Cotton Tale

By E.C. Fisher

A private jet violently crash-lands on a deserted island. Captain Newton and his stewardess Rebecca are reluctantly forced to band together with the Vanderbach family as a means of survival.

They soon discover the island holds a dark secret the mainland has kept hidden since the 70s. Something monstrous was genetically engineered nearly forty years ago that even nature couldn't destroy.  Now it stalks the group as they venture further into the jungle in search of rescue and escape.

Can the group of misfit survivors manage to work together to find a way off the island? As the tension, suspense, and horror rise, they realize time is not on their side … the ravenous creations are drawing closer, and their appetite is insatiable.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.C. Fisher
• Release date: Jun 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386832966

E.C. Fisher

E.C. Fisher is an emerging author who was born in Vandenberg, AFB, California. Currently, he happily writes and resides in Florida. From 2007 to 2011, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Three years ago, he was introduced to the writing world after a bout of inspiration drove him to write his very first story. After sharing his work with several people and receiving favorable feedback, he decided to continue treading on the creative path of storytelling. When he doesn’t have a pen in hand, you can find him at the bowling alley getting strikes or at home reading fantastical books.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Crimson and orange -yellow flames illuminated the night sky like a beacon. The fire danced against the howling wind, swaying and angrily drowning out the small aircraft’s sputtering twin turbine engines. The craft was losing altitude, on a collision course with the frigid ocean.

Mayday! This is CS-6521. My engines have a critical failure. My position’s unknown, and my electronics are blown, Callus Newton radioed in with a calm voice. He’d practiced emergencies like this in the simulator a million times and knew panicking would only cause more harm.

The crackle and snap of the static radio waves grated his ears.

He yanked back on the control column, struggling to keep the jet level. The horizon dipped in and out of view as the aircraft fought against him. The bright moon reflected off the still ocean water, mirroring the midnight sky, the stars being cast back as the orange fireball plummeted above.

Rebecca, he hollered back into the cabin, struggling to raise his voice over the noise of the flames and fearful cries of his passengers. He threw his captain’s cap in the co-pilot’s chair and loosened his black tie. His fingers fumbled for the top button of his white collared shirt as he undid it.

A brunette with her hair tied back appeared behind him. You called, Captain? she replied.

Her almond brown eyes were wide with fear, but she held her cheerful crimson smile as she stuck her head in, bracing herself against the doorway. Rebecca was coping, trying to stay cool under pressure, mostly because it was her job, but she was trembling as she steadied herself. Small beads of sweat accumulated on her forehead.

Double-check the passenger's seat belts. We’re losing altitude. I haven’t sighted any land, so we’re heading for the water, he instructed, trying his best to keep her from panicking.

She nodded her head before turning to the cabin, smoothing her black skirt and adjusting her red vest in an attempt to compose herself. She drew in a long breath, closed her eyes, and exhaled slowly before making her way down the narrow aisle.

Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbach, the Captain is doing everything he can. I need to verify that your seatbelts are fastened, Rebecca said as she leaned toward Mrs. Vanderbach.

Another bout of turbulence jostled them around, throwing Rebecca into Mrs. Vanderbach. Their heads smacked against each other; tiny bursts of white lights danced in her line of vision for a few seconds before the shrill sound of the other woman’s voice brought her back to her senses.  

Be more careful, you nitwit! Mrs. Vanderbach wailed, rubbing at her forehead.

She was an attractive woman in her late forties. Her golden curls bounced along with the plane’s instability. She wore an expensive set of pearls with a deep blue fitted dress and beige designer pumps. She was from money, married into more money, and played the part of the stereotypical rich woman all too well.

Rebecca turned to resume checking the rest of the passengers, but paused as Mrs. Vanderbach attempted to unleash another verbal assault.

That pilot better know what he’s doing! she complained. Her voice was harsh but her emerald eyes were dilated, and her voice was shaking. No amount of plastic surgery could erase the impending death written all over her face as she white-knuckled the armrests.

Rebecca bent at the waist, bringing her face close to other woman, and narrowed her eyes. Captain Newton is the best pilot I know. He’ll get us out of this.

Now, Nancy, she’s simply doing her job, Mr. Vanderbach interjected as he patted Nancy’s manicured hand. He looked at Rebecca and winked. Please don’t mind her. This situation is ... well, causing her to lose her composure.

Mr. Vanderbach’s voice was just as calm as Callus’s, but his actions described a different scene. He was bracing himself against the bulkhead and chair, trying not to get tossed around by the violent shaking of the plane as Callus fought a losing battle against gravity and the loss of power