Tag Archives: Rachel

Arc 3.8: Turning Eighteen

Turning Eighteen: Part 2

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If you’d asked me beforehand what kind of lunch you have when you’re turning eighteen, and you’re about to receive potentially life altering secrets from an immortal friend of your grandfather, I wouldn’t have had the slightest clue.

As it turned out, the answer was pizza.

After months of eating undelivered “mistake” pizza from Travis’ and Haley’s family’s restaurants, I shouldn’t have wanted any. Fortunately, Lee let us choose the toppings. It was a small thing, but it made all the difference. It’s nice to have a little control over your life.

We ate it at a picnic table in Veterans Memorial Park right next to the beach. Continue reading Turning Eighteen: Part 2 →

Arc 3.7: The Executioner

The Executioner: Part 7

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Mom’s arms were on the other side of the chair from where Rachel and I stood, but if she were hoping to get away, those ropes had to go next.

Glancing near the legs of her chair told me no more ropes lay on the far side.

I thought she might be waiting for a better chance, but then I realized that this was it.  For the first time since I’d arrived, no one held a gun to her head. Continue reading The Executioner: Part 7 →

Arc 3.7: The Executioner

The Executioner: Part 6

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Looking like Gunther had in every picture I’d ever seen of him–tall, brushcut, and muscular, I didn’t see why Ray would look forward to his appearance.

As Haley stepped through the door, Ray said something, his voice low, and intense.

The white circle that had been painted on the floor flared, making everything outside the circle a shade lighter. Simultaneously, the walls of the room turned reddish, including the open doorway behind Haley. Continue reading The Executioner: Part 6 →

Arc 3.7: The Executioner

The Executioner: Part 5

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Ray kept the gun pointed at my mom, but acted as if we were making small talk at the Christmas party.

“So you know I’ve done jobs for the Chicago Outfit, right? I got a job to kill Night Wolf a few years back. Night Wolf had been retired for years by then, and the client was old, so I took it because it sounded like easy money. If he was still alive, he had to be in his 80’s.
Continue reading The Executioner: Part 5 →

Arc 3.7: The Executioner

The Executioner: Part 3

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Further out from the city of Grand Lake, cottages and big houses dominated the coastline closest to Lake Michigan.

From the state park northward, aside from the houses, the landscape seemed to be all trees.

Sean and the truck disappeared into the bulge of a forested dune near Northshore Drive.

Even in the distance, I could hear a crashing noise.

No explosion though. Continue reading The Executioner: Part 3 →

Arc 3.7: The Executioner

The Executioner: Part 2

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Next to me, Rachel said, “Does he really think he’s going to stop Ray by himself?”

I didn’t say anything. I’d pulled up my communicator. They’d given Sean one, and he’d managed not to trash it yet. I clicked, and got a GPS view of the team including Sean’s dot.

He was flying toward the address Gimpius had given us. Continue reading The Executioner: Part 2 →

Arc 3.7: The Executioner

The Executioner: Part 1

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It’s a bit of an understatement to say that Sean wouldn’t have been my first choice of companions.

I decided to ignore him, and texted Jaclyn.

Me: Can you check my dad’s office?
Jaclyn: I’ll do it. Should I meet you if he’s okay?

I was about to send her the address, but Rachel said, “What if Ray touches her?” Continue reading The Executioner: Part 1 →

Arc 3.6: Targets

Targets: Part 24

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I didn’t even think about what I’d be hitting. I fired, holding the button down even though I knew it used more power.

I don’t think I panicked, but I can’t say I was thinking clearly.

Being rushed by someone who you know can kill you does that. Continue reading Targets: Part 24 →