing spaces. Almost like a solid fog at night. It’s taller than I am and wider than my bed is long. It’s not a nightmare because I’m not afraid since it just sits there double my reach away. I have had that dream almost every night for the last three months. At first I was scared; woke up sweating, even though the air is cool, with a half yell, but it doesn’t do anything. I just watch it. Its shape changes a bit in every dream, but as I can figure out that’s just my subconscious adding a dimension to it. I think I know what the blacker areas are but not the empty spots. Areas of my life not effected by it? That would be good. I had to fight my reaction to it for eight months but it looks like I have it at bay. If it touches me, I get confused and usually freeze without knowing what to do next, sometimes I set out to do something that doesn’t need doing.
A glance at the clock showed that I better get ready; my wife is coming, with our two kids, to pick me up and take me home. It will be nice to get away from the odors in here. They try to keep them down but vomit, piss and cleaning fluids are always in the background.
It’s been a rough eight months, especially on Tammy. I’m glad she is still there. My recovery would be rougher without her.
I hear other patients walking up and down the hallway outside. I never did that, but I can see why some would. I had breakfast already, which I won’t miss. I hope we can go out to dinner tonight to celebrate, but Judy probably will want to stay home and get used to us being together again. That would be fine, maybe I can talk her into ordering pizza delivery. The food here is enough and eatable, but it’s not all that good.
After a few minutes I again make sure my few things are really packed and ready. Finally Doctor Jim comes to the door and tells me my wife is here. I shake his hand, thank him for his help. He tells me I helped myself and that he just directed me.
He takes me out to the lounge. There they are. I couldn’t help myself, I rush to Judy and hug her. Her body feels so good in my arms, her hands on my back are even better because of what they mean. I saw her only last week, but this is different. I hug my two kids. My eight year old daughter isn’t too sure about me.
I say, “I’m sorry for scaring you, I didn’t mean to. It didn’t have anything to do with you: I have a problem.”
She said, “I know mommy explained that you have a black blob in your head that makes you see things differently and confuses your thinking. It’s not your fault that it decided to hurt you.”
I blink at that, first in surprise, second because of tears. I look up at Judy, mouth “Thank you.”
But at the same time I realize that was my dream. Maybe she had mentioned her explanation to me and I had forgotten it, but my subconscious hadn’t. Or maybe I had spoken of it at one point.
I stood, grabbed my small suitcase and we walk out to the car. Judy tensed, said, “You didn’t harm any of us, but you scared us. If you had harmed one of us, I wouldn’t be here.”
I nodded, “I understand and agree, if my blob ever made me hurt one of you, you should stay away. But now we know the signs of it moving my way and can deal with it before it touches me.”
She relaxed as if she hadn’t been sure of my response yet she still had to say it. She nodded, took my hand and, said, “Lets have pizza for dinner tonight at home.”
I smiled.
The end
Story Two
First Photograph
Deborah Chilled stared at the old, yellow Newspaper. It crinkled with age. This was one of the earlier editions of the Republican, now Fresno’s ex paper. It had been replaced by something else with a shorter name.
One could still make out the picture on the front page. She recalled the smell of the ink the day it came out-all of the papers in those days had that stink even two days after printing. This picture was the very first photograph to be ever printed in the Republican. It showed the Police Chief with a just caught bank robber. The Chief stood there in his blue uniform, you couldn’t tell the color in the picture, but she remembered the color and style, with a big smile. The robber had a frown. It was rumored that the Chief had had to threaten the guy with his billy club to make him stand there for as long as it took for the photographer to take the picture. However one couldn’t know when a rumor was true or not. In the picture you could make out the bank on one side of the Chief and a teller who happened to be standing in the door. She had known that teller.
However more important to her was who stood on the other side. Two people. The woman’s side had been cut out but you could see her face well enough. The man’s face could be made out too. He had a huge smile on his face and Deborah could recall the sparkle in his eyes even to this day. Her expression showed doubt, but not because of what he had just asked, as some friends and relatives thought when the paper came out. She wore a new blue dress that day-he had wanted her to wear on their wedding day but she insisted on the traditional white gown. He had saved five copies of the paper. They still had this one.
After he had popped the question Jason had rushed them to be near the camera because he had heard that the photograph was to be taken. He wanted his big question to be recorded and printed in the paper. She had said yes almost immediately but then wasn’t sure why they were in that spot or why Jason had her turn to the sun and wait.
Deborah sat down, at seventy years old she couldn’t stand as long as she used to, such as on that day waiting for the photographer to get ready and to take the picture. It had taken seconds after he had set up everything, placed the hood over his head and snapped the button.
She figured it out as soon as she had seen that blinding flash. It had been so bright and unexpected that the Chief let out a curse word and had to publicly apologize later. The robber almost got away while everyone was blinded and the black smoke curled around in the air.
She slipped a kerchief out of her sleeve and whipped her eyes. No one would think an old woman in black as being silly for tears on this day. After all today was one year after Jason’s death. They had been married a full fifty years. She liked to think that no couple had been in love with each other as much as they had been the whole time. She knew that wasn’t true. Other couples had just as much love for each other.
