Life's Doomed Immortality

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum sets her sights on healing those who are sick and beyond sick. As she, herself, is afflicted by an unknown poison, she fears the worst when her husband is kidnapped. She knows deep in her heart that the culprit is just another demon from her past. The pain in her heart worsens as her little sister, literally trips over a dead for now, Terry Markum.

The local police department sets itself in full force when everyone becomes involved in searching for the man who kidnapped and murdered Terry.

The Carleno sisters come to the forefront in the story as their lives are expanded on as Lexa returns to Sars Springs, with the secret of her shocking career. Will she change her focus when she starts dating a cop?

Torn between two men, Jorie makes a decision that pits self-safety over heart safety.

Residents of Sars Springs engage in the life that is destined to be their own with their families. Lives are turned upside down and allow individuals to evaluate their lives and happiness. Will the return of a self-proclaimed immortal break down the faith and destiny of the town?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Jan 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215424629

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 Doomed Immortality

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 sets her sights on healing those who are sick and beyond sick. As she, herself, is afflicted by an unknown poison, she fears the worse when her husband is kidnapped. She knows deep in her heart that the culprit is just another demon from her past. The pain in her heart worsens as her little sister, literally trips over a dead for now, Terry Markum.

The local police department sets itself in full force when everyone becomes involved in searching for the man who kidnapped and murdered Terry.

The Carleno sisters come to the forefront in the story as their lives are expanded on as Lexa returns to Sars Springs, with the secret of her shocking career. Will she change her focus when she starts dating a cop?

Torn between two men, Jorie makes a decision that pits self-safety over heart safety.

Residents of Sars Springs engage in the life that is destined to be their own with their families. Lives are turned upside down and allow individuals to evaluate their life and happiness. Will the return of a self-proclaimed immortal break down the faith and destiny of the town?

1 Beginnings

SARS SPRINGS COMMUNITY Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Raina Markum stood in the first-floor conference room of the hospital, staring out the window. She took a deep breath as she watched some of the staff slowly walk into the room.

Raina? Dr. Steven Welch said, as he sat down at the table.

Raina slightly jumped and turned around. Oh, sorry. I see you’re all here.

Is there a problem? Dr. Martin Welch, head of research and development, asked, as he walked over to his best friend and partner.

Raina said. I’m fine, she whispered.

Why are you even here? Dr. Al Masterson said, as he rode his electric wheelchair into the conference room.

I have to be here, she said. It’s what … it’s what I have to do.

Doctors Micah Doyle, Dante Marshall, and Demetri Marshall walked into the room followed by hospital Administrator Holly Harrison. Dr. Markum, I have the report you wanted, Holly said, as she handed a folder to Raina.

Thanks, she said. If I get any calls, please, let me know.

Of course, Holly said. I’ll be in my office if you need me, Holly left the room.

Raina sat down at the head of the table. I called you all here because… she stopped as Dr. Ken Doyle hurried into the room.

Sorry, Ray, he said. I was with a patient when Holly paged me.

It’s all right, she sighed heavily. I’ve asked you all to meet with me because you’re my family. I don’t mean to take you away from your work, but I wanted to tell you … please, just bear with me, she wiped her eyes.

Raina, what is it? Martin put his hand on her hand. Tell us. We’re here for you.

As you all know, Terry is missing. No, there hasn’t been any word. It’s been over a week since he disappeared. I don’t know where he is, but I have a feeling that he was taken. Terry wouldn’t just leave me but…

But? Steven asked.

I think someone drugged me, she said. Or poisoned me. I wasn’t feeling right yesterday, so I took some blood. I don’t know how … but I’m sick. I don’t know what the poison is, and I’ve run it against all known poisons.

Steven stood up and put his arm around her. What can we do for you?

I don’t know. I don’t know what this poison will do to me. Obviously, it’s a slow acting. I don’t know what it is or what it will do to me. Because of this drug or poison, I need someone to take over the position of chief of Staff.

Whatever you need, Steven said.

Martin looked in to her eyes. I’m going to help you. Dad can take over as Chief of Staff. I will find a cure for you. I will. I promise.

