Enjoy “Window Beyond the World,” a supernatural thriller set in the Southern California mountains. The novel is being serialized here in weekly installments. The co-authors are Sun columnist John Weeks, writing under his full name John Howard Weeks, and William S. Thomas, former Sunday Editor of The Sun.
A new chapter will be posted each Friday. There are 37 chapters in all. This free online edition is somewhat abridged for language and adult situations. For those who wish to read ahead, and enjoy the entire unabridged novel, it is available now in book form.
“Window Beyond the World” (iUniverse, $14.95), by John Howard Weeks and William S. Thomas, can be ordered from local bookstores or from online booksellers including Amazon.com.
WINDOW BEYOND THE WORLD, CHAPTER 8, PASSAGE
Art was waiting in the turnout, standing next to his car. Lance sighed heavily.
Thats him, isnt it? Naomi said. She looked at Lance, then back at Art.
Lance nodded.
They pulled in and parked, a few spaces away from Arts car.
Hes good-looking, Naomi said.
Lance flashed her a wan smile. I was good-looking, too, back then.
Naomi touched him on the knee. Youre still good-looking, she said.
Should I introduce you?
Naomi thought for a moment, then said, No, lets not crowd the moment.
That would be a distraction. Hes thinking about other things right now, and
so are you. The two of you have something to do, so go do it. You can introduce
me when you get back.
We wont be gone long. I think.
I know.
Lance got out of the car and approached his brother. They exchanged solemn,
meaningful looks, but no words. Art put his hand briefly on Lances
shoulder, then turned and led the way to the back of the picnic area. Naomi
watched them as they departed, a young man with long jet black hair and a
middle-aged man with short black hair flecked with gray two brothers separated
by two years and a chasm in time.
They pushed their way through the bracken ferns and walked up the short
rise to the Window Beyond the World.
It was exactly like before, a pretty image, a leafy circle of sky at the end of a
shaded corridor. Yes, something terrible had happened there. This was a tunnel
leading backward in time. Leading toward some doom. Lance felt a rush of
anxiety.
He stopped. He struggled with the moment.
But this time he pressed on. He overcame his fear. He quickened his step
and caught up with Art.
When they walked through the clearing, the scene changed. There was a
crack of distant thunder. The air was different. The light was different. Everything
was different.
They were in Africa. On Kilimanjaro. It was 25 years ago.
NEXT: CHAPTER 9, KILIMANJARO.
“Window Beyond the World” (iUniverse, $14.95), by John Howard Weeks and William S. Thomas, can be ordered from local bookstores or from online booksellers including Amazon.com.
