Path Less Taken Excerpt: The Phoenix Files Vol. 2 Chapter 1

 

Path Less Taken

excerpt from Chapter 1: Dreams

Jane is in her office, reading through case files on her laptop. “Hmm, most are short and solvable. I guess others can take care of them,” she said and took a sip from her coffee. MK finished her last class and headed straight to the office.

 "Hey Jane, has Father Patrick given you any updates on the next assignment?" she inquired, entering with her brown leather messenger bag slung over her shoulder. Dressed in a red tee featuring a black Infinity Symbol on the front of it, faded jeans, and sporting playful ponytails, she looked ready for anything. Jane replied, "Actually, he dropped off a file yesterday while I was in the teacher’s lounge." 

Curious, MK pressed, "So, where are we headed?" 

Jane raised an eyebrow, with a hint of caution in her voice said, "You seem eager to dive into this assignment. Are you sure you're prepared? It involves potential portals and other dimensions." She rose from her desk to refill her water cup. MK pondered. She let out a sigh and sat down on the chair in front of Jane’s desk. Jane walked back to her desk and sat down, placing her stainless-steel water bottle next to her. “I see why you're bringing this up, but you can be confident that I'm prepared. We've been delaying significant tasks for several months now.” Jane gazed into those striking blue eyes, which seemed to perceive more than she could. She nodded and said, "MK, we need to discuss this, especially the dreams you’ve been having." MK paused, her expression thoughtful. "My dreams are complex," she replied.

“I once overheard you murmuring in your sleep during your stay at my apartment, and I can't shake the worry that you're still haunted by nightmares of the Backrooms. Please, share with me what's on your mind.”

 MK rose and approached the coffee maker, grateful for the warm brew Jane had prepared earlier. With a sigh, she admitted, “I do find myself dreaming of that endless yellow maze, but there’s more to it.” As she added two sugar cubes and a splash of cream to her coffee, she stirred it thoughtfully before returning to her chair.

She set the coffee down on a ceramic coaster adorned with a vibrant South of the Border design, a set Jane had purchased during their trip to Baja last year, prior to the Backrooms assignment.

“I’ve been experiencing some strange dreams, almost like they’re real,” she confessed. Jane’s expression shifted to one of concern as she asked for clarification.

“Sometimes, I find myself dreaming about various sections of the Backrooms.” A frown creased Jane’s forehead as she processed this revelation. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t explain it, but I feel a connection to the dark energy that permeates the Backrooms. It’s as if there are people trapped there, not just within the yellow labyrinth.”

“Explain, I want to hear more.” Jane threw a concern look at her. MK’s connection to that other dimension is disturbing; she fears that the darkness of that place will find her and lure her back in. “In my dreams, I wander through quiet suburbs, expansive farms, and a sprawling city that feels eerily deserted. The fields we traversed linger in my mind, accompanied by the unsettling presence of a man.” MK shivered, as if a specter had brushed past her, she continues, “This man, with pale skin, remains elusive; his face hidden as he gazes out from a skyscraper overlooking the vast empty city below. Clad in a muted blue-gray suit, he speaks to me, his words echoing in the silence of the dream.”

“What does he say,” asked Jane, as she is perturbed by MK’s revelation. MK recalled a moment when she felt the figure's gaze upon her, as it acknowledged her with a sinister greeting, "Ah, princess you’re here," causing her to awaken abruptly. In addition, she describes chilling scenes where she witnessed a figure conducting experiments on unfortunate souls who had wandered into his domain. Clad in a white lab coat reminiscent of a doctor, the figure's face remains obscured, leaving only a sense of malevolence in its wake. 

 Jane reflected on this revelation, her heart heavy with concern for MK's tormentor. She expressed her frustration at being unable to confront this menace, trapped within the confines of MK's dreams. As she contemplated the situation, a nagging feeling suggested that someone within the Backrooms might be attempting to reach out to MK. Jane feels helpless and wants nothing more but to cut that person’s ties to MK, but MK must do it herself. Jane sighed and gulped. “I think that if you find out what his name is, maybe I can have Father Patrick look him up. He might be one of the scientists that became trapped in the Backrooms when the accident happened. Maybe he lives somewhere within that Hellish place and developed psychic powers.” A look of concern crossed MK's face. Jane quickly reassured her, promising, "We'll figure this out and sever the connection." As she gently took MK's smooth hand, Jane savored every second spent with her. Deep down, she cherished her feelings for MK but lacked the courage to express them. MK responded by clasping Jane's hands with both of hers, a soft smile illuminating her features. MK shifted the conversation, asking, “So, where are we headed next?” Jane opened the file, her face serious. "Katy Lois Tyler has gone missing in Yosemite Park. Here’s her picture," she said, passing it to MK.

"She’s beautiful, those green eyes are stunning," MK commented, to which Jane replied, "She’s half Caucasian, I think." Curious, MK asked how she got lost. Jane explained, "She’s been missing for three months, leaving behind two sons and a loving husband." With a sense of urgency, MK asked, "When are we leaving?"

