Thirty Seconds Before Dying

By Sébastien Theveny

Sometimes, only one second is enough to change some lives.

New York, 2018.
Sitting in a boarding room of La Guardia Airport, Tom Brady is looking at the other passengers, so many people who know nothing of his terrible Thanksgiving 2015.

Impossible to forget this infamous Thursday! A dark hectic, tense day that hides some frightful secrets but also a chilling, disturbing truth, whose roots draw much further from the past…

At this moment, Tom is far from imagining he only has thirty seconds left before dying.

 

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Already more than 20,000 readers are on board for New York!

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About the author
Sébastien Theveny has published 10 novels and seduced more than 100,000 readers until today. He has been the most read self-published author on Amazon France in 2018 with his bestseller Un frère de trop.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sébastien Theveny
• Release date: Jul 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201110482

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Chapter 1

Carthage, Texas, 1988

The young Ramon gathers his stuff — a notebook scribbled with some notes, his school kit and his pocket missal. Like a dozen of his classmates, once a week he attends the Bible School of the First Christian Church of Carthage. It isn’t that he really likes it, all this religious gibberish, but it is an opportunity for him to escape a few more hours from the house chores. In fact, at home, everybody gives their share of helps, that is the rule at the Calvez’s home, a very fervent Latino family.

Ramon is the eldest of three children. He celebrated his eleventh birthday a few weeks ago, during the spring. He gets excited that summer is coming; it will be the end of the catechism, time for the holidays, some evenings spent out in the streets, time playing soccer with his best friend, and for cycling. Ramon is very proud of his BMX with its small plastic additions that make backfiring noises on the back wheel spokes.

Suddenly, a hand is laid on his shoulder while he’s leaving from the presbytery.

Ramon?

It’s the pastor’s big hairy paw, accompanied by his gentle voice.

Yes, Father?

My little Ramon... I’m a bit sadden you aren’t learning your prayers properly. It’s important, don’t you know?

Ramon lowers his head, a bit ashamed.

I know... but it doesn’t get into my head. I get confused.

It’s like poetry, my boy. You just need to recite it again and again, like a song. I’m sure you know some songs by heart, don’t you?

Of course!

Which one, for example?

"Oh well, Michael Jackson’s new ones, you know Dirty Diana, it’s always on the radio this time."

The priest smiles.

Then, I guess we aren’t listening to the same radio stations.

Maybe because we aren’t the same age, Father? Ramon dares. Oh, sorry, I didn’t want to say you were old... but...

The religious’ hand tightens a bit more on the young boy’s shoulder.

Don’t worry. And you’re absolutely right. I don’t listen to your youth radios. They speak too fast for me on those airwaves. So, I was saying, imagine a psalm is a song, a beautiful song filled with poetry. Then, you will see, it’s easier to remember.

Thanks for the advice, Father. I will try this way next time. Please, excuse me for now, I have to go, otherwise I will get into trouble.

Of course, of course.

The priest releases Ramon’s shoulder, who walks through the presbytery door, holding his missal under his arm.

Ramon, the minister calls him back.

The young boy stops and turns back.

Yes, Father?

If you want us to rehearse your prayers together, don’t hesitate, you can stay to study.

Thank you, Father, I will think about it, Ramon answers, just wanting to flee as fast as possible, to go back home, do his homework then run to meet his buddy on the soccer field. First I will try the song method.

Well! Go on.

Thank you, Father. See you next week!

Ramon jumps on his BMX. He’s looking forward to meet his best friend, DeMarcus, after his homework.

Chapter 2

Carthage, Texas, 1988

DeMarcus James is quite a big fellow, being only eleven years old. He is almost one head taller than all his friends. In particular, his best buddy Ramon, who isn’t very tall for his age.

He’s precisely waiting for him on the soccer field, next to the junior high school gymnasium. Not that he really likes soccer, not American enough for him, but he likes his friend, so he wants to make him happy playing with a soccer ball. They often practice shooting on goal and DeMarcus takes position in the goals. His size and his big hands are his assets to stop the penalties. The soccer ball seems ridiculous to him, as he spends much more time with a basketball. Indeed, his hobby is basketball! He plays basketball, he’s thinking only about basketball, he follows the NBA on TV and he’s dreaming about basketball. When he’s dreaming, he’s dunking on Magic Johnson or Larry Bird’s heads.

In real life, DeMarcus never had the chance to meet some NBA celebrities. For the moment, he is in the small team of Carthage, in the junior category due to his size. A team led by the paternalistic hand of coach Donovan, also a good fellow, loved and feared by the basketball apprentices. He’s training the young people twice a week, then go with them by bus when they have to play a match outside, in one town or another of Carthage County. Sometimes, in the bus the coach sits next to DeMarcus and they speak together about the possible career of the young boy.

If you keep training like this, DeMarcus, you will go far, very far! For sure you have the skills, my boy.

Is this true, coach?

Like I’m telling you! But you shouldn’t neglect to study properly at school if you want to enroll in a good College and a University in the future.

All this seems quite far away... DeMarcus thinks.

