The Unseen Chronicles

By J C Brandt

Tim, is a quiet botanist with a passion for helping others. One day, while correcting an older lady's family recipe, Tim suddenly finds himself six feet under. But as he regains his bearings, he realizes that death is just the beginning of his extraordinary journey. Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, there is a secret realm teeming with mythi

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.Brandt
• Release date: Feb 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9781738328918

Book preview

Chapter 1 ————-—The Spark

Chapter 2————-—Intrepid By Design

Chapter 3————-—The All

The Spark

Chapter 1———The Beginning of Woe’s

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When Tim woke up, he felt as if he were in a coffin. It was completely dark, so he had no idea. He desperately tried to free himself and eventually managed to escape, emerging in a graveyard shrouded in dense fog. He couldn't recall why he was buried there or even his death, as the last thing he could remember was discussing roots with an elderly woman who was believed to be a witch. An unusual heat coursed through him, and he noticed that he felt unusually strong during his ascent from the grave. He had a feeling that something wasn't quite right. The rain started to fall, and every drop that touched him turned to steam. What was this? What had that witch done? He knew which cemetery he was in, so he knew how to get to his store. Tim went there and got in. Nothing seemed out of place. It looked like no one had touched anything yet. Tim went to check the security tapes. He watched the last tape and found her, then the tape went snowy. And then it stopped. He got what he needed. Tim didn't want to scare anyone, since most of the town was probably at his funeral. He was going to go see his buddy, Jeff. Jeff would think it was cool. He was into that kind of stuff. Tim left his shop and went to Jeff's place, but Jeff wasn't home yet. He lived alone with his Argentinian dogo, George, who was a little overprotective. However, Tim knew George since he was a pup, so it shouldn't be a problem to wait with him until Jeff got home from work. Jeff worked as the town architect and designed many of the business and residential buildings in town. He was good at it, but at home, Jeff was a flake, or so Tim used to think. Tim jumped over the fence, and George barked slightly, then stopped, tilted his head, and let out a small whimper. Hey George, how are you doing? George backed up. What's wrong, boy? What's freaking you out? George came closer and sniffed Tim up and down. He was eventually happy to see him but still seemed a little unsure. Let's go inside, George, Tim said. He and George went in. Tim grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat on the couch while George sat down beside him. He turned on the TV and watched the music video station. Finally, he heard Jeff's truck pull up, but George didn't move. Keys jiggled, and the door opened. When Jeff saw Tim, he freaked out, Hey man, you're dead! What are you doing here? Are you a ghost here to haunt me? Come on, man, we were friends," Jeff yelled.

Hahaha, Tim laughed so hard. Jeff just stood there with his mouth open, staring.

No, no, no, I don’t know what’s going on either, Tim said.

I just woke up underground, Tim said. And check this out: it felt like I could breathe under the ground. And I am really strong, and I don’t get tired. I don’t seem to have broken down, and when I dug my way out, I felt nothing. I dug as hard as I could, and my nails didn’t even break. Something weird is going on, and I think it has to do with the witch that was at the shop, Tim said.

Jeff closed his mouth and walked over to Tim, grabbed his arm, and shook it a bit.

Man, it is you in the flesh. I went to your funeral, Jeff said.

So you think the witch did something to you? Jeff asked.

Ya, I do. I already checked my tapes from the shop, and I know what she looks like, but how do we find her? Tim said.

Man, did you forget about the internet? We will find everyone that lives in this town; we’ll find her, Jeff said.

Jeff turned on his laptop and started searching. While searching, he asked Tim so many questions that he could not answer.

I told you everything; you know everything I do, Jeff; let’s find her; hopefully she’ll have the answers, Tim said.

Ya, but man, you’ve got to admit this is pretty wild, right? Jeff said.

Yeah, it is, Tim replied.

About half an hour later, Jeff found something on a forum about a witch’s house at the end of Rushmit Place 468.

They are talking all kinds of smack about her here, but it looks like they are just scared of her, Jeff said. We should go check it out anyway, Jeff said.

I still can’t believe my eyes, but you’re right here, wow! Jeff exclaimed.

I know I feel the same way; it’s way too weird; I do feel amazing, though, Tim said.

They got into the truck and drove to the old lady’s house. The lights were on. Let’s go see if she can help, Tim said.

They walked up the walkway and rang the doorbell. After some shuffling, the door opened, revealing an older woman. She had a lovely demeanor and her eyes sparkled brightly, making her seem younger than she was. Her long hair still had some black in it.