Dante looked at his grandmother and then twin brother, Demetri. Gram, I didn’t know that Grampa was missing. I knew he was gone, but not missing. What happened?

I’m sorry, Raina said. Last week, I woke up in the middle of the night and his side of the bed was made. There was no sign of forced entry. The only sign of him leaving at all was his police commissioner’s badge was on the front porch. If Terry were just going to leave me, he would tell me. We’ve been doing wonderfully, so I don’t believe that he left me. He hasn’t had any contact with his father or brothers, either.

We didn’t know, Demetri said.

I was trying to keep it quiet just in case I got a ransom call or note or something, but I didn’t. Then, like I said, I started to feel poorly, so I ran some tests. With all that’s happened in the past two years, I’ve learned to be more aware with what’s going on with others as well as myself.

Like with Dad, Demetri asked.

Yeah, just like with him, she looked at Al. And you. Even though we got those drugs out of your system, you two still suffer side effects.

You’re right, Al said. Hank and I aren’t the only ones that were drugged. Jasper is still in a coma. Raina, did you compare your test results with ours? I mean the drug that was confiscated two years ago?

Yeah, even though we still don’t know what part of that one drug was, this one is different. We knew back then Dr. Jefferson and Dr. Raymond created those drugs and injected you and Hank, as well as hurt Jasper. However, with the murder of Raymond and Jefferson, there is still someone out there. I don’t think it’s just one man, but I know … I feel it … John Reardon is alive out there and I’d bet he has Terry. He’s probably even killed him.

You think Terry is dead? Martin asked.

John wouldn’t keep Terry around. They always hated each other, Raina said. I don’t want to believe that my husband is dead, but I can’t rule it out. I have hope that he’s alive, but I don’t know. If it’s really John and he has Terry, Terry’s dead. I feel Terry in my heart, but I don’t even trust myself right now, she slowly stood up. I’m sorry, all of you.

Micah looked around the room. Gram, does the rest of the family know about Grampa?

I filed a missing person’s report with Ava, she said. My parents, his father, and brothers know, and my kids know. That’s it. I think it’s time to put the word out. I want my husband back. I want him back alive but if he’s gone, he needs to be home … he needs to be with the rest of our family, here, in Sars Springs … not wherever, she wiped her eyes. I’m sorry, you all. Steven, please, take over as COS for me.

Just until you’re better and Terry is home, he kissed her cheek. We’ll also help you. I’ve told you before I want more exposure in the lab, and I want to help you find an antidote.

Thanks, she said. I feel just weak enough to where I’m dragging. I can’t always think straight.

Al rode his chair over to her. Are you sure this John Reardon is alive? Couldn’t all these signs be a hoax?

Of course, she said. If what you told me is true, I don’t know if John Reardon ever died. I think he just put clones in his place. When I had my husband dig him up … I mean exhume the body, the casket was empty, but there was at one time, a body in there. We all know that there were clones of John Reardon, she looked at Ken. Right?

Yes, Ken said. I’ve been doing my research on all the clones that I came into contact with. There were a few we listed as clones of John Reardon.

Dante and Demetri looked at each other. Who is this John Reardon? Really, Gram? Demetri asked.

John Reardon is my second husband. For the longest time we thought that he was the father of Will and my late daughters, Lexie and Joy. We also thought that he was Xander’s father. It turned out that Terry is the father of them … all of my children, she said. He’s also Evan’s twin brother.

What are the cops doing about this? Steven said.

I don’t know. Ava is working on finding Terry, but until I have total proof that John is alive, there isn’t anything they can do unless they know where he is. I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to all be involved. I don’t want any of you hurt. My guess, Reardon won’t come after you. None of you have any links to him, she looked at her third father. "Well, except you, Al."

I know, he said. I’m sorry if I had anything to do with this.

I hate living in the past. All I want is my husband back. I love him, and I am barely hanging on without him. Whoever took my husband is going to pay for it. If they killed Terry, may god have mercy on their soul because I won’t, she stood up. I have to go. I have to go home, she walked out of the room.

Steven looked at his son. I want to look at her blood.

Follow me, he said. I bet she has it in Lab-C.

Micah stood up. What can we do? We have to be able to do something.

