The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

"You got a visitor, Mercer!" A large, white, male jail guard announced as he unlocked the cell door.

Charles sat up drowsy and disoriented on his little bed and watched as Audra came inside the cell. The man had been awake for the past several hours, but his energy had been left behind in the shelter. His lethargic eyes looked on as Audra, who was wearing only her long, grey wool coat, meekly came inside and stood before him. Already the man could feel the weight of her worried stare bear down upon him like heat vision. Charles wiped his messy face before taking a huge breath and placing his hands on his knees as to say he was preparing for a lesson.

Audra stood for a moment or two before sitting down beside the man. At first her face was down to the floor, appearing as if she were too shy to speak. Down the hallway could be heard other cell doors either opening or shutting, along with various men talking out loud or cursing.

Audra looked up and out the cell door before turning her head to Charles. "They mentioned that you would be out of here tomorrow." She said to Charles' despondent face.

Charles just nodded before clearing his throat and muttering, "Yep, just a few more hours."

Audra turned away for a second before looking back at the man with a tense glare on her face. "Why did you go to that place, Charles?"

Charles' stone face wouldn't turn from the bars in front of him. It was as though he were transfixed upon their cold and lifeless alloy.

"It's like I told you, something is hunting me down." His scratchy voice uttered.

you figured that same something was at the

know what I saw or felt back there, but

"Charles... I don't understand any of this. If someone is hunting you

this goes so far beyond a person." Charles' deep voice dropped. "I don't know

sisters lived with my grandparents on this old farm. For the first couple of years there everything was just fine. Then, the neighbors across the valley were beaten to death by some Klansmen who didn't like them. That old house of theirs went unsold for the longest time. Well, me and my siblings, as hardheaded as we were, would go over to that old house to be nosey and play around. One day, however, we heard something walking about on the top floor. We kids were scared but curious all the same. So we all went upstairs, and in this one room, we see the lady that used to live there lying in a bed all by herself crying. Me and

right eye at that instant as he listened

live in." He murmured so sadly while balling

you have to do is pay a fine and they'll drop the charges. Personally, I think they went easy on you because of your handicap." Audra patted Charles' leg. "Thank the good Lord it came

Nodding his head, Charles said, "I'll pay the fine. Then I'll come home, pack

started to shake as she reared back. "And just where are you

he kept his

you now for four months, and in those months you have to be one of the most down to

he couldn't turn or move at all. It was almost as if