Black Blood

By Larry Joseph Sr.

Jessie Hightower, a former African American marine, is doing his best to move forward with his life in Philadelphia when he sees a news broadcast about the recent disappearance of thousands of men and women nationwide. Despite launching an intense investigation, authorities at several government agencies have no idea what happened to them. A few days later, the reasons why become evident when the sky explodes in light and alien spacecrafts emerge from the clouds.

Aliens have finally answered the call sent from Earth. As they emerge from their craft, problems arise. They are unfriendly, want to inhabit the planet, and intend to rid Earth of all humans through a lethal virus they let fall like snowflakes. Moments later, they head back to their craft and disappear into the clouds. As the death count rapidly rises, Earth’s inhabitants become desperate for answers. When Jessie and the rest of his black brothers and sisters discover they are immune to the virus, they realize they are the only ones capable of saving the human population from extinction. When the aliens eventually return to Earth, will they find more death and destruction or a human population determined to beat the odds?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532070594

Larry Joseph Sr.

Larry Joseph Sr. graduated from Delaware State College. He is a former teacher, advertising sales consultant, US Army veteran, musician, and author of the poetry collection, Godspeak. Larry currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is writing his first children’s book.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The USA has been the leader of the Free world lauding their Democratic form of Government as the best in which the people rule through elected officials. The USA has always expressed disdain for Countries that denied fundamental human rights for all citizens. America, nevertheless, was a catalyst of segregation and longstanding prejudice against Black people and other minorities.

All the hate and mistrust are now going to change because the tables are being turned by fate.

Many years have passed since humans first attempted to contact intelligent life forms in or outside of our galaxy and now in the year 2025, contact has been made. Alien life forms have arrived, and they are not friendly. These Aliens are in fact interplanetary aggressors and want to occupy earth because of over-crowding on their planet and they intend to eliminate all humans.

The Aliens have dispersed a snowflake like material from the sky, a Virus that threatens to annihilate mankind.

This virus has an incubation period of 9 months. Scientists have discovered that members of the Black race are immune to it, because of a high concentration of melanin in their blood. The most significant fact is that blood transfusions from Blacks will render immunity to any recipient.

The Aliens don’t know that black people are immune, and their ignorance provides a chance for mankind to survive intended doom.

World leaders are trying to rally Black people from every corner of the earth to voluntarily give blood. Many of the Black youth resist the call to volunteer their blood noting past and current injustices.

Radical white groups (Preppers, Neo-Nazis, KKK, Militia men) go underground to ensure their survival. They surface nightly and attempt to enslave blacks for forced blood transfusions.

In America, one Black man Jessie Hightower (The Old Soldier) has evolved as a leader. The Old Soldier, an Ex-Marine is recruited by the Government to persuade the black youth of the need to unite.

He is also tasked with the production of weapons to fight Aliens.

CHAPTER

1

No one knew very much about him just that he lived at the end of Hayes Street. Most people called him The Old Soldier because he wore part of a Military Uniform year-round.

Jessie Hightower was about 6’4, 215 pounds; he had gray and black hair. His full beard was also salt and pepper. For a 40-yr. old man, he was in good physical shape. Jessie was not the tallest man in town by no means, but there was something about him a little intimidating. He had a swagger, a walk, and mannerism that said don’t mess with me. No one did!

One day, a stranger showed up in town and entered a local Bar, asked where he could find Jessie Hightower, an Ex-Marine Corps buddy of his. It wasn’t until he showed a picture of Jessie in a Marine Corp uniform that someone recognized him and responded. You mean the Old Soldier a local replied while downing a shot of whiskey with a beer chaser. Bob’s Bar was a popular local spot frequented by folks from several of the surrounding communities.

He lives in North East Philly which is just a couple miles up the road, go to the red light and cross over Rte. #13 keep straight and Hayes St. is on your left before you reach the train station. Thanks, my friend said Rafe as he headed for the door.

A heavy knock was heard at the door of Jessie Hightower’s house. He reached for his gun, (who the hell is it). Jessie it’s me, Rafe your main man! Jessie, bare-chested, scarred from many a battle, opened the door holding that gun in his hand. Rafe, what are you doing here? Man, I stopped on my way to NY just to see you. Come in don’t just stand there.

Rafe and Jessie had served together in two wars and their friendship had grown very strong. Most friendships established in the Military continue long after the service obligation is over. Rafe had lost contact with Jessie, but now they could re-connect and continue forward.

