MONSTER

By Kristen Hartbarger and Kenny Hartbarger III

Roboticists are being mysteriously found in their homes paralyzed. The cause is linked to a nerve-affecting injection. The perpetrator has not been found or identified and has left behind zero traces. The town is on edge as the sheriff works to solve this mystery. Unbeknownst to him, the answer is closer to home than he realizes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781312234383

Book preview

PROLOGUE

A sheriff was relaxing in his office with a nice hot, black cup of coffee. A young police officer entered the room with urgency written on his face. The sheriff muted the TV, asking the young man what was up.

Did you hear? Some scientist was found paralyzed, the young man replied.

What? the sheriff questioned in disbelief.

Doctor Vincent Deering was just found this morning. It appears there was a struggle.

Barker left his office, forgetting the unfinished cup of coffee. He had to see this for himself. He reached the crime scene shortly, most everyone else already at work, making traffic light. He passed under the police line and walked up to the open door. Barker walked up to one of the investigators, asking her what had happened.

As far as we know, Doctor Deering was paralyzed sometime last night. She gestured to the stiff figure in the chair. He was still breathing but was stiff and unmoving. Beside the chair, on the floor, was a book. It seemed placed on the floor, rather than abruptly dropped.

Cause of paralysis? the Sheriff asked absentmindedly.

The woman adjusted her glasses. We’re unsure at the moment but believe it was caused by the injection of some toxin, she replied and then pointed to the side of the unconscious man’s neck. See this? It’s a small hole where a needle was likely inserted. After a pause, she continued. We have found no traces of DNA on the body or surrounding furniture other than Dr. Deering’s. The doorknob of the back door was found broken, but there were no fingerprints. No fingerprints were found on the body either.

But that’s impossible, refuted the sheriff. Everyone leaves behind some trace. Hair strands, dead skin…

Agreed.

This was puzzling, very puzzling indeed.

CHAPTER 1

It was a new moon that night. The only illumination was provided by the stars and streetlamps. Between these, there were plenty of shadows to hide in. That’s exactly what a dark figure was doing. The figure scuttled from shadow to shadow, looking each time to make sure the coast was clear. No one was there but even if there had been, the figure would not have been spotted amongst the shadows.

The figure appeared to be a young male dressed in black pants, a black hooded jacket, black boots, and black gloves. He neared a house, slowly making his way around to the back door. The door was locked, but the figure still opened the door simply by turning the knob. The locking mechanism inside snapped and the door creaked open. The figure quietly stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

He walked through the kitchen and into the living room. The fireplace was lit and bathed the room in a soft orange glow. The figure slowly walked over to a chair sitting by the fireplace. In that chair sat a man deeply asleep. He looked to be in his thirties but had some white hairs, perhaps the result of stress or some illness that was taxing on his body. The figure gingerly placed his fingers on the man’s neck and pulled a syringe out of his pocket. The figure was about to shove the needle into the man’s neck when he woke up. Startled, the man pushed the figure, knocking him back. The man stood up, ready to run.

Who are you?! the man questioned.

The figure swiftly connected his fist with the man’s chest, knocking the wind out of him. The man fell to the floor, trying to catch his breath. The figure pinned him on his back, holding him down. The man tried to get up but the figure, although smaller than him, was stronger. The figure was again reaching for the man’s neck with the needle.

Y-you’re the one that got Deering, aren’t you? the man asked, his voice shaking with fear. What do you want from us? Why are you doing this?

The figure paused; the needle hovered a mere eighth of an inch from the man’s neck.

I do not choose to do this, he finally spoke in a youthful but monotone voice. I am just following orders.

Whose orders? the man asked.

"That I am allowed to say.