The story of a young man led astray by a life of crime.  He shall seek fun and profits as he strives diligently along the road less traveled.

Staying with Eva certainly wasn't boring. On the first night they were at her house she insisted they were going to burn through as many Disney movies as possible so Hazel would know who all they bothered standing in line to take pictures with. 
She hadn't realized her lack of knowledge had been so apparent. But Eva wasn't unkind about it. It seemed more like she wanted to share something fun that she liked than she thought Hazel was crazy for not knowing before. 
Most of the movies were pretty cute. Exactly the sort of things kids tended to eat up. 
Hazel had enjoyed it too once upon a time. Her parents used to put those types of movies on for her and sometimes even take her to see them in theaters. 
She used to wish they would play movies while she was in the mental hospital. But after meeting Will and hearing all of the amazing things there were to know about the real world, the fictional one hadn't appealed to her as much anymore. 
Besides, once she got out her uncle wasn't the type to allow children's movies in his house. He didn't like the slightest bit of noise indicating she existed most of the time. That was the only reason he supplied her with minimal art supplies. 
Drawing was always an effective way to shut her up. As she went back to school and was able to check out books from its library she tried to draw the things she read about. There were even some guides on how to draw that helped her a lot as she tried to improve. 
Hazel spent the remainder of her elementary school days and most of middle school as well refining her technique. She was so absorbed by all there was to learn that she had no interest in friends so it wasn't like anybody other than her uncle would have taken her to the movies either. 
When they weren't watching movies, Eva wanted to hear more about Hazel's life. There really wasn't much to tell leaving out her juicy past. She was a pretty boring person. 
Talking about her art was a fairly safe topic. She mentioned that she had been interested in it basically her whole life so it was the obvious career choice even though people advised her against it. 
Everything had worked out in the end. She landed this comic job, which looked great on her resume. And after that she ended up married to someone who was willing and able to buy her all the art supplies she could ever want. Will had kept his promise quite well even if it was later than she had hoped. 
Getting here had been a rough road though. Her uncle didn't support her dreams and refused to pay for her to go to art school. He had barely acknowledged her when she got a scholarship by buying her a school sweatshirt. 
All of her high school teachers (except the art teacher) were against it too. They thought she was wasting her brains on a field that wouldn't pay well or offer a consistent job unless she decided to be a graphic designer. 
Hazel didn't want to spend her entire life creating lifeless things for other people. She refused to go down that road, even if it meant picking up a bunch of odd jobs to get by. 
Graphic designers didn't have any sort of creative freedom whatsoever in her mind. She needed to be unrestrained and free in her art or she felt choked. Even working with a finicky author like Eva was far superior to making logos all day. 
The nice thing was that Eva understood how she felt about taking the easy road. She could have gone to grad school to become a social worker like every other psychology major she knew because it was the 'smart choice' with that degree. Social workers, like graphic designers, were in high demand. 
But she was one to take the road less traveled by. If she went back to grad school it would be to specialize in the very specific field she wanted and nothing less. 
She had told Hazel how she ended up where she was now, in what her mother called 'a career dead end.' Yes, she was working two jobs and didn't have the most glamorous lifestyle but she made enough to do fun things every so often like their trip in Florida. 
The point was that she was doing what she wanted and didn't feel a rush to change that. Hazel could respect that. 
What she was less fond of was that Eva's interest in true crime and serial killers was because she was genuinely intrigued by criminology. Her eventual goal was to work for the FBI as a profiler. 
Wanting to catch people like her parents' killer wasn't the part she was upset by. It was how she consumed countless amounts of media about serial killers and other famous criminals and helped perpetuate sales and popularity for those things. 
It was people like her who kept the market for such grotesque things open. Those she truly despised—the people who capitalized on other people's pain by writing books picking apart the sick minds of killers—made money off of people like Eva. It was why they kept doing it. 
She had seen the book on the Bay Area Blade that had largely inspired his inclusion in that docuseries in a stack on the coffee table. It had taken all of her willpower to keep her mouth shut about it.
The series had already started airing and Hazel desperately hoped Eva wouldn't want to watch it while she was stuck here. She wasn't sure she would calmly be able to explain why she couldn't bear to watch that crap. 
Three days passed and there was no sign of the snow letting up back home so she would have to stay here a while longer. That show aired on Sundays and it was Thursday now. More than anything she wanted the airport to be cleared for travel before then.

“I’ll marry anyone who will take me!” Hazel declared loudly. “I don’t need love!”

“Get down!” Will hissed. “You don’t know what kind of people are lurking around in here! Talking like that might get you killed!”

==

Hazel Dixon thought she was putting her troubled past behind her. But when the person she thought she trusted most betrays her, she loses her head and proposes to an entire bar full of strangers. 

Enter Will Sheffield, a charming stranger who decides to take her up on her offer to save her from herself. 

He spoils her rotten without expecting anything in return and Hazel's confusion only grows. She doesn't know why he is acting this way. Or why he reminds her so much of the 'dangerous' childhood friend she thought was gone forever...

*Cover art by polkadottedscrunchie*

...Their daughter was a simple accountant to them and nothing more.

The Christmas dinner went great, it went even better for him when he found out the day her family had people over was the day after. Christmas was all about their family and no one else. 

"Thank you so much for coming." Two hours later she walked him to his car. Her parents had been the perfect host and for that she was grateful.
"I wouldn't have had it any other way." he replied rather content with how the night had gone.
There was love in her family and he understood how hard her decision to take a path less traveled would affect them. He respected her more.
She carried a tote bag her mum had gotten for her last birthday which was cool. But a twenty four year old didn't need a tote bag as much as she wanted to live her life.
"This is for..."
"You got me something?"
"Well it is for Woo Jin." 
He wasn't expecting that. Why was woo Jin getting something and not him. He didn't know his face was squeezed until she reached out a hand to smooth his chin. 
"Look who is jealous. You just ate a full plate."
"What?"
"It's just some fried turkey, and chocolate cake and a bottle of wine courtesy of my dad."
"I knew they'd like me."
"No surprise there. And this is for you," she brought out a tiny black box held by a red bow she had managed to hide under the tote bag she held.
 
