A Hard Rain: Book Two Of The Shift Trilogy

Chapter 1

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this novel are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government.

"Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring..."

Chris Jung shuffled languidly down the aisle as if in a daze. While his ears were still numb from the bitter cold outside, the sudden transition into the tropical heat of the house wares store had Chris sweating underneath his itchy Ross Dress for Less brand suit. The flat screen TVs plastered on the walls had Santa flying all over the store, cheerfully wishing everyone a Merry Christmas without pause while Jingle Bell Rock blared in surround sound. Across the aisle, Chris couldn't help but notice a painfully attractive young woman wearing black patent leather boots surveying the assortment of blenders, the skirt over her tights leaving little to the imagination.

"You like?"

"Yes," Chris answered hungrily, before catching himself. He returned his attention to the frumpy-looking older woman wearing the store's smock and a Santa hat. "I'm sorry, like what?"

"This. You like?" the store clerk held up an electronic contraption. "It's called a hand blender. It's a much nicer gift than that," gesturing to the Snuggie in his hand basket.

"True, but I didn't want to, you know, make a faux pas by giving a gift that's so...domestic. Wouldn't it be like giving her an iron or a Stairmaster?"

The lady just chuckled.

Chris was a little disappointed to see that the hottie in the boots had disappeared. He was loyal to Meredith and knew he had a good thing, but eye candy was eye candy, and he was a male with a pulse.

"What a bright time. It's the right time to rock the night away. Jingle Bell time is a swell time to go gliding on a one-horse sleigh..." the clerk ringing up his haul sang without seeming to notice that she was singing aloud to the commercialized Christmas tune.

"Looks like it's beginning to snow," she said as she placed the blender inside the bag.

"Yeah, I'd better get going. The toll way is probably going to be a mess."

"You said it. People here freak out whenever it snows. Put in your pin on the keypad. Thanks and Happy Holidays."

Chris buttoned his trench coat and headed outside. The pale grey sky shed snowflakes onto the frozen asphalt of the packed parking lot.

Before he knew it, he too, was singing, "Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet. Jingle around the clock."

When he reached his car his vision started to go shaky. He pressed the key remote to his car when he heard a peculiar whooshing sound. He looked around when suddenly the car waiting impatiently for his parking space exploded in a torrent of gas and shrapnel. People screamed. Out of the bedlam, Chris heard a guttural roar of men and women bellowing, "Onward, Vicious Rabbits!"

Reston, Virginia

December 2012

The parking lot of the Bed Bath & Beyond was packed with vehicles that had lain still for five and a half years now rusting in the elements. Snowflakes drifted slowly onto the cracked asphalt, creating a thin insulating layer to muffle ambient outside noises. It was deceptively serene. Captain Chris Jung knew it was anything but safe as he studied the iconic house wares storefront.