Eclipse: A Novel

By David Dane Wallace

Cameron Mills was an American Icon. He had it all, a Family with money, a beautiful girl friend and a talent for Martial Arts that most Legends could only dream of. He was world renowned, idolized and feared by his enemies. He was a monarch, and someone that the masses respected, until one day, that all changed with the stroke of a knife.

Now, Cameron Pony Boy Mills has been charged with the murder of his girl friend and another man whose lives were taken by a shadowy figure that is thought to be him.

People loved him, idolized him and respected him. He was revered, and now amidst a media storm and the friendship of a Famous Mobster he has become known as The Anti Hero. There are no more hugs and adoring Fans, no more people begging for autographs, and a world that once loved him wants to see him receive the death penalty in Brighton Californias lethal injection chamber.

ECLIPSE - WELCOME TO BRIGHTON CITY - THE PLACE WHERE THE WICKED COME TO PARTY.

A Novel By David Dane Wallace Author of Urban Rain

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491732588

David Dane Wallace

VON”THE ICON” IS A CANADIAN NATIONAL HERO. He is also the founding Father of The Ontario Street Originals as well as the author of URBAN RAIN, ECLIPSE, and NEIGHBOURHOOD OF NIGHT. He is considered to be a street general among his peers. He is 40 years old and currently resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada where he is considered to be a local celebrity.

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Copyright © 2014 David Dane Wallace.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-3259-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-3258-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014908131

iUniverse rev. date: 05/05/2014

Contents

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter Iv

Chapter V

Part II:

Blind Alley

Cameron James Mills,

The Interview

For my Brother Trevor. I love you. I’m proud of all that you’ve accomplished, but Kate is your greatest accomplishment of all. Thank you for having her, and for bringing the greatest light of them all into my life. Peace and love-Von.

Chapter I

Cameron Mills dropped his cigarette on the pavement and crushed it with his foot. It was eleven P.M. and the big sprawling city of Brighton lay quiet and still at his feet. Had it not been for his girlfriend fucking around on her Twitter Account, he probably would have fallen asleep hours ago. Tonight had been routine. He had stayed up past ten watching television and then called his dealer to cop some powder for him.

It was warm across the stretch of Brighton tonight. This would make it an easier wait for him although his anxiety and his need to fix was growing. He had sniffed a line earlier in the evening, but that, as he had known at the time would not hold him for long.

As the blackness stretched out over the next several minutes he thought of Penney back at the apartment. She would be waiting anxiously, feverishly, to get her dope into her. She had been waiting since supper time when she had come in from her job at Brighton Heights Mall.

By day, Penney Deluca sold shoes, and by night she got high with her lover who would sit at home watching T.V. all day sniffing the occasional line as he waited for her to return.

What’s up Vato?? The tattoo covered dealer asked.

I’ll bring you the tape of my last fight next time I see you. Cameron said handing over the money for his fix. He didn’t have much left, Penney had given it to him, and it was all that he had in his pocket.

Cameron Mills. BAD ASS. Manuel said before flashing a gang sign and disappearing into the deep relentless blackness of the night. He was one mission away from going home, and he wanted badly to off load his bundles.

Cameron immediately emptied a small portion of Coke onto the tip of his right finger and sniffed it up his left nostril. He then fished his cell phone from the pocket of his blazer and called Penney.

I copped. He said. I’ll be there in five.

Hurry up. Penney said on the other end.

Three minutes later and two blocks over Cameron passed underneath an orange motion detector and entered Penney’s apartment complex that sat on the edge of a stone drop off that over looked a highway.

Inside the subdued darkness of the corridor, Cameron lit a cigarette and placed it between his lips. The sign on the wall next to him read-NO SMOKING IN THIS BUILDING.

I’m here. Cameron said as he entered the living room of his girlfriends apartment.

Oooooo fuck. What did you bring me???

I got us two each.

Lemme see. Lemme see The sexy brunette said.

Cameron fished into the pocket of his jacket and handed Penney two quarters of Coke.

Fuck. Where’s the mirror??

You had it last baby. What’d you do with it?? Cameron asked.

I gave it to you.