He was dumbfounded for a minute. What could she have gotten him, did it matter? No, as long as it came from her and he was sure she had put in a considerate amount of thought into buying him a gift.
He took it from her small hands as he brushed hers ever lightly. Words failed him so he proceeded to opening the box
"Aren't you going to wait to get home?" she was late as the wrap was already out of the way revealing a tiny gold statue of a man holding a hammer with a tool bag around his waist. A golden road marked with black road dividers was attached to his feet and stretched out a little, he was working on it. 
He was still studying it and she was getting lost in how the gold gleamed on his face. Snap out of it she warned herself.
"It's a man working on a road, or at least that's what I think it is or it looks like. I'm rambling, I'm sorry if you don't like it, I..."
He wanted so badly to kiss all the words out of her mouth, but her parents might be watching and he wouldn't dare to risk it but he would hold her so he pulled her in a hug as she struggled to explain the gift better.
She sank into his body, all muscled and tight skin and the scent of him would one day be her undoing. Holding him and been held by him was her favorite thing to do so she closed her eyes as a chill air wrapped them both.
 
He was touched and knew he would keep it forever. Tonight was a good night for him. He met her lovely family, she wasn't his yet but he knew one way or another she thought of him, she was taking her time with him and he could only understand and be patient, he needed the time too.
He's only dated once and though they had been together for Ten years he knew he lacked experience on doing relationship right. He was determined to do it right this time; he would do right by Tale no matter what.
Her voice cut through his thought "Su Yan, I think you can let me go now." 
"And to think I got you a car," he said as he released her.
Her brown eyes grew two times bigger "You got me what?"
"I'm just kidding," he released her as he opened the back seat of his car and handed her a pizza sized box.

She took it wondering what could be inside. It was a brown carton box and that made her smile for she understood the man in front of her knew close to nothing about giving presents or receiving them let alone wrapping them in beautiful wraps but it was totally the thought that count. So she took it happily.
"Thank you. I have to go back inside before my mum comes to look for me."
"Thank you so much for inviting me into your home."

He looked like he was going to kiss her and he did.
It was the lightest kiss, if she ever felt one but it left its warmth on her cheek. She was questioning why she chose to take this thing slowly but she knew the answer to that. 

He had only brushed her cheeks with his lips, those beautiful lips but he managed to have her holding her breath for a minute. It was a harmless gesture, she told herself as she managed a good night and turned on her heels back into her parents' house. 
He looked at her amused as she walked away, happy that he could sway her stubborn heart a little. He had completely taken her by surprise and he wasn't sorry. 

She doubled her steps as she took the stairs two at a time to her room. She was going to open the box when her sister walked into her room.
"What did he get you?"
"I'm not sure" she replied not looking away from the box.
She managed to get the tape out of the way and a large book almost the size of the box it came in sat neatly in it.
She looked at her sister in confusion as she got the book out of the carton.

The first page of the book brought her to tears.

It wrote.

  To all of your dreams coming true someday soon, to courage and freedom and traveling the world.
						XO, Chicken

Strikingly beautiful young Tale is a girl whose hearts longs for adventure, love, excitement and all the beauty of this world. Find out what happens when she finally finds the courage to leave the four walls of an office into an intriguing world she had always only dreamed of with a man who forced his way into her life and maybe her heart.

Zhang Su Yan is the heir to the biggest civil engineering company in all of China, the only son of his parents and a carefree human deep down. He finds himself in Africa, on Nigerian soil to break grounds with the government of one of the states in the country. He had dealt with a past love that had left a physical scar and was content with his life as it was, or so he thought. 
The boy within him takes over when he meets with a stubborn accountant with a shrewd head for business. A black skin goddess, who wanted nothing more than to live a life full of beautiful moments and memories.

Find out what happens when this two discover the price for desire, risk, adventure...and maybe, Love.

Love, Tale.

——————————————————————————

"I've had quite a bit of Nigerian food and i can say yours might be good" he replied ending the topic as he finally dug in.

Tale had been avoiding his face since the moment they met but now she could see clearly under her mini chandelier.
His face was well sculpted and all clear with a jawline to die for and It embodied the very essence of masculine beauty, he had a perfect forehead and his eyebrows were perfectly winged that they made her fingertips throb and made her a little jealous. The only place that held a little softness were his eyes, there were as dark as night but beautiful. His hair was midnight black and fell to one side of his face covering a scar she couldn't see yet.
Such a face did not belong to a man who was sweet but of one who commanded, demanded and took action. His lips were so fine and firm, it sent a seductive shiver down her spine. Men like this-- who looked like he did led women to sin... And into loosing their peace of mind. 

"You know it's rude to stare?" he said when he felt he had allowed her have her fill.

DISCLAIMER

All characters asides from the lead female character Tale which part of her is about my life (I'm an accountant, i never liked my job and I really want to travel the world, someday soon) is fictional. I believe one of the joys of writing is being able to become someone else. 
All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to a real life person is completely a coincidence.

Original Cover photo by @Bre. Lexis.
Source  (Pinterest)


UPDATE

I'm still trying to figure it out.. lol
stick with me to find out.

