Bobby Brumley and the Power of Beowulf: Book One: Birth of a Hero

By Frank Wood

Written in a tongue in cheek style by a teenage boy to his best buds, Bobby Brumley and the Power of Beowulf, Book One: Birth of a Hero, explores on a deeper level what it means to go on with your life, particularly after experiencing an unthinkable trauma. Even more precisely, it speaks to what is a family and how we become bonded to one another. It is part love letter to the comic book world and part coming of age tale.

This book sets up the universe, introduces us to the main characters of Bobby, his feisty stepbrother Phillip, loyal best friend Trey, and intrepid girlfriend Ronnie whose nose for news leads her into a spine-tingling sub-adventure of her own. Once Bobby's team is assembled the story is set for the battle that is to come for the soul of the small town of Darbysville. It is a battle that has underpinnings to the classic biblical rivalry between Cain and Abel and has implications for the entire world outside of Bobby's hometown, if he and his friends are not successful in their unfolding quest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667834801

Book preview

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So, Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the Land of Nod,

east of Eden. –Genesis 4:16

We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that’s what we looked like to them! –Numbers 13:33

Do not be afraid of the people of the land…the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them! –Numbers 14:9a,c

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Darbysville, where wrestlers are made.

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The Darbysville Dawgs, The Easton Maulers, The Coronado Conquistadors, The Dublin Doubloons

Bobby Brumley and the Power of Beowulf

Book One: Birth of a Hero

©2021 Frank Wood

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

print ISBN: 978-1-66783-479-5

ebook ISBN: 978-1-66783-480-1

Contents

Prelude

Escape

A Chance Encounter

Back in Action

Ronnie

Checking In

Encounter at the Crosswalk

The Dengrels

Brumley’s General Store

The Soft Opening

Of Snowball Fights and New Acquaintances

Night Runs

Noah

Arrival

The Bookmobile

A Mystery

Meeting the Dengrels

The Gauntlet

Making Plans

Sensing the Enemy

A Test

Gut Feelings

Wild Ride from the 90s

Uncle Dave

Unnecessary Delays

Discovery

A Prince’s Pain

The Power of Beowulf

A Diversion

Vandalized!

The Dengrel Way

Late Night Call

Brotherly Love

Friends

A Mysterious Tip

Tragedy!

Bad Night for Pizza

Penetration

Texting with Ghosts

The Missing Piece

The Gathering Lantern

Heavy Load

Recipes

Dedication and Acknowledgements

To the many talented wrestlers I’ve met—thank you for sharing your expertise, your very cool tall tales, your passion and other nuances about your incredibly raw, brutal but ultimately heroic sport.

To Melody Culver, editor extraordinaire, for your continued exacting eye, wordsmithery and listening ear. Thanks for always being open to hearing my odd little tales.

To Anthony Christou for a terrifyingly good foreleaf. Your artistic gifts are phenomenal. Keep on transporting us all, mate.

To Paul F and Bobby L from 241—where I first found Bobby’s form and spirit—I hope that the years have been kind to you both and I hope that you’ve been able to slay any and all of the monsters that might have occasioned your way.

Finally, to Toni and J-Squared, thanks for allowing me to visit once again. You have all my love for always.

Prelude

After the great warrior king Beowulf defeated the vicious monster Grendel and his equally horrid mother, the remaining descendants of Cain dispersed into a life of secrecy and hiding.

They would continue to exact crimes on humankind in stealth and from the shadows, under the guise of normal-appearing mortals, all the while plotting their revenge on Seth Nation, the line that bore their conqueror.

While Beowulf’s death ended his reign, the power he wielded to subdue the Grendels continued to live on in those strong and courageous enough to bear its light.

Cain/Grendel Nation was dealt a near fatal blow when their all-powerful Gathering Lantern was shattered into a thousand pieces by the Keeper Angelique, its elements cast away to the furthest corners of the earth.

The Grendels had finally been undone, or so it seemed.

There was a stumble by the keeper Justus and the power of Beowulf dimmed. The Grendels saw their chance and, free of the power’s stabilizing force, began their quest to reassemble the Gathering Lantern. Once restored, they would strengthen under the Lantern’s bathing light and there would be none to stop them in their plans to dominate and rule the world and humankind once again.

One piece of the Lantern remains yet hidden from the Grendels to seize and complete the restoration. Their success in this resolve seems assured, but new hope has dawned for Seth Nation and the line of Keepers destined to wield the power of Beowulf. For there would indeed, much to the chagrin of the court of Justus, be another Keeper selected for the power.

