Babble: Installment #1

By W. Bradford Swift

Autism — Mental Disorder or Humanity’s Next Evolutionary Leap?

The Charismatic Christian community is thrilled by the Cagle's first child especially when little baby Bobbie begins speaking in tongues and building a complex sculpture that Pastor John identifies as a tower of Babel. But Bobbie's mother isn't convinced her son is blessed but may have a serious disorder. Defying her domineering husband's wishes, she takes Bobbie to Duke where he's diagnosed as an autistic who may be speaking an ancient lost language. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Bobbie including Homeland Security, but why? Is he a threat to society, an evolutionary leap for humanity, or both?

Start the journey with Installment #1 of this serialized YA cross-genre thriller.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. Bradford Swift
• Release date: Nov 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781930328426

W. Bradford Swift

W. Bradford Swift writes visionary fiction of the fantasy and science fiction variety for children and young adults to inspire them to become joyful lifelong readers by introducing them to the pure pleasure of reading. Swift believes reading for pleasure stretches the imagination of young readers in ways that TV, movies, or video games do not. He also loves to encourage young people to write their own stories, knowing that some of them will grow into the world’s future authors as he did. As a former small animal veterinarian, animals often play an important role in his stories.

Book preview

Babble

Installment #1

W. Bradford Swift

BABBLE

Published by W. Bradford Swift at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This  e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN- 978-1-930328-42-6 (electronic edition)

1. Science Fiction 2. Cosmic Consciousness 3. Human Potential

Copyright © 2014, W. Bradford Swift

Typeset in Book Times New Roman

Printed in USA

First Edition

Dedication

I became an avid reader of fantasy and science fiction as an eleven-year-old boy when my next-door neighbor, who was a children’s librarian, took pity on my single-parent mom. Bored out of my gourd with no one to play with but good ‘ol mom, I drove her crazy until Mrs. Crabtree brought home a stack of books she knew would hook a young boy and give my mom some relief. It worked. I’ve been hooked ever since. This book is my attempt to give back to the many authors who kept me entertained those long hot summer days, and for the past several decades. And I dedicate this book to you, Mrs. Crabtree. Thanks for caring.

Acknowledgments

My two lovely ladies, my wife, Ann, and my daughter, Amber, give my life so much meaning and purpose. I thank you both for continuing to stand in my corner, rooting me on to the next purposeful project, even the ones that may sound hair-brain to you when I first share them — like the idea of becoming a world renowned author of visionary fiction and nonfiction. I also acknowledge the Divine who is at the source of it all. Thank you for my blessed life of service, simplicity and spiritual serenity.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Hunted

Chapter Two - Midnight Travels

Chapter Three - Bad Options

Chapter Four - Angie's Decision

Chapter Five - Flat

Chapter Six - Inner World

Additional Information

Author's Note

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CHAPTER ONE

Hunted

Angela Cagle looked from her friend to her son sitting cross-legged in the corner of the cold, dank room, where he worked feverishly on his newest tower. She tried unsuccessfully to suppress a shudder from the all-too-familiar statement she’d just heard. How many times in the past thirteen years had they suddenly been forced to move, often with it all starting with similar news? Funny, she thought, even though we’ve lived in this room for weeks, it still smells like dust and stale air. And now it sounded like they’d need to move again.

After taking a couple of deep breaths, she asked, Was it a man or woman asking about me?

     Man, came the laconic reply from Pendra, who ran the local food exchange where all the artist community members shopped.

     Angie pulled out her cell phone from the back pocket of her worn jeans, flicked it on and went to the photo section. After searching through the files, she showed the photo to her friend.

     Was it of either of these men? she asked as she held her breath.

     Pendra glanced at the image, Nope.

     Okay, that’s good, Angie thought, then flicked to the next picture. How about this one?

     Nope again, Pendra replied, then asked, Are you on the lam?

     You could say that, Angie replied evasively, flicking through to the next picture. How about this one?

     Pendra studied this picture a bit more closely before replying. No, not really. He’s dressed kind of the same, but no, that’s not the guy. In fact, it’s his dress that made me suspicious.  All casual and plain until you get down to the shoes. Spit-shined where you could see yourself in them.

     Shit.

     What? What’s wrong? Pendra asked, a worried look growing on her face.

     Someone new has joined the hunt, Angie replied. She took a moment to consider her options even though she already knew there was only one course of action. Her gaze drifted back to her teenage son, who continued to ignore everything