The Serpent and the Crow

Book 1: Chapter One

Warning: Mature Content - This novel has violence, swearing, racism, and disturbing themes. I do not share the opinions of the characters.

The forest was a carbon sinkhole where the smog was mistaken for fog. The echo of birds and insects littered the abandoned houses, shrouded in overgrowth. It was a place bereft of Man and where nature reclaimed derelict structures. Relics of a decaying society.

Solemn Pines was perfect for Wade to deal with a lot on his own. Wade's trailer was like any shit-hole. It stank like a strip club once the lights were flicked; an ashtray doused in whiskey. Full of trash that would hinder any progress dealing with life. Yet, devoid of memories; photographs, diplomas, sports memorabilia, religious iconography, or indeed a true-blue American Flag. His abode was a fair representation of the man he became.

The phone buzzed, but a Colt Single Action Army preoccupied Wade's mouth. His face tensed, and so did his trigger finger. One-sixteenth of an inch away from sending himself to Jesus or the other guy. He exhaled and released the tension while tears streamed down his forlorn cheeks, tapping the speakerphone option.

"Derringer, speaking,"

"Wade? It's Douglas. Douglas Nez."

Wade gritted his teeth and answered, "I'm on medical leave, Doug..."

"You need to get down to Solemn Pines' Town Hall right now," Doug exclaimed.

"Not interested."

Douglas interjected, "Another girl is missing."

Nez's words flooded Wade with apprehension. Not a dead-end, he presumed.

Wade holstered his Colt SAA and snagged his car keys from a dossier with crime photographs spilling out. Photos of deceased women and children. Each picture was more gruesome than the last.