Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter

By David Raymond II

Valmont Sharp is the world's biggest celebrity, a showman of extraordinary talent. His shows are always a spectacle to behold and no two are the same. He is America's greatest actor as his shows seem so real. Everyone knows they are fake, after all he is a Monster Hunter by trade and those creatures don't actually exist in our world. That would be crazy...

Or so that what the world was lead to believe.

Valmont Sharp's job has changed, his show which started off as pure fiction is now reality. He actually does hunt monsters and demons and he does his part to keep the real world in the dark. His show keeps humanity from accepting the dark side of their world. Valmont Sharp is the protector of a world that sees him as a simple show man. He is the biggest celebrity of one world and the worst enemy of another.

To the dark side of the world he is hated. Other hunters hate him for making a mockery of their profession. For turning an honorable job into a side show attraction. The creatures of darkness hate him for upsetting the balance, Valmont is just too good at his job.

For that he must die.

Not only that, he must be made an example of. His whole bloodline has to be eliminated.

Chris Sharp never for a second thought his Father's show was real.

Chris knew his father was just a showman, he had been to his fathers earlier shows and he knows how they all work. Yet Chris will be the first to admit that three years ago the production values increased dramatically. They were always good but now they were amazing. Chris could almost swear that the beasts his father hunts are real. it was around that time that his father became detached from reality.

So when Chris becomes the target of his father's enemies he is thrown head first into a world he never knew existed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Raymond II
• Release date: Oct 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301885763

David Raymond II

Not much to say yet. I am unemployed and looking for work, I like fantasy, Sci-fi, horror, supernatural or well any type of well written book. I have a couple series planned so lets see what I can do.

Book preview

Prologue

The small South Carolina town of Arklow doesn’t really have much going for it. It has a high Irish population even in the early twenty first century as fifty five percent of the towns two thousand plus residents are Irish and probably eighty percent of the population have some Irish decent in them. As a result of this the town's history is rich in Irish legends and stories. It's strong Irish heritage might have drawn certain forces to the town that other wise would have left it alone. Creatures of legend that tend to remain in their native land.

People generally don't visit the town of Arklow, while it has a long history it really does not have a colorful history. It's also never had much of a tourist trade. It's mainly just a sleepy small town that kids leave when they become adults to move to the excitement of a big city. However now the town is bustling with more activity then it knows what to do with.

Over the past three weeks Arklow's business district, hotels, and tourist trade in general have made more money then it has in the last twenty years. If the town could somehow grab hold of this current boom it would grow rapidly but chances are the activity will die as quickly as it started, since it seems to be over now.

In the outskirts forest a few miles from Heston Manor, the largest house in Arklow is a impressive carnival set up with a large stage in the center. There are carnival rides of the highest quality, carnival games of all sorts, junk food of all sorts, and much more. One would think it was a town wide celebration but Arklow's Heritage Day celebration is done at the town square in July not at the private Heston Residence in November. Besides the Heritage Day Celebration never gets triple the towns population coming out from all across the country to see it. No this is a whole different beast, this is a Valmont Sharp show.

Valmont Sharp is a name that draws attention. Wherever he goes people follow. A Valmont Sharp show is known to be a one of a kind experience, even shows that are part of a series are never the same thing twice. He is a master showman and one who knows how to draw a crowd. He is a traveling Monster Hunter. He travels the world though mostly sticks to the United states searching for the creatures that strike fear into the hearts and souls of mankind.

How Arklow of all places got a Valmont Sharp show no one knows. Getting a Sharp Monster Hunting Experience is something every town and city great and small wants. People would pay millions to have a private Sharp show, he has been offered TV deals, movie deals, exclusives in Vegas, New York, from the President, from kings and queens all wanting a personal Sharp show. All of them have been turned down yet Arklow has had a special Sharp show That has been going on for fifteen days now. That is long for Sharp standards.

Sharp seems to set up shows at a whim, it's unknown how he chooses the theme or the location. He gets ten's of thousands of requests a month and only picks about six to ten to ten of them on an average year. The shows can happen anywhere and at any time. Shows have been set in the early mornings of a day and in the middle of snow storms, nothing can stop a Sharp Show from happening.

