If you're one of those people who don't like downloading music and are still waiting for John Williams' "Air and Simple Gifts" to be released on CD, now your wait's over.
"Air and Simple Gifts" will be available in the all-encompassing Yo-Yo Ma Collection. By just buying this 90 disk collection, you will finally be able to hear the four minute song. It is limited to 200 copies, since there's only 200 people on the planet who can afford the $790 set.
If you think I'm making this up, click here.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Dealbreaker
The time for celebration of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, has also been a time for great deals.
Seriously, phenomenal deals. And we capitalists aren't at all ashamed of it. In fact, we'd have to be crazy to sell you a toaster for $5.00. Lowest APR ever. Buy 1 Get 1 Free. No, my friend, you're not dreaming. It's our year-end clearance sale. Everything in America must go and fast. By January, we'll be getting tons of new junk from China and Taiwan so the old stuff's got to go.
Why pay off your mortgage when you can buy a flat screen LCD for $399.99? Credit card bills piling up? Put them off till next year after all the Christmas shopping is done. If you're already in debt, what's a little more? Living in a culture of have-nots is a strenuous, full-time occupation, and if you don't have the latest High Def Blu-Ray Big Screen Something-or-Other, then you might as well be homeless.
And just when you want to label me a hypocrite, I do admit that I like saving money, and finding the best deals. I am fortunate that my tastes aren't too expensive, and that I can afford whatever I buy. If times were tougher for me, I hope, by the grace of God, that I am wise enough to follow my own advice.
Seriously, phenomenal deals. And we capitalists aren't at all ashamed of it. In fact, we'd have to be crazy to sell you a toaster for $5.00. Lowest APR ever. Buy 1 Get 1 Free. No, my friend, you're not dreaming. It's our year-end clearance sale. Everything in America must go and fast. By January, we'll be getting tons of new junk from China and Taiwan so the old stuff's got to go.
Why pay off your mortgage when you can buy a flat screen LCD for $399.99? Credit card bills piling up? Put them off till next year after all the Christmas shopping is done. If you're already in debt, what's a little more? Living in a culture of have-nots is a strenuous, full-time occupation, and if you don't have the latest High Def Blu-Ray Big Screen Something-or-Other, then you might as well be homeless.
And just when you want to label me a hypocrite, I do admit that I like saving money, and finding the best deals. I am fortunate that my tastes aren't too expensive, and that I can afford whatever I buy. If times were tougher for me, I hope, by the grace of God, that I am wise enough to follow my own advice.
The Forbidden Temple of Khyber Gorah – Chapter Fourteen: Intermezzo
A warm shower never felt better in Sara’s life. She toweled off her still wet hair as she left the bathroom. A new white jumpsuit was set out on her bed. She gazed out of the expansive window into the cityscape at night. She was tired and weary, yet Sara could not suppress a small smile.
Sara dressed and went to the adjoining hotel room to meet with Johnny Highpitch, Marissa Tulvak, Teresa Becker, and Lee Edwards, whose one arm was in a sling.
“You look rested, Sara,” said Marissa. Sara nodded her thanks and sat down in the chair next to Edwards.
“We have gathered here to decide the fate of the strange device we found in the temple of Khyber Gorah.”
“I believe we are calling it the Omnisphere,” said Teresa. “Obviously, we need a team of scientists to thoroughly examine what information resides within it and do the best to catalog it.”
“This is based on the assumption that the data stored in it is all true,” countered Sara. “We have no idea from where it came from.”
“We can’t fact-check something that claims to be from the future,” remarked Johnny.
“That’s why I say we destroy it,” said Sara. “It’s deadly enough in the wrong hands, but it could do even worse damage in the right hands. It’s better we not know than to act on misinformation.”
“Why are you so convinced that the Omnisphere is some kind of Trojan Horse or Pandora’s Box?” asked Teresa.
“It’s hard to say no to a fountain of knowledge,” said Johnny.
