Serena turned to Augie. “I did my part, kid. You owe me a new Forever.”
“How do I find one?” he asked.
“That’s for you to find out,” she said. Her hand grazed my shoulder. “Solomon, take me home.”
I said to Augie, “You realize this will bite you in the ass someday, right?”
“I’m starting to get that feeling,” he said.
“Good. Paranoia will keep you safe. Just don’t get me killed in the process.”
We said goodbye to Rory and went back to the truck. It was a unique feeling that stirred in my gut. To win the day, save the soul of a past lover, and have no one die.
Well, other than Landon, but he had it coming anyway. And I didn’t die, so that was good.
I called it a sweet victory. I liked the feeling.
I believe it was called hope.
Chapter 47
My Little Secret in the Woods
I returned Serena to her apartment complex. It was finally good to have her out of my hair, away from me where she couldn’t cause any more mischief. Or get me killed, stabbed, or trapped in a dimensional rift reliving the same moment in time for hundreds of years.
But now she had Augie trapped in a binding agreement to get her a newly spawned Forever. I didn’t know where that would lead, but I knew it wouldn’t end well for us.
When we got to Augie’s house, I removed the tarp from Grace’s body and set her in a position that made it look like she fell over by accident. Face down, by the living room coffee table, phone in hand with the number 91 dialed. As if she tried dialing for help as she died. As soon as the ambulance came, the EMTs would realize she’s dead and call the police. An investigation would be put in place.
Once they ruled out pathogens as the cause of death and stated there was no possibility of contagion, they’d label it an accidental death under mysterious circumstances. Augie’s life for the next month would be hell, with numerous interrogations and investigations, with the authorities questioning his every move, intent, and action.
Going through the invasive process of it all would be a pain in the ass, but still a walk in the park compared to what he’s already been through these past few days. When you face down demons, the undead, supernatural psychopaths, and a three-headed Cerberus, being drilled by detectives comes off as a bit ridiculous. More of a nuisance than a real threat.
I stood up from the empty vessel lying on the floor. I appreciated that Poe didn’t call forth a demon to possess it. I didn’t think Augie would be able to handle it.
Augie stared at the remains. “I can’t believe she’s gone,” he said.
“It’s hard to accept,” I said. “But at least she’s finally at peace. Thanks to you.”
“I miss her. I just want my mom back.” He sniffled and looked the other way. “What do I do now?”
“Call 911. Tell them you found her like this and need an ambulance. When the police come, if they question it, tell them you called as soon as you got home.”
“Got it,” he said, dialing his cell phone. He cleared his throat and put his hand to his mouth. Wrinkled up his brow like he was distraught. A few seconds passed as he worked himself up. I heard a voice on the other end say something.
“Please help me,” he said into the phone. “I just got home and my mom isn’t moving. I don’t know what’s wrong with her, she looks sick or diseased or something. Please, send an ambulance. Right away. Please help my mom!”
There was real emotion in his voice. The kid was good. He deserved an Oscar. He gave his address, but she still kept him on the phone.
I’d give the kid a few days off from any new monsters. He had enough to deal with. He needed to get his life back in order. Get a job. Go back to his shitty band and the nerd girl he was crushing on.
The following week I’d come back and continue his training. He had a lot to learn, but had potential. As I left, he gave me a thumbs up.
The kid was going to be okay.
Not wanting the 911 operator to capture any sound of me on her recording, I closed the front door quietly.
Not a peep.
As for myself, I needed to get out of Chicago for the night. Rest and lay low. Maya would be fine at Zac’s for the time being. He’d protect her until I got back. I warded the entire apartment years ago. No one will be able to teleport in. The truth was, Poe could still consider her a threat if he thought she knew too much.
I’d have to train her to fight well enough to defend herself against anyone he might send after her. Her training wouldn’t be as intense as Augie’s, but I had the feeling she was a fast learner. The question was, could Augie keep up with her?
And with her mechanical skills, maybe she could help me repair my Chevy when I got back. I hopped in the truck, reloaded my gun, and hit the road.
It seemed I had a team developing. That wasn’t a good sign. After being alone for so many years, I started to fancy the idea, don’t get me wrong. But sooner or later, they were all going to die.
Or get me killed.
We all die bloody in this business.
But in the meantime, neither Augie nor Maya had a better route to go. It would be nice to have a couple extra hands on deck. Even if they were punk kids.
And if they became a headache, I could always make them wash my truck. Get some use out of them at least.
The death omen still raced across my mind.
Sometimes omens are symbolic. If the message is to look behind you, it could be to literally look behind you to catch someone about to attack you. Or it could mean it figuratively. To look behind you as in search your past for a clue or connection that could save you.
But when the omen was death, I was pretty sure it wasn’t playing cutesy with the words.
After driving for over almost four hours, I made it to my cabin in Rockford, Michigan.
I’d lay low there for the night and head back to Chicago the following day. I had this cabin for over ten years. No one else knew about it. Not even other hunters.
It stored weapons, journals, and cash. Even had some Forever cocktails in the fridge. A backup of all my goodies. This wasn’t the only place I had them, but it was my favorite.
Traveling twelve minutes off the expressway, I finally reached my destination. My cabin in the woods away from everywhere. Away from monsters, evil, and having to kill, bury, or melt something.
I unlocked the front door and flipped on the lights as I walked in. Removing the Beretta from its holster, I checked the clip. Still full.
No pesky Poltergeists today.
I moseyed into the bedroom. Before flipping on the light, I felt something was wrong.
Out of place.