What’s your Face Book Password. I need to e-mail my Mother.

Pony Boy. Penney said spooning powder onto her pinky nail.

You used my nick name???

I couldn’t think of anything else.

That’s a bit obvious. Don’t you think??

I like it.

Well. That’s not really the idea baby. I mean. Who the fuck’s gonna be impressed by it??

I will Penney said leaping off of the couch and wrapping her arms around her lovers neck. She kissed him long and passionately.

I’m gonna fuck you so good later on She said.

Why wait until later?? Cameron asked.

You’re right. Why wait She asked kissing him passionately again. She was grabbing him by the back of his neck and pulling his hair now.

Christ, it hurts when you do that to me. Pony said spooning the back of her neck with the palm of his hand.

C’ mere. She said drawing him closer. I love you. She purred.

The next morning in the sunrise. Penney found her boyfriend in the bathroom throwing up. His skin was pale and cold, and his deep brown eyes were dark and forboding.

Oh God hunny. Are you gonna be okay?? Penney asked. She was due at work in half an hour. Pony looked wicked burnt, if he stayed this way a few more nights then there was no way that he’d avoid The Hospital, or jail.

I’ll be fine.

Ohh God. That’s twice this week. You gotta lay off the shit for awhile.

Get me a wash cloth. I feel like throwing up.

Penney fumbled around in the closet adjacent to the bathroom for a minute and pulled out a hand towel. She ran it under the faucet and then handed it to her boyfriend who was busy fastening his long blond hair into a pony tail. Thus the nickname. That, and the fact that Penney had always thought that he looked like a male stripper.

Okay. I gotta go to work. Deluca said kissing her lover on the cheek. Shit. I got lip stick on you.

Go. Cameron politely ordered.

I’ll see you tonight. His girlfriend said concernedly. She had only seen him this bad a couple times before, the second time he had walked this far out on a ledge they’d had to work to get his heart to restart again.

Penney Deluca placed a cigarette between her perfectly formed lips as she exited the back door of her building. At nine o’ clock tonight her dealer had a present for her on special order although it had taken him a week to get a hold of it. There was nothing like the feeling of a hit of China White after a long day at work. Pony had never banged Smack, as bad a man as he was.

Tomorrow when she woke up she’d be sore for awhile with cramps so bad that it would feel like she needed to shit volts of lightening, then she’d kick the covers for a few days before going back to normal.

TAXI Penney Deluca called out as she reached the street.

As the sun became massive over Brighton City Palmer Mills stepped out of a board meeting to answer his cell phone. It was early morning, the busiest time of day for Palmer Mill’s line of work as an Investment Banker, and such an intrusion was not welcome and was simply a hassle that he would have been happier without.

Palmer Mill’s had never liked phones, and his son calling him constantly had not made his dislike any better, for Palmer Mill’s was not a man who enjoyed socializing as it had always been his innate personality to keep within the realm of his own psychological environment often burying himself in his work in hopes that The World around him would go away or seek residence elsewhere.

Hello. He said in a business casual tone.

Dad. Cameron breathed into the mouth piece on the other end.

What is it??

Listen. I’m in a bad way this morning. Palmers thirty five year old son disclosed.

PalmerThe PrickMills knew what was coming.

"I need like fifty bucks……

No, don’t call me because you want your goddamn fix. I’m not givin you any friggin money for drugs.

Well. At least you’re your usual sweet self this morning.

I have to go. Goodbye. Palmer said hanging up the phone.

It was worth a try. Cameron said.

Um, you shouldn’t ask them for money for that. The soft spoken Hispanic Ex. Soldier wearing the sun glasses said. He was seated on the sofa directly behind Cameron Mills who was lying on his back on the floor. He had arrived in out of the blistering heat about ten minutes ago.

To his friends, he was Jose or Reynaldo, but to many of The Guerrilla Fighter’s in The Hill’s of San Salvador, he was a dangerous assassin who appeared with the whisper of the wind, and disappeared without a sound.

I wanna let this lifestyle go. It’s time to get the fuck off the shit for good.

Then, you know that now. So, that’s what you have to do. Reynaldo Olivera said. Um. Tico will be happy to see you when you get clean.