It was easy to recall some of their arguments but easier to remember the day he saved her life at the cost of some bad injuries to himself, five years into their marriage. He never regretted the pain, or the fact that he almost died. She had though. Jason was not perfect, she knew that by experience, they had some bad fights the first couple of years but then they got used to each and the fights dropped dramtically. They didn’t disappeared though. And he could be stubborn at the most odd times. To the day he died he thought a woman’s place was in the home. They had some major disagreements over that. At the same time he hadn’t complained too loudly when she insisted in taking a couple of classes and too learn how to do new things. Now that she was so old she didn’t know if those classes would help her now. After all her fingers ached and she couldn’t bend over as well as she used to, nor move as quick. At the same time she was healthy and her mind still clear. Which meant that she would have to live without him from now on.
She sighed. There were things she could do and she had some money—he had made sure about that—so she could work for charities or the church. She nodded, she would keep living as long as the Good Lord had her down here.
The end
Hope you enjoyed them
Short science fiction: The Logcutter
So back to my Science Fiction. This time it's an old story that has been revised three times now. Twice during the 5+ plus years since I wrote it, when I learned something new about writing, and once just now. This last one was actually half a revision, there are probably still spots that need work, but it's one of my stories that are on my top level. In other words I like. :)
It's 3,800 words long and Science Fiction and deals with the emotions of a soldier years after the war ended.
Hopefully next week I can finish that new one I keep saying I will do. But this week I ended up with two short ones dealing with a dust bunnies of doom theme and other writing work.
As I have stated in earlier posts I don't mind comments including real criticisms.
So without further adieu :
The Logcutter
By L. E. Doggett
The condensed beam of light shot out. It took only an instant for it to cut through three two foot wide log. The roughly ten by ten clear area where he did his cutting was quiet as it should be. Trees started another five feet after that but something could wiggle its way here. The scent of burnt wood tickled Cal Jones’ nose. Burnt dirt also, for the laser cut into the soil under the wood. That’s why he set up a tripod so it would be aimed downward at all times.
The six inch long piece dropped with a dull thud. He would wait until it cooled to place it with the others. The air this morning showed that he better work faster to get his wood cut for the winter. Thanks to the insulation and building materials, it looked rough like rock, heating the prefab two bedroom green and grey house behind him didn’t take a lot of wood. However cold hamburgers and soup didn’t taste good. Cold cut sandwiches wouldn’t be bad, but not for all winter.
The ex-solider shook his head. He still didn’t like to use such a beautiful weapon to cut logs. If he didn't though he wouldn't have anything to warm his farm house, or cook his food with when winter started. Fall, what passed for fall on this planets, chilled the air. The wind picked up for a moment and blew dust, pollen and ash into the air. He spat, followed by a sneeze. It also blew it into his mouth and nose. He never did like the flavor of ash-it reminded him of all the times he had breathed it in, and tasted it, during the war.
Cal sighed, it would be better to use the laser against some of the dangerous, large animals that roamed this forest. They roamed further deeper however, and he didn’t really want to use it on them. He had used it on animals, but he tried to avoid them when possible.
The pile of lasered logs grew. His house had solar panels, but the sun didn’t shine for long in the winter months. If there was an emergency he could use his bicycle generator, even though that supplied only enough power for certain appliances: such as his radio and his TV, when he was in the mood for movies that is.
He liked pretty much any type of movie except for war movies. After five years of fighting a real one Cal didn’t feel ready to watch a make believe war. War movies reminded him too much of what he had done during the real war, and the friends he had lost. Cal’s nightmares were strong enough now, he didn't need anymore reminders.
He bent down to adjust the laser, moving its tripod, so it could cut another six inch slice off the log.
The laser and his boots were the only things Cal brought home from that Godforsaken war. He still felt surprise that the people who signed him out let him keep the rifle and the boots.
If I went crazy I could do a lot of harm with that rifle. The military hadn’t needed the number they had for peace though. My buddies decided to each keep something and after an argument I ended up agreeing. Evidently those that processed us also agreed. After I signed the release papers they turned their backs, literally, as I walked out of the processing center carrying both the laser and my boots in a sack that didn't hide their shape. They didn’t like the way the government just booted us out and at the same time they were grateful we had kept the Juggernaut at bay.
At least the money the government gave me was enough to buy two acres and a small house out here in the middle of nowhere. The house is well built, with good installation, and all the appliances are well made.
I bought these acres way out here, because I didn't want to be around people. I knew I needed to be alone to heal and at the same time I didn't want to be bothered by people. I felt like the hard work needed to farm in this half jungle was what the doctor ordered.
He shook his head, there's probably over two hundred of us out here on these two acre farms, and I know of two other communities with the same numbers. So many men, and a few women, with bad memories and feelings.
He sat down on the log tired. Maybe he should move to town. Teddy and John are coping in the city. They say it’s hard, but they both found the love of a good woman, which they said helped.