“That’s exactly it,” said Sara. “It’s a temptation. It’s simply too good to be true.”
“But it could contain valuable information of species not yet discovered,” said Marissa.
“It could,” said Sara. “But the Omnisphere is just too dangerous to keep around. Too much knowledge is just as deadly as too little knowledge. We could end up letting the Omnisphere dictate our choices.”
“I must admit that your scenario is a bit overdone,” huffed Johnny. “You’re making it sound like it’s some kind of doomsday weapon.”
“Just think of the benefits we could gain from it,” said Teresa.
“Daring told me once that there was once a great network of computers called the Internet,” said Marissa. “It was an open and free system, but there was nothing in place to regulate content, so rumors and gossip has as much validity as the facts.”
“So, even if we can’t verify the information on it, why destroy it?” asked Teresa.
“Because the Cabal knows it exists, and they’ll keep coming after it until they get it. If we destroy it, then neither of us will have it, and it may save us a great deal of bloodshed in the process,” said Sara. “There’s just too many questions and not a whole lot of answers.”
Teresa sighed. “I guess we should put it to a vote?”
Teresa and Johnny voted to keep the Omnisphere. Sara and Marissa voted to destroy it. All eyes turned to Lee Edwards.
“What say you?” asked Johnny.
“Well, this discovery would make me famous,” started Lee. “But I think that Sara’s right. When I think about this Omnisphere, I become afraid.”
“You’re just afraid of change,” said Teresa. “Think of all the medical advancements we could make. The new technology alone…”
“What about all the new weapons that could be stored on it?” asked Lee. “Those alone would cancel out whatever lives we saved otherwise. We barely have a grasp on the technology we’ve created for ourselves, much less advanced technology from the future. We’re just not ready for it.”
“Then, it’s decided,” said Sara. “Tomorrow, we will take the Omnisphere to an undisclosed location and destroy it.” Sara stopped Lee as he started to leave with the others.
“Can you get me Old Timer?” she asked.
Meanwhile, Zoey clutched her sides as she laughed. “Stop that,” she said between gasps. “That hurts.” They had just come back from an evening on the town, and both were dressed in appropriate eveningwear.
“You’re lucky Marissa’s such a good surgeon.”
“The Kevlar helped.”
“Well,” he said. “I don’t think I mentioned that during the briefing. It still needs tested, seeing how both you and Lee got shot.”
“True,” admitted Zoey. “But it did stop two of the bullets.” Junior sat down next to Zoey. They sat quietly on the balcony of her room.
“You’ve been kind of moody lately,” said Junior lately.
“Post-operation blues,” said Zoey. “Actually, it’s this whole thing with the Omnisphere. Sara wouldn’t let me get near it, and I’m convinced it has information on Zeitgeist.”
“The man who experimented on you a long time ago,” said Junior. “Are you still obsessed with him?”
“I don’t really hate him. Not anymore, I guess, but it’s like being adopted. I have these questions in my soul, and he’s the only one who can answer them.”
“What if you never find him?”
“I don’t know,” replied Zoey, suddenly becoming aware of how close they were sitting.
“Would it tear you up inside?” She felt Junior’s eyes looking deep within her.
“Maybe,” she said. His warm hand caressed her cheek. She could feel him drawing her closer until…
“Are you two lover birds in here?” came a cantankerous voice from the doorway. Old Timer came stomping through the room and out onto the balcony. “Well, there you are. What in sam hill are you to doing out here?”
Junior stood up at this. “What do you mean what are we doing out here? We’re enjoying the night atmosphere.”
Old Timer made a face, like he just swallowed something sour. “Phooey. You been to one city, ya seen ‘em all, I sez.” Old Timer turned to Zoey. “Sara was asking about ya. You okay and stuff?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” replied Zoey. “Just a little sore still.”
“That’s good to hear,” said Old Timer with a toothless smile. Old Timer nodded at Junior. “Let’s get going, squirt.”
“What?”
“Sara’s got a job for us tomorrow, and I want ya bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” Old Timer started to push Junior back into the room.