I’m glad that Tico never saw any of this shit. It’s a fucked up enough world and this is a fucked up enough place without him being exposed to my problems. Pony said sitting on his butt with his eyes cast downward and sideways. He fished into his pocket for a moment and pulled out a cigarette before perching it between his lips and lighting up.

Tico was Reynaldo’s three year old son.

I need a number for rehab.

Reynaldo handed him the phone book.

You wanna dial for me??

Six months later Cameron Mills walked out of Brighton Rehab Centre and stepped into his Mothers Mercedes Benz that was waiting in the under ground parking lot. It sat in front of him like a sleek black panther that was waiting to strike amidst the low purr of the engine that idled below the hood.

He was completely clean. It had taken all that he had in him, but he had done it. He had gone from Coke head to straight edge in just under half a year, even though it meant leaving Penney Deluca as well as his old circle of friends behind and bending his heart in ways that he never thought possible at the same time.

Now, he could begin the next phase of his life, whatever that may be. Reynaldo and Tico would be there for him for awhile, and Cameron knew that Reynaldo genuinely cared. He had been a good friend.

At least he would have a place to stay in the interim until he could afford to get an apartment of his own or at least find someone to temporarily split down with.

Apartments in Brighton City were not cheap, rents could be very high climbing well above a thousand dollars for a single bedroom unit. He had bad luck, there was no denying that. While his Father was a wealthy Investment Banker, his Brother following not far behind, and his Mother working as a CEO for The Port Authority, he himself had undergone so many trials and tribulations in his life that finding work had never seemed possible even though he was a renowned Martial Artist who had fought on Pay-Per-View the promoters pay outs had never been that lucrative. It was like fighting to be fuckin seen and heard more than anything. He had accomplished that and was thought of by millions as an American Icon.

Talk to Dad today?? Cameron asked as reflections from The Sky Scrapers above washed over the windshield of the four door Mercedes.

He was in a meeting with some investors this morning so I didn’t have a chance to talk to him. Margo answered. She was fidgeting with the arm rest that sat between the two front seats.

Fucken prick. He never has anything nice to say about anyone anyway.

Hey. Don’t you talk like that about your Father. How dare you!!!!!!!!!!!! Cameron’s Mother scolded with a heavily cross expression on her face. You’re Father’s under a lot of pressure. We’re working hard to keep you Mister. You be more respectful of the people who are providing for you.

Yeah. He’s fucked up, and now because of that. You’re fucked up.

Look. Don’t start with me today. I’m in no mood.

Uh-huh.

Margo was rolling her eyes indignantly now, she had done her own line or two in her day although she didn’t care to fuckin admit it when Cameron was around. Hob-nobbing socializing shit, in and out with The Rolls Royce crowd only now she watched her step, didn’t want to get caught even if she did it.

She was, as always in these situations, visibly pissed.

The sleek black Benz rounded two more corners and screeched to a halt in front of a building.

Look. She started out pointing a finger directly in her sons face. "I came all the way over here to pick you up. How dare you be dis-respectful of your Father……

Because that sneaky, sleazy, slimy old bastard has always been dis-respectful of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you’re gonna talk like that about your Father then you can get out here with your little bag over your shoulder and walk.

Go fuck yourself. Cameron said getting out of the car in traffic and slamming the door shut behind him. This was the routine. She would piss him off and he would get out wherever.

Margo Mills looked pissed sitting behind the wheel. There was never a conversation that didn’t end with a fight. She could never, and would never see things his way. Fuck her. She could go follow a yellow brick road. Bitch.

There was a grin on Cameron Mills face as his mothers Mercedes disappeared around a corner. He had won the better of her for a moment. Her anger proved that. If Margo Mills had a trademark it would be her consistent rages at him. If he had a way out of this Family, it would likely be in a box. Fuck, what a life. She had killed his spirit one more time. There was no such thing as friends in this Family. Who the fuck needed enemies with Parents like Palmer and Margo Mills?

Later that afternoon there was a knock at Reynaldo Olivera’s door. When he opened it, he found Cameron Mills on the other side carrying a bag over his shoulder.

