Only the Light We Make

by James Dean

  Kennan’s face grew somber. “Last night, for the first time since you lost your family, you forgave yourself, brother.”

  “You… you mean Kyle was… was meant to save me?” Saul asked, muddled.

  Kennan backed away from Saul, removing his hand. But this time, the warmth stuck to Saul. “The child would have certainly died without you, brother,” Kennan explained, the hollow sound of his voice echoing in Saul’s head. “I saw him as the last chance for your soul. For only you could lift the shadow that consumed it, and Kyle was righteous enough to start you down that path.”

  Slowly, another mist approached. This time, it formed into a woman. Saul recognized her as Kyle’s mother.

  Saul wanted to apologize to the woman, to beg for forgiveness, but he didn't speak. Her smile was gracious, inviting, and left him speechless.

  “Thank you,” the female voice said, softly echoing not only in the room, but in Saul’s mind and heart.

  “Where…where is he? Where is Kyle?” Saul asked, excitement washing over him. The thought of seeing the child pass on into this peaceful place put Saul’s heart at ease.

  “It is not his time, yet, brother,” Kennan said. “Though no longer living, he still has one more task to accomplish.”

  “What task?” Saul asked, knowing what the answer would be.

  “That is no longer your concern, brother,” Kennan said softly. Kyle’s mother slowly dissipated into the mist as he spoke. Kennan himself began to fade and transform.

  “So what now for me?” Saul asked desperately, hoping to get answers before Kennan left him.

  “We all have a role to play,” Kennan’s voice echoed throughout the room, and then he too disappeared.

  *****

  January 3rd, 2011

  A hundred yards from the old cabin, a small figure stood in the snow. He watched intently. The force that made him stand, move, have the desire to feed on flesh, was held at bay. The body itself did not know why, only that for now, it served a different purpose.

  Not caring about the potential meal, the zombie turned, and trudged through the woods.

  Days and weeks went by as the body of Kyle marched through the woods. It didn’t know where it was going, it only knew which way to go. Sometimes it would stop, other times it stumbled and fell, only to rise again and continue moving.

  Eventually, the small zombie ran into others like him. Twisted by evil, yet their desires held at bay by a strange force.

  Two turned into four, which turned into twenty, all the while heading in the same direction. By the time they had reached their destination, they numbered in the hundreds.

  All of the zombies carried books. All manner of books, but it wasn't their contents that mattered. It was what they symbolized.

  Kyle’s symbol was like none of the others. Held firmly in his right hand was the binder full of his father’s letters.

  The horde of zombies pressed forward, nearing a bridge. Some moved toward the river below, while others tried to make it past hastily built barricades.

  Then they all stopped.

  In one motion, the zombies raised their books in front of them, and paid respect to the Soul.

  ABOUT J.D. DEMERS

  J.D. Demers served in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst for five years. After he was honorably separated from service, he continued to serve his country as a civilian Department of Defense Contractor for another seven years. Since then, he has returned to his hometown in the State of Florida.

  J.D. Demers has been writing since he was in High School. His interests mostly gear him toward Science Fiction, though he does enjoy Politics, International Affairs, and History.

  Visit his website at: http://www.jddemers.com/home.html

  Acknowledgements

  Another year, another Adrian's Undead Diary anthology. This being the second I've done, I was able to make this volume better than the first. I'm a better builder of stories as I write this than I was when I did the first, and I think that additional learned skill has given me the ability to edit more meaningfully. Things I glossed over before I now stop and put an editorial touch on, and for that, I think this book shines bright.

  Only the Light We Make is a version of a line that appears in The Last Resort, and it resonated with me so strongly I plucked it out to use for this book. You can slice it, chop it up in ten ways, and look at the rings of the tree it is, but to me, it means that sometimes… you have to be the light you need in the darkness. And light can only make a difference when the darkness pervades.

  Someone really smart and famous said we have to be the change we want to see in the world, and I guess this means that too. Hopefully some of the stories in this book reflect that, and hopefully the whole world of Adrian Ring does, too.

  I'd like to thank all the authors who contributed to this book. It was a true pleasure to see how folks took what I created and ran with it. As a long time game/Dungeon master, this was such a satisfying experience; not only do I get to tell a story, but others get to build one with me too. I'd also like to thank Mark Tufo for taking the time to write the foreword for this book. I don't care what your fans say about you, you're a good guy.

  I'd also like to thank you, the reader for giving the world of Adrian Ring so much support. From the website, to the Kindle, to the printed page, all the way to the audiobooks, I've been gifted with kind, and supportive people who have taken money out of their pocket to help me keep writing.

  You're awesome, and I mean that.

  -Chris Philbrook

  October 2016, Marlow NH

  About Chris Philbrook

  Chris Philbrook is the creator and author of the urban fantasy series The Reemergence, as well as the dark fantasy series The Kinless Trilogy and the post apocalyptic epic Adrian's Undead Diary.

  Adrian's Undead Diary, the story that got Chris on the literary map now has all eight titles available in print, eBook and audio. In order, they are Dark Recollections, Alone No More, Midnight, The Failed Coward Wrath, In the Arms of Family, The Trinity,and Cassie. Also set in the world of Adrian Ring Unhappy Endings and London Burns.

  Chris' first book in print was The Wrath of the Orphans, the initial book of The Kinless Trilogy, set in his Elmoryn fantasy world. You can get it here on Amazon in print and for the Kindle as well. Book two and three are The Motive for Massacre, and The Echoes of Sin.

  Tesser: A Dragon Among Us is Chris' first foray into the world of urban/contemporary fantasy. It's the story of an ancient dragon that is misplaced in time, and wakes up underneath the city of Boston in modern day. The sequel, Ambryn & the Cheaters of Death is out and the third novel Fyelrath & the Coven's Curse is in the works.

  Chris is the owner of Tier One Games LLC, his game development company.

  Chris calls the wonderful state of New Hampshire his home. He is an avid reader, writer, role player, miniatures game player, video game player, painter and procrastinator. He and his wife welcomed their first daughter Willow to the world in April of 2016.

  If you would like Chris to sign your eBooks, head over to http://www.authorgraph.com for a personalized message from him.

  For more info on Chris, head over to his official author website and sign up for his newsletter at: http://www.thechrisphilbrook.com

  Or follow him on Twitter @PhilbrookAuthor

  Can’t get enough of AUD?

  Visit the School Store at adriansundeaddiary.com for stickers, hats, and a wide variety of awesome shirts!

  Can’t Wait for More?

  Look for Chris Philbrook’s FREE short fiction eBook, At Least He’s Not on Fire.

  Find it on Amazon, Goodreads, or Smashwords today!

  Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JSGEKIK

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21948978-at-least-he-s-not-on-fire

  Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/430970

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