A scream interrupted his thoughts. A loud growl followed a second scream. The screams came from a human throat and the growl didn’t. He stopped to listen, all of his senses on alert.
He heard another scream, this one was joined by softer ones.
Oh oh, children, which probably means a family; one who came here to enjoy nature. It sounds like they are being attacked by a Gorillain-and they traveled in packs.
Without further thought, he unhooked his laser from the tripod and took off. From his battle experience he knew how far away the screams came from and what direction. As he ran through the tall grass he didn’t feel the knee high, whip like red seed stalks as he crashed through them. Before he knew his senses slid into war mood. His speed increased, the trees and anything else along his sides blew by in a blur. He caught a whiff of a dead animal, he normally won’t have notice, he could see better in the dark shade under the trees.
On the way he glanced at the power setting. A curse slipped out. He already knew the power level, but out of habit he double checked it. He should have recharged it instead of waiting until after he finished with the logs. On the run, he used his thumb to change the weapon’s setting to just below medium. That would make it harder to kill any of the beasts, but it wouldn’t be good if the charge ran out before he chased them away.
He hoped he didn’t have to kill them, but bile came up when he thought of the children in the animals’ claws. At least he didn’t have to worry about where he set his foot. His boots had survived the last two years of the war and three years of living here. It wouldn’t matter if he stepped on a sharp twig, a snake or a sting beetle.
It took him only seconds to enter the trees, even though he slowed a little he still ran almost full out, weaving in and out of the trees. The low branches he avoided for even the very thin ones felt as strong as battle steal when he ran into them. Which explained why he used the laser to cut the wood from these trees. They burned for a long time, but took for ever to saw through.
Seconds later he smelled the musk of the Grollians, very strong which meant they were upset. When he neared the clearing from where the screams and growls come from, he heard soft thuds, followed by growls of pain and anger. The air had warmed, sweat tickled his forehead, under his arms and back.
He thought that the noises sounded like the humans were trying to drive away the beasts by throwing rocks at them. Not a good idea, as they were about to learn, but at the same time there wasn't much else they could do.
He hurried through the last of the trees, instinctively moving with the wind blowing his way instead of toward the beasts. Without thinking he moved silently as he learned to do during the war.
Cal came upon the scene from one side. The Gorilians stood still on one side of the clearing, which gave him a sense of relief. No one had been killed yet. A glance on the other side made bile raise in his mouth. Five people stood there: a woman and man with three children of various ages. The two oldest were boys and the youngest looked like a five year old girl. Even from his postion Cal could see tears as they ran down her cheeks and hear her sobs. All three children stood behind the couple. Both adults were holding thick sticks, ready to swat the first beast to come near them. Both wore terrified expressions on their faces.
From the way they glanced at each other they more then likely knew their best efforts probably wouldn't slow down the animals. At the same time they looked determined to do something to protect their children. He thought he could smell their fear; it reminded him of the war. That stink always melded with his thoughts of the battles he had been in.
A breeze blew by him and carried their and the humans’s scent. He studied the animals for a moment. He knew them by sight and study, but it still amazed him that they looked so much like a cross between an earth gorilla and an earth bear. These like most of their kind, even the females, were seven feet tall. From his position he could make out females in this bunch. The females were not as board as the males, and Cal could easily make out where their six mummery glands would appear, as they filled with milk right after they gave birth. Their presence made this a family group.
He wondered why they were attacking the humans. They usually left humans alone, preferring larger prey. Maybe they couldn’t find their usually prey and thought the family would make a communal meal. Or maybe the family had come upon them and started screaming and throwing rocks. Whatever the reason, their standoff was about to end. One male moved toward the humans.
Without having to think about it, Cal leaned against a rough tree and raised his rifle to a firing position and pressed the trigger. A red beam shot out hitting the moving gorillian in the claw it was reaching toward the adults.
The beam could have been invisible, but the heads of military development thought it was better if soldiers could see the beam. That would help them not run into it on the battle field. They might have been right, he grudgingly admitted, for he had seen soldiers blunder into the laser beams, as bright as they were. If they couldn’t see the beams there would have been more accidents of that type.
The beast kept moving for two-seconds, as the beam burnt into its hand. It finally stopped and looked down at the claw, before letting out a howl of pain and rage. It pulled back the claw, but Cal managed to keep the laser on the hand with practiced ease. It finally burned all the way through the claw, as the beast screamed its fury. It turned from the family, glanced around, as it looked for the source of its pain.
Cal switched targets, firing at another one, hitting it in the chest. It humphed in surprise before it screamed in pain with a deep throated growl, as the needle of light started to burn into its chest. The gorillian moved out of the beam, before it could burn all the way through its chest. From the blood and time Cal thought it might have cut halfway through the torso, but it looked like it missed everything fatal.
