Covid Survivor

By Sarantos

"Covid Survivor" is the second book in another fiction fantasy trilogy by Sarantos, an archaeologist who rides another adventure of a lifetime! Mystery lurks around every corner, leaving both the reader and the crew in a constant state of anxiety. Will they make it back home? Will the Professor finally find love?

Following the previous storyline of the daring Professor Sarantos, his journey is another exciting book full of emotional twists and turns and a story arc that will leave your heart wide open. Will the Professor find the artifact, will he find love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667815060

Sarantos

Who says nerds can't write a bestseller? Sarantos is a Chicago based nerd and retired superhero who always has a story to tell. He is a DIY international award-winning solo music artist, Top 7 iTunes UK Charting Rock, Top 5 iTunes UK Charting Singer-Songwriter, Top 8 iTunes UK Charting Country, #1 iTunes South Africa Charting Folk & Country Artist, #1 iTunes UK Charting Christian, #1 iTunes UK Charting New Age, #2 iTunes UK World, proud nerd, multi-instrumentalist, book author, comic book nut, radio show host, poet and part time spy. His music is a cross between Justin Bieber, Queen, Journey & Ed Sheeran. It's hard to believe but Sarantos doesn't even use a professional studio to make any of his music! He's an alien who landed here to infect the human race and spread the disease of music. 2023 is Year #10 of his journey as he continues to release a new song, lyric video, music video, book chapter and poem every month bringing his music to life! In 9 years, he has released 18 albums with 226 original tracks as well as 9 fiction/fantasy books that parallel the songs! He has had numerous media placements for his songs, instrumentals & cues including several episodes of The Young & the Restless in 2021 and the list grows on and on.

Book preview

Introduction

Look at what we’ve done together!

Before you read my 8th book and this trilogy, I want to personally thank you for being my fan. I have many people to thank - God, my parents, sister and so many family & friends who made this book possible. However, this intro is specifically for you, my fan.

These fictional book pages are a direct reflection of my songs but also a part of my life. I hope you enjoy them. I want to make everyone on this planet happy hopefully thru my music, lyrics, videos, poems and books.

Being super busy, I realize your most valued commodity is time. So, the fact that you are giving up your most valuable asset to me means the world to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Work has never scared me. I probably got this from my dad who was the hardest worker I have ever known. I always bring him into the conversation because life is too short. It’s too precious and fleeting. None of us know how much time we have left so we should enjoy it. For me, that means working hard to pursue my dream. I am grateful to all my fans, and I try to shout this out as much as possible. It’s very humbling for me to have you read my book. Whether you bought it or not isn’t the point. The fact that you were intrigued enough to read it, whether it was for free on my website, or you bought it online or paid for a printed autographed version from my website – all that matters to me is that you are here with me now. You have decided to come along on this fantastic journey with me. We are here together at this single moment in time. Thank you for supporting my journey. Every single penny that comes in gets poured right back into my art because I’m not doing this to get rich. I just want my songs listened to, my videos watched, and my books read and shared. I hope they touch you, calm you, motivate you, console you, inspire you, as they have done for me.

Please feel free to join my fan email list and get all the inside information on my journey. I will do everything I can to make my email something you look forward to opening every month.

The positivity and love from my fans is the world to me. I want to let you know that your emails, posts and words of optimism make my heart beat with pride every single day as I continue this, my life’s passion. Once again, thank you. Have I said that enough? I hope you don’t take this the wrong way (or think it’s creepy) but I love you for being you. Love is not a word I have ever thrown around casually. If you ever get the chance to meet me in person, you will quickly realize that I am not a man of many words. I listen a lot. I let others speak most of the time. Now, though, my heart feels the need to let you know how thankful I am for your love, time, and support. I want to let you know that you are making my dream a reality. Without you, none of this would be possible!

My journey continues…

Sarantos

Chicago, IL 2021

Chapter 1

Covid Survivor

The phone rang one ordinary August morning, but he didn’t care. It’d been a year since humiliation filled his belly and sent a familiar fire into his cheeks. He vowed out of adventures for the rest of eternity.