Oh! Time flies very quickly... In which franchise would you like to play if you make it pro? In which team are you dreaming of shining?

The boy’s eyes start to sparkle when speaking of a possible future in basketball. Staring at the grassy landscapes passing along the bus, he’s dreaming.

At the Lakers, like Magic! Or maybe the Chicago Bulls... or the New York Knicks...

It’s very good to have ambitious goals, big boy! the coach is encouraging him by ruffling his curly hairs.

Oh! DeMar’, are you daydreaming?

Suddenly, DeMarcus catches up with the reality, with a dreamy air, and sees his buddy Ramon, standing in front of him, his soccer ball in hands.

Hey bro! I haven’t seen you arriving.

They high-five like they have seen on TV shows such as 21 Jump Street that they’re watching all the episodes during class breaks.

Come on, move your ass! Are you going in the goal as usual?

The two friends go toward the goals and the first shots burst out. Ramon is applied and involved. However, DeMarcus doesn’t seem to be into his game. Usually, he dives on the balls, jumps from one pole to the other, diverts shots from the top corners. But today, he is somewhere else, his face closer than usual, while he is normally a rather smiling person.

You’re really a strainer today, buddy! What’s happening to you? Have you eaten too many donuts?

Of course not, it’s all right, don’t worry! Come on, shot, chick!

Really? A chick, me? Take this! Ramon shouts out while shooting a cannonball into the nets without his buddy moving at all. Are you sleeping or what?

DeMarcus lowers his head while Ramon is running into the goals to pick up the ball. On the way, he taps on his friend’s shoulder.

Come on, DeMar’, I can see you aren’t yourself. What’s happening? A problem with your father?

No, it isn’t this, in fact... not really, the big black boy answers, smiling.

I’m your buddy, you can tell me everything, Ramon continues, sitting in the grass, his butt on the goal line. DeMarcus does the same.

Well... I’m bummed....

Why?

DeMarcus wriggles, grinds his big hands, hoping to find the right words. Finally, he confesses:

I will have to leave, Ramon.

Leave where?

To New York.

Great, are you going this summer? For how long? The whole holidays?

I am not going on holidays, buddy... I’m going forever...

What do you mean, forever? Are you going to live in New York?

Right.

No kidding, why? Are you going to switch school? Are you going to play basketball? Don’t tell you are already enrolling in the Knicks?

I don’t want to laugh, Ramon. In fact, we’re all leaving. Me, my brothers and sisters, my parents, all!

Why have you never told me about this?

Because the decision has been taken very quickly. Not so long ago... My father found a job there... We’re moving in two weeks.

Oh! Shit, DeMar’, that can’t be true, Ramon whines. Fuck, buddy, what will I do at school without my huge official bodyguard?

DeMarcus lays his big hand on his buddy’s knee.

You will defend yourself very well, man! I trust you. But, you know, me too I’m disgusted to death, I swear it. I don’t know anybody there.

The two friends keep silent for some time, their eyes staring at the grass, nervously ripping off a few clumps of grass.

See the bright sight of it, Ramon finally adds. There is probably a bunch of basketball fields in New York! And you will be closer to the Knicks. Maybe you will even be able to see them playing...

At the Madison Square Garden? Wow! But it probably costs a fortune to get a seat there.

Hey, DeMar’. You don’t care. Maybe one day, I will be the one buying a seat to see you playing! Come on, it’s maybe an opportunity to go to the Big Apple. Think about me staying in this godforsaken town of Carthage! I would love to go to New York!

Really? Why?

Walking on Broadway, going to see a musical. And also seeing the skyscrapers, all those streets full of lights all night long, like Times Square... In fact, I’m dreaming about it!

Let’s swap?

Dare!

Phew... no, I can’t. That’s life, I’m going to leave from Carthage. Fifteen more days of school, then we go...

Hey, DeMarcus, we will write to each other, right? You won’t forget me once you will be there?

I will never forget you, knucklehead, never, do you hear me? Cross our hearts... hope to die... stick a dirty needle in our eye! Do you want us to perform the blood oath?

What? Are you insane! Mixing our blood? Like blood brothers? Oh no, no way, I don’t want to slash myself for you. A pinky swears if you want, but nothing more!

OK! Chicken, DeMarcus laughs. Let’s swear we will never drift apart, even if distance and life are separating us.

I swear it! Ramon says, spitting.

I swear it! DeMarcus answers.

Ah! The fine childhood words.... The ones that are truly believed. Oaths taken for life then forgotten year after year as life goes on, because the world is moving on, because destiny introduces new people, new choices, new trials.

Ramon and DeMarcus don’t know this yet, barely being eleven years old and still under the veil of their innocence.

A veil that sooner or later will crack and break apart...

In the meantime, they are going along the soccer stadium to go back to their family, while on the other way, a young girl cycles down the street, like if going to a date.

Hey Ramon, check out the red-haired girl there! She’s quite a pretty girl, isn’t she?

Yeah... so-so. I don’t like red-haired girls.

