Set in the near future, Ethan King: The Man Who Changed the World combines elements of science fiction, horror and mysticism to tell the story of one person who must learn to unlock his latent psychic and mystical abilities in order to fulfill his destiny. The reader accompanies Ethan as he struggles to grow and to know himself. He must delve into past lives, come to terms with his sexuality, battle dark forces and deal with tragedy and loss. But in the end, he will change the world.
Extract from the novel...
There were no buildings or people as far as he could see. Just an endless rocky expanse; jagged and uninviting. It took a moment for him to orientate himself and as soon as he did, panic set in. Where was he? How was he going to get home?
Recalling some techniques he had learned when he used to meditate, he allowed his mind to settle and clear, become more focussed. Then he put one foot in front of the other and started to walk. He had no idea where he was going, or even if he was headed in the right direction. But at least he was taking action.
The dryness of the dust and rocks under his feet reminded him of a trip to Andalusia. Something wasn’t right though. Something was missing. He couldn’t figure it out. As he continued to walk, he kicked a small rock and watched it roll a few feet and collide with a larger rock ahead of him. That was it! No sound. There was no sound here. No crunch underfoot. No thud as one rock hit another. No wind. Nothing.
Before his brain had time to come to terms with that realisation, Ethan stopped in his tracks. There was somebody in the distance, standing on a small ridge a couple of miles ahead of him. He squinted and tried to get a clearer look. His eyesight had never been great and with the glare of the sunlight, it was hard to know for sure if there was a person ahead of him or if it was really just the outline of a pile of rocks. Then it moved.
His heart beat a warning against his chest. It looked as if the figure was moving closer to him. Yes, he was sure whoever it was had spotted him too and was walking towards him. A sudden terror grabbed him and Ethan turned to run. But he couldn’t move. He was fixed to the spot. His heart felt as if it was going to break out of his chest now as he turned back to see the figure approaching rapidly. Its movement was odd; it didn’t seem to be taking steps, it seemed to float effortlessly. Its head stayed at an even level, it didn’t bob up and down as Ethan would have expected.
He tried again to move, but his attempt just made matters worse. He couldn’t move at all now; a sickening paralysis had wound around his body. His legs were frozen, his chest tight and even his throat felt constricted. Eyes open wide in a fixed glare, Ethan could do nothing except watch as the unidentified figure got nearer.
A warning screamed in his head. Get out of here! But he was unable to obey it. It seemed to be moving more quickly now and Ethan could make out the eyes. Red, fiery eyes. He was sure he would have pissed himself if his bladder wasn’t as paralysed as the rest of him.
Before he knew it, the figure was upon him. It just stood there opposite him, a space of only a couple of feet between them. It was coal black all over except for those eyes. Its shape was vaguely that of a person, but it wasn’t human, that much was certain. It remained deadly still and Ethan thought of a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce on its prey.
It seemed to swallow any light that would have illuminated it, and Ethan realised that that was exactly what it was doing to his own energy. He felt as if his life force were being sucked into this thing. He thought back to when he first saw cosmic energy and something clicked in the recesses of his brain, but then it was as if even his thoughts were being dragged into this creature. His mind was almost blank. All he could perceive were his emotions; the terror and anxiety. And then they too were drained from him. Everything was so hollow. Empty. Lifeless.
All that remained to take charge of his body were his basic, animal instincts. He tried to flee, as adrenaline surged through his bloodstream. He didn’t move. Instead, he experienced a sensation that he would never forget. The hollowness was turning to stone. His body, his emotions, his mind… all of it was transforming into stone. His entire being was solidifying; becoming dense and heavy and void of almost all consciousness. It was over before the one glimpse of awareness which remained had fully absorb what was happening.
He was petrified. Literally. And that minute spark of awareness evaporated as the dark entity enveloped him in one swift movement.
Nothing remained of Ethan King.