Cursed Bloodline

By Daniel Chiera

A librarian, a paramedic, a firefighter and a soldier home from war are taken on an uncontrollable journey as dreams of a divine kind unite them. Together their dreams tell a creation story of one couple blessed and another cursed; one destined to be fruitful and multiply and the other to leave a blessed place never to return. In the dark of night, Gods of the ancient world prepare themselves for the ancient deluge, writing their own history of events. The body of a man that God held dear and its long journey to its tomb is uncovered as dreams and reality become blurred. Ancient writings shed light on the possible truths of a tomb that through time hid its secret and its purpose.

With help from a psychotherapist and a former priest, the unlikely group tries to piece together the history of man,
angels that disobeyed their heavenly Father and the offspring that gave rise to a new darkness on earth.

Cursed Bloodline is the second book of a trilogy that takes readers to a past that has been hidden from mankind for generations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781614681618

Book preview

Einstein

CHAPTER 1

A Soldier Comes Home

ACHILLES IS ALREADY halfway through his session with his military appointed counselor up from Fort Detrick, Maryland about his improvements since being back from overseas. I look around me and find no common ground with people. My thoughts are of my brothers still overseas and those that are looking down from above. People tell me I did a good thing and they're happy to have me back but soon after they're complaining about the silliest shit. The other day I ran into an old high school buddy and he was complaining about the price of gas and the only thing I could think is how fortunate that this is one of his major worries. Not that he is a bad person, just a little sheltered and oblivious to the world around him; if he only knew how bad life can really be. As he was leaving I went to shake his hand when a car backfired and I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I do anything I can to avoid thinking about what I saw in Afghanistan, staying out of the house all day or hanging out with friends talking about being a lab rat for governments or big money corporations.

The psychotherapist looks at him calmly. Deflecting your thoughts may be a temporary solution but it is not going to help you in the long run, sometimes going at it headfirst might help. How about we talk about one of your memories of what affected you overseas, if you are fine with that?

Achilles mulls over his thoughts for a brief moment until the one that haunts him the most comes to the surface and he musters up the courage to speak, A memory that I can't run from? Taking a second he continues, "We were coming back from our daily rounds heading back to base. I was the gunner in the Humvee and as we approached a little roadblock I looked to my left and I saw a father and son, about six or seven, walking side by side. Our vehicle was going at a low speed so visual communication with them was personable. I looked over to the father who smiled and when I smiled at the little boy, he stopped and saluted me. I can remember it like it was this morning; I had a feeling of accomplishment, like what we were doing made sense. I saluted him back and I can remember the smile on his face when I did that, he looked like a proud little soldier who stood so strong. I felt he was truly happy to see us, even when I looked at the father he seemed to feel the same. I thought to myself how much he reminded me of my nephew Vincent, both were about the same age. They even looked similar; Vincent has the darker complexion of my family since we're Italian. Anyways, as the traffic cleared up, I put my hand down but he did not. He kept his hand up at salute the whole time, I think even after I was out of view. Seeing him from afar still saluting brought a sense of humanity in that place of chaos.

We were driving for a little less than a minute when we heard an explosion. The Humvee stopped, which now that I think about it, was not smart. We saw the red burning cloud shooting up in the air behind us and I thought to myself it had to be an IED. We got out and ran to where the explosion was, making sure none of our guys were in danger. As we got to where the explosion took place I saw one of our Humvees to the side of the road with minimal damage. Then I looked over at the small crater where the IED when off, but there was nothing around the crater. About twenty yards away though, I saw the father we had just passed kneeling on the ground. As I ran to him, his back was to me but I could see he was holding something and as I got closer, I could see it was his son. When I approached around the front of him, he looked at me with such an empty look of hopelessness. As I looked down at the boy that was just saluting me minutes before, I saw something that haunts me to this day. The father was cradling what was left of his son, his little body had been torn in two by the explosion."

Achilles eyes fill up with tears and unable to hold them back, they stream down his face. I don't think it gets any worse than that. That's what I see when people complain about gas prices and other senseless stuff...A father holding his son, who one minute was whole and alive then another ripped in half. If they could see that, I don't think they would ever complain about another thing. That sir is what haunts me.

The room sits quiet briefly as the military psychotherapist looks over at Achilles. How do you feel right now after you talked about it out loud Achilles?

He wipes the tears away. I feel pain; a pain that I don't think will ever go away.

