Down New River & Another World: A Couple Through Time, #5

By Michael A. Susko

Along the oldest river in North America, New River, Zoe and Tod take a vacation with their teenage daughter Diana, who is experiencing a heartbreak. The beauty of Appalachia presents a new world in many ways, with intimations of the past and future mixing together. When Diana is swept down river due to unknown causes,  an unexpected world opens up. Laden with dangers and tests, the question arises whether another world can help bring love to this one.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: AllrOneofUs Publishing
• Release date: Feb 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224542857

Michael A. Susko

With an interest in interdisciplinary studies, the author majored in Philosophy and obtained a Masters in  Counseling Psychology. He has taught college courses, including Archetypes in History, the History of Madness in Western Civilization, and Symbolism of Indigenous Cultures. In reading history over his lifetime, a generational scale has proven to be highly useful, and he wishes to share this work to make history accessible to all.

Book preview

Down New River

& Another World

Michael A. Susko

AllrOneofUs Publishing

Baltimore, MD & Huntsville, AL

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

DOWN NEW RIVER & ANOTHER WORLD

First edition. February 21, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Michael A. Susko.

ISBN: 979-8224542857

Written by Michael A. Susko.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Chapter One: Glimpses

Chapter Two: Abandoned Buildings & The Future/Past

Chapter Three: Challenging the River & Stoneclad

Chapter Four: Initiation

Chapter Five: Down River

Chapter Six: The World Above

Chapter Seven: Hospital and Shaman

Chapter Eight: Remembering

Chapter Nine: What Happened?

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Further Reading: In the Wild and Do One Wild Thing

Also By Michael A. Susko

About the Author

About the Publisher

To my friends of the New River region, especially  Barbara and Jim Litteral.

Chapter One: Glimpses

I think I will stay here and write some, Dianna decided, pulling out her journal. The cabin here is so homey, with its old furnishings, the wood stove and the rocking chair.

Really? asked Tod. Don’t you want to see the river and have something new to write about?

The river is calling, seconded Zoe.

I have things to write about.

Oh, you mean about Jeff?

I’m over that, said Dianna, with  irritation in her voice.

It’s his loss, Zoe quickly added. You’re a great girl.

Dianna looked up. I thought I had met the love of my life. Ok, I’m going. But first let me write down my dream. It was unusual.

What was it about? asked Zoe.

I was underwater, but I was able to breathe. Flowers were blooming in the water. Their petals were dazzling with golds and blues. There were like strings of breath coming from the flowers.

Interesting, Tod remarked. I wonder what it means?

I don’t know, said Dianna, but where there should have been danger, there was beauty.

Outside, the three met Jim, their friend who was owner of the cabin. How are things so far? he asked, examining an echinacea plant.

Super, answered Zoe. We’re going down to the river.

A butterfly whose wings were gold with slashes of light green landed on an echinacea flower. The colors are fabulous, exclaimed Tod, who proceeded to take several macro shots.

They proceeded to walk down an undulating trail to the river. On their left, a gorge dropped off, where a stream emptied out into the river. Dianna walked ahead.

Maybe it will help, Tod mused to Zoe. The river and its beauty will distract her.

I hope so. She’s taking it harder than she admits.

Jeff seemed to be such a nice guy. I don’t know what happened.

Something did.

Maybe Dianna was too much of a free spirit and scared him off, guessed Tod. I wonder if she was too strong.. Maybe she teased him, daring him to do something.

Dianna may have a history of being a tomboy, but she doesn’t do that type of thing, Zoe objected. "I think it was just the opposite. She tried to show him her feminine side. Not long ago, she told me