Countdown

By Jack Kardiac

As a young girl, a tragic accident suddenly wrenches Sephanie’s family out of her life, leaving her with a gift. It’s a gift she never asked for, a gift she never wanted. A gift she can use to change people's lives forever — but only if someone else is willing to accept it.

Similar in tone to “The Last Laugh” and “Limited Time Only,” “Countdown” is an original Jack Kardiac story that will tug on your heartstrings in surprising and unexpected ways. (You’ve been warned...)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jack Kardiac
• Release date: Jul 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005922863

Jack Kardiac

Jack Kardiac was born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was fed a steady diet of Marvel comic books, Twilight Zone episodes and Alfred Hitchcock paperbacks. He watches Die Hard every Christmas and Peter Jackson’s King Kong every summer.Jack currently lives in the remote jungles of Indonesia where he teaches Creative Writing to young, impressionable minds. He writes short stories about creepy creatures, kids with superpowers and a handful of Biblical tales, all well worth your time and money.And yes, he has his very own clone.

Book preview

Countdown

Countdown

Jack Kardiac

Countdown

I’m nearing the bottom of my second peach milkshake when Clara flops down in the booth opposite me, releasing a deep sigh.

Oh, it feels so good to rest my feet! she moans. The deep lines around her eyes are more noticeable when she’s tired. Her mouth is slightly drawn in like she always has a hard candy to suck on. Once black hair now starts to show a few more gray roots, as if she hasn’t cared to go to the salon in a while.

Long day? I ask. The diner has cleared out leaving only a few stragglers here and there. The shiny red booths gleam in the sunlight streaming through the windows, saltshakers creating a dazzling array of disco dot reflections on the ceiling.

She shrugs. Ah, no longer than any other. I’m just getting older is all, honey. Standing around taking orders all day takes more out of me than it used to, you know?

I would imagine, I say, popping a fry into my mouth. Is Bud going to get upset if he sees you out here, sitting with me? I glance at the service counter behind her, but there’s no sign of activity back there.

Nah, Clara sneers, waving her hand. He’s busy watching some UFC match back in the kitchen. Guy hardly even knows I’m here today, ‘cept when I give and take the orders. She smiles. You know, just like when we’re at home. She winks, and I can’t help but smile at her.

Clara, this place would fall apart without you.

She laughs. Ain’t that the truth? She looks out the plate glass window beside us, lost in thought. Returning her tired, gray-blue eyes on me she stares as I finish my plate. You alright, kiddo? she asks. Seem kind of quiet today.

I shrug. I’m always quiet, Clara. Some of my brown, wavy hair wanders over my eyes and I blow it back with a quick puff, leaning back in the booth.

I know that, but today you just seem a bit more… distant. Something got you down? You meet a man or something? Bum go and break your heart already?

No, Clara, I laugh. "I haven’t ‘met a man.’ But you’re never