The eccentrically of his scheduling is seen as part of his genius, it is believed that's how he's able to come up with his shows, and that he plans them on a fly. That is why people come out to these shows will pay thousands to stand in three feet of snow for a few hours, every Sharp show is a sight to behold.

There are twenty rows of one hundred and fifty seats and all of them are filled. There are also people standing and watching their eyes focused at the stage. The stage is really just the Heston Family cemetery, lit up with lamps and candles with special attention to a grave in the center, on the Grave are the words, Alannah Heston, 1-12-1936 to 11/17/1965, beloved wife and mother, died way too young. Most people would not even dare staging a show in a private grave yard and fewer people would let their graveyard as a setting for a show but this is a Valmont Sharp show.

A young black man in a brown winter jacket, and blue jeans stands up next to a mike, Welcome to the final show of Sharp's Monster Hunting experience's Arklow series, 'the Shrek of the Banshee.' And now in the morning of November Eighteenth 2005 I give you, Valmont Sharp.

A man in his mid forties, with a face that is starting to wrinkle whose hair is starting to gray at the side walks up the stage toward the mike. He is wearing a fancy looking red and black long coat that is flapping in the windy night. As it flaps the audience can see a bunch of weapon, guns, stakes, a mirror, a couple crosses, pieces of silver, and other various items. He looks over the crowd with his light grayish brown eyes that almost look green and points his fingers at them, Hello Arklow, you have been a wonderful crowd, I love these people.

The audience cheers as he praises them.

However I am sad to say that this will be my final show here. There is a sigh of sadness from the crowd, However I plan to make this final show special. I will blow your minds. I WILL BLOW YOUR MINDS. As if on command some explosions are set off in the background.

Some of you have been here from the beginning. From when me and my team were searching for the Banshee who at that time we knew nothing about. There was that initial wailing of her voice that chilled our very bones. Once again as he said the words behind him the wind seems to howl and scream in sound that is completely inhuman.

Valmont smiles everything is working the way it's suppose to. You saw as we met up with the Banshee that has been haunting this town for decades. You were their as my team discovered her name and history. Her name was Alannah Heston, and she lived in this town forty years ago. She died on her five year wedding anniversary at the hands of her husband Carter Heston. That was a surprise to everyone since it was believed that the Banshee was an older creature, one who had haunted this town for hundreds of years. A Banshee is a spirit of of a dead woman who suffered in life, and clings on to this plain of existence either to protect her family or haunt them until her goal is completed, they don't have to be ancient spirits.

Valmont stops for a second to catch his breath. He looks out at the crowd and scans for eyes, Yes over forty years, any yet it was only in the last year that the Banshee has really been a problem? Why is that? Why has she been a minor nuisance, just a howl in the wind for decades and only recently became malevolent? Ah I will get to that. Yes. He looks over at one of the people standing next to him, an older pale faced man with sunken eyes. Yosif I think we should summon the spirit, one last time if you will.

Of course Mr. Sharp. The old man walks slowly over to the grave stepping in behind Sharp and the two men around Sharp. As he approaches the grave Sharp and his assistants move out of the way as a spot light moves away from them and toward Yosif. Background music starts playing, setting the mood and a faint fog covers the grave yard, just enough so that the audience’s view starts to fade just after the grave of Alannah Heston. Yosif reaches the grave and pulls out an image of Alannah, a respectful method to summon the spirit. Alannah it is me again, Yosif. The man says in an unearthly voice, I would like to help you. Mr. Sharp would like you help you. Yosif sets the picture down on the woman's grave.

There is nothing for a second and then there is a strong wind, the wind picks up the picture which starts floating up in the air and spinning. The wind is silent at first and then there is a loud bone chilling scream, which at first is inaudible to the audience, YYYYYyyyyuuuuuuuuuUUUUOOOOoooooo! The scream carries on for about five seconds first getting louder and then gets softer. I do not want to talk to you or that Mr. Sharp. Leave me alone. A second spot light shines on the floating picture.

Yosif looks at Sharp who nods at him to go ahead. We beseech you, we want you to leave this town alone, to move on. To find peace. We want to help. Let us.

The picture moves closer to Yosif, You have said that before. We have talked before. They are lies, you still know nothing of me.

We know that you were a benevolent spirit until recently. That until a year ago your wailing was only heard before a disaster or accident. You saved lives.

