Reckoning Day
A Jennifer Long Series Novella
by J.J. Carter
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Investigative Reporter, Jennifer Long, stumbles onto a high-level corruption scheme among three local corporations. They are attempting to find a gateway portal between our world and the supernatural-paranormal, and killing Mediums in the process who don’t comply. While she is left for dead and unsure if her family is alive, she seeks the help of a new team, the SPA (supernatural paranormal agency), to expose this deadly truth before it’s too late and the world is run over by supernatural-paranormal forces that could be uncontrollable. This story is a novella, not a novel. It is approximately 31, 355 words. The story finishes with NO cliff hanger. It is action packed with mystery, romance, thrills, and the paranormal!
Chapter
1
October
23rd, 2010
Jen
typed away on her laptop at the Shelby Times newspaper. She had to
get
her
story in before seven pm or it wouldn’t make it to print. And she
wouldn’t get
paid
this week. It had been slow. Fall always was. As she finished, her
eyes widened
as
they caught the sight of the time on the right corner of the taskbar
on the laptop.
“Oh
my, is that time?” she questioned.
She
finished the story she worked on about KCI corporation for her boss,
Michael
Turner.
She printed the document and tapped her fingers on her desk
impatiently. Jen
never
had very good patience. The printer finished printing and she grabbed
the stack
of
paper. She left her office and jogged to Michael’s office that was
adjacent to hers.
She
hurried the door open, smiled to him, and tossed the papers down to
him. He
picked
them up and glanced over them.
“KCI
Corporation Jen? Really? You’re still on them?” Michael asked.
“Well,
yeah. I mean there’s something sinister going on there Mike.”
“And
you think it’s up to you to find out?”
“Yeah!
I am the best investigative reporter you got.”
“Jen,
I like you, I really do. But I truly don’t think there’s a story
here.”
“Just
read it and let me know. I have to go. My mom’s coming home and so
is my
hubby.”
“Oh
yeah it’s your birthday. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks.
Please, just read it and print it for me.”
“I’ll
let you know when we go to print.”
“Thanks!”
Jen
hurried home. Today was going to be a totally amazing day. Not only
was she
going
to get to see her husband, but her mom as well. Both were the most
important
relationships
in her life next to her best friends, Karen Logan and FBI Special
Agent,
Zander
Cole.
Her
husband, Brian Long, had been away out of state at a Realtor
conference tour
for
the past couple months. Her mom had been on a long term assignment
out of the
country
for the company she worked for, KCI Corporation.
KCI
Corporation was the largest Jeep door panel maker in the world. They
were
stationed
here in Shelby, MI but had offices overseas. Her mom was in Japan for
half
the
year. So, Jen just focused on her job.
Being
a reporter for the Shelby Times gave her the action she had so
desperately
craved.
She was an action movie junkie. Action movies always had the best
soundtracks
as well. She played one of her favorites, the soundtrack from the
Last
Action
Hero, starring her favorite actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in her four
door
Jeep
as she headed home from the paper.
The
party was to start at around eight pm. Of course she wasn’t
supposed to know
about
this but Zander spilled the beans. But Jen was glad he did. It had
been lonely for
her.
As
she arrived home, she ran through the ranch style home to her room.
As she
checked
the time, she realized she was running later than expected. She
decided to
call
Karen to let her know.
“Hey
Karen, I’m running late. Work ran late. Anyone there yet?” Jen
asked.
“We
are all at your mom’s house per her orders. Funny, this was
supposed to be a
surprise!”
Karen snickered.
“Don’t
blame me. Blame Z. He spilled the beans. Anyone picked my mom or Bri
up?”
“Yeah,
Z is supposed to.”
“Damn
it. Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Hopefully
Rene and Brian get here before you. Thankfully, neither of them
know
you know.”
Jen
laughed. “You and Z are truly my best friends! I love you guys!”
“Love
you too. See you in a bit!”
Jen
hurried in the shower. She was finished fifteen minutes later. Always
a ton
boy,
that was all she did to get ready. She threw on her good blue jeans
and wore her
favorite
KISS t-shirt and her brown knee-high, leather boots.
She
drove the short drive to her mother’s house. Her stomach danced
with
excitement.
But she knew how to calm herself. In a few minutes, she arrived. She
saw
Zander’s
truck in the driveway. They were all here. She knew to act surprised
because
not
only would her mother be disappointed Zander spilled the beans but so
would
Brian.
As
she made her way to the front door, she knocked. Karen opened the
door.
They
wrapped each other in a warm embrace. Karen smiled wide to her best
friend.
“Everyone’s
outside!” Karen squeaked.
“Great!”
