Kassius Kanex: A Novel

By MK Schultz

Kassius Kanex loves his home and family but hates his job and wants to quit. A chance meeting with strange men looking for directions inspires a change in Kass. He is led down a new path that not only rescues him from his perceived career imprisonment, but also leads to the fulfillment of his destiny.

When his family becomes endangered by his new life, Kass’s full identity is revealed. His truth previously existed dormant inside of him, but Kass is now awakened. Following a visit to three doors of mystery, his true essence is discovered and a choice is made.

Danger and suspense build as more truths come to light, and Kass wonders if things will turn out better or worse. He still hides one secret, though, and its admission will change everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532074448

MK Schultz

MK Schultz is the Canadian author of The Kassius Kanex trilogy. A father of two young adults, he lives in a wooded area in the outskirts of Ottawa. He and his wife are avid outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons. Although formally educated in Architecture, his true passion is writing. Schultz is currently writing a new, stand-alone novel in a different genre. Learn more at www.mkschultz.com.

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Copyright © 2019 MK Schultz.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-7443-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-7444-8 (e)

iUniverse rev. date:     05/18/2019

Thanks and acknowledgement goes to the following people who helped, inspired, supported and encouraged me during the development of Kassius Kanex. It has been a journey and you all played a role.

Andrew MacDonald - Engineer

Dan ‘The RAGE’ Tokarew

Isaac Davis - Support

Courtney Maika - Author

Aleta Swan - Mother in Law Extraordinaire

NA Cronier - Editor

Thanks to Dan ‘THE RAGE’ Tokarew for always lending an ear with tireless enthusiasm.

Special thanks goes to NA Cronier for her patient and invaluable help with editing and publishing feedback. Also, you’re one hell of a sister!

Mom and Dad, thank you for always being there for me and for your limitless love and support.

Kelly my wife, thanks for putting up with me throughout this process and beyond with love, as always.

Liam my son, I am proud of you beyond what words can express. Never give up on your dreams.

Marley my precious daughter, my love for you is beyond the stars and cannot be held by time.

To Kelly,

Marley and Liam

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…"

Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

"They say the world has become too complex for simple answers.

They are wrong."

Ronald Reagan

"…But now it seems, I’m just a stranger to myself

And all the things I sometimes do,

It isn’t me but someone else."

Iron Maiden - Wasted Years

Exordium

What you are about to read is of great importance. For when one has something to say, another will listen if properly invited. Consider this your personal invitation; a sort of welcoming into the thoughts and life of a seemingly ordinary man, where the simple is swallowed up by the complex; which are indeed two very complementary elements not unlike sickness/health, weakness/strength, poverty/riches, hate/love and the list goes on and on and on. The ultimate point is for you to figure out. For the lessons here are that of something complex that can coexist in something simplistic. If what you read relates to you in any way, gives joy or laughter or happiness to you in any small way, even minutely, then it would be considered a bonus. But know this; it was not the focus or purpose of it being penned. If you are ready for the journey to begin, then let’s get started.