Good evening. How may I help you? she asked politely.

Tim couldn’t wait. Do you remember talking to me last Tuesday at my ‘Botanist ‘n’ Stuff’ shop on Eagle Park St.? he asked.

Yes, I do, she replied.

Did you know that I had a funeral six days ago? Tim asked.

She smiled at him and said, Yes, I did.

Do you know what is going on with me?

Her smile got bigger. Yes, I do.

Would you like to come in for a glass of brandy? she asked.

Yes, we would, Tim said.

She let them in, and they took off their shoes before following her. They walked into a small kitchen filled with herbs and plants growing everywhere, which was amazing. She asked them to sit at a small table.

I will get the brandy and glasses. Well, sir, if I may tell you a little about myself, your questions will be answered, she said as she returned to the table, poured them a drink, and sat back in her chair. Of course, Tim said, eagerly awaiting her story. You see, sir, I am a botanist as well; I have been one for many years, as have my mother and hers before her, for six generations. We’ve studied many things, some of which are, shall we say, of strange origin, she smiled, and no, it’s not witchcraft or spells, just herbs made right. The root I was arguing with you about at your shop is the main ingredient, and from what you had been telling me, it seemed that we had been using the wrong root the whole time, she said. I took the advice that you had given me and found the root that you suggested; I put it together and simmered them for an hour, pulled out the roots, cracked one open, and sure enough, there it was—a perfect, tiny white egg. The egg of immortality, she said.

Now, when I saw this, Tim, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude. My family has pursued this for generations. So, I wanted to thank you. I went back to your shop and talked with you again about the root; do you remember? she asked.

Ah, yeah, I do; I saw you twice that day, okay? Tim replied.

Well, do you remember what I said the last time? Tim looked at her and said, No, I don’t.

I said that if you are right about this, you’re going to live forever, and I touched your ear. Do you remember? She asked.

Ya, I do, okay, Tim reflected.

When I did this, I slipped one of the tiny eggs in your ear. Tim freaked out: What the hell did you do that for? he yelled.

She calmly answered, I was a little emotional and did act on impulse, and I know at my age I should know better, but I didn’t. I wanted to thank you, and immortality is the pinnacle, she pleaded.

Ok, well, it’s too late to be pissed anyway, so what happened to me? Tim asked.

When I slipped the egg in your ear, it found its way into your brain and anchored there. Now from our studies, we have found that once it finds a spot, it hatches, and once it hatches, you die, or so it would seem, but if I put it in computer terms, you got rebooted, but it takes 6-7 days to reboot the body. Once rebooted, your strength is unlimited, you are unbreakable, you never tire, and you need neither food nor drink nor do you need sleep. The only downside is that you know something is living in your head. It wants to protect you. They are monogamous beings; once they are in a host, they are in that host forever. It keeps its host in perfect health—no pain, no weakness; even hormonally and mentally, it wants you to be confident and strong. It thrives in those conditions, so they create it within the host, or so our old writings have stated. As I have said before, my family had been using the wrong root; thanks to you, we now have it. I know you are probably very upset with me. I am sorry for taking this risk with you, and I do mean with you. There are many eggs because there are many roots. I had slipped one in my ear before I came to your shop; however, not like you, no one noticed me dead for six days lying here on my floor. I got up and did business as usual, she said.

Tim, what do we do, man? You’ve got something living in your head; does it hurt? Can you notice it? Jeff exclaimed.

No, man. I’m feeling great, Tim replied.

Tim reflected for a moment. I don’t know what to tell you; logically, I should be upset, but it’s pretty great so far, he said.

She looked at him and said, Right, I feel 20 again; I might not look like it, but I feel like it; nothing hurts. It’s wonderful.

So in all of your family’s research, is there a downside? Tim asked, Not that I have found, she replied, other than something is in your head. Yeah, that is weird. What does it live off of? Tim asked. As far as anyone can tell, when you feel powerful and invincible, it thrives, so it creates this environment inside the body; how it cultivates the energy to fashion this environment is unknown, she said. There are no known cases of insanity, but the only known cases of true immortality were long before my family came here, and as I told you, we got the root wrong, so my family lost it somewhere, and someone filled it in with their own; thanks to you, this has been corrected. Okay, but the really sad thing is that people went to my funeral. You're all good and dandy, business as usual for you, but I have to sneak around, Tim said. Hey, you left the shop for me and your house in your will, right? Why don't I sell them and sell my house, and we move? Jeff said. The older woman smiled. Me too; I'm getting a little tired of the witch talk going on here. Yeah, why do they call you that anyway? Jeff asked. Because I'm old and alone, I don't have visitors, and I work with herbs all the time and stuff like that, she explained. Ah, that makes sense, Jeff replied. People around these parts are a little superstitious and judgmental.

