Excerpt-

INFESTATION: A Small Town Nightmare (Part 2)

Their laughter abruptly ended when six police cars with blazing sirens and flashing red and blue lights zoomed past the Adams’ black Cadillac.

“Where on earth are they rushing to this time of night?” Marie gazed behind them.

Dave shook his head. “I wonder what it is this time.”

A trickle of rain splashed the windshield, then a sudden burst splattered onto the glass.

“Where did this come from?” Dave reached quickly for the wiper switch.

“Dad, we can barely see anything!” Amy said as her father slowed the car considerably.

They drove for another half a mile before noticing one of the street lights just ahead exploding after a large flash of lightning struck.

“Did you guys see that?” Amy asked.

“What on the lamp-pole could have possibly attracted that lightning?” Marie wondered. “Aren’t those things insulated?”

“I always thought so,” Dave said.

“There goes another one!” Marie cried as they watched a street light on their left erupt into pieces. Then another, just seconds later on the right. “Oh, my God… it’s what I saw; remember?” She was looking at Dave.

“Yeah, I remember,” Dave answered quietly. “The rain doesn’t seem to be letting up. It’s a good thing we’re almost home.”

“What dream?” Amy asked. “Mom, what’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Dave swiftly returned.

“Mom, what’re you not telling me?”

Marie looked at Dave who was finding it nearly impossible to see straight ahead although the wipers had been set at full speed.

“Amy, this is not the time,” Dave insisted. “We’ll talk about it later, okay? Let’s just focus on getting home safely.”

Amy sat back in the seat – arms folded. Her mother usually shared everything with her. Why was this time any different? She wondered.

The vehicle came to a complete halt. An unkempt man with medium-length, dirty-blonde hair was standing directly in front of it. He was staring wildly at them through the windshield as the heavy rain beat mercilessly upon him. Leaning forward a bit more, he rested both hands on the hood of the car; his intense glare eerily fixed as he and the savagery of the rain storm appeared to be one—like they were inherently connected.

Dave, Marie and Amy all gazed at what stood before them.

“Dave…” Marie nervously glanced at her husband, expecting him to do something.

Dave blew the car horn. “Get away from here!” he shouted, waving an arm. The wipers moved speedily as the stranger’s face flashed constantly before them.

The man’s focus was unbroken until a car’s blaring horn sounded behind the Cadillac. In an instant, he was gone and Dave wasted no time moving forward.

“How on earth did you see him?” Marie asked. “A few inches more and you would’ve surely hit him!”

“At the last minute, I thought I saw something in front of the car,” Dave explained. “Good thing, I didn’t keep going.”

“That guy’s a weirdo,” Amy said. “Why was he staring at us like that? He’s creepy.”

Marie sat quietly, wondering what to make of the encounter.

Minutes later, they were pulling into the garage of their home and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

“What do you make of that nut?” Dave was lying in bed with legs crossed and hands behind his head.

Marie had just slipped into a black nightie and was heading to bed. “Don’t know. Did you see the look on his face?” She asked, getting beneath the covers.

“Weird. For a moment there, I thought I might have to get outside in the pouring rain for that idiot.”

Marie reached over and switched off the lamp. Dave immediately put his arm around her.

Her back to him, Marie smiled. “I’m so lucky to have you as my husband, Dave Adams.” She stroked his hand gently.

“I’m the lucky one,” Dave answered softly. “But since I don’t really believe in luck, I guess fortunate is the better word. I’m really proud of you, honey.”

“For what?” Marie turned and faced him.

“Well, for starters…. you’ve worked hard and accomplished something that many people only dream of; you’ve survived an upbringing that was literally hell on earth and pulled through all right. What I admire most about you, Marie, is that you’re a kind, loving person with a heart of gold. How can I not be proud of you?”

Marie leaned in and kissed him; her hand now rested on his chest.

“Did you really think that no one would buy the book?” he asked.

“No.” Marie replied. “I just made up my mind that if someone was at least crazy enough to give it a shot, maybe it would help them in some way—at least that’s what I was hoping for. If it helped at least one person, that would’ve been good enough for me.”

“You see it’s definitely serving its purpose. Don’t you?”

Marie nodded. “But that’s strange; isn’t it?”

“What?”

“That I’m nobody special and people think that I did something worthwhile for them. I’d be the first to admit that other people out there deserve far more recognition for their work than I do.”

Dave laughed quietly. “You never were good at receiving compliments, Marie. So humble: That’s another thing I love about you.”

“We’ve come a long way. Haven’t we?” She smiled.

“We certainly have.” This time, Dave initiated the kiss and they were locked in each other’s embrace until passion drove them to the inimitable heights of ecstasy.

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This title may be purchased in separate episodes (1-3) or as The Complete Series.

Part 1                                                The Complete Series