CONTENTS

Chapter 01     Launch

Chapter 02     Inception

Chapter 03     Normalcy

Chapter 04     Rock

Chapter 05     Purpose

Chapter 06     Hidden Agenda

Chapter 07     Revelations

Chapter 08     Birth

Chapter 09     Partial Truths

Chapter 10     Invitation

Chapter 11     Thirty Cents

Chapter 12     The Party

Chapter 13     Underground

Chapter 14     Tenants

Chapter 15     Vacation

Chapter 16     Excavation

Chapter 17     Tech

Chapter 18     Loose Ends

Chapter 19     Bonus

Chapter 20     Last Task

Chapter 21     Prep

Chapter 22     School’s Out

Chapter 23     The Visit

Chapter 24     Training

Chapter 25     On the Homefront

Chapter 26     Shaping

Chapter 27     Catalyst

Chapter 28     The Lost Coin

Chapter 29     Game Changer

Chapter 30     Aquarius

Chapter 31     Upgrades

Chapter 32     Daycation

Chapter 33     Sunset

Chapter 34     Explosion

Chapter 35     Fix

Chapter 36     Unfinished Business

CHAPTER 01

Launch

Kassius Kanex was a seemingly simple man, an honest man, a thoughtful man, a strong man and just generally speaking, a man’s man through and through. A straight shooter all the way or a no nonsense man is how some would describe him. Family was always important to Kass. He loved his children Lydia and Lance and his wife Melina. Kass was a very happy man for the most part. He did not really like his job much but work was work and Kassius Kanex worked in an office where he mostly composed emails and crunched numbers on spreadsheets. One day he thought, a change in career would happen. In fact, he believed it to be inevitable.

Melina was stunningly beautiful with soft features, pale complexion and a petite frame that she kept very toned with her intensive yoga regimen and strict diet. Her hair was thick and luxurious with a dark and shiny appearance. She was very passionate about her job as an elementary school teacher. Her nights often would consist of marking her student’s assignments and planning future lessons.

At 13, Lance was beginning to change into the man Kass had always hoped he would. Already standing at 5'-10", Lance was sure to reach well over 6' like his Dad. Lance was into sports, video games and he enjoyed fishing with his Dad as they often would do being so close to the water and all. Sometimes Lance and his Dad would pack a lunch and go out on the water for hours on end, rarely coming home empty handed without a catch. Pike and Bass were the most common, but Lance had more luck than his Dad did at catching the elusive Pickerel which was the most sought after of all the fish due to its tastiness.

Lydia was 16 now. God how time flies Kass would think. Kass loved his son Lance but there is definitely a special place in the hearts of men for their precious daughters. Lydia was a specimen of perfection with model like features through and through. One hot summer day, Lydia and Melina were out on the deck talking and from within the house through the dining room window, Kass stopped to gaze in amazement as he watched his stunningly beautiful daughter’s smile and adorable mannerisms. Kass took some photos of her at that moment to capture the memory. He later showed the photos to Melina while Lydia rolled her eyes in the background. Lydia worked at a hotel cleaning rooms. She didn’t mind the work and she really loved the income she received which helped pay for her expensive wardrobe. She loved her music and enjoyed spending time with friends. Lydia and Lance had a great sister-brother relationship as well, unlike many other siblings it seemed.

The family pets consisted of Stump the cat, and the two dogs Minatore and Tripod. Stump the cat was great at keeping the mice at bay. Minatore was the guard dog and kept watch on the Kanex house. Tripod was named so due to being a three-legged dog. To round off the pets, a cleanly kept aquarium of Cichlids resided in the man cave.

The Kanex residence was situated in a remote wooded area on the outskirts of the city making long commutes for sure, but Kass wouldn’t have it any other way. For Kass loved the country and the seclusion it afforded him.

Melina! Did you hear what happened in the city?

No. What?

Some guy was trying to rescue a cat from a tree just as a storm was rolling in and he got struck by lightning and died.

Oh my, Mel said.

Strangest thing though. It wasn’t the lightning strike that killed him. You see when the lightning hit, he fell out of the tree he had climbed and landed on the road. But the fall didn’t kill him either. Instead, it was a speeding fire truck that happened to be passing that very spot just as the man landed from the tree. And I haven’t even gotten to the strangest part of the story yet. Get this, the house that was on fire that the firemen were on route to belonged to this same man that ended up being killed. Isn’t that crazy?

Oh Kass, that is nuts

I know eh? Boy that cat really had it in for him. Don’t you get any ideas Stump.

Ha Ha you are one strange man Kassius.

I know Melina…I know.

What do you feel like for supper tonight Melina? I was thinking about doing a barbeque.

Ok Kass, that sounds good. Maybe fish and salad.

Ok Mel, I will pick some up on the way home after I pick up Lydia from work and Lance from Jesse’s house.

Sounds good Kass.

