by Marie Harbon
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he said. “I made a mistake.”
Tahra clung to him tightly, heart pounding, experience in the Quantum Fire Realm foremost in her mind. She trembled, fearful of revealing the terrible truth. How could she explain to him what had just happened? She pulled away and looked him in the eye, tearful.
“I’m sorry too,” she burst out. “I lost them, I’m so sorry, I lost them.”
Paul looked puzzled, holding her face in his hands and glancing over at the recruits, he realised what she meant. Unlike Tahra, they’d not regained normal consciousness. They were frozen, as if sleeping with their eyes open. What had happened, and what was wrong with them?
“They’re…stuck,” he said, swallowing hard.
Tahra gazed at them, scanning each recruit carefully and their lack of response. She couldn’t find the words…
“But why did you return while they didn’t?” Paul wondered aloud.
“The Quantum Fire Realm kidnapped me again, the world of the angels,” she explained. “One of them set me a task.”
Paul saw the fear in her eyes, the powerlessness, the defeat…
“What did it want you to do?” he asked.
Tears began to flow, and Paul brushed them away.
“I can’t remember, but I agreed to it,” she replied.
Paul soaked up her fear and without thinking, he kissed her passionately with relief then rested his forehead on hers.
“I think I saw a whole chain of events,” she explained, pulling back to speak to him again. “And even though I don’t remember them consciously, I clearly recall feeling this sense of …awe, that there’s a deeper truth to what the organised religions of this world tell us, something to do with the primeval number, and something that will affect all humanity. It’s…something beautiful, I wish I could remember.”
She rose from her seat and at that point, she saw Max standing in the doorway of the machine with his arms tightly folded, glaring at the both of them.
“Can I interrupt this tender little moment,” he began, with clear vehemence in his voice, “to ask what the fuck has happened to my people?”
Paul looked over at the twelve recruits with remorse, as they remained frozen and locked out of their bodies. Tahra glanced at Max, realising that her relationship with Paul had become obvious, and his accusing stare sent a chill through her blood.
“It’s my fault,” Tahra explained, “I lost them.”
Max interjected, “No, lay the blame on the ineptitude of the project manager.” He gestured to Paul. “He exposed you to a field strength of seventy-five percent.”
Paul lowered his eyes in an admonition of his mistake. Tahra looked over at the recruits, and shook Paul gently.
“I’ve got to go back,” she declared. “I’ve got to go back and find them.”
Paul felt a sense of dread overtake him.
“Judging by the erratic readouts on their EEGs, they could be anywhere.”
“I don’t care,” she said, firmly. “They were my responsibility too. I’ve got to go back…I can’t leave them in their… nightmares.”
She moved over to the recruits, still shaken and touched each pair of interlocked hands, wondering what worlds they were trapped in: the benign ones, or the malevolent ones?
Paul stood up, facing Max’s intolerance of his failure.
“You know,” Max began, “I’ve witnessed something like this before.”
“This project has been attempted before?” Paul queried, incredulously.
“No, not this exact same project. An experiment was conducted twenty three years ago, well into the Second World War involving the application of a powerful electromagnetic field. The Navy wished to make a destroyer class ship invisible to radar, however, the ship became invisible to the naked eye. Subsequent reports suggested the ship had materialised briefly in another dimension.”
“What’s the name of this project?” Paul asked, realising Max had jogged a memory, something from one of his lectures…
“It’s generally referred to as the Philadelphia Experiment,” Max answered, vehemence still apparent in his voice. “And do you know what became of the men that returned from that other dimension?”
Paul gazed at the frozen recruits, wondering if they’d ever return to their bodies and he glanced back at Max, who took a step closer and said succinctly, but clearly, “They went insane.”
With that, Max moved away from the doorway and disappeared from sight, leaving Paul to survey the mess he’d made. Tahra put an arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder.
“Nobody ever said it was going to be easy,” she concluded.
Seven Point Eight:
The Second Chronicle
In the second instalment of the five part Seven Point Eight series, the legacy of the OOBE project weighs heavily on the conscience of Dr. Paul Eldridge. Tahra Mamoun needs to muster all her courage and venture back into the alternate dimensions of reality. Through a series of challenging, surreal and frightening experiences, she comes to comprehend the destructive power she can yield and must face her own demons in the process.
