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 Eleven Excerpt: "The Lighthouse"

A little while later, Kalli and Sylvie came back and joined them on the bench. Sylvie was so excited about the lighthouse and being close to Lake Superior that she couldn't sit still. "Why don't you go down to the lake and check out the rocks?" Jena suggested. "We'll hold down the fort up here."
      "And talk, probably," Sylvie said, rolling her eyes. "I get you. I'm just a kid." Then she laughed and took off running to the lake. "See you later."
      "Have fun," Jena called after her. "Be careful!"
      "I will."
      Kalli pointed to Sylvie and said to Jena, "Your daughter loves it up here. She really enjoyed the lighthouse. We went to the top and had a great view up and down the shore."
      Jena smiled. She was feeling good. "I'm glad."
      Kalli looked at her friend closely. "Say, what's up?" She looked at Herm. He grinned back at her but didn't say anything."
      She turned back to Jena. "So, you and Herm have come to some decisions, I take it."
      Jena grinned. "Actually, yes."
      Kalli sighed. "Better tell me."
      "It's nothing really. But I did tell Herm we are going to do everything we can to help him." She turned to him. "Right, Herm?"
      "Right." He leaned past Jena and said to Kalli, "Thank you so much."
      Kalli rolled her eyes. "Look, you don't have to keep thanking me. Jena's my friend and that's what friends do. They help each other."
      Herm nodded. "Well, thank you anyway."
      Kalli rolled her eyes again. She saw what Jena meant when she said that he could be exasperating sometimes. "Anyway, to that end I have an idea."
      "What's that?" Jena asked.
      Kalli took out her phone and swiped the screen. "You know I looked up about Yellow Knife River earlier?"
      "Yeah. I told Herm."
      Herm leaned over and said, "She did, Kalli. Thank…"
      Kalli held up a hand. "I said. No more thank you's!"
      Herm blushed. "Okay."
      "Good." She continued. "Well, there's a place up there." She pointed to the north and looked at her screen. "It called," she looked at Jena and grinned, "The Lakeside Resort. I guess it's got a view of the lake or something." She shook her head. "Not very creative."'
      "Okay…" Jena said. "So?"
      "I called and checked. They rent cabins." She waved her arm arbitrarily. It's getting late in the day. I was thinking we could rent a cabin and stay overnight. You and Herm could do your alien thing, and I'll watch over Sylvie." She looked at Jena. "What do you think about that?"
      Jena looked at Herm. "What do you think?"
      "I think it's a great idea."
      He made a move to hug Kalli but she put up a hand to stop him. "Hold it, buddy. I'm still getting to know you." Then she grinned. "But thanks anyway for the thought."
      Jena smiled. It was good to see her two friends beginning to get along. "Yellow Knife River is just ten miles up the road, but we should probably get going to get checked in."
      Kalli grinned. "No sweat. I already booked it." She looked at Jena. "I just had a feeling."
      Jena hugged her friend. "You're the best."
      "Thanks." Then Kalli frowned and said, the only problem is your job at the garden center. Maggie's? What about her?"
      "Not a problem. I texted her before we left home to come up here and told her I had an emergency to take care of. She was great. She texted back and said I could take as much time as I needed."
      "That's good."
      "I'll send her a text this evening to let her know all is well."
      Kalli looked at her. "All is well?" she kidded. "Is it?" She looked from Jena to Herm and back to Jena again. Then she grinned.
      Jena looked at Herm and then back to Kalli. "Yeah," she said, smiling. "It is."
      "Okay, then," Kalli said, standing up and pointing toward the shoreline. "Let's round up your daughter and get this show on the road."