BJ Kurtz
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What if there are beings in this world who feed off the weaknesses of any human until there is nothing left? Madison never questioned the events in her life. She never asked why an apparent model citizen committed the evilest of crimes. She was happy. That is until the day her life-long friend, David, committed suicide. Unanswered questions overwhelmed her mind until four years later when a man would enter her life.
But this is no ordinary man. He is the Lord of Nightmares, part of a supernatural species conducting the ultimate game of wit with human pawns. Madison will find the answers to her questions, but these answers come at a price. When what is at stake is her soul, Madison has no room for error as she enters a game against the lord, best of his kind. She soon pairs with a group of the “Lost,” humans unable to finish their game so they fight off the inevitable outcome of transforming into the creatures they hate. Their only hope is that they can help Madison win her game before their final life is taken and they are transformed into the creatures they hate. Before the game is over, Madison will come to understand that only one question is worth asking: will I survive?
B.J. Kurtz is the author of The Curse of Atlantis. Currently employed as a math teacher at Buena High School, B.J. resides in Sierra Vista, Arizona. She discovered her passion for writing while doing weekly writing assignments in the sixth grade and has been hooked on the craft of storytelling ever since. She is an associate member of the Society of Southwestern Authors and is currently working on the sequel to her first book.
The Lord of Nightmares made his way to the stage. He stepped onto it then turned his back to the throne. It was twice as tall as he was, the back made of golden poles that were twisted together like a vine. It seemed to be reaching up toward heaven, like a lost soul begging for freedom from the fires of hell. He sat on the seat and placed his hands on the armrests. It was a perfect fit, as if the throne had been made for him. The chair brought the power of his position to the surface. Before, he was just an alien with the name lord. Now, he was the Lord of Nightmares. He raised a hand slightly, motioning her to stand before his stage. She did what he wished, not wanting to anger him again—she was quite sure a second time would not end with just an evil look.
“I wish to play a game with you, Madison,” he declared.
What? Madison half expected him to pull out a game of demonic monopoly. In all the childish nightmares of her youth, she never envisioned the boogeyman jumping out of her closet one dark night and screaming, “Let’s play twister!” There was something about it that didn’t ring true to the whole demon persona he was evoking. Madison studied this “Lord of Nightmares” with an uneasy eye. It couldn’t be that simple…it was never that simple. “What do you mean?” she asked after a moment.
The smile that came to his lips confirmed her suspicions. This was not a game of monopoly. Oh, no. This was a game of cat and mouse. She had a feeling she was not the cat in this scenario.
“The fear of God strikes sinners at Midnight. Be weary of these Lost, their lives dangle on the Bell. Amongst them is an Ace, wearing a martyr’s badge. But don’t think to die for this Ace without the right of passage. Above all things, remember Silver can only get you so far. For even a cat is limited in the attempt to cheat death.”
Madison stared blankly at this imitation of human life before her. What did he just say? What did it mean? Madison couldn’t even find the words to respond. How could she when she didn’t even understand what he said—beyond the point of it being English words in an order that appeared to be sentences?
The Lord of Nightmares laughed. “The point is to decode the meaning, Madison, and then act on it.”
All Madison could do was nod.
“Win the game and you can go home.” He paused, his eyes seeming to consume her. “Lose it and you are home.”
Madison felt an artic chill fill her body. What had she gotten herself into? She stared at him for a moment. “If I refuse?” she asked, desperate for the opportunity to back out.
He smiled. “Refusal is not an option, Madison.” His smile faded, his pupils seeming to narrow into slits. “Should you choose to become Lost, that is your choice. You won’t be alone. Just know the consequence is to exist until the inevitable arrives.”
“The loss of the game.”
“Very good, Madison. You catch on quickly.”
“And I’m guessing the cat line in your riddle implies I have nine chances to accomplish my goal.”
His eyes twinkled with a childish delight as a cryptic smile formed on his lips. “You will be a great competitor, Madison.”