Alrighty then fish it will be.

Later that day, Kass thought about the man that got hit by the fire truck. Destiny seemed more plausible than fluke accident. Kass often thought about destiny as he had a feeling that it was right at his doorstep, but never permitted to enter for some unknown reason. One day Kass dreamed…one day.

The fish tasted particularly good that night Kass thought. Hey Mel, what did you put in the fish? It tastes amazing.

Just some lemon pepper and lime juice with a bit of butter.

"Oh wow. It is scrumptious. Do you guys think?

Yes daddy.

Yeah.

Hey Lydia, Lance. Did you guys hear about that guy in the city who was killed the other day?

No, what happened?

Oh boy, not this story again, Melina chuckled.

Well you see, he was killed rescuing a cat. But what killed him was a fire truck that was on its way to put a fire out at his house. Coincidence or destiny?

Oh daddy. That is crazy.

Ha Ha maybe Stump will try to get you like that eh dad?

That’s hilarious Lance, that is exactly what I said to your mother when I told her the story.

Oh boy. Ok everyone, I am hot so I am just going to jump in the pool. Don’t look because I am going naked ok?

Oh mom, why can’t you put a bathing suit on?

I just want a quick dip. You guys can clear the table while I am gone.

Life is strange Kass thought as he cleared the table, the kids now downstairs already, playing video games. He continued to think about the plans for the rest of the Saturday. Maybe a bonfire followed by a movie. And with that, Kass walked outside down the long drive to the gate which he quite liked and as he shut and locked the gate, a calm sense of security came over him. No one is coming in the driveway now! Ha Ha.

But no sooner did he get out the second Ha, when a truck pulled up to the gate. It was getting dark now, but Kass could see that the truck had four rough looking characters in it and he didn’t get a good feel about it. As he walked back towards the locked gate, he got a glimpse of what one of the men was doing. Oh God, is that a gun?

CHAPTER 02

Inception

The four men in the beat up black truck looked like they all came from the same cut. They were grubby, unshaven, and had bad teeth. A huge wave of relief came over Kass once he realized that what he had thought to be a gun was actually a fishing rod in its case. Upon a closer look inside the truck it became clear that these men were on their way back from a fishing trip or something.

Howdy there sir. Sorry to bother you but would you happen to know the quickest way back to the main highway? We seem to have gotten a bit turned around and well…

What dick wad means to say is we’re fucken lost.

Well that’s no worry fellas, Kass offered.

Just head back that way and turn right. Then head straight for about 20k and you should see the sign for the highway.

Oh thanks buddy.

No problem. Hey so did you catch anything?

Yeah, numb-nuts over here caught a nine pound smallie and we also got a bunch of Walleyes and a Pike too.

Kass hated when people called Pickerels Walleyes. It always seemed like such a city kinda thing to him. Strange, these rednecks didn’t seem like city folks.

Hey, so what do you fellas do for a living anyways? The words may have not felt appropriate under the circumstances, but they just shot out of Kass’s mouth almost involuntarily.

We’re all Engineers in the city.

Kass never would have pegged these guys for professionals.

Yeah we are just roughin’ it like rednecks as a sort of escape.

Interesting. That’s cool guys.

And that was that. As the truck pulled off and drove down the road, Kass couldn’t help but think…what if that was a gun and not just a fishing rod? What would I have done to protect my family?

That night, Kass was restless. He couldn’t get the feeling of not being prepared out of his mind. The image of the four rough looking guys haunted him. The teeth thing didn’t make sense to him. They didn’t seem like city folk. Were they really lost or were they lying and just scoping out the Kanex residence? There was something else too, something other than them calling Pickerels Walleyes. Kass found it hard to believe four educated Engineers were all lost being only 20k from the highway and all. It just simply did not add up. The more Kass thought about it, the more suspicious he became. The truck; why did they drive an old piece of crap truck? As Kass continued to toss and turn that night, he disturbed Mel from her slumber.

What’s the matter Kass?

