A. L. Kaplan

Tag: magic

  • THE HIDEAWAY

    What would you do if you found this stash?

     

    Wind tugged at Lalita’s clothes as she scrambled into the cave. The first large drops splashed on the hot rock, evaporating almost immediately. Lightning laced across the sky and thunder reverberated in the small space. The drops became a torrent.

    Niches, filled with ancient pottery and other personal items, dotted the walls of the cavern. She felt like an intruder and couldn’t shake the sensation of hot breath puffing against her neck. An un-looted, dustless cave didn’t seem right.

    “That was close,” said Jake. “I wonder how long this storm will last.”

    “Not long I hope,” said Lalita. “The cave opening looked like a mouth.”

    Jake laughed, then began shoving arrowheads, bone tools, beads, and jewelry into his backpack. “We can make a fortune on eBay with this stuff! I can’t believe it’s just sitting here after all this time.”

    Lalita shuddered and moved to the entrance. “Put those back.”

    “Finders keeper. The owners are long dead.”

    “I don’t care. It’s wrong. The rain stopped. Let’s go.” Lalita stepped outside. The sun was already out.

    “Jackpot!” said Jake. “A gold bracelet. Just need to get it off this old bone.”

    Thunder boomed. The ground rumbled and shook and a gust of air knocked Lalita down.  She turned, heart pounding. All that was left of the cave was a pile of rocks. With a groan, the mouth of the cave reopened. Lalita’s hands shook as she looked inside. No Jake, and the cavern was exactly as they had found it.

     

    Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Wolf Dawn and Star Touched.

    Wolf Dawn 13

     

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers. But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

     

     

     

     

     

    Startouched AL Kaplan

     

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers. Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends and herself.

  • The Day of Reckoning Has Arrived

    View the Star Touched Book Trailer Here

    For those of you who are really into the science in science fiction, here is what happened. If those kinds of details don’t interest you, just skip the rest of this paragraph. The meteor that hit earth in Star Touched was smaller than the nearly six-mile-wide meteor that scientist believe caused the dinosaur’s extinction, but not by much. Hitting in the Atlantic near the conjunction of three tectonic plates, this impact triggered massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Basically, it really shook things up in nearly the worst possible way. All those earthquakes caused numerous tsunamis, one of which smacked into the eastern America. Volcanic eruptions spewed tons of junk into the atmosphere.

    The Day of Reckoning and the days following devastated earth’s population, changed the coastline, and altered the climate. Were it not for clear sky day, it is unlikely life would have continued as we know it. It also created the star-touched, people capable of accessing incredible power.

    https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/11/dinosaurs-extinction-asteroid-chicxulub-soot-earth-science/

    https://www.psi.edu/epo/ktimpact/ktimpact.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicxulub_crater

    https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39922998

     

     Startouched front cover2

    STAR TOUCHED

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

     

     

  • Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 3 Days – An Interview of Tatiana from Star Touched

    Startouched front cover2

    Here is an interview of Tatiana, the main character in Star Touched, that The Wolf did a while back.

    Wolf: Welcome to Wolf Notes, Tatiana. If you could be any animal in the universe, what would it be and why?

    Tatiana: Thank you, Wolf. I’d love to be a bird. That way I could fly anywhere I wanted, feel the wind in my feathers as I soared through the air. I’d be free, with no worries.

    Wolf: That sounds nice. Any particular kind of bird?

    Tatiana: Swallows are pretty and graceful. I love the way they glide.

    Wolf: Sweet. Swallows are cool to watch. Would you consider yourself a cat person or a dog person?

    Tatiana: I love all animals, but I suppose I’m partial to dogs right now. Fifi is very important to me.

    Wolf: You mean that tiny poodle you’re bonded to?

    Tatiana: I’d rather not talk about her. Please ask a different question.

    Wolf: Sure. While walking through the woods you come upon…

    Tatiana: Wild blueberries, a whole field of them. There are also wild carrots, dandelions, cat tails, and all sorts of other yummy foods.

    Wolf: That sounds more like a grocery store. What is the strangest food you ever had?

    Tatiana: Food is food these days. Although I did see someone else eat, well… something I really don’t want to talk about. I mean I’ll eat almost anything, but not…that. I’d rather starve. Not that I would. I’m pretty good at finding food in the wild.