“I’m waiting for Father Patrick to call with more details,” Jane said, as she stood to grab a donut from the table, MK remained lost in thought, barely noticing Jane’s return. Jane observed the distant look in MK’s eyes, sensing her friend’s preoccupation. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” responded MK.
“Look don’t let it bother you. I will take care of you. I’ll have your back. This assignment won’t be any different than the others.” She tried to reassure her. MK nodded. “I know you’re right. Thanks for your concern.” 

“Not at all, you are very special to me, you’re my partner, we fight the good fight together.” MK smiled, brushed off the aphotic thoughts of her dreams and exhaled. Jane did not want to dwell on the dreams that still haunt MK, but she too has had them, and not good ones either. Her dreams take her into the Backrooms, and in them she is searching for MK but is attacked by a Hound. She slowly starts to turn into one. She can feel her body morphing into the grotesque, repulsive creature. The pain of each bone in her body twisting, contorting into something vile and supernatural, haunts her. The man MK speaks of is in fact, an entity that resides deep within the Backrooms. He once was a Human; he is connected to MK in ways she has yet to find out. MK noticed a flier on the desk. “So, one of the local churches is setting up for a festival to raise money for the poor?" asked MK.

“Yes, and we are supposed to attend and help with some of the festivities. It will be fun,” Jane said, swaying away from the grim conversation they had earlier. “Good, this is what we need before we go off again. I can’t wait.

”The festivities will involve rides, game booths and food venders. 

“Well, where do you want to have dinner tonight?” Jane asked.

“I guess we can go to Manuel’s Mexican food. I’m feeling Mexican today,” said MK with a chuckle. Jane smiled and nodded. Later in the evening, Jane and MK were at the restaurant enjoying a pleasant dinner.

“Hey Jane, fancy meeting you two here” said John as he pulled up a chair and sat at their table. Jane was surprised to see John, but it was a welcome sight. MK, sipped on her margarita, and turned to John with a curious expression.

“So, what brings you here?” she asked. He explained that he had been at the bar already and noticed them walking in. After finishing his drink, he decided to join them, hinting that he had something important to discuss. His serious demeanor caught Jane's attention, and her brow furrowed in concern, “What’s wrong?” she asked, sensing the weight of his words.

 He hesitated, then asked if they had been experiencing any dreams, taking a quick sip from his beer as he spoke. Jane felt a twinge of unease and replied, “John, I don’t think this is the place to talk about this.” He acknowledged her concern with a nod, then shifted the conversation slightly, asking if they would be attending the festival.

“Yeah, we are before we go to Yosemite,” MK chimed in, casting a glance at Jane that hinted that John didn’t know about their assignment. “I assumed he was aware,” she said. Curiosity flickered in his eyes as John asked, “What’s the good father’s reason for sending you to Yosemite?” Jane swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment, and let out a soft sigh.

John casually grabbed a tortilla chip from the bowl beside Jane’s plate, dipped it into the creamy guacamole, and savored the bite. “We’re on a mission to locate a missing person. She’s been unaccounted for over three months, and due to the supernatural and paranormal elements tied to her disappearance, our organization has stepped in,” Jane replied, as she swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment, she took a sip from her drink.

He nodded thoughtfully, processing the gravity of their task. “Are you both prepared to tackle this assignment?” he asked. MK affirmed with a determined nod, glancing at Jane for support. She returned the look with a reassuring smile, signaling her agreement and readiness to embark on this challenging journey together. “Okay, well if you need my help, you know where to find me then,” he said. After Jane dropped off MK at her apartment, she went home. John was waiting outside her door. As they entered her apartment, Jane secured the door with a click. “Would you like something to drink besides alcohol?” she asked, her voice light yet tinged with an underlying weariness. She moved toward the kitchen, filling a glass with water while discreetly grabbing a sleeping pill from the counter. John observed her actions with concern, his brow furrowing slightly. “You never used to rely on anything to help you sleep. Are you having trouble sleeping?” he asked, his tone laced with genuine worry. Jane sighed softly, settling onto the sofa beside him, her gaze drifting over his features. It was then she realized that he, too, bore the marks of sleepless nights.

“I think we’ve all been experiencing some strange dreams lately,” she remarked, her voice barely above a whisper. John chuckled dryly, shaking his head as he removed his boots and set them down on the floor. “Strange is an understatement,” he replied, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice, as they both grappled with the unsettling thoughts that had invaded their sleep.

“John, would you like to spend the night here?” He nodded in response, a silent agreement that spoke volumes.

“I’m not sure if you or MK have been experiencing nightmares about the Backrooms, but sometimes they feel so real that I find myself back in that unsettling place,” he confessed, his voice tinged with unease. As he rested his head on her lap, he resembled a child seeking solace, a gesture that revealed his vulnerability. “I too have had dreams of that horrific place,” Jane responded softly.  “What kind of dreams do you have,” he asked her. 

“Well, I am back inside the Backrooms and,” she paused.

“And what?” he pressed.

