OUR AMAZING TEAM MEMBER, AUTHOR DAVID W THOMPSON, IS SHARING HIS SHORT STORY, 'CALL OF THE FALCONER', TODAY. #RWRTeamBlog #ReadWriteRepeat
CALL OF THE FALCONER
Years of sickness, isolation and environmental corruption produced inhuman horrors. But everywhere—in every town—plenty of monsters were all too human, ready to reap the benefits of the obvious scapegoats.
Still, there was one legendary wasteland monster that the children feared more than any of the real-life creatures. It was his name the adults invoked to inspire obedience in their misbehaving children. His tales bred fear in the hearts of all civilized men. Stories, whether contrived or all too real, told of the exploits of The Falconer. He was the beast master and lurked in the wastelands since well before the Reckoning. His legend spanned nearly a century. Some claimed he was born a man but through some sorcery was made immortal. It was rumored he feasted on the meat and bones of young children, butchering their parents and feeding their organs and entrails to his enslaved feathered beasts. He left the rest for the carrion birds, but the young and tender children were saved for The Falconer’s table.
I wasn’t aware that Alicia knew the Falconer’s legend. Mother said it wasn’t a tale befitting a young child’s ears, but she surprised me one night. About a week after the dinner incident, I heard whimpering coming from her room. I hurried down the hall, minding my footfalls so I’d not wake the others. Alicia had her arms wrapped around a soaking wet pillow, sobbing.
I knelt at her bedside. “What’s going on, Alicia? What’s wrong?”
“Mommy’s gone, Feebs. Is she in heaven? Who is going to protect us from The Falconer?” she asked.
“Please, don’t you call me that too, Alicia.”
“I’m sorry, Jeremy. I didn’t mean any harm by it.”
“That’s okay, I know you didn’t. But Alley Cat, what did you hear about the Falconer? He isn’t real… you know that, right?”
“Suzie told me some things about him and Brad did too. They say he’s tall with long black hair and hands like claws, like an eagle’s talons. All the birds of prey obey his commands. Some say he wears a long cape, but others say it’s actually his wings that are flapping behind him as he captures his prey. He wears a cowboy hat like the bad guys do in Mr. Guy’s movies.”
“Guess they filled you in pretty good, Alicia. I never heard the part about the cowboy hat before, must be a new addition to the story.”
“Oh, and his scar, Jeremy. I almost forgot about that. He has a scar that runs down his face from his eyebrow to his chin.”
“There’s no such thing as a man living forever. It’s just a scary tale the grown-ups tell to scare us. Besides, even if he was real, the legends all say he never leaves the wastelands.”
“But what if the Falconer is real and what if he comes here after us?”
“Don’t worry, Dad and I will protect you.”
“I don’t think Daddy cares anymore. Why doesn’t Daddy love you?”
“Hush now, don’t ask that, Alicia.”
“I know, Daddy will get mad again.”
“I guess he loves me in his way. Maybe I’m not a very good son…and Mommy is always here. She’s watching over us from heaven.”
She wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and hugged me.
“Everything will work out, Alley Cat. You’ll see.”
“You’re a good brother, Jeremy.” She gave me a wide smile, exposing her missing front tooth that she was so self-conscious about. Somehow, I would protect her!
I curled up beside her and held her tight for a moment, then blew her bangs out of her eyes. It was something that never failed to make her laugh. Her giggles proved me right and I waited until her breathing changed in sleep. Then I stood up and placed her one-eared teddy bear beside her in my place.
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BLURB: You knew this was coming. I guess we all did...In a post-apocalyptic world, teenage Jeremy comes of age even as the addict Morgan tries to reclaim his lost manhood... and his forgotten humanity. Jeremy's younger sister Alicia holds a teddy bear in her arms...and the heart of a lion beating in her chest. The monsters are real, both the human ones and the perversions of man. In the old world's rubble, an ancient legend inspires a new hero to rise, but will our intrepid trio survive until his emergence? Call of the Falconer is a dystopian novella creating a new mythology, as the forgotten of society become its heroes.
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AUTHOR BIO:
David W. Thompson is a multiple award-winning author, an Army veteran, and a graduate of UMUC (now UMGC). He claims his first writing efforts were “Dick and Jane” fan fiction as a child, no doubt with a unique twist. As a multi-genre writer, he’s been awarded membership in the HWA--Horror Writers’ Association, the MWA--Mystery Writers of America, and the SFWA -- Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association. He lives in picturesque southern Maryland, blessed with nearby family and dear old friends. When he isn’t writing, Dave enjoys time with his family, kayaking (flat water, please), fishing, hiking, archery, gardening, winemaking, and pursuing his other “creative passion”- woodcarving. David also writes under the name D. W. Thompson for his mystery series.
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COMING SOON: On Wednesday, 16th September, we are delighted to welcome back our guest author, Alex Marchant, who is sharing her short story 'Milady' from her collection, 'Watchers'.
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