The Haunted Man

By A. Craig Newman

Swift is a runaway slave seek freedom in the North. Jefferson is a slave trying to bring Swift back home. The two friends become foes and fight for their futures. Only one survives. But, the Black Leaf Forest is a strange place where the end of a life may be the beginning of the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Notorious Newmans, LLC
• Release date: Sep 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215397916

A. Craig Newman

A. Craig Newman is a New Jersey native who has been writing since he was 10. He recently received his Masters in Creative writing from Wilkes University. Craig plans to work on his backlog of story ideas for short stories, screenplays, stage plays, and poetry until he finds his voice and his place in the writing world.

Book preview

The Haunted Man

Souls of the Black Leaf Forest: Part 1

By A. Craig Newman

Copyright © 2023 Published by Notorious Newmans, LLC at Smashwords

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ISBN 9798215397916

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To my mother, who inspired and encouraged my imagination, my faith, and my love of old westerns.

Appreciating You

Dear, Reader,

A book that is never read has all the significance of a whisper in a hurricane. Words are meaningless until you read them. My words and your imagination create worlds full of people and adventure, giving life to the story.

Thank you for bringing my stories to life. I hope it stays alive within you long after you put the story down.

If you enjoy my work, please visit my author page on Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ACraigNewman). Here, you can find more of my work, about future releases, and information about me.

You can find me on Facebook: facebook.com/ACraigNewman

I also have a Facebook fan group called Craig’s Crowd: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CraigsCrowd

Please post a review where you found this story.

Thank you for your support.

A. Craig Newman

Table of Contents

August 20, 1855

August 21, 1855

June 15, 1875

August 20, 1855

Jefferson moved through the darkness, searching for the runaway slave who needed to be brought back home. When he saw the shadows move, he knew who was hidden in them.

Swift! Jefferson called out. Swift's shade crouched and froze. Jefferson stepped into the moonlight. It's me, Swift. It's Jeff.

Swift remained motionless.

I know it's you, Swift. Don't worry. I'm alone.

True to his name, Swift was a blur. He shot out of the darkness, reaching Jefferson, and clamping a hand over his mouth.

Hush up! Swift whispered. You git us both killt.

Jefferson pushed him off. Relax. There's no one out here to kill you.

Says you, Swift said, warily looking about. What you doin' out here?

I'm here to bring you home.

Swift snorted. "Ah'm going home, Jeff. Headed