How did you find me, Rafe? I didn’t think anyone knew where I was. I stopped by your mom’s house and your cousin told me that after your mom passed away, you left Atlanta and headed North to Philly. I got on the Internet and did a search, WALA I’m here. But why did you settle in Philadelphia?

Well, Rafe, I met an ex-soldier down at Ft. Gordon Ga. He told me about all the factory work up here, so I told him don’t be surprised if I show up someday. When I got here, I found out that he up and died 4 months ago. I decided to stay here because I needed a change. I have been through a lot Rafe, marriage and all. Not you Jessie, married? I can hardly believe someone roped you in.

Oh Yeah, Rafe I was married to a girl in Atlanta, Ga. and caught her with another man, so I beat him bad and kicked her ass too. She had a family who began to look for some payback. I shot two of them and pulled 6 months in jail. When I got out, I was confronted by four of her cousins for shooting their brothers. They beat my ass good and I ended up with 32 stitches, 15 in my head, 10 in my back, and 7 on my neck and face.

That’s why I’m wearing this full beard to hide some scars. I wanted to kill her whole family, but I really can’t do the time. I found out I was claustrophobic while lying in those small holes when we were in combat. I remember those times Jessie.

Jessie did you kill those guys you shot. No, I didn’t Rafe, I just shot them in the leg and shot one in his shoulder. The judge was very lenient with me because of my Military record.

It’s lucky that the judge didn’t throw the book at you and lock you up for several years. Veterans can sometimes get a break in court, but they must be careful.

Anyway, I decided that it was probably best for me to get out of Atlanta.

I left that wife behind and moved North; no need to waste any more time with that duck head! She was going to do what she wanted, no changing her.

I’m with you Jessie; no way I could stand a cell after living free to go and come as I please. Rafe, when we were fighting in all those wars like Iraq, Africa and Iran, it was kill or be killed. We fought to preserve our way of life. We knew the enemy and their habits. Out here in the streets, you don’t even know who the enemy is and there is no rhyme or reason for fighting. I would love to join the fight again but I’m tired now and my strength isn’t what it was.

Jessie, you have always been a warrior and you still look like you are in training. I work out three days a week Rafe and run 30 miles every week and can lift 300 pounds. I have nothing but respect for you, Jessie; I remember that time in Iraq we were in an ambush and you crawled off and killed 4 enemy soldiers hacking them with your machete.

I do remember Rafe, on that night 120 enemy soldiers hit us. We were only 4 squads, just 28 soldiers! Man, they hit us from all sides with rockets and small arms fire. We fought hard that night 6 of our guys were killed. We called in helicopter gunships which quickly eliminated the main part of the enemy force.

Rafe, I had just been promoted to a Gunnery Sergeant and responsible for a whole company. After seeing those six men die that night, I decided to become the aggressor and take the fight to them. I crawled out into that darkness and killed as many of the enemies as I could. I was scared and angry. I told myself to stalk and kill anything that moves.

I can still be silent and stalk something; I haven’t forgotten how to move like a cat. Jessie, you are still as crazy as hell.

Do you long for the days of war, the smell of gunpowder hearing those explosions, all that good weed and wild girls? I know you loved it.

Rafe, that was a different time and place. I still love a good fight, but I put that life far behind me. Weed is legal everywhere, so it isn’t as much fun. I just want peace and to enjoy living what life I have left.

When I moved to Philly, I took on a special assignment Rafe. I became an investigator for alien life forms and artifacts. I have a top-secret security clearance with access to information that I can’t share with you.

I work at that Kaiser Space plant and do research on people who claim they have been abducted. I interview them and it’s been quite interesting. Some of what they report can’t be explained.

I know it sounds a little crazy Rafe, but it’s true and all I can tell you is a lot of what people see in the sky out here is real. Jessie, I hear you.

Good thing Rafe, because if I tell you any more, I will have to kill you.

Are you looking for work, Rafe? I can put a word in for you. I might need you to do that for me, Jess.

When I first got here and asked around for you, no one knew who you were by your name. You got to get out more Jessie and find a lady and maybe a couple of people to hang out with.

I don’t want them to know me right now; I can come and go as I please with no hassles. If I become friends with too many people, then they will begin to infringe on my free time and start asking too many damn questions.

Philly is a tough City and there are lots of muggings and thefts, so I stay to myself.

Couple of guys seemed like they wanted to start some beef with me around here last week, but they didn’t make a move, I’m glad because it would have been