Life's Linear Souls

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum has always had unique powers that would come and go, but the one power she always had was the ability to feel others. As Raina and Terry get hit by lightning, a strange force combines the couples' hidden and known powers. As an accident destroys their home, an old friend still consumes himself with the obsession with Dr. Raina Markum. The spirits of the beyond assist the Sars Springs family with how to handle all the upsets that come into play, even allowing them to relive and rewrite one moment over again.

Can Raina and Terry ... along with their family handle the newfound powers and the strain that has come between them and their family? Can one moment really be rewritten with a new outcome or do all events lead to one end?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215517291

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Linear Souls

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Dr. Raina Markum has always had unique powers that would come and go, but the one power she always had was the ability to feel others.

As Raina and Terry are hit by lightning, a strange force combines the couple’s hidden and known powers. As an accident destroys their home, an old friend still consumes himself with the obsession with Dr. Raina Markum. The spirits of the beyond assist the Sars Springs family with how to handle all the upsets that come into play, even allowing them to relive and rewrite one moment over again.

Can Raina and Terry ... along with their family handle the newfound powers and the strain that has come between them and their family? Can one moment really be rewritten with a new outcome or do all events lead to one end?

1 Lightning

SARS SPRINGS POLICE Commissioner and restaurateur Terrence Markum walked into his house as the thunder sounded in the distance. Doc?

In the kitchen, his wife called back.

He walked into the kitchen and smiled at the decorated table. Doc? What’s the occasion?

Dr. Raina Markum stood up and smiled. It’s our anniversary, she grinned, as she kissed him softly.

You did all this for me? he smiled, as he pointed to the table, covered in flowers and candles.

Yes, dinner will be a few more minutes, she took his hand. I thought that we could sit out in the yard for a few minutes.

Oh, all right, he said, as he followed her out the back door to the yard. On the deck?

No, over there at the table.

Doc, are you all right? he asked, as she led him into the middle of the yard, and they sat down at the picnic table.

I’m fine. Why do you ask?

You – you’re acting a little different. I can’t quite place it, he said, as he took her hands.

Baby, I’m fine. Honest. It’s just – if we sit here, in the middle of our yard, we can hear the rain.

He touched her cheek. I heard the thunder in the distance. Sounds like we’re in for quite a storm.

We are. I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now. Something is telling me to sit here and listen to the rain before it comes home.

Home?

Here, to us, she kissed him softly.

Whatever you want, he whispered.

She held his left hand with her right and laid her head on his shoulder. Just close your eyes and feel it, she smiled.

As they sat in the yard, they gazed up at the sky as the lightning flashed in the distance. Terry looked into her eyes as she held his hand tightly. Overhead, the lightning flashed again.

What the hell was that? Terry asked, as he pulled his hand away.

Raina looked into his eyes and grabbed her chest. Something– she cried, as she collapsed in his arms.

Terry lifted his wife and hurried into the house. He set her on the sofa and picked up his phone. He noticed the black streaks on his left hand as he dialed 9-1-1.

Raina slowly opened her eyes. Terry?

Shhh, lie still. I think we were hit by dry lightning, he said.

She held her chest. My heart feels like it’s on fire, she cried.

He took her hand and gazed into her eyes. Doc, all of a sudden – I feel strange, he touched his own chest.

She looked up at his blackened hand as the EMTs walked into the house. They carefully placed her on the gurney. Terry–

I’m right behind you, he said. Take her to Healer’s trauma room. Dr. Welch is waiting for her, he said, as he followed them out of the house.

Matt O’Roark limped out of his house and hurried over to Terry. What happened?

I think we were hit by lightning. She said her heart feels like it’s on fire.

Matt looked at Terry’s hand. I think you need to get looked at, too.

Terry looked at his hand. I’m sure I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt.

Matt touched his hand and then Terry pulled away. What’s wrong?

It felt weird when you touched it.

Like what?

Fear, he said.

"Terry? You felt me?" Matt asked.

No, of course not. That’s what Raina does. Not me. I better go be with my wife.

