Good battles with evil.

Does evil exist? We all know it does although we'd rather not face the fact. Some say the fallen angel Lucifer began the trend by arguing against the creator. A story in the bible shows a snake tempting Eve, which led to mankind's present state of lying and therefore evil deeds.

I say it's all about balance. 

When something goes wrong (evil) we need to adjust our thinking. This leads to growth.

An example would be like this excerpt from my novel, Tidal Surge. Click here for link to Amazon. Just released:

The dashboard in her sight faded. Liliha struggled for breath in a sudden searing wind before inhaling the familiar lily perfume. A dizzy sensation spun her out of control and sucked her into the aperture.

* * * *

I shrug off my reluctance. My experience helps to take in the urban surroundings without the fuzzy edges making me dizzy. The colorful lights of a large city glow in the distance. Below, a young boy, approximately eight years old, stumbles along a paved area beside a sheet of illuminated water.

Concerned, I observe while descending. His steps take him close to tree limbs. He veers over a paved area to lurch toward the edge of the river protected by a metal fence where he staggers and falls.

Wondering if he's ill, I dive close to see a cute little Japanese face with spiky hair. He shouldn't be out alone during the night. I notice new white trainers. Someone must care for him. A half-empty bottle of sake protrudes from his coat pocket. Blood covers his knuckles and dots the front of his clothing.

He must have been in a fight. Where would a child pick up a bottle of alcohol? Desperate to help, I bond with him. I can't believe what I learn. Small for his age at twelve years old, Daiki mugs people. He stole those trainers. Underneath the recent memories, I discover other acts of terror on many more people—a total of seventeen in all. Each fills him with self importance.

Rather than judge society, I wonder what sort of life has led him to this point. He needs emotional help as well as physical. I must rescue his body if not his mind. I disengage from the small dazed boy and search the street.

Footsteps echo in the dark, revealing a man and woman walking together.

With a puff, I direct their attention to the boy's slumped form.

Mobile in hand, the man calls an ambulance.

Finished here, I slip into the void.

* * * *

Liliha shuddered. The child, with the face of a cherub, possessed the mind of a devil. Once Daiki was admitted to hospital, she hoped the authorities would find out what he'd done and provide counseling. Although she couldn't save him, other innocent people would be protected from further mischief while he took in whatever help he could handle.

Here’s a blurb:

Wearing her magic ring during visions, an idealist battles against her nemesis and discovers her own daughter is trapped by an evil scarab-bracelet.

If not for evil, we would carry on making the same mistakes, never aware of our own wrongdoing. 

I like to think I'm one of the good people. Every now and again in the past, my husband has pulled me up about my attitude toward him. I've been thoughtless or not given him credit for what he's done. After careful consideration, I apologize, adjust my thinking and restore calm to my own little paradise.

Partners all have these little tussles. Just remember to take the positive from every situation.

Can you guess what the novel is about?

Here's the contest for this holiday weekend:

 First, read this short excerpt.
 
Ebb Tide

Chapter One.

Miles of suburban houses and buildings flashed past the window on the return journey from the airport. Lulled by the rocking motion of the passenger train, Liliha's mind drifted. How could she carry on after Oliver's murder? They'd only been married for six months. When her stinging eyes promised a flow of tears, she gazed down. Shielded from unwanted curiosity by her curtain of long dark locks, rapid heaving in her chest linked with the stomach-clenching spasms of sobs which threatened to explode. Her body swayed on the vibrating seat while she gained control of her breathing.

Finally, she darted a glance at the other passengers.

To stave off another tremor of grief, she tilted the moonstone ring on her right hand. The asterism, an optical effect inside the crystal, caught the flash of the star imprisoned at the beginning of creation. Liliha sympathized, confined as she was in the train hurtling towards Cornwall.

After protecting the ring with her other hand, her glance slid over the row of passengers opposite. Interest flicked in a man's eyes before he dropped his head.

Repelled by his furtive expression and scarred cheek, she acknowledged how unprotected she must seem. She shouldn't have worn the ring.

~~~ 

Judging from this beginning, say what you expect to happen in my latest, unpublished novel.

I'll give a pdf copy of Still Rock Water to a random comment. Make them as weird, funny or sensible as you like.