A glance to his right told him that the first male he hit was headed his way. Moving with haste he backed into the trees. Without stopping he ran as quietly as possible against the wind. He came out of the trees closer to the band. This time he fired from the hip, another maneuver he had plenty of practice with. He hit another big male, keeping the beam on the creature long enough for it to burn all the way through its torso. Its yell lasted a long time and when it tried to move it fell. The wound didn't kill it immediately, but Cal thought it would eventually.
He moved again when the one he had just shot started to move his way, probably after catching his scent. On the run, he let the beam score along the back of another male, who was headed for the family. It didn't go deep enough to do much damage, but the beast turned from the family, now headed his way.
A glance told him that the family was edging toward the
trees. A wide fallen tree lay behind them, that would slow them down.
Cal made it to the other edge, turned, aimed and shot all in one movement. He hit one in the eye this time. He was able to keep it on it long enough to burn out the eye, but not long enough for the beam to reach its brain. The Gorillian whiplashed in pain, first moving its head up and back then falling to its knees.
Shaking his head, that wasn’t good, I wanted a fast kill.
A shadow interrupted his thought. He pivoted out of the way of a claw swiping at him, then dropped to the ground to avoid the other claw. Rolling out of the way he thought that's it for the lower setting. If my shots are fast and precise I should be able to score death shots before the power is used up.
Without even a glance he used his thumb to slide the setting to the second from the top. He rose up on one knee, raising the rifle up to an aiming position and fired, all in one movement. He hit one in its back. The beam cut in quickly, but the beast arched its back. The beam slide sideways burning a line across the back, but not staying in one place long enough to burn completely through. Keeping the beam on it Cal managed to finally hit its heart, destroying it in less then a second.
Beetles scattered from where it dropped and a large carrion eater crowed its thanks to Cal. Tasting sweat on his lips Cal turned to the one whose eye he had burnt out, it still rested on its knees, in an all too human position. He moved to it behind it. When it started to turned toward him, he fired one quick shot at the base of its head. He smelled something new and realized that it wasn’t just humans that sometimes emptied their bowels when they died.
His stomach felt like it wanted to empty his last meal, as he turned; that felt too much like an execution. He watched two during the war and someone told him that the other side had killed one of his friends that way. In this case it was putting an animal out of its misery, but it still didn't feel right.
As the gorillian fell, Cal ran to another position and fired
at still another one. Before the beam could kill that one, he leaned backwards as a claw came out of nowhere again. This time his rifle went flying across the clearing. He observed a hole in that claw, and knew this one was the first gorillian he had shot. Somehow he missed it’s smell when it snuck up on him.
His hands stinging Cal dropped to the ground to avoid another swing meant to take his head off. He was surprised, but glad when the soft dirt under the trees, hard dirt can be just like rock. With a soft grunt he rolled to his back, fear grew while at the same time he would not let the thing win. He positioned a knife he had managed to pull on the way down. It was what used to be called a Bowie knife; long, thick and very sharp. He cursed himself for leaving his hand weapon back at the house. It may not be a military grade weapon, but it could still kill this Gorillian before it got him. A bullet in the chest, neck and head would do the job. But he didn't have it on him.
The knife could do the job, if he was quick enough. He knew where the vital spots for a gorillian were. He picked up the habit of learning a potential enemy’s weaknesses during the war. It would be a fight with a real possibility he would end up dead. Or wounded bad enough to make him an easy target for one of the other members of the band. He couldn’t let the thing just kill him, or the family however.
Before he could move though something flew across his vision. He thought it hit the gorillian in the head. A second later another fist sized rock hit the beast. It ignored this rock, as it
had ignored the first one. It also ignored the next three which hit it almost the same instant. Cal took a second to glance at the direction the rocks came from. He saw that the two older kids throwing the rocks. The father picked up a rock three times the size of the pervious ones and threw it as hard as he could. It hit the beast in the face, as it reared over Cal. Blood dripped from a gash left behind by the rock as it dropped almost hitting Cal.
Roaring the beast turned toward the family. Cal readied the knife as another rock flew across the clearing. Slightly smaller then the one that left the gash it hit the beast as it roared again. By luck, or by planning, Cal didn't know, but it landed in the gorillian's mouth, sticking in the orifice. The beast let out a muffled roar, and shook its head, trying to dislodge the hard thing in its mouth.
While it was occupied with the rock. Cal rolled out of its
way, and on his hands and knees scuttled to where the laser lay. He could hear the other gorillians moving, so he raised up to a crouch, running the rest of the way in that position. He scooped up the rifle on the run, turning to face the animals, as he kept stepping backwards.
He again fired from the hip, scoring a hit on the gorillian, as it headed for the family. It screamed and pivoting before the beam could burn in far enough to kill it. The beam scored along the beast's side as it turned. Once it faced Cal, the beam started to burn into its stomach. He raised the beam burning a line upwards until he found its heart.
Even before it started to fall, Cal aimed his weapon at another male heading his way. He kept the beam on its chest for
the few seconds it took the beam to reach its heart. As it fell the rest of the band decided that they had enough damage. They ran off, using their hands, much like earthly gorillas, to increase their speed.
