Whispering Whale - Excerpt from the Book - Shadow Places (Justin) - Chapter 5, pg 53

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All chapters are listed
Excerpts from the book,
both audio and visual,
are listed in red

Voyage to New Atlantis
• pg 7 - 10

Troubling Seas and Thoughts to Flee (Justin)

Dwindling Serenity (Nicole)

The Crumbling
• pg 51 - 52

Shadow Places (Justin)
• pg 53 - 55

Fearful, Bedeviled (Nicole)

Cosmic Punch

Sky Rock and Devils Deed

Wind and Death (Justin)

Ravens in the Sky (Nicole)
• pg 143 - 147
• pg 178 - 180

The Vision, Lights at Night (Justin)
• pg 196 - 198

Little Pond (Nicole)

Rest and Waiting (Justin)

Skinning the Soul (Justin and Nicole)

Fire and Ice

Whispering Whale
• pg 335 - 337

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Excerpts from
Whispering Whale

Chapter 5

Written by Edward J. Zivica
Read by Mona Leigh McCrea

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Shadow Places
(Justin)

As California rumbled, its population scattered, many people arriving in Oregon. At first Oregonians took the refugees to heart, providing them with what they could. However, as in the town of Winchester Bay, most places soon posted signs indicating the town could hold no more. Charitable efforts vanished. Those with supplies became defensive and those without, aggressive.
Federal officials conducted self-indulgent preparations, and all agencies discontinued contact with the populace. Politicians disappeared into military compounds, which they sealed with zealous security.

          Departure time for Justin and his family arrived. Hostilities erupted throughout the area and the periodic sound of shots crackled in the air.
          In early fall, the northwest anguished under a persistent drought and the forest dried to kindling. Justin apprehensively studied the sky for signs of rain. However, a greater danger loomed in the eyes of neighboring people. He knew they would fight to live and he wanted no part of that struggle.
          The family sat at home waiting for the night and the rising of the moon. They dealt with their fears and sadness, and many silent tears fell in the gloom of their awareness.

          At midnight, Justin rose to his feet.
          "Let's go."
          They walked out the door to their waiting vehicle. They got in and Justin started the engine. "I'm going to make a quick stop at the sea view."
          He stared through the windshield. "One more look at the sea and a good-by. It'll only take a moment."
          He took their silence as an affirmative answer.
          A short, five minutes drive brought them to an overlook, one hundred feet above a sandy beach. Justin and Paul got out of the car. The moon glittered the sea with silver sparks. The air was still, cool and moist with the breath of the sea. Justin's chest expanded and contracted in three deep breaths. "Perfumed femininity."
          He turned to Paul. "It'll be a long time before we see her again."
          Paul shuffled his feet on sand dusted stone and reached down to pinch a small measure of white granules between his forefinger and thumb. Part of the sand he placed in his trouser pocket. The rest he handed to his father. "I think of the Orca, sitting and waiting for an ugly end. That hurts." He strolled back to the car.
          Justin gazed across the sea and whispered. "Forget me not." He then turned in the direction of the moored Orca. "Sorry gal."
          He looked to the east. "Take care, Zoe." Looking at the sand in his hand, he let it drop to the ground.
          Not so very far at sea a whale's head rose above the shimmering waves and looked toward land. The creature held the position for a very long moment and then slid slowly beneath the surface.
          Justin returned to the car, started the engine, and the family headed inland. They left their home, they left the sea, and focused on the future. A future sure to have pain and struggle, and sure to not leave them unmarked.
          They drove through Winchester Bay watching shadowy figures move among the unlit buildings. The four-wheeler never stopped. David stared through the back window until a turn in the road blotted out the view of the little town. Michelle never looked back. She leaned her head against the side window in quiet repose.
          They came to and turned down a gravel road that headed east into the dense Oregon coastal forest. When they reached their pre-selected spot, they parked the truck and covered it with brush. Justin turned to the direction from which they came.
          He toyed with the keys. "Perhaps a miracle." He put the keys into his pocket.
          With packs loaded, the foursome disappeared into the thick dark forest.