I’ll meet you there. I’m calling Dad and Kyle, Matt said, as Terry hurried over to his car.

Matt limped into his house and sat down. He adjusted his prosthetic leg as Cara Wilson walked down the stairs. Matt?

Um, Ray and Terry were hit by lightning. I have to call Dad. Um, you can stay here if you want, but I have to go.

That’s all right. I’ll head home. My boss wants those blueprints filed by tomorrow, she grinned.

"I’m your boss," he laughed.

I know. Such a stickler, she kissed his cheek and headed out of the house.

Matt picked up the phone. Dad?

Matt? Matthew Garris asked, as he answered the phone.

Ray and Terry were hit by lightning.

Are they all right?

I’m not sure. They’re on their way to the hospital. But there’s something else–

Matt?

Meet me at the hospital. When you see Terry, I want you to touch his left hand and see what you think.

His left?

Yes, it was burned. I have a feeling about something, but I want to see what you think before I tell you.

I’ll meet you there, Matthew said, as he hung up.

2 New Depths

TERRY WALKED INTO Raina’s exam room. Martin? How is she?

Raina opened her eyes. Baby, I’m all right. My heart just got a little jolt.

Terry looked up at Martin as he sat down next to his wife’s bed. Martin?

"She’s all right. I want to keep her overnight, but she should be all right. I am going to put her back on Latix for a few weeks, just to be sure," he said.

Terry took Raina’s hand. Doc, I am so sorry, he said.

It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I should’ve known to not sit in the yard when a storm was coming. How’s your hand? she said, as she lightly touched his left hand.

He pulled away quickly. "Liar," he said.

Excuse me? she said.

"You’re not all right. You’re lying to me," he said.

No, I’m not, Raina cried.

"Your heart hurts. Don’t lie to me," he said.

How’d you know? she said.

Doc, you don’t have to lie to me. Please, tell me.

I’m all right. I had a minor heart attack, but Martin was telling the truth. I’m going to be fine, she said. How did you know?

I don’t – know, he stared down at his hand. I just felt it when you touched me.

I think I can explain that, Matthew said, as he walked into the room.

Dad? What’s going on? Raina asked.

Matthew walked over to Terry. May I?

What? Terry asked.

Matthew took Terry’s left hand in his. Tell me what you feel now.

Worry and confusion, Terry let go quickly and stood up. What’s going on?

Matthew walked over to his daughter. Feel me, Raina, he said.

Raina placed her hand on her father’s heart. Worry and confusion– she looked at Terry. Did I?

When you two were hit, what were you doing?

Holding hands. I was holding his left hand, she said.

Terry looked at Matthew and then at Raina. What’s this about? he asked.

You have her powers now, too.

I don’t understand, Terry said.

You can feel now. That worry and confusion you felt was me. You felt me.

But, we were just touching hands– Terry said.

Exactly. Raina can only feel with her right hand placed on someone else’s heart. She was holding your left hand when you two were hit. Your left hand was burned and somehow, her powers were directed into your left hand. I don’t think Raina lost her power of feeling, but now you have it, too.

Terry ran his blackened hand through his hair. This is too much– he stopped and stared at the wall. What’s going on here?

Terry? Raina cried, as her husband dropped to the ground.

Matthew rushed over to Terry. What happened?

Terry looked at Matthew. Something – I saw something–

Raina climbed out of bed and hurried over to her husband. What did you see?

It was like a flash of light and then I swear, I saw Jim and Alex, but only for a moment.

You’ve seen them before, right? Matthew asked.

Not Alex. Only Jim and this – it was different, Terry said, as he slowly stood up.

Martin walked over to him. Terry, come, sit on the bed. You, too, Ray, he said.

Martin, what’s happening to him? Raina cried.

I’m not sure. I don’t know a lot about your feelings, let alone what he’s going through. Terry, look at me, Martin said, as he shined the flashlight into his eyes.

Martin, what’s wrong with me? Terry asked.

Something happened to you when you got hit by the lightning. Your eyes are slightly different, too.

