I went out that night and didn’t come back until noon, with three more closed doors under my belt. One level two only had a single Ratman guarding a shrine, a level six had me destroying a talisman, and a level 8 where I had to destroy two shrines. The streets were busy now, so I walked back to the motel, and let Clio out for a walk. Jenna avoided eye contact with me as I passed. I can’t blame her. She must think I’m crazy. I hadn’t seen anything crop up on social media, so I assume she hasn’t told anyone. Who would believe her? If she did, would I get in trouble?

Clio and I walk around for an hour until she paws at my leg for me to pick her up and take her back. By then I had received a text from Ortega.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“454 East Maple Ave. Still setting things up for the other chosen, will be done in a week. Shawn should be in town tomorrow. Gave him your number and address, and he’s already agreed to join the Icarian Corps. You’ll probably be working together to clear the town.”

“ok,” was all I sent back.

I take a moment to breathe in the wintry air. Gray clouds had begun to roll down from the distant, white-helmed peaks of the Sierras, obscuring all but the silhouettes of those mighty mountains, each one fading as the clouds rolled closer and closer.

END OF BOOK 1