by J.A. Marlow
The upstairs he didn't dwell on. Other than a quick inspection the very first day, noting the layer of dust on everything, he hadn't climbed the stairs again. Time enough for that later.
He wrung out a sponge and went after the window casings of the large kitchen. A bit more cleaning and he wouldn't feel bad about cooking meals in the room.
The two-way door into the kitchen opened.
"Finished with the second bathroom?" Hawk asked, taking a last swipe along the edge of the window before moving his bucket to the window on the other side of the kitchen table.
"Sorta. Something is wrong with the plumbing," Zach said.
Such simple words, yet they struck fear in his heart. The one thing he'd never been able to fix in any apartment they'd ever lived in. The one time he'd tried, and failed, the landlord made him promise never to try again.
Hawk dropped the sponge in the bucket of warm soapy water, turning away from the window. "Did you use the plunger?"
Zach shook his head. "Not that kind of problem. Besides, it wouldn't affect the sink and shower."
So much for thinking something simple would take care of it.
He tried the kitchen sink. The water ran crystal clear, but odd gurgling noises came up from the pipes. He quickly shut off the water before it could back up into the sink.
Hawk sighed, glaring down at the drain. "How bad is it in the bathroom?"
Zach leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "I shut everything off the moment water started coming back up. It's slowly draining away."
"Time to call in help." Hawk moved to the list held to the front of the refrigerator with a big Alaska-shaped magnet and ran a finger down the contact names and numbers.
Gus Springer didn't answer, forcing him to leave a message.
Zach hovered at the edge of the kitchen as Hawk set down the phone. "Anyone else we can call?"
"I'm not sure who else in town is a plumber." He glanced at the wall clock. "Or who would be available to come over at eight at night."
Zach grimaced. "We need to do something. It may be late for a plumber, but it's early for us."
Hawk looked at the door at the back of the kitchen area. "Grandpa Neeley said there was an old outhouse."
Zach's mouth dropped open. "It's ten degrees below freezing and you expect me to go outside?"
"Just until morning when we can get someone out here. I'll go find it." Hawk walked to the arctic entry to get his jacket, wondering if he should have taken Zach on more camping trips. One night wouldn't be too bad, no matter the outside temperature. After pulling on his boots he grabbed a flashlight.
The lights blinked.
Hawk stared up at the main light fixture, telling himself that the blink had only been a figment of his imagination.
It blinked again. And stayed out.
"I don't believe this," Zach said in the darkness.
***
Alien Winter (Salmon Run - Book 2) is available at online retailers everywhere.
SAMPLE - THE STRING WEAVERS (THE STRING WEAVERS - BOOK 1)
Disappearing food.
Music no one else hears.
An alien dropped off by a giant flaming Phoenix...
Here on Earth? Seriously? And what did this all have to do with the bracelet she's worn all her life? To make a situation even stranger, a dangerous group of travelers appear out of nowhere. They demand help from the alien? with travel across universes.
Abducted from Earth, teenager Kelsey Hale finds herself thrust into a deadly adventure among alien worlds and alternate universes. She must not only survive, but also find a way to rescue her father. In the process she will discover a family secret that will change her life forever.
With the mysterious Weavers connecting it all.
Join Kelsey Hale in a coming of age science fiction adventure across alternate universes and encounters with alien planets, species and societies. Thrust into a dangerous journey to places she could have never imagined, she is determined to discover the truth of her mysterious past. A truth that will change her life forever.
The String Weavers (The String Weavers - Book 1) available now!
***
A small half moon emerged over the far mountains, casting a soft glow to the surroundings. Above, the last of the Phoenix spiraled out of sight. Kelsey stumbled again as a line of sharp minor chords flew through the air above her head.
Channix hissed sharply. But, his attention not on them, but on something up the hill.
No matter how she squinted and searched she couldn't see what he could be looking at. A movement against a light colored rock helped her to find the shapes. No wonder she'd had trouble seeing them, they were rather low to the ground. Then she realized whoever they were meeting walked on four legs. More aliens?
Tripping over a hidden log, Kelsey grabbed onto her father's arm. He put a strong arm around her back, helping her find her feet. As she got up she saw Bonn's ears were completely laid back. Somehow she knew that meant something bad.
Professor Hadrian turned to Channix. "Keep them here and silent. We will return shortly."
Her knees aching, Kelsey looked for a place to sit down but prickly shrubs and trees covered the ground. Turning around, she could make out in the moonlight the small clearing where they'd made camp and the pinprick of red of the dying campfire. To her right the trees grew taller, and beyond those she could see the night shimmer of a lake. Music continued floating around her, strained and tense notes she couldn't help reacting to with uncomfortable shivers.
A flash of light from behind her accompanied by a loud resonant snap made her jump. Kelsey whirled around just in time to see another flash of light coming from the arm of Professor Hadrian. The burst of energy plowed into the dirt and soil further up the hill.
Channix growled low in his throat but remained where he was. Another light appeared at the dome, pulsing and surging frantically into the sky. Growing first bright and then faint, alternating colors as it did, it surged into the scattered light clouds.
Chords filled the air from all directions. First off key, but with each surge, coming more and more in tune, the melody growing more intricate. The light above the dome ceased, and with it the melodies began to fade.
And then, she felt the snap. A rush moved right down into the center of her body and then radiated outwards. It echoed back from the band on her wrist. She breathed in deeply, overwhelmed with relief. The invisible ropes were gone!
Professor Hadrian knew it as well. He turned towards them and raised his arm, yelling down the hill, "Keep them restrained!"
Bonn shoved Kelsey violently to the side as he raised his own arm. She saw the flash of a brilliant pulse of energy as she tripped and then tumbled off the side of the steep hill.
Her ears filled with the loud crashing of her own body as she fell, skidded and rolled through and off of trees, bushes and rocks. She felt like a pinball with vertigo, not knowing her direction, but feeling the pain of each new encounter with an outside object.
With a splash and a hard bump that knocked the breath out of her, she landed face down in frigid water. Scrambling to her knees, she felt something moving on her head. She swatted at it, and a small dark body jumped off with an indignant croak. It landed in the water and scrambled onto a rock, looked at her and croaked at her again.
Suddenly, she couldn't help but start laughing.
Kelsey stood up and shook her hands, moving to one rocky bank. It was then she realized the water was running off her dry skin even though her clothes were soaked. Yet, she could feel the sense of water on her bare skin, but when she rubbed two fingers together, there was definitely no moisture there.
A howl of pain echoed down from the hill. Through her band she felt the tug of Professor Hadrian's Binding Machine.
Terror welled up from her band, overcoming every conscious thought in her head. She had to get away from the machine!
Her legs began running away from the hill, carrying the rest of her with them
. In a few strides she splashed across the stream, disappearing into the forest.
***
The String Weavers (The String Weavers - Book 1) is available at online retailers everywhere.
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Ebook ISBN: 978-1-937042-00-4
Published exclusively by: Star Catcher Publishing
Copyright 2011 J.A. Marlow. All Rights Reserved.
Illustrations and graphics copyright 2011 by J.A. Marlow. All rights reserved.
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If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and locations portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity or resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
All rights to the characters in this written work are reserved by the author and may not appear in any written work or broadcast by any means without the written permission of the author except for the purpose of advertising, promoting and critical review.
To the author's knowledge no aliens, animals from any known world, or humans were harmed in the writing or making of this book.