“Well, I am searching for MK and a Hound attacks me, I then go through the agonizing trial of turning into one.” There was silence for a moment. John gulped and took a deep breath. “What is it?”  she asked. Jane's voice was barely above a whisper. “I too have experienced nightmares of that horrific place.” She moved toward the closet, retrieving a blanket and an extra pillow before settling beside him again. Curiosity flickered in his eyes as he asked, “What kind of dreams do you have?” She hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts. 

“In my dreams, I find myself back in the Backrooms, and…” she trailed off, the weight of her memories hanging in the air.

“And what?” he urged, leaning closer.

“I’m searching for MK when suddenly, a Hound attacks me, and I endure the harrowing transformation into one of those creatures.” A heavy silence enveloped them, and John swallowed hard, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

 “What is it?” Jane asked, sensing his unease.

 “In my dream, I’m in the Backrooms too, but I’m hunting you, driven by a chilling intent to kill because you’ve become one of those monsters. It felt like a dark shadow looming over my very existence.” Jane gasped, her expression shifting to one of deep concern as she regarded him, the gravity of their shared nightmares weighing heavily between them.

“It’s not gonna happen John, these dreams are not real. I feel they are being sent to us from the Backrooms, but we should ignore them. We have a connection, you trained me, I am your Apprentice, and you are my Master,” she joked as she threw a Star Wars reference in. “I don’t ever want to go back into the Backrooms but if you end up there again, I will ask Father Patrick to send me.” Jane nodded, she knew that if she did become one of those hounds, John would have to do what he must do, give her mercy. 

Oddly enough they slept well that night and MK slept well too. No dark dreams entered their minds that night. Father Patrick was another matter. His dreams are plagued by a desire, a forbidden desire that haunts him; a secret that burrows deep within and hides from the light. “The Light,” he softly mumbled. “She comes into my dreams.” He panted and took a deep breath and exhaled. He slowly got up from his bed and walked to the bathroom. “I don’t know how strong I will be God.” He took a Dixie cup from the dispenser and poured water into it.

His eyes glanced at the mirror and a woman with raven colored hair and deep greyish blue eyes materialized in the mirror. He gasped and dropped the cup. She smiled and blew him a kiss before she disappeared. He closed his eyes and sighed. He went back to bed.

 

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The Phoenix Files

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Excerpt from a Twist in Time

 

(This is a short excerpt from, A Twist in Time: Something’s in the Sky chapter 2)

In the heart of February, Alyssa enrolled in a class situated in Riverside County to acquire the art of handling firearms. While her husband was the one with a passion for guns, she was curious to explore the allure herself. Surprising both her coach and herself, Alyssa proved to be a quick study. Although her husband frequented the local shooting range with his friends on weekends, she never accompanied them. Her motive for learning how to use a weapon was simple yet unsettling... Summer Lynn. Alyssa had no intention of using her newfound skill to harm innocent creatures, but lately, her thoughts had taken a darker turn. To keep her activities hidden from her husband, Alyssa provided a fake name at the shooting range and even shared her mother's address with the instructor. As she honed her abilities, it provided her with a twisted solace, allowing her to reflect on the state of her marriage. Her best friend Lynda once said, “Don’t worry about it, just divorce him already. He’s nothing but a waste of space." Alyssa dryly chuckled as she recalled that conversation.

The well-being of her kids weighed heavily on Alyssa's mind as she contemplated the impact of divorcing her husband; their youth made her fear the lasting emotional wounds it could inflict upon them. If only I can fulfill my fantasy in killing that bitch who is ruining my marriage,” she thought as she shot another round straight into the bullseye, dead center. Alyssa's group erupted in applause and cheers. Her instructor, beaming with pride, commended her for her improved skills and gave her a warm hug. Another student chimed in, praising her for mastering the task. Alyssa smiled and nodded, basking in the support.

 As her class concluded, she made her way home to find her children happily playing outside while her husband tended to the barbecue. Despite her suspicions of his infidelity, she chose to keep them hidden, preferring that he believed she was oblivious to the situation. "Darling, I was thinking, would you be open to hiring a babysitter?" he asked, catching her off guard.

 “Why?” she responded.

"I was thinking we could go on a trip like we used to before the kids came along," he said, flipping the burger patties on the grill.

"My mom can watch the kids for free, so we can go whenever you want," she replied, grabbing a coke from the icebox.

"I know a coworker, Summer Lynn, who could babysit for us. She could use the extra money," he suggested. Alyssa looked at him suspiciously, taking a sip of her coke.

 “That fucking bitch?” She placed her coke on the wooden picnic table near the homemade brick barbecue grill that her husband and his friend had built.

 "Why don't you invite her over? I'd love to meet her," Alyssa suggested. 

"Sure, I will. I'm so lucky to have married such a wonderful and kind woman like you," he replied, oblivious to Alyssa's cold expression and the sarcastic tone in her voice. Alyssa's mind raced with anticipation, thinking, I can't wait to meet her. 

She called out to the kids, "Come on, let's eat," as their pet cat tried to join them on the table. Alyssa quickly intervened, picking up the cat and placing her on the grass, saying, "Not you, Kitty. Go on now." One week later, Summer Lynn, a 28-year-old woman, was invited by her husband to join them for a barbecue party. With her light brown hair, coffee colored eyes, and a playful smile, she arrived wearing old jean shorts, a pink tee shirt, and mauve colored Nike shoes.

