Welcome to the Neighborhood #1

By Christopher Lee Cousino

There is a new homeowner in Andrew Dean’s neighborhood. Being the friendly guy he is, Andrew introduces himself and strikes up a friendship with the odd man. It isn’t long before questions arise about the newest member of the community and Andrew, along everyone he cares for, are put at risk. Dive into this thrilling short story from Christopher Lee Cousino, author of the superhero novel HOMELESS, and the horror/fantasy series ZOMBIE HERO.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Lee Cousino
• Release date: Mar 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476452821

Christopher Lee Cousino

By day, Christopher Lee Cousino is a Licensed Practical Nurse at a group home for special needs adults. But by night, he morphs into Super Writer, an author with the ability to lose sleep and create fiction for your enjoyment. He is hard at work on many novels and stories, so stay tuned. Christopher lives in Hudsonville, Michigan with his beautiful wife, three wonderful children, two free-loading cats, and his brave, loyal chocolate lab. www.christopherleecousino.com

Book preview

Welcome to the Neighborhood

A Short Story

By

Christopher Lee Cousino

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY:

BSIC Publishing on Smashwords

Welcome to the Neighborhood

A Short Story

Copyright © 2012 by Christopher Lee Cousino

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

About the Author

Chapter 1

Andrew peeked through the slit in the blinds he gingerly held open with two fingers on his right hand. Watching in the dark, silent and still, he studied the movements of the man across the street. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties, a bit older than Andrew. His sandy blonde hair glistened in the summer sunlight, and his tan, clean-shaven face grimaced and beaded with sweat. The man’s snug t-shirt did little to hide the flexing muscles underneath as he worked tirelessly, struggling to carry out his agenda. Andrew wasn’t sure what to do. Should he make a move or wait for a better opportunity?

Unsure what to do, Andrew reached to his left, not taking his eyes off his target. His left hand pawed around in the dark, finding nothing but empty air until the skin on his palm grazed the object of his desire. He felt himself relax as his hand wrapped around cold metal. Slowly raising the object, he prepared himself…this was going to be sweet.

Suddenly the lights flicked on and a voice startled Andrew as he quickly let the blinds shut and fell backwards from his crouching position and onto his butt. He glared at the woman the voice belonged to.

Andrew Dean, what are you doing in here in the dark? Andrew picked up his overturned, metal travel mug off the floor, delighted to find it still contained some Mountain Dew Code Red. Glancing at the carpet, he saw a red stain left from what had spilled from the cup. Oh crud, Andrew thought. When it came to the house, especially the carpets, his wife was completely anal…and not in a good way. She would kill him if she saw the stain. He shifted to his left to obstruct his wife’s view of the stain before responding.

"Well my dear Ellen, I was watching our new neighbor struggle with a very large box from his moving truck, trying to decide if I should go help him and introduce myself. But now I am defending my actions to you and trying to calm my frazzled nerves from your abrupt, and very rude I might add, entrance." He put the mug to his lips, tipped it back, and felt the cold, refreshing burn of his favorite drink fill his mouth. After guzzling to his heart’s glee, he wiped the back of his forearm across his mouth and let out a satisfied sigh. Ellen just rolled her eyes, trying to hide a smile.

You are such a weirdo…and a creeper. I’ve told you not to watch people through the blinds, especially in the dark. Now get your butt over there and just say hi already, please. That way we can get on with our day. Andrew shot to his feet, embracing his wife