CHAPTER 1: The Stop   The old silver Mercedes rolled down the tree-lined road on the outskirts of Milfield, Illinois. Inside, the air…

Chapter 1: The First Shard of Glass   It started with the sound of a shattering glass. “You’ve sat in the wrong seat,…

Chapter 1: The Freeze Before the Storm   The noon air was freezing, turning the sky a thick, suffocating gray. Snow drifted lazily…

CHAPTER 1: THE SOUND OF SILENCE   The Coronado sun wasn’t just hot; it was hateful. It was a blowtorch that July morning…

PART 1 Chapter 1: The Invisible Man “Sir, this area is for distinguished guests. I’m going to have to ask you to move.”…

Chapter 1: The Predator and the Prey “Watch where you’re going, old man.” The voice didn’t just speak; it struck. It boomed off…

PART 1 Chapter 1: The Tremor and the Tyrant “Sir, your voice always shake like that? Or is today special?” The question didn’t…

PART 1: THE WELCOME COMMITTEE   Chapter 1: The Wolf Den   The steel door of the Annex hissed shut behind me, sealing…

PART 1 Chapter 1: The Quiet Before I was sitting at a weathered picnic table, letting the Ohio afternoon sun try its best…

PART 1: THE JUDGMENT Chapter 1: The Ozone and the Wolf Pack “Why so many tattoos, old man? Did you run out of…