That Summer Nevermore.

                                                            A Novela by Anthony Wayne Kalberg     

                                                                                     Prologue                                                                                                 

             The bloodstains had faded. Their memories had not. As Carsten looked down at the worn, concrete sidewalk, the horrid memories of Lady Blanche’s crumpled body seeped forward from the dark recesses of his mind. The bell in the clock tower atop Ambrose Hall pealed the hour, its tubular ditty dancing with the morning sunlight, just as it had fifty years ago when her body had been discovered, her azure-blue eyes opened and coated with the sheen of death.

            Carsten looked up from the sidewalk, and there before him lay an avenue of ancient oaks lining the manicured lawn of his old alma mater. Like the long grey beards of ancient philosophers, the moss in the trees hung low over flowerbeds overflowing with lush blue hydrangeas, scarlet roses, and multi-colored zinnias. The campus of Mt. Moriah United Methodist College was indeed lovely and inviting. And now, it was hosting a 50th Anniversary for the Graduating Class of 1975. From the college’s band, 1970s music echoed across the campus. When the strains of “The Way We Were” captured Carsten’s attention, a bittersweet smile creased his somewhat wrinkled face as salty tears formed in his captivating, jade-green eyes. He then heard a familiar voice, not as strong and grating as it had once been but still commanding—as was Mavis Jenkins… (To be continued.)