Not As It Seems - Paranormal to Macabre

By Howie Erickson

A collection of previously published and new short stories including Paranormal, SciFi, and Macabre selections.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Year of the Goat Publishing
• Release date: Aug 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9780993783647

Book preview

Not As It Seems

Short Stories

Paranormal to Macabre

Howie Erickson

Published by Year of the Goat Publishing

Calgary, Alberta

Canada

––––––––

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner.

––––––––

Copyright © 2016 Howie Erickson

All rights reserved.

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9937836-5-4

e-book ISBN: 978-0-9937836-4-7

Also by Howie Erickson

The Bloodline Series

Two worlds, Earth and a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy, linked by strange artifacts, and a boy and a girl, whose actions will solve the riddle of humanity’s past, and send humans on a journey to the stars.

––––––––

Book 1  The Bloodline Artifacts, a science fiction adventure novel, takes you on an adventure through history and into the present to answer questions about mankind’s origin.

The story begins with a divorced father, Kurt Sigurdson, trying to maintain a connection to his young son, Robby. On a dune buggy trip to southeastern California, Robby accidentally activates mysterious artifacts located around the world.

But, others are watching: a rich oilman, who collects ancient artifacts; a terrorist cell that wants the artifacts for the money they would bring; and a secret Brotherhood that has been protecting the artifacts since the days of the First Apostle.

When an attempt is made on Robby’s life, Kurt must unravel a strange linkage between the Tower of London, the First Apostle, and the ancient Navajo before he can understand Robby’s strange power over the artifacts, and protect his son.

Book 2 The Bloodline Priestess continues the story of Robby and his family on earth. Much to the dismay of Robby’s family, he begins hearing Triel, a girl on a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy, talking to him telepathically.

She has powers similar to Robby’s, and as a result, her life is in danger. To protect her from the military rulers of the planet, a group of priestesses takes her into their order believing she might be The One, a mystical being, foretold as a liberator, who would lead the planet’s people out of servitude.

But, the prophecy takes an unexpected turn when Triel gathers up a group of novice priestesses, and leaves the order.

Table of Contents

––––––––

A Sunny Day in Boston

The Rocking Chair

The Last Soul

Martini Money

The Old Plank Road

Intentions

Camp Hosts

Trails

A Sunny Day in Boston

Joel Simpson started to relax as he walked through Boston’s Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. He’d spent the morning in his office going over and over the calculations. He could find nothing wrong, but when the President of the United States was involved, well, you couldn’t be too careful.

This was his favorite noon-hour break—catch the MTA Blue Line to the Aquarium Station, then walk through the park under the wisteria-covered trellis, and out onto Long Wharf. Today, the weather was perfect, the wisteria was in full bloom, there was no wind, and the sun was warm on his face.

An arm reached from behind and tightened around his neck. A finger stuck into his back. Gi’me that lunch bag there or it’s your life, a voice whispered.

How do you know it’s lunch and not say, dead squirrels? Joel said, as he tried to squirm out of the grip of his assailant.

Because it’s your turn to bring lunch and you don’t like squirrel, Rodney Smitt said, as he fell into step beside Joel.

You know, Rodney, one of these times there’s going to be a cop nearby, and he’ll think you’re up to no good.

Me, in an Armani suit? He wouldn’t dare.

They continued out on the wharf, picked a table looking out at the ocean, and Joel produced two corned beef sandwiches, a root beer, and a coke. Here you go, one squirrel sandwich, and a root beer.

Rodney smiled. So, how’s the project going, today’s the big day, isn’t it? The test firing, right?

Joel took a bite of his sandwich.

Well, today’s the day, right. And the president, he’s still involved? Rodney said. I haven’t seen anything on the news about the president for a few days. Is it your Bull’s-eye Project? Is that where he is?

Joel leaned forward, and whispered, "Shit, Rodney. It’s top