Eyes Wide Open

By Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

Both love and fear can compel one’s eyes wide open.

In April of 1937, amidst the carnage of the Spanish Civil War, for a time the Basque town of Guernica had managed to escape much of the violence, murders, and tortures as were hallmark atrocities committed by both the Nationalists and Republican government. Yet soon Guernica would unknowingly become a breeding ground for modern warfare.

Alejandro has suffered from such violence. Unable to move or speak, his invalid condition prompts him to become a patient in a convalescent ward of a terrifying hospital. There, he meets Isabel, a beautiful nurse whose angelic presence he falls in love with. Also, he is befriended by Raul Miguel, a man gripped by torturous insanity, or perhaps not.

As Alejandro’s strength returns and the secrets of this terrible place are revealed, overwhelming fear leads to a desperate escape. However, one hell is traded for another, compelling one to forever keep his eyes wide open.

Reader Advisory: A passionate romance amidst tortuous images.

PUBLISHER NOTE: Historical Romance. Inspirational Romance. 22,400 words. M/F. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: Nov 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798201715533

Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

I was born on November 9, 1967 in Warren, Ohio and grew up in a country trailer park in Southington Ohio with my two brothers and parents.I currently live in Girard, Ohio with my wife and sons. After graduating from Chalker High School in 1986, I went on to attend Kent State University.Originally, I sought to pursue a degree in education, but changed degrees after a few years in school. After working my way through college for eight years, I graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.Aside from writing, I also draw and paint. My other passion is soccer. I have proudly been a coach of a soccer team for autistic and special needs players.

Book preview

EYES WIDE OPEN

Hearts of War – Book Two

JEFFERY MARTIN BOTZENHART

Both love and fear can compel one’s eyes wide open.

In April of 1937, amidst the carnage of the Spanish Civil War, for a time the Basque town of Guernica had managed to escape much of the violence, murders, and tortures as were hallmark atrocities committed by both the Nationalists and Republican government. Yet soon Guernica would unknowingly become a breeding ground for modern warfare.

Alejandro has suffered from such violence. Unable to move or speak, his invalid condition prompts him to become a patient in a convalescent ward of a terrifying hospital. There, he meets Isabel, a beautiful nurse whose angelic presence he falls in love with. Also, he is befriended by Raul Miguel, a man gripped by torturous insanity, or perhaps not.

As Alejandro’s strength returns and the secrets of this terrible place are revealed, overwhelming fear leads to a desperate escape. However, one hell is traded for another, compelling one to forever keep his eyes wide open.

Reader Advisory: A passionate romance amidst tortuous images.

PUBLISHER NOTE: Historical Romance. 22,400 words. M/F. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

EYES WIDE OPEN

Hearts of War – Book Two

JEFFERY MARTIN BOTZENHART

A black and white logo of a person holding a star

Description automatically generated

LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP

EYES WIDE OPEN

Hearts of War – Book Two

Copyright © NOVEMBER 2023 JEFFERY MARTIN BOTZENHART

Cover Art by Poppy Designs

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

DEDICATION

This story is dedicated to those unfortunate souls who have suffered and continue to suffer the devastation war can bring.

CHAPTER ONE

"Where are we? Why are we here? What is this place? Please take me home. Do not leave me alone," Alejandro begged frantically, his eyes wide open with fear. His words, though, rebounded in his thoughts, unable to find their way to his voice. He felt his body trembling inside yet revealing no evidence of this to those surrounding him. Their softly spoken words provided him with no answers. Lacking the strength and ability to offer any reaction or protest, he surrendered to feelings of defeat as though all seemed lost. With the realization that the numbness of his body was now penetrating to the depths of his soul, Alejandro sat resting in a wheelchair amidst his silent misery. He stared forward, unable to even blink in distress or release tears for his agony.

Hung on the stone wall before him, a large painting of the Virgin Mary held prominence among other paintings. He imagined most would have found comfort with her sublime expression. Yet for Alejandro, she represented one step closer to dying, for which he thought death would soon greet him. Everyone believed the blunt trauma to his head he suffered when captured by fascist soldiers loyal to General Franco had left him conscious though paralyzed. The only evidence suggesting he was still alive were his shallow breathing and his eyes, which every so often blinked uncontrollably. In truth, his paralysis was caused by overwhelming fear from the terrible ordeal he had endured.

Someone dressed in white stepped in front of Alejandro, startling him while blocking his view of the painting. Appearing then before his eyes, the bearded face of an older man, weary possibly from fatigue, expressed a friendly smile.

Good morning, Alejandro. My name is Doctor Samaranch. I need to check your breathing. I promise this will not hurt.

Alejandro watched as the doctor leaned forward, guessing that his shirt was being unbuttoned. He noticed the doctor place the earpiece of his stethoscope to his right ear. After a few passing moments, the doctor smiled, then ran his hand gently through Alejandro’s dark curly hair, once more a guess as he could not feel this.

Somewhat weak, certainly a concern. You are fortunate to be alive, my young friend, the doctor commented before his face disappeared from Alejandro’s sight. More hushed words were spoken from behind Alejandro until his grandfather’s face came into view.

Alejandro, I am unable to care for you. Doctor Samaranch and the nurses here will provide excellent treatment for you… until you are well.

What most disturbed Alejandro were the words, ‘until you are well’. The expression on his grandfather’s face betrayed his unspoken doubt. His grandfather reached forward, suggesting that he had placed his hand on his shoulder before touching his unshaven cheek, and then kissing him on his forehead. Alejandro’s depression deepened as he craved to feel these tender sensations. Too soon, his grandfather disappeared from Alejandro’s sight as the painting of the Virgin Mary once more appeared in view, but for only a moment.

The movement of shadows against the wall and the sounds of footsteps leading away soon revealed to Alejandro that he was now alone. Yet not all was quiet. A distant voice, painfully wailing out, corrupted the silence. As the dread of believing his grandfather had abandoned him here in this terrible place grew, Alejandro became further anxious when he saw the slight movement of a shadow that had remained cast upon the wall before him. He realized that he was not alone.

Another face shone abruptly before Alejandro, of an older woman with brutishly full cheeks marred by creases of old age. Her expression proved devoid of all kindness as a menacing scowl adorned her features. Smirking at him, she revealed yellowish uneven teeth with a gaping space toward the front. His faint inhale captured a pungent scent of lye soap tainted possibly by a lingering whiff of feces or urine.

My name is Magdalena. I will be caring for you during your stay with us.

Alejandro could not help but gaze into her eyes, a twinkle of cruelty clearly recognizable. As she moved around him, his ears captured the distinctive sound of her shoes echoing off the polished floor. With his wheelchair turning away from the painting, he was pushed forward toward a set of doors where he was halted in front of, allowing him to see through the clear glass windows.

How terrible it would be to linger in there, she whispered in his ears. "Those poor souls, each one is insane. See over there in the corner? Maria dances to music only she can hear inside her head, the melody never leaving her. Some nights she screams to God for silence.