Odyssey of Jennifer: I: Welcome to the States

By Sylvin Wallace

Orphan Jennifer’s arrival to the United States starts out as a
tragedy as her adoptive mother has been murdered and a gang
is after her. But she is saved by a private detective and learns
there are people with super-powers. She and the detective
have to contend with the gang to find the truth behind the mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823014991

Sylvin Wallace

Texas-born Sylvin Wallace has been writing for over twenty years, and it’s taken him that long to actually try and get published. When he’s not writing, he spends his time cleaning the house, playing video games, reading and napping. He hopes you enjoy this book, and the future ones as well.

Book preview

Odyssey

of

Jennifer

Book I: Welcome to the States

Sylvin Wallace

Illustrations by Alice Olson

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AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2023 Sylvin Wallace. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/10/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1498-4 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1499-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023918787

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Image Credit: Alice Olson

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1     Docking In

Chapter 2     Office Tour

Chapter 3     Cold Town

Chapter 4     Sharp Mind

Chapter 5     Let’s Take it to the Arcade

Chapter 6     Kendrick and the Manning Family

Chapter 7     Meet The Boss

Chapter 8     Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 9     Jane vs The Boss

Chapter 10   Justice

Chapter 11   My Name is Jennifer

Chapter 12   What is Coming Next

Special Thanks

Chapter One

Docking In

Jennifer is living what many orphans dream of: being adopted, let alone being adopted into a rich family! Even though that involves her having to cross over the metaphorical pond to go to New York City and leaving what little friends she had left behind, she’s still going to be living the easy life from here on out. This golden-trim room with the gigantic plump goose-down covered bed were surely signs of good things to come. She would be bouncing for joy if not for the tremors rocking her at the moment and the slight worry that this Miss Alcount might end up being far worse than any of her caretakers from the orphanage.

It’s all so sudden as well– Jennifer knew nothing about Miss Alcount outside of her being sixty years of age, being into antiques, inherited and ran a cruise line company, and having something to the ballpark of fifty million dollars laying around. Within two weeks, all of the paperwork and other necessary steps have been taken care to both adopt Jennifer and for her to be transported via ship. Jennifer could have gone by plane, but Miss Alcount insisted that Jennifer travelaboard one of her own cruise ships. Said that Jennifer deserved to experience first class personally, as a taste of what’s to come.

The cruise is first-class, yes. All of Jennifer’s needs were provided for; room service around the clock and access to all of the facilities (At least ones that a kid of her age can go into) like the gym and pool. Plus some new clothes that Miss Alcount picked out. Not that Jennifer ever bothered to leave her cabin outside of getting some fresh air every so often. Jennifer traveled alone as Miss Alcount only paid for one ticket, and the orphanage couldn’t afford a round-trip ticket to send one of their guardians. She’s rather scared of being by herself. Always have been that way, even when the orphanage was stuffed to the point where some of the kids would have to sleep on the floor. The ship crew were nice and friendly, but still, she didn’t feel too comfortable being around strangers. And really, even if a member of the orphanage came with her, Jennifer would have still remained within her cabin the entire time. She just wanted to get to Miss Alcount to learn something about her.

It had been a long ten days for her to be all cooped up within her stateroom, but the ship is docking. One of the staff had come by with the instructions from her new adopted mom: ‘Get off the boat, go through customs, and look for a man in a black suit holding up a sign with your name on it. He’ll lead you to a cab and soon to me.’ Jennifer tried to calm down as much as she could before docking, but she can still feel her heart beating like mad. Almost threatening to break out of her chest.

Jennifer did have a photo of Miss Alcount with her, and she looked just like your normal old woman. A face that is wrinkled and weathered like an old towel, curly hair and skin as white as snow, and dressed in clothes a century too old even for her. Jennifer looked herself over in the mirror to see her own appearance. Dark-brown hair, about as curly as her new adoptive mom. A band of freckles that stood out on her chestnut-toned skin. She lacked an English accent despite living in England all of her life. Most of the other kids did but

All of these thoughts were focused on hoping that Miss Alcount likes her. Surely Miss Alcount had seen a photo of her before, but Jennifer heard some horror stories from the other orphans about being adopted and moving out, only to immediately return when the parents decided they didn’t want the child anymore; Kid is too fat, too thin, too light, too dark, too crazy, too quiet. Some of the children that did return did have some problems of their own that made them pariahs in the community of the orphanage, so some of the rumors were true. Jennifer didn’t want to believe them, but she was hardly the most confident person around.

Jennifer is quiet, keeps to herself, likes to stay in one room the entire time. But hey, maybe Miss Alcount will be able to find the pearl in this sealed shell of a girl. With the horn signaling that the ship is docking, and with the sight of a city clear as day out of the porthole, Jennifer grabbed her bags and made her departure off the boat, moving as fast as she could to get out and away from the crowd. The sooner she’s out and away the better.