Every month, the Castros host a barbecue for their family and friends, as long as the weather permits. However, the only family members who attend these gatherings are Alyssa's immediate family and her mother. Alyssa rarely gets to see her brother, and their estrangement dates back to a disagreement over politics. Despite Alyssa's disinterest in politics, her brother and parents took offense when she voted for a president they did not support, causing a rift in their relationship. While her mother insists that Alyssa should apologize, she fails to recognize that the divide was caused by her brother's stubborn political beliefs. Alyssa's father is no different, holding strong and irritating convictions of his own. Alyssa vividly remembers her mother siding with her father on issues she strongly disagreed with, pretending that their marriage was perfect when she knew it wasn't. Alyssa, on the other hand, refuses to deceive herself about the state of her own marriage. She sees it as it is, imperfect. In addition to her family, Alyssa invites her two friends, Lynda and Maggie, who happen to be their next-door neighbors, to join them at the barbecue. Maggie knows nothing about her husband’s infidelity, but Lynda does. “Your mother didn’t come?” asked Lynda. Alyssa shook her head, “No she was busy today.”

“So that’s the whore, huh,” Lynda whispered to Alyssa, as she watched Summer Lynn walk toward the barbecue. Alyssa nodded. “She looks like a dumb blonde to me,” added Lynda, they both giggled. Maggie was initially clueless, but she soon figured out the situation. She was unaware of Victor's infidelity towards Alyssa, but it became evident to her quite quickly. Summer Lynn joined the group, taking a seat beside Alyssa on a lawn chair. The women engaged in a conversation while the men chatted and drank beer. Alyssa's sons were playing badminton outside, away from the group. Alyssa's home was a typical family setup, with a spacious backyard, a small front yard, and a desert landscape suitable for their region. “Will you ladies excuse me, I’m going to get another beer,” said Summer. She stood up and walked on over to the ice box that was next to the barbecue.

Alyssa's gaze fixated on her husband and Summer. Their eyes locked, revealing a magnetic pull between them. Burning with anger, Alyssa's glare pierced through them, her irritation intensifying. "So, is she going to be the babysitter?" Maggie questioned, giving Summer Lynn a skeptical look. Alyssa quickly responded, "No way, she's definitely not going to be babysitting for me," she snapped. Maggie and Lynda exchanged worried looks. 

"Why not," Maggie asked, curiously. Lynda shot Alyssa a quick look.

 "My mom lives close by, so she helps out with the kids when my husband and I want some time alone," Alyssa explained. Summer came back and took a seat beside Alyssa.

"Hey Summer, do you have any kids?" Alyssa inquired, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Summer brushed it off.

"Nope, not for me. I'm too busy for kids, and I prefer being single and living life to the fullest," Summer replied. 

“Yeah, enjoying yourself with another woman’s man,” thought Alyssa, as she took a sip from her coke, her nose flared, and she sighed. 

“Mom, can we go inside and play with our Xbox 360? It’s kinda boring out here,” Alyssa’s older son Richard, asked.

“Sure, go ahead.” She smiled and kissed her son on the forehead. Richard, David, and Josh went into the house. She turned to Summer. “I know my husband wanted you to babysit for us, but my mother lives nearby, and she loves taking care of my kids so, no offense but I don’t need a babysitter at the moment,” stated Alyssa, firmly. Lynda gave Alyssa a clandestine wink.

If only you knew how much I want to kill you, bitch, thought Alyssa, her gaze bore into Summer, hidden behind her sunglasses, with a desire for vengeance that ran deep within her. The darkness lurking in Alyssa's thoughts was a chilling revelation, a side of her that remained unseen by those around her.

"Ah, well, that's alright then," Summer Lynn replied, deciding not to continue the conversation any further. Victor quietly entered the house without Alyssa noticing. 

"Excuse me, ladies, I need to use the restroom," Summer announced before heading towards the house. Once inside, she made her way to the bedroom where Victor was waiting. To avoid any interruptions, he closed the door.

 "So, what's the situation?" Summer shrugged. "I think she suspects something," she confessed. 

"No way, she's too self-absorbed to notice anything. Don't worry, she won't figure it out," Victor reassured her. He pulled her close, giving her a kiss and playfully patting her behind. "She makes me feel uneasy," Summer admitted. He reassured her, "She's harmless, just naive. You're safe." Feeling uneasy, she decided to leave because of  Alyssa.

"Alright, see you tomorrow at the usual spot," he said, stealing a final kiss before joining his friends. Alyssa noticed Summer following him outside. Summer bid them farewell, sensing the tension ease once she left. The evening proceeded smoothly without Summer, bringing a sense of calm. Later, Lynda spoke to Alyssa on the phone. "When will you confront him about what you know?" she inquired.

Alyssa replied, "My cancer is in remission, health is good. I'll do it soon, but not yet."

"Why wait? You should get rid of him, he'll only bring more trouble," Lynda advised. Alyssa agreed.

"Soon," that's all Alyssa said. 

