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Excerpt from Stay With Me
Mitchell was standing in his kitchen seriously questioning his thinking. What the hell could he have been thinking cooking lunch here? Yes the closest restaurant was twenty-five miles away but he could have met her there. Cooking wasn’t the problem, he was a master in the kitchen. The problem was having her alone in his home for any extended period of time.
He walked into the kitchen and started working on the chicken he was preparing for their lunch. Coq au vin with garlic mashed potatoes and field green salad and crème brulee for desert. Once thing were well under way he headed for the shower. He stepped out of the shower in fifteen minutes. Rubbed on some lotion and the dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a heather grey sweater. He tied his hair back with a rubber band. He felt better, calmer.
The only problem was he couldn’t figure out why he was nervous in the first place. “Come on pull yourself together.” He said aloud. She is just a woman, a woman he had never seen before. There was absolutely no reason to get excited. He went to the kitchen to check on the food. As he pulled the chicken out of the oven he heard a car door. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and headed for the door. God let her be ugly he thought. She knocked on the door. Mitchell held his breath.
Zaria stood outside of Mitchell’s front door waiting for him to answer the door. She could hear the wind whistling through the trees. There was a scrumptious smell of food cooking. She assumed it was coming from somewhere nearby. Even though she hadn’t seen another house for miles. She heard the locks click on the door. Can’t turn back now she thought as she held her breath.
Mitchell opened the door. Oh dear God she’s gorgeous he thought. There she was standing in front of him. Her hair caught in a rough breeze a strand blew across her face. She smiled and swiped it away with the back of her hand. Her dress hugged her curves. Were her eyes green? No they were hazel, they had to be contacts. And her smile. She was just too beautiful to be real. Now what am I going to do? I just have to get through lunch. Then I’ll only have to see her in the occasional meeting. That’s it just get through lunch.
Say something Zaria, don’t just stand here like a star stuck fool. Speak damn it speak. Zaria thrust her hand forward. Heaven let words come out. “Hi Mitchell, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Zaria said still smiling with her hand outstretched. He took it in his.
“Z-Zaria, I’m sorry come on in please.” Mitchell said stepping aside to let her pass. She walked in taking in the sights of his mountain top cabin. Try as he might he couldn’t help watching her walk by. She had a way of it, not quite sexy yet it still was. Her walk was one of grace, almost girlish. Not the provocative walk of a woman. Even though she was every bit a provocative woman. Heaven help him he couldn’t breathe. Say something you fool, you big buffoon don’t just stand here with your mouth hanging open. She is not the first woman you have ever seen.
He walked into the kitchen and started working on the chicken he was preparing for their lunch. Coq au vin with garlic mashed potatoes and field green salad and crème brulee for desert. Once thing were well under way he headed for the shower. He stepped out of the shower in fifteen minutes. Rubbed on some lotion and the dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a heather grey sweater. He tied his hair back with a rubber band. He felt better, calmer.
The only problem was he couldn’t figure out why he was nervous in the first place. “Come on pull yourself together.” He said aloud. She is just a woman, a woman he had never seen before. There was absolutely no reason to get excited. He went to the kitchen to check on the food. As he pulled the chicken out of the oven he heard a car door. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and headed for the door. God let her be ugly he thought. She knocked on the door. Mitchell held his breath.
Zaria stood outside of Mitchell’s front door waiting for him to answer the door. She could hear the wind whistling through the trees. There was a scrumptious smell of food cooking. She assumed it was coming from somewhere nearby. Even though she hadn’t seen another house for miles. She heard the locks click on the door. Can’t turn back now she thought as she held her breath.
Mitchell opened the door. Oh dear God she’s gorgeous he thought. There she was standing in front of him. Her hair caught in a rough breeze a strand blew across her face. She smiled and swiped it away with the back of her hand. Her dress hugged her curves. Were her eyes green? No they were hazel, they had to be contacts. And her smile. She was just too beautiful to be real. Now what am I going to do? I just have to get through lunch. Then I’ll only have to see her in the occasional meeting. That’s it just get through lunch.
Say something Zaria, don’t just stand here like a star stuck fool. Speak damn it speak. Zaria thrust her hand forward. Heaven let words come out. “Hi Mitchell, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Zaria said still smiling with her hand outstretched. He took it in his.
