The Husk

Even though Nathan Ruiz didnt know it at the time, the cost of realizing his dream was to be plunged into a nightmare. When a voice from his past breaks the monotony of his life, Nathan must make a choice. Does he accept her invitation to work at her familys new winery, even if it means moving back to a town he swore hed never live in again? Its an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live the dream, but can things really have changed that much? Bizarre murders begin to reshape the population and identity of Hollow Heights. Upon Nathans return, the original foundation of the town is called into question. The townspeople grow fearful, and some begin to doubt the claims that the police have actually solved the murders. In the shadows of the investigations grip on the community, another mystery emerges. A growing number of paranormal events further confuse the line between reality and the unknown and unknowable. Nathan begins to fear for his sanity. What is real? What is an illusion? What is the work of forces he cant understand? Is there something otherworldly at work, or has Nathan simply lost control of his mind?

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The HuskBy Bob KoobAbbott PressCopyright © 2014 Bob KoobAll rights reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4582-1745-5CHAPTER 1Alcohol and CoffeeBefore the shadows felt hostile, Nathan found a comfort in them, like a breath of fresh air before a dicey dive. Rotor, New Jersey, wasn't so different from the port town of Silverhill. Looking at it one way, the street sounded like a metallic ocean, and the neon lights imitated boardwalk activities. There was hardly a difference in the sky. Hidden inside, the world sounded like a robotic version of his hometown.Days went on uneventfully in Rotor for years until Keria called. Nathan answered, assuming it was another recorded message from some cable company."Hello?""Nathan? God, I haven't heard your voice in a long time.""Keria? Why are you—""I found an opening for that job you've always wanted. As soon as I heard our winery was officially running, you came to mind.""How was your mother able to afford the land?""Not sure. But who cares? Are you coming back? It has to be soon."Working at a winery was Nathan's dream job. Owning one was really, but he could have the next best thing.But to return to Silverhill? he thought."I ... I don't know ...""It's okay. Just let me know by the end of the week," she said. "How are you by the way?"Nathan peered at the empty bottles beside him. "Okay.""Well, that's good. I hope to see you soon."The conversation was brief. Nathan felt guilty. He stared at the old-fashioned phone, only to return to his recliner. Over the television's yammering, Nathan reheard Keria's voice, as if his mind could not believe the Miles had their own winery. It's official.There was no going back. No. Not even for a dream. For now, the closest thing to Keria was a phone number tacked to the kitchen wall. Nathan took a shot of Four Roses and sat his head against the red fabric of his recliner. But even still, with that choice of no return, Keria's voice echoed through the night, past the preaching of late night-programming and city noise, as if it were its own voice.* * *Two days passed since the phone call, making tomorrow the deadline for an answer. Storm clouds coated the sun, but to waste gas for Net Smart, Nathan's job, a place just down the street, wasn't worth it. He would walk, rain or no rain.Nathan threw on old work clothes and dragged himself out into the hallway where Doge, the near homeless guy who lived in the room beside the staircase, was lurking.He hollered, "Hey, Nathan, where ya' goin'!""Work!" Nathan replied, irritated.Outside, two basketball players cavorted in their poorly chalked basketball court. They were too loud and active for the time of day in Nathan's opinion, but the two fools were always there. Being bothered by these junkies had subsided a little. Besides, they sold him painkillers really cheap, and the prescription matched."Hey hey! It's warehouse boy!" the taller of these clowns hollered.Nathan raised one hand. "Yeah, and he's on his way to help make the world a better place."The taller one, Deon Howard, was also the brighter of the two. Ironically, his sidekick, Klevon Dixon, handled the drugs."Nice, dawg. Nice. I like that. You funny!" He laughed.What Nathan couldn't understand about the two basketball players was