You're right Achilles, the pain never goes away but it gets less painful. I spent two tours in Vietnam and when I came home there was nobody to talk to, just the bottle and the smoke. You did your time and I am here to tell you it doesn't get better, it just gets more tolerable. What you've seen can't have the word better attached to it, it's something I found out a while back. There is nothing better about what we have seen.

Since he has been back, this is the first time he is able to communicate with somebody without feeling that they could never relate to what he was thinking and feeling. It's as if a small amount of weight is taken off his chest. Feeling a little more comfortable, Achilles puts his guard down, ready to find some solace where he thought there was none. Now if only he had someone to talk about his dreams, not of the War but of a war between Gods and man. Dreams from ancient times that are so real and continuous, it's like a movie when he falls asleep sometimes. But for now, help with this part of his life is more important.

CHAPTER 2

A Soldier Reminiscing

ACHILLES IS BOMBARDED by the memories of his painful past as he sits in his chair; completely unaware of his surroundings as his session with the shrink earlier that week washes over him. With a blank stare, he pushes his sunglasses closer to the bridge of his nose and torches the synthetic herb nesting in his smoking pipe, the smoke hot as it fills his mouth and lungs. Upon release, he begins to feel a rush go to his head and a calm spread throughout his body. Sitting beside him is an old friend named Billy B or as others might call him, Silverback. Like a brother to Achilles, they've known each other from years back when Achilles moved to Rockport. Billy, do you remember that girl from school, what was her name? The one with straight black hair, she had that crush on you and always followed you around every corner.

Billy stalls for a second, Yeah, her name was Maria.

While I was in Gloucester last week I ran into her at the supermarket, she doesn't look half bad.

Yea I remember her, I think she has a couple kids now. I would've dated her but she was a little clingy back then.

Achilles chuckles a bit. Oh yeah brother, like you were a catch. Why would you say that? Billy B gripes with a look of sarcasm.

Both guys laugh while Achilles goes over to the fridge and opens the door. You want a drink, grape ape?

Now why did you have to go there? No thanks, I'm not thirsty but how about we take a walk to Front Beach?

Achilles says in a whiney voice, I don't want to go to Front Beach, let's go to Back Beach.

Ha, Ha, I bet you want to go to Back Beach.

Oh that's original, that joke is little old don't you think?

It is. My great-grandfather came up with it.

He sure did, it's something to be proud of. Achilles gets up and walks toward the door while Billy throws on his flip-flops and heads out after him.

Hold up speedy, says Billy as he catches up to Achilles. They head towards Beach Street and look over to their left at the cemetery that lies directly across from Front Beach. You know, growing up in Rockport I never really took a good look at this cemetery.

Billy B replies, Neither have I.

Achilles walks over to the aged metal sign in front of the cemetery. It's been here since 1630.

How do you know that?

Because on the top it says 1630-1930.

Billy says with a hoyty toyty look on his face, Why don't you read on smart ass, I don't have my glasses anyway.

All right, I'll read it. 'Old first parish burying ground, original plot given by the first settler Richard Tarr, who was buried here in 1732. Here lies most of the early settlers and many of the officers and soldiers of the French and Indian Revolutionary and 1812 wars'

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Tercentenary Commission

Achilles thinks of the soldiers buried beneath the ground, still haunted by the fact that could easily have been him. In another town, another place, some other cemetery with nothing but a white cross to show he was there. Looking at each other, then into the cemetery, Billy says, Oh yeah brother, definitely spooky now. How about we go to the beach?

Achilles says, You know where Richard Tarr lived here in Rockport or where his cabin was located back when it was Sandy Bay?

Yea, I've seen the sign, don't forget I'm from the area too.

You're from Gloucester, and don't you forget it.

Reaching the beach, Billy looks over to Achilles and asks, You've seen a lot overseas brother and I'm sure your mind has a lot working for you. Do you still get those far out dreams you used to tell me about?

Achilles slows his walk to a stop. I'm surprised you remember that, but yes, they're still with me. Lately they're becoming much deeper and easier to remember though.

Billy B says with enthusiasm, "I remember getting stoned and listening to your stories of angels in flight, giants riding elephants, wars amongst gods. That was some real far out and deep stuff''

Yes it is. Achilles says as he looks out at the anchored sailboats afloat, as if left there for the great Atlantic Ocean to watch over. I can't even describe to you how deep it really goes, it's like having videos of everything throughout history being played back. Except they're played back in random, or what I perceive as random order.

"Brother, I don't know if I could handle that. You

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