Cal knew that one of them would die before too many days had passed. He better get home to radio a warning to anyone else that might come across that band in the next few days.
He stood there a moment tasting blood from where he had bit his lip, but otherwise he seemed to be in one piece. Before he could move the family came over to thank him. They introduced themselves, and with tears in her eyes the mother hugged him. He smelled her sweat over a weakening perfume-deodorant. The father shook his hand expressing his thanks. The oldest boy shook his hand also, while the two youngest hugged his legs.
Cal squatted down to let the two smaller children hug him, both stunk of dirt and he felt loose soil fall on his clothes, but he didn’t care. He thanked them for throwing the rocks and distracting the gorillian, while he was on the ground. They both shyly nodded a you're welcome.
Mr. Andrews asked him if he was ok.
"I'm in one piece. Thanks for asking, I didn't take any serious injuries. This action wasn't any rougher then anything I experienced during the war."
The father nodded, for he had heard stories about how bad some of the fighting had been during the war. They talked some more, as they walked to the family’s vehicle. With one last thank you, the family piled into it and drove off. As he watched them drive off, Cal smiled glad he was able to save them. He didn't want to think about them, especially the little girl, being torn apart and eaten. It hit him that the only reason he had been able to save the family, and that little girl was his training and more importantly his war experiences.
On the way back to his house, he realized how much he missed seeing children play. Once home, he sent out a general call to warn his neighbors about the wounded Gorillain. Then his stomach growled. He thought a shot of whisky would be good, but decided he didn’t need it after all. A quick meal of warmed up noodles and beef, though would be good.
The next few days he thoughts of playing children stayed on his mind. In a sudden realization, it hit him, he hadn't been having very many nightmares since the rescue. He sat and thought about his experiences the pass few days. He used what he learned during the war to save the family. All that junk he had gone through had ended up for a good purpose. As he considered that, he remembered John and Teddy’s statements. The love of a good woman helped them to heal.
Maybe it was time to move back to civilization. Not all at once though. He could sell this farm, he always was getting
offers, and get a place in the town three hours from here. Only two to three thousand people lived there, a large portion of which were veterans like him. And just as importantly the population included single females.
He would miss this place. He liked working the land... maybe he would buy a farm next to the town. He would have to think about it, but by the way he felt he knew his mind was made up already.
The End
It's 3,800 words long and Science Fiction and deals with the emotions of a soldier years after the war ended.
Hopefully next week I can finish that new one I keep saying I will do. But this week I ended up with two short ones dealing with a dust bunnies of doom theme and other writing work.
As I have stated in earlier posts I don't mind comments including real criticisms.
So without further adieu :
The Logcutter
By L. E. Doggett
The condensed beam of light shot out. It took only an instant for it to cut through three two foot wide log. The roughly ten by ten clear area where he did his cutting was quiet as it should be. Trees started another five feet after that but something could wiggle its way here. The scent of burnt wood tickled Cal Jones’ nose. Burnt dirt also, for the laser cut into the soil under the wood. That’s why he set up a tripod so it would be aimed downward at all times.
The six inch long piece dropped with a dull thud. He would wait until it cooled to place it with the others. The air this morning showed that he better work faster to get his wood cut for the winter. Thanks to the insulation and building materials, it looked rough like rock, heating the prefab two bedroom green and grey house behind him didn’t take a lot of wood. However cold hamburgers and soup didn’t taste good. Cold cut sandwiches wouldn’t be bad, but not for all winter.
The ex-solider shook his head. He still didn’t like to use such a beautiful weapon to cut logs. If he didn't though he wouldn't have anything to warm his farm house, or cook his food with when winter started. Fall, what passed for fall on this planets, chilled the air. The wind picked up for a moment and blew dust, pollen and ash into the air. He spat, followed by a sneeze. It also blew it into his mouth and nose. He never did like the flavor of ash-it reminded him of all the times he had breathed it in, and tasted it, during the war.
Cal sighed, it would be better to use the laser against some of the dangerous, large animals that roamed this forest. They roamed further deeper however, and he didn’t really want to use it on them. He had used it on animals, but he tried to avoid them when possible.
The pile of lasered logs grew. His house had solar panels, but the sun didn’t shine for long in the winter months. If there was an emergency he could use his bicycle generator, even though that supplied only enough power for certain appliances: such as his radio and his TV, when he was in the mood for movies that is.
He liked pretty much any type of movie except for war movies. After five years of fighting a real one Cal didn’t feel ready to watch a make believe war. War movies reminded him too much of what he had done during the real war, and the friends he had lost. Cal’s nightmares were strong enough now, he didn't need anymore reminders.
He bent down to adjust the laser, moving its tripod, so it could cut another six inch slice off the log.
The laser and his boots were the only things Cal brought home from that Godforsaken war. He still felt surprise that the people who signed him out let him keep the rifle and the boots.
