The Zephyr: Brother 5

By Ardyce Years

Timothy’s only interruption of his alcohol fueled, twenty-something life is Lucy, a homeless woman who stops by his office every morning. They participate in a charade of chase, which always ends with Timothy giving her a couple of dollars and a sandwich. One day she smiles at him and touches his arm in gratitude. Lucy never returns. Timothy’s co-workers encourage him to look for Lucy at a local shelter where he is approached by Jed and his mongrel companion, Diablo.

Jed is a self-styled private eye and investigates the “gone-missing,” those who disappear from the street. He suspects an increased number of homeless are vanishing and not by natural causes. He agrees to help Timothy locate Lucy.

During their search they are attacked and Jed is seriously injured.  Timothy is forced to assist Jed to save his life. The quest for the “gone-missing” begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ardyce Years
• Release date: Sep 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536582222

Ardyce Years

Ardyce’s love for books was born to replace friends. Growing up in the southwest her parents moved from town to town. The local library supplied her with endless relationships, some she holds near and dear today. The Old Man and the Sea stays by her bedside, although their love affair is relatively new. When an auto accident as a teenager kept her immobile for three months, the doctor’s banishment to the living room couch began her obsession with movies and television. (BTW, next to smart phones, streaming is the best invention of modern times.) The first science fiction movie she can remember viewing is The Day the Earth Stood Still. She found the movie poster in Canne, of all places, in 2006 and insisted on carrying it on the plane on her return flight home. Artie lives in Phoenix with her husband, three kids, and a menagerie of four legged family members. She is known for a wicked, sometimes inappropriate, sense of humor. Her kids do not think she is funny at all. 

Book preview

The Zephyr

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul

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The morning sunlight warmed the living room and a gentle tongue on the back of his hand awakened Timothy. He opened his eyes from a dreamless sleep to Diablo staring at him. Jed was standing, his frail body braced against the wall.

I need you to take me to someone who can treat me. Jed stumbled and Timothy lunged forward to catch him before he hit the floor.

Something tells me we’re not going to a poison center. Is there a hospital in Area 51 for events such as this?

Upstairs in my closet are gloves on the shelf, a fur hat, my red parka, insulated boots bring them all. He gasped for breath.

Jed must be cold. Timothy bounded up the stairs and grabbed the items. He returned to find Jed slouched over the couch.

More commands, master? Timothy said as he helped Jed put on the coat, boots and gloves. He picked one of the lighter jackets for himself.

Jed stood and leaned on Timothy. Take me to the rocks behind the house.

You’re not in any condition...

It’s my only option. I hope we are not too late.

They walked through the kitchen, out the back door and into the desert. Diablo hobbled behind.

Jed squinted as he gazed up to the bright sun suspended in the western sky.

I can do this by myself, I just need you to help get me to my ride. When we arrive, place me upright in the middle...

Are you going to tell me where we are going?

Jed directed Timothy farther out into the remote desert where the jagged hills shielded the valley from human sightings. A slight breeze rustled the desert plants. Jed stopped in front of stacks of bleached rocks bordering a small perimeter. Diablo stayed close to his master.

They were almost blinded by the sun’s beams bouncing off the flecked material interspersed into the mass of stone.

Where is the enchanted boulder to take us to the magical cave?

Jed did not respond, instead he crouched down to Diablo.

Watch over things, you know what to do. Diablo whimpered and limped back to the house.

The breeze swept up dust in the middle of the rock circle. Particles of the loose Earth swirled around them.

Go, now! Jed made a pitiful effort to push Timothy away.

I’m not leaving you in the middle of the desert.

Before Jed could reply, a tunnel of light encompassed them. Dark blue twists of roped rays curled around their bodies.

Jed clung to Timothy’s waist. Stay calm, he rasped. Don’t touch the sides or you’ll lose your hands. When we land...

Timothy wriggled free from Jed’s embrace. The air began to move.  What the hell is this?

The breeze took the shape of a cyclone and gently elevated them off the desert floor. Sunbeams filtered through the blue-dirt mixture.

What the f...? Timothy clutched Jed, too surprised to jump out.

Where the hell are we going?

As they slowly ascended Timothy noticed several smaller twisters interspersed below them.

Wow, all of these years I thought those were just dust devils playing in the desert.

The wind lifted them above the desert, then the hills. He temporarily relaxed as he swirled around, viewing the landscape, then the city below.

It is our transport to the Station, the only place I can get help, Jed said in a hushed voice. I hope