They
walked through the home and went out to the back patio. Karen went
first to
alert
everyone Jen had arrived. When Jen stepped out onto the patio,
everyone yelled
in
excitement to her.
“Surprise!”
Jen’s
eyes widened at seeing Brian first. Then her mother. They both hugged
her
deeply.
“Glad
you are surprised!” Brian and Rene said.
“Thank
you guys! I’ve missed you both so much! This is the best birthday
ever!”
Jen
squealed.
“Come
on inside. We have everything in there!” Rene said.
“I
can’t believe you both did this and you’re both finally home!”
Jen stated
loudly.
“We’ve
missed you!”
They
went inside and had dinner. After everyone finished, Rene and Brian
got out
her
birthday cake. And they all sang happy birthday to her. Turning
thirty was a big
deal
in this world. Her mother made sure she’d have the best birthday.
After
Jen opened her presents, she was still shocked at how they were able
to
throw
this together on such short notice. It truly made her birthday that
much more
special.
One she’d never forget.
“I’m
so excited to see everyone! It had been a lonely couple months,”
Jen said.
“But
I had Karen, Z, and Max, and the two boys and Devon. It’s been hard
but now
that
you’re both home, I’m just so happy!”
“We’re
glad you’re happy. You got a ton of cool gifts!” Brian smiled.
“Thank
you all. I love you all so much!”
She
finished unwrapping the presents. Brian helped clean up the wrapping
paper
mess.
Jen stacked all her presents neatly in a pile. Her mom began to clean
up. And
she
knew she better help her.
She
followed her mother in the kitchen and helped her clean up. It had
been a
warm
day for once in October on her birthday. Rene had all the windows
open in the
house,
even the big bay one in the kitchen. Her favorite heavy metal music
was
playing
loud through Rene’s four hundred watt sound system from the living
room.
“Mom,
I really can’t believe you did this while you were in Japan!” Jen
cried.
“Well,
Brian helped me. You know, I know it’s been hard not having your
dad
around.
And I know all the stuff that went down with Eric was hard on both of
us. But
Jen,
I never believed his lies.”
Jen’s
eyes widened. How dare she bring that horrible excuse of a man, Eric
Lenshoff,
up. That just brought up two horrible years of flashbacks. Those who
knew
Jen,
knew she never liked to talk about those years. But her mother had
been away for
awhile.
“I’m
sorry,” Rene began.
“Why
did you have to bring that up!?” Jen snapped.
Jen
closed her eyes and desperately tried to shove those nightmarish
memories
away.
She screamed when she felt a warm touch on her shoulders.
“It’s
just me, your mom,” Rene said. “Still after all these years?”
“Yeah.
Every now and then.”
“Is
June helping you?”
“Yeah
I know what to do when flashbacks happen mom.”
“That’s
good. She’s been amazing. I tried to get her to come but she can’t
because
of
the relationship she has with you.”
“Oh
yeah doctor patient thing right?”
“Yeah
something like that. Are you okay now?” Rene asked.
“I’m
okay now.”
“I
love you Jen. Even though I might have always been away, and being
your
only
parent, I’ve always loved you. I know sometimes you’ve hated me.”
“Well,
yeah. I mean one thing I really wanna know. You still have never told
me.”
“What
is it?”
“You
never told me exactly when my father died. I know it was just before
I was
born.
How come we never go visit his grave?”
“I,
just can’t okay. I loved your father more than anything. And I’ve
never been
one
for cemeteries.”
“Really
mom? That’s an excuse.”
“Please
don’t! It’s bad enough to lose him the way I did. I just can’t!”
“I’m
sorry mom.”
“It’s
okay. Why do you want to dig on this?”
“Well,
I need to know. I think I have a right to know how and when my own
father
died!”
“Jen,
don’t go digging around this.”
Jen
smiled wide. “You just gave me my next story mom!”
“No!
You can’t go digging around that!”
“Why
not?”
“I
forbid you.”
“I’m
a thirty year woman old mom. You can’t control me!”
“You’re
right.”
“Wait
a minute. Dad was in the military right? Please, tell me, how did he
die?”
“Jen,
now is not the time.”
“Why,
why can’t you tell me!?”
“Just
know he died a hero. He was a veteran. He served. He was a good man.”
“Mom!
Really, why can’t you tell me?”
“Jen,
you need to stop. This could lead you down a very dangerous road!”
“But
mom. I’m gonna need a new story for next week.”
“Find
somewhere else then. I need to finish those dishes.”
Jen
got a phone call. She checked her smart phone and it was her boss
calling.
She
knew that perhaps he would finally submit her suspicion on KCI
Corporation and
something
about the paranormal world.
“I
gotta take this mom.”
“Okay.”
Jen
answered. “Hey Mike, what’s up?”