If I went crazy I could do a lot of harm with that rifle. The military hadn’t needed the number they had for peace though. My buddies decided to each keep something and after an argument I ended up agreeing. Evidently those that processed us also agreed. After I signed the release papers they turned their backs, literally, as I walked out of the processing center carrying both the laser and my boots in a sack that didn't hide their shape. They didn’t like the way the government just booted us out and at the same time they were grateful we had kept the Juggernaut at bay.
At least the money the government gave me was enough to buy two acres and a small house out here in the middle of nowhere. The house is well built, with good installation, and all the appliances are well made.
I bought these acres way out here, because I didn't want to be around people. I knew I needed to be alone to heal and at the same time I didn't want to be bothered by people. I felt like the hard work needed to farm in this half jungle was what the doctor ordered.
He shook his head, there's probably over two hundred of us out here on these two acre farms, and I know of two other communities with the same numbers. So many men, and a few women, with bad memories and feelings.
He sat down on the log tired. Maybe he should move to town. Teddy and John are coping in the city. They say it’s hard, but they both found the love of a good woman, which they said helped.
A scream interrupted his thoughts. A loud growl followed a second scream. The screams came from a human throat and the growl didn’t. He stopped to listen, all of his senses on alert.
He heard another scream, this one was joined by softer ones.
Oh oh, children, which probably means a family; one who came here to enjoy nature. It sounds like they are being attacked by a Gorillain-and they traveled in packs.
Without further thought, he unhooked his laser from the tripod and took off. From his battle experience he knew how far away the screams came from and what direction. As he ran through the tall grass he didn’t feel the knee high, whip like red seed stalks as he crashed through them. Before he knew his senses slid into war mood. His speed increased, the trees and anything else along his sides blew by in a blur. He caught a whiff of a dead animal, he normally won’t have notice, he could see better in the dark shade under the trees.
On the way he glanced at the power setting. A curse slipped out. He already knew the power level, but out of habit he double checked it. He should have recharged it instead of waiting until after he finished with the logs. On the run, he used his thumb to change the weapon’s setting to just below medium. That would make it harder to kill any of the beasts, but it wouldn’t be good if the charge ran out before he chased them away.
He hoped he didn’t have to kill them, but bile came up when he thought of the children in the animals’ claws. At least he didn’t have to worry about where he set his foot. His boots had survived the last two years of the war and three years of living here. It wouldn’t matter if he stepped on a sharp twig, a snake or a sting beetle.
It took him only seconds to enter the trees, even though he slowed a little he still ran almost full out, weaving in and out of the trees. The low branches he avoided for even the very thin ones felt as strong as battle steal when he ran into them. Which explained why he used the laser to cut the wood from these trees. They burned for a long time, but took for ever to saw through.
Seconds later he smelled the musk of the Grollians, very strong which meant they were upset. When he neared the clearing from where the screams and growls come from, he heard soft thuds, followed by growls of pain and anger. The air had warmed, sweat tickled his forehead, under his arms and back.
He thought that the noises sounded like the humans were trying to drive away the beasts by throwing rocks at them. Not a good idea, as they were about to learn, but at the same time there wasn't much else they could do.
He hurried through the last of the trees, instinctively moving with the wind blowing his way instead of toward the beasts. Without thinking he moved silently as he learned to do during the war.
Cal came upon the scene from one side. The Gorilians stood still on one side of the clearing, which gave him a sense of relief. No one had been killed yet. A glance on the other side made bile raise in his mouth. Five people stood there: a woman and man with three children of various ages. The two oldest were boys and the youngest looked like a five year old girl. Even from his postion Cal could see tears as they ran down her cheeks and hear her sobs. All three children stood behind the couple. Both adults were holding thick sticks, ready to swat the first beast to come near them. Both wore terrified expressions on their faces.
From the way they glanced at each other they more then likely knew their best efforts probably wouldn't slow down the animals. At the same time they looked determined to do something to protect their children. He thought he could smell their fear; it reminded him of the war. That stink always melded with his thoughts of the battles he had been in.
A breeze blew by him and carried their and the humans’s scent. He studied the animals for a moment. He knew them by sight and study, but it still amazed him that they looked so much like a cross between an earth gorilla and an earth bear. These like most of their kind, even the females, were seven feet tall. From his position he could make out females in this bunch. The females were not as board as the males, and Cal could easily make out where their six mummery glands would appear, as they filled with milk right after they gave birth. Their presence made this a family group.
He wondered why they were attacking the humans. They usually left humans alone, preferring larger prey. Maybe they couldn’t find their usually prey and thought the family would make a communal meal. Or maybe the family had come upon them and started screaming and throwing rocks. Whatever the reason, their standoff was about to end. One male moved toward the humans.
Without having to think about it, Cal leaned against a rough tree and raised his rifle to a firing position and pressed the trigger. A red beam shot out hitting the moving gorillian in the claw it was reaching toward the adults.
The beam could have been invisible, but the heads of military development thought it was better if soldiers could see the beam. That would help them not run into it on the battle field. They might have been right, he grudgingly admitted, for he had seen soldiers blunder into the laser beams, as bright as they were. If they couldn’t see the beams there would have been more accidents of that type.