"History of year 2076!" Gustav squinted his eyes as he saw the name.
"Isn't that the same year the Slarkovs were said to descend upon the earth?" Gustav questioned with an intrigued look.
"She said Library D," Gustav's eyes widened as he came to a realization.
"That's the library only accessible to VIP mixbloods," 
Gustav found a tree by the roadside and sat underneath it.
He stared at the book in his hands again.
"That's why I've never seen this one," Gustav spoke as he turned the book to the side checking every part of it. 
Gustav had visited the libraries that were accessible to normal students and also read a lot of books but he never for once saw a book that had the history of the past as big as this.
Every history book that gave information on the time of the Slarkovs descent was never more than three pages full.
Those history books never gave a lot of information, only the ones known by the masses were available there. Gustav had always wanted to know more and sensed that a lot of information was missing but since he was never given access to the better libraries, he had to make do with what he had.
Gustav was intrigued so he opened the book and started flipping through the pages.
The first information that he saw talked about how humans were starting to make progress in technology and were proud of their findings until the Slarkovs descended with a thousand large spaceships that were half the size of a moon.
Their descent made the humans realize that aliens existed and also the appearance of the Slarkovs was one that even the most technologically advanced space station couldn't detect.
The Slarkovs descended without a single spaceship being detected.
What gave them away when they arrived in the earth's atmosphere and their large spaceships could be seen from the earth's surface.
Gustav flipped to the next page. He had completed the first page in less than a minute.
He continued reading with an intrigued look.
Humans who thought the Slarkovs were a threat fired all their artilleries, missiles, e.t.c towards the spaceships as they descended.
Nothing worked. The spaceships were impervious to every single weapon the humans possessed. 
Humanity realized at this point that their technology was still lacking even though improvements had been made.
The Slarkovs who didn't understand the human tongue at first used their technology to download humanity history while descending.
Every human being within the planet had their brains picked and information was gathered for the consumption of the Slarkovs.
After that, they could speak the human tongue and understood human culture.
The Slarkovs descended upon several continents with their mini ships. 
The humans who were obviously still stupid, sacrificed many locations in the world by sending nukes just so they could rid the earth of Slarkovs. People died but the Slarkovs remained alive because they were being protected by an energy field.
After numerous failed attempts to destroy the slarkovs,  humans gave up and succumbed to their fate.
The 1st chief of the Slarkovs and other dignitaries from the world government had a meeting to discuss how the ruling of the Slarkovs will be and how humans were ready to serve them so long as they weren't killed.
Surprisingly, the chief of the Slarkovs, Lord Frambultin the 88th, explained to the world government how the humans had misunderstood their descent.
He explained the reason for their migration was because of their planet, Humbad, destruction and they weren't here to put the humans in bondage but to co-exist peacefully.
To show their sincerity, the Slarkovs presented the world government with a piece of technological equipment.
This was where humans realized that the Slarkovs were a peaceful race and they had just killed their kind for nothing.
Even though the Slarkovs had the power to bring the whole of humanity to their knees, they decided to live equally among the humans.
The Slarkovs also decided to sign a treaty with the humans telling them they would give anything in exchange for staying on the earth.
The humans who had realized that the Slarkovs technology far surpassed theirs decided to exchange permission for knowledge. 
This year was known as the transitioning of mankind.
That same year chaos ensued as large meteorites hit the earth's surface. The parts in the world where these meteorites hit should have caused a lot of people to perish but it was already predicted so the inhabitants of these places had already been moved out.
After these meteorites landed in several parts of the earth a surprisingly magical phenomenon happened. 
The meteorites caused those parts of the earth to cave in, creating some kind of underground ruins.
It was later discovered that these meteorites were parts of the Slarkovs home planet that was destroyed.
The underground ruins were later explored by scientists and new energy was found there.
The energy was called Hulov crystal. 
'Hmm, the Hulov crystals actually came from the destruction of the Slarkovs home planet,' Gustav noted this piece of information.
This was where humanity's progression in the field of energy began.
Gustav flipped through the last page with a look of disappointment.
"That's it?" Gustav lamented. He could still tell that there was more information withheld.
Gustav had just finished a book with about a hundred pages and twenty thousand words in twenty minutes.
Everything written there was plastered in the walls of his mind. 
He still wished to find out more.
When he closed the book, he noticed a small set of letters carved out beneath the back cover.
"Hmm, vol 1," Gustav read it out with a smile, "This means there's another volume," Gustav stood up and dusted his uniform.
"Hmm, I probably won't be allowed to take or read any book in Library D," Gustav thought about how he would solve this issue.
After a few seconds of contemplating he decided to head to Library D.
It was around fifteen minutes to six in the evening at this time.
It would take Gustav at least another twenty minutes of walking to get to Library D.
'The Librarian will probably be leaving soon so I can't take that long to get there,' Gustav thought as he prepared to use dash.
He looked around him, checking the surroundings properly. After noticing that no one was in the vicinity, he turned towards the right where a long curved road could be seen ahead.
'Activate dash,'
Immediately he called out in his mind the sounds in the environment became fleeting again.
The feeling of lightness enveloped his body again. 
Gustav crouched his legs a bit before dashing forward.
Swoosh!
He streaked across the path with speed, following the curvy road.
With every movement he traveled more than a hundred feet, dashing past the trees on the sides of the road.
The trees were a bit distant from one another but he was able to cross from the first one to the next in a second.
The winds blew his hair backward and made his uniform disordered yet this was a feeling that he would never trade for the world.
[Dash has been deactivated]
The timer for dash came to an end for the third time as Gustav arrived in front of a large rhombus-shaped building.
This building was painted brown and white. it was like a hall but was it looked like two slanted rhombuses joined together.
Gustav went towards the entrance where a male security guard was stationed.
"Show me your VIP bad... It's you? You are not allowed here! leave at once!" The male guard recognized Gustav, the supposed trash of the entire school and his expression turned fierce.
"Miss Aimee asked me to return this," Gustav raised the book in his hand.
"Hmm?" The guard stared at the book with a surprised look.
"Miss Aimee asked you to return it? Are you sure?" The guard's expression became a bit tensed when Miss Aimee's name was mentioned.
"Maybe I should just head back to her office and tell her a security guard block me from performing the task she sent me," Gustav said and turned around to leave.
The guard's face became more tensed and panicky as he reached out to grab Gustav.
"Hey, when did I stop you, come on head in," The security guard gave a forced smile as he permitted Gustav to head in.
Gustav nodded and walked into the library.
Immediately he entered what appeared in his line of sight were long rows and columns of three meters shelves spaced neatly across the room.
The length of the room so was large that Gustav couldn't see the end from his position.
The floors, the walls, the light, everything looked marvelous making Gustav wonder if he just entered heaven. 
Library D was different from the rest of the other libraries. Gustav started walking forward with a look of astonishment.
He was still in a daze as he walked amid these bookshelves.
"Hey what are you doing here?" 
A female voice questioned, bringing him out of his reverie.








In a future timeline, the earth was visited by a species known as the Slarkovs. 
Having lost their home planet and in search of a new one, earth was the next habitable planet for them.

Humans and Slarkovs made a deal with each other in return for the Slarkovs living on earth. 
The Slarkovs traded their technology and knowledge for a new home.
They were similar to humans except for some of them who had slight differences so fitting into the society wasn't a problem. 
Over the years Slarkovs and humans began to mate with one another and reproduce offsprings. 
This in turn created a new species known as the mixed-blood.
Centuries later mixedbloods could tap into their bloodline and perform unimaginable feats. 

Gustav born into an age where bloodline determines everything, struggles to fit with a useless bloodline.
His bloodline only grants him the ability to change his hair color, destroying his hopes and dreams for a great future.
His fate is turned around when an unexpected situation leads to him finding a system that grants him the power to unlock and upgrade bloodlines by completing quests but he's baffled by two quests with a five-year deadline. Success will grant him unimaginable rewards...
But only one thing awaits him if he fails... Death! 

Follow Gustav on his interesting journey filled with unprecedented adventures, danger and death, maybe?


PS: If you cannot wait for character developments don't bother reading. The MC's character growth happens more than once in this story. 


Cover doesn't belong to me. If you're the artist do contact me on discord - TimVic#5484

Join my discord server » https://discord.gg/up6VHdMJZc

Boundoukou was dusty and hot. We got caught in a traffic jam caused by yet another tanker, and the Toyota didn't have air-conditioning. It took a while; the tanker was wedged in tightly between a flimsy wooden stall on one side of the road and a big open gutter on the other. It was trying to turn around, and it definitely wasn't a three point turn - it was a fifty point turn as the huge vehicle shuddered back and forth, gaining a few degrees at a time.

