Witching Hour: Volume 1: Witching Hour

By Wilson E. Clark

With a bit of poking and prodding, the oddities lurking beneath the surface of everyday life are brought out into the open. From extraterrestrial encounters to otherworldly experiences, Witching Hour: Volume 1 is a novella with seven tales that will take you on a roller coaster ride through a world of weirdness.

 

Above the Clouds – Rick is stuck on a long flight to Beijing and ready for a change of pace. Unexpected turbulence though could prove to be more than asked for as Rick realizes his plane may not be alone in the cloudy skies over China.

 

Consolation Prize – About to be laid off and out on the street, Bill's got every incentive to break the rules. When a co-worker dares him to sneak into an abandoned, off-limits building to find out what their company is hiding, he's all ears. Little does he know though that what he's about to find will change his life, and possibly the course of humanity forever.

 

Lonely Hero – Everyone has bad days, even superheroes.

 

Cancellation Clause – Certain situations in life offer a second chance, but death is rarely one of them. Not ready to check out just yet? Then be sure to ask about the Cancellation Clause. After all, death may be irreversible, but that doesn't mean it can't be negotiable.

 

Faith in Numbers – Blue-skinned Taylana is not interested in men…or humans for that matter, but a blind date with an awkward mathematician may change her mind in this story of love and logarithms.

 

From A View – Natalya stares at the man from a distance, admiring his clothes, personal tastes and dancing style while pondering two questions: what would it be like to meet him, and will she be able to kill him?

 

Offerings – Mike and his girlfriend, Lana Chen, are about to sit down for a romantic, candlelit dinner. Nothing will stop them from doing so…except an unexpected visit from Lana's great-grandparents. Sure, they seem like nice people, but there's one small problem: they've been dead for the past century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Griffington House
• Release date: Sep 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215196892

Wilson E. Clark

Wilson E. Clark lives in the Pacific Northwest and enjoys writing fiction and collecting vintage movie posters. If you finish one of his stories with a smile on your face, then he has done his job.

Book preview

ABOVE THE CLOUDS

1

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Are we almost there yet?  Rick shook his head from side to side for a few seconds after speaking then stretched his arms upward.

No, Tina muttered.  For the umpteenth time, no, we’re not there yet.

Rick opened his mouth and yawned before glancing out the window at the blue sky and wispy clouds below their plane.

What has it been now, eleven hours?

Twelve.

Twelve?  Geez, I can’t believe we’ve been cooped up in coach for half a day.  Rick glanced at the surrounding passengers before sniffing several times with his nose.  Is it just me or does the cabin smell like a giant armpit?

A hundred people stuck together in a tight space for enough time and what do you think will happen?

Yeah, yeah, I know, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.  Rick snorted and leaned back against the seat, opening his eyelids as much as possible.  After a few seconds he shook his head again before turning back to his girlfriend.

Are you getting hungry, Tina? Rick asked.  Tina gave no response and Rick observed her eyes staring downwards, absorbing a Mandarin eBook.  Rick made a half grin, showing a few teeth, and chuckled.  Ignoring me again?  Am I being that annoying?  There was still no response.  Hey, Rick nudged Tina with his elbow.  Can you hear me?

Yes!  I can hear you just fine!  What’s the problem?  Tina looked up and rolled her eyes.  What, Rick?  Do you require some attention?  Her tone told Rick to tread carefully, but he didn’t care.

Feeling hungry? Rick asked once more, maintaining his half grin

No!  I’m not hungry.  We just ate three hours ago.  Are you hungry again?

As if on cue, a small whine came from Rick’s stomach, and he patted it.

Guess so, he replied.

Well, get yourself something when the flight attendant comes around with the cart again.

Could be awhile, do you think?

How would I know, Rick?  Figure it out for yourself!

Are you mad at me?

Tina said nothing as her eyes dropped down to the tablet once more.

You don’t need to ignore me like that, Tina.  We’re both reasonably intelligent people capable of communicating with each other.

You do plenty of communicating for the both of us, Rick.  I’m not in the mood to play along right now.

Why not?

Tina let the tablet drop into her lap before jerking her head around to face Rick.

Because for the past twelve hours I’ve had to sit next to you on this plane and listen to your bellyaching!  I’m hungry, I’m hungry!  When are we going to be there?  How much longer do we have?  Are you starting to get the picture?  I know you don’t like flying but suck it up!  You agreed to go with me.

True, but I...

But nothing else, Rick.  Put a cork in it, please!

You’re very attractive when you’re angry, did I ever tell you that, honey?

Tina's puckered lips told Rick it was time to shut up and he looked away.

After a few seconds, he glanced over the seats, stood up and squeezed passed Tina’s legs, walking towards the front of the plane.  As he walked, the plane lurched slightly to one side then to the other and Rick grabbed the top of a nearby seat to steady himself.

Shenme?  Ni shi shei?

Rick glanced down and realized his fingers had brushed against the gray strands of an elderly Chinese man's comb-over, exposing the bald scalp beneath.

Oops!  Sorry about that, Rick said, removing his hand from the top of the seat before continuing to walk.  He glanced back for a second and saw a comb suddenly materialize into the man's hand, combing the hair back into place.

Ni hao ma?

Rick turned his head forward again to face a twenty-something Chinese flight attendant, her hair tied back in a bob with a chopstick holding it in place.

Um, hello, I uh...

Sorry, sir, I should use English.  The captain has asked all passengers to remain seated, please.

Yes, I know, but I really need to...

Rick glanced up at the open lavatory sign.

Emergency?

Close to it, I suppose.

Please be quick and return to your seat when done.

Thanks.

Bu xie, the stewardess said before turning back towards the First-Class cabin.  Rick watched her go for a moment before entering the lavatory and locking the door.

2

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Bue xie, ni hao ma, shenme, ni shi shei, the words of Mandarin he'd heard in the past minute or so all sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't recall their exact meanings.  Basic phrases, something like hello, you're welcome, who are you?  Rick shook his head and scolded himself for not having learned more Mandarin over the past two years.  With a Chinese American girlfriend who spoke fluent Mandarin, one would think the language would rub off.  Not yet for him apparently.

Flying to China was Tina's idea as she hadn't been back to visit her grandparents in Beijing for quite some time.  Rick wasn't opposed to the idea but wasn’t crazy about it either.  He liked Tina for herself and wasn't concerned about where her family came from.

The intercom buzzed and the captain's voice spoke in a series of Mandarin sentences before switching to English.  Ladies and gentlemen, we're now flying over China and expect to arrive in Beijing within the next three hours.  At this time, we're experiencing turbulence so please stay seated and keep your seatbelts fastened.  Thank you very much.

"Thank you," Rick responded, chuckling as he finished his business and flushed the toilet. Before he could turn around towards the sink, the plane shook back and forth, flinging Rick against the wall above the toilet.  His arms shot out in time to keep his head from hitting the wall and he was glad he'd put the toilet cover down before flushing otherwise his foot would have gone into the bowl.  Rick stared at the wall a few inches away from his face while taking a moment to steady himself.  After doing so, the plane shook again, lurching to one side then to the other before returning to normal.

Sir, please return to your seat.  We are experiencing turbulence.

Rick turned while exiting the lavatory to face the same flight attendant he’d spoken to several minutes earlier.

Right, away, right away, he muttered, throwing a quick smile in her direction before heading back towards