A few days later Alyssa was talking to her mother on the phone. Her husband's out and her kids are watching television in the den.

"So, will you talk to him about his affair?" her mother asked her. 

"I prioritize my children above everything else in my life. Victor may claim to be spending more time with his friends at the shooting range, but I know the truth. He's actually upset about my decision to reject Summer as a babysitter. However, I couldn't care less about his feelings. I would much rather spend quality time with my children than with him. I am fully invested in their lives, attending their school plays and conferences, always being there for them. Victor seems like a mere ghost, just a presence in name only. It's disheartening to realize that he's having an affair, especially considering that he stood by me during my battle with cancer. I guess his support back then was merely out of obligation. Now that my cancer is in remission, he wants to be free to have sex with whomever he wishes,” Alyssa told her mother. A concerning look shadowed her mother's face. It has been several days since the unsettling conversation Alyssa had with her mother, and as she lay in bed, her husband snoring beside her and her children peacefully asleep, an eerie stillness filled the room. Downstairs, the cat was curled up on the couch, completely unaware of the intruder that was silently making its way to the master bedroom where Alyssa and her husband lay. The figure slowly revealed itself, standing ominously over Alyssa as she slept, its presence sending chills down her spine. With a gentle touch on her cheek, Alyssa's eyes fluttered open to a horrifying sight - a monstrous being with dark, hungry eyes staring back at her. Despite her piercing scream, the creature swiftly used its device to plunge her back into a deep slumber. Dark and twisted dreams consumed Alyssa's mind as she slept. She found herself surrounded by a sea of blood, lifeless bodies scattered around her, and a deep sense of anger and fear gripping her heart. The night was far from over, and Alyssa was trapped in a nightmare that seemed all too real.

Over the course of the next two months, Alyssa found herself in a terrifying situation as she was forcefully abducted and taken aboard a Ny'Karin ship for evaluation. The strange thing was, she had absolutely no recollection of the abduction itself. It was just another ordinary evening when she sat alone in her bed, engrossed in a book while her children peacefully slept in their rooms. Her husband was out with his friends, or so she believed. As the night wore on, fatigue began to take its toll on Alyssa, causing her eyes to grow heavy. She reluctantly set the book aside and rested her head on the soft pillow. However, instead of finding solace in sleep, her mind was plagued by horrifying nightmares filled with blood and anguish. She woke up multiple times throughout the night, drenched in sweat and trembling with fear. 

It is now June and the tranquil sound of crickets chirping outside filled the air, accompanied by a gentle summer breeze that gracefully entered the room through the open window, lightly caressing Alyssa's exposed leg. Just as she began to feel a sense of calm, a haunting voice echoed in her dream, urging her to take action against a woman who had caused her nothing but sorrow. Startled, Alyssa abruptly woke up and hastily rubbed her tired eyes, trying to make sense of the unsettling experience she had just encountered.

Surprisingly, her husband had already returned home and she quickly checked the time on the clock. 

"It's 3:45 am," she muttered before falling back asleep. It was the weekend, she took her children to the market where they selected their desired food items. As they walked back to the car in the parking lot, Alyssa's youngest son, Josh, suddenly pointed out something in the sky. 

"Look, there's something up there!" he exclaimed. Alyssa smiled and brushed it off, thinking he was just seeing shapes in the clouds. Her older son playfully teased Josh and messed up his hair, causing Josh to retaliate with a playful punch. "Cut it out, you two," she warned, David her other son laughed at his brothers. After getting her kids into the car and putting the groceries in the trunk, Alyssa took a moment to gaze up at the dark clouds looming above.

 As she looked up, she couldn't shake the feeling that there is something observing from above. "There's something in the sky, watching," she muttered. Upon arriving home, her husband's absence didn't come as a shock, although she had anticipated him being there. She knew he would fabricate a story about being at work, but she had reached a point where she no longer cared. Dealing with Summer Lynn is something she is anticipating and will enjoy.

One Month Before the Invasion

Despite her husband's betrayal, Alyssa remains committed to her talents. 

"Are you going out with your friends tonight?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. 

"Yeah, we're just going to Caleb's Man Cave at his place. You should go out with your friends too. Take the kids to your mom's," he suggested, nonchalantly grabbing his Dodger blue windbreaker. Alyssa's eyes narrowed, a cold silence enveloping the room. 

I know you're meeting her somewhere, she thought to herself. With a heavy sigh, she replied, "I think I'll just stay home with the kids, since my friends are all busy." He shrugged, making his way towards the garage door, which slammed shut behind him. In a swift motion, Lyssa retreated to her chamber, leaving her children engrossed in the television, her mind consumed by thoughts of betrayal and deceit. She went upstairs and from the depths of the wardrobe in her room, she retrieved a wooden suitcase, its size unassuming. With utmost care, she extracted it from her private safe, hidden away from prying eyes. The contents concealed within held a secret, an item obtained through her personal credit card. Placing it gently on her bed, she took precautions to secure her sanctuary, ensuring her children remained oblivious to her possession of the deadly weapon. A wicked smile crept across her face as she unveiled a sleek, black pistol adorned with a silencer.