“I can’t understand a word you say,” protested Junior.
“Ya don’t gotta. Just keep moving,” said Old Timer as he kept pushing. Zoey walked over to edge of the balcony, as the commotion moved farther and farther into the hallway. Zoey sighed when silence finally returned, almost. She heard the soft footsteps on the carpeting.
“Hello, Sara.” She said without looking.
“Feeling better?” asked Sara, not at all surprised.
“Yes, of course,” said Zoey as Sara joined her by the balcony. “It was probably your idea for Junior to help me recover.”
“They’re going to destroy the Omnisphere tomorrow,” said Sara. “I’m sorry.”
“Why am I not surprised? You always get what you want.”
“Just what would you do if you found him?” asked Sara.
“I don’t know, talk to him? You already know how bad I am with a gun. It’d just give me a sense of closure, I guess.”
“Only characters in a story get closure,” said Sara. “I never found closure.”
“So you should be like you?”
“No, but this man’s dangerous. He’s not someone you just ‘talk to.’”
“And you’re the world’s greatest negotiator. You’ll find a way. He owes me, Sara.”
“And what do you owe me? I’m the one who found you and nursed you back to health.”
“Congratulations. It took you five minutes to bring that up,” snapped Zoey. “Why can’t you respect my decisions?”
“I’m just trying to help you.”
“Wrong, you’re trying to protect me.” Zoey stalked off the balcony and out of the room.
Sara leaned against the balcony’s fencing and quietly exhaled. She pulled out of her pocket a liquid plasma hard drive. Within it was all the information on anyone with an alias of “Doctor Zeitgeist” from within the Omnisphere. She slowly closed her hand into a fist until the drive was dripping down onto the floor.
“Damn you, Zeitgeist,” she muttered.
Doctor Zeitgeist was possessed with an unearthly rage. For the first time in a long time, he felt the bitterness of defeat. Bile burned his throat as his large hands pushed everything off of his desk. It was rare for him to lose his composure, but the lost of his men and his loss of face in front of the rest of the Cabal was too much for him.
But the sight of the chessboard, untouched by his rage, calmed him immediate. What did it matter? There were other games to start, more important strategies in play. He was still untouchable.
The door creaked open and in walked his assistant, Ragdin. “You idiot,” snarled Zeitgeist. “I told you I was not to be disturbed.”
“It’s urgent,” insisted Ragdin.
“Yes?” Ragdin tossed something onto his desk. It was a pair of handcuffs. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Put them on.”
“I’m in no mood for this,” roared Zeitgeist.
Ragdin pushed his fingers against his face until they broke the skin. He twisted his hand, making the tear larger. Soon, he grasped the tattered remains of his face and tossed it onto the desk next to the handcuffs.
“You’re under arrest for crimes against humanity,” said Rick Daring. “Put them on, or face the consequences.”
Click Here to Go To The Final Chapter
Written by J M Emmons. The story and all characters are copyrighted by J M Emmons.
Sara dressed and went to the adjoining hotel room to meet with Johnny Highpitch, Marissa Tulvak, Teresa Becker, and Lee Edwards, whose one arm was in a sling.
“You look rested, Sara,” said Marissa. Sara nodded her thanks and sat down in the chair next to Edwards.
“We have gathered here to decide the fate of the strange device we found in the temple of Khyber Gorah.”
“I believe we are calling it the Omnisphere,” said Teresa. “Obviously, we need a team of scientists to thoroughly examine what information resides within it and do the best to catalog it.”
“This is based on the assumption that the data stored in it is all true,” countered Sara. “We have no idea from where it came from.”
“We can’t fact-check something that claims to be from the future,” remarked Johnny.
“That’s why I say we destroy it,” said Sara. “It’s deadly enough in the wrong hands, but it could do even worse damage in the right hands. It’s better we not know than to act on misinformation.”
“Why are you so convinced that the Omnisphere is some kind of Trojan Horse or Pandora’s Box?” asked Teresa.