The departure dock was stuffed with all sorts of people that Jennifer has never seen before: the rich ones that came on the same ship mingling about, the poor shuffling about on, and the middle-class also wanting to get in and out as soon as possible. Hard to see anything else with how thick the crowds are. When it came Jennifer’s turn to go through the motions, the gruff-looking customs officer drolly asked, Name?

Jennifer. Jennifer stated in the sturdiest voice she could muster.

Last name?

Alcount? Jennifer questioned herself mostly. The officer seemed to be confused about why this little girl didn’t seem to know her own last name and just accepted it. Jennifer decided to add more: I was adopted. My original parents died before they named me. She told the same story that was given to her by all of the adults she’s asked. She proceeded through the crowds as fast as she could go while keeping an eye out for that sign. Please, Jennifer hoped in her head. Please, let me know I got off at the right port. Let them be here! Please, please, don’t miss me.

But, thankfully, it didn’t take long for her to find the sign as she entered the main foyer. ‘Jennifer’. The sign itself looked rather cheap. Even with being separated by a dense crowd, she could tell that the sign is made from a cardboard box and a dying marker. She could even make out the logo of a fridge manufacturer as she got closer to the man holding the sign.

The man is wearing a black suit, but there’s something about him that made Jennifer’s hair stand up. He’s a tall and broad-looking man wearing a thick pair of sunglasses. Combined with his grimace and the holstered pistol poorly hidden by his jacket, it made Jennifer wonder just what kind of woman Miss Alcount is. Possibly a mob boss? That’s what Jennifer is thinking about as the man slowly took the sign down and asked in a growl: Are you Jennifer? She meekly nodded. Good. The man replied before nodding on over to the street besides the docks. Follow me and do not make any noise. He grabbed her by the wrist, in a grip that went a bit far tight for Jennifer. She groaned out in pain and tried to break free, only for the man to drag her along. She almost called out for help, but then she saw people’s faces as she got taken away. They looked scared, possibly more scared than her. Nobody here wanted to get involved with the man and were trying to mind their own business. Jennifer didn’t know what to do. She started to pray in her head that this is a dream, and she will wake up back at the orphanage.

But no. Being thrown into the back of a black sedan didn’t jolt her awake, but rather, it bruised her forehead. This isn’t a cab. She called out to the first man, who climbed in back with her.

Get buckled up. He told her, placing a hand onto his pistol. This is a change of plans.

Not wanting to argue with a man that is clearly comfortable with shooting a little girl, Jennifer fastened her seatbelt. She noticed two more men, nowhere close to being as strongly built as the first, sitting in the front seat. As soon as the door to the back closed, the sedan took off. Speeding out of the parking lot but still remaining in the dock-area. Jennifer is being rocked around as the car sped around all of the corners. She wanted to ask a question or two, but the first man crossed his arms and nestled up close to her. He could tell that he could easily squash her with one hand if raised a fuss.

Now, where are they taking her?

The destination seemed to be on the industrial side of the docks. The speedy sedan stopped at a fence for a second to allow for a guard to open it up. Jennifer doesn’t see any way out of this situation. She could throw open the door to her left, but she noticed the guard is packing a much bigger gun. Not much she could do without being seriously harmed, or killed.

Nobody is coming for you. The first man spoke. And if you try anything funny, we’ll just dump you in the ocean.

Yeah, you could try swimming home! The driver chuckled as they pulled forward, towards a warehouse. The rest of the men followed in the laughter, with the first man’s laugh being the worst. Low-pitched and throaty. Harshly echoed in Jennifer’s ears for a bit after he stopped.

The inside of the warehouse is just stuffed full of boxes of all shapes and sizes; from small wooden ones to the large metal containers. All of them nondescript and covered in years worth of cobwebs. With the sedan stopping, the first man grabbed Jennifer by the arm and told her: No funny business again. Just unbuckle and follow me. Jennifer did as she was told and promptly got yanked out of the car and onto the ground.

What are you going to do with me? She asked as she got picked up by the arms by both men and hoisted onto a nearby folding chair.

Nuthin’... The driver shrugged. For now. He pulled out a pocketknife and flipped the blade out, waggling it around her chin. Be a good little girl and wait patiently... He told her as the third man went on over to close the door to the warehouse. The door slammed shut with a sickening metal thud. Jennifer understood that no matter what happens, it’s going to be bad for her. It felt like she might be sold into slavery...or worse. She got settled down into the chair, with the first man patting her on the head. He chuckled again and Jennifer crossed her legs in nervousness. She doesn’t see any windows or any other way of escaping. There’s some tools on the ground, just strewn about all randomly. Doubtful she could do anything to these men, let alone all three of them. About the most dangerous thing around is a crowbar, and a memory of seeing a wrestler bending a crowbar on TV came into her memory.

Jennifer took a moment to look at and categorize the men holding her hostage. The first man she referred to as ‘Wrestler’. He looked like the ones she saw on TV to her– Big, bulky, but this one isn’t as flashy as the TV stars. The driver, a skinny and dark-skinned guy who pulled out a bar of soap out of one of the boxes and started to whittle away at it with his knife, she called ‘Dagger’. And the third man, who is tall, pale and has just been staring at her the entire time with a glassy stare, she correctly referred to him as ‘Creep’.