An audience had gathered, and four or five driving experts shouted and waved at the tanker pilot, issuing what was most likely conflicting advice. It would have taken much less time to take the wooden stall apart and reassemble it elsewhere; it consisted of a folding table under a thatched roof supported by four gnarled poles. I glanced at Kross and saw that he was tense. He tapped the invisibility meter again.

"Fuck," he said.
"They're all watching that guy there," I said. "We're invisible." Kross snorted.
"Battery's nearly flat," he said. "Should be fully charged after a drive like that. Fuck! Those guys, they just aren't happy if they don't find a way to pull a fast one somewhere."
"So what now? We buy a new battery?" He shook his head. He said:
"It's not as simple as that. It's not charging. We probably need a new alternator. I'll make sure he pays for it when we get back."
"You mean your guy?"
"No, the Pope." That brought the conversation to a close.

It was another minute or so before the tanker pilot completed his dance and rolled past, shifting up every couple of seconds - his truck seemed to have an infinite number of gears. It was another three minutes or so before we could move; the vehicles in front got going one by one as their drivers and passengers completed assorted roadside deals and finished important conversations. We traveled maybe half a kilometer at a snail's pace, then halted for a gaggle of goats that had urgent business on the other side of the road. It was worse than rush hour in a big city.

My sweat and the dust combined into a greasy paste, and I left rusty prints on everything I touched. I looked at my watch when Kross pointed out a Total service station sign that hove into view maybe two hundred yards away. I looked at it again when we finally got there, and found that the journey had taken nearly five minutes. Throughout that time we were besieged by a horde of teenage hawkers of newspapers, soft drinks, oranges, chewing gum, cigarettes - I just sat and stared stonily ahead while Kross spat out the appropriate French phrase at those that got too aggressive.

There was a long, loose lineup at the gas pumps; it blocked access to the service area and Kross showed his mettle, poking his head through the window and shouting at a meditating minibus driver. The minibus moved to let us pass; an elderly local matron seated by one of the side windows gave us a look of utter contempt.

Kross stopped the Toyota by the service bay and got out. I watched him walk up to a tall African smoking a dejected cigarette next to a small red Kawasaki motorbike leaking oil. Kross asked him something, then disappeared inside the service bay. He re-emerged very quickly, leading a worried-looking African liberally covered in grease and oil, and pointed at the Toyota. I saw the keys change hands, followed by an eloquent little bunch of banknotes. The African looked less worried, and nodded decisively.

Kross walked back to the Toyota, jaw grimly set. He opened the door and announced:
"It's gonna take a couple of hours. Let's go for a beer - there's a place across the road."
"What about the luggage?"
"Leave it. No one will touch it." I was doubtful. I said:
"You sure you don't mind us being seen? We stand out, you know."

He didn't bother to answer. I got out and followed him down the station lot and across the road, weaving between the crawling cars. He stopped by a tree sparsely shading the entrance to a biggish building with blotchy red stucco.

I came to a halt beside him and looked at the unlit neon sign over the dark doorway. It was executed in fancy, flowing script, but I'm good at reading fancy, flowing script - I've even been known to produce such script myself. And the name was international, which helped. I said:

"The Trocadero. Where Boundoukou high-life congregates. I like the size of their air conditioner." He seemed to hesitate - his professional sixth sense setting off a tiny alarm bell in his head? - so I stepped forward and led the way into the Trocadero.

I entered and stopped to get my bearings: it was very dark, and wonderfully cool, inside. Kross squeezed past and stopped as well. A familiar female voice said:
"How wonderful. So you've decided to visit me after all."

Mireille was sitting at a table right to the side of the entrance, almost literally under my nose, which of course was why I hadn't noticed her. She was holding a bottle of Fanta with a candy-striped straw. She was wearing a white T-shirt with big, floppy sleeves and a grin, the grin of a kid who has played a successful prank. She'd pulled her hair into a ponytail, and she appeared to be more beautiful than ever.

I could sense Kross, by my side, begin to open his mouth and I said quickly:
"I insisted."
Her grin turned into a thoughtful smile. She said:
"How charming. Would you like to sit down?"

We sat down. Kross almost immediately cleared his throat and announced:
"We actually have reservations at the lodge for tonight."
"It's good to have reservations," she said. She bent her head to the side, looked at me and asked:
"Do you believe in destiny, Mister Hansen? I think you do."
I put on a smile and said:
"Do you?"
"No," she said. "I don't."

NOTICE
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https://www.webnovel.com/book/15514503505719105
If you are reading it at a different site, it has been copied and reproduced without the author's consent. The owner of that site is a thief.

What do you do when you've just lost your job, your wife, your home?
The answer is simple: you go looking for treasure in Africa.
NOTE: This is a completed novel I wrote a long time ago.

Four gods got drunk and made an absurd bet. To be sure they would win without a doubt, they chose to create their own champion instead of choosing one.
This is the story of Emp, created to become an emperor because of an insane gamble. He will need to rise from nothing and claim the continent for himself in order to bring victory to his four creators.
The land is dangerous, a few thrive, some survive and most die to all kinds of disastrous encounters. The gods will have to watch anxiously as their latest creation tries to survive against the horrors they unleashed upon the world for fun.
Emp on the other hand, just feels like admiring the scenery all day long.

Fine, fine... I will get on with it. I would figure by this point you'd already be used to my rambling considering we are on the 7th book.

But oh well, what am I to do?

----

Even though I showed intelligence at such a young age I was only treated a little better than any other lowborn kid. Sure, they didn't worry that I would eat the pages of the books in our library or anything. But I had no real privileges either. 

In fact, I hadn't even been given a name yet, kinda crazy right? 

But there is a reason for that. You could say that for the majority of the populace, a child isn't even a person until after their naming day. Which if you were wondering, that just so happens to be when you turn five.

The naming day is this mystical ceremony where children from all over a county head to the capital on their fifth birthday to be recognized by the world. It's kind of like a rite of passage so to speak.

Oh and yes, I said by the world. Not by the gods but the world. You might also be wondering just how many kids that is too. Would be kinda crazy trying to usher 20 thousand dumb as a bag of rocks children through an altar every week right?

Call it a balance or something, I don't know. But birth rate is not very high on Ardtús and children are more susceptible to disease before they turn 5. So the number is actually much less. 

It also helps that the population of humans on the planet happens to be much less than on Earth. Not to mention that Ardtús is huge. In fact, only 35% of the planet had been roughly mapped and that's only an estimate. 

I only said roughly mapped too! That's not even mentioning how only about 8% of that is frequented by the general populace.


