The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

This Old Man

"Gather 'round me." The downcast, grey-haired, boney old man commanded his family around a fire that was burning inside the small stone hut that was hidden deep within a forest.

Collected amongst him were a younger man and woman, along with eight small boys and girls. Each and every member of the family all sat Indian-style on the floor before the old man.

"We must find food before the day is through, great-grandfather." The younger man said.

Staring directly at the man, the old man replied, "Your food is not important. But I tell each and every one of you dis, I shall not eat until de dawn comes back."

the full force of a hurricane in the making. They were all accustomed to it, but on that particular evening, the sound of rain never felt so

His scratchy voice spoke softly. "I have seen a century's turn, and a storm's comings and goings. I have seen men of great stature speak great tings, and other men of great stature devour de living. But in all my time, I never see such a grave dilemma as de one dat has befallen us. Dere have been a many a ting in my life dat I wish I no see. Many people

between de moon two times. But I see someting else, too. I know it be de devil, 'cause it always look you in de eye. It always come in de day, and in de night. It take your life and my life. I

Do you see de devil? No, only it see you. It no care if you scream and yell. It no care if you boy, girl, woman or man. It no care if even it kill its

I see many a ting. Many people covered in blood

of ours. De blood is what de devil has been cravin' for years. It craves for it now as I sit here and speak. And you...you

our bellies. Too much fat and de devil smell you better. De devil hear a grumbling stomach. It sound like an elephant