Hey, did it hurt when you guys died? The old woman and Tim looked at each other and shrugged. I don't know, I don't think so.

I don't remember, Tim said.

Me neither, said the old woman.

By the way, what is your name? Jeff asked the old woman.

My name is Cassandra, she answered.

Nice to meet you, both Jeff and Tim said.

What are we doing—are we selling our houses and your shop and moving? Jeff almost begged. They all sat there for a while in silence; everyone was thinking about what the plan should be. Then Cassandra said, Well, I am willing to leave here. Jeff and Tim looked at each other. Ya, me too, Tim said. I can work from anywhere, so I am willing to leave too, Jeff said.

So we agree; tomorrow we sell everything and move, Tim said.

Yes, both Jeff and Cassandra said.

Is there anything we are missing with this immortality thing, Cassandra? Tim asked.

As far as the writings we have, that's it; however, we did have the root wrong all these years, so other things might have slipped as well, but I have no way of knowing, she said.

Again, I am so sorry for this, Tim.

Tim smiled. It looks like we are in this together, he laughed.

Tim and Jeff left and went to Jeff's house. Jeff wanted to get ahead of things and start setting things up to sell their properties online. Tim wasn't tired but laid down anyway while Jeff set things up.

Jeff lost it all of a sudden. Tim, Tim, get up!

What? Tim asked.

You won't believe this; we already sold your store and house, Jeff said.

Are you serious? Tim asked.

Yeah, I am, and for a good price, too.

It's even paid in full, Jeff said.

How? Tim asked.

I have no idea, but it's done, Jeff replied. That’s great. How about you?

No, but we have enough cash with yours to leave now. If mine sells later, it doesn’t matter.

True, Tim said.

I’m going to bed now, Jeff said, but I’ll see you in the morning.

Jeff went to sleep while Tim searched the internet for information on this immortality thing. He found nothing.

In the morning, they went over to Cassandra’s house. They went in, sat down with her, and told her about how Tim’s property had already sold.

She looked at them strangely. Yeah, mine too.

Almost as soon as I put it up for sale, the money was already in my account. That’s weird, right? she said.

Where do we want to go? Jeff asked.

I think we will just move to the next city over. I always like going there; maybe I’ll like living there.

If we don’t like it, we will move again, no big deal, Tim said.

Everything else, we’ll buy new. There’s no need for us to bring a bunch of stuff, they all agreed.

When do we go? Tim asked.

They all looked at each other. Why can’t we go now? Jeff said. They piled all of Cassandra's books into the truck and went to get George. They were all pretty excited, and it all seemed so surreal. As they drove on the highway, they got to know each other better. Tim and Cassandra found they had a lot in common. They arrived in the city looking like teenagers on spring break, their eyes wide with excitement. They drove around the city searching for a house they all liked. After a few hours, they found an amazing house, and everyone liked it. So they went to the owner and made an offer, which he accepted right away since they offered more than what he was asking for, to speed up the process. He said he could have it ready in six days. Tim, Jeff, and Cassandra went to a hotel and rented a room for the week. Tim and Cassandra didn't need to sleep, but they still needed a place to be.

Over the next six days, things went pretty normally. They went sightseeing and bought everything they needed for the house, scheduling it to be dropped off at their new home at the beginning of the next week. They could purchase anything else they wanted at a later date. Finally, the day arrived for them to get to their house. The house was in Jeff's name. All the furniture they had bought arrived, and they set everything up. They had a new home, and they were all so excited to be there. The house was awesome. By now, Tim and Cassandra had been immortal for about a week. That's when things started to get a little strange. They both started seeing visions of a vast forest with trees that were taller than either one of them had seen before. Once they realized they were both having the same vision, they knew it had to have something to do with this immortal thing they were going through. Jeff had gone to get George; he had left him at a kennel until they were all settled. He went to see him every day until he could take him to his new home. Tim and Cassandra went walking around the markets, checking out the different vegetables and fruits,