Double Joye
Two Short Stories by
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Jerson is riding wildly across the valley, if only he can get to the mountain pass in time. The dust is leaving a wake behind him in the hot desert air. He almost loses his breath as he swats at the horse to ride faster. Sweat is pouring off his forehead into his eyes and burning. He keeps trying to wipe it off but can’t waste a step of the horse’s gait; he must keep in rhythm. His mind races from the recent events and the images of the large iron men loom larger in his memory distorted by fear. The invincible breastplate with the large red cross on it seems ever present. What did he do? Why are they chasing me he wonders? He doesn’t have to wonder about their intent though; their drawn swords being swung through the air give a clear meaning. He can still hear the thunderous hoofs of the horses behind him. He didn’t get a chance to see how many, but what does it matter, one is too many! They’ve got to be as hot as he is and tiring, maybe hotter because of the armor they’re wearing. They’ve got to be just men like him even though they seem like demons. They’re cruel and murderous and somehow feel righteous in their deeds. The pass is just up ahead and if he makes it he can lose them in the many winding trails that branch off this way and that many times. He takes the first trail to the left; they follow not too far behind. The next trail is a fork, he goes right, but they can see the dust kicked up from the horse’s hoofs and follow to the right. The trail riding is slowing them down; they don’t know the terrain. Jerson gallops full speed ahead going up a steep incline, he knows the path goes along the top both ways then dips down into a chasm. His pursuers follow but are slowed by the incline and hesitate at the top, their own dust catching up to them. They can’t see clearly for a minute because of it, and when it clears, there’s no sign of Jerson!
Baiting the System
The intersection of
A Ford Explorer followed by an 18-wheeler semi-truck is coming down the road at about 50 mph. The timing couldn’t be worse. It’s become very eerie for the pursuing officer because as soon as he realizes the situation time seems to slow down. Instinctively his foot goes to the brake peddle and the tires scream out. He sees the Mazda enter the crossroads and hit the Explorer and like two colliding pool balls spin off in opposite directions with debris violently flung into the air.
The truck driver slams on the brakes of the monstrous vehicle to no avail as he plows directly into the side of the police cruiser crushing it beyond recognition and the two go spinning down the road in a heap. Fire has erupted from the ruptured gas tanks and the sparks from the metal that scraped the road. The second officer has arrived and is frantically calling in for an ambulance and fire truck. Shortly more police cars arrive at the scene. The first officer died instantly on impact, a few others in the Explorer were not so lucky. Two severely injured, two killed. The suspect is alive but in critical condition.
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About the Book
Good intentions do not always work out and may not be good for other people. So the lead character in the first story finds out about those in control of the country he is in and their religious reasons for being there.
Long ago once again in a land of turmoil and wars the stage is set for yet another change of rule. An ominous foreign power is threatening all in the land making previous enemies join together to face a common invader. Their union doesn’t last long however since the struggle puts them all in different situations as the days pass. And before long, three great powers vie for the prize of victory.
The second story deals with the highly debatable realm of questionable police stops and high-speed chases, addressed in an unusual way. The main character takes a dim view of these practices and decides to put a long thought out scheme of his to the test. Once the ball is rolling a slightly bizarre scenario begins to unfold. The initial meaning of this scheme is soon lost, as the drama is played out step-by-step and escalated by each new event. With total lack of sensitivity the crushing churning wheels of the bureaucratic system take motion.
The people who have become absorbed into this situation are not really sure that justice is being done as they go deeper and deeper into the case only to come up with an inconclusive outcome. After all is said and done only you are in the judges chair to decide which side really prevailed.
About the Author
Stanley B. Joye continues his writing with his second book containing two short stories for quick and easy reading. His life experiences and education, information derived from communication with individuals from all walks of life, and even public television is interwoven in his writing.
He delves again into one of his favorite topics, historical fiction for his first story. But this time in his second story he takes on a current topic of debate. He uses his own slant as well as other opinions picked up from the news and periodicals and creates a believable but somewhat peculiar story to bring forth some of these points.