[New Voices] Hooman Saga Book One - The Lazurai: Chapter 4 & 5

A NEW SERIAL CONTINUES. Now we've found this death-dealer doesn't match the rumors. Yet, what powers does she have? And what does she choose to do with them?

IV.
CHARLENE WAS ASLEEP, eyes closed tightly into a pain-filled frown. She was gaunt, thin. Her brown hair was brittle and had streaks of gray in it. Her breath came in wheezes. While she was dressed in a comfortable cotton blouse, with a fan circulating the air overhead, it was obvious there was little comfort for her in that bed.

Rochelle sat in the chair by the bedside and took Charlene's hand. And looked at her. After a few moments, she looked back up at Chuck.

"She's in pain, but is still strong. It's her spirit that is keeping her here. And your love."

Chuck felt a tear come down one cheek. "You can tell that from just touching her?"

"That and more." Rochelle returned Charlene's hand to the bed cover and patted it. Charlene had quit frowning, her face relaxed. She looked at peace.

Rochelle rose to face Chuck. "Please take me to your baby."

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Chuck led her out the screened back door out to the concrete cross in the ground a dozen yards away. There were children's toys tied with mono-filament fishing line to it.

Rochelle knelt next to the cross and put her hand on the mound where a thin covering of gray grass lay. She touched the sun-faded toys and rearranged them so they were closer.

Chuck's voice was gravelly. "I tied them on so they wouldn't blow away in the wind storms..." He stopped at this, choked up.

Rochelle looked up to Chuck, and saw his eyes brimming with tears. "I think there is something I can do for all of you. But you're going to have to do something for me."

Chuck nodded as a tear fell onto the dusty ground.

V.
YOU CAN STILL VISIT Chuck's Place. It's still there. Chuck is a lot older now. Charlene had a "miraculous" recovery and given a clean bill of health by her doctors. Never been sick a day since, other than when the wind whips the pollen around, but that's temporary. Doctor's claimed the bed rest and fresh air helped the healing and her excellent health since.

Chuck and Charlene just smile at each other and let people believe what they want.

They never mention their visitor to anyone. As far as they’re concerned, it was just another empty rumor that had wrecked so many communities. Another conspiracy theory.

A few years after Charlene was up and around again, they had another child. Red-haired and hazel-eyed. They named her Rochelle. She grew up strong and healthy. You can catch her running the checkout stand most weekends. Usually surrounded by some of the local boys who hang on every word she says and watch for her heart-melting smile.

Rochelle doesn't mind, as long as they keep buying stuff she can ring up.

The grave out back has become a sort of tourist destination now. You can see piles of crutches left there, and old wheelchairs stacked nearby. People have found that there's some healing properties in that old concrete cross and the ground nearby. But that's just what they say.

If you ask Chuck, he'll nod and agree with whatever you say. If you press him, he'll say that we each have our road to walk in this life, and how we treat people is important.

If you ask Charlene or Rochelle, they just look off in the distance or at each other and smile.

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A New Serial Arrives From This Anthology

Book One of the Hooman Saga is an anthology compiled from earlier short stories which tell how their dystopiac world started before, well, everything in Hooman Saga Book Two.

This is an alternate future history. Now we conclude the second book in this story - The Lazurai.

All fifteen stories are appearing here as a new series of serials. Continuing from the first story and going forward. For nearly 350 print pages.

For now, set your calendar to keep track of these new adventures. Every Saturday.

Table of Contents

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