The beast kept moving for two-seconds, as the beam burnt into its hand. It finally stopped and looked down at the claw, before letting out a howl of pain and rage. It pulled back the claw, but Cal managed to keep the laser on the hand with practiced ease. It finally burned all the way through the claw, as the beast screamed its fury. It turned from the family, glanced around, as it looked for the source of its pain.
Cal switched targets, firing at another one, hitting it in the chest. It humphed in surprise before it screamed in pain with a deep throated growl, as the needle of light started to burn into its chest. The gorillian moved out of the beam, before it could burn all the way through its chest. From the blood and time Cal thought it might have cut halfway through the torso, but it looked like it missed everything fatal.
A glance to his right told him that the first male he hit was headed his way. Moving with haste he backed into the trees. Without stopping he ran as quietly as possible against the wind. He came out of the trees closer to the band. This time he fired from the hip, another maneuver he had plenty of practice with. He hit another big male, keeping the beam on the creature long enough for it to burn all the way through its torso. Its yell lasted a long time and when it tried to move it fell. The wound didn't kill it immediately, but Cal thought it would eventually.
He moved again when the one he had just shot started to move his way, probably after catching his scent. On the run, he let the beam score along the back of another male, who was headed for the family. It didn't go deep enough to do much damage, but the beast turned from the family, now headed his way.
A glance told him that the family was edging toward the
trees. A wide fallen tree lay behind them, that would slow them down.
Cal made it to the other edge, turned, aimed and shot all in one movement. He hit one in the eye this time. He was able to keep it on it long enough to burn out the eye, but not long enough for the beam to reach its brain. The Gorillian whiplashed in pain, first moving its head up and back then falling to its knees.
Shaking his head, that wasn’t good, I wanted a fast kill.
A shadow interrupted his thought. He pivoted out of the way of a claw swiping at him, then dropped to the ground to avoid the other claw. Rolling out of the way he thought that's it for the lower setting. If my shots are fast and precise I should be able to score death shots before the power is used up.
Without even a glance he used his thumb to slide the setting to the second from the top. He rose up on one knee, raising the rifle up to an aiming position and fired, all in one movement. He hit one in its back. The beam cut in quickly, but the beast arched its back. The beam slide sideways burning a line across the back, but not staying in one place long enough to burn completely through. Keeping the beam on it Cal managed to finally hit its heart, destroying it in less then a second.
Beetles scattered from where it dropped and a large carrion eater crowed its thanks to Cal. Tasting sweat on his lips Cal turned to the one whose eye he had burnt out, it still rested on its knees, in an all too human position. He moved to it behind it. When it started to turned toward him, he fired one quick shot at the base of its head. He smelled something new and realized that it wasn’t just humans that sometimes emptied their bowels when they died.
His stomach felt like it wanted to empty his last meal, as he turned; that felt too much like an execution. He watched two during the war and someone told him that the other side had killed one of his friends that way. In this case it was putting an animal out of its misery, but it still didn't feel right.
As the gorillian fell, Cal ran to another position and fired
at still another one. Before the beam could kill that one, he leaned backwards as a claw came out of nowhere again. This time his rifle went flying across the clearing. He observed a hole in that claw, and knew this one was the first gorillian he had shot. Somehow he missed it’s smell when it snuck up on him.
His hands stinging Cal dropped to the ground to avoid another swing meant to take his head off. He was surprised, but glad when the soft dirt under the trees, hard dirt can be just like rock. With a soft grunt he rolled to his back, fear grew while at the same time he would not let the thing win. He positioned a knife he had managed to pull on the way down. It was what used to be called a Bowie knife; long, thick and very sharp. He cursed himself for leaving his hand weapon back at the house. It may not be a military grade weapon, but it could still kill this Gorillian before it got him. A bullet in the chest, neck and head would do the job. But he didn't have it on him.
The knife could do the job, if he was quick enough. He knew where the vital spots for a gorillian were. He picked up the habit of learning a potential enemy’s weaknesses during the war. It would be a fight with a real possibility he would end up dead. Or wounded bad enough to make him an easy target for one of the other members of the band. He couldn’t let the thing just kill him, or the family however.
Before he could move though something flew across his vision. He thought it hit the gorillian in the head. A second later another fist sized rock hit the beast. It ignored this rock, as it
had ignored the first one. It also ignored the next three which hit it almost the same instant. Cal took a second to glance at the direction the rocks came from. He saw that the two older kids throwing the rocks. The father picked up a rock three times the size of the pervious ones and threw it as hard as he could. It hit the beast in the face, as it reared over Cal. Blood dripped from a gash left behind by the rock as it dropped almost hitting Cal.
Roaring the beast turned toward the family. Cal readied the knife as another rock flew across the clearing. Slightly smaller then the one that left the gash it hit the beast as it roared again. By luck, or by planning, Cal didn't know, but it landed in the gorillian's mouth, sticking in the orifice. The beast let out a muffled roar, and shook its head, trying to dislodge the hard thing in its mouth.
