Blurb:

When Jena's new boyfriend, Herm, announces that he is traveling the North Shore of Lake Superior to meet Commander Donner, she is skeptical. After all, Herm is convinced that he is an alien from the planet Xylan who has been sent to Earth to search for rare minerals. As far as she is concerned, he is living in a dream world. However, Herm is also a nice guy, the best she's ever known, and she enjoys being with him. So does her eight-year-old daughter, Sylvie. If only it weren't for that alien issue…

Jena is conflicted. Herm's entire trip up north seems like a figment of his imagination. The night before he is scheduled to leave, they argue, but to no avail. He leaves the next morning, and Jena is not so much distraught as she is ready to forget all about him and move on. Six hours later, though, she receives a text. Herm has been put in jail for hitchhiking in a small town north of Duluth. Against her better judgment, Jena travels north to help him, taking Sylvie with her, along with her best friend Kalli.

Unbeknownst to Jena, on the drive north, Herm escapes from jail and goes on the run. Jena is able to find him, and she agrees to take him to his meeting with the commander. It is then she learns the awful truth about Herm's past.

This is a story of the horrors that some people can inflict upon the innocent. It is also a story of how incredibly strong the human spirit is. Ultimately, it is a story of how strong the bonds of love truly can be.

"Eye of the Beholder – A Novella" was published in 2024 by Dark Myth Publications

Chapter Seven Excerpt: "The Search Begins"

Police Chief Dale Faber was fit to be tied. He'd never had a prisoner escape before, and he'd been in law enforcement for forty years, Chief of the Basalt police force for the last ten. And he wasn't going to sit on his ass and do nothing.

"God Damnit," he said to Officer Dopson. "We've got to get this guy."

Officer Duke Dopson (if Herm only knew!) fought an urge to salute. He was both nervous and in awe of the chief in equal measures. He snapped to attention. "Yes, sir. Will do, sir." Just like he was back in Iraq. He was as good a soldier there, and he is a good cop now. Or wanted to be. He'd only been on the force for eight months. This was his chance to prove his worth.

Faber looked past Dopson to Officer Mary Stensrud. "Stensrud, you're in charge. Find that prisoner and find him quick."

"Yes, sir." Officer Stensrud saluted, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Dopson.

Dopson followed her lead and saluted, too. "Yes, sir."

Stensrud turned to the young recruit. "Let's go."

Faber watched the two officers hurry out the door and then glanced at his wristwatch. Just three in the afternoon. They'd better find the guy soon. The longer he was on the loose, the worse it looked for him and his record.

Faber sat down and looked out the window of his second-story office. The sun was bright. It was hot out. Maybe the guy would get heat stroke or something and die. He smiled. That'd been good. It'd serve him right. Escape on his watch? he thought to himself. Who'd he think he was? Houdini? The more he thought about it, the madder he became.

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