how ecstatic they were. From what Nathan knew, Deon's mother was murdered during a home invasion, and though Klevon wasn't nearly as outgoing, he too had a more positive outlook on life than, to Nathan, should exist. A policeman shot and killed Klevon's father during an armed robbery, and his mother's death was never explained, something Nathan could relate to.It started raining when Nathan made it halfway through the alley. The storm only made the dark atmosphere drearier, soaking the city's unclean materials. Smoke from dryer vents puffed into his face. It smelled good, like sniffing a clean bed. It was better than the alley's actual scents.As Nathan approached Net Smart, he glared at its neon letters, flashing in the hazy mist not far ahead. A slick red Honda that zoomed down the street nearly hit him. Lights didn't distract the driver. In this city, if a car like that was in sight, odds are, one was a target. The Honda clearly belonged to a rich kid, driving in Rotor to show off.Net Smart sold computer parts, and Nathan sorted out the shipments. But as usual, the boss, Maxwell, wasn't in today. The guy practically lived on a Caribbean beach."Maxwell left for his beach house," said Amber, a curvy young woman with blonde hair who was easy on the eyes."Is that why no one's here?" Nathan asked."Yeah," said Chris, a large guy who towered over every worker.At the moment, Chris enjoyed towering over Amber's breasts. The nerdy guy, Donny, was here as well, standing by the coffee machine. Nathan lollygagged to the machine, planning on socializing with the only Maxwell he cared about, Maxwell House, Nathan's favorite coffee brand."Mr. Ruiz," Donny said in a proper manner, "you're not looking well.""Care to explain why?" Nathan pulled out a plastic cup with one hand and the coffee pot with the other.Donny went quiet.Working in the back required no uniform, and being alone felt relieving. The usual shift of lifting heavy computer parts carried on for a minor ten minutes before muffled shouting came from the office. At first, Nathan thought nothing of the shouting, but once the gunshots went off, that idea he had about Amber starting fights again migrated to something darker. Nathan hid behind a Dumpster beneath the loading dock, listening to the rain hammer the tin roof above.The source of the gunshots came into view. Three overly tan, rich Jersey kids wearing black peacoats stood beneath the tin roof."I think we got 'em all," said the guy with the golden ring that practically cloaked his pinky finger."You think so?" The man wearing black leather gloves gestured like a child hyped up on candy.All three moved with jittery anticipation."Eeeyeah, I think," replied the one nearest to the Dumpster.Nathan was most concerned with him."All right, all right. Let's get back inside. We gotta remove the bodies, burn the place, and get back home."Burn the place? Nathan thought. Why even bother coming here?The goons reentered Net Smart. Nathan left his hiding place and sneaked around the building to the front. A red Honda was poorly parked by the door, the entrance, done so to show who was in charge. Then a thought hit Nathan like a burst of winter's wind. That's the same car that nearly killed me.Nathan watched as his fellow employees were thrown onto the sidewalk. The guys who weren't tossing bodies poured gasoline over every object and floorboard in the building. The asshole wasn't kidding. The plan really was to burn the place. And they're smiling about it.Making matters worse, one of these clowns held a checklist, and he appeared to be puzzled. "Uh-oh! Hold on! We're missin' someone!""Who's that?" One of the men brushed his hands together."A Nathan Ruiz.""Nathan Ruiz? I'll have a group search for 'im.""Make it quick. We got a pay to collect. Am I right?""Yeah, baby, I got things to do!""I ain't gonna let this Ruiz dent our pay. We havetofind'im."Someone else walked out of the building with an empty gasoline can."All right, you jokers. All of you, look for him," said the man with the list.The motive for this carnage wasn't clear, but Nathan knew there was nowhere else to go but home. He had to get Keria's number off the kitchen wall and drive his 1992 Audi S4 to Rocky Sky, a motel ten miles away from town. He was most familiar with it, and better yet, he knew the man who owned its shitty beds and outdated televisions.Water flowed down the barren streets and trashy alleyways of the tiny city, turning it into a strange