The Color of Sound by James Garcia Jr

The Color of SoundJames Garcia Jr
Genre: HorrorPublisher: James Garcia JrDate of Publication: September 6, 2024ISBN: 9798338051665ASIN: BODGDQCHJ7Number of pages: 337Word Count: 86,860Cover Artist: Maria Zannini
Tagline: This week, they all want her dead.
Book Description: 
The voice that Jewel Foster hears in her head is not her own. It tells her terrible things and has since she can remember. Often it demands she kill herself. It’s a miracle she’s made it to sixteen. One extraordinary night changes everything.
There are scales over the eyes of mortals to prevent them from seeing the immortal. Jewel loses them and can now see the angels and demons that surround and interfere. Neither side is pleased that she can see them.
She will meet her guardian angel who will explain everything to her. But what can a mere mortal hope to do with such a gift?
Now, both sides in a spiritual war press against her; a war that has raged since the Devil was cast out of Heaven.
Last week, one wanted her dead. This week, they all do.
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Excerpt:

Jewel is hummingan 80’s hair metal song to herself as she crosses the last street of the dayand steps onto the sidewalk on her block. It’s a song that never gets old;however, where she has heard it recently enough to cause it to ear worm intoher consciousness, she does not know. It has been a pleasant walk home. Shenotices no demons on her way, and if present, none challenge her.

She notices her stalkerwalking toward her and makes no effort to escape.

Whatever, she thinks.He’s not ruining my day.

When he reachesher, he spins and then walks beside her.

“You soundpretty full of yourself right now,” he says evenly. She detects a hint ofdispleasure in his voice. “I would not have pegged you for a Whitesnake fan.”

She merelyshrugs.

“What’s theproblem?” she asks. “It’s been a good day. Don’t try to ruin it.”

“Yes, I will besad to do so. It has been a long time since you have been this giddy.”

“Giddy?” sherepeats. “I have never been giddy.”

He makes a soundthat she doesn’t immediately discern. It is something between a laugh and agrunt. “I will grant you that it is rare, but it has happened.”
Jewel lets it go.

They are halfwaydown the block now and neither speak for quite a while.

“You mustrealize that this is not a game,” he says, finally. It isn’t a question.
Jewel sighs. “I should have snuck down the alley,” she says.

“You alreadytried that tactic.”

“So, what do youwant from me?”

“You have nothingthat I need,” he replies.

“Okay, what am Isupposed to do?”

“For one, youcan stop poking them.”

“Poking who?”

“You know who,Julie,” he answers. “Leave them be.”

Jewel stopswalking. They are near the foot of her driveway now. She turns and faces him.“How can I do that?” she asks. “They’re evil. They put thoughts in your headthat aren’t yours. They lie, cheat and steal. Mine told me the vilest things.All this time I thought it was me…”

“I know that.”

She stops. “See!That just pisses me off! They put horrible things into your head, and you knowall about it. Who are you?”

“You alreadyknow…”

“Don’t tell methat!” she snaps. “Just don’t! I want you to spell it out for me.”

He stands andsimply looks at her.

“Sonofabitch!”she shouts. “So, you’re a guardian angel or something?”

He nods.

“Can’t you evensay it?” she asks and throws up her hands

“Yes, I can. Iam your guardian angel. Does that help?”

“No, it doesn’thelp,” she replies, still smoldering. “That only begs further questions.”

“Fine,” he says.“Ask away.”

She glancesabout the neighborhood as she contemplates what to ask.

“So, no one cansee you?” she asks finally. It is the first thought that occurs to her in theheat of the moment. “Anyone looking this way right now sees a crazy girl alone,throwing a fit on the sidewalk?”

“Only when Iallow it. When they do, they see only a man.”

“Then do itnow,” she says. “I’m tired of feeling crazy. I’ve lived a lifetime of that.”

“As you wish.”

“Do you have aname? Of course you do. What is it?”

“I am afraid Icannot tell you that.”

Jewel appearsstartled, as if slapped. “Excuse me?”

“I have a name,yes. But it is nothing you could pronounce.”

“Try me,” shesays, but he quickly holds up his hands as if to calm her.

“Please do notmisunderstand. When we are named… All of us, humans, angelic beings, otherwise,it is by others who are masters or parents. There is ownership implied. Minehas given me a name because he is my master.”

“God, huh?”Jewel says. “So, you’re a religious nut.”

“The very firstkind,” he answers evenly.

She shakes her head.“So, what do I call you?”

“I have hopethat whenever you call me it will be friend.”

“Isn’t that asong?”

“Yes, KennyLoggins and Melissa Manchester wrote it.”

“It’s a very oldsong.”

“I promise you Iam far older.”

“How come youknow so much about music?”

“I spend quite alot of time waiting. I amuse myself with music.”

“Who’s yourfavorite?”

“Would youbelieve the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?”

She frowns.

“They are quitegood, you know.”

“Try again?”

“The GregorianMonks.”

“Who? Seriously?Chanting? I don’t believe you.”

“I appreciatemuch, but once you have heard music in heaven there is really nothing else.Perhaps Zeppelin.”

“Get out ofhere,” she says, exasperated, and heads for her house.

He makes no moveto follow.

When she reachesthe ninety-degree angle at the walkway that leads to her door, she stops andlooks back. “Are you seriously just going to stay out here forever?”

His face growsserious. “That is up to you.”

“How so?”

“You have seendemons with your own eyes, and now you know you have a guardian angel, and havehad one since birth.”

“Do I knowthat?” she asks. “Sure, I have you to vouch for that, but all I have is whatyou’ve told me. And you really haven’t told me much.”

“In any event,”he continues. “What does that tell you?”

“About what,mysterious stranger?” she asks. “What does it tell me? It doesn’t tell meanything.”

“When you areready, I will be here.”

“Ready forwhat?”

“I will behere,” he repeats. “But, please, leave them be.”

“Why should I?”she asks and holds out her hands.

He pauses, as ifmeasuring his words. “Because they will soon poke back.”

About the Author:   
James Garcia Jr was born in Hanford, California. He moved up the road to Kingsburg with his family as a child. After graduating KHS, he attended Reedley College where he met his wife. The family still makes its home in Kingsburg which is typically the setting of his fiction.
He was the 1994 winner of the Writers International Network/Writers Inter-Age Network writing contest in the horror category. He is the author of the edgy Dance on Fire vampire series, and the stand-alone novels, Seeing Ghosts and Photographs.
During the day, he is the safety manager at Sun Maid Growers of California.
Website: https://jamesgarciajr.jimdofree.com/
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