Octavia (eBook)

A Gabe the Guardian Story

J.D. Stevenson (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
132 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-1368-0 (ISBN)

Infos

Guardians Gabe and Jacob maintain possession of the bodies of Chase Reed and Bryan Barns. They navigate as human high-schoolers blending in while trying to locate and destroy the rift that is allowing an evil species known as The Regency to infiltrate earth. Along the way, they meet Octavia, a much older and more powerful guardian. Octavia has the power and ability to close the rift, but she just might have plans of her own that put Gabe, Jacob and all man kind in Jeopardy.

J.D. Stevenson 'J.D. Stevenson Likes to write all kinds of fictional stuff. Sometimes he co-writes fast-paced psychological thrillers (THE IRON RELIC BOOK I: THE CROSSING, THE IRON RELIC ORIGINS, and THE IRON RELIC BOOK II: REVELATIONS). Sometimes he writes about paranormal horror (THE ORB HUNTER [coming soon]). Sometimes he writes about inter-dimensional guardians, cryptids and saving humanity (GABE THE GUARDIAN STORIES [more are coming]). Once, he even wrote a beautifully illustrated talking point e-book for parents to talk to their children (WALTER THE EARTHWORM). He lives near Los Angeles, California.'

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In this second installment in the Gabe the Guardian Stories; Interdimensional Guardians Gabe and Jacob from the planet Ralonis maintain possession of the bodies of High School students Chase Reed and Bryan Barns in the year 1985. They navigate as human high-schoolers blending in while trying to locate and destroy the rift that is allowing an evil species known as The Regency to infiltrate earth and take over the minds of humans. Along the way, they meet Octavia, a much older and more powerful guardian. Octavia has the knowledge, power and ability to close the rift, but she just might have plans of her own that put Gabe, Jacob and all man kind in Jeopardy.

Textauszug

Chapter 1

Embracing the Ordinary

Two days had passed since Guardians Gabe and Jacob took possession of the bodies of Chase Reed and Bryan Barns. Gabe’s thirty-nine-year imprisonment inside the body of Chase Reed within another timeline allowed his transition into human form to be seamless. Jacob was slowly yet surely starting to get the hang of being human. The initial shock he received by experiencing human senses such as touch, taste, and smell for the first time was starting to wear off. Jacob’s ability to maneuver Bryan’s body was improving, although Bryan’s parents noticed a definite difference in what they thought was their son’s behavior.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Bryan’s room. He stirred awake, his body sinking deeper into the plush blankets that cocooned him. The softness enveloped him like a cloud, each layer whispering comfort he hadn’t fully appreciated before.

He pushed the covers aside, the fabric sliding off his skin. A shiver raced down his spine as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet meeting the cool wooden floor. The sensation jolted him into clarity.

Bryan stood and stretched, every muscle responding with a satisfying ache. He padded across the room and paused in front of the bathroom door, taking a moment to gather himself.

The fluorescent lights flickered on, illuminating the small space, as he stepped inside. The mirror reflected a boy on the cusp of manhood with tousled blond hair and sleepy blue eyes staring back at him.

He turned on the faucet and let warm water cascade from the showerhead, steam filling the air with an inviting humidity. The tiles beneath his feet grew slick as he stepped inside, feeling droplets splatter against his skin.

The water washed over him like a cleansing wave, eroding remnants of sleep and dreams that lingered in his mind. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting the water flow freely over his face. A sense of clarity emerged with each drop—fresh beginnings in every heartbeat.

As he grabbed the soap and lathered it between his hands, he focused on the sensations: smooth suds gliding over his skin, the invigorating scent of citrus filling his lungs. Each moment felt alive, pulsing with energy.

Bryan finished rinsing off and turned off the water with a decisive click. Steam clung to him as he stepped out onto the rug; drops trickled down his arms as he reached for a towel hanging nearby.

He dried off quickly but carefully—each movement intentional—as if savoring every second spent in this simple act of preparing for what lay ahead.

With one last glance in the mirror, he brushed aside damp strands of hair from his forehead and headed back into his room to choose clothes for the day.

Bryan walked to his dresser. He pulled open the top drawer, anticipation fluttering in his chest. Because he pulled with more force than was necessary, the drawer slid out quickly, tipped over, and crashed to the floor. Underwear scattered like fallen leaves, creating a chaotic blanket on the wooden boards.

“Great,” Bryan muttered under his breath. He knelt down and began to gather the garments. One pair of boxers caught his eye—a familiar blue with little yellow stars—and he quickly slipped it on, feeling the soft fabric settle comfortably around his waist.

He carefully folded the remaining underwear and neatly placed it back into the drawer with quick motions, stacking it with care. The drawer wobbled as he pushed it back into place, but at least it was organized now.

