Sandra sits herself up against the cold concrete wall to catch her breath. “Shultz make sure she stays quiet,” Charles slams the door behind him leaving the man in the dark room with Sandra.
“So now what happens?” Sandra asks.
“Now…” Shultz tightens his fist and hits her in the face “…You listen.”
1945
The river was cold. Connor could see his breathe as he exhaled. He warmed his hands in the pits of his arms. There was an unnerving silence in the air. Only the sound of the quiet trolling motor could be heard.
Louis and Connor sit side by side at the head of the boat facing backward. Julie and Riley hold each other tightly in the center of the boat. Shultz takes a long drag off his cigar. He exhales slowly and gives everyone a smile. Everyone’s face hangs low. The moon above is full and bright. There is no need for flashlights. The long and winding river ahead is as clear as day.
“Explain yourself Mr. Shultz,” Connor demanded.
“When should I begin?” He asked.
It was at this point that Connor needed to slap himself a bit. He had to have been dreaming. He could not believe that Shultz had just asked him that question. Like, “What time period? Morning or Night? Why was this guy so mysterious?” Connor thought to himself.
“The beginning sounds good,” Connor requested.
“The beginning of time? Beginning of the century? Beginning of the 22nd Century? You must be more specific,” He proclaimed.
“Charles Jayden. Who is he? Where did he come from?”
“Charles is a man. Born Charles Bradley Jayden III on July 6, 2109…”
Chapter three will be the final chapter that is released online before I complete the manuscript. It is a project that I have been waiting very long to finish and I’m confident in the coming months that I will have great things to show from all my hard work. Thanks for supporting me still everyone and happy reading.
Tags: adirondacks, project, short story, tom shaggy, writing
WHAT TO DO NOW?