Gifts and Legends: Greyfield Tales, #1

By J. Michael Bruce

The first volume of the Greyfield Tales opens with four tales that span the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy. In Past Crimes, Detective Farch unravels the mysteries surrounding the suicide of Earth's most influential person. In Power Play, former superhero, Eric Chase hits the streets where others' super powers are wrecking having. In the Midst of Arcana, a village hangs in a precarious balance between the forces of rival magic nations. In Straight On til Morning, the government investigates a sighting of Peter Pan in a small family's home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Michael Bruce
• Release date: May 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201519469

Book preview

Introduction by the Author

The four stories you are about to read are not connected in any way save the author that they all share. The timelines range from the far future to the histories of alternate worlds. While some connections can be made from the tales it is up to you to decide what they are and wat the stories are for.

There has never been a storyteller without someone who hears the tales.

Power Play

I put the last of my zip-ties around the wrists of the robber still struggling in front of me and pulled the end tight. He turned to kick at me, but I sidestepped and he crashed into a display on the end of the aisle. He fell into a heap on the floor and his ski mask slipped over his eyes.

Ow! he cried out. Don’t you guys knock us out before you tie us up?

Are you kidding, I said. Can you imagine the legal repercussions from giving each of you concussions?

Sirens wailed and I could hear the crunch of tires outside the convenience store. I stepped back to the counter and laid some cash down for the bag of chips and drink that I had picked out. Unfortunately, the cashier had long since abandoned her post at the register, so I was unlikely to get change for my transaction. I was enjoying the snack when the police officers walked in.

The first man was dark skinned and just under average height and carried his weight mildly off balance as he stepped over the mess on the floor. He locked eyes with me and crossed his arms.

What the hell happened here?

This man assaulted me! screamed one of the felons on the floor. His two friends joined in with ‘me too,’ and ‘help us!’ It would have held some credence if they were not wearing ski masks and dressed in all black. One of them was extraordinarily creative and called me a ‘raving lunatic.’

Raving. Hah.

I let them go on for a few minutes before I interrupted. Good morning, officer. I entered this establishment to purchase some food. When I walked in, I saw these three men armed, masked, and threatening the cashier. I decided to aid the cashier and perform a citizen’s arrest of these gentlemen while I waited for you to arrive. The security footage should confirm this as well as the fingerprints on the guns. I had been careful not to touch the weapons myself, but they were visible enough on the ground.

The police officer huffed noncommittally and turned toward his partner. Montoya! Stuff these idiots in the car. Give me a minute to question the witness. The taller, sharp featured woman nodded and began hauling the criminals to their feet. While that was in progress, he turned to me.

You took on three armed men by yourself?

I sighed and waved my hand in the air next to me. At the same time, I added a touch of concentration and the world slowed down. I knew that I wasn’t slowing time, but speeding my own body up. I belonged to a minority of the population who had superpowers. Biologists were still deliberating on the subject, but the reality was that we were in an age that resulted in some people being born with the ability to do incredible, impossible things. What the officer would see would just be a blur of motion next to my head.

Figured. You got an ID?

Yes sir, I said reaching into my wallet. I grabbed my license and my powers registration. My name is Eric. Eric Chase.

Mhm. Wilkins, the officer replied giving my ID a quick once-over. Y’know, I appreciate you sticking around. Most heroes these days will just knock out the perps and leave so they don’t have to worry about cuffing.

I held up the bundle of plastic that I kept in my pocket. Industrial strength zip-ties. Much easier to carry around. But I’m not a hero, just a normal citizen who wanted chips.

Wilkins handed back my cards and gave me a scrutinizing look. Chase, huh? Not the same speedster from Amren City?

My heart immediately dropped into my stomach. I tried to remain calm, but I mentally removed Chicago from the list of cities for me to travel. I couldn’t afford to work in areas where the police recognized me. It had been a couple of years, but I knew the wounds were fresh on many minds.

Um, I replied, more tense than I wanted to sound. Yeah, that’s me actually. Listen, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I was cleared of-

I’m not trying to start any trouble, kid. I heard all the reports. It’s a rough lot you got and I certainly don’t blame you for what happened.

Inside I cringed. I suffered the scorn from others well enough, but it was far worse to receive pity. I decided that it was high time to return to the road, so I turned to leave the shop. The officer took my shoulder and I stopped, but I was screaming inside to turn on my powers and escape before he could blink.

Past aside,