"I ought to track the breadcrumbs he carelessly leaves behind," she whispered to herself. She called her mother to come by and look after the children so she could step out for a brief moment. Her mother showed up thirty minutes later.

"So, that worthless husband of yours isn't around?" her mother inquired as she walked into Alyssa's house.

"No, he's not here, but don't fret, I won't be gone for too long. And even if I am, trust me, I'll ensure everything is sorted out soon," Alyssa declared firmly, her voice filled with determination. Her mother's throat constricted as she nervously swallowed, sensing the seriousness of the situation. "Alright, just be careful. Confronting him could lead to a messy situation," her mother cautioned, her voice tinged with concern. Alyssa nodded, understanding the risks involved. "Kids, behave yourselves for your grandma," she instructed, forcing a smile to mask her own apprehension. Alyssa suspected that her husband and Summer Lynn might meet up on the far side of Elsie Lake. This area was well-known for fishing and picnicking, although swimming was discouraged because of the high bacteria levels in the summer. She was aware that this secluded spot would offer them the privacy they desired, far from any curious onlookers.

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(A Twist in Time: Something’s in the Sky will be published in 2026)

Chandra's Quest

 

 

 

 

Excerpt from my new book Women's Stories: A Collection of Unbelievable Short Stories.

 

(I wrote this book using another penname, CG Heandez. Please visit link to download it. This book is available as a paperback on Amazon)

Chapter 1: Every Barbie Loves Pink

 

My name is Stacy Tomas L. I was married to my husband, Tim, for 6 years. We decided not to have children, it was our prerogative, an equal agreement. I work as a realtor and am doing very well financially; my husband owns a small construction company. Though I loved my husband, he became obsessed with that Barbie movie after we had gone to see it. “Honey, I want to make some changes to our house,” he told me when I was enjoying a cup of coffee and reading one of my favorite romance books.

 “Why?” I asked. “Are you bored with the way the house looks?”

He hesitated, “No, I think it would look better with a different paint job though,” he responded as we were having breakfast. I sipped on my coffee while eating a donut, I set my book down next to the bread-and-butter plate that I use for my donut. He looked at some architectural plans he drew out on paper, I only assumed it was for his work. After I finished my glazed donut and my coffee I stood up; put my coffee mug on the counter by the sink. I looked out the kitchen window, and noticed a van belonging to a painter’s company, it was parked at the front of the house. My house is one of the luxurious models that I bought with my first three sales.

Of course, we’re still paying the mortgage but that’s understandable. It's a 30-year mortgage. As far as I’m concerned, my life was perfect until we had gone to see that movie. My husband wanted to paint the front of the house, but I had no idea the horror he had planned for me. Our house is painted the standard earth tone colors, beige, brown and rust red trimming, it is the basic colors of the model homes we bought in this community. It has stairs going up to the front door with handrails on both sides. Two columns decorate the front and a couple of planters are set beside the columns. The inside of the house is spacious, with a luxurious staircase leading to the second story. Everything in the lower level of the house is open and spacious. There are four bedrooms and two and a half baths, and the half bath is downstairs. The master bedroom is every woman’s dream, a large walk-in closet, a spacious bathtub separated from the shower, two sinks and a large mirror; the house has tile flooring, which is the way I wanted it. After work, I arrived home and to my horror I stared in awe at the front of the house. “What the Fuck,” I mouthed. Even though the painters hadn’t quite finished the paint job, I could tell that the color was not to my liking. “Tim, where are you?” I called out. Tim walked into the Livingroom; I sat on the brown sectional couch. “Hey, so how do you like it?” He is referring to the outside of the house. I sighed, “Um, I hope this is a phase you’re going through because you know how I feel about Pepto-Bismol pink,” I said setting my arms akimbo, my brows bristled, clearing I was confused.

“I decided to make our house a real-life Barbie house.” I was floored.

“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “I wanted to do something different, and I think you’ll like it. Every Barbie loves pink, right?” He gave me a hug. “So, he thinks I am a Barbie? As if.” I thought he was joking; he must be kidding.

“Um, if this is a joke, it’s not a good one, I’m sure that the HOA won’t think so,” I reminded him. He shrugged. Later I the evening while we were getting ready for bed, he started fondling with my hair. “Honey have you ever thought about dying your hair blonde?” I was brushing my teeth, and I gave him a sidelong glance. I rinsed my mouth and tapped it dry with the towel. We both got in bed. “I will be going to visit my mom in Utah, do you want to come?” He pondered. ‘Um, no, I have some construction work that needs to be done, sorry babe.”

“Okay, I’ll be gone for a week, you’ll be fine?” I asked. He nodded. “I’ll miss you but when you get back, I’ll have a nice surprise for you,” he said with a coy smile on his face. “Well, no more dramatic surprises,” I said, and I turned off the light. The next day after work I got in the tub to relax and wash away the stress of the day. The paint job was halted, so I assumed that he was going to get the painters to repaint the house back to its original colors. After I got out of the tub, I blew dry my hair, got dressed in my pajamas and went downstairs. My husband was on his laptop in the kitchen, ordering a few things for the house I suppose. “Can’t wait to show her the new casa De Loren,” he smiled. Yes, my last name is Loren. A few days later, I left to visit my mother in Utah. “Honey are you and Tim doing well?” she asked me. My mother had noticed my distrait expression. I fronted a smile, “Yes we’re fine mom, it’s just that he’s been acting weird.”

