Sample of chapter one.

                        The shadow man

  Night has fallen into a deep moonless night there's something a foot outside the door. The dogs start barking wildly! The floors creak as I walk back and forth waiting for the stroke of mid-night. The fire throws dancing shadows on the wall. Outside everything goes deathly quiet. Time seems to stand still. I can feel my heart beating wildly in my chest. Slowly I turn around to find him standing in the shadowy corner of the room. His green eyes never leaving me. I want to scream, but can’t draw the breath to it.

Where did I put that gun? Can I get to it in time?

Suddenly! he speaks" you know what I’ve come for, and I won't leave without it."

My mind is racing now where is that gun?

He starts slowly walking toward me, I am trapped! The dogs start barking again! His attention turns toward the window. Through the misty night I can see someone standing on the path leading to my door. The man's attention turns back to me in a raspy voice he says “I am not through with you" and leaves as silently as he came. The shadowy figure approaches the house, who's out there what scared him off?

As the figure draws closer I can make out the features of my neighbor Samuel. Sam heard the dogs barking and has come down to check on me. The dogs wild barking had caught his attention.

Sam knocks on the door I run to answer it happy to see him standing there.

Lord! Sam what took you so long? "He was here again did you see him leave?"

No, all I heard was the dogs barking. Andi what is this all about?

I can't tell you--all I know is that he won't stop until I give him what he wants.

What does he want for Christ sakes? Give it to him whatever it is!

 Sam I don't want you mixed up in this do you hear me!

Well, if you don't want me mixed up in this, then why were you so happy to see me?

I was happy to see you, because I couldn't get to the gun! When you showed up you drew his attention away from me.

"That doesn't change a thing!"

He caught me off guard it won't happen again!

Andi! I’ve never seen you so scared; you were shaken to the core!

Sam turned and left saying "the next time those dogs start barking, I'll be the one with the gun." Sam is a serious man strong built and straight forward I have no reason to doubt his words. As I stand there watching him leave a cold chill runs down my spine. Will, Sam make it in time if he shows up again? I turn toward the door leaving the misty scene outside and return to the small fire. As I sit there deep in thought I wonder why he won't leave me alone. Why does he keep showing up? Some many questions and not enough answers. I can't sleep as I lay in my bed.