Find out more information on this Reardon, especially what he looks like, Dante said. If he’s linked to Uncle E or thinks he’s linked to Uncle Will, they could be in trouble. I’ll talk to Uncle E. He and Frankie are bringing in Tabitha for an appointment.

Micah looked at the other doctors. I may be just a pediatrician, but I want to help her, too. I love my grandfather, but I don’t want a poison or his death to kill her, too.

Martin put his hand on Micah’s shoulder. "We’ll look out for her. If you want to know what John Reardon looks like, or at least did look like, run a check on him in the hospital patient archives. I know that each time he supposedly died, morgue photos were taken."

Ken nodded. And his clones were patients in our lab.

What is with this clone thing? Demetri said, as he opened his notebook. He took his gold wire-framed glasses out of his shirt pocket and placed them on his face. I’ve heard the term, but never looked much into it.

Clones are created with the person’s DNA. However, they aren’t made as children, only adults. There were a lot of procedures to do it. The clones, though, think they are the actual person. They have memories of the person and think, and act like them. Some of the clones were destroyed. Some, the minds weren’t right. One of the last Reardon clones was one we named JR. His mind had a transmitter in it, yet, his brain was like Swiss cheese, Ken said. I can forward you the research or you can look it up on the computer in Lab-C.

I don’t have direct access to Lab-C, Demetri said.

You will now, Steven said. We need all minds to help Raina on this. Let the cops find Terry. We’ll help save Raina’s life. Martin, I have to tell Lex. My sister needs to know that her daughter’s sick and in trouble.

Matt needs to know, too, Martin said. Let’s do this. The doctors walked out of the conference room.

Al rode his chair toward the window. He put his hand on the cold glass and closed his eyes as the tears streamed down his face.

What is this? Al demanded, as he stormed into the large warehouse.

What? Leonard Robertson looked up. What is your problem?

You’re trying to steal my daughter. I told you to leave her alone.

I don’t want her, but he does, Robertson said.

I told you before. I don’t know what is going on with you all. They are better off thinking that we’re dead. We don’t need to show ourselves. Why can’t he just leave her alone? He’s got the other one.

What is this world coming to? Robertson said. None of us can get the one we want, yet, he wants Raina.

Al rubbed his eyes. He’s trying to take over, the boss won’t like it.

Well, at least if he’s our new boss, we won’t have to sleep with him anymore.

I don’t know what you do with him, but I don’t, Al said. It’s been so long since I had any woman.

Maybe we can get one for you. I know I want one, Robertson said, as the door opened.

What are you two doing? Dr. Jack Raymond asked, as he walked in.

I’m just working on this new medication, Al said. We just need someone to test it on.

I have just the person, he said. We’ll bring in John. He’ll try it. He’ll try anything.

Are you sure? Al asked.

He’ll take it if he thinks he’ll be getting the good Dr. Markum, he laughed.

When will we try it? Al asked.

This evening, after he’s asleep. I want it so that he never dies. If it works, then I want to try it on me. Come, Robertson. We need to work on the other clones. Al can take of this stuff. We need to let them all think that we are dead.

Al rubbed his eyes. I hope I am a real person, he said. I’m tired of these secrets, he said, as he rode out of his conference room.

2 Family

FIRE CHIEF LOGAN Markum hung up the phone and headed out of the Sars Springs Fire Station to his truck. He sat behind the wheel and closed his eyes for a moment. Dad, you have to be OK. We all need you, but Mom needs you the most. Please, Dad, wherever you are, keep it together. Please, he whispered.

Terry ran over to his son and pulled him away from the stone. Logan? Terry’s eyes watered as he looked into his son’s eyes.

Dad, I’m sorry, he cried, as he collapsed in his father’s arms.

You shouldn’t be here, Terry said.

I didn’t know where to go. I can’t work right now. My head isn’t on straight. Why? Dad? Why?

Terry took off his jacket and wrapped it around his son’s hand. Why what?

Why was I born this way? Logan cried.

What way?

Gay, he sobbed.

Terry put his arms around his son and held him tightly. There is nothing wrong with being gay. It’s part of who you are, that’s all. There is nothing wrong with it. Don’t doubt yourself. You never have before.