    Wolf: I’m not sure you really answered that one. Let’s try another. What do you do for fun?

    Tatiana: Surviving is very time consuming, so I don’t have much free time, but when I do, I love to read. Doesn’t matter what. Fiction, history, science… I just love books. When I read I can be anyone and go anywhere. It’s a wonderful escape and I learn things.

    Wolf: I agree. Books are pretty awesome. You’ve just been turned into a plant. Describe yourself.

    Tatiana: That’s a tough one. I don’t like the idea of staying in one place. My roots would need to be movable. More like legs.

    Wolf: A walking plant?

    Tatiana: Yes. With a forest green stem and bright-green heart-shaped leaves with a splash of blue. They could be made into a tea that would cure any disease. I’d also grow clusters of tasty and nutritious berries. Each would be enough to fill your belly for a day.

    Wolf: That sounds fantastic. Aren’t you worried people would hunt you down for those berries and leaves?

    Tatiana: Oh. I didn’t think of that. Can I change my answer to a small inedible red flower with no useful purpose?

    Wolf: Sorry. No take backs. There is a door at the end of a dark damp corridor. You hear rumbling. What do you do?

    Tatiana: Open the door and try to fix whatever machine is malfunctioning.

    Wolf: Are you a mechanic?

    Tatiana: No, but I’ve read lots of books on fixing things.

    Wolf: If you could choose any weapon, what would it be?

    Tatiana: Knowledge. I don’t like weapons or fighting.

    Wolf: If you could pick any super power, what would it be and why?

    Tatiana: None!

    Wolf: Really?

    Tatiana: I don’t want ANY special powers. I just want to be a normal person. I need to go now.

    Wolf: Wow, Tatiana ran out of here fast. If you want to know more about her, you’ll have to read Star Touched.

    Don’t forget to get your copy of Star Touched so you can learn more about Tatiana an her friends.

  • INFINITY

    20151205_101845 (2)Jacob stumbled to the pool and plunged his head into the water. Somewhere in the back of his mind a voice told him to take sips, but he ignored it, gulping in the tepid liquid. Then his stomach twisted and he heaved.

    Exhaustion and dehydration left him trembling in the blazing heat. Once his stomach settled he drank again, this time, small mouthfuls. He closed his eyes to ease the throbbing in his head. If only he could remember how he got here. Two days of wandering this endless, barren landscape and he still had no clue.

    A deep rumbling set his heart racing. An earthquake was the last thing he needed. He looked across the deep ravines that riddled the canyon. It went on forever. One of the giant plateaus swayed back and forth and a rock at the top swung around. Two beady black eyes stared at him.

    The breath caught in Jacob’s throat. It had to be heatstroke playing with his mind. Rocks didn’t have eyes. He dunked his head again, trying to ignore the sound of grinding stone.

    “Share,” said a booming voice.

    Jacob scrambled away from the pool, staring at the stone face above him, then waved the creature to the water. The giant tortoise drank deeply then blinked at him.

    “Remember,” said the tortoise.

    Tears filled Jacob’s eyes. His child, alone, in a locked car. A copper haze covered his vision then he woke to begin the cycle again.

  • Star Touched Cover Reveal

    Ah. The sweet smell of a new book. Just got my galley proof for Star Touched. I think the cover is awesome. What do you think?

    Startouched front cover2

    Fall 2017

    The world will never be the same.

  • AIN’T GOOD

    crow composit

    “Look at all them owls in that tree,” said Lowell. His jowls wobbled as he wiped sweat from his face with an already soaked and disgusting orange sleeve.

    Harvey wrinkled his nose. The putrid scent blowing down the hill wasn’t much worse than Lowell’s odor. If he didn’t still need the despicable little man, Harvey would have strangled him on sight.

    “They’re vultures,” said Harvey. “Owls ain’t up in daytime and don’t flock like that.”

    “Well they stink. I don’t wanna go this way.”

    “It’s this or rot in prison.”

    Lowell continued to whine. “You said you had a way out, a secret way.”

    “I do,” said Harvey, as he trudged to the top of the ridge and gazed at the vultures.

