Promises made, promises broken
When I first laid out my goals for 2022, I was hopeful and optimistic that while I was setting the bar high, I would ultimately power through and achieve those goals. But if I’m being honest, I always knew in the back of my mind that I would only be able to complete a handful of them. After all, life has a tendency to fill up our schedules pretty quickly. All of that is to say I will not be releasing anything this year. I know, I know, let the groans commence. It’s been a hard enough truth for me to wrap my head around, but I am here today to tell you that it’s not all bad.
In fact, it’s for the better. Your time is valuable. As someone who writes things to occupy other people’s time and attention, that much is clear. And whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or are a newcomer looking to see what I’m about, I want to provide you with interesting material that you can enjoy. That’s why instead of giving out a little teaser or a short post about something vague/cryptic, I’m going to let you read a passage from my upcoming novel “The Night Howler”. This isn’t a section that is a work-in-progress, or a depiction of something not in the final version of the book, it’s an actual passage you can read once the book is available next year. This is meant to serve as a small preview of what’s to come and the fact that it’s a complete portion of the novel should be proof that the book is not too far off.
I hope you enjoy it and continue to follow me along my writing journey, whether it’s here, through my various social channels, or in person. And for my own selfish reasons, now I can say I did release something this year.
Have a wonderful NYE celebration and an amazing start to 2023. We’ll be seeing each other again very soon.
Now, without further ado, here is a section from my soon-to-be-available second novel, “The Night Howler”.
Near the west side of the city, down by the industrial district of SeaRise Port, Night Howler was perched up on top of a four-stack of shipping containers. Like the waves crashing onto the wooden beams by the pier, so too did the dueling air drifting underneath his nostrils. The mixture of saltwater and asphalt brought unto him the feeling of familiarity that had only been in his head up until this point.
Now he could smell it. The hot tar scent that had permeated his skin during the summer months scouring rooftops and rappelling down fire escapes. The briny sea water that had crusted over the joints in his armored plating during bouts by the water.
He could feel it, too. The anticipation of Ramirez’s vintage brown Cadillac turning the corner and driving down the port road to meet him, like so many times before. It all brought back waves of memories that Night Howler could now freely sop up.
As if on cue, Ramirez’s car turned into the street leading to the port. Night Howler waited until her car pulled up closer to the containers so she could see him. He got on one knee and jumped down, swooping into her line of sight. His landing was a bit shaky and he fell to the side a bit on impact, but caught himself just as his cape embraced him.
Ramirez got out of her car and zipped up her jacket, throwing her arms into the front pockets.
“Still got a taste for the theatrics?” she said.
“Some things never change,” Night Howler said.
Ramirez took notice of the extra padding under his armored knee plating. “Well, some things do,” she said.
Her hands came out of her pockets and now she had a pack of Marlboro Lights and a lighter. She opened the pack, pulled out a cigarette and placed it in her mouth. She extended the box to Night Howler, who grabbed a cigarette and followed suite. She brought the lighter to the end of his cigarette and ignited it, cupping her hand over the flame to block the wind. Once the cigarette burned, she did the same for hers, then threw the lighter and pack back into her pockets.
“So,” she said, taking a drag. “It’s been a few months now. Tell me how it’s going.”
Night Howler took a long pull from his cigarette and a long breath afterwards.
“You weren’t lying. The kid is definitely green.”
Ramirez’s eyebrow perked up. She took another hit of her cigarette. Night Howler continued on.
“He definitely has his work cut out for him. I think, for his benefit, it might be best if I take the lead going forward. Until I feel he is ready.”
Ramirez narrowed her eyes a bit, then flicked some of the ash from the cherry onto the ground.
“Marcus, don’t forget that you’re here to teach. There’s only one way this kid is gonna learn and that’s by doing.”
“I know,” Night Howler said, taking a drag. As he did, the long cone of ash at the end of his cherry fell, getting swept away by a gust of wind. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
“Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Night Howler side-eyed her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I know you too damn well to know that if you feel like you’re better at it, you’re going to do it yourself.”
“C’mon, Ramirez. That’s the old me.”
She looked him down, from his eye mask to his leather boots.
“Mmm-hmm,” she exaggerated. She took one final pull from her cigarette, then flicked it off to the side.
“Don’t worry,” Night Howler said. “I just want the kid to be safe, that’s all.”
Ramirez nodded her head and thinned her lips, giving an awkward smile. She threw her hands back in her jacket.
“Alright,” she said. “Don’t forget, I’m counting on you.”
“I know.”
“I came to you because I knew it was what this kid—and this city—needed.”
“I know.”
She chewed on the inside of her lip for a second, then looked down at her feet.
“Alright,” she said, looking back up at him.
She turned away and headed back to her car. Night Howler threw his cigarette, which was only halfway burned, and stomped it out with his boot. He watched her get into her car and drive off. Expecting her to give him one final punctuation to ensure he understood his assignment, he was surprised again by her intuition. Though that was nothing new. Every time Night Howler thought he was safe under the cover of his mask, she proved him wrong. It was the reason their partnership lasted as long as it did. And it was the reason that Night Howler knew, it was only a matter of time before she caught on to his real ambition.