Chapter 1

We’ve just seen it. We saw The Spec-wearing specter!

This message flashed on the screen of Nifter Kent’s handheld. He had just cracked a beer and bit into a tangerine to peel; dinner for the late-twenty-something.

Kent considered the text as he slumped like a sinewy crooner in the spotlight of track lighting which illuminated his contemporary kitchen.

The backdrop was the steel of his appliances juxtaposed with the exposed brick of the accent wall. He thought, upon purchase, the brick was a little cliche. The loft’s building used to house a textile manufacturer which made cloth for various work uniforms, mostly coveralls. He kept the brick and settled for a denim tapestry in the living area as homage.

The text’s sender was his best friend since elementary school, Holly Balzer.

“Exclamation point,” Nifter said to himself as he cocked one eyebrow quizzically.

Balzer, or “Holls Balls” (childhood nickname turned…