Bryan turned to another drawer and gently pulled it open. Three rows of stacked and folded white socks stared back at him, their cotton fabric promising comfort for the day ahead. He grabbed a pair and pulled them on, feeling the snug fit wrap around his ankles.

With a sense of accomplishment growing inside him, he approached the third drawer. The wooden handle creaked as he opened it wider and scanned through various options: Jeans, cargo shorts, and sweatpants all vied for attention. He selected a pair of white shorts—lightweight and perfect for a day of adventure.

After pulling on the shorts, Bryan felt ready to take on whatever awaited him outside those four walls. He glanced back at himself in the mirror above his dresser, running a hand through his hair once more before stepping toward his closet. The closet door creaked slightly as he opened it wide.

“Let’s see . . . ” he mumbled softly to himself.

Bryan stood in front of his closet for several minutes, staring at the array of shirts hanging neatly in a row. Each one promised a different mood, a different version of himself. He reached out, letting his fingers glide over the fabric, feeling the textures beneath his touch.

Cotton, linen, blends—some sleeves were soft as whispers, while others felt stiff and coarse against his skin. He picked up a faded blue polo shirt, its fabric worn from countless washes. It had a comforting familiarity that tugged at him like an old friend.

With a gentle motion, he ran the sleeve across his face, savoring the softness against his skin. The cool cotton brushed against his cheek, igniting a simple joy that made him smile. It was just a shirt, yet it held memories—lazy afternoons spent with Chase and laughter that echoed through summer days.

“Bryan! Breakfast is ready!” His mother’s voice drifted up from downstairs, cutting through the peaceful moment.

He pulled himself away from the closet’s embrace and settled on the blue polo. He slipped it over his head and tugged it down into place, feeling its comfort envelop him like a hug.

With a final glance in the mirror to adjust his collar and smooth out wrinkles, he took a breath to center himself before heading downstairs. Each step down the staircase resonated with anticipation as he navigated the familiar creaks in the wood.

The aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly toasted bread wafted through the air, drawing him closer to the kitchen like a moth to flame. Bryan paused for just a moment at the bottom step, inhaling deeply; scents danced around him in an inviting symphony that promised warmth and connection.

He rounded the corner into the kitchen, where sunlight spilled across the table set for three. His father was seated at the table, focused intently on the sports section of the Sunday paper he held in his hands. His mother stood by the stove, flipping pancakes with deft movements while humming softly to herself.

“Good morning!” she chirped without turning around. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving,” he replied with an easy grin as he settled onto one of the wooden chairs.

She turned to face him then, wiping her hands on her apron before dishing out pancakes onto plates with practiced ease.

“Your favorite,” she said, placing one plate in front of him with a flourish.

The sight of fluffy pancakes topped with syrup made Bryan’s mouth water as he glanced up at her—an unspoken question hung in the air between them about the accident, and more importantly what had changed in Bryan’s behavior over the past two days.

She caught his gaze for just a moment longer than usual before her smile faltered slightly. The room buzzed with unvoiced thoughts that flickered behind her eyes as she returned to her task.

Bryan dug into his pancakes, the fluffy goodness melting on his tongue. The syrup drizzled down, pooling on his plate like liquid gold. He raised the fork to his mouth, ready to take another bite, when he misjudged the angle and stabbed the inside of his cheek instead.

A sharp yelp escaped him, startling both parents. Pain flared in his mouth as he dropped the fork onto the plate with a clatter.

“What is wrong with you?” His father lowered the newspaper, brows furrowing in concern.

Bryan grimaced and pressed a hand to his mouth. He felt that he had to come up with a plausible excuse. He didn’t want to admit that he had just stabbed himself with a fork because he was still learning how to control his hand–eye coordination. One excuse came to mind, one that he, Jacob the Guardian, had heard humans use before when their mouths were in pain. “I bit my tongue,” he mumbled through clenched teeth, feeling the sting pulse against his cheek.

His father exchanged a glance with his mother, who had turned from her post at the stove, spatula poised in midair. Concern creased her forehead as she took a step closer.

“Are you okay?” she asked, eyes wide with worry.

“Yeah,” Bryan said, attempting a reassuring smile that only stretched half-heartedly across his face. He rubbed at the spot where pain throbbed, wishing it would subside faster.

His father released a loud, slow sigh and leaned back in his chair, shaking his head slowly as if weighing an unspoken worry. The newspaper slipped from his grasp and lay forgotten on the table.

“Be careful,” he muttered gruffly before returning to scanning Bryan’s face for signs of anything else amiss.

Bryan...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 1.9.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Science Fiction
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-1368-0 / 9798317813680