Hahahahahahaha. The picture spins as the laughter is carried on the winds, You know nothing of us, you knew nothing the last time you did one of these shows. The picture then looks beyond Yosif and toward Sharp, I know of you. The others have told me about you. This has been a newer element to Sharp's shows that he has been trying, on the final night or sometimes even earlier one of the Supernatural creatures actually confronts Sharp. This others sub plot seems to be building up to some big show no one wants to miss.

Sharp is unfazed by this, he looks at the audience and winks, as if on command they start to chant his name. Yosif, thank you but let me handle this. The old man walks back to the rest of the group as the spot light focuses on Sharp. This is not about me, this is about you. About why you have suddenly became a malevolent spirit and why you seem to be trying to send this town down a path of ruin. Banshee are suppose to warn people of danger not cause it.

The picture starts burning and the fires take the form of a woman's head, it is an ugly witch like woman's head. As she speaks flames spit out, What do you know hunter?

Alannah Magelion Heston, only daughter of Liza and Cogran Magelion, wife of Carter Heston and mother of Kent. Killed by your husband forty years to this day when you discovered he was cheating on you. He fled the town with his mistress and son and never came back. You probably would have been a vengeful spirit had he stayed, however since you loved this town and the people with out a focus for your vengeance you were a benevolent spirit.

The winds calm down and the fires grow less intense, He had to returned, my killer has returned.

Your Husband is dead, your killer is dead. He died years go.

No he's here. The flames intensify, they start to grow into a whole body, the body then points at the audience, He's right there. She points at a man who had not came to a single show, and a spot light focuses on the man. He is a man in his early forties with red hair and green eyes, he is a modestly dressed young man in a brown suit and matching shirt, he is holding some items for a special purpose.

That is not your husband. Sharp simply tells her.

The winds pick up and knock Sharp to his knees YES HE IS. I KNOW HIS FACE ANYWHERE.

Keith Vander can you come up here please. Sharp then waits as the man in brown walks up to the stage. Vander has lived in the town for a little over a year and rumors are going around that he was a plant for the Sharp show to set up this story. People were waiting for his role due to the fact that he has been researching Heston Family since he shown up in town. This Alannah is Keith Vander, who grew up in an orphanage in Boston after his father dumped him off thirty plus years ago. He was later adopted by the Vander Family, nice people from what I understand. He has been spending the last couple years trying to find out who he is, who his family is. That Search led him here.

The flames calm down and the winds start to set, however there is still a look of intense hatred in the eyes of Alannah who is still sure this is her killer.

Sharp looks out to the audience, I'm sure everyone here has figured out where I am going with this, however lets let Keith take it from here.

Keith clearly seems worried, the audience thinks he must be an actor and they are trying to remember if they ever saw him in one of Sharp's shows before. Mom? He says quietly.

WHAT! The Banshee screams at him the wind picking up, Mom?

Keith is shaking wondering if he should turn back but he can't, Yes as already said I'm Keith Vander, I... I was born as Kent Heston. I discovered that only a year ago and I came here to learn about my family. I did not know I would awaken you. I never knew my father so I don't know how much I look like him.

Kent? The flames start to subside and for the first time the spirit starts to take on a ghostly form. It starts to look like a white specter in a long flowing dress with long hair that is swaying in the breeze. You look just like him only older, I thought you were him.

Keith Vander opens up a box that he kept at his shoulder and takes out three red roses, I never thought I would get to do this. I was told to keep away from the Heston place when I got here and so I never got to see your grave, may I? He waits for the ghost to move.

Alannah smiles and floats away from her grave and watches as her son puts the roses near her grave stone. There is a tear in the ghost's eye, she looks over at Valmont Sharp, Did you find out anything about the bastard who did this to me?

Figuring that was the only way you would truly rest in peace my lovely spirit I did just that. Carter Heston was killed fifteen years ago by his second wife Stacey as she caught him in bed with another woman. She shot him and the woman in the head and then killed her self in a triple murder suicide. He got what he deserved. Actually Carter lived a long life with second wife, and three loving kids and died of a heart attack five years ago but Sharp figures that the spirit would rather to believe he got what he deserved. Sharp just hopes the ghost believes this lie.

Alannah floats over to sharp and starts crying half in joy and half in sadness. I loved him, always did and while he was a backstabbing cheat I would not wish that on him or anyone. The outline of Alannah's form seems brighter then it was before, it seems to almost be glowing. She loves over to her son and hugs him.