    Lowell joined him a moment later, gasping from the exertion, eyes closed. It was a full two minutes before Lowell opened his eyes and saw the partially decomposed bodies strewn under the tree. Their telltale orange jumpsuits marked them as prisoners. His meaty hands grasped Harvey’s arm.

    “Those are guys who supposedly escaped.” Lowell’s voice rose in pitch. “They’re dead! We’re gonna die!”

    “No, Lowell,” said Harvey. “WE ain’t gonna die.”

    Dozens of beady black eyes watched as Harvey cut Lowell’s throat and pushed him against the tree. Blood coated the bark, which began to glow.

    “Hurting little girls ain’t good, Lowell. Judge went too easy for what you did to my sister.”

    Harvey watch Lowell’s eyes widen as the birds descended then stepped through the portal.

  • A. L. Kaplan Wins Another Flash Fiction Challenge

    A. L. Kaplan is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature on Indies Unlimited.

     

     

     

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  • TREASURE’S KEEP

    Treaure ChestTaranto surveyed the old warehouse and shook his head. Random letters, squiggles, and a cartoon mummy decorated its surface. Hard to believe he loaded trucks here as a kid thirty years ago. The entire neighborhood was abandoned and crumbling.  At least the warehouse hadn’t been bulldozed.

    If only he’d stayed strait. He and his friends missed one little camera on their last heist, an important detail that got them ten years in prison. Taranto learned to keep his mouth shut in there. The other guys mouthed off too many times. Now the entire treasure was his.

    Roaches and rats scurried around as he stepped inside the old building. A sudden ripping sound made Taranto’s skin prickle. He paused and looked around. Seeing no one, he resumed counting paces. Strange shuffling noises increased with each step.

    Eager to find the money and the odd gold medallion hidden there, Taranto pushed his growing panic away and ran the map through his mind. Forty two steps from the door. Turn left. Walk another twelves steps. Sweat dripped down his back as he pried up the concrete slab and dug the box out of the gravel. His fingers caressed the old Egyptian medallion.

    “It’s about time you came back.”

    Taranto spun around. His chest felt like it was going to explode. The painted mummy from outside stood right behind him, arms crossed. He stumbled away from the cloth wrapped monster and tripped over the shovel. With his backside stuck in the newly dug hole, all he could do was flail his arms and legs as the mummy advanced. A scream caught in his throat.

    “Don’t wet yourself,” said the mummy, as he grabbed Taranto’s swinging hand and pulled him to his feet.

    Taranto’s legs felt like rubber. “But…But you’re a mummy.”

    “Darn fairytales,” mumbled the mummy. “I’m not going to eat you like a genie. Those guys are evil, really bad news. Mummies are nice guys. You have the medallion, so congratulations. You get three wishes. Make them count.”

     

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  • ANOTHER FLASH FICTION WIN

    A.L. Kaplan Wins Flash Fiction Challenge


    A.L. Kaplan is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature on their website.

  • WONDERFALL

    103

    “This is Wonderfall,” said Mark.

    The thirteen year old looked at the rushing water with a board expression. His lips twisted in an all too familiar grimace. “It’s a waterfall, Dad.”

    “But this one is special. Grandpa Jack took me here when I was ten. Best fishing in Maryland.”

    “You mean the same Grandpa Jack I never got to meet ‘cause you had a fight thirteen years ago? Dragging me to all these ‘special’ places isn’t going to bring him back.”

    Mark’s stomach clenched. This wasn’t the father son trip he’d envisioned. He and his dad had drifted apart, then had a big blow-up right before Jason was born. Now the same thing was happening with Jason.

    It seemed like yesterday Jason wanted to be a mini Mark. Then his mom died and everything changed. There had to be a way to keep history from repeating. Around them birds sang. Water cascaded over rocks, each splash of water a soothing balm. The two of them may as well have been worm eaten husks of oak, empty, disconnected.

    A pair of deer peered at them from across the stream, one full racked, the other single pronged.  Mark drew in a sharp breath. Even Jason stopped kicking stones. It felt like they were waiting for something.

    “You’re right, Jason,” said Mark. “I haven’t been listening. Let’s do something you like.

    ***

    “You think they got it?” said the smaller buck as Mark and Jason walked away.

    “I sure hope so, Jack.”