“What do you mean,” she asked, as she poured herself some tea. “Well, it seems like Tim suddenly became a bit obsessed with pink. I don’t know, maybe something else is going on with him.” I told her what he did to the house. “Well, maybe he’s trying to get your attention.” Stacy grimaced and rolled her eyes. “Well, that’s some way of getting my attention.”

“Buy some pink underwear, that might placate him.” My mother joked. She thought it was silly but something about this whole thing seemed weird. The week at my mom’s was pleasant, my mother lives in a community where all the one-story homes have a quarter of an acre lot, and beautiful landscape. There is no HOA, but everyone takes care of their homes. I have been contemplating a move to Utah maybe in the future, maybe in the same community as my mother. My drive back to California was pleasant but I had wished my husband was with me. “I hope he did well while I was gone,” I thought. I called him a few times while I was at my mother’s house to see how he was doing.

 “Hey babe, I’m on my way home. What have you been up to?”

“I’m fine honey, I can’t wait to show you something,” he said, with a giddy tone.

“Well, I hope it’s a new paint job on our house.”

“Yes, that’s taken care of. I can’t wait till you’re here,” he said. She smiled. “Well, I can’t wait too,” I blew him a silent kiss and hung up. When I arrived a couple of hours later, the house was back to normal. I smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. I walked into the house. I was shocked. The jarred expression on my face turned into anger. “What the Fuck?’ I mouthed. The walls were pink, the couch was replaced with a pink sectional. The lamps in the room had Victorian style pink lamp shades. A pink coffee table sits on top of a tacky pink faux fur throw carpet at the center of the floor. I wanted to hurl; I was beside myself. I walked into the kitchen, and it too was painted pink, the table was replaced with a retro style 50’s pink table and chairs. She gasped. “At least he didn’t paint the cabinets pink.” The cabinets are white in color, the trimming was white as well. She slowly toured the rest of her house; some rooms were left unchanged. “He probably didn’t have enough time to paint them,” she said to herself. As she ascended the stairs, the handrail was painted pink but the carpet on the stairs was still white. The upstairs does have carpet in the rooms, but they too remained white. “He must’ve had help to paint this, no way he did this by himself,” I thought to myself as I looked at the wall in the hallway, it was painted pink. I let out an exasperated sigh. When I opened my bedroom door, I walked in to see a décor of pink everywhere. My bedspread was pink with cute floral print on it, the walls were pink, there was a pink faux fur throw carpet on the floor much like the one downstairs, and pink rose petals leading into the bathroom. The tub had already been filled. He used pink bubble bath soap in the water.

“Oh my God,” I mouthed.

“Where is he,” I said tightly. Anger seethed in my eyes as I searched for my husband. “Tim, where are you!”

“Hey babe your home,” he said with a big smile. He gave me a hug, but I pulled away.

“What the Fuck is all this?” I pointed around the room.

“I changed some things in the house, I hope you love it. I do. That Barbie movie really inspired me,” he said. I just stared at him, jarred. “What the Hell is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He looked at me perplexed. “I feel fine, and I bought you some new clothes too,” he walked over to the closet, I followed. I stood there with my arms crossed, trepidation loomed over me. A look of dismay shadowed my face when he opened the double doors of the closet. Almost all my clothes were gone, replaced by pink suits, and pink dresses, even pink heels. I was speechless.

 “What have you done?” I mustered up to say after a long silence. “I can see you’re surprised,” he said.

“Surprised, I’m furious?” I shouted; my face flushed. “Who gave you the right to get rid of my clothes?”

“Babe, I thought you felt as passionate about that Barbie movie as I did,” he said, with a perplexed look on his face. I stood there, with my arms akimbo and a livid look on my face.

“Well, if you’re going to be critical about this then you should leave this house,” he said, angrily. “What! Fuck you! I bought this house, not you. Look I don’t know what the Hell is going on with you, but you were once a rational, loving, and respectable husband three weeks ago; I don’t buy the whole obsession over the movie and now you want to change everything to mimic Barbie lifestyle, it’s stupid! Tell me what’s really going on,” I demanded. He was silent and walked out of the room. I followed downstairs. “I feel that we needed a change, frankly you’ve become boring, for the past three years, we have fallen into the same rut and,” he paused. “And what?”