Escape

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Probably our most dangerous patient.

Serenity Springs, a mental health facility in an undisclosed location,

present day

S o, this next one you need to be really careful about, the nurse said to his companion. They walked down the gray hall to the waiting room, pulling the small truck of medication and dinner trays. Probably our most dangerous patient.

I like to make sure he’s medicated first, he continued. The two stopped before a room. The nurse drew a clear aliquot of liquid into the needle and capped it. He nodded to the other, who knocked on the door.

Brumley?

Come in, came the voice in response.

The door opened. We have your medicine, Mr. Brumley.

You’re new, the man named Brumley said, nodding at the nurse’s partner.

This is Sam.

Well, nice to meet you, Sam.

You ready for your medicine?

It’s what I live for.

The nurse dropped the pills into Brumley’s hand. Brumley swallowed them, took the small bottle of water and chased them down.

Can I have a look-see?

Brumley opened his mouth for the nurse to inspect.

Good job, Brumley. You ready for dinner?

Always.

The nurse nodded to his partner, who placed a covered dish on the small, unadorned table in the room.

I really like your sneaks, Brumley said to the second nurse.

Oh, thanks.

What size do you wear?

These are twelves.

Brumley murmured in response, Hmm. How about that?

Enough small talk, Brumley.

Sorry. Just trying to be friendly.

How about you just eat your dinner?

Capital idea, governor.

The shrill peal of the facility’s alarm cut the night air as Dave Brumley, in a very well-fitting pair of sneakers, made his way into the night air just beyond the enclosing length of fence. While the facility halls teemed with alerted medical and support officials, a cold pair of eyes looked down on the escaping Brumley.

Sorry, sir, came a voice from behind the onlooker. Looks like he’ll make a clean break of it.

Very good. Alert Alastair.

A Chance Encounter

Two months later...

Running was a pain. Literally. But Bobby Brumley knew that it was what he needed to build his stamina, a must if he was going to have any hope of reclaiming his spot on the wrestling team. A lot had happened over the past year and now it was all about rebuilding. The problem was that the obstacles seemed harder to overcome. And why shouldn’t they be, after what he had been through?

But wow, what a difference a year off could make. Am I really in that bad of shape? He hocked up a loogie or two and pushed on. The crisp early morning October air was trying to do a number on his lungs. Step by step, he told himself. He was bringing up the rear, watching his teammates trot way in front of him for the opening run at Wrestlers Camp. You’ve got this; slow and steady, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Think positive, he kept telling himself as he ordered his leg muscles not to fail.

Bobby was so focused on the road in front of him that he didn’t even notice her. The old woman darted in front of him, coming from nowhere, riding her bike and nearly slamming right into Bobby. But she swerved and went toppling over the side of the hill, her bike spinning after her.

No one else was in sight. Bobby slowed his pace and ventured down the side of the hill to check on her. He was really going to be last now.

Are you all right?

I’m so sorry, young man, she said, not turning to look at him.

Let me help you, Bobby said.

The old woman was small, Bobby noticed as he helped her to her feet.

Nope…I think I’ve sprained it, she said, leaning on him.

Do you think you can walk?

Let me try, she said. Stepping down on her foot, she winced immediately.

Do you want me to carry you to the road?

I don’t want you to strain yourself, son.

I think I’ll be all right, Bobby said, hoisting her in his arms. She was incredibly light. Bobby got them both back to the road in no time.

You’re stronger than you look, young man, she said as he gently placed her down on the road. She reached in her fanny pack and pulled out a small first aid kit.

I’m a wrestler.

Hmmm, that explains it.

Let me see if I can get your bike back. Bobby scampered back down the hill as the old woman kicked off her sneaks and unfurled an elastic bandage wrap from her fanny pack.

Thank you, son.

Bobby rolled the woman’s bike up to the road as she finished wrapping her ankle.

Pays to come prepared.

I think your bike is still in working order, Bobby said.

It’s a solid model, she said.

Can I do anything else for you?

I think I can take it from here, Mr. Brumley.

How did you know my name?

Well, you look like a Brumley, she said, and your shirt says so too.

Oh.

I think you should catch up to your teammates, she said.

Yeah.

I really appreciate you stopping to help, she said. You’re going to have a wrestling season like no other, I believe.