What do you mean?

You have red speckles in your iris, Martin looked at Raina. I wish I knew more about what was going on, but this is new to me.

Raina sat down by her husband. Terry, touch your head again, she said.

Terry lightly touched his head and jumped back slightly.

What was it? Raina asked.

"Reardon," he whispered.

You saw John? Raina cried.

Matthew walked over and stood in front of Terry. Do you think you can project your thoughts?

I don’t know – I’ve never done this before. This is really freaking me out, he said.

Matthew lightly touched Terry’s forehead with his fingertips. Terry?

Terry looked up at Matthew. You saw him, too. Didn’t you?

Matthew looked at Raina. Um, he’s seeing the dead, now.

I don’t understand.

I can’t explain it. I don’t remember much about the afterlife. There is something – he can feel us, as you do, but he’s seeing things – people – that are dead.

But – we only see them when they come to visit us. He saw John? My late husband? Raina cried.

Doc, I don’t know what is happening here, he cried. I’m terrified. You’ve had powers all your life, now I’ve got them, and I don’t know what to do.

Raina took his right hand. Do you feel this?

Just you touching me, he said.

OK. Martin, cover his left hand for now. He needs to have that burn treated. Use gloves and see if he feels you. Right now, he’s so overwhelmed, she said.

Terry nervously ran his hands through his hair. Fire.

What? Matthew asked.

I see fire, he quickly put his left hand in his lap.

Raina stood up quickly when their son, Logan, ran into the room. You two are all right?

Logan? What are you doing here? Raina asked.

"Your house. It’s on fire – or it was. I’m sorry, it was too late. Drew told me that the ambulance was at your house earlier."

Our home? Oh, god. Our dinner– Raina cried.

Yeah, the oven was left on, Logan said. I’m so glad that you’re all right.

We’re fine. We were hit by lightning earlier and that’s why we’re here. Damn. Our home is gone? Raina cried.

Logan hugged his mother. I’m sorry, Mom. We were too late. I don’t think that anyone was home on the street. Someone saw the smoke from the main road and called it in. By the time we got there, it was gone. I’m so sorry.

Raina looked at Terry. Our home is gone? she cried.

Terry wiped her tears. Doc, we’ll rebuild. At least we’re safe and no one got hurt.

What do we do? she cried, as Matthew sat down next to her.

Raina, you can always stay with me and Steven.

No, that’s all right. We’ll stay at the hotel until we rebuild. We don’t want to put anyone out, Raina cried. Some anniversary.

Anniversary? Logan asked.

Our first anniversary. It’s the anniversary of our first wedding, Terry said.

Oh, I didn’t know you celebrated each one, Logan said. Mom, Dad, I’m so sorry.

Don’t be. We’ll be all right, Terry said. Will you just let your brothers and sister know that we’re all right?

Of course, Dad, Logan said, as he hugged his parents. He slowly left the room and approached Matt.

How are they? Matt asked.

Upset about the house. There’s something else going on, isn’t there?

Yeah, but that’s up to them to figure it out. Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on both of them. They may be different since they were both hit by lightning.

She said they were celebrating their anniversary, Logan said.

Oh, right, their first one, Matt said. "The most important one."

Why is that? Logan asked.

"Because it was the first. Mom and Matthew gave them their original wedding rings from when they were married. It’s also when they announced that they were pregnant with you. They were married three times after that, but that was the first wedding."

I barely remember their second wedding, and the third, was a vow renewal, right?

"Yes, the second time they were married, she thought that Reardon was still alive, so she had to get a divorce and marry your father again. The third was when the farmhouse burned down, and we made them renew their vows. The last time was after she was declared dead to make it legal. Mom told them they should always celebrate all their unions, it made them all special, but the first one is always the most important. Both of them were very weary of getting married, but it’s the best thing that they ever did."

I’m glad they finally admitted their love.

"Of course, you do, that’s how you were conceived, Matt laughed. I’ll keep an eye on them. Go home to your family."

"I will. Cam went home to relieve