Winter Glow

By John Patten

Winter Glow

The vast, secluded town of Stone Valley is struck by an unusual meteor, followed by a widespread infection. It becomes a race against time to battle the evil and return the pleasant place to normal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546234036

John Patten

JOHN PATTEN lives in Hudson, New Hampshire, with his wife, Carol. He is also the author of Realm of Horror.

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© 2018 John Patten. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/26/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-3404-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-3402-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-3403-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018903451

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - The Infection

Chapter 2 - Succubus and Hellhounds

Chapter 3 - Outsiders

Chapter 4 - Deer Creek Motel

Chapter 5 - The Feather Must Fly

Chapter 6 - Shadows in the Fog

Chapter 7 - Crossroads

Chapter 8 - The Prophet

Chapter 9 - Mountain Peak Lodge

Chapter 10 - A Beast Among Us

Chapter 11 - Rise Up

Chapter 12 - Draco

To a terrific uncle, Raymond Patten

and my sister, Dawn Patten

for editing of the book.

Prologue

West Point

It was nine o’clock Saturday morning October 24, 2015, in Clarksville New Hampshire. Northeast of Pittsburgh in Coos county just before entering Canada, where tragedy was about to strike. Kevin McLee drove a dark hunter green Dodge Dakota pick-up truck with a white cap. While driving down West Hill Road heading north on a long gradual incline to a secluded place called Stone Valley that contained a low population, mostly visited by tourists. Where they may enjoy activities like camping, hiking, horseback riding, and hunting with some locals. He eventually came to a Ranger’s watch post called West Point, as the road leveled off for several miles.

Kevin who lived in Pittsburgh occasionally hunted in Stone Valley. At West Point was a check station on the border separated by a chain link fence. The fence stretched for a few miles on both sides of the post. A small two-person building sat on the left-hand side of the road, which sheltered the Rangers while they guarded the only way into Stone Valley. Beyond the open gate was a large paved area, with a horse barn to stable the Ranger’s horses. The tourist could also rent horses to go riding with a guide during business hours. The venue was even a place to rent mountain bikes which also had a food stand.

Kevin stopped his truck at the gate where he met a veteran Forest Ranger, Joe Costa. His partner, Jamie Foster stayed inside the small building. Kevin remained in his vehicle wiping his forehead, with a red handkerchief to remove the sweat. The long-time hunter of Stone Valley couldn’t let them find out what he did back in Pittsburg over two hours prior. He was worried about the dog, Sam a chow and golden retriever mix, who was inside with Jamie. He feared the trained canine would detect the scent of decaying flesh, from a corpse in the back of his truck.

Good morning, Kevin, Joe greeted him, approaching the driver’s door.

Morning.

Plan on doing some hunting today?

Today and tomorrow, Kevin replied.

Does that mean we should expect to see your friend, Brian Carter come through sometime?

Brian wasn’t sure if he would be up this weekend, might be a solo trip.

Okay, Joe smiled. Have a good day.

Kevin slowly drove off in relief, heading towards Deer Creek motel. A couple of miles down on the right was Black Bear Drive which is a dead-end road. The motel sat on a dirt area at the edge of where the pavement stops. There was a total of ten small one-room cabins and personal bathroom, five of them on both sides facing each other. A more significant building with an office, medium size two-bedroom apartment sat at the far end of the property.

The motel was owned and managed by an older man in his mid-60’s known as, Ron Koontz who lived in the apartment. His Twenty-nine-year-old daughter, Callie stayed there with him working at Deer Creek. She helped run the place, cleaning cabins and maintained the grounds. A family friend, Michelle Mahoney went to school with Callie who also worked there. She slept in the room closest to the office at night.

Kevin parked in front of his place across from Michelle’s cabin getting out and walked towards the office door. When he walked in Ron was sitting at the desk, drinking coffee from a Green Bay Packers mug. The office was small with a couple of windows and an interior door to accesses the apartment.

Hello Kevin, he said, standing up. Welcome back.

Thanks, it’s good to see you again.

Same here, Ron agreed, handing him the keys. I have your usual room ready.

I appreciate it as always, he turned and left.

The nervous hunter went back outside, walking over to his truck. He grabbed a duffel bag from the passenger’s seat and entered the cabin. He took off his camouflage coat, looking at his left shoulder in the bathroom mirror. His Bermuda tee-shirt was slashed and bloodstained from a knife wound. It was a three-inch-long cut above his armpit that he suffered when attacking his wife’s lover, Glen Shaw. He removed the bloody shirt, cleaning his wound with peroxide. The hunter did his best to sow it up. Then he put on another sweater and laid in bed to rest, thinking about disposing of the dead body later in the day.

Chapter 1

The Infection

A few minutes past noon in their summer home the Patterson family was having a triple birthday party. The host was 42-year-old, Julien Patterson and his wife, Carol. They got together once during the months for those who have a birthday, to make things easier for the family. The October birthdays are all celebrated here while the other parties take place in southern New Hampshire. In October, there was Pete Spencer who was the boyfriend of, Denise Patterson who is Julien’s mother. She started dating Pete after divorcing his father, Roger. Then there was, Christina Patterson’s who was married to, William (also known as Will), the younger brother of Julien. With them was their son, Dylan who was turning eight.

The home was a ranch style house that used solar energy, or battery power due to the lack of electricity supplied to the area. They used satellite to get cable and cell phone service. Stone Valley was a rough terrain with vast rocky woodlands, that had a long stream running through it. Where hunters stalked animals for game, food, and profit. Indian Stream was the main water supply to Stone Valley and Clarksville, running down from Canada traveling south-west to the Pittsburgh border.

A music channel on the television played videos, as Julien and Carol finished decorating for the birthday party. They had the help of several people. There was a close friend, Ian Gannon along with two cousins, Amy Patterson and, Lisa Garner accompanied by her husband, Paul Garner.

How’s the new book coming? Paul asked Julien.

Good! I think you’ll like it.

I just finished reading ‘Realm of Horror’ last weekend, Lisa told them.

I liked ‘Cabin Fever’ the best out of those short stories, Paul said.

My favorite was ‘Zuma’ because I’m in it, Ian chuckled slightly.

I have you beat, Carol said. I’m in ‘The Guardian’ and more.

Then Julien and Carol’s wedding song ‘Forever and Always’ by, Shania Twain came on while a red Jeep Wrangler pulled up. It was Pete driving and Denise in the passenger’s seat, followed by Will’s silver Ford Fiesta. He had Christina beside him with his sister, Dawn Patterson and Dylan in the back seat. It was a beautiful crisp fall afternoon as they all got out of the vehicles to celebrate the birthdays.

Welcome, Julien said, stepping out the front door.

Hey Bro, Will nodded, getting out.

We picked up a hitchhiker, Christina said, as she shut the door referring to Dawn.

I would have left her walking, Pete joined in, teasing while Denise got gifts out of the jeep.

That’s okay, Dawn replied. It would save me from turning you down. I rather walk.

Well, Carol said, coming to the door. Come on in!

Once everyone entered the house, Julien introduced Ian to his family. The front door opens into the living room, with a hallway to the left that leads to the main bathroom and four bedrooms. There was a small bathroom off the master bedroom. The living room opened up to a tiled dining room and a kitchen around the corner. They stacked the gifts on a large oval oak wood table into three different piles for each person. Pete