“Sorry
Jen, I can’t use your story. There’s nothing there.”
“What?
Come on Mike, I need this!”
“I’m
sorry, you need to lay off KCI. Find something else. That’s an
order!”
“Really,
dang. I really need this to be submitted Mike!”
“Sorry,
no can do.”
He
ended the call. Jen shook her head in frustration. She knew something
had
been
brewing there but could never get proof. Perhaps that was why Mike
rejected her
story.
“Bad
news?” her mom asked.
“Yeah,
want a beer?”
“Yeah.”
As
she went to the fridge and opened it, her eyes widened. Her mother
had her
favorite
Kroger dip hidden behind her favorite beer. She moved about eight
bottles of
beer
aside to get to the dip. She grabbed it and two beers.
When
she finally pulled herself out of the fridge, she placed the dip on
the island
next
to the bowl of chips she had been snacking on. She set the two beers
down as
well.
After she twisted off the caps, she realized her mother wasn’t in
front of the sink
like
she left her. And she heard what might have been an eerie, almost
ghostly like
voice
maybe? Or the wind whipping in from the window being open. Whatever
it was
Jen
couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Mom!?”
she yelled.
Jen
walked around the left side of the island. Her eyes widened. Her
mouth hung
slightly
open. There lay her mother, lifeless, slouched against the island.
She tried to
scream
but no sounds came out. Her chest seized. She grabbed her chest and
placed
her
hand on the island. Then she finally screamed for help.
“Help!
Someone help me!” she cried.
Jen
bent down and pulled her mother into her arms. But Rene lay limp and
Jen
held
her tight. The tears streamed down her face.
“No,
no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Come on mum! Come on, wake up!”
Of
course Jen didn’t see the black residue on Rene’s forehead just
yet. Not until
everyone
met her there.
“No!”
Jen cried. “Come on mom, wake up!”
Jen
tapped her mother’s cheeks and there was still no sign from her.
Zander bent
down
to her on one side and Brian bent down on the other.
Zander
inspected Rene’s forehead. He noticed the strange, black residue.
Before
he
put his finger on it, Karen stopped him.
“Dude,
look, it’s alive,” Karen said.
“What?”
“Look,
it looks like it’s suction cupped on her and sucking her life.”
“No!
What the heck is it?”
“Paranormal,”
Karen replied.
“What?
Come on, you expect me to believe that?” Zander laughed.
“This
is no joke. Look at it.”
They
all looked at the black residue that slithered across Rene’s
forehead. Jen
refused
to believe it as well. Everyone felt the same devastation for her but
knew to
keep
that in check, to be strong for her.
“NO!
No, no, no, no, no! It’s just a scratch! She fell and maybe
slightly cut her
forehead,”
Jen cried out.
“Jen,
that’s not the case,” Brian said.
Tears
fell from his eyes heavily. The tears flowed from everyone else as
well. But
they
attempted to push them back. The rest of them tried damn hard not to
cry to still
be
strong for Jen.
Zander
proceeded to call 911. He put it on speaker phone.
“911
what’s your emergency?” a female voice asked.
“Um,
I’m not sure how to explain this but there’s something black,
like a plasma
that’s
attacking my friend’s mom.”
“Excuse
me?”
“Yeah,
send the paramedics over here!” Zander yelled.
“You
want me to send someone for attacking plasma?”
“I
don’t know what it is but it’s alive and sucking the life force
from my friend’s
mom!”
Zander screamed.
“Sir,
this channel is reserved for emergencies only. If this is some kind
of prank
-”
“No
prank! Get over here!”
Zander
took a photo of Rene’s forehead. But whatever was on Rene’s head
did
not
show up in the photo. And the 911 operator checked to see if Zander
was still
there.
“Hello?”
“Look,
this is FBI Special agent Zander Cole, send someone over here now!”
Zander
ended the call and called his friend Del Maningham from a group known
as
the SPA (Supernatural Paranormal Agency) next.
“Who
you calling now?” Karen asked.
“Del.”
“Um,
who is Del?” Jen questioned.
“A
friend. His team deals with this.”
“Whatever
it is, we should get the hell out of here!” Karen said.
They
all ran out of the home. Jen couldn’t fathom what just happened.
What did
just
happen? What just killed her mother? She never believed in the
supernatural or
paranormal.
Del
and his team arrived. They inspected the home and Del found more of
the
black
residue on the kitchen counter. It seemed like it was seeping in from
the
window.
He went outside and inspected all around the back. He found more. It
seemed
as if this substance was shot from a special weapon.
After
he finished, Del and his team met them outside and he introduced
everyone.
He
had a small sample of the black residue he put inside a sealed glass
jar he found.