“It’s hard to say no to a fountain of knowledge,” said Johnny.
“That’s exactly it,” said Sara. “It’s a temptation. It’s simply too good to be true.”
“But it could contain valuable information of species not yet discovered,” said Marissa.
“It could,” said Sara. “But the Omnisphere is just too dangerous to keep around. Too much knowledge is just as deadly as too little knowledge. We could end up letting the Omnisphere dictate our choices.”
“I must admit that your scenario is a bit overdone,” huffed Johnny. “You’re making it sound like it’s some kind of doomsday weapon.”
“Just think of the benefits we could gain from it,” said Teresa.
“Daring told me once that there was once a great network of computers called the Internet,” said Marissa. “It was an open and free system, but there was nothing in place to regulate content, so rumors and gossip has as much validity as the facts.”
“So, even if we can’t verify the information on it, why destroy it?” asked Teresa.
“Because the Cabal knows it exists, and they’ll keep coming after it until they get it. If we destroy it, then neither of us will have it, and it may save us a great deal of bloodshed in the process,” said Sara. “There’s just too many questions and not a whole lot of answers.”
Teresa sighed. “I guess we should put it to a vote?”
Teresa and Johnny voted to keep the Omnisphere. Sara and Marissa voted to destroy it. All eyes turned to Lee Edwards.
“What say you?” asked Johnny.
“Well, this discovery would make me famous,” started Lee. “But I think that Sara’s right. When I think about this Omnisphere, I become afraid.”
“You’re just afraid of change,” said Teresa. “Think of all the medical advancements we could make. The new technology alone…”
“What about all the new weapons that could be stored on it?” asked Lee. “Those alone would cancel out whatever lives we saved otherwise. We barely have a grasp on the technology we’ve created for ourselves, much less advanced technology from the future. We’re just not ready for it.”
“Then, it’s decided,” said Sara. “Tomorrow, we will take the Omnisphere to an undisclosed location and destroy it.” Sara stopped Lee as he started to leave with the others.
“Can you get me Old Timer?” she asked.
Meanwhile, Zoey clutched her sides as she laughed. “Stop that,” she said between gasps. “That hurts.” They had just come back from an evening on the town, and both were dressed in appropriate eveningwear.
“You’re lucky Marissa’s such a good surgeon.”
“The Kevlar helped.”
“Well,” he said. “I don’t think I mentioned that during the briefing. It still needs tested, seeing how both you and Lee got shot.”
“True,” admitted Zoey. “But it did stop two of the bullets.” Junior sat down next to Zoey. They sat quietly on the balcony of her room.
“You’ve been kind of moody lately,” said Junior lately.
“Post-operation blues,” said Zoey. “Actually, it’s this whole thing with the Omnisphere. Sara wouldn’t let me get near it, and I’m convinced it has information on Zeitgeist.”
“The man who experimented on you a long time ago,” said Junior. “Are you still obsessed with him?”
“I don’t really hate him. Not anymore, I guess, but it’s like being adopted. I have these questions in my soul, and he’s the only one who can answer them.”
“What if you never find him?”
“I don’t know,” replied Zoey, suddenly becoming aware of how close they were sitting.
“Would it tear you up inside?” She felt Junior’s eyes looking deep within her.
“Maybe,” she said. His warm hand caressed her cheek. She could feel him drawing her closer until…
“Are you two lover birds in here?” came a cantankerous voice from the doorway. Old Timer came stomping through the room and out onto the balcony. “Well, there you are. What in sam hill are you to doing out here?”
Junior stood up at this. “What do you mean what are we doing out here? We’re enjoying the night atmosphere.”
Old Timer made a face, like he just swallowed something sour. “Phooey. You been to one city, ya seen ‘em all, I sez.” Old Timer turned to Zoey. “Sara was asking about ya. You okay and stuff?”
“I’m fine, thanks,” replied Zoey. “Just a little sore still.”