sort of overgrown fountain. Nathan's luck ran out when another Honda drove by. Of course, he may have blended in if people were walking. Damn, were the sidewalks empty today.The vehicle drove in reverse. The window rolled down, and the passenger asked, "You Nathan?""I dunno any Nathan. My name's Nelson."The goon grinned and turned to face the driver who snickered. "Doesn't matter who you are, pal. I got orders.""That's cute," Nathan said. "But I got one thing to ask you.""Yeah, what's that?"Nathan made a startled gesture and looked at the road in front of the car. He turned his attention back to the thug, who was now looking where Nathan glanced, and slammed his head into the window frame.The Honda's driver swerved the car in surprise as the goon beside him, with blood now oozing from his nostrils, hollered, "Get that piece of shit! No one fucks with me!"Nathan ran into the nearest alley, shocked by the success of his last-minute trick. His apartment was only six minutes away. Luck could run both ways with that distance. He had to be fast and remember not to rely on the cops. Any dependence on them in Rotor would put one in a morgue. One's toe would be decorated with a pretty tag, displaying one's name among the others who once depended on something.He made it inside, again running into Doge. Nathan patted him on his right shoulder. "Come on, Doge. Get up. Go hide in your apartment.""But I can't, you see, that noise by my window. It wants me out."Nathan shook his head weakly, looking confused. The goons would surely be here. Doge wouldn't make it, and Nathan felt responsible for his safety. After all, he was guiding murderers. Nathan took Doge by the shoulders and dragged him into his room. At least the door was open."Stay in here. You got me?"Doge mumbled something too soft to hear and closed his eyes. Nathan shut the door on his way out.Nathan's apartment wouldn't be missed. The room sat in a melancholy glow that leaked through the blinds, fueled by the storm. A black bag inside the closet would be enough for the trip. Nathan gathered his supplies, most of it necessary.The room smelled musty, and hell, there was a good chance the air was hazardous. Nathan treaded through the clutter and entered the kitchen after packing. Time wasn't plentiful. He had to move. He saw the wrinkled piece of paper on the wall and gently removed it. But something caught his eye. Fire was swirling upward into the foggy skyline like dancing fireworks. The pricks didn't simply burn Net Smart. They made a show of it.Oh, look! something shiny. Maybe they'll let me go and figure not to bother continuing their search and watch the building burn. Wrong!"All right! I want at least two people around every corner. Nathan is mine. You hear me! You want that fucking money, huh, do ya? Then let's find that motherfucker!"Whoever this was appeared to be some kind of boss, the leader of the crew responsible for the fall of Net Smart. Or he was the manager. The men willing to perform this job were puppets of the higher power of whatever shameless mob they belonged to. The goons ran up the staircase like a group of children mimicking a SEAL team.Nathan, among other activities, used to kill time at the shooting range. He had a .40 caliber somewhere. In the nick of time, he spotted the damn thing buried under clothing toward the far left corner of the room.A flickering fluorescent tube by the left staircase revealed a dying man from the otherwise dark portion of the building. Nathan kept low. His backpack nearly choked him. His hands were nervously glued to his gun.The man whimpered in the half-cut light. "Hello?"The man yelped. "Be quiet. Who are you?""I'm not saying. Fucking assholes! Shooting and running over people! I don't trust no one!""Makes two of us," Nathan replied."Please, I'm fine, just ... fine. I can't be out there, ya know, man? Too much chaos!""I get it." Nathan inched his way down the first few steps. "Go hide somewhere. Expect guests."On the first floor, rats scampered by the office desk. They discovered the watch guard's misplaced lunch. How long as he been gone? The decision to that question came with a cold touch of steel. Likely not long."Put it up!""Wha—""I said put 'em up!"Nathan raised his hands, feeling the muzzle press onto his skin. "Take it easy. Let's talk.""There's no talking here, wise guy.""Why are you after me? What the hell did I do?""You work for Maxwell, right? That's what's you've done.""Why does it