“Z-Zaria, I’m sorry come on in please.” Mitchell said stepping aside to let her pass. She walked in taking in the sights of his mountain top cabin. Try as he might he couldn’t help watching her walk by. She had a way of it, not quite sexy yet it still was. Her walk was one of grace, almost girlish. Not the provocative walk of a woman. Even though she was every bit a provocative woman. Heaven help him he couldn’t breathe. Say something you fool, you big buffoon don’t just stand here with your mouth hanging open. She is not the first woman you have ever seen.
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Excerpt from Remember Me
Thirteen years earlier …
Delaney Mc Duff stood in front of the trailer waiting to load her band uniform and flute in to the equipment trailer that carried her schools marching band equipment to away games and competitions. She received a sharp poke in the back and realized she had been holding up the line. She handed her uniform and flute to the man loading the trailer and walked away to continue her gazing.
He was beautiful. Patrick Hagen, the schools star quarterback. There really was no other word to describe him. Handsome did not begin to say enough. His close cropped hair cut with brush wave deep enough to make you seasick. His mahogany colored skin was even and unblemished. Save the scar above his left eye that he had gotten over the summer. His chestnut colored eyes with golden flecks around the center they were so deep you could stare into them for hours at a time. Patrick’s normally serious face had a smile on it that showed two rows of perfectly straight white teeth.
Delaney’s gaze slowly traveled lower his athletic torso was clad in a white tank to and basketball shorts. The tank top clung to each one of his well defined muscles in his upper body. His long muscular arms were folded across his chest in a casual way. And his legs my God the man was sexy. No there was no better word to describe him beautiful said it all.
Just then one of his team members noticed her staring. He nudged Patrick and whispered something so that only their small circle could hear. They all laughed and pointed at her. Delaney could feel the color creeping up her neck to her caramel colored face. She turned and boarded the bands activity bus.
Beautiful he may have been, but she was not. Interested in her he definitely was not. Her fifteen year old frame did not entice the likes of eighteen year old football players like him. No that was left to the cheerleaders like his girlfriend Samantha Webber.
No her caramel colored skin and hazel-green eyes did not call to him. Or perhaps it was the unkempt frizzy mane of hair that her mother refused to allow her to have styled like other girls her age. So she had to resort to puffy ponytail.
The braces that were clamped on her teeth did not help her one bit. Most likely however, the thing that was the biggest turn off was that she was built like a ten year old boy. Flat on all side and absolutely no shape to cry for that was her.
Her mother’s and grandmother’s beauty must have skipped her generation. She most certainly did not call to him. She thought as she watched him from her seat on the bus. Samantha Webber now stood next to him. She was smiling up him with a soppy look on her face. That’s what called to him she turned away as they began to kiss.
Patrick wished he could have the opportunity to talk to her. The girl that Samantha took every chance she had to torment. She was pretty, though not the kind of girl he was expected to date. He could never remember her name. It was stupid of him really. To date someone like Samantha solely because it was expected.
He at one point thought he loved Samantha but that feeling was dwindling. He longed for something else, someone else. Something completely unexpected. But talking to her now wouldn’t do her any favors. If Samantha was cruel now how would she treat her then? No, now wasn’t the time. Some other day, some other time.
Delaney Mc Duff stood in front of the trailer waiting to load her band uniform and flute in to the equipment trailer that carried her schools marching band equipment to away games and competitions. She received a sharp poke in the back and realized she had been holding up the line. She handed her uniform and flute to the man loading the trailer and walked away to continue her gazing.
He was beautiful. Patrick Hagen, the schools star quarterback. There really was no other word to describe him. Handsome did not begin to say enough. His close cropped hair cut with brush wave deep enough to make you seasick. His mahogany colored skin was even and unblemished. Save the scar above his left eye that he had gotten over the summer. His chestnut colored eyes with golden flecks around the center they were so deep you could stare into them for hours at a time. Patrick’s normally serious face had a smile on it that showed two rows of perfectly straight white teeth.
Delaney’s gaze slowly traveled lower his athletic torso was clad in a white tank to and basketball shorts. The tank top clung to each one of his well defined muscles in his upper body. His long muscular arms were folded across his chest in a casual way. And his legs my God the man was sexy. No there was no better word to describe him beautiful said it all.