For me, redheads, blonds or brunettes, I don’t care! She is pretty and pleasant to look at. Isn’t she Billy’s sister?

Oh yes, maybe.

Chapter 3

Carthage, Texas, 1988

Erin O’Connell cycles as fast as she can on the road going along the soccer stadium. Her long red hairs betraying her Irish origins are flying behind her like a blazing tail. From the corner of her eyes, she notices the two boys on the field staring at her. Kids she thinks, thinking she recognizes her little brother Billy’s classmates.

Erin, now sixteen years old, draws admiring glances. Her milky skin, her sound stains on the cheekbones and her well-shaped body are assets she sometimes would like to hide. Indeed, Erin is shy and doesn’t really like drawing attention. In particular, when it seems to be concupiscent.

The only look she likes is Sean’s, her boyfriend toward whom she is precisely cycling.

They’ve been together for more than a year, and it starts to become serious! They are in love of each other, which is noticeable deep into her green eyes and his brown ones.

Like every Wednesday afternoon, Erin is going to Sean while her parents are still at work. Therefore, they can get a few hours of privacy to let their rising love flourishing.

The young girl sees him, sitting on the front steps, smoking a cigarette.

Hey beauty, he says, crushing the cigarette butt under his sole.

Erin puts her bike against the fence of the small pavilion of Daniel Street, gets closer to her lover, frowning.

Sweetheart, you know I don’t like when you’re smoking, it gives you a jackal breath!

So come to kiss your jackal, baby! You’re such a poetess!

Despite his breath, Erin can’t refrain from falling into her lover’s arms, a year older than her. They kiss each other passionately and their hands already start to wander. The young man’s hands fumble under Erin’s sweatshirt, looking for round sweetness...

Let’s go inside? he whispers into her ear.

Wait, rogue... It’s sunny today, I want to enjoy the warm weather. Will you come with me for a short stroll before getting inside?

Sean grumbles a bit, but still agrees to go for a stroll, even if he has other projects in mind that he happily looks forward.

Hand in hand, they wander around the neighborhood until they almost reach the East Texas Medical Center.

Will you come to see me next week for the choir performance? she asks.

What? Are you insane! Could you have mercy for my ears....

Asshole! she says, gently poking him in the ribs with her elbow.

Ah! Stop, you will break me in two, little sparrow, Sean laughs. And I am not saying this because of you. You have a true voice of nightingale, baby! I was thinking more about big Dave with his castrato voice.

You’re so dumb! Dave has an amazing voice! It’s even quite rare, Madam Dooley tells it often enough.

Oh! oh! Dave, how high and clear your voice is! Sean says ironically, exaggeratedly imitating the voice of the singing teacher, director of the parish choir.

The caricature makes Erin bursting into laughing, embracing her sweet lover with happiness.

You’re a big lug! she says. That’s what made me fall for you, don’t you know? Your weird sense of humor!

Sean puts his arms around Erin’s waist, then lets his hands fall to her lower back up to the curve of her firm bottom.

And you, do you know what made me fall for you? he asks.

I have no idea, young man... she answers in an ingenious tone.

So let’s go back to my home and I will explain all this to you in detail...

A few moments later, Sean’s room is filled by the sensual voice of Georges Michael coming from the cassette player on top of his bed. The syncopated rhythm of Faith is perfectly adapted to the dance of the bodies still looking for each other, still stammering.

Well, I guess it would be nice if I could touch your body

I know not everybody has got a body like you...

Those lyrics are fitting with Sean’s every day growing desire. A teenager desire, full of hormones, that Erin has been refraining for several months.

Come on baby, please, let me do.

I can’t, Sean. I am not ready.

Sean sighs, head down.

We have been together for almost a year...

I know, but you realize how important is what you ask me for. At home we don’t do like this, not that fast...

So, you don’t love me, right?

Not at all, honey. It isn’t this. It’s just, you know, with everything we hear about this sex disease...

Sean moves toward his nightstand.

I have everything we need to protect us.

This isn’t the problem... also, I’m scared.

Scared of what?

I don’t know... of pain I think.

I can be very gentle...

Sean... have you already done it?

The young man hesitates.

Of course! What do you think... uh... In fact, not yet... I have never been to the end... But right now, with you, I know it isn’t the same. I really want.

Me too, baby, but I can’t... Give me a bit more time...

When? Sean asks impatiently, kissing Erin’s chest, right above her bra. She only wears this and her panties, while he is shirtless over his tight jeans.

This summer... I promise you.

She kisses him back, shaking from desire and fear.

Would you still do a little something for me now?

Erin understands what Sean is referring to — it’s the craziest concession she has been granting him for a few weeks. She lies on him, kisses his bare chest from top to bottom, then skillfully unbuttons his jean, freeing his tensed desire...

Chapter 4

La Guardia airport , 2018

Passengers to Portland, please go to the boarding point, terminal A, gate A3.

Tom Brady, already sitting on an uncomfortable hard plastic chair, doesn’t feel affected by this announcement coming from La Guardia airport speakers, New York.

He still has almost an hour before boarding to New Orleans