Keith does not feel like he is being hugged, he mainly feels a tingling sensation like he's being washed by the wind. I wish I got to know you. As Alannah says those words her ghostly body seems to break away as light flows out of the gaps. She seems to explode into cascading lights and colors and the lights float up into the sky as they slowly vanish.

Valmont Sharp watches as the spirit ascends up into the heavens, he smiles and raises his hands out, The Banshee of Arklow has been put to rest. She was a sad soul that protected the town she loved until her anger got the better of her and the benevolent spirit turned chaotic. She did not quite understand that the person she was venting her rage against was not the man who deserved it, it was not her husband but her son who had been trying to figure out who he was. Now the Saga of Alannah Heston is over, may she finally rest in peace. The Spotlights fade and the general light brighten back up and the dark field is lit up like it is the middle of the day.

The crowd starts cheering wildly and Sharp, Yosif, Keith, and Sharp's assistants all bow and smile before they slowly walk off stage. The show is over but for the rest of the night and into the early morning the festivities continue.

After the show ended TV crews who had recorded the event for the masses tried to interview with Sharp and his team but were turned down. Sharp use to give interviews about three years ago and was very open about his performances but has since then became a very private man. Now he only gives interviews to his own network and even those are well guarded.

Reporters were able to talk to Keith Vander but his answers were very vague. He did not seem to be an actor and seemed to believe that what happened really happened. Because of this he was shocked and his answers were shaky and erratic. They discovered that Keith was the one who sent for Sharp to Arklow but would not say how he was able to get a Sharp show to come to town or how much he paid.

Eventually the TV crews gave up like they always did and the stations turned away from Arklow and the Sharp show and toward the Evening news. Within forty eight hours the Sharp show and crew will be gone, the fair grounds set up behind the Heston place were be taken down, and most of the tourists will be returning home. Arklow may experience a brief period of fame and might have an increased traffic flow and tourist trade for maybe six months to a year but soon it will return to being a sleepy town in South Carolina with little going for it. Like it always was.

Book One: Woodridge

Chapter One

Now we move away from a small town in South Carolina and move to the north west, to a town in northwest Indiana that might as well be a Suburb of Chicago. It is a richer, more upscale suburb and as different from Arklow and you could probably find. Woodridge Indiana is a small town whose population is hard to pinpoint as there are only invisible lines separating it from other towns in the area. Living in a nice sized house are Sharon and Christian Sharp the wife and son of Valmont Sharp.

It is early in the morning and Christian Sharp is getting ready for school. He has just gotten out of the shower and is getting dressed. As he is putting on clothing he is watching the morning news, And that was the event at Arklow which concluded at one thirty two this morning. It was a considerably toned down show compared to many of Sharp's recent events but it still impressed the crowds. Every Sharp show is a unique experience that must be seen to be believed. This has been Jan Raquel back you you Bob.

Chris was up until one forty watching his father's final show despite telling his mom that he wouldn't. He knows that on school days he should not stay up that late even for one of his father's shows but he had to see it, it was the final night. He is already dressed but listens to the TV for a couple minutes to hear a conversation he knows all to often.

I have seen a Valmont Sharp show in person myself Megan, seeing the on TV just does not match the experience. Yes that was not the most impressive Sharp experience of 2005 but they can't all be the Vampire of Orleans, sometimes they are simple affairs like this. Bob White the lead anchor of the NAC Channel Thirteen Morning News said to his partner.

Chris turns off his TV, I will see enough of that at school with Ric and Jason. Chris could already picture how the opening conversation between his two best friends will be. Ricardo will be complaining about his the show was not as impressive as one of the older ones and how Sharp is loosing steam and Jason will say they can't all be masterpieces and so on. Chris does not need an early preview on the morning news. He grabs his books and walks out of his room.

Sharon Sharp is in the Kitchen already ready to head to work, she has a piece of toast in her hands as she is sitting at the table looking at the Newspaper. She hears Chris try to sneak past her to get to the fridge unnoticed, Did you catch your father's show last night?

Of course not I was asleep, I don't stay up that late on a school night. He doubts his mother believes him but he knows that's what he should say.