So yeah, pretty crazy huh and from what Felicity said; that's my mother. Tomorrow is my fifth birth day. Pretty nice time skip right? Who needed all that boring detail about how I learned the language or figured out their stupid, cryptic hieroglyphic lettering system. Fucking bastards..... 


Nope, much more fun to get the show on the road. At least you all will get to know what my name is. Or at least one of them, right?

Speaking of roads, that's where we are now. My mom Felicity, Peter my father and of course, me. 

My mother knowing about the trip ahead of time packed clothes for me and waited till the last moment to surprise me. I don't really know why, I knew it was coming up but the gesture was endearing none the less. What was a surprise though was that Peter could make it. 

An odd way to speak of ones father yes? Well I don't really ever see him. He works as an official for the local government in the town I spent the last 5 years, Náth. He works so often that he often doesn't even come home at night and just sleeps there. I know I should be grateful, and I am. But still, seeing how sad Felicity is at times. It's really hard to not want to be angry with him.

The fact though that he cared enough to take time off to be with me and Felicity though? Maybe I thought wrong of him, perhaps he worked such long hours so he'd have the opportunity to be in our lives more later.

Anyways, enough of the heavy stuff. This is about to be my special day! Yup, mine! Well.. And all the other kids that will be there, but it shouldn't be more than 50. So there will be more than enough time to get through everyone. Which is great, Peter mentioned after I asked, that if there was to many kids they have to do the ceremony in mass. 

----

So, I said there's plot advancement in this chapter yeah? But all that's changed is I skipped ahead 5 years, told you my parents names and then hit the road with them to travel to the capital. Don't worry, there's more in this chapter. It's just longer because there's more ground to cover. We have the whole way to the capital after all.

----

When we left the house my mother told me to not be frightened by the Cos Ceithe. That they were docile creatures. But even then, how could you ready someone for the sight of this? In fact, how do you explain a four legged green flamingo like creature that has a tail? Well, I guess kinda like that... Did I mention it only has one giant eye too? 

Felicity was right though, as odd as it might look I knew that it wouldn't hurt me. Walking up to it the first thing it did was cradle it's head against my neck lovingly. Touched, I couldn't help but hug the big creature. It's fur, or is it feathers, like I said, odd. It's fur was super soft too. 

Stepping back and giving it a second look, I couldn't help but notice how powerful the Cos Ceithe looked. It's no wonder they use it to pull carriages. Speaking of, in comparison to my fluffy friend the carriage wasn't really much to talk about. Just black with slight golden accents to denote my father's rank. And that's it, if there was anything else to mention, which is actually pretty significant. It would be the first real thing I have seen that was in any way magical.

I had heard of it, Felicity told me as much often when she read me stories. But seeing it?

The carriage isn't so much a carriage and more like a hovering box, which I suppose is still a carriage but still! No wheels or anything, just a slight red hue coming from the bottom. That and a box with a pipe on the back of the carriage running into it.

You can imagine that after noticing that I was a bit enthralled, but after a few moments I forcefully composed my self. Well, after thoroughly inspecting every inch. I did grow up with technology that could emulate it, but this? It's magic!

So yeah, back to the actual riding. Because we've been on the road for about 7 hours now. Which just goes to show how impressive the Cos Ceithe is too. Especially considering the distance we've traveled as well. Peter said that we would be able to see the cathedral and castle of the capital soon.

Speaking of the capital, and speaking of speaking. I haven't done any actual dialogue between characters have I? Probably should start that. can't very well be explaining every interaction I have huh.

Turning to Peter I ask. "Hey, Pet, I mean dad? You mentioned we were going to the capital. But I don't think I ever heard you mention it's name?" 

"No, no I didn't did I?" He begins. " It's called Mór Baile. We live in a mid grade county under a larger state called Ion'Tach."

mumbling thank you, I go back to staring out the window. wondering when we will see the capital.

Moments later I finally seeing the peak of a spire in the distance and I can't help but show a grin on my face. 

"Hey, mom? are we there yet?"

Book seven of the only known series to have ever had each book written and published on different worlds. 

Experience the thrilling (eye roller) adventures I have experienced as someone who remembers each and every life I have lived.

A enhanced non-fiction recollection of my many lives.
-------
I posted this as 17+, this includes descriptive violence, possible sexual encounters of unknown depiction and other stuff. I will make sure to give warnings if I do have anything sexual that isn't exactly needed but added to bring life. Because well... What is the early days of reincarnation with out some self exploration and reinvention.

                As I stared down at the small white plastic bottle sitting on an oak polished table, I felt insulted.  Tiny capsules filled with so much winter aura they seemed like stars of winter filled the bottle.  Men I'd traveled with happily tossed the pills back while I glared at the bottle.  It was so simple and easy.  Take two capsules a day for a month and I'd be rid of the infection.  I was scheduled to go by the hospital and give blood.  In exchange for the cure, I had to give four pints.  
 
                With my health pool and a healing spell I could get it done in a single visit.  I still needed winter aura for myself.  Winter was apart of this world and only by adding it to myself could I move freely.  
 
                "If it was poisoned the other would have already started dropping."  Sid drank from a horn of pumpkin beer.  "You should try to relax most of us made it and Lewis should make a full recovery."  Sid said.  
 
                I pulled a horn of my own from a cast iron wired skirt.  The skirting made it easier to drink from the horns without spilling.  After a moment of hesitation, I popped open the lid and swallowed two pills and sipped from my horn.  
 
                The pumpkin beer was pungent and a little sweet.  It hardly distracted me from the small bursts of winter aura exploding off in my guts.  I exhaled a breath and felt winter aura enter my lungs.  For the first time since my infection my red aura stopped its onslaught.  My aura calmed itself and one problem settled down, for now.  
 
                With one problem out of the way I could focus on other issues.   I drank the rest of my beer and slammed my hand on the table to call the bar maid.  She quickly took my horn away.  
 
I didn't like the idea of getting buzzed before my first diplomatic meeting.  More than likely I was just going to be there for moral support.  I wasn't an official member of the Inquisition or Inquisitor Lewis's retinue.  That gave me little power to wield in any deals.  My personal power was an unknown and I didn't know how I compared to the surface's heavy hitters.  If the Dukes have jobs like Mariana, then stats or no I couldn't beat them.  
 
                Just because they were powerful and had powerful jobs didn't mean I couldn't get ahead.  I needed to level up my skills and level multiple jobs.  My hundred levels of mage would help.  I could buy other job roles and level up my system.  
 
                I had training to do, a farm to start, and quests to complete.  Soon enough I'd be busy.   A farm at the edge of vampire territory with a rogue fungus monster roaming about sounded like trouble.  There were things I needed.  Mahina was back south nested in the body of a skinned Abominable Bear.  She wouldn't be able to cross the distance for some time.  This was the summer so winter would be even worse.  
 
