The Spaces Between: Fairfields, #0.5

By Tyler Schnabel

On the small island town of Fairfields, Russell Dickie is looking forward to the long summer break ahead of him. Provided his grades are good enough that is. But, there is an evil that is waking up. An evil that wants to get out of its prison below the Dumiere house.

This is a short story marking the beginning of the Fairfields series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyler Schnabel
• Release date: Oct 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536530469

Tyler Schnabel

 Tyler Schnabel is a man who lives in a hot place, with a hot wife, and a beautiful daughter.

Book preview

A hidden darkness lies beneath the town of Fairfields. Seeping within the soil like a cancer, corrupting what nourishes the land. Blackening the minds that it caresses with its vaporous tendrils. Listen not to the words it whispers, for they will change you, tempt you, and taunt you. So ward your mind while dreaming gentle traveler, for the darkness is lying in wait, just for you.

1

T ime to get up and get ready for school. Shouted Susan Dickie from the kitchen. Russy—that is what Susan has affectionately called him all his life—slid himself out of bed and gathered his school clothes off his desk chair. He turned around to look at the clock and find out how much comic time he will have while he eats and felt his heart jump into his throat.

7:00 a.m. Jeepers Creepers! He was going to have to hustle—looks like there won’t be any comic time today—no wonder his Mom had shouted at him to get ready. I must have forgotten to set my alarm after watching The X-Files last night. Dumbo!

Russel charged into the bathroom and pulled off his Star Wars PJ’s before jumping into the shower. Finished, he put on his jeans and t-shirt, brushed his hair and teeth then grabbed his back pack and headed to the front door. Susan was there waiting patiently for her son with a foil wrapped burrito.

You’re too late to eat at the table but I wrapped a breakfast burrito for you to take and eat while you walk to school.

Thanks Mom, Russy said as he grabbed his favorite breakfast from her then headed out of the house. Russel unwrapped his burrito and began eating while walking at a quick pace, savoring every bite of his Mother’s awesomeness. 

After he had finished the burrito Russel ran down Mitchell street towards Fairfields school. The morning air, crisp and refreshing filled his lungs. It seemed that no matter what month it was; the mornings were always quite cold. He could see the frost still clinging to the grass in a desperate attempt to hide from the ever climbing sun. The sunlight shone through the dew that clung to trees, creating dancing rainbows of color in the morning sky.

Russel crested the hill atop Mitchell street and the school came into view. He checked the watch on his left wrist and saw that he would make it to school just in time to miss the tardy bell, which was a darn good thing because he didn’t want to explain himself to Mrs. Welch, she scared the heck out of him.

Russel had to slow his pace a bit coming down the hill that Mitchell street ran over, when he lost his footing and nearly flew face first onto the asphalt. He started hearing the shouting of children and the teachers trying to gain a semblance of order out of the chaos as he righted himself and began running once again.

The parking lot in front of the school was full of moving cars and bodies that Russel had to navigate through. He heard the tardy bell ring and felt a small sense of fear run through him. He just knew that he was going to be late now. Yep, that’s what you get doofus! Shouldn’t have watched t.v. last night, it wasn’t summer yet. He ran as fast as his feet would take him, sure he was leaving a trail of smoke behind him like in the cartoons on Saturday morning.

His legs were burning, his lungs hurt, plus there was a stitch in his side from eating. I can do it; the school isn’t that big. Just get past the high school and junior high campus’ before the warning bell and you’ll be fine. Come on hot wheels, he thought to himself as he weaved in and out of the school traffic. There is never this many kids on a regular school day, he mused as he almost hit a huge boy wearing a blue letterman jacket with a remarkable number of patches.

Watch it shrimp! The giant round faced boy said even as he turned back to continue shoving his tongue down a blonde cheerleader’s throat.

S—s—sorry, Russel replied without stopping. Making it through the entrance, Russel headed across the quad no longer at a break neck pace but still a good one. He could now see the building that served as both the gym and cafeteria and felt his chest swell with hope. I’m gonna make it, I’m gonna make it, I’m gonna...

The warning bell sounded and to Russel it was as loud as the speakers at a Spinal Tap concert, he felt his heart lurch into his throat and panic set in. Mrs. Welch is going to have his ass, especially on the