While it was occupied with the rock. Cal rolled out of its
way, and on his hands and knees scuttled to where the laser lay. He could hear the other gorillians moving, so he raised up to a crouch, running the rest of the way in that position. He scooped up the rifle on the run, turning to face the animals, as he kept stepping backwards.
He again fired from the hip, scoring a hit on the gorillian, as it headed for the family. It screamed and pivoting before the beam could burn in far enough to kill it. The beam scored along the beast's side as it turned. Once it faced Cal, the beam started to burn into its stomach. He raised the beam burning a line upwards until he found its heart.
Even before it started to fall, Cal aimed his weapon at another male heading his way. He kept the beam on its chest for
the few seconds it took the beam to reach its heart. As it fell the rest of the band decided that they had enough damage. They ran off, using their hands, much like earthly gorillas, to increase their speed.
Cal knew that one of them would die before too many days had passed. He better get home to radio a warning to anyone else that might come across that band in the next few days.
He stood there a moment tasting blood from where he had bit his lip, but otherwise he seemed to be in one piece. Before he could move the family came over to thank him. They introduced themselves, and with tears in her eyes the mother hugged him. He smelled her sweat over a weakening perfume-deodorant. The father shook his hand expressing his thanks. The oldest boy shook his hand also, while the two youngest hugged his legs.
Cal squatted down to let the two smaller children hug him, both stunk of dirt and he felt loose soil fall on his clothes, but he didn’t care. He thanked them for throwing the rocks and distracting the gorillian, while he was on the ground. They both shyly nodded a you're welcome.
Mr. Andrews asked him if he was ok.
"I'm in one piece. Thanks for asking, I didn't take any serious injuries. This action wasn't any rougher then anything I experienced during the war."
The father nodded, for he had heard stories about how bad some of the fighting had been during the war. They talked some more, as they walked to the family’s vehicle. With one last thank you, the family piled into it and drove off. As he watched them drive off, Cal smiled glad he was able to save them. He didn't want to think about them, especially the little girl, being torn apart and eaten. It hit him that the only reason he had been able to save the family, and that little girl was his training and more importantly his war experiences.
On the way back to his house, he realized how much he missed seeing children play. Once home, he sent out a general call to warn his neighbors about the wounded Gorillain. Then his stomach growled. He thought a shot of whisky would be good, but decided he didn’t need it after all. A quick meal of warmed up noodles and beef, though would be good.
The next few days he thoughts of playing children stayed on his mind. In a sudden realization, it hit him, he hadn't been having very many nightmares since the rescue. He sat and thought about his experiences the pass few days. He used what he learned during the war to save the family. All that junk he had gone through had ended up for a good purpose. As he considered that, he remembered John and Teddy’s statements. The love of a good woman helped them to heal.
Maybe it was time to move back to civilization. Not all at once though. He could sell this farm, he always was getting
offers, and get a place in the town three hours from here. Only two to three thousand people lived there, a large portion of which were veterans like him. And just as importantly the population included single females.
He would miss this place. He liked working the land... maybe he would buy a farm next to the town. He would have to think about it, but by the way he felt he knew his mind was made up already.
The End
For a break, a short, interesting mind picture
I was just discussing the Creation with someone about the need for light and heat before the sun etc. were made.
An interesting mind picture formed as I finished my comments:
God stood there, he wore a short white beard, large mustache that dropped over his upper lip. A half smile on his mouth. A railroad cap sat on his head and a delightful intense look in his eyes. He wore coveralls, like wood curves or mechanics wear sometimes. One hand was stretched out with the solar system, at least ours but maybe more, in the cup of that hand. Planets spun, and I could make out tiny blue and red planets and one covered with clouds. The planets spun around their sun(s). Blackness surrounded Him, but His spot could be clearly seen.
Spotlights shot out from his eyes lighting up the planets. His hand under the planets glowed with warmth. In his other hand he held a pair of tweezers much like those used by model ship makers. He inserted the point of the tweezers into the system to make last minute adjustments. His smile grew.
More than likely that wasn't even close to what happened during creation except in the basic idea but still fun to think of.
That's it for this post-said it was short. :)
An interesting mind picture formed as I finished my comments:
God stood there, he wore a short white beard, large mustache that dropped over his upper lip. A half smile on his mouth. A railroad cap sat on his head and a delightful intense look in his eyes. He wore coveralls, like wood curves or mechanics wear sometimes. One hand was stretched out with the solar system, at least ours but maybe more, in the cup of that hand. Planets spun, and I could make out tiny blue and red planets and one covered with clouds. The planets spun around their sun(s). Blackness surrounded Him, but His spot could be clearly seen.
Spotlights shot out from his eyes lighting up the planets. His hand under the planets glowed with warmth. In his other hand he held a pair of tweezers much like those used by model ship makers. He inserted the point of the tweezers into the system to make last minute adjustments. His smile grew.
More than likely that wasn't even close to what happened during creation except in the basic idea but still fun to think of.
That's it for this post-said it was short. :)