                To get anywhere I needed high walls and lots of monsters to guard my farm.  Spells would help.  I needed to learn more about warding, enchanting, and the meta.  As far as the meta was concerned, I didn't know how standard human spell casters fought in this world.   
 
Once our pills were taken and our tab paid, we took a carriage to the church.  All around us on the road children waited on the streets wrapped in old rotten cloths.  Towers spired high in the air spewing black smoke.  Small vents covered the ground blasting heat up while snow melted, flowed into drains, and was carried off the streets.    
 
On a hill of white stone sat a palace that stretched up to the heavens.  High upon the palace's tallest spire was a golden ring hovering above the tower itself.  Through the golden light small symbols could be seen etched on the mighty halo.  In the center of the ring hovering above the tower were three etched rocks spiraling around each other.  Blue veins spread down the tower connecting with smaller golden halos etched into the sides of the towers.  From there those blue lines spread all across the palace.  Even the road where our carriage tread was covered in those blue lines.  
 
                "I know it's a little meek but what could you expect from a boarder town."  Sid said.   "White marble was cut from a riverbed far to the south and transported here to build the church a poor imitation of the blessed marble found in the south.  The ward stones up above each contain only a single drop of a saint's blood.  Do you see the spire in the center?  It is the only one with a halo.  Worst of all there are only eight men of faith living here.  A church of this size should contain no less than a thousand deacons, a hundred priests, ten bishops, and a single archbishop.  This place is disgraceful."  Sid said.    
 
                Janus gave Sid a pensive look.  "Father Sid, do you think the Bishop would allow me access to the church library.  Now that I can use aura, I'd like to learn a sacred script."  Janus said.  
 
                "To be young and eager for new challenges.  Alexander is a believer in the Saint Verde Orthodoxy.  Expect every gift to come at a cost.  Don't expect the aide we're giving to count as any payment.  There is a reason he was sent to a boarder town."  Sid said.  
 
                I nodded slowly.  From my storage ring I pulled out a textbook on white spells.  I'd already digitized the information.  The solid copy held no value to me.  
 
                I flashed the book in front of the boy.  "Janus, I acquired this book from demons at a great cost.  Within it are the basics of white aura spells.  Anything you could want to learn is in here."  I said.  
 
                Janus bowed his head.  "Thank you, teacher, I'll work hard to master as many spells as possible."  Janus said.  
 
                I snorted.  "I'd rather you become proficient in a few spells rather than barely grasp a dozen."  I said.    He nodded to me slowly after opening the book.  I let out a sigh.  "Put it away for now you can read it when you have more time."
 
                We entered the building and began climbing a set of circular stairs leading to the top.  Small statues of winged men stood upon windowsills.  The glass around us was stained showing pictures of battle between winged men and foul frost covered demons.  Yellow rings of gold floated above the winged men's heads.  
 
                I pointed to one of the angels.  His face was blurred.  "Who are they?"  Sid let out a pained sigh.  "I should get you a copy of the Solum.  They are the supermen.  Those who live a life dedicated to Sol are given a new life after death.  Wings allow them to fly with Sol himself and the halos are the anointment from Sol.  The true anointment is far grander than even that but it's an understandable interpretation."  Sid said.  
 
                We traveled up the stairs until we reached two blue doors with a single golden halo in the crease where the doors closed together.  The doors opened to a slight shift in the aura beyond the doors.  Light from the room beyond poured down the stairs.  
 
                In a red felt chair there was a man dressed in a dirty blue robe.  Small golden halos covered the robe in various places.  The man looked up and exposed saggy eyes and liver spots.  There was an air about the man that screeched tired.  A brown staff leaned against the desk.  Looped at the head of the staff were three rings made of solid gold.  I'd have to bite them to know they were gold for sure, but they looked to be gold.  
 
                "Priest Margos, I heard you had trouble on the road.  Should I send for another inquisitor to head the investigation of dear Victor's kidnapping.  I fear you've wasted the trip and my time.  If I'd know you'd be corrupted before even stepping foot in my fair city, I'd have chosen another group.  Where is that crack smoking Lewis?  Dead?"  The old man snorted.  "Sol wouldn't bless me such good fortune."  
 
                I raised an eyebrow.  "You are new, a fallen knight, no not with aura like yours.  It's too much and too controlled.  A mage is useless, the vampires here aren't frightened by mages.  Why did you bring a mage with you Priest Margos?"  The Bishop asked.  
 
                Then the old man's eyes fell on Janus who clutched tightly at his white book.  "A young man with a pure white aura that is rare.  Are you a virgin boy?  I'm sure a pint of your blood could tempt even that skank Mariana, if she didn't favor girls.  I'm afraid you are useless too."  Alexander said.  
 
                "Well, it's a good thing I'm not here to be of use to you.  Priest Margos, I'm going to the hospital.  Our meeting with the vampires isn't for a few hours I'll get a feel for them."  I said.  
 
                "Wait, we need to hear the full story of the incident before you go.  I haven't decided if the inquisition needs to be involved.  The church is proving uncooperative perhaps they don't need us at all."  Sid said.
 
                "That's what I've been trying to tell you young man.  I want a more experienced team."  The old man smiled revealing yellowed teeth.  
 
                Priest Margos stared down his nose at the Bishop.  "If we leave there will be no replacement inquisitorial party.  We will give our report on the situation and that will be the end of it."  Sid said.  
 
                The Bishop smashed his old fist against his desk.  "No that is unacceptable.  I have friends in the capitol, the inquisition and even in the blades.  There are many who owe me favors.  If I ask, they will send help."  Alexander said.  
                 
                "Perhaps, but it will be months before another team will be dispatched and then it will be more months before they can arrive.  By that point the vampires won't care to hear of any accusations."  Sid slammed his staff down.  A glowing white aura surrounded him.  "We are the best chance you have to gain anything from this situation."  Priest Sid said.  
 
                Bishop Alexander seemed to chew on the information for a minute.  "Fine, but if you shortchange me, you'll find yourself in an outpost much like mine one day.  Maybe I'll put you in as my replacement.  You'll be promoted and thrown out here with the wolves and bats."  The old man said with a smile.  
 
                I snorted.  "Get on with it there isn't much time left before the meeting."  I said.  
 
                The old man frowned.  "You should mind your elders boy.  I've studied aura for many times your lifetime.  Sol has blessed me with a much-extended lifespan."  The old man said.  
 
                Sid piped up.  "Victor Cross was by all accounts a pious priest.  His aura was pure white and showed monk like dedication to cultivation and sacred spells.  I've read a few of the papers he sent to the capitol."  Sid said.  
 
