The Autists: Jenna: Ghost Hunter Mystery Parable Anthology

By J. R. Kruze and S. H. Marpel

The burning chapel had six of us in it.

Right now, the flames were simply a fiery wall that engulfed the front doors and kept the mob at bay.

I stomped out the single torch they had thrown in. There was plenty of light to see by. Nothing else was burning except the candles in their stands.

Then my guide told me we all needed to join hands in order to escape.

As we did, the rest of the interior suddenly burst into a roaring conflagration.

To the rest of that village outside, we all died that day.

Which was the point, I imagine.

But that's not how we really ended up...

 

Excerpt:

The kitchen inside the house was simple, small, and efficient. One person could prepare and cook a meal, as well as set the table, all without moving from a couple square feet between the stove, refrigerator, and table. You'd just have to get used to thinking tiny and simple. And plan things out in advance, developing and sticking to successful patterns.

We were sitting at the sturdy, solid wood kitchen table. A large plate of brownies and a dew-covered stainless carafe were both between us. Small plates had individual helpings of brownies, while tumblers filled with iced tea within reach for each of us.

I was reminded of the phrase heaven on earth. As long as it could fit into the two rooms of this small house.

Joe finished his current brownie first, but waited for me.

I used a cloth napkin to wipe the crumbs off my smiling, satisfied face. "OK, Joe, here's the deal. I'm a teacher at heart, even though I love being a research student. And you're a mentor."

Joe frowned a bit.

"Joe, don't get your knickers in a twist. Gaia gave me the blow-by-blow of how you and your buddies worked together on that last problem. And don't think I wasn't around as a virtual fly on the wall. After all, that was my future you were affecting, too."

He smiled. "Like maybe you two have some other plans for me?"

I returned his smile. "And like we even need to try to keep ahead of that future-guessing math-mind of yours."

He shrugged.

"But you're right, though. We did know that you three guys would get that problem solved, that afterwards you personally were going some place where you could wait for people to come to you for help. All this -" I gestured around the tiny kitchen and house, "is just a way we thought would be a short cut to getting things moving more quickly."

"But – 'mentor'?" Joe was frowning again.

"Sounds better than 'helper'. Its root is from 'mens-' which means 'to think' – something that you're pretty good at. So you help people think through their problems."

Joe relaxed as he thought through this explanation. Taking another brownie helped him accept it.

Gaia and I had another as well. Since there was no rush – and those delicious-smelling fresh brownies were too tempting to let them just sit there while he was munching away. Joining in has never been so tasty.

At last, he broke the silence – once he'd finished off his tumbler of tea as well.

"OK ladies. But you said you had a job for me – or did I assume too much?"

Gaia looked at me, then back at Joe. "I think you'll like this one. Compared to saving the world, it's a walk in the park." 

 

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Living Sensical Press
• Release date: Dec 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393953210

J. R. Kruze

J. R. has always been interested in the strange, mysterious, and wonderful. Writing speculative fiction is perfect for him, as he's never fit into any mold. And always been working to find the loopholes in any "pat system." Writing parables for Living Sensical seemed a simpler way to help his stories come to life.

Book preview

The Autists: Jenna

by J. R. Kruze and S. H. Marpel

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE AUTISTS: JENNA

First edition. December 13, 2020.

Copyright © 2020 J. R. Kruze and S. H. Marpel.

ISBN: 978-1393953210

Written by J. R. Kruze and S. H. Marpel.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

The Autists: Jenna (Ghost Hunter Mystery Parable Anthology)

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

Book Universes Notes

Did You Find the Strange Secret in This Story?

Related Books You May Like

Expand Your Collection

Don't Miss Out!

Did You Like This Book?

Further Reading: The Autists Anthology

Also By J. R. Kruze

Also By S. H. Marpel

About the Publisher

To all our many devoted and loyal fans: 

We write and publish these stories only for you.

(Be sure to get your bonuses at the end of the story...)

- - - -

From the editor: This book is part of a continuing series, and has subtle references to earlier material. Book Universes Notes have been included in the back just to help you with  a character list, referenced books, and point out some easter eggs...

THE BURNING CHAPEL had six of us in it.

Right now, the flames were simply a fiery wall that engulfed the front doors and kept the mob at bay.

I stomped out the single torch they had thrown in. There was plenty of light to see by. Nothing else was burning except the candles in their stands.

Then my guide told me we all needed to join hands in order to escape.

As we did, the rest of the interior suddenly burst into a roaring conflagration.

To the rest of that village outside, we all died that day.

Which was the point, I imagine.

But that's not how we really ended up...

I

SO, ARE YOU JUST HIDING out here, or seeking some redemption for earlier sins?

A redheaded girl was standing by my round library table, holding a book on her cocked hip and pulling a strand of gorgeous ginger hair behind one ear. The light between the bookshelves behind her silhouetted her floral sun-dress and left little to the imagination.

Her smile was like sunshine peeking through after a long string of cloudy days.

I was back at our table in the Library, one I shared almost solely  with my two buddies, Abe and Peter. Almost was when they'd occasionally bring some nerdy chick back with them to see how long she could stand our out-loud thinking.

Sometimes, I thought those friends of mine were being cruel. But most times, I could see the hope on their faces that maybe this was the one. Someone who could keep up with their brainstorms, meet them at their own level, and stay for the long run.

But so far, no.

Such was the life of geniuses. Solitary.

But this girl was still standing there, waiting for my answer. I had digressed.

A little of both.

Her smile widened into a