“That’s good to hear,” said Old Timer with a toothless smile. Old Timer nodded at Junior. “Let’s get going, squirt.”
“What?”
“Sara’s got a job for us tomorrow, and I want ya bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” Old Timer started to push Junior back into the room.
“I can’t understand a word you say,” protested Junior.
“Ya don’t gotta. Just keep moving,” said Old Timer as he kept pushing. Zoey walked over to edge of the balcony, as the commotion moved farther and farther into the hallway. Zoey sighed when silence finally returned, almost. She heard the soft footsteps on the carpeting.
“Hello, Sara.” She said without looking.
“Feeling better?” asked Sara, not at all surprised.
“Yes, of course,” said Zoey as Sara joined her by the balcony. “It was probably your idea for Junior to help me recover.”
“They’re going to destroy the Omnisphere tomorrow,” said Sara. “I’m sorry.”
“Why am I not surprised? You always get what you want.”
“Just what would you do if you found him?” asked Sara.
“I don’t know, talk to him? You already know how bad I am with a gun. It’d just give me a sense of closure, I guess.”
“Only characters in a story get closure,” said Sara. “I never found closure.”
“So you should be like you?”
“No, but this man’s dangerous. He’s not someone you just ‘talk to.’”
“And you’re the world’s greatest negotiator. You’ll find a way. He owes me, Sara.”
“And what do you owe me? I’m the one who found you and nursed you back to health.”
“Congratulations. It took you five minutes to bring that up,” snapped Zoey. “Why can’t you respect my decisions?”
“I’m just trying to help you.”
“Wrong, you’re trying to protect me.” Zoey stalked off the balcony and out of the room.
Sara leaned against the balcony’s fencing and quietly exhaled. She pulled out of her pocket a liquid plasma hard drive. Within it was all the information on anyone with an alias of “Doctor Zeitgeist” from within the Omnisphere. She slowly closed her hand into a fist until the drive was dripping down onto the floor.
“Damn you, Zeitgeist,” she muttered.
Doctor Zeitgeist was possessed with an unearthly rage. For the first time in a long time, he felt the bitterness of defeat. Bile burned his throat as his large hands pushed everything off of his desk. It was rare for him to lose his composure, but the lost of his men and his loss of face in front of the rest of the Cabal was too much for him.
But the sight of the chessboard, untouched by his rage, calmed him immediate. What did it matter? There were other games to start, more important strategies in play. He was still untouchable.
The door creaked open and in walked his assistant, Ragdin. “You idiot,” snarled Zeitgeist. “I told you I was not to be disturbed.”
“It’s urgent,” insisted Ragdin.
“Yes?” Ragdin tossed something onto his desk. It was a pair of handcuffs. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“Put them on.”
“I’m in no mood for this,” roared Zeitgeist.
Ragdin pushed his fingers against his face until they broke the skin. He twisted his hand, making the tear larger. Soon, he grasped the tattered remains of his face and tossed it onto the desk next to the handcuffs.
“You’re under arrest for crimes against humanity,” said Rick Daring. “Put them on, or face the consequences.”
Click Here to Go To The Final Chapter
Written by J M Emmons. The story and all characters are copyrighted by J M Emmons.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
The Forbidden Temple of Khyber Gorah – Chapter Thirteen: In Ride the Five!
“Actually, yes,” replied Sara to the question asked by her triumphant captors. She cleared her throat and spoke with utter conviction: “Do you happen to have the time?”
“Scarface” was slightly taken aback by the odd request, but hid it as best he could. “Time? What does it matter?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know the exact moment you were put to death?” countered Sara.
“I’d rather not be put to death at all,” put in Zoey.
“All right, all right,” said Scarface. “These armors don’t have watches, but you’ve been here about a day. Happy?”
“Was that so hard?” said Sara with a smile. Before Scarface could reply, Sara let out a high pitch whistle. The troopers hesitated, uncertain on what to do. The whistle awoke the sleeping snow beast. Its sharp eyes noticed all of the potential meals walking around. With the last of its strength, the creature leapt at the nearest trooper; its powerful jaws bit into flesh unprotected by cracks in the armor.