Hey. Hey. Reynaldo celebrated at the site of his friend. Um. Come on in.. He invited.

I love you. Tico said standing next to his Father on the floor. He was reaching upward in his pajama’s as if looking for a hug.

I love you to buddy. Mills said lifting the three year old off of his feet.Give me a hug.

Tico obliged him. Cameron thought that Tico had to be the most warm hearted child that he had ever met. Margo Mills had often commented that Tico looked like a little movie star, and he did.

When did you get out of rehab?? Reynaldo asked, still smiling.

Early this afternoon. I had a fight with my Mother in the car on the way over here.

Um. Take your jacket off. I’ll go hang it up for you He said. Um, you shouldn’t fight with your Parents. I love your Mum.

Cameron handed over his blazer. It was wrinkled from having not been pressed.

So. You’re gonna stay with us for awhile. Reynaldo said invitingly.

I hope so. Things at home are more than slightly tense.

Well. You are more than welcome to stay for as long as you want. The Salvadorian Soldier said.

I know that. I don’t wanna burden you guys with my twisted F’D up way of life. I think I’ve done that to enough people.

So. What do you want me to cook for dinner??

How about a steak. I haven’t had a half decent meal since before I entered rehab.

Ah. Yeah. I can cook that.

Rockin good news!!!!!!! Cameron exclaimed.

Okay. I’ll go to the store. Can you stay here with Tico??

That I can do. Pony said. I just hope that he doesn’t mind having to Baby Sit a grown man. I know that’s not in his job description.

Oh yes it is. Olivera said smiling.

I love you. Tico said again, now back on his feet.

I love you to Prince. Cameron responded genuinely kissing the small child on the forehead.

Tico would one day go on to earn a number of belts in Martial Arts, a rising star even in his early youth. Maybe he would be the next Steven Seagal.

Two months later it was time for Cameron Mills to move on, not that he wasn’t welcome to stay with Reynaldo and Tico any longer. Reynaldo had offered Cameron a free lifetime lease if he so desired it, but Cameron had been afraid of becoming a burden.

During the two months with Reynaldo he had stayed clean and tried as best he could to earn his keep by keeping the house tidy and occasionally filling the cupboard with groceries.

Now, as a result of a long heart to heart with his Mother by phone, Palmer and Margo Mills had agreed to supply part of the rent for Cameron’s new two bedroom apartment. It would run one thousand three hundred a month with utilities included. Cameron was truly grateful for his Parents help under the circumstances because had it not been for them, he’d likely be living under a fuckin bridge somewhere.

This apartment also came with its share of perks. The most highly sung was the mall right next door that you didn’t even have to leave the building to get to. It had everything boasting an endless menu of clothing stores, eateries, movie rental, and grocery out lets etc.

As darkness fell upon the city the following night, Palmer and Cameron Mills strolled through the main doors of Night View Terrace Apartments.

In the main lobby, to the left of where Cameron now stood were a series of glassed off elevators with shimmering panelling and an orange serpent design at their feet. Overhead, directly above them was an orange ceiling that glowed through the wattage of a series of hidden florescent light bulbs that were placed underneath the panelling of the ceilings second layer.

Palmer Mill’s. The heavy set female rental agent greeted. She had seen his face in the paper once before and immediately recognized him from his photo.

Pleased to meet you. Palmer said extending his right hand and smiling at the same time.

I’m Pamela Grearson. The Rental Agent said.

This is my son Cameron.

Doesn’t he fuckin wish that, that wasn’t true. Pony muttered under his breath.

Pleasure to meet you. She greeted the suave younger Mill’s who had blond locks and chiseled features. She thought that he looked a little like Brad Pitt in Legends Of The Fall but with a much harder edge. He looked as though he’d spent more than his share of nights around a tough crowd.

So. I believe that it’s your son who’s going to be moving in next week. Is that correct??

Yes it is. I’m just here to sign a lease.

Okay. Well. Right this way Pamela said leading the two men into the first elevator. The unit that we’re going to see is beautiful. It even has a built in aquarium in the wall. I wish I could live there myself Grearson said cheerfully amidst a polite chuckle.

