Richter: via Infernum - Chapter One: Richter, #1

By Matthias James

As the sun rises and burns away the longest night of Richters life, and his head begins to clear, the only thing that he can think of is finding a safe place to sleep. 

Not the darkness chasing after him. Not the ghosts haunting his nightmares. Not the pale man living beside him in his reflection. The only thing in all the world that matters is finding sleep. 

He finds a kind of sanctuary in the sleepy town of Eagle's Bluff, even if it doesn't come with a warm welcome. But before Richter can even catch his breath, the darkness is upon him again...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthias James
• Release date: Jan 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513072852

Book preview

Dedicated to Alethea Jackson. You inspired the original mad artistic frenzy that led to the first version of this tale, and continue to inspire me to this day.

ONE

Eagle’s Bluff

It wasn't until the sun had peeked over the horizon that Richter took the time to think, to breathe.

Cornfields surrounded him, and in the near distance a mile marker proclaimed exactly what part of nowhere he was in. Mile 24, the green day-glo sign read – presumably declaring a message of great importance to some stranger.

24 miles in, or 24 miles out? 24 coming, or 24 going?

Richter pulled his dilapidated Buick over to the side of the road and stared at the alien sign for several moments. A short distance from his right arm sat the flask of gin he couldn't remember filling. With a movement and a grimace, Richter opened his chaffed throat and embraced the poison his hand offered. Another moment’s pondering, and the car was once again off. The engine gave a brief whinny of discontent, a horse telling her cowboy she was in need of a rest.

Maybe I can stop now. Maybe I can stop and rest and sleep and forget all of this is happening. God, is it still happening? It can't be. It's been too long.

The road breathed in and expanded as Richter returned, happy for the company Richter gave her empty curves.

Months. Is that what it's been? How long have we been out here? I can't even find myself, they must've lost me already. What state is this anyway? Kansas? Must be Kansas.

The mile markers continued their dance before him, moving to a cadence unheard by man or machine, yet felt by both. Somewhere between 18 and 17, a road branched away