5 o'Clock Shadow

By L.A. Davis

Five tales of terror, consequences, and misfortune...

 

A Shady Murder
Jules' job as a homicide detective has become the perfect cover as he pursues supernatural beings that are determined to eliminate him. This short thriller will have you wishing for more... once you catch your breath.

 

Abigail
Abigail is inexplicably drawn to the ruins of an old, abandoned church.

 

A Typical Atypical Day
It was an unusual day for Jeff -- nothing had gone wrong. But, that was about to change.

 

Gammy's Story
Joey's and Anna's misbehaving lead to disastrous results and a night of unforgettable terror.

 

The Last Train
Melvin wants to disappear. TD wants to join a gang. Priscilla wants revenge. They all want to catch the train.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L. A. Davis
• Release date: Sep 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215830666

Book preview

Forward

5o'Clock Shadow is a collection of five distinct tales; A Shady Murder, Abigail, A Typical Atypical Day, Gammy's Story, and The Last Train.

A Shady Murder is a short story written as a teaser to an upcoming novel. It is a complete story on its own but was intentionally designed to leave the reader looking for more.

Enjoy!

A SHADY MURDER

Tears didn't affect him.  That much he was used to.  It was the complete lack of them that had him so unnerved.  Sure, shock has strange affects and a delayed emotional response is not uncommon but all three of them?  The mother and both her sons were sitting on the couch (which had to be up righted) as cool and calm as a spring day. The only sign of movement from any of them was a slight wince from one of the young men at the flash from the photographer's camera.

As a detective in the homicide unit, Jules had investigated more crime scenes than he cared to remember but this one was different.  Nothing seemed right and his mind's warning sirens were going off full blast.  Nothing in the room was left intact.  It was as if a tornado had come through.  There was nothing that had not been shattered or overturned.  The victim's body (the husband and father of those on the couch) had just been carted off by the coroner.  Yellow tape marked the spot where the body had apparently been flung - in a corner on top of an overturned curio cabinet and other debris.

The police officers and members of the homicide unit were all occupied with their respective duties; gathering evidence, investigating, dusting for prints, and taking pictures.  Preliminary statements had been taken. 

It was Jules' turn to question the family.  He glanced over at the mother - the wife of the victim.  As their eyes locked a sly grin spread across the face of the wife and she winked at Jules.  Just as quickly, she returned to her stoic, expressionless façade.  That brief moment confirmed what Jules had already come to realize.  Fear tried to overtake him as the gravity of the situation came into focus.

Jules' job as a homicide detective paid the bills but his real job was Shade Chaser.  He hunted shades and they hunted him.  He had been set up and walked right into a trap.  Sitting on the couch were three shades and the room was full of potential victims. 

Shades typically don't care for the confines of a human body but whenever they want to interact with people or things, it is necessary to take on a physical form. A human form is usually the most convenient. In its natural form, a shade can move about freely at night but by day it must stay hidden in the dark; the shade of a tree, the shadow of a building, or inside a physical body.  Exposed, it is vulnerable to any form of direct light and will fizzle into nothingness.  Jules also knew that in the indirect light of the room he was in, the shades would have time to find shadow; not much time, but time.  A strong shade might have up to three seconds to find cover.  Shades move very quickly and, as Jules had learned, three seconds can be a very long time.

Jules had to go along with the charade being, to his knowledge, the only known shade chaser and worse, the only one who knew or believed shades existed.  He pulled out his notepad and pen and slowly walked toward the three on the couch.  He kept his voice low and pretended to take notes.  You want me. Let these others go. Jules directed his statement to the mother. 

Certainly, she said with a smile,  As long as you do what you're told! she continued with a hiss.  Put down your flashlight!  The one under your jacket! she ordered. Jules' heart sank.  He hoped they didn't know about the flashlight.  He valued that flashlight far above the gun that was in his shoulder holster.  He had altered the flashlight to come on at the slightest touch which it did now as he removed it from his inside jacket pocket.  The son that had been wincing at the photographer's flash jumped to his feet when he saw the light. Some of the staff in the room took note of the sudden movement.

Sit down you fool! the mother barked as she gingerly took the flashlight from Jules.  She was being careful to point the beam away from herself even though it could do her no harm in her present form.  She shoved the flashlight under the couch. He had a recent incident with a candle, of all things,  she explained.  That son was stricken with embarrassment and was seething with anger.

I gave up my flashlight. Now let these others go. 

The mother waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. 

The three of them began bickering amongst themselves as Jules turned to everyone and said, The family would like to speak with me in private.  I need to have you all step outside for a few minutes.  The