“And I want something different,” he said. I thought that maybe this was his way of expressing his displeasure with what he called a boring life. But to go this far, just to get my attention, this goes beyond normal. Then it occurred to me that maybe he had met someone who was into the whole trendy pink thing. Probably a young, blonde. I pondered. “Alright, who is it?” I asked, suspecting that he’d been cheating on me. He said nothing and grabbed his keys from the key bowl and walked to the garage. I heard the garage door open, and he left. I was alone in a Pepto-Bismol pink house. Thank God that the outside was painted back to normal, or I would’ve heard from the HOA. He was gone for the night and at this point I did not care. I thought about what he said. “Has our life gotten boring? NO, he’s insane. Someone else has been feeding him lies and turning him into someone I don’t recognize.” I did not sleep well and the next morning, I grabbed one of the pink suits in the closet and put it on. It had pink embroidered flowers on it. I looked in the full-length mirror, sighed and shook my head. I headed to the office. Everyone stared at me. My heels matched my clothes, even my clutch purse. I felt embarrassed. “Um, Stacy I like your new outfit,” said Lindsey, a new young intern. Lindsey has light brown hair, blue eyes and can pass for a Barbie herself. I stared at her.

 “You know, you and I are almost the same size, would you like to have my suit? I’ve got a bunch of pink clothes in my closet, if you like, you can come on by later and take your pick.” Lindsey looked at me confused.
“Sure, if that’s okay?” I nodded and smiled. Later, in the evening Lindsey stopped by. When Lindsey walked into her house, she was shocked to see the Barbie-like interior of the house. I am genuinely a conservative woman, so she was jarred by the look of the house’ interior. I grimaced and rolled my eyes. I understand the expression on my co-worker’s face, it’s jarring, exactly how I felt when I first saw the house. “Yes, my husband went a little,” I paused. “Overboard with the paint job, but this whole mess will be remedied soon, I hope.”

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Excerpt from In the Company of Elves

 

Chapter 5: Melissa & the Seven Elves

 

   Morning broke, and Melissa was the last one to rise. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. Keefe’s bed was made, and Fagan’s sleeping bag and pillow lay neatly on a chair in the corner of the room near the window. She found her dress on Keefe’s bed. Arowyn and the others were not in the room. Everyone was up early. Melissa could hear talking and the sweet smell of breakfast.

 “I wonder what elves eat,” she thought as she slipped on her dress eager to find out. She found a brush on top of a chest drawer in the room and combed her hair.

 “I hope they don’t mind me using this,” she said to herself. “After all I came unprepared for this trip.” She grimaced and rolled her eyes, letting out a soft sigh. A soft knock sounded at the door.

 “Milady, breakfast is ready.” Nolan said. Melissa smiled. She joined the elves at the table. Breakfast was interesting. There were vegetables, lightly toasted mushrooms, along with large grubs and freshly baked bread. A pitcher of water was next to another pitcher with raspberry juice. Scrambled eggs were on a long platter ready for eating. Melissa is intrigued.

“Where do you keep your chickens?” She asked. “The chickens belong to the community, and they are in a chicken coop in the far side of the village.”

She did not see bacon or ham. “Don’t you guys ever eat ham, bacon or sausages?” Nolan’s eyes shot open, and he shook his head. “We do not eat meat,” he responded. “Most elves are vegetarian, however in this community, we occasionally eat fish,” Adain added.

“Oh, so you are Pescatarians?” asked Melissa.

“I suppose we are. We Elves are a race of beings that have a great respect for life,” said Nolan. “Paradoxically some of the greatest assassins and knights in all of history have been elves, not to

mention some of the best archers in the world,” Keefe said. “Wow I didn’t know,” said Melissa, intrigued by what he revealed. She ate her breakfast as if she had not had breakfast in a long time. “Going through that wormhole or whatever it was, really made me hungry,” she stated. The sauce is quite good, made of natural herbs and vegetables. Melissa did not touch the wine. She drank the raspberry juice that Nolan made instead. Something tastes like tofu, but she isn’t quite sure what it is, nevertheless she enjoyed her breakfast very much.

“Who cooked the breakfast? It is good.” She said, as she finished her drink.

“Arowyn cooked this meal,” said Demetrius. Melissa smiled at Arowyn and winked approvingly. Arowyn smiled back with a twinkle in his eyes. Later Melissa spoke to Arowyn about her stay with them.

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Can You Copyright Titles, Names and Slogans?

 

What can be copyrighted?

Recently an author published her book called Chandra’s Quest. I can’t believe the shock I felt. Yes, I was a bit irked by the fact that someone else used the same title as my book but upon looking up the copyright rules, well here is what I found:

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. In general, book titles are not eligible for copyright protection. The U.S. Copyright Office views book titles as “short slogans,” not intellectual property. The underlying theory to this notion is that there may be other instances where the same or a similar title is equally appropriate.

Yes, it’s true even though an author copyrights their written work, it doesn’t mean the author owns the rights to the title, and names in the book. Slogans & short phrases is different and might be protected by trademark. 

The difference between the Chandra's Quest by Barbara A. Miller and my book is that they both are of different genre. My Chandra's Quest is sci-fi/fantasy, Miller's book is general fiction/romance. I read a few pages from the sample book, it seems to be a western type of romance book. 

After I revised, In the Company of Elves, I published it on KDP. A few years later another author published her book using the same title. However she did write a fantasy book much like my book but there are significant differences between the two. 

I copyright my books with the Copyright Office so I am not worried. Bottom line is that names & titles are not copyrighted even if the author sent their manuscript to the copyright office. 

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