The Chronicles of Ghost: A Long Week

By Michael J Dorsey

"The Chronicles of Ghost: A Long Week" drops you headfirst into the life of Marcus 'Ghost' Dawes at the moment things take a very interesting turn for him. He's usually a 'go with the flow' type of guy, but because of his reaction to a stranger's challenge, the flow of his life goes from still waters to raging rapids almost instantly.
Without realizing it, Ghost casually displays the type of ferocity & power that once made him the most dangerous man in Yonkers. Back then, however, he was known by a much different name... "Demon". Only a small handful of people know this secret about him and now one of them knows what Ghost did. More to the point, now they all know that Ghost is actually alive.
Right in the middle of one of those 'kick your chest in' Mondays, Ghost finds himself confronted by one of the few people who know his old name. With nothing more than a whisper from the lips of a beautiful (and familiar) face, Ghost suddenly realizes that the darkness he's tried so hard to keep buried in the past has returned. With no idea of what his enemies know & no clue as to how he can regain his peaceful existence, Ghost decides that his only real option to man up and take matters into his own hands.
The next few days will see visions of Ghost's old self haunt him, reunite him with faces he never knew he would see again and lead to battles that will push him to his very limits as past & present clash violently with his future hanging in the balance... and to think, he just had such a great Sunday.
"A Long Week" uses vividly detailed imagery & intimately descriptive writing to paint the landscape of one man's life. With settings that envelop you and characters that become as close as dear friends, moments of delight, laughter, sorrow, fear & terror which will pull you into their pace & rhythm and a conclusion that leads you into the unimaginable, "A Long Week" will change how you outlook on the urban novel genre.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael J Dorsey
• Release date: Feb 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301229222

Michael J Dorsey

Michael J. Dorsey is a native son of Yonkers, NY, the city he uses as the backdrop for his series "The Chronicles of Ghost". Born & raised there, he has spent his time seeking to venture out as far as his legs will carry him. Between trekking all across the United States and spending a few years abroad in Europe, he's developed a unique & eclectic taste that shows in every aspect of his personality. This is particularly evident when it comes his writing, which displays a vivid sense of picturesque imagination far beyond his years. Upon his return to the States, he set forth on the path of bringing his story to the public. And now, after a long & arduous journey, "The Chronicles of Ghost: A Long Week" is readily available to be enjoyed by the reading audience. As for Dorsey himsef, now that he's a published author, he lives by the motto: "If they keep reading, then I'll keep writing".

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The Chronicles of Ghost - A Long Week

Michael J. Dorsey

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Michael J. Dorsey

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 ebook 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 hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead or places events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Table of Contents

A Long Week: Busy Day

A Long Week: Rough Days

A Long Week: The Day After

~

To the choices and people that set me on this path...good, bad or indifferent, I would be nothing without you. Thank you all so very much.

Michael J. Dorsey

A Long Week: Busy Day

Wake Up

The shouting is intense. The room is filled adrenaline-fueled cries of testosterone. Everyone is there for one reason: the fight that's taking place in the middle of the floor. The bag room at the YMCA isn't too big, but it is big enough to hold the crowd. The heavy bag has been taken down along with the speed bag, and the rack has been lifted out of the way. In the middle of 'the ring' stand two guys: one is rather tall and light-skinned with a lean frame and the other is a bit stockier and darker. Their battle has been going on for a good while and both are showing signs of fatigue.

What's wrong, punk?! Can't fight or sumthin'? sneers Charlie, the darker fighter. He has taken some good shots and is a little bloody under his right eye, but he knows how to take it and dish it out. The other man in the fight just keeps quiet and continues circling. There isn't much sign of damage on him, but his breathing is become heavier than before. He is starting to wear out, but there's no way he will let his adversary know it.

Before long, Charlie speaks out again. This the way ya' little bitch family taught you how to fight? Must be some real pussies... This sets the taller fighter off. Instantly, he lunges at Charlie, pushing him all the way back to the brick wall. The crowd splits accordingly, so as to get out of harm's way. After that, it isn't pretty... the only noise the spectators can hear is the impact of what this madman is doing to Charlie. Normally, someone would have jumped in by now, but they are all secretly scared... too afraid to get in the way.

Eventually, Charlie falls to the ground. The thump isn't too loud. Bleeding all over, swelling up and bruised, he simply tries to keep from crying. However, something is wrong... if you were there, you could've almost smelled it. The look of rage hasn't left the other fighter's eyes yet... but why not? He has more than proved himself and his skills, so the fight should be over, right?

Wrong. With all the strength he can muster at the moment, he leaps up in the air and comes down on Charlie's lower back. The deafening sound of bones breaking silences everyone. The fighter just stands there, motionless. Slowly, he turns around and...

BZZT! BZZT! BZZT! BZZT! The alarm clock does its job.