In that case so was I. She smiles, because like you I can't be up until one thirty watching my estranged husband send the spirits to the great beyond. She was a looker though wouldn't you say?

When she was calm down anyway. Chris then shuts his mouth and hears his mother chuckle behind him. He pulls out an apple and some orange Juice and pours himself a glass. He takes a package of pop tarts from the box and then walks over to the table and sits down. Okay you caught me. Am I in trouble?

Sharon finishes her toast folds up the paper and stands up, Not as long as you keep your grades up. She then picks up her brief case and walks over to the garage door, Remember to lock up before you leave, oh and don't mess with the note I left for Ms. Garcia it's on the counter. See you when I get home from work."

What's Mai making tonight? Chris asked as his mother starts walking out. He peers over at the note his mother left which already answers the question.

Nothing I'm bringing something home tonight, I'm giving her a half day off and she does not come back until after the Holiday. I'm going to try my hand at making Thanksgiving again. I hope I'm not too rusty. She smiles at her son.

Oh no I will have my cell set to call 911 in case. Chris kids, he's sure his Mom will do fine, from what he remembers she was a decent cook.

Hahahaha. Sharon then closes the door and leaves. Chris hears the car door open and his mom's car stat up and then drive away while he is sitting there eating. The car is not even out of the garage when his cell phone rings and he answers it. Chris look out the window.

Mom what? He drops his apple on the table and stands, Why? he lifts the binds with his fingers and peers out.

See Mr. McCannon? His mother says sounding nervous.

Yeah he's staring at you? So?

Look at his eyes. His eyes. She yells into the phone.

Chris takes a closer look at Ed McCannon's eyes, they seemed glazed over and dull. He is just staring at his mother with out any sort of movement, Creepy but so what he's always been weird.

This is different. She takes some deep breaths and then drives out of the driveway, Watch him Chris please.

Okay mom. Chris watches Ed McCannon as his mom drives away. The man's eyes and head follow his moms car while his body hardly moves. He does this with out blinking even once, He's watching you. McCannon's eyes then shift and his moves his attention to the window, he takes a couple steps off his yard near the street and stops. Now he is staring at Chris. Whoa. Chris steps back and drops the shade.

What happened Chris?

You're right mom something's not right here, now he is staring at me, at the house. I knew he was strange. I should confront him?

No don't. Ignore him, though this is not the first time someone has looked at me like that. Actually it's been happening quite often in the past few weeks. Just never so close to home.

Chris thinks for a minute, Yeah mom I have noticed it too. Kids I generally just ignore have been acting extra strange. Staring at me for no reason, I never gave it much thought. It's weird.

When I get home we will talk about it some more. I should get off the phone while I'm driving. Sharon then hangs up the phone Chris turns his off and puts it in his pocket. Chris then walks over to the window and looks across the street, Mr. McCannon seems to have moved on, he's no longer looking at him but has turned around and is heading home.

Chris walks out of the house fifteen minutes later and looks across the street at the McCannon place. While he promised his mom he would not talk to him he intentionally left fifteen minutes early so that he could ask the old man some questions. He walks his bike over across the street and then parks it in front of the porch. He then walks up to the door and rings the door bell. The door opens a little bit and an old man in his early seventies looks out, Yes?

Mr. McCannon it's Chris Sharp. Why were you staring at me and my mom? Chris asks.

What? I was not staring at you. The man blinks at him, Damn it I was just getting my paper, takes me about less then a minute and your mom was leaving.

You were looking at her for about two minutes and then you started to stare at the house.

The old man shakes his head? No, no I did not. I, I... McCannon shakes his head and closes the door. Go away.

Chris shakes his head, Maybe I went at this the wrong way. That was not very bright. Chris says mostly to himself. He then walks over to his bike and gets on, he better head to school, maybe Jason and Ric have seen something.

Chapter Two

The first half of Chris's day was pretty uneventful. He never really has trouble at school and is a B student. Because of this he figured it would be fine if he spent this day focused on something else. He looked around him class rooms carefully so that the teacher would not notice and tried to see if anyone was watching him, if anyone had that same weird gaze that Ed McCannon had. Twice the teacher told him to focus on his work and not to Stargaze but for the most part he though he did a good job staying unnoticed.

Every once in a while it looked like one of the students was staring at him but when he took a closer look at them the look in their eyes was not the same. One of the security