Paul continues his quest to understand the ancient knowledge of the cosmos, while dark forces seek to hijack his research to further a secret agenda. With their lives in jeopardy, Paul and Tahra confront their enemies against an international backdrop featuring the pyramids of Giza and the peaks of Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Sam and Ava endeavour to uncover their past, even though it may irrevocably change their lives.
In a tale of courage and tragedy, love and betrayal, their lives are interwoven around the demons of one man, Max Richardson, who'll stop at nothing to achieve his objectives.
Available on Kindle and in paperback now
Coming in November 2013
Seven Point Eight
The Third Chronicle
‘It’s Time To Wake Up’
Coming in June 2013
Hox
‘Even Angels Can Be Beasts’
Who’s That Girl?
Interview with the Cover Girl
Please introduce yourself.
Hi, my name is Monique Kathleen Candelaria. I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico February 11, 1987 and about 6 months after, my father joined the Army. We were stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany but in 1990, we were moved back to the States, residing in Springs, Colorado. In 1992 my father had a brain aneurysm, making him a 100% disabled veteran so we moved back to our home state and I have lived in New Mexico ever since.
In a nutshell, I am enthusiastic, ambitious, goal oriented, determined, and creative. When I am creating, whether I am singing, acting, dancing, drawing, writing, modelling etc, you will find me in my most favourable state of happiness.
I decided long ago that if I can survive doing the things I love then that is exactly what I will do. What can I say? I am an optimistic person that reaches for the stars.
~
What key films/TV shows have you been involved with in the last few years?
Three of the major films that I was cast in are: “Bless Me, Ultima”, a New Mexican period piece directed by Carl Franklin; “Ten Year” where I play the role of “Amy Lee” and “The Banshee Chapter”, as “Patient 14.” Both “Bless Me, Ultima” and “Ten Year” should be coming out at the end of 2011 and “The Banshee Chapter” should come out at the end of next year. So, from being a 1940’s prostitute, to a modern day hot chic, to being an experiment gone terribly wrong, I have had the pleasure of embodying characters that have created great memories I want to keep forever.
~
What’s your favourite genre to work in and why?
My favourite genre to work in is supernatural suspense. I have always considered myself a very strong person physically and mentally, but the idea of an entity, demon or outside intelligent force shutting down my defence mechanisms not only ignites fear in me, but makes me want to find new ways to fight and conquer my unseen enemies, by understanding and e
xploring the unknown. As an actor, playing a character that is being attacked and allowing your body and mind to enter this vulnerable state is an experience that is overwhelming. In a strange way, it awakens the senses to see the world in a new light.
~
Regarding ‘Seven Point Eight’ and the character, Tahra that you posed for... in what ways are you similar to her and how do you differ?
Now I am incapable of astral projection, but in my moments of fear I found that by singing to myself, I could close my eyes and create other worlds that would soothe my soul. Eventually, I learned that by singing I could manipulate the emotions of others as well. I could make people feel joy and deep sadness. People recognized me for this ability and that is how I began singing at weddings and funerals. Like Tahra, I found that my abilities were one part of me that no one could take away. So I perfected my skills and allowed them to grow in every way, shape and form. I found that no matter what art form I dabbled in, I could move people internally whether I was singing, acting, dancing, modelling, writing, or drawing. My talents, as well as Tahra’s, are not just gifts but a defence mechanism. It makes us who we are and we would die without it.
I think she knows the effect she has on people but I do not think she understands the extent of her abilities. Do I see myself this way? Well… lol… okay. So yes, I would say I am sexual by nature. When I feel like I am doing absolutely nothing, others see me as being seductive and alluring. Anyhow, I have accepted that I cannot erase the characteristics that people see, but as an actress I have learned to control and manipulate them enough so that people are not completely distracted by it. This has allowed me to obtain different acting roles and see myself grow as an artist.
Perhaps Tahra, as a child feeling utterly alone in the world, she developed a need to be close to the familiar and those that she felt loved by. I feel that Tahra as an adult needs to feel loved by someone, anyone. Is her love real? I believe she wants it to be, but I see it as fake… I’m a lone wolf. I have many acquaintances and very few close friends. I like being alone to do all the things I love and avoid unnecessary distractions. Love for me is an idea, not a sweeping passion. I have yet to be blown away or swept off my feet. I see other females and they fall in and out of love so easily. In truth I envy this ability. I don’t know that I will ever truly understand.
