Sleek Back: The Dreaming Series, #1

By Michael A. Susko

In the outback of tropical Queensland, Australia. Finn discovers an archaic preserve. There, a Giant Salamander takes him on an evolutionary adventure through the land of the dinosaurs. This story embraces the paradox of how seemingly weaker animals, like mammals, survived. Finn lives to tell his story and to be coaxed back to sanity, as he explains his wounds to his friends. Read this story to have a fun adventure and deeper insight into our evolutionary journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AllrOneofUs Publishing
• Release date: Nov 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393648628

Michael A. Susko

The author, having degrees in philosophy and psychology, has taught a variety of classes, from dream interpretation to Indigenous studies. He has also helped to found and taught in a progressive charter school that used arts integration, in which two disciplines were intertwined. In his own research, he has embraced and published in a variety of topics. In this biographic series he hopes to share his life through sayings that has helped to guide his life. 

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

FINN RETURNS

H ow did you survive , Brad? Six weeks in the outback with no supplies. Special Forces don’t do half that much.

A darkened face framed by dread-locks held a stunned look, as if waking from a dream. His memory was coming back. Why are they calling me Brad? he wondered. I was Finn in the outback.

Four students were seated around him by a Billabong, a small pond. They seemed to be his friends, but he couldn’t recall their names. They had invited him to come to sit and talk outside, but he wasn’t sure about what.

My name isn’t Brad... It’s Finn.

One guy, who seemed to be the leader of the group, replied, OK, Finn. We’re here to listen to you. Tell us what happened Finn.

A lengthy silence followed as the youth stared at his reflection in the pond. His skin was darker than he had remembered, his hair grown out, and he had a rough beard. Underneath an unbuttoned government-issue shirt of some sort, his torn Tai Dai shirt had dark red stains. He had been wounded, but he couldn’t remember how. He picked up a stick and started tracing the ground.

The group complimented him. We like your new look, Finn—tougher, darker, and with the dreads. And look at those muscles! Your scars are the best! You must have been in some really good fights.

Finn stared at his arms and more came back to him. Yeah, I guess I....

Tell us about the fights, insisted one of the guys. 

And leave nothing out, said another. What’s that you’re drawing? It looks like a dinosaur or something.

Finn erased the drawing with his other hand. Then he pulled from his pouch a large quartz crystal, set it down, and mumbled something to himself.

One guy, who wore glasses, commented, That’s a fine quartz specimen you brought back. Too bad you lost your GoPro camera, though.

Finn began remembering their names and something about each. Stuch was the leader who had looked out for him. The guy with glasses, the Whiz, was a genius. Gofer, the American, liked to rib him. Cory, of aboriginal descent, was the closest to being a friend among the guys. Last, Joanie was an exchange student from the Caribbean. She was dark, slim, and a runner who majored in psychology. There was something else important about her, but he couldn’t remember what.

Stuch took the lead. We skipped classes this morning because we want to help you come out of this funk. Joanie says you need time to recover from whatever trauma you had while you were lost in the outback.

Joanie spoke up. You’ve changed since you came back. I know that everything must seem weird to you at the school, with all the buildings and crowds of people. So, we took you here, where you’d be more comfortable. We want you to relax and tell us what happened.

Finn looked from face to face, still confused. 

Maybe a smoke would help? asked Stuch, who pulled out a cigarette.

Finn held up his hand. I’ve had enough of strange plants.

It’s good you’re not smoking, said Stuch. So, Brad—I mean Finn—Joanie says it’s best that you tell your story. It will help you get it out of your system.

Finn shook his head. I don’t think you all will understand.

We’re your mates, Gofer protested. You can share whatever you want.

You won’t believe me. You’ll think I’m crazy.

We’re here to just listen to you, reassured Joanie. Anything you say will be all right by us.

There was a lengthy pause before Finn spoke. It felt like I died out there.... 

Everyone looked curiously.

The important thing is to tell us what you remember, Joanie directed. You’re safe with us.

Finn looked into Joanie’s hazel eyes, their petal-like facets emitting light. Memories flooded him.

Cory added encouragement. You were alone for weeks in the outback, and you experienced a lot of things. Whatever happened, you’re the expert. We want to know how you survived too.

It will help you to process it, added the Whiz.

Gofer tugged at the torn Tai Dai. Don’t forget to include the fights.

Finn negotiated, Two rules. Don’t interrupt. And don’t say, ‘You’re making this up.’

Everyone quickly agreed. We wouldn’t do that, mate, Stuch assured. Go on then.

Finn kept looking at them, uncertain where to start.

Maybe I can help, offered Stuch. The last time we were all together was off the coast of Queensland. We were snorkeling on a summer field trip, and each person brought their special talent. I’m the underwater equipment expert. The Whiz knows the animal species, coral and fish. Cory knows about the land and local folklore. Joanie can start a fire from tinder and is good with keeping up group morale. Gofer is just Gofer, adding spice to things. And Brad—sorry––Finn, you think outside the box and were taking underwater photographs to document things.

What happened to your GoPro camera? asked Stuch.

Finn remembered. It got smashed. Sleek Back stepped on it.

Who’s Sleek Back? asked the Whiz, but Finn didn’t respond.

Must have been pretty hefty to smash a GoPro, prodded Gofer. It’s pretty solidly encased.

Do you remember taking shots of coral fish and then us skinny dipping? asked Joanie. You’re always taking photos.

It’s all art with Brad, Gofer defended. You must have gotten some good shots of Joanie.

Finn snapped the branch he had been holding. The scars on his arm lit with red. Yeah, I had some fights in the outback. 

Gofer stopped snickering and held up his hands.

"Can you tell us how you got those scars?" Stuch redirected.

Finn’s face looked blank.

Do you remember the story our guide told us? Stuch went on. A diver put his hand into a hole of a reef, and a large moray eel clamped down. His air was running out, so the diver had to make a choice—his hand or his life.

Sleek Back would clamp down too, said Finn, his eyes still distant.

The Whiz picked up. At the reef, we spotted a multi-colored octopus and a small sand shark. Was one of those like Sleek Back?

No, she went on land, Finn mumbled. 

She? Gofer questioned. So what bit you, mate? A giant crok?

Irritation crossed Finn’s face.

Joanie tried to defuse things. Finn, I know you have an interest in amphibians. I’ve wondered why.

Something released in Finn, and he started talking. The first animals that came on land had a lot of courage. Gravity must have felt like it was crushing, and the air must have stung their skin like an arctic blast. 

That’s an accurate take on the evolutionary challenge, the Whiz confirmed.

Gofer doubted, "But today’s