Twenty minutes later, someone was pounding at the door. He knew it was Gorilla. The pounding continued. The kid wouldn’t let it go. He wouldn’t let him stew in his dull negativity. His classes usually went smoothly as no one ever asked him questions about the empty briefcase, but there was Gorilla, always sitting in the back row staring him down.

Don’t get it, he said, yelling at his new housekeeper.

Her name was Clara. She was 65 and treated him like a mother hen. She’d been nagging him for weeks to get out of the house and live his life. Instead, he rudely told her she was his housekeeper, not his mother. He sternly reminded her he preferred to be left alone.

She usually didn’t listen, and this was no exception as a minute later, Gorilla stood in front of him eating a Baby Ruth bar, or as he commonly misstated, a Babe Ruth bar. It didn’t matter. It bordered on annoying.

Hey, ya, Doc. I got news you’re going to want to hear. His voice muddled with the intermittent chomping and slurping of chocolate.

He barely glanced at the kid because there was no news he was interested in.

Spare me the lecture today, kid. I’m not in the mood. Gorilla didn’t flinch. The Professor was in the crosshairs and knew it.

Smacking and licking his lips, he went on without hesitation. Oh, this you will be in the mood for, Doc. I guarantee it!

Bushwa, as you would say, but spit it out, kid.

Sure. Do you remember Professor Darwin Claymore?

How can one forget him? I think he was the quack who ran for the hills when the school demanded he resign because of the absurd things he tried to teach his students. What ever happened to him, anyway?

He disappeared for three years. No one heard what happened to him until he posted in the news recently that he started offering private classes on magical artifacts.

What? His head moved against his will. His eyes locked on Gorilla. Tension moved from his gut to his neck. His curiosity was piqued.

"Hello there, Doc. It’s about time you looked at me. Delighted to see you too. Yes, he posted that, so I went to see him. He bought a small house on the outskirts of town and his private tutor sessions take place there. Well, he is a fascinating man.

We got to talking. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew, you and I have an appointment with him at noon today."

What? I refuse to see him as he’s balled up and mad.

Afraid you are, Doc. Charlie is meeting us there too. You’ll want to hear what he has to say. I have beat my gums for a year now trying to get you back in the game and you’ve refused time and time again, but this will actually accomplish that. I’m sure of it.

You’re all wet, kid, but if you promise to leave me alone for the next year if I go with you today, then you have a deal.

Attaboy, Doc. I promise to never bother you again, although I still might sneak into your classes. Gorilla didn’t know where the night was headed, but he knew it was building up to something and the thrill of adventure excited his senses.

Well, let’s get going then, but give me a second to wash up. You know he is a blotto?

The Professor ambled to the bathroom with Gorilla hot on his trail. The kid was clearly nervous he would renege on their deal and was determined not to let him out of his sights! The Professor washed his face briskly and Gorilla handed him a towel.

Gorilla couldn’t contain his urge any longer. Baloney, he drank after what he went through, but he was never a drunk. People are goofs. Look how they treated you. Students still call you a crazy recluse. That’s the bum’s rush.

He grabbed his hat and turned to face the kid. He winked. But I am a crazy recluse.

Gorilla smiled.

The kid had his own vehicle now. He wasn’t a terrible driver. It took them about twenty minutes before they pulled up in front of a small cottage with passive stone steps leading up to the house of Professor Darwin Claymore. Charlie’s car was already there. The air seemed purposeful.

Professor! She ran out onto the porch and threw her arms around his neck. I’ve missed you, you old bear. Every look begins a journey.

I told you I’d get him here, said Gorilla, holding his head high and walking past her and straight into the house.

You’re the bomb, Gorilla, she said, throwing a smile his way. Then, taking the Professor’s hand, she offered, Come in for some noodle juice, the kettle’s ready.

Sure, and it’s wonderful to see you, Charlie. She led him indoors. His curiosity increased further.

Glad to see you, Professor.

Professor Claymore had a simple house,