by Anton Strout
Until then, I would drive myself mad if I thought about the totality of it all. The only way to comfort myself over it was to remember Irene’s words in passing. Life was, as she said, for the living.
I tidied up my living room, stuffing the last of the packing materials into one of the empty boxes, and I started to visualize how all the unwrapped bits of furniture and antiques would fit into my setup. I was ever the puzzle solver. The place was finally starting to feel like a home. Only one piece remained missing.
I pulled out my cell and dialed Jane.
Epilogue
From: The Fraternal Order of Goodness—Fighting the Good Fight since the Middle Ages
Dear Simon Canderous:
Congratulations! You have been nominated for initiation into the Fraternal Order of Goodness (F.O.G.) at the request of Inspectre Argyle Quimbley.
Your bravery / quick thinking / not getting killed confirms your commitment to both your personal survival and educational growth. We are confident you will make a valuable contribution to the Order’s fine tradition of scholarship and service, neither of which our secret society can talk to you about until the appropriate paperwork has been filled out.
This offer is contingent upon successful completion of any and / or all pending casework / enchantments / removal of curses and please bear in mind that while we are affiliated with the Department of Extraordinary Affairs, we predate their organization by several centuries. You must also make arrangements for filling out our questionnaire in the presence of your sponsor. We, therefore, encourage an early response. Please set aside the appropriate five-hour block for this at your discretion.
Enclosed please find an enrollment contract, along with instructions for accepting our offer and completing the enrollment process. On behalf of the entire Fraternal Order of Goodness, we extend a warm welcome and best wishes for your success. We appreciate your interest in fighting evil and staying alive, and we hope you share our enthusiasm about your future with F.O.G.
About The Author
Anton Strout was born in the Berkshire Hills mere miles from writing heavyweights Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. He currently lives in historic Jackson Heights, New York (where nothing paranormal ever really happens, he assures you).
His short story “The Lady in Red” can be found in the DAW Books anthology Pandora’s Closet, and a tie-in story to Dead to Me entitled “The Fourteenth Virtue” can be found in DAW’s The Dimension Next Door in July 2008.
He is the cocreator of the faux folk musical Sneezin’ Jeff & Blue Raccoon: The Loose Gravel Tour, winner of the Best Storytelling Award at the first annual New York International Fringe Festival.
In his scant spare time, he is an always writer, sometimes actor, sometimes musician, occasional RPGer, and the world’s most casual and controller-smashing video gamer. He now works in the exciting world of publishing, and yes, it is as glamorous as it sounds.
He is currently hard at work on the next book featuring Simon Canderous and can be found lurking the darkened hallways of www.antonstrout.com.
*All members of Things That Go Bump in the Night are exempt from this last statement.