The screams of the unfortunate trooper brought the others to his rescue, firing at the snow creature. During the chaos, Sara, Zoey, and Lee made a break for it, hiding behind the large altar.
“Now what?” asked Zoey.
“Relax,” said Sara as she rummaged through her backpack. “Everything’s going according to plan.” She pulled out a flare gun and fired it out of the opening in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the flare also attracted the attention of the troopers. It was not long before they had guns jammed in their face again.
“Some plan,” remarked Zoey.
“Wait for it,” said Sara. The ground started to tremble. The troopers looked temporally disoriented, but there was full-blown confusion when a flying saucer crashed through the ceiling of the temple. Four people repelled down from an opening in the saucer.
“YEEHAW!” came a familiar voice.
“Is that…?” asked Zoey.
“Yer dern tootin’ it is,” replied Sara with a smile.
“Looks like you guys needed a helping hand,” came Junior’s voice in their receivers. “Luckily, I found out that we had been followed and while I was waiting for your signal, I made a few calls.”
Junior did not need to elaborate that it was his fellow members of the Brilliant 5 that had answered his call. The four teammates cut through the squad of off-balanced troopers with relative easy. They fired electrical beams that temporally stunned people by scrambling their nervous system.
“Marissa!” shouted Sara. “We have a wounded over here!”
“Sara! Zoey!” came Old Timer’s voice. “Long time no see.” Marissa bent over Lee and quickly applied a bandage to his wound.
“We saw you earlier,” said Johnny Highpitch. “You were pitch perfect.”
“You’re a wonderful teacher, Johnny,” admitted Sara to the music maestro.
“Thanks for field testing my equipment,” said Teresa Becker, joining the others.
“You mean, none of this was ever used?” asked Sara.
“No, didn’t Junior tell you?”
“I’ve dressed his wounds as best I can, but we need to get him back as soon as possible,” said Marissa.
“We sure got these rattlers on the run,” said Old Timer, firing at the last of the troopers.
“We need their leader,” said Sara. “Did any of you see where he went to? Did you, Zoey?” There was no reply. “Where’s Zoey?”
Scarface was making his way towards the lower level, when Zoey tackled him to the ground. His gun fell from his hand and into the foot-deep layer of snow. He turned to see Zoey pointing a gun at him.
“Who are you working for?” asked Zoey. Scarface didn’t say anything. He just glanced at where his gun had fallen. “Not so talky when I’m not handcuffed, huh?”
“Listen, doll, why don’t you put the gun down before you hurt yourself?”
“I want a name. Right now.” Something flashed in her eyes, and Scarface knew she meant it. “I’m exactly where I swore I’d never be anymore: getting shot at by self-obsessed people like yourself. Now, tell me who you’re working for.”
“I don’t know his real name,” said Scarface at last. “But he’s known as Doctor Zeitgeist.”
“What?” Zoey couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice. In her moment of shock, Scarface made a dash for his gun. His fingers wrapped themselves around the gun, and he spun around, emptying three bullets into Zoey’s chest.
A sadistic grin crawled over his face, as he watched Zoey clutch her chest. Before finishing her off, he took one step backwards. It was the last thing he ever did. For behind him, partially hidden in the snow, was the shaft that Zoey had previously climbed up.
Zoey collapsed into the snow. Her breathing was ragged, and pain engulfed her chest. She could hear footsteps crunching the snow, but everything around her seemed to fade away…
Click Here to Go To The Next Chapter
Written by J M Emmons. The story and all characters are copyrighted by J M Emmons.
“Scarface” was slightly taken aback by the odd request, but hid it as best he could. “Time? What does it matter?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know the exact moment you were put to death?” countered Sara.
“I’d rather not be put to death at all,” put in Zoey.
“All right, all right,” said Scarface. “These armors don’t have watches, but you’ve been here about a day. Happy?”
