Fire Night

By Gene Cartwright

FIRE NIGHT -A CLASH BETWEEN THE SUPERNATURAL & THE SUPER EVIL

The Wellsley Family: John, Sarah, 5 year-old daughter, Beth; sons—12 year-old Joshua and 9 year-old Caleb, are unknowingly doomed to relive the horror of centuries-old New England history. In 2007, when the two young Wellsley brothers disobey their parents and venture into forbidden Devil's Woods, the horrible, violent history of a 1707 night is rewritten in walls of fire and rivers of blood.

The boys endure a terrifying experience: Five, horribly disfigured, putrid smelling zombie waifs they stumble across are embodiments of spirits trapped for nearly 300 years. Their contact with living beings sets in motion a supernatural quest for revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gene Cartwright
• Release date: Oct 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301521715

Gene Cartwright

The late Award-winning actress, Ms Cicely Tyson read Gene's third novel, 'a Family Gathering', called in 2008, and they spoke for more than two hours. It was an unexpected honor. They shared a friendship and a deep and abiding respect.Ms. Tyson said, of 'A Family Gathering:' - "I have not been so moved by a story since reading Alex's book [Roots]. Words cannot express Gene's reaction.The Author:Gene Cartwright, a native of Texas, often says it was his great fortune to be born at the right address— the home of his parents.His mother who taught him to read when he was barely four. He was fascinated, captured by the freedom reading afforded. Gene read and was inspired to put his own words to paper. He has always enjoyed both technical and literary pursuits. He wrote his first novel at 12. (90 pages longhand.)Gene graduated high school and in less than a month, headed immediately to college at Prairie View A&M. Four years later, and for almost eight years thereafter, during what he now refers to as another life, Gene was an electrical engineer, designing lighting and power distribution systems.Next, Gene founded and owned a very successful consumer electronics company in Houston, Texas. A few years later, he saddled up and headed west.Throughout his engineering pursuits and business activities, he continued to write and dream of being a published and a fulltime author. In 1996, that dream was realized. Gene has written 10 novels, 2 nonfiction, 1—a book of "visual poetry", and several screenplays. Gene's latest book, "The Value of Small Things," is a powerful little book that will help you find reasons for loving your life. He also owns several patents.For two years, his book tour for 'I Never Played Catch With My Father,' took him from coast to coast: He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including Oprah, NPR stations and countless TV morning shows, news and sports shows. He has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Gene was the featured author in Ebony Magazine in the November '97 issue.Finally, Gene's greatest childhood thrill was his very first little league baseball game. And his pet peeve, something he labels sacrilegious: the use of the aluminum baseball bats.More to come.Gene's Website: https://GeneCartwrightBooks.comBlog: https://gblog.genecartwright.comOther sites:https://GreenLightThis.comhttps://Noteplayer.com

Book preview

Fire Night

by

Gene Cartwright

Published by Gene Cartwright & Falcon Creek Publishing Co.

Copyright 2013 Gene Cartwright | FalconCreekBooks.com

Copyright

Copyright 2013 by Gene Cartwright

Published

by

Gene Cartwright

Published by Gene Cartwright & Falcon Creek Publishing Co. at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Gene Cartwright | FalconCreekBooks.com

All rights reserved. Gene Cartwright is the sole author, and holder of all rights. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or manual means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the permission of the author/publisher rights holder, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Note: Underlined words in this eBook are live links.

GMW-MOTL

Falcon Creek Books: an imprint of Falcon Creek Publishing Co.

Los Angeles Houston Washington, D.C.

Reviews

I’ve read nearly all Gene Cartwright’s novels and his inspiring book of poetry. I am still amazed by his ability to write across genres. I usually don’t read anything horror-related but this is truly so reality-based, I couldn’t resist. I loved it.

— Rachel Marin, San Francisco, CA

I usually only read straight up horror but this was so real, yet horrific where it made sense. I hope Mr. Cartwright writes some more like this.