~
What’s your dream film/TV role?
I have sooooo many!!!!! But I suppose if I have to choose I would be in a film like Underworld and play the character of the vampire warrior Selene. It’s action, fantasy, and thriller all tied into one! My kind of movie!
~
As a finish to this interview I want to thank you, Marie, for allowing me to be a part of your masterpiece. This journey with you has been an honour, privilege and an overall experience I will never forget. How you found me in Albuquerque, NM is beyond me, but I thank God that you did. Continue to work on everything your heart desires and may life bring you happiness and joy.
~
Monique Candelaria can be found on Imdb.com and Facebook.
Acknowledgments
While it takes one solitary writer to actualise the initial inspiration, a polished and complete piece of work can only be attributed to a supportive team. I’d like to thank my first Beta Readers, Quentin Thorpe and Chris Parkin for providing the enthusiasm to release my book into the wild.
Furthermore, I’d like to thank Richard Crookes for creating such a beautiful and stunning cover that is truly a work of art. I also extend my appreciation to Monique Candelaria for agreeing to model for the character of Tahra and to Shawn Darling of Gryphon’s Egg Productions for the necessary photography.
This book could also not be complete without the research of others and I have drawn from a variety of published books. These are listed in the bibliography.
Author Bio
Marie Harbon has worked in both the retail and fitness industry. She has a degree in sport and fitness and taught group exercise for several years, delivering aerobics and Pilates classes. For two years, she delivered BTEC Sport courses and has also instructed dance and sport with children.
She wrote her first novel length story at the age of twelve, which in retrospective was an early prototype of 'Lost', in that her secondary school class were shipwrecked on an island and had to contend with giant rabbits and aliens. Since then, she has written on and off, evolving her style and literary maturity.
Marie is a member of the Nottingham Writers Studio and New Writers UK. Her future plans include not only continuing with the 'Seven Point Eight' series, but involve writing YA, children's and adult books, short stories, novellas and scripts.
Aside from writing, Marie has two children and lives with her son, four guitars, and reams of fabric in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, which is in England. She is a self-confessed fabric geek and purveyor of beautiful, often ostentatious bags, bustiers and clothes.
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Bibliography
Berlitz, Charles (1979). The Philadelphia Experiment. Souvenir Press.
Blavatsky, H.P. (1888). The Secret Doctrine: Vol I – Cosmogenesis. The Theosophical Publishing Company.
Braden, Gregg (2007). The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles, and Belief. Hay House.
Capra, Fritjof (1975). The Tao of Physics. Fontana Paperbacks.
Chester- Lambert, Alison (2009). Starry Messengers. Midlands School of Astrology.
Dunn, Christopher (1988). The Giza Power Plant: Technologies of Ancient Egypt. Bear and Company.
Feeney, Paul (2009). A 1950s Childhood: From Tin Baths to Bread and Dripping. The History Press.
Feeney, Paul (2010). A 1960s Childhood: From Thunderbirds to Beatlemania. The History Press.
Goswami, Amit Ph.D. (2001). Physics of the Soul: The Quantum Book of Living, Dying, Reincarnation and Immortality. Hampton Roads.
Hancock, Graham (2005). Supernatural. Arrow Books.
Harrison, Ian (2005). Where were you when… Remembering 180 extraordinary events. Collins & Brown.
Huxley, Aldous (1954). The Doors of Perception. Vintage Classics, Random House.
Lemesurier, Peter (1981). The Armageddon Script: The Power of Prophecy & The Secret Life of Jesus. Element.
Lescott, James (2007). The Forties in Pictures. Parragon Books Ltd.
Lescott, James (2007). The Fifties in Pictures. Parragon Books Ltd.
Lescott, James (2007). The Sixties in Pictures. Parragon Books Ltd.
Strassman, Rick M.D. (2001). DMT: The Spirit Molecule. Park Street Press.
Talbot, Michael (1981). Mysticism and the New Physics. Penguin Group.
Plus a myriad of web sites that unfortunately I didn’t keep track of, many thanks to all of them.