Just then one of his team members noticed her staring. He nudged Patrick and whispered something so that only their small circle could hear. They all laughed and pointed at her. Delaney could feel the color creeping up her neck to her caramel colored face. She turned and boarded the bands activity bus.
Beautiful he may have been, but she was not. Interested in her he definitely was not. Her fifteen year old frame did not entice the likes of eighteen year old football players like him. No that was left to the cheerleaders like his girlfriend Samantha Webber.
No her caramel colored skin and hazel-green eyes did not call to him. Or perhaps it was the unkempt frizzy mane of hair that her mother refused to allow her to have styled like other girls her age. So she had to resort to puffy ponytail.
The braces that were clamped on her teeth did not help her one bit. Most likely however, the thing that was the biggest turn off was that she was built like a ten year old boy. Flat on all side and absolutely no shape to cry for that was her.
Her mother’s and grandmother’s beauty must have skipped her generation. She most certainly did not call to him. She thought as she watched him from her seat on the bus. Samantha Webber now stood next to him. She was smiling up him with a soppy look on her face. That’s what called to him she turned away as they began to kiss.
Patrick wished he could have the opportunity to talk to her. The girl that Samantha took every chance she had to torment. She was pretty, though not the kind of girl he was expected to date. He could never remember her name. It was stupid of him really. To date someone like Samantha solely because it was expected.
He at one point thought he loved Samantha but that feeling was dwindling. He longed for something else, someone else. Something completely unexpected. But talking to her now wouldn’t do her any favors. If Samantha was cruel now how would she treat her then? No, now wasn’t the time. Some other day, some other time.
Only Me Available Now
So the wait is over Only Me is now available here is another excerpt for you I hope you run right out and get it or pick up your favorite ereader and download it.
TEASER TEASER TEASER
“Miss Sinclair, I have Mr Pierceson here in the lobby waiting for you.”
“Mr Pierceson?”
“Yes, Mr Pierceson, your fathers business attorney, He says he has some paperwork for you to sign.”
“Can you please have him schedule an appointment? I have another meeting to prepare for.” The line went quiet for a moment.
“He said that he is sorry but, these paper need to be signed before the end of business today.”
“Fine then tell him to meet me in my office this afternoon at three. I will be there to sign the papers then.”
Sienna could hear their muffled conversation; apparently Mr Pierceson didn’t like waiting, well too bad she had a previous engagement with a treadmill downstairs. Miss Sanders came back on the line. “I’m sorry Miss Sinclair, but he is on his way up.” Her voice was anything but apologetic, she sounded more amused.
“I’m sure you are.” Sienna said letting her ire get the best of her. She hung up the phone. Who was this arrogant man, she thought. There was a pounding on the door. She would soon find out.
Sienna stalked over to the door and flung it open. There on the other side stood the most gorgeous ebony color man, with ebony colored eyes to match. His height far exceeding hers. He had to be at least six foot five, towering over her five foot three frame. He looked like an angry god, sent to unleash his wrath. The room immediately heated twenty-five degrees. How dare her body respond to this brooding man? He stormed past her into her room without being invited.
“Excu…“ Sienna begin but he cut her off.
“Your father informed me that, he put you in charge for the next six months in order to teach you some responsibility. He has also informed me that you are difficult and a brat.” He scowled at her. “I will have you know that I will not tolerate it. Where business matters are concerned you will make yourself available. Do I make myself clear?”
Sienna stood there seething unable to utter a single syllable. The moment he mentioned her father it was like she had been doused with a bucket of ice water. Leave it to her father to make this whole arrangement seem like it was his idea. The idea of her being called a brat or difficult was laughable to say the least. She rarely asked for anything and went along with almost everything. She had only gone against her father’s wishes once in her life and that was only a few weeks ago when he decided she would leave Barbados.
True she didn’t ask for much solely for the purpose that she wanted as little contact with Frances Sinclair as possible but that was neither here nor there. The point was she didn’t ask for much. And here stood this gullible moron obviously a member of her father’s brown-noser committee. He’d probably buy anything her father was selling.
“I asked if I made myself clear.” He repeated as though he were speaking to misbehaving child. “I will not have your next little shopping excursions interfering with business matters.”