Oh oh ne nothing sweetie, just thinking about those lost fellas and that old piece of crap black truck they were driving.

That’s funny. I saw a beat up old black truck twice last week, one time using our driveway to turn around.

Blood rushed to Kass’s head and chills to his spine as she completed this sentence.

Something is up with those guys. Something doesn’t seem right Kass thought. I need to be better prepared in the event of an incident.

As he very slowly slipped away into slumber that night, his consciousness halfway between being awake and asleep, he thought back to his childhood.

How much further to the camp Dad?

About a half an hour buddy

Scamp really likes the bush eh Dad?

Sure does son.

Scamp was literally the pick of the litter and would eventually become known as the best dog he ever had. Scamp’s mother Tina gave birth to Scamp along with eight other puppies in her little dog bed set off to the side of Kass’s childhood living room. This is one of those experiences that impact a boy more than one would think. The memory was still strong in Kass’s adult mind.

As he lay on the floor early mornings whilst the sun began to pour into the windows, young Kass would just kinda space out taking his thoughts and mind far far away. He would often do this in his early years and from it, a calmness and a comfort that could never be re-captured once he reached adulthood would encapsulate him. But the memory of that feeling was strong and he could still draw upon it and he did. So simple and yet it had a profound effect.

Kass remembered how Tina became pregnant by getting ‘stuck together’ with a stray dog that came into the front yard. The home Kass grew up in was a small very modest bungalow set along the run of a swift flowing river. There were rapids that could be heard gushing from his parent’s bedroom window when it was left open in the summer to catch a breeze. Although the yard was only two thirds of an acre, the property felt huge which was only increased by the neighbouring farmer’s field and woods. Kass’s summers were spent exploring the river, the field and the woods and he spent a lot of time alone, his thoughts accompanying him on amazing trips of childhood imagination and wonder.

As Kass explored the river for creatures such as crayfish and minnows, and as he wandered aimlessly through the deeper parts of the farmer’s fields, it was as though he was in a sort of trance. A deep contentment and feeling of safety and comfort was with him. Kass’s childhood was simple yet complex. Only these experiences could help form and ultimately influence Kass to grow into the man he would become.

Dad! Scamp is gone! He just jumped out the window!

The trip in the camp road was very slow due to the treacherous roads and Scampy just couldn’t help himself but get a closer look at everything. Kass understood and related to this. He couldn’t get enough of nature either. Just then a loud squeal came from Scamp’s mouth. His back paw had been partially driven over by the back tire of the truck. It wasn’t too bad and it would heal. Scamp just had a limp for a few days and the paw was a little bloody.

The first stop on the way to the camp was a sudden large opening in the bush called Englishman’s Camp. This place was very remote and although there was a camp there, the owner was never seen on any of the visits to the area by Kass and his Dad. This was the large clearing. The field; the great expanse…Kass felt strong here. Kass felt almost immortal here. The feeling of joy and excitement here was strong. This was a good spot to stop and go for a pee and for Dad to get a refill on his ale. Target practice took place here.

Kass’s Dad had four guns which he helped to clean and maintain as his Dad disassembled them. A bolt action .22, a semi-automatic 12 gauge, a pump action 12 gauge and a .30-.30 rifle.

Clay pigeons were small yellow coloured clay discs that would be put into a small hand held device called a thrower which allowed the person behind the shooter to throw the target very far and high like a frisbee. It would begin with the shooter calling out ‘PULL’. As Kass aimed and pulled the trigger of the semi-automatic 12 gauge, the power was almost too much for his 12 year old body to handle. The rubber cushioning at the butt of the gun did nothing to ease the pain that Kass felt in his shoulder after each kick back. But there was no stopping. The pain was almost a welcome part of the experience. It reminded him of the power he was wielding.

After target practice (which only ended after running out of shells) the trip continued to the camp. The camp was called Will’s Place named after Will the bear who legend has it, broke into the camp by clawing a large hole right through