Genie in the Grit

By J.N. Love

"Genie in the Grit" is a gripping and emotionally charged modern tale of redemption and the true meaning of wealth. The story follows Marcus, a man drowning in debt and despair, who stumbles upon an ancient teapot housing a powerful genie. After making two life-changing wishes, Marcus experiences euphoric highs and devastating lows. As he navigates the consequences of his wishes, he discovers that genuine wealth lies in hard work, family, and compassion. With the support of his son, Tim, Marcus embarks on a journey of personal growth and redemption, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy that inspires generations to come. This somber, thrilling, and sometimes humorous narrative explores the transformative power of life's trials and the enduring lessons learned along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.N. Love
• Release date: Oct 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215421550

J.N. Love

Navigating effortlessly between the realms of fantasy and the intricate labyrinths of thriller and mystery, "Josh" has held readers spellbound for more than a decade with his rich and immersive tales. Born amidst the rugged landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Josh's childhood amidst age-old legends and whispered tales of old kindled an early passion for stories that meld the magical with the mysterious.Josh's travels around the globe have added depth and nuance to his narratives, combining universal myths with his unique interpretive spins.His fantasy tales often draw inspiration from his African roots, blending age-old myths with fresh narrative innovations. In contrast, his thriller and mystery tales dive into the intricacies of human psyche, weaving plots that are both perplexing and enthralling.When not lost in his imaginative worlds, Josh retreats to his mountainside abode, indulging in his love for astronomy and spending evenings with his trusty dog, Atlas. Dive deeper into Josh's worlds.

Book preview

Genie in the Grit

J.N. Love

R.B. Publishers

Copyright © 2023 R.B. Publishers

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Genie in the Grit

Chapter 1:

Desperation

The low hum of evening traffic from the street below filtered through the thin glass windows of Marcus’ fifth-floor apartment. The pale yellow paint on the walls, peeling at the corners, held witness to better times, now a distant memory. The dark wooden floorboards creaked underfoot, revealing the age and history of the old building. A ceiling fan spun slowly, its blades barely moving the stagnant air, weighed down by the humidity of summer's end.

In the dim glow of a single floor lamp, with a flickering bulb ready to give out any minute, a tattered brown sofa sat facing an old CRT television. The colors of the TV flickered, rendering scenes from a late-night comedy show where laughter echoed hollowly in the otherwise silent room.

Amidst this setting of decay and decline, Marcus, a middle-aged man with thinning salt-and-pepper hair, sat hunched on the edge of the sofa. His weary hazel eyes, which once shimmered with the promise of ambition, were now clouded with fatigue and regret. Deep-set lines crisscrossed his forehead, hinting at many sleepless nights and unwelcome worries.

Marcus' heart was thundering, creating its own rhythm that contrasted starkly with the jovial backdrop of the television show. It wasn’t the stand-up comedian's punchline that had his full attention, but the black cordless phone that rested beside him. It vibrated intermittently, its shrill ringing causing his hand to twitch involuntarily each time.

A fleeting thought crossed Marcus’ mind—a memory of when the phone was his gateway to opportunities. He remembered the excitement it brought when it meant calls from clients, partners, and friends. Now, it had become his own personal harbinger of doom, a symbol of all his missteps, casting a long, dark shadow over what remained of his life.

He glanced at the screen—UNKNOWN CALLER. Marcus swallowed hard, the weight of dread pressing heavily against his chest. This wasn't just any call. He had been avoiding it, knowing all too well who it was from, and what they wanted. The calls had become more frequent, more threatening. With each missed payment, the voice on the other end grew colder, more ruthless. The anonymous caller, a representative of a shadowy organization he had borrowed from in desperation, had morphed from an impersonal, robotic tone to a menacing whisper over time.

His fingers trembled as they reached for the phone. Perhaps it was the weight of his past mistakes, or maybe it was the fear of the unknown, of what the caller might say or do this time. But with a ragged breath, he decided to answer. He wanted to confront it—to face the music, as they say. Or maybe, just maybe, he hoped he could regain a modicum of control, even if it was just by retaliating with words.

Hello? Marcus' voice was but a rasp, almost drowned out by the sound of his own anxious heartbeat.

Marcus, came the chillingly calm voice from the other end. You know why I’m calling.

Marcus felt a flash of anger. Of course I know, he snapped back, his voice taking on an edge it hadn’t had in months. But threats won't get you your money any faster.

There was a brief pause, a moment of stillness, before the voice