“You have made yourself perfectly clear Mr Pierceson.” Sienna spoke calmly. “And as I said before I have a previous engagement, with the caterer for the gala next month. So if you’d be so kind as to come back today around three that would be appreciated and you can see maintenance on your way out. I’m sure they have a crowbar to help you remove your foot from your mouth.” With that Sienna picked up her purse and coat and walked out the door.
She made it to the elevator before he caught up with her. “Miss Sinclair?” He said with a plea in his voice. “Please let me apologize.” He said catching her by her arm as the elevator doors opened. Sienna looked down at the hand he had latched onto her wrist. “I’m not normally so rude, but after what your father told me I assumed...”
“Well you see there’s your problem in a nutshell Mr Pierceson, you assumed. And you know what they say about assumptions?” Sienna couldn’t resist digging into him a little more. She glanced at his hand once more and he released her.
“As I said Miss Sinclair, I am not normally so ill-behaved and I just wanted to apologize for my actions and my rude words.” Sienna gave him a curt nod and stepped on the elevator. “I’ll be in your office at three.”
“Very well.” Sienna said as the doors closed.
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TEASER TEASER TEASER
“Miss Sinclair, I have Mr Pierceson here in the lobby waiting for you.”
“Mr Pierceson?”
“Yes, Mr Pierceson, your fathers business attorney, He says he has some paperwork for you to sign.”
“Can you please have him schedule an appointment? I have another meeting to prepare for.” The line went quiet for a moment.
“He said that he is sorry but, these paper need to be signed before the end of business today.”
“Fine then tell him to meet me in my office this afternoon at three. I will be there to sign the papers then.”
Sienna could hear their muffled conversation; apparently Mr Pierceson didn’t like waiting, well too bad she had a previous engagement with a treadmill downstairs. Miss Sanders came back on the line. “I’m sorry Miss Sinclair, but he is on his way up.” Her voice was anything but apologetic, she sounded more amused.
“I’m sure you are.” Sienna said letting her ire get the best of her. She hung up the phone. Who was this arrogant man, she thought. There was a pounding on the door. She would soon find out.
Sienna stalked over to the door and flung it open. There on the other side stood the most gorgeous ebony color man, with ebony colored eyes to match. His height far exceeding hers. He had to be at least six foot five, towering over her five foot three frame. He looked like an angry god, sent to unleash his wrath. The room immediately heated twenty-five degrees. How dare her body respond to this brooding man? He stormed past her into her room without being invited.
“Excu…“ Sienna begin but he cut her off.
“Your father informed me that, he put you in charge for the next six months in order to teach you some responsibility. He has also informed me that you are difficult and a brat.” He scowled at her. “I will have you know that I will not tolerate it. Where business matters are concerned you will make yourself available. Do I make myself clear?”
Sienna stood there seething unable to utter a single syllable. The moment he mentioned her father it was like she had been doused with a bucket of ice water. Leave it to her father to make this whole arrangement seem like it was his idea. The idea of her being called a brat or difficult was laughable to say the least. She rarely asked for anything and went along with almost everything. She had only gone against her father’s wishes once in her life and that was only a few weeks ago when he decided she would leave Barbados.
True she didn’t ask for much solely for the purpose that she wanted as little contact with Frances Sinclair as possible but that was neither here nor there. The point was she didn’t ask for much. And here stood this gullible moron obviously a member of her father’s brown-noser committee. He’d probably buy anything her father was selling.
“I asked if I made myself clear.” He repeated as though he were speaking to misbehaving child. “I will not have your next little shopping excursions interfering with business matters.”
“You have made yourself perfectly clear Mr Pierceson.” Sienna spoke calmly. “And as I said before I have a previous engagement, with the caterer for the gala next month. So if you’d be so kind as to come back today around three that would be appreciated and you can see maintenance on your way out. I’m sure they have a crowbar to help you remove your foot from your mouth.” With that Sienna picked up her purse and coat and walked out the door.
She made it to the elevator before he caught up with her. “Miss Sinclair?” He said with a plea in his voice. “Please let me apologize.” He said catching her by her arm as the elevator doors opened. Sienna looked down at the hand he had latched onto her wrist. “I’m not normally so rude, but after what your father told me I assumed...”