Heard from the boss? Asked Creep, keeping his view on Jennifer.

It’s been only five minutes. Dagger snarled, keeping his attention on making what looked like a curvy woman out of the soap bar. You’ll get a turn with her soon enough...

A turn? Jennifer didn’t like the sound of that. I know, but it seems weird that we need to hang out with this one girl. Creep replied. Not really a threat...

Orders are orders. Wrestler told in a rocky tone. Keep quiet. The other two went silent immediately. The Boss will arrive shortly. The door to the warehouse shuddered a few times. Or right now. The Wrestler shrugged and went on over to open the door.

The door flew into his face right before he reached for the handle.

The two other goons jumped to their feet, readying their actual weapons. Jennifer turned her attention to the open doorway as well and breathed out contently as she saw someone stepping inside that looked more trustworthy. Hopefully.

So, is this how kidnappers work nowadays? Asked a calm voice as he did a little hop inside of the warehouse. The voice sounded like a man in his early thirties, kinda scratchy, but still clear to make out. Being as un-subtle as possible when it comes to kidnapping people out in public? He joked as he clapped his hands together. You guys must have alerted at least everyone in a ten-mile radius as you dragged a little girl through a packed dockyard...

Subtly ain’t a policy of ours! Bellowed Dagger as he waved a pistol around, at least keeping it pointed towards the intruder. ...but it seems that stupidity is one of yours. He started to march a bit closer.

Cute. The man told as he put his hands back in his pockets. Real cute.

Jennifer’s heart sank. This guy is going to save her from a bunch of armed goons without a gun? He’s so dead. She’s so dead too. And now that he’s gotten closer to her, she could make him out much clearer. He’s dressed just like a detective out of an old novel: long dark brown trench-coat, black khaki pants, white collar shirt with a dark blue tie, and an equally dark blue trilby. He looked rather smug for someone about to walk into a hail of gunfire.

You stupid? Creep called out the obvious. Back away!

You should know better. The detective pointed a finger at Creep. When a man like me approaches three really stupid goons like you packing heat? Come on… He sighed as he fanned his arms out. You know better. That brought the three goons to a pause. Jennifer as well. Dagger didn’t get the subtle threat as he aimed his gun right at the detective’s head, slowly squeezing the trigger. The detective’s cocky smile grew again, stretching his bearded face a bit wider. He even fanned his arms at his sides as if to say: ‘Well? You waiting for something?’

So Dagger fired, a loud cracking burning into Jennifer’s ears and causing her to close her eyes in blind panic. But then...silence. Sheer utter silence, save for the echo of the gunshot. Jennifer slowly opened her eyes, keeping her view on the detective...and the bullet hovering right next to him. It’s...just there. As if suspended by some invisible string. It’s a small bullet, but Jennifer could clearly make it out even from her distance. The detective chuckled as he bent over to stare at the bullet. He slowly reached a finger up to it before merely flicking it away. Just like a fly. The bullet landed on the ground, bounced a few times, and then rolled underneath a crate.

Dagger found that unbelievable and started to unload as many shots as he could, his aim jerking with the recoil. Jennifer clenched down on her lower jaw, stamped hard on her aching ears, and tried to keep her eyes open to see just how this detective is able to do...whatever he did. Surely that’s not a fluke he was able to stop a bullet in mid-air!

And she saw it.

Several streaks of blue and white lightning surrounded the detective as he quickly jabbed the air with his pointer finger, with some sparks emitting off his finger and shooting off towards the barrage of bullets. Jennifer found herself completely amazed about this display of...super-power.

It’s a super-power! This man is a super-hero!

She could see what’s going on clearly too. The bullets were slowing down to such an incredible degree that the detective is able to catch them out of the air with a weak swipe of his hands. Jennifer found herself growing a smile on her face as she saw the detective snatch the last bullet out of the air and then display it to the stunned Dagger. Told you. The detective spoke as he tossed the bullet over his shoulder. You should know better. He showed off the other bullets, palming them around.

Crap! Creep quaked out, dropping his own gun. He’s one of them!

So, you guys want to surrender and wait for the cops like the good boys that you are? The detective shrugged and cracked his knuckles. He clearly knew better than to try and reason with these guys. Dagger made that clear as he grabbed his namesake and rushed right at the detective. Dagger figured that a tiny knife would be more effective against someone who can stop bullets. Shame that this isn’t some role-playing game and the guy he’s attacking is still holding onto several bullets. The detective tossed one round right at Dagger, aimed at his right shoulder. Jennifer noticed the blue and white sparks again as he threw the bullet. Even though the round has already been spent, it traveled at a high-enough speed to rip right through Dagger’s shoulder, causing him to spin backwards in the air and then land on his back. Jennifer winced. She saw a streak of blood shoot out of the hole. Creep, clearly the smarter one, held up his hands in surrender. The detective silently dropped the spent rounds and pulled some handcuffs out of his pocket as he slowly approached Creep, keeping an eye down