The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Charles with his books in hand got off of the bus and carried on towards the public library. The autumn leaves swirled and blew all about in the careless wind that morning. As the man hobbled along he couldn't help but to take a quick stop and study the various school children scurrying about with their Halloween costumes on while waiting at the nearby park for their school buses to arrive. Some were wearing disguises that bore the images of witches, vampires, and Frankenstein, or Star Wars characters.

Out of all of them, the only masks he couldn't seem to spot were ones that he expected to see more than any of the others. Out of all the children and their costumes, not once did he see one that even resembled such an evil plague that he had in mind. It was nowhere to be found within the throngs of children that were happily frolicking to and fro. The mask was completely vacant to his sight.

Charles swallowed before turning and resuming his march up the tall library steps and into the warm building where librarians were either dressed up in costumes or not. The man, completely oblivious to his surroundings, carried on towards the front counter. The instant he reached the counter he placed his books down and went for his wallet within his pocket.

"I'll be with you in a moment." A male voice said from behind a shelf.

Charles rooted about inside his pants pocket for his wallet. The moment he found it right beside him approached a sweaty and smelly Jeremiah who dropped his bruised books onto the same counter next to Charles'. Charles timidly glanced over at the untidy young man as if he were looking at an unfortunate soul that required both aid and prayer. Jeremiah returned the gesture, only his gaze was meeker, like he was too ashamed to look anyone in the eye. The two men stood only a few inches apart from the other at the counter awaiting service mercifully sooner than later.

"Okay, sorry about that, gentlemen." A middle-aged white man came up to the counter dressed in a Dracula costume, complete with a black cape, painted white face and plastic fangs inside his mouth.

Both Charles and Jeremiah stood and watched as the librarian checked each and every book. Charles couldn't help but to take notice of the books that the man beside him was checking back in. How similar they were to his.

"You can definitely tell its Halloween just by the content that comes in and out of here." The librarian smugly stated.

Charles could smell the man beside him. His aroma was shockingly pungent. He wanted so badly to turn and say something to him, but there was a force inside of him that kept him quiet and restrained. He couldn't explain it to himself.

Looking at Charles, the librarian said, "Okay, these books are long overdue. So that means you owe seventeen-fifty."

Humbly nodding his head, Charles took out his wallet and handed the man a twenty dollar bill. The librarian gave the man his change. Charles then stood and counted the remaining money inside his wallet while the librarian conducted his business with Jeremiah.

"Okay, and it just so happens that your books are well overdue as well. So your total comes to...sixteen-forty-nine."

Jeremiah searched about inside his pants pockets, but all he seemed to be able to pull out of his wallet were a few bills. "I, uh...all I have is gas money." He miserably commented.

Looking disappointed, the librarian replied, "I'm afraid these books need to be paid for immediately."

Charles watched as the young man beside him did his best to stall for time. He could tell that it was such an agonizing situation to be stuck in.

"I'll pay for his books." Charles stepped forward.

Jeremiah stared so hard at the man that it looked like for a moment he was about to break down and cry. "Thank...thank you." Jeremiah fought to mutter before turning and limping away.

The librarian, with a pair of haughty eyes, twisted his lips and muttered, "We get a lot of homeless people in here around this time of year. It's like an infestation."

Charles ignored the man's remark and handed the librarian the money while watching Jeremiah melt into the crowd of library patrons. All he could do was watch him vanish. Just as Charles was about to head out the door himself, his eyes managed to catch sight of Russell who just happened to be exiting the busy library as well. As if his very life depended upon it Charles gathered his cane and hobbled after the man straight out the building and down the stone steps.

"Hey, Russell," he yelled out.

Russell stopped and spun around. From where he was standing Charles could see the man roll his eyes at him. Immediately Charles staggered down the steps and caught up with him right next to the playground.

Zipping up his black leather jacket, Russell grudgingly asked, "What are you doing here? Mrs. Audra said you got locked up."

"Yes, I got locked up, but that was a whole different matter." Charles carefully answered. "I wanted to talk to you."

Russell stood and studied the man as if he were disgusted with him. "Man, look, I got a really busy morning. "I ain't got time for some jive talk."

"Hold on, hold on now." Charles halted him. "I wanted to talk with you about the other day."

Snickering, Russell said, "Man, I was drunk the other day. Forget everything I said."

drunk. You and

sharp wind that whistled through the courtyard didn't

"I, too, have been seeing a lot of

Russell stared before asking, "Things

"Let's just say that...whatever it was, it got my full attention. I don't know up from down or right from left anymore, but I do

wanna hear nothin' about God!" Russell

You're acting just like my son used to!" Charles caught him

"Where was God when I was over there in 'Nam? I ain't heard from

like mine. You want answers now and not tomorrow. Life doesn't work that

"Better decisions?" Russell

"Your decision to leave your family,"

back from Charles in an indignant fashion, looking as if he wanted to rear back and punch

some kind of bad decision in his life. I honestly don't know what he was up to, and I'll probably never find out in this lifetime, but I do know that...we may go through the fire for a while, but eventually, God brings us all back

Russell stuffed his hands inside his jacket pockets while gazing around at all the children. "I...I miss my daughter, man." He sniffed. "But I just can't go back to

lot in my time. Quit thinking that you're beyond redemption, that you're so evil. Because believe

in a defeated manner. He then looked back up at Charles asking, "So, what's been going on all

"I don't know for sure." He mumbled. "I don't even know if it's all

snickered, "Man,

said, "Shoot, I bet you've never seen someone move as fast on a cane as you have me, now

"Nope, not

hardware store and get that fuse for your icebox. But before I do that, I need to get some real breakfast. That jailhouse food never changes. It's always been

couldn't help but to

don't talk about that."

"Excuse me, Mr.

turned around to see a man steadily walking towards them. The

help

a right hand extended, the man greeted, "Good day,

the unkempt man up and down for a moment before saying, "Is that

his hands inside his coat pockets while glancing around the chaotic courtyard. "I have to admit that I just

"Yes, it's not too bad. How can I help you,

you and I could have a moment alone." O'Dea

uh, I'll meet you back

Charles looked at O'Dea and adamantly replied, "This here is my friend. Whatever

remarked behind a grin, "Very well. You're a very hard man to find these days, Mr. Mercer. I meant to visit you while you were in the hospital, but the last

being sought after." Charles sulked. "My time in the hospital was a very trying moment in my life, Mr. O'Dea. A moment I'd rather not revisit if it's

But I certainly didn't catch up with you just to waste

did

catching you here was meant to happen." O'Dea stepped a bit closer to Charles. "I'm gonna cut right

dare budge at that point. All he could

last thing I want to do is uncover old wounds. But I really need to

"What on earth is there

O'Dea glanced around the courtyard before looking back at Charles and saying, "Well, it concerns the

my son fit into all of that?" Charles began to fidget. "Better yet, if you are no longer with the police department, why are you still stuck

the case is fully closed. Over the course of the past few months a lot of strange occurrences have taken place, most notably, your son somehow escaping the clutches of the animal that murdered Leroy Cummins. That awful incident inside Ms. Glover's residence in which an

"Once again, sir, how does my son fit into all