Okay.

But a word of warning to you, Mr. Brumley, she said suddenly and ominously. You need to watch out for the boy with the blue hair.

What?

I’ve seen it, she replied. Nothing but trouble there.

Her eyes twinkled as she mounted her bicycle. Take care, Mr. Brumley.

She pedaled off as quickly as she had appeared, the fog and mist of the morning swallowing her up as she sped away in the opposite direction. Bobby didn’t know quite what to make of what had just transpired. Takes all kinds of loonies to make a universe. Pursing his lips in frustration, he picked up the pace in hopes that his last-place finish wouldn’t be too embarrassing.

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A word of warning to you, Mr. Brumley...

She got away, Noah! came the excited younger voice watching the scene from not too far away. Brumley helped her.

So noted. She’s fast. But not to worry, Chase. It’s only a matter of time now, the older voice replied. Come on, let’s get you in position.

DAY

ONE

Back in Action

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Santiago, you’ll be captain this season...

Fireman’s carry and roll up. Grapevine submission. Locking it in. Bobby Brumley hated losing. Hated it. Yet here he was, getting tapped out. He had lost to Santiago The Face Perez, so nicknamed because he looked like a Latin Douglas Fairbanks Jr., or so he was told by his grandmother.

So ends the battle of the captains, Coach Lambert called out. Santiago, you’ll be captain this season. Bobby…

You won’t! Joaquin finished amidst a burp of laughter.

That’s enough, Martinez. Bobby, I was going to say you’re deputy captain.

Is there such a thing as deputy captain? Kyle Hendricks asked. More laughter. Kyle, Joaquin and Elijah were known as the Three Stooges of the Darbysville High School wrestling team, for obvious reasons.

You two shake hands, Coach Lambert ordered Bobby and Santiago.

Good match, Bobby said to Santiago.

Right, came the confident reply.

Bobby couldn’t say he liked Santiago as much as he respected his skill on the mat.

So, a few announcements, Lambert said.

Listen up! Captain Perez unnecessarily barked.

Thanks, Santiago, you can take a knee, Lambert said.

Right, Coach.

So, this season’s going to be a pretty competitive season as I see it unfolding. Lots of new faces and new talent.

Hey Coach, is it true that Coronado is letting girls wrestle on their boys’ team? Leah Washington, the only female member of the Darbysville Dawgs, asked.

It is, Washington, and their two females bracket your weight class.

The Drain Sisters, Elijah remarked. Rude and wicked.

"We’ll talk a little bit about how the rest of you meatheads can readjust to a possible wrestling match with the opposite gender.

But here’s where the special sauce is going to be this year—the 129-pound division. There’s more talent in this category this year than ever before.

A new slide popped up on the PowerPoint Coach was zooming through. Fearsome. His arms raised in victory.

And leading the way is this guy, Coach Lambert said.

Nikolai Dengrel. Santiago, you and Bobby should study and get to know this guy. He’s been undefeated for the last two seasons.

Dengrel, Elijah repeated, any relationship to Dengrel’s SuperStore?

Some snickers, though it wasn’t that funny.

Surprisingly enough, he’s the nephew of Alastair Dengrel and the heir apparent to the Dengrel empire. His family calls him their prince. But make no mistake, he is as tough as they come. I’ve seen this guy wrestle and he has hurt more than a few feelings in his short but quite intense career.

He’s a beast, Kyle agreed. Quin and I saw him during Conan’s Relay. Kyle was referring to the grueling relay race that wrestlers ran during Wrestlers Camp. It was a normal relay through the backwoods, except you did it fireman-carrying one of your teammates through your circuit. He carried two of his teammates for his leg of the race!

Like they were nothing! Joaquin added.

You two, Coach Lambert said, eyeing Bobby and Santiago, especially you, Perez, are going to have your work cut out for you.

Coach, I thought Dengrel wasn’t going to wrestle this year, Kyle said. I thought he was under review or something.

He is under review, Coach Lambert said, but as one of the coaches on the board, I don’t think it’ll be outside of protocol to let you all know here today that he’s going to come out of that review without a blemish. We need to be ready. He and his team have been training hard on the off season. They’re going to be hungry.

Even still, I thought Dengrel was wrestling in Pac division.

Switched to the North when he started classes at Easton High. He wanted some real competition.

That’s what he’ll get, Coach, Santiago said.

Glad to hear it, Coach went on.

"Can you imagine Nick