“Well you see there’s your problem in a nutshell Mr Pierceson, you assumed. And you know what they say about assumptions?” Sienna couldn’t resist digging into him a little more. She glanced at his hand once more and he released her.
“As I said Miss Sinclair, I am not normally so ill-behaved and I just wanted to apologize for my actions and my rude words.” Sienna gave him a curt nod and stepped on the elevator. “I’ll be in your office at three.”
“Very well.” Sienna said as the doors closed.
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Excerpt from Second Chances
After five and a half hours on a plane in coach, from Oakland California to the Raleigh- Durham International airport. Sitting next to a woman who had talked non-stop, Venessa couldn’t wait to see Quinton. That was the only thing that had gotten her through the flight. The thought of seeing her boyfriend of the last two and a half years. It had been six months since she had last seen him. She still remembered their teary eyed goodbye. Sure they had been apart before but never for this long or this far.
Quinton was a year ahead of her so this was his sophomore year and her freshman. Chapel Hill was only a couple hours away and Quinton made the drive home every weekend to be with her. So the day she boarded her plane to California she had been so sad to go, she couldn’t hold back her tears. Not knowing how long it would be before she could come back home and see him or when he would be able to travel across the country to see her. She was so eager to rent a car and start her drive to UNC Chapel Hill. If Quinton had known she was coming he would have met her at the airport, but she wanted to surprise him.
It had been a hard decision to make going all the way to Berkeley to attend school. Sure she could have attended some other school. One that perhaps was on the same coast, but it had been her dream to go there. Quinton being the man he was he never tried to talk her out of it. He even considered going with her. That idea how didn’t pan out when he got a scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill.
They made a joint decision to each go to their school of choice and continue their relationship long distance. They promised to see each other as much as they could. That’s why when her parents asked what she wanted for her birthday only one wish came to mind. A place ticket. That had been two weeks ago. Now she was here renting a car. The twenty min drive to the campus seemed so long.
She was grateful when she pulled up in front of his off campus apartment. She entered the building and headed for the elevators. Excitement was overwhelming her. His room was on the second floor. Venessa knocked on his door grateful that he didn’t have a roommate. When the door opened she got the shock of a lifetime. Standing on the other side was a blond haired blue eyed girl wearing nothing but a towel. At first Venessa thought maybe she had the wrong apartment.
“May I help you?” The blond asked.
“Um, I’m sorry I was looking for Quinton Tucker’s apartment. I must have…”
“No, hold on he is right here.” The girl turned to go get Quinton.
Venessa was torn between getting an explanation or just leaving. As she heard Quinton voice approaching. She decided that she had all of the explanations she needed. Venessa turned on her heels and headed back for the elevators. Tears in her eyes blurring her vision. She heard Quinton call her name just as she stepped inside the elevator. She saw him running for the elevator just as the doors closed.
She made it back into her rental car and was backing out of her parking space when Quinton finally caught up with her. “Venessa, what are you doing here?” he said knocking on the driver-side window.
“Leave me alone, Quinton.” She shouted back.
“Let me explain.” He shouted through the closed window.
“There’s nothing to explain go back upstairs to your friend.” She screamed peeling out of the parking lot. And just like that a two and a half year relationship came to an end.
Venessa sat back in her seat willing the bad memories away. She couldn’t believe she was on a plane headed back to North Carolina. She hadn’t been back since that day, her parents had saved her from ever having to return when they decided to move back to New York at the end of her freshman year in college. It was too much to hope that she wouldn’t run into Quinton once she got back.
She braced herself as the plane touched down. The best she could hope for was that she could put off their inevitable reunion for as long as possible. She had the North Carolina bar exam to look forward to. That would take up the next two weeks at least and then there was finding herself a house. That was another two to three weeks. Maybe it would be weeks before she would have to come face to face with the only man she had ever loved.
Quinton was a year ahead of her so this was his sophomore year and her freshman. Chapel Hill was only a couple hours away and Quinton made the drive home every weekend to be with her. So the day she boarded her plane to California she had been so sad to go, she couldn’t hold back her tears. Not knowing how long it would be before she could come back home and see him or when he would be able to travel across the country to see her. She was so eager to rent a car and start her drive to UNC Chapel Hill. If Quinton had known she was coming he would have met her at the airport, but she wanted to surprise him.