— J. Ann Pietre, 17, Houston, Texas

I’m a fan now. Gene can write the ABC.s and I would read it.

— B. Chester Craddow, Atlanta

The Author:

Please read complete info on Pulitzer-Nominated author, Gene Cartwright, at the end of this book. See Author’s website, including bio, here.

Copyright

Copyright 2013 by Gene Cartwright

All rights reserved. Gene Cartwright is the sole author, and holder of all rights. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or manual means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the permission of the author/publisher rights holder, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Note: Underlined words in this eBook are live links.

GMW-MOTL

Falcon Creek Books: an imprint of Falcon Creek Publishing Co.

Los Angeles Houston Washington, D.C.

Chapter One

Devil's Woods - Rural New England 2007

A symphony of crushing leaves

filled the deep woods, mid-afternoon air. Twigs and branches gave way under the fleeing feet of nine year-old Caleb Wellsley. The cacophony grew ever louder. The thick underbrush and fallen leaves posed no obstacle for him. The rhythm of heavy breathing and grunting grew more and more pronounced. Caleb’s perspiration drenched eyes desperately searching for the opening that would lead to the last tree line. Beyond, he hoped for that sudden burst of bright New England sunlight signaling his escape from Devil’s Woods.

Instead, the woods grew more and more dense. Day seemed swallowed by the growing darkness. Caleb heard steps ahead of him and struggled to call out, yet no sound escaped his parched lips. He struggled to increase his speed, to close the gap between himself and the shadow of a figure ahead of him.

*

Finally, two pairs of legs—knees down—made for a blurry image streaking between the sentry of trees and brush. Joshua Wellsley, a pudgy 12 year-old, and wispy-thin brother, Caleb, both in jeans, sneakers, and with blue canvas backpacks and canteens, dared not stop. Caleb struggled to keep up. Once again, the distance between the brothers increased.

Just then, Caleb tripped over a fallen branch and tumbled to his knees. He was near tears. Josh kept running. A sweating Caleb grimaced in pain, grabbed his right leg, tried to stand but fell again.

"Wait Josh! Come back, please! I hurt my leg...Josh! With great effort, Caleb managed to remove his backpack.

A frustrated Josh slowed. I'll send you an ambulance.

Caleb rolled onto one side, propped himself on one elbow. His face was grimy. He looked ahead, grimaced, and wiped his brow.

I'm not kidding. Josh!

Joshua stopped, turned around disgustedly the n started back. Alright, Jeez! I'm coming, I'm coming, already!

A panting Caleb was nearly hyperventilating. I couldn't help it. I tripped.

Yeah, Sure. You know what happens when you pull up lame don't 'cha?

That's not funny. I'm hurting real bad. Honest.

They take you out and shoot you. Kaboom! Lights out. Josh pointed out.

C'mon, stop joking. Ow-weee, my leg hurts real bad.

Look, Caleb. I'm gonna leave you at home next time. You're such a little wus. I swear. You just...

Am not, Caleb insists.

Are too. Wish I'd left you at home, Josh barked.

You wouldn't slow down! Tried to tell you you were going' too fast. Help me up, Caleb pleads, his hand extended.

Josh removed his backpack, extended his hand just short of Caleb's reach, paused for a second. I'll help you only if you promise to keep your grubby fingers off my camera and things.

Okay, I promise.

And promise to give me the drumsticks at dinner tonight, Josh added.

Alright, I promise. I promise," an exhausted Caleb agreed.

Josh removed his backpack then helped Caleb up. Caleb leaned gingerly on his right foot, tested it for a few seconds.

Just look at you, Josh blasted his little brother, Beth could've kept up better than you, referring to their younger sister. You alright, now?

Hurts pretty bad.

Let me see, Josh leaned down, started to touch Caleb’s leg.

Ooh, Caleb blurts. Wait. I think it's broken. Caleb stepped gingerly. Josh looked on with an air of suspicion. He reached again to touch Caleb's leg. Caleb flinched.