Augh... what the fuck was that? And why am I up so damn early!? Oh yeah... that, he growls. Ghost, as he had most people call him, woke up after having his nightmare, but couldn't understand why he had it. Whatever... lemme get moving. Gotta get my ass to work. Between the night before and the moment his alarm clock went off, Ghost had forgotten he said he would take the morning shift at Nathan's. Not that it was his regular time, but he promised to cover for his friend. Besides, with the dismal salary they gave him, any overtime was welcome.

What do I gotta do today? Work an extra half-shift, then get back to the other side of town, head to that basement, go see the Brothers and light up... simple enough, said Ghost to himself.

He gets out of bed and has the regularly scheduled morning stretch. A quick touch of the ceiling and he starts to make his bed. After that's done, he gets undressed, puts on a robe and heads to the bathroom. His apartment is modest, but fits him well: two bedrooms, a living room, full kitchen, and full bathroom. With its layout, Ghost staggers through the kitchen before reaching the bathroom. Once inside, he takes a good look at his shaggy and rugged face. Damn, I gotta start shaving, he says to himself, but knows it'll never happen. His robe falls to the floor and he begins the morning routine.

The shower likes to play games with the water, so he has to wait until the temperature's bearable. He steps in and adjusts to the water. While it hits his body, he regrets offering to help his friend, but figured, he'd do the same for me, if I really needed it. Once he gets out from under the water, he dries off a bit and walks to the fridge. Like every other morning, he takes a quick shot of Hennessey to really wake up, eats a piece of meat, and heads back to his room. He dries off, does something with his hair, decides what to wear and then leaves for the bus stop. After the 25 comes, it's off to Central Avenue.

The bus ride over was quick. All the 'cheese' buses were locked away for the weekend, so the roads were clear. He transfers from the 25 to the 20 at the appropriate stop, sits back and relaxes for the second ride. He starts to wonder why people have to work so early, but realizes it'd be a waste of time to worry about it. He gets out at the big red sign and heads to the Game Room. Only Houshang, one of his older co-workers is there. He gets into the tiny locker room, puts on his red shirt, counts the money for the day, ties his pouch around his waist and hits the floor. There were over one hundred machines in the Game Room and the remarkable noise they generated didn't bother him anymore because he had worked there for a little over two years. It wasn't his career of choice, but a good side job to fill in the times when he wasn't working elsewhere or going to college.

Now, not many people have a reason to go to an arcade at ten in the morning on a Sunday, but just try telling that to his bosses. Luckily, the day moves quickly and that's good. Sooner I finish the better, he thinks to himself. During his lunch break, he steps out to eat and runs into Jose and Cam, two BIG Puerto Ricans from down the block.

Was' good, my nigga, Cam asks.

Jack shit, is all Ghost can think to reply. However, this run-in wasn't entirely coincidence. These three had a matter of business to discuss. Something in particular needed doing and, as far as Ghost saw, it was going get done today.

Y'all find him yet? Ghost asks.

We know where he's gon' be and how to get to him, but why you wanna snatch this kid up? Jose replies.

What'd he do to you? Cam jumps in.

With a very grim and solemn tone, Ghost says, I got my reasons. Just make sure he's where I told you to put him after I punch out tonight. I'll call you when I'm ready and don't be stupid and let him catch onto what I got planned.

A'ight, the two say. With that, Ghost goes inside and gets back on the floor. Only five more hours he thinks to himself and I can be out. Fortune smiles on him and the rest of the day flies by with relative ease.

7 o'clock, baby! It's time for me to leave. After saying his goodbyes to the people he works with and a few regular customers he's somewhat close to, Ghost walks to the bus stop.

Shiiiit! Rest of my Sunday is type easy. Point A to Point B and I'll be chillin' for the rest of the night. Not as late as it usually is, the 20 pulls up and Ghost takes his ride...

Admirer

Why does she think about him so much? They rarely made eye contact, they never talk... she doesn't even know his name. But for some reason, he is always on her mind and she doesn't have an answer as to why or even a name to go by.

One day, not too long ago, Sarah is on the 20 trying to get home from her cousin's house and without warning, a man steps on the bus who simply takes her breath away. Tall, lean, light skinned, shaggy-looking with the facial hair and a very relaxed air on his face. She can't take her eyes off him, but can't think of anything to say as he walks right by her. She is frozen. Every so often, she'd peeks out of the corner of her eye to the back of the bus just to sneak a look at him. Though he wouldn't have noticed, she is memorizing his face. Once the image is chiseled into her mind, she gets off at the Midland stop and walks up the hill. That night, all she can think about is the guy on the 20.

Since then, she's been fantasizing about him... drawing pictures... writing poems... the whole nine yards. He is Sarah's all-encompassing thought. In fact, this is so evident; her friends worry about her.

I don't see why you actin' like this... you don't even know his name.

Nigga could have a girl or a wife... or some kids!

Shit, he might be a homo!

Sarah has heard all of