Logan looked up into his eyes. If I wasn’t gay, I wouldn’t have been hurt by Todd or Cam, he sobbed.

Todd and Cameron died on you. You have … had children with Cameron. You know that.

I lost Tyler, Logan said. And my other lovers … god … if I wanted women, it’d be so different.

Logan, do you find women attractive?

No, he said. I mean, I know a pretty girl when I see one, but they don’t have that appeal to me.

You’re in love with Mark, right?

Yes, he sighed, as the two men stood up.

Is there a problem with Mark again? Terry asked, as he led his son to the nearby bench.

No, but I’m scared, he said. We’ve been good, but I don’t want him to move in with me. I want it to be different this time.

Oh, all right. And he knows this, right?

I’m afraid to come right out and say it.

Why? Terry unwrapped his son’s hand. You need to get this looked at. I’d say a few stitches.

Yeah, Mom’s going to kill me, Logan said.

Your mother will not kill you. Come on, I’ll walk you to the ER.

Aren’t you supposed to be working?

I was doing some paperwork in the park. I just have to grab my stuff, he said.

Logan started his truck and headed to his home on Destiny Lane. He pulled in the driveway of his home that he shared with his lover, CSU Lieutenant Mark Dix and his grandson, Cameron. As he walked up the stairs to his home, he turned around and stared at his parent’s house across the road. He took a deep breath as he walked back down the stairs and headed toward the house.

Deputy Police Chief Alexander Xander Markum hung up the phone as he put on his jacket. He headed out of his office. I’ll be out of the office. I don’t know how long I’ll be, he said to his assistant, Corrina Grossman.

Sir, are you all right? she asked.

Yeah, only call me if it’s an emergency, he said, as his brother, Captain William Markum approached him. Will?

I’ll be leaving for the day, Will said. You, too?

Yeah, Xander said. Corrina, I know James won’t be in until this afternoon, so just let him know I’m taking a personal day.

Of course, she looked at her lover. Will, you, too?

Yeah, I asked Henry to cover for me, he said, as he kissed her cheek. I don’t know what time I’ll be home tonight.

Don’t worry about it, she said, as the two men headed out of the building.

Will looked at his brother and said. Mom’s?

Did you get a call? Xander asked.

Yeah, Uncle Steven called me, Will said.

Me, too, he said. I’ll meet you there.

Deputy Mayor and local attorney Starr Haskell walked out of her office. The law firm’s assistant Zeke Swift looked up. I’m going out. I’ll be gone for the rest of the day.

Yes, ma’am, he said.

Her partner, Evan Jones, walked out of his office with his jacket over his arm. Starr? Leaving early or are you going to City Hall?

I’m taking a personal day, she said, as their other partner, Mick Dix walked out of his office.

I’ll be back. I have to take Tabitha to a doctor’s appointment with Dante, he said. Is everything all right?

I don’t know, Starr said. Uncle Steven called me.

Me, too, Mick said. Are you going to Mom’s?

On my way there, now, she said.

Is your father back yet? Evan asked.

Um, no, Mick said.

What’s going on? Evan asked. I haven’t seen Terry in over a week.

He’s missing, Starr said. Daddy is missing. He was taken from the house, and no one knows where he is.

What? Evan’s eyes widened.

Um, do you have a minute? Starr asked.

Evan looked at his watch. Yeah, Frankie is picking Tabitha up at daycare and we’re meeting at the pediatric office, he followed Mick and Starr in Starr’s office. What’s going on?

Mom filed a missing person’s report with Aunt Ava, Starr said. She said … she swears that a John Reardon has daddy or took him and maybe killed him.

"John Reardon is dead, Evan said. I know the rumors ever since Racy and Paul Welch or Dr. Raymond, whatever he called himself, were decapitated in the hospital, but my brother is dead. Has been for a very long time."

Well, someone, if it’s not John Reardon, Starr said. "Is pretending to be your brother."

"Crap, Evan said. You two going to see Raina?"

Yeah, Mick said. She’s always been a like a mother to me. I don’t ever remember her having to deal with Reardon. I’ve heard stories, but in the past two years, she’s been different. Kind of freaked out.

Starr said. "Yeah, Daddy was always right there by her side. E, if