“Was that so hard?” said Sara with a smile. Before Scarface could reply, Sara let out a high pitch whistle. The troopers hesitated, uncertain on what to do. The whistle awoke the sleeping snow beast. Its sharp eyes noticed all of the potential meals walking around. With the last of its strength, the creature leapt at the nearest trooper; its powerful jaws bit into flesh unprotected by cracks in the armor.
The screams of the unfortunate trooper brought the others to his rescue, firing at the snow creature. During the chaos, Sara, Zoey, and Lee made a break for it, hiding behind the large altar.
“Now what?” asked Zoey.
“Relax,” said Sara as she rummaged through her backpack. “Everything’s going according to plan.” She pulled out a flare gun and fired it out of the opening in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the flare also attracted the attention of the troopers. It was not long before they had guns jammed in their face again.
“Some plan,” remarked Zoey.
“Wait for it,” said Sara. The ground started to tremble. The troopers looked temporally disoriented, but there was full-blown confusion when a flying saucer crashed through the ceiling of the temple. Four people repelled down from an opening in the saucer.
“YEEHAW!” came a familiar voice.
“Is that…?” asked Zoey.
“Yer dern tootin’ it is,” replied Sara with a smile.
“Looks like you guys needed a helping hand,” came Junior’s voice in their receivers. “Luckily, I found out that we had been followed and while I was waiting for your signal, I made a few calls.”
Junior did not need to elaborate that it was his fellow members of the Brilliant 5 that had answered his call. The four teammates cut through the squad of off-balanced troopers with relative easy. They fired electrical beams that temporally stunned people by scrambling their nervous system.
“Marissa!” shouted Sara. “We have a wounded over here!”
“Sara! Zoey!” came Old Timer’s voice. “Long time no see.” Marissa bent over Lee and quickly applied a bandage to his wound.
“We saw you earlier,” said Johnny Highpitch. “You were pitch perfect.”
“You’re a wonderful teacher, Johnny,” admitted Sara to the music maestro.
“Thanks for field testing my equipment,” said Teresa Becker, joining the others.
“You mean, none of this was ever used?” asked Sara.
“No, didn’t Junior tell you?”
“I’ve dressed his wounds as best I can, but we need to get him back as soon as possible,” said Marissa.
“We sure got these rattlers on the run,” said Old Timer, firing at the last of the troopers.
“We need their leader,” said Sara. “Did any of you see where he went to? Did you, Zoey?” There was no reply. “Where’s Zoey?”
Scarface was making his way towards the lower level, when Zoey tackled him to the ground. His gun fell from his hand and into the foot-deep layer of snow. He turned to see Zoey pointing a gun at him.
“Who are you working for?” asked Zoey. Scarface didn’t say anything. He just glanced at where his gun had fallen. “Not so talky when I’m not handcuffed, huh?”
“Listen, doll, why don’t you put the gun down before you hurt yourself?”
“I want a name. Right now.” Something flashed in her eyes, and Scarface knew she meant it. “I’m exactly where I swore I’d never be anymore: getting shot at by self-obsessed people like yourself. Now, tell me who you’re working for.”
“I don’t know his real name,” said Scarface at last. “But he’s known as Doctor Zeitgeist.”
“What?” Zoey couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice. In her moment of shock, Scarface made a dash for his gun. His fingers wrapped themselves around the gun, and he spun around, emptying three bullets into Zoey’s chest.
A sadistic grin crawled over his face, as he watched Zoey clutch her chest. Before finishing her off, he took one step backwards. It was the last thing he ever did. For behind him, partially hidden in the snow, was the shaft that Zoey had previously climbed up.
Zoey collapsed into the snow. Her breathing was ragged, and pain engulfed her chest. She could hear footsteps crunching the snow, but everything around her seemed to fade away…
Click Here to Go To The Next Chapter
Written by J M Emmons. The story and all characters are copyrighted by J M Emmons.
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