Eye of the Beholder Teaser

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 Ten Excerpt: "Chicken Nuggets"

They pulled into the restaurant and went inside to place their orders. As they waited off to the side for their food, Sylvie ran to investigate a large indoor play area. It gave Jena and Kalli a chance to talk.

Jena put her hand on Kalli's arm. "Look I appreciate you hanging in there with me and this situation with Herm. I really do."

Kalli patted Jena's hand. "Look, I'm here for you and Sylvie. You know that." She pointed to where the energetic girl was sliding down a slide and then running back up the slide part to do it all over again. A handful of three- and four-year-olds were watching her in awe. "I just want what's best for you." She turned to Jena. "Are you sure about Herm? Really sure about him?'

Jena sighed. She'd always be completely honest with her best friend. Kalli knew of her husband's drug use and their failed marriage. She knew of Allen's death. She knew of her unsuccessful attempts to date again. Most importantly, Kalli knew that Jena was conflicted: she both cared about Herm and was reticent of him in equal measures. Yet through all the ups and downs in her life, Kalli still stood by her. It was time to be honest.

Jena gave her loyal friend a one-armed hug and said, "Look, thank you for everything."

"No problem," Kalli quickly responded and hugged her in return. She could tell by Jena's tense expression that something was up.

Jena took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. After a moment, she put them back on and said, "I've got something to tell you."

Kalli motioned with her hand. "Go ahead. What?" Geez! The drama was killing her.

Jena took a deep breath and let it out. Then she said, "Herm's kind of a different guy."

"No kidding!"

"But I need you to know something important about him. Okay? Once I tell you, you can decide if you want to keep helping me and Sylvie. Or not. I'll completely accept whatever decision you make."

"This sounds serious."

Jena nodded. "It is."

Kalli was a teacher. She'd seen a lot in her fifteen years teaching girls physical education at Orchard Lake high school. She was ready for anything. She looked Jena right in the eye. "Just get to it and tell me what's going on for Pete's sake."

"Okay." Jena looked at Sylvie who was now leading the younger kids in a game of tag. "Here's the deal." She looked at Kalli, paused, and spit out the rest. "Herm thinks he's an alien."

Of all the reactions Jena could have expected, the one Kalli gave was far down on the list. What she did was pump her fist in the air and exclaim, "I knew it!" Meaning, of course, that there was more to Herm than met the eye.

By now their food was ready so they grabbed a tray, picked it up, and found a table in the play area where they could keep an eye on Sylvie. They sat down with their order and began eating while Sylvie took her chicken nuggets to the far corner of the play area and ate with her new friends.

They watched her for a minute, and then Kalli said, "Tell me everything."

And Jena did.