“Look,
I found some of it on the kitchen window,” Del said. “This has to
be
paranormal,”
Del mentioned. “I found more around the window outside. And it
appears
it was shot out of some kind of weapon.”
“Well,
I’m the EVP (Electronic voice phenomenon) specialist here. The
place has
a
ton of it going on. So I for sure agree, it’s definitely
paranormal. Did you ever
realize
your mom’s house was haunted?” Becky asked.
“No,”
Jen replied.
“Look
at this guys. I had a heck of a time picking it up. I had to use a
toothpick.”
Del
explained. “Zander, you said it was slithering across her forehead
and was
sucking
the life from her?”
“Yeah.”
“I
saw this type of substance before.”
“What?”
they all said.
“Yeah
in Russia,” he stated.
“Russia,
so, what is it?” Mike asked.
“I’m
not sure boss.”
“This
is what you’ve been working on?” Mike questioned.
“Yeah.”
“Paranormal?
That’s crazy. Why would it suddenly attack my mom?” Jen
demanded.
“What
was your mother into?” Del asked.
“She
worked for KCI Corporation.”
“No
way. We’ve been investigating them forever!” Chris Thompson
stated.
“Seriously?”
Jen questioned.
“Yes.
What did your mother do for them?” Del asked.
“She
was James Roberts secretary.”
“Holy
shit!” they all said.
“What’s
going on here?” Jen questioned.
“Jen,
KCI under the surface has been researching the
supernatural-paranormal.
They’ve
been looking for a portal,” Del explained.
“A
portal?” Zander questioned. “Come on.”
“Look
Z, I know you don’t believe in this stuff but it’s real. And KCI
may just be
on
their way to finally merging the worlds. They use Mediums. Was your
mother a
Medium?”
Del asked.
“I
don’t know.”
“She
had to of been. In my research, this new substance only attacks
Mediums.
But
I haven’t been able to find the source. Every time I get close, the
leads shrivel
up.”
“I’ve
been investigating KCI as well. I always felt there was something
sinister
going
on there,” Jen said.
“Are
you a Medium too?” Del questioned.
“Me?
No. I don’t think so. I’m an Investigative Reporter for the
Shelby Times.
Every
time I do an article on them, my boss, Michael Turner shoots it
down.”
“Every
time?” Del questioned.
“Yes!”
“Jen,
we’re so sorry this happened. We’ll investigate this and get back
to you,”
Del
said.
Jen’s
body trembled. She wanted to know why her mother? Why her, what did
she
actually do for James Roberts? She never wanted to believe her mother
would
deal
in dirty stuff like this.
Brian
took her home and Jen just couldn’t sleep or eat. She had to get
away. She
didn’t
leave Brian a note and just took off. As she drove, she kept seeing
that slime
attacking
her mother. And she drove for what seemed to be all night long.
Investigative Reporter, Jennifer Long, stumbles onto the
supernatural/paranormal world where big cooperation are working
together to make contact with the paranormal world.
During her
investigation Jennifer learns that her mother is a medium who works
for one of the cooperation. Her mother stumbles onto something big
and decides that maybe it is time to get out but before that can
happen she ends up dead.
Jennifer is attacked
in her own home and left for dead. She lets the world believe she is
dead while she continues her investigation into the paranormal.
Jennifer’s world has been turned upside down but she is determined
to find the truth in a confused and dangerous world.
Reckoning Day is a
short fast paced read that will have you stumbling around in the dark
trying to figure out the truth. It is filled with mystery and
suspense and will pull you into its depths dragging you along for the
ride and what a ride it is. Reckoning Day is a great start into a
brand new world of the paranormal.
Someone is trying to
kill all the mediums come join Jennifer as she tries to save them
before it is too late. Join Jennifer as she uncovers all the secrets
and lies while discovering the truth behind her mother’s death and
the paranormal world.
If you are into the
paranormal or the supernatural then Reckoning Day is just the book
for you. One click your copy today!
JJ Carter (also known as C.A. Michaels) is a lifelong resident of Michigan and currently lives in South Eastern Michigan with her husband whom she calls Superman. She began writing and drawing stories in the sixth grade. She's since then tried many different things, music, having a Rock N Roll band in the early nineties, and learning graphic design since 1999. She typed her first manuscript back in 2010. However that will never see the light of day.
It was when she got great feedback from a helpful agent, she became passionate about writing once again. She took that former manuscript and turned into the first of the Pathfinders series. She is always on her laptop listening to Rock n Roll, Heavy Metal and yes even some Country while she creates new exciting worlds. She does love to take breaks every now and then to visit her friends, hang out, play cards, games, enjoying hot summer nights by a bonfire with a beer, and even do a little Karaoke. e better.
Handmade jewelry and 13X19 posters of book cover
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
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