The King Within

By Dustin Cumer

Landon was just an ordinary teenager. Starting a new life with his dad in Ohio to get a fresh start after his mom died from cancer, he never expected to embark on an adventure of a lifetime while taking his dog Anna on a run through the woods. But on this journey of light and darkness, Landon discovers he's no ordinary teenager and this is no ordinary world. Experience this adventure with Landon as you're on the edge of your seat, wondering if he'll make this adventure alive and what creatures he'll encounter next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798887314358

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

About the Author

cover.jpg

The King Within

Dustin Cumer

Copyright © 2023 Dustin Cumer

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88731-434-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88731-435-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Chapter 1

A New Discovery

An alarm sounds as Landon and his golden lab Anna wake up for the first day of school. Today is going to be a great day for exploring his new school and his new town in Ohio. He is in his senior year and has moved schools many times since his dad is in the military. His mother passed away two years ago from cancer. To get away and heal from the trauma, Landon and his father moved from Washington, DC, to Ohio for a fresh start. The relationship between Kal and Landon has not been easy. Kal cheated on Landon's mother while she was sick. Landon was left to care for his dying mother during this time. He lost his whole world of friends and normalcy. Landon has never forgiven his father, and his father has lived with this guilt ever since.

Kal is usually working so he gave Landon a golden lab, Anna, for company. Anna bonded with Landon immediately as if it was meant to be. Landon and Anna loved to explore the woods and surroundings together every day after school in Washington. This was where they bonded and learned to work together.

As the alarm sounds, Landon smashes the snooze button in frustration as no teenager wants to wake at 6:30 a.m. on a Monday, but on this particular day, it's a new environment and new people. Anna licks his face aggressively to get him up. She waits patiently every day for her best friend Landon to get home from school, and today will be no different. As Landon gets in his car to start his first day, Anna can be seen sitting on the front porch of their farmhouse that sits on a hundred acres. It used to be a plantation with vast fields of wheat grain and sunflowers maintained by slaves in the colonial era. She will wait on the front porch till she sees him again. There is an unbreakable bond between them that can only be felt within their presence.

The first day of school is a little awkward, being Landon doesn't know anyone, but his focus is getting home to Anna so he and she can explore the woods behind his house. Exploring is a daily activity for Landon and Anna, and today is a whole new adventure in a new place. As the bell rings, he drives home, anxious to explore. Anna wags her tail as she greets him with excitement by jumping on his driver's side door as he tries to exit.

You ready, girl? Landon replies, grabbing the military survival pack his dad gave him. He snaps it around his waist and secures his wide, leather wristband his mom gave him engraved with the word fate.

They waste no time as they head into the back woods. Anna takes the lead as she always does. She was a military dog trained by his father, Kal, to protect him in Afghanistan from IUDs and land mines that destroy military convoys. She was also trained to clear houses by sensing danger around every corner, keeping the marine safe from ambush. She did three tours before retiring to a quieter life. Kal was in the special forces and trained alongside Anna two years