Ouch! Don't touch it.

It's not broken, silly, said Josh. Don't see any bones sticking' out, do you. You'll be okay. I think you're faking anyway.

Josh puts his pack on, as Caleb continued limping. Josh looked on, disbelievingly.

Why're you looking at me like that? It really hurts.

Sure. Put your pack on and let’s go.

*

Unknown to the brothers, they were not alone. Through the trees, from a short distance away others watched their squabbling. Heavy guttural breathing and grunting went unheard by the pair. Caleb continued putting pressure on his right leg and wincing.

I think we ought to go home now, Caleb announced.

I knew it. You're scared! Josh teases. Caleb does not take it quietly.

You know we're not supposed to be out here. Dad finds out, we're in deep doo-doo. You remember what he said."

Dad said, dad said, Josh repeated, mockingly. Don't be a crybaby. You're just scared, is all—and in broad daylight, you're scared. Look at you!

You stop saying that. I heard something back there.

Scared, scared, scared, Josh repeated.

I'm just as brave as you are. At least I came into Devil's Woods. Everybody says not to, but I came anyway.

Tell you what, says Josh, we'll go a little ways more, then we'll start back. Unless you want to go back alone.

Caleb glanced around nervously. His limp was suddenly gone.

I'll... I'll stay with you, Caleb insisted. I don't want you to get lost.

Yeah, right. We know who's always getting lost. Let's go. We have to get back before mom knows we're gone.

Beth's gonna tell her anyway, Josh reminded him. She's always telling mom things. I hate girls."

The hidden observers kept watching, as Josh and Caleb continued trudging through the woods. Theirs was a view paralleling the brothers, and moving slightly ahead through the towering trees. Josh stopped to let Caleb catch up again.

Chapter Two

WELLSLEY FARM HOUSE – Fall Afternoon

A large rustic farmhouse, in need of painting, was set on twenty sprawling, rich green acres. The wood-frame, three-bedroom house, deep in New England farmland was the only home Sarah and John Wellsley had known since their marriage fourteen years earlier. John was born and raised within its walls.

Two large Dobermans—Sampson and Prowler—ran free. Sampson sported the traditional black and tan coat; Prowler was brownish-red. Rusting farm implements dotted the area. A faded-red barn loomed a hundred yards behind the house, with a corral set on one side. Several hundred yards away, across a sprawling, green pasture grass field was the edge of Devil's Woods.

Inside a kitchen filled with dated appliances and décor, a petite, attractive but plain Sarah Wellsley, 36—her auburn hair set in single braid—busily prepared the evening meal of roasted lamb, rice, green beans and bread. She wiped her hands on her red and white plaid apron, peered over the sink, and out across the sprawling farm grounds. Five-year old daughter, Elizabeth, knelt on a wooden chair at the oak kitchen table. She proudly busied herself stirring in a bowl of cornbread batter sprinkled with cooked corn kernels.

A pot of chicken broth boiled on the dated stove. Sarah turned from the window, placed cooking utensils and bowls on the counter then walked to the refrigerator. She next removed a pitcher of milk, a tub of butter, placed them on the table. She smiled at Beth, stroked her daughter's blonde bangs from her eyes, and started to return to the counter.

I'm helping you real good, huh mommy? Beth asked, cheerily.

Yes sweetheart. And mom appreciates it very much, I really do. Don't know what ever I would do without you.

Sarah opened the cabinet door, scanned the shelves, glanced back at Beth.

Where are your brothers? she asked

In the barn, I think. Beth answered.

*

Back in Devil’s Woods, Caleb and Josh moved quickly. Josh kept looking back to make sure his brother was keeping up.

*

In Sarah’s kitchen, the wall phone rang. Sarah paused, started to answer on the third ring…turned so as to keep an eye on Beth.

"Hello, this is Sarah... Oh, Mrs. Waltham, I...Yes, I know.