It had been a hard decision to make going all the way to Berkeley to attend school. Sure she could have attended some other school. One that perhaps was on the same coast, but it had been her dream to go there. Quinton being the man he was he never tried to talk her out of it. He even considered going with her. That idea how didn’t pan out when he got a scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill.
They made a joint decision to each go to their school of choice and continue their relationship long distance. They promised to see each other as much as they could. That’s why when her parents asked what she wanted for her birthday only one wish came to mind. A place ticket. That had been two weeks ago. Now she was here renting a car. The twenty min drive to the campus seemed so long.
She was grateful when she pulled up in front of his off campus apartment. She entered the building and headed for the elevators. Excitement was overwhelming her. His room was on the second floor. Venessa knocked on his door grateful that he didn’t have a roommate. When the door opened she got the shock of a lifetime. Standing on the other side was a blond haired blue eyed girl wearing nothing but a towel. At first Venessa thought maybe she had the wrong apartment.
“May I help you?” The blond asked.
“Um, I’m sorry I was looking for Quinton Tucker’s apartment. I must have…”
“No, hold on he is right here.” The girl turned to go get Quinton.
Venessa was torn between getting an explanation or just leaving. As she heard Quinton voice approaching. She decided that she had all of the explanations she needed. Venessa turned on her heels and headed back for the elevators. Tears in her eyes blurring her vision. She heard Quinton call her name just as she stepped inside the elevator. She saw him running for the elevator just as the doors closed.
She made it back into her rental car and was backing out of her parking space when Quinton finally caught up with her. “Venessa, what are you doing here?” he said knocking on the driver-side window.
“Leave me alone, Quinton.” She shouted back.
“Let me explain.” He shouted through the closed window.
“There’s nothing to explain go back upstairs to your friend.” She screamed peeling out of the parking lot. And just like that a two and a half year relationship came to an end.
Venessa sat back in her seat willing the bad memories away. She couldn’t believe she was on a plane headed back to North Carolina. She hadn’t been back since that day, her parents had saved her from ever having to return when they decided to move back to New York at the end of her freshman year in college. It was too much to hope that she wouldn’t run into Quinton once she got back.
She braced herself as the plane touched down. The best she could hope for was that she could put off their inevitable reunion for as long as possible. She had the North Carolina bar exam to look forward to. That would take up the next two weeks at least and then there was finding herself a house. That was another two to three weeks. Maybe it would be weeks before she would have to come face to face with the only man she had ever loved.
Excerpt From Shift- Coming Summer 2014
1702 A.D.
The salty air around him was unfamiliar. The smell of spices and fruit did not hang in the air. Where was he? More importantly how had he gotten here? Thaddeus opened his eyes and they stung from the saltwater that ran in rivulets down his face from his hair. Opening his eyes hadn’t done him any service; he still didn’t know where he was. One thing he was certain of was that he had never been here before. Nothing about this place reminded him of his home.
The air was cold and foggy. The only scents that greeted him was that of the sea in front of him and wood burning somewhere off in the distance. This was definitely not the deserts or lush jungle terrain that he was accustomed to. Thaddeus took a sharp intake of air, as a sudden, and intense pain seemed to stab at his heart.
All of a sudden Thaddeus felt an overwhelming sense of loss. He had lost something the only problem was that he couldn’t for the life of him remember what it was. Thaddeus continued to take deep breaths, all the while praying for the pain to stop. He inclined his head to the left. Thaddeus could hear footsteps approaching. The voices that accompanied the footsteps were as unfamiliar as his environment.
The language they were speaking was unrecognizable. They were getting closer. Thaddeus used every ounce of strength he had and tried to breathe through the pain. He needed to shift, become a fish in the sea or a crab on the beach. He concentrated hard on what he wished to become. Nothing happened. The voices were fast approaching, he tried again. Again nothing. They were almost there. There was nothing so he stood on his feet and made a run for it.
Breaking out into a full on sprint he could hear what he now recognized as men voices shouting at him. The words they were shouting were unintelligible. Why weren’t they speaking Farsi or Masri? Where in the hell am I, he thought as he ran for dear life. Who knew what these strangers would do to him if they caught him. Why couldn’t he shift and when would the pain in his chest end. Thaddeus felt a sharp blow to the back of his head and everything went black.