Shades

Gustav returned to the police car and drove into the night. He was tired, but there was still much to do before he went to sleep. He had to take care of the car once and for all. Tomorrow, he would begin hunting down the rest of the renegade shades, the ones Bedrik had placed inside the local government, fire and police departments, churches, and elsewhere. With their master destroyed, the shades were free to act on their own, living the lives they’d stolen. He couldn’t allow the charade to continue. The dead should stay dead.

More people would vanish under mysterious circumstances over the coming days. Then, when he was finished, Brackard’s Point would return to normal—whatever that may be.

He turned on the radio. Music filled the car, and Gustav sang along, his voice full of pain and regret.

“If you could read my mind, what a tale my thoughts would tell…”

Tears slid down his whiskered face.

He’d lied to the boy. Danny was indeed magic. He had the gift. The ability. Magic was a part of Danny and in time, he’d have learned it all over again, with or without Gustav’s help. But Danny would not have that time. The old man’s heart broke. He wept as he drove, and the heavens cried along with him.

Magic had a price.

Magic was knowledge and power and sometimes sacrifice.

Gustav had knowledge of Danny’s fate.

He did not have the power to stop it.

And that was the heaviest sacrifice of all.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

GEOFF COOPER WAS BORN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROPHECY. WHEN THIS LAMENTABLE DAY TRANSPIRED IS UNCLEAR. THE CURRENT HYPOTHESIS PLACES THE EVENT SOMETIME BETWEEN THE RISE OF THE BABYLON AND THE FALL OF KABUL. COOP’S SHORT STORIES HAVE APPEARED IN MANY ANTHOLOGIES AND A MAGAZINE OR TWO. CEMETERY DANCE PUBLICATIONS PUBLISHED HIS NOVELLA, RETRIBUTION, INC, AND WAS ONE OF THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED MAGAZINES. HE HAS BEEN A MECHANIC, A SECURITY GUARD, A FIREFIGHTER, A FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR, A DRIVER OF CARS OF QUESTIONABLE LEGALITY, AND A PROVIDER OF THINGS FOR THOSE WITH MORE MONEY THAN SENSE. CURRENTLY, HE HOLDS THE TITLE OF DUCK. YEAH, AS IN ‘QUACK’. DON’T ASK: IT’S BEYOND YOUR COMPREHENSION. HE’S GOT MORE OPINIONS THAN THE BIBLE HAS BEGATS. WHISKY TANGO FOXTROT, OVER…

Brian Keene lives in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, and writes books for a living. Trust us; it’s not nearly as glamorous as it sounds. Just like magic, there’s always a price. His previous titles include Ghoul, Dead Sea, The Rising, City of the Dead, The Conqueror Worms, Fear of Gravity, Terminal, and many more. Several of his books and stories have been adapted for comics, and several more are slated for film and video games. He probably owes you an email or a phone call, and promises to get around to it one of these days. He would like to take this moment to stop being a smart-ass and sincerely thank you for your patience. Visit him online at www.briankeene.com