matter? It's not like I liked the guy.""It doesn't matter. You worked for 'im. That's enough."The kid's tan was professional. Skin cancer was well underway for this sorry gyp."It's not adding up to me." Nathan tried to keep his cool. "Do you guys realize Maxwell isn't here?""Fucker's run off. We know.""What did he do? He must have known you were coming.""Fellas, get down here. I got 'im!""Just tell me. What the fuck have you got to lose?""All right, all right. Your boss killed someone. Yeah, killed someone our boss loved. He and everything he owned must be killed or burned.""Owned? That piece of shit never owned me."The goon snickered. "Sure, sure. Don't worry. I'll put you out of your misery."Bam! The instant the man adjusted his hand, his head was blown off. Who were the guardian angels? It was none other than Deon and Klevon."Close call, homie," Deon said."Thanks," Nathan replied weakly."Know that guy?" Klevon asked."No, but he sure knew me." Nathan coughed."You okay?" Deon asked."I owe ya. Thanks. If shit weren't hitting the fan, I'd buy you both drinks.""Naw, don't be like that. We neighbors." Deon tapped his chest with his hand curled into a fist.More like dealers."Good luck," said Klevon.The two were off. Nathan got to thinking the worst was over. His Audi was in sight, and there was still no sign of the others. Then they were everywhere, like a swarm of bees guarding their nest, only they flew into the wrong hive, a city where guns were as common as candy in a candy store.Their response to gunshots is to come toward the noise without any second-guessing and/or no other agenda but to start shooting whoever they don't recognize. Nathan followed his gut feeling and bided his time in the shadows near the parking lot. However, one guy strayed away from his group. He was too close to the car. Again, Nathan felt his hands stick to his gun. The man waltzed closer, grinning. Does he know I'm here?"Never would I ever," the guy muttered.He tossed a cigarette to the side and huffed. Faint thunder aroused. The goon looked up at the dreary storm. Heavy raindrops splashed him in the eyes."Ah, fuck." He wiped his eyes. "Need a roof."Thanks to the rain, Nathan got his chance to canter across the lot. He started questioning himself after placing the bag on the passenger seat. Is ten miles enough? Does Keria really want me back? He started the engine. After all this time, she still cares?He placed his foot on the pedal. He looked back and drove in reverse. He shifted gears and drove out onto the street. The windshield wipers kept the rain at bay. The storm worsened. What about the others? What will they think or do if they see me ... when they see me?* * *Rocky Sky sat under the afternoon sun. Nathan called Keria and went over his plans for the long trip. By nightfall, he glanced into the bathroom mirror long enough to memorize his face's every flaw. His face nearly imitated his father's, only he had a darker tint to his skin. Still, the Irish look bled through, far more than his German. He had black hair and kept it a tad lengthier than short with hardly a style. And as of now, he had scruffy facial hair.He got no rest that night.CHAPTER 2A Vague ChimeraThe scenery during the ride gradually evoked feelings, both sweet and sour. The more familiar places got, the more sour the feelings became, and dread would surely follow. But not entirely. Instead of dread, confusion got its whack. Keria gave Nathan instructions, and as it had been many years since living in Silverhill, Nathan forgot every turn and exit. But this route passed Silverhill. The road led him into a more populated port town that never existed before.Nathan stepped out of his Audi just outside the new town. The morning light beat on his clean hair and shaven face. He wore casual grey pants and a black, fitted plaid shirt. A clean look. Are you proud?The landscape was naturally haunting with its ocean's dark swirling waters, clasping the rocks of the cliff and shorelines. The ocean breeze was continuous, seasoning Nathan's face with salty air. He admired the view as the lighthouse was still in sight. Its appearance remained the same, skinny and tall with black spiral stripes. Black Bell, the mine, sat obscured on the other end of the cliff. (Continues...)Excerpted from The Husk by Bob Koob. Copyright © 2014 Bob Koob. Excerpted by permission of Abbott Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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