                Alexander clicked his tongue.  "The brighter the light the darker the shadow.  Despite what you think he let himself be taken.  He isn't a victim and must be destroyed."  The Bishop said.  
 
                I rolled my eyes.  "So, he really has been turned willingly.  Well, what's the problem vampires live in this town and run the hospital.  Or is it to preserve this church's secrets.  I'm sure if he's been turned for months, they've already extracted his secrets."  I said.  
 
                I could hear teeth grinding.  "You can't remove him from the ward key.  A vampire is roaming around our lands unaffected by wards."  Sid said.  The bishop slowly nodded his head.  
 
                That was troubling.  A vampire that could invade homes and feed with impunity was a problem.

Everything that could go wrong went wrong.  An Apathetic system AI is suddenly trapped in the body of his host.  Watch as after decades of apathy he gains power, friends, and waifus to have sex with.   

Smut starts on chapter 28

They went towards Tumuo in total silence, no one wanted say anything. Mercer walked briskly, he was clearly upset, and was stiff and emotionless. Lera walked behind him, not really focusing on anything, her face stained with tears. Silachlume, followed behind, silent but always ready, he was on the lookout for soldiers. Mirnia walked with Mercer not saying anything, just looking over to keep an eye on him during their walk.
...
The cave seemed darker than before, it was almost pitch black, it seemed no light made it in. Looking in they could see two golden eyes hovering in the dark. After a moment the eyes made their way out of the dark revealing Tumuo.
"I knew you would be coming today. It's time to leave. There is nothing left here." Tumuo handed Mercer a simple book. "This is for you to learn more about how Magic interacts with the world. It will get you started before we go to the many Universities around the continent." Mercer nodded and turned around, walking over to a tree where he took a seat for a moment opening the book and looking through it.
Silachlume took a step forward, "So it is true..." He was staring directly at Tumuo.
"So you can see what others can not, you must be quite advanced." Tumuo took a step forward and laid a hand on Silachlume, "Oh... you are the library... I see, did you grant your services to young Mercer because you wished freedom?"
Silachlume bowed slightly, "Yes I wished to see the world, and he was without a core. I left a part of me there to keep me supplied with magic."
"No need to bow, I will not be me for too much longer. I am growing old and must continue my journey." Tumuo looked past Silachlume at Lera.
"You who are blessed by the Goddesses must protect the master wizard at all costs." Tumuo walked forward and handed Lera a round shield with the symbol of the goddesses engraved above a Runic Core. "This shield will never fail you, use it to protect him and yourself." Tumuo then looked back to Mercer, "It's time to leave, we must reach the Taldor on the border of Ligeria, it is the only way to reach the Manian Theocracy in a reasonable amount of time. There you can both learn to use your gifts before we move on to face the Shiragagian Theocracy, who will try to kill you Lera, and capture you Mercer. We must make are way to the Ahmeshian Diarchy... or at least the desert that is there." Tumuo turned, heading towards the house, southwest where they knew there was a road.
Mercer, Lera, Silachlume, and Mirnia all followed along, still quiet but moving with purpose. Lera held some focus now that she had a direction, but still did not take strong strides.
"Why must we go to those murderers. I don't want to see them." Mercer glared at Tumuo, "They have only never helped our family, and instead chose to slaughter us while we could not even fight back."
"The people there are not bad, they are just frightened." They were nearing the clearing now. "There was a time when they helped magicians, but then many turned on them and slaughtered entire cities. When they finally were brought down the kingdom outlawed all magic... punishable by death."
When they reached the house Tumuo found the grave and knelt down, sitting quietly for a moment, then he said a quick prayer and stood back up.
They left shortly after, making their way down the road keeping an eye out for soldiers.
...
After about an hour, they reached the road and Silachlume began humming a soothing tune, it wasn't much but it lightened the mood considerably. Mercer and Lera both relaxed a bit while they listened.
"Do you remember the words to that tune? What was it called... Quiet Streams? Seratolusu Souiluomiso?" Tumuo looked over at Silachlume.
"I believe so..." He began to sing softly. The sound came out like a stream that ran quiet, it had ups and downs as it weaved around rocks, but never went quick and never loud. After a moment he began to sing, words from his ancient tongue, words that were long and beautiful, they were drawn out, each word fluid in its own way. It was as though the words asked to be sung rather than spoken, they called out for the air, and he could not refuse.
He sang the song to its fullest hitting every note. The words traveled over everyone there and soothed them. When he finished, they were happy. They had not forgotten the tragedies, but the music had given a soothing way to think. Mercer was still silent and stern, but he was less rigid. Lera was walking with focus, and held her head up.
Behind them they heard the rattle of a cart.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but that was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard." Mercer snapped his head towards the man an angry glare twisting his features. A man riding on a horse drawn cart had managed to sneak up on them during the song. "What language was that it was not one I recognize?" The man spoke Ligerian, Mercer was not fluent, but could speak it well and understood what he said, even with his accent.
"It is an old song, from an old language." Tumuo answered the man calmly. "Our friend is entranced in the old cultures and has learned much of them." He gestured towards Silachlume, who seemed oddly shorter and much more human in appearance.
"Well, it certainly is enchanting. Please, let me give you a ride to Taldor if you are heading in that direction."
Tumuo looked to Mercer who sighed and nodded. "Of course, we would love to accompany you." They all jumped on the cart and continued their journey. The cart ride was much more bumpy, but Silachlume continued humming and singing the song making the ride enjoyable. The trip was not very long, and they soon saw the town in the distance. Just a small village but it was beautiful. The people there must work very hard.

[ Seratolusu Souiluomiso (Eldar Version) | Quiet Streams (English Version) ]
(Eldar)
Sorilu'usu souiluami laso rumura soritoth,
Tameuritomote thsimuralei thlu rimu'uloso,
Liamei miru tiluasiu lamolo silusou miru meurelu,
Seratolusu souiluame laso rumura ritoth,
Tameuritomote thsimuralei thlu rimu'uloso,
liamei miru mitomolo lamolo silusou miru somurame,
Sorilu'usu souiluami tamae'e muta sitochluso,
Tameuritomote lamitolosou thlu simulimaso,
Tesilamosu milu la soumuolu tamuti miru meurelu,
Seratolusu souiluame tamae'e muta soalu'uchluso, 
Tameuritomote lamitolosou thlu simulimaso,
Tesilamosu milu rimusiloso tasimuo miru sorame,
Lame'e sumu teorelu miru meurulu ritilasu thlu lousotosiluso.
(English)
Sweet stream as you swish,
Flowing through the woods,
Calm my heart and rest my love,
Quiet stream as you wish,
Flowing through the woods,
Calm my mind and rest my soul,
Sweet stream full of riches,
Flowing amidst the rocks,
Grant me a stone for my love,
Quiet stream full of speeches,
Flowing amidst the rocks,
Grant me words from my soul,
All to give my love what she desires.
[ (End) ]

This follows the story of Lera, a young lady with a fiercely protective nature with a list for adventure, and her brother Mercer, a young man who is calculating and kind to a fault, as they travel from their home and into the vast world of Eyrien. Originally from Earth their family has only been on Eyrien for a short time though they know not of Earth but the stories from their mother. When they discover the wreckage of the Tric'Trrel, or the Sword of Gold as it is commonly translated, they are called out to by the goddesses of the universe and granted a task that they must follow.