Misplaced.
I caught his shadow from the moonlight on the wall. There was someone in the corner. When I turned around, I had both the Beretta and Glock pointed at him.
His face was cast in shadow, I couldn’t make it out. But I was listening.
It was silent.
He wasn’t breathing.
His voice was rough. “You drew your guns three seconds faster than I did,” he said. “I’m impressed.”
“Come out of the corner,” I said, pulling back the hammers. “Now.” I stepped to the door, both guns on him. “Who are you?”
He stood from the chair and stepped out of the darkness. The shadows squirmed away from his face. It was a familiar face.
It was mine.
He looked at me and grinned. “Solomon Ivy, I presume.”
Chapter 48
Epilogue
After a very special visit from Serena Acosta, August McKenzie jumped out of bed in the morning and smelled the bacon and eggs cooking in the kitchen. It felt like Christmas morning and he was a kid again. Even though it had only been a few days, it felt like years since they were last together.
When you deal with the underworld, life automatically changes meaning. When any day could be your last, the air becomes fresher, the scent of flowers become sweeter, a
nd you start to enjoy all the little things you never did before.
But it wasn’t only the good things that changed. The bad things seemed to lose their bite. Stubbing your toe became no big deal. Going to your job became less important.
And death didn’t hold the bitter sting it used to. Not when you had a necromancer at your disposal.
When you live the life of a monster hunter, you can’t take anything for granted.
Not a single day.
August McKenzie used to take everything for granted. His band. His talents. His mom. But now? Now he cherished every moment with each of them.
Every last one.
Thanks to his fake 911 call to Serena, August was able to get back what he lost. Everything could go back to normal, only better.
He pranced into the kitchen as his mother cooked up breakfast. “Smells awesome, Mom.” He kissed her on the cheek. It was something he never did before because he thought it was cheesy. But it was much more special now.
“I hope you absolutely love it, honey,” his mother said. “I’ve been slaving away all morning on it.”
Augie sat down at the table. She already had him a glass full of orange juice in front of him. He took a swig of O.J. and waited for the eggs and bacon.
He was grateful for her in a way that he wasn’t before. Now, instead of seeing all her faults, he saw only her good points. He knew his mom’s soul was in Heaven and this empty vessel was just a meat puppet, but sometimes it’s too hard to let go. But in a way, it was still his mother. At least, to him.
After all, a boy needs his mother.
She set his plate on the countertop and placed the eggs on, leaving room for the bacon. Every growing boy needs meat to be strong.
When returning to the bacon, the spatula smacked the pan’s handle and fell to the floor. Without a second thought, Grace scooped up the bacon with her hand, her knuckles scraping the inside of the frying pan. The bacon grease sizzled and spat against her hand, burning her skin.
But it didn’t matter. It was for her boy.
She gently set the bacon on the plate and arranged it nice and neat, just the way he liked it. She glanced at the burn on her hand and smiled.
Her smile was wide. And her eyes?
Her eyes were pitch black.
Author Notes
To get three illustrated guides documenting the details of The Forever People Paradox Universe, as told by monster hunter, Solomon Ivy, go to davidjphifermedia.com and join the Reader Group. Not only will you receive the guide “11 Undead Things in the Forever People Paradox Universe,” you’ll also get “How to Tell if Your Co-Worker is a Monster or Just Evil” (trust me, that will come in handy). You’ll also get a Welcome Kit of supernatural goodies, including a top secret FBI interview with the necromancer, Serena Acosta, and a page from the monster hunter journal of Solomon Ivy (but don’t tell him I took it, he would murder me, literally), and much more.
If you liked this book, please leave an honest review on Amazon. It helps with Amazon’s algorithm to promote the book more and gives credibility and social proof to the series so potential readers see that it’s worthy to try out. It helps tremendously. Thank you!
I hope you enjoyed Memoirs of a Monster Killer, Book 1 of the Killing Forever Series. Life isn’t easy as a monster hunter. It’s even harder when you have to train the new guy. Hunting is much easier when you have no one in your life. No one to count on. No one to worry about. No one to get you killed. I think Ivy’s troubles are just beginning. Thank you for being with Solomon Ivy in this adventure. Please join him in Book 2: Heart of a Monster Killer. He will be waiting. With guns blazing.
-David J. Phifer
Author & Media Producer
February, 2021
About the Author
David J. Phifer is the author of The Forever People Paradox Saga and all the series that lie therein.
He currently lives in West Michigan in a woods where deer greet him every morning and birds chirp outside his window.
A couple years ago, his mother got lung cancer. To be with her, he moved in to her home in the woods, far away from civilization. She had a major operation and is now doing much better. David helps her financially and with chores that are much too difficult for her to do now.
David’s mission is to build a large cabin home on the property for his mother, so she can finally have a beautiful home that doesn’t fall apart with every step. It will serve as the prime location for writer and artist retreats, to help creators connect and collaborate. His vision is to create a mecca of creative talent who can fulfill their creative destiny in a studio that allows them to express their abilities. To create books, movies, tv shows, and all other media that can serve the cause of creation.
Eventually, he’ll start a studio in Atlanta, GA, which will allow him access to more talent in the film industry to help create this vision.
He is passionate about creating and helping people fulfill their destiny to live an extraordinary life. Because life shouldn’t be any harder than it has to be. With the right people, miracles can happen. And they do.
To reach out to David, feel free to email him at [email protected] or become part of his Reader Group at davidjphifermedia.com.
Memoirs of a Monster Killer: Killing Forever Book 1 Page 26