When they came to the tenth floor the elevator stopped and the three of them stepped off.

Outside, the hallway was quiet and smelled of rose polland and cherries. On both sides of the corridor there were windows that over looked the centre of the city from ten floors off the ground. It was an almost breath-taking sight. Cameron thought.

Pamela opened the door to apartment ten o five using an electronic key card. Inside the empty unit was dark and had big bay windows that overlooked the far corner of an office tower.

Hold on. Just let me turn some lights on, but as you can see even with no illumination, the view’s magnificent.

So, these are fairly new units are they not?? Palmer Mills asked in his usually business inquisitive tone of voice.

The building was constructed just over five years ago so this is a relatively new complex. We’ve only had one other tenant in this unit, but he moved to Miami last year. Pamela explained. He’s the one who installed the aquarium.

Cameron looked at the dark, empty fish tank on the other side of the room.

You’ll have to fill it up and get some fish for it. The Rental Agent said enthusiastically.

She was crossing the room toward the light switch now.

Voila Pamela said as the room illuminated.

So. What do you think?? She asked a stunned looking Cameron.

He was smiling now. I’ve lived in far less extravagant places He said.

Yeah, I’ll bet you have. She thought appraising the extremely street hardened looking Mill’s one more time. She thought he looked like someone who would stab you in the parking lot if you gave him a reason. His look almost indicated that he was a combination of bad and cool. There was something movie esque about him as well. She also thought that a lot of women might find him to be a bit of a Sexy Boy despite the fact that he looked like he’d kick your teeth down your throat.

Do you take direct deposit for the rent?? Palmer asked his tone straightening noticeably. This was his business persona. If he had another, Cameron had not seen it.

Direct Deposit or Post Dated Cheque.

Well, I think we’ll go with Direct Deposit. The elder Mills said.

Terrific. I’ll just need you to sign some papers and then we should be all set.

Okay. Palmer said answering his cell phone. Hello. Uh-huh. We’re in the process of doing that now. Margo. Alright. Alright. You’ll have to wait. I can’t do that at the moment. He said hanging up.

So, is there a Fitness Centre in this complex as well?? Cameron enquired.

On the fifth floor by the soda machine.

Can you give us a brief tour??

"Well I……

Ahh. Not right now Cameron Palmer interrupted. Your Mother’s waiting for us to pick her up at her office.

This was one of Palmer Mill’s traits, his inherent indignance. If there was anybody alive who had a greater ability to make his blood reach a hyper boil than Cameron Mill’s did not know who it was.

Where’s the Benz??

It’s got a flat tire, so she left it at home. Palmer said, putting on a face for the moment.

Oh. Well. I had one of those just the other day. The portly Rental Agent said. I had to wait over two hours for a tow truck, and it was on the Freeway to.

Palmer registered a vague smile. Oh, is that right?? He asked producing a there and gone smile.

Fuckin phony. Cameron thought.

Okay, let’s go. The elder Mills said. Thanks for the tour. Palmer said shaking Pamelas hand in a brief embrace, his car keys jangled in the other.

Oh. My pleasure. Do you want to sign those papers now??

Yeah. I think we’ll do that. Palmer agreed.

On the main floor the trio walked into a quiet office that produced an almost audible buzz as the overhead lights were turned on.

Just have a seat right there and I’ll be right back. Grearson said.

There was a subliminal tension between Cameron and his Father for a moment. Pony gripped the handles of the chair that he sat on with both hands. There were no lovers in this Family he thought.

Your lucky that your Mother wants you to have a place to live or you’d be out on the street you goddamn bastard.

Cameron had not seen that coming and was taken off guard. This was one more of Palmers traits. He was a complete and utter fuckin sociopath whose timing always seemed to be right on the money. He had done it again, and practically on Q. If this man had a conscience or a heart than Pony did not know where the fuck he was hiding it.

What??

Pamela had re-entered the office now carrying a file folder with some papers protruding from it.

I’m sorry. I just had to get some papers out of a filing cabinet.

No problem Palmer exclaimed.

Pamela set the papers on the desk top