The trio traveled for what felt like hours in a daze unaware of where they were heading. They did not snap back to their senses until they had parked and turned the engine off.  The sight before them was a dilapidated building in a field of overgrown grass and weeds.  The sun was setting in the background behind the house painting the sky with an orange hue. "No, no, no!" Terry yelled out having returned to his senses. "Tell me we aren't where Terry thinks we are."
 
Drew looked around at the surroundings. "I think we are at the ranch, how the hell did we get here?"
 
"Drew I don't want to die!" Sam yelled.  "Terry get us out of here!"
 
Terry desperately turned the key to the ignition, but nothing happened.  It was as if some mysterious force drained all the life from the battery. "It's dead."  Terry said.
 
"So are we if we don't get out of here!" Sam shouted again.
 
"What do you mean, did it take a week for people to die?" Terry asked.
 
"We didn't tell you because you were already freaking out Terry, but apparently just visiting this place is a death sentence." Sam explained.
 
"Everyone who visits commits suicide within a year." Drew added.  "That ghost we met at the hotel, he came here and then committed suicide."
 
Terry did not say a word he just opened his door and started walking down the road away from the ranch.  Sam called out to him. "Terry don't leave we don't know how far we are from town and it's almost dark, there's no telling what kind of wild animals might be lurking in the wilderness around this place.  It would be safer to wait in the van until morning."
 
Drew had gotten out of the van as well and was preparing the ghost hunting gear they had brought with them.  "I am going to investigate!" Drew said.  "It kills you either way just for visiting right? Well if I must die, I want to die knowing what it is that killed me.  You up for joining me Sam?"
 
"You're crazy you know that?" Sam sighed.  "But you do have a point, if we can figure out what it is, it may increase our chance of survival.  How many lore books have we seen over the years cataloging every different type of ghost?"
 
"Figures." Drew said to himself.  "When you brought up those books, I knew we kept an online database of everything we collected for our fans."  Drew showed Sam his phone, there was no signal. "But looks like we are truly stuck here, can't even call for help."
 
"I figured." Sam said.  "Can't be any towers this far out in the middle of nowhere.  Our discount cell service barely works in the city, much less a place like this."
 
"I think I have a tablet in the van with all that data downloaded in it."  Sam said.  She searched around in the van until she found the tablet laying on one of the shelves.  She tried to start it but it had been some time since it had been charged.  She pulled one of her spare battery chargers out of her pocket and hooked it up to the tablet.  "There after that charges a bit we can at least research what is out here."
 
"That's a great idea!" Drew said.  The two continued to go through the gear and set everything up for the investigation.  After a while they heard footsteps approaching them from the road.  They looked and saw Terry headed back towards their direction. "Hey Terry!" Drew shouted while waving.  "Glad you decided to come back!"
 
"I didn't though!" Terry yelled.  "I was walking in a damn straight line and I still ended up back here.  I don't know what the hell is going on! But whatever this damn thing is, it doesn't want us to leave."
 
"That's creepy as hell!" Drew shouted back at his friend.  "Well since you can't leave you want to help us investigate?  We are hoping if we can identify what kind of thing it is, we can do something to prevent it from killing us."
 
"I guess I don't have a choice." Terry sighed as he reached his friends once again.  The sun had continued to set and there was little light left in the sky.  "We need to set up the remote cameras while we still have light. Give me those."
 
Terry took the cameras and planted them in various places around the perimeter of the ranch.  He was about to head inside when Drew called out to him.  "Hold off on going inside." He yelled.  "We need to go in as a group, in case a floor gives way or something.  No one goes in alone."
 
Terry made his way back towards the van.  "Good point, I don't know what I was thinking, I guess my body was just acting like this was just another gig."
 
"Right." Drew laughed.  "After the first hundred or so times it just becomes second nature doesn't it."  Drew pulled out three high powered flashlights from the van as well as a digital thermometer, and black light flashlight.  "Okay everyone gets a flashlight, Terry, do you want the thermometer or the black light?"
 
"Oh, you asking the black man if he wants the black light huh?" Terry teased.
 
"Okay then, Sam which do you want?" Drew said ignoring Terry's tease.
 
"I'll take the black light." Sam said.  "It is good if someone who knows what they are looking for has it."
 
"What are you looking for with it?" Drew asked.
 
"Mainly any fungi, they should glow under the black light and we can steer clear of them."  Sam said.  "We still don't know if everything has been caused by some sort of spore."
 
"We literally saw a ghost last night."  Drew replied.  "I don't think fungus is the cause of the haunting."
 
"I guess you're right." Sam sighed.  "Still it would be better if we stayed away from anything that could potentially cause illness."
 
"Right."  Drew agreed. "Okay Terry that leaves you the thermometer. You tell us if you find any cold spots of abnormally cold temperatures."
 
Drew reached back in the van and pulled out an emf reader and a blank book with a pen.  "Alright so I will use the emf detector and we will drop the book off anywhere we either find a high emf reading or a cold spot."  They knew all the motions, as they had faked them for many years, but this time it was real.
 
"God, I haven't been this nervous since our first episode." Sam said.  "This is crazy, I can't believe we are doing this."

**Winner of WPC #144**

**Due to extreme family difficulties the book is on hold for now, hope to resume in April or before.**

**WARNING** This book is a horror story, a real horror story.  There is mature language, death, murder, descriptions of suicide, and an overall spooky tone.  Do not read if you cannot handle a bit of fear, I will not be held responsible for any lost sleep due to the nightmare fuel that is this book.  If you are okay with all of this, read on and enjoy.

Drew is a television paranormal investigator that wants something more, he wants a real paranormal investigation.   He wants more then anything to have a real encounter. That leads him and his crew on a dangerous path, one that will change their lives forever.

This book draws inspiration from the countless ghost hunter type shows on television.


Discord: AlphaChoas#4280

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