The Wringler: A Letter From Home
Book One of the MOBE Series
by
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Prologue
Brooke's shrieks were all Tatum could hear as the ringing inside his eardrums muffled any other surrounding noise. As he lay ther idle and out of breath, the flames danced around the room as the warmness melted the walls surrounding him. The heat at away at the gothic paintings and murals until all that was left were the metal frames, now radiant in the darkness. The constant squeaking of broken shutters swinging on hinges ricocheted off the walls.
The room was dark, enhancing the flames' orange glow. His cell phone lay a few inches from his hand. He stretched out for it, praying his fingers could grasps it. A sharp pain shot up his side as he brushed the bottom of his phone, gently pushing it away from his shaking hand.
His vision blurred as he strained to make out the room's layout. Shadows weaved in and out of the flames capering across the walls. The heat was filled with the breath of demons as sweat flowed from his rigid body. He choked on the smoke as it rose higher, filling his room before taking the form of its master.
Tatum covered his eyes, struggling to catch another glimpse of it, but all he managed to see was the beast disappear in the smoke.
With each instake of air, his body cried out in agony. He clutched his side as fingers pressed his broken ribs together, trying to ease the pain. He refused to cry out in anguish. He couldn't. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
As each uncanny screech echoed from behind the closed door, Tatum felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. He reached up and massaged his throat. His parched lips cracked and slightly bled from the lack of water. The taste was on his tongue.
He could feel the airway of his throat closing as the smoke burned his esophagus. Brooke was dying. The door was right there, just a few more feet from where he lay. He could see it, but he had no way to reach it.
The Dark Passenger lingered in the shadows, swaying in Tatum's vision, teasing him, mocking him. It moved in the smoke, hiding well in the darkness. He heard another cry from behind the door. Brooke.
She would die soon.
He jolted awake.
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About the Book
When his fiancé, Brooklyn, died, Tatum Teague left the world he knew behind. He moved to a new city, started a new career, and turned his back on everything he held dear after she was killed. Now, nearly seven years have passed, and everything is finally starting to feel normal for him. No more flashbacks and fewer dreams. Just the scars remain, or so he thinks.
And then, Tatum receives a mysterious letter in the mail from Brooklyn enticing him back to Auvent Falls, Washington. The letter includes her engagement ring, the ring he was certain was on her finger when she was buried.
Tatum goes home, back to where everything started. Back to the Falls, where danger and evil lurk everywhere he turns. How far must Tatum go to seek the truth? Will he ever discover what truly happened that day seven years ago?
About the Author
Daniel G. T. Swarthout grew up on the banks of the Colorado River, in a small town called Big River, California. He is the second oldest of six children, all of whom are adopted. Swarthout enjoys movies and a good story, something to keep him captivated in his free time. He also enjoys writing poetry. He now lives in mid-Missouri with his four-year-old boxer, Obsidian.