Nocomus Columbus' Silo Saga: Silo 34 - The Horror of Being Alone... of Isolation... Separation...

"There’s one rule in life.   That’s it.   Rule number one, the only rule, the golden rule; No one goes below level 34.   He broke the rule.   I tried, did everything in my power to stop him.   I even followed the old man down, followed him until I couldn’t follow any further."



Silo Saga:
Silo 34

By Nocomus Columbus

Nocomus Columbus introduced me to what I could assume is a cult following for Hugh Howey... This has been opened up via the Internet that permits Fan Fiction to be created. Hurrah, something good should come from this because the U.S. has definitely been fan oriented for many years! I've never heard of Howey, but that really doesn't matter, because the fiction created has no real or legal relationship to what is, has been, or will be created by this author. It is merely a "take-off" from a concept favored by the new author and used to create something all his own...

Nocomus got on the Silo Saga with two short stories in one book, selling for just 99 cents. There are many others writing in the Saga series so if you enjoy short stories and this concept, check it out! I might even submit some from me! LOL...cool idea!

Now Nocomus writes somewhat weird stuff, if you've read him before. I've become one of his fans since I enjoy the unique, the conceptual landscape that is created from just one word: Silo...

What if you lived in a silo? Perhaps the world outside has been contaminated from some of the horrendous toxins or warfare used these days? Or perhaps you came into a life that was in fear of nuclear war and the silo was prepared for that event, like the old days of underground shelters? Or, perhaps there is a perfect world outside full of sunshine, but you were born in a silo and have never left because others living in that silo warned against leaving...

silo (Photo credit: Krebs' Class)

You would never know what was real, would you?


Jonah is gone now. He was the last one in Silo 34 other than me. I'm 13...

Now what am I supposed to do?

“I already told you!”, the old man growled.

"What do you mean?   This?”   

13 held up the letter. 

"Yeah! Now piss off boy!” 

13 held up the letter, irritated with Jonah, 

but frightened at the same time.  

“’ Dear 13.   Goodbye.   Jonah.’”  

~~~

Jonah had been the only person in 13's life for all his life. Jonah had tried to teach him as much as he could--as much as he knew...

But, that didn't mean much when 13 was alone...

Before he left, Jonah had started talking about somebody else in the Silo, asking 13 if he saw him. Each time he looked, 13 answered "no."

Finally, he lied and told him yes--that he would keep watching so that Jonah could sleep now.

Of course the silo was so big that if one of them left and went to explore other parts of the silo, above level 34, they could lose each other, maybe for hours. If more than 4 went by, 13 would go look for Jonah.

Of course, also, they didn't know how long 4 hours were, or whether it was night or day. But when they didn't know, they created their own body schedule for sleeping and eating...

But now Jonah was gone...

You know when 13 lied about not seeing that other person in the silo? Well there really was somebody there.

Her voice came to him...



Part II - Solipsism

In this life we are given one birth and one death. 
That is all that is certain. 
“What a mess”, Jimi shook his head, a head full of question devoid of answer.
Clifton worried about the big man. The way he carried himself had changed. 
His broad shoulders hung lower, like he was gradually sinking into the silo. 
Aren’t we all sinking?
Jimi- a man built to endure. Not built for this horror. No one is.
“You ever seen anything…” Clifton started to ask, before being cut off. 
“No” Jimi kept his gaze locked on the body on the floor. 
Clifton wasn’t sure if Jimi answered his question, or if “No” just meant that there would be no conversation. 
Either way, he decided not to push it. 
While Jimi knelt down to study the body, Clifton’s eyes were drawn elsewhere.
~~~

Clifton and Jimi had never seen the dead man before. Where and how could a stranger be here? They would notify the cleanup crew, but knew they wouldn't do anything... They never did...

It appeared to be suicide again--11 in 4 months... Suicide had occurred before, but never this many. Something must have happened, but what?

Clifton went to where he lived and read until Janis came. Since Clifton was always reading, she asked him whether it was another philosophy book. He told her he was reading Solipsism. That God didn't exist and neither did she... In fact, he didn't know anything about the past since that was only what was from his imagination.

Janis was not impressed, of course...

But Her Voice came to him later that night. Fortunately Janis woke him...

It had been 12 years ago when they had found Clifton deep within the silo...he didn't know who he was nor how long he had been where they found him...

Then in the midst of a large group of silo dwellers at a dance, she asked him if he was ready... To Go Outside...

Columbus' writing makes you think. He demands that you enter into the world that he has created for you. If you do not go willingly, he will not force you. If you are not willing, you may rate his books low. For those who go willingly, he shares with readers about feelings, internal feelings that you may not wish to face. For someone like me, who is alone most of my days, I know of what he writes. For some it will be frightening. For me, the silo is a version of my cabin. I love being alone in my cabin. Can you deal with isolation? If not, you'll find living in his silo a strange place, a horrible place--a place where some commit suicide because of where they live.

If you lived in the silo, would you create an outside world?

Perhaps Nocomus' world is that outside world... Would you stay?

Much to ponder, much to consider... Nocomus Columbus has a unique style of writing that is edgy, unorthodox but his work is well-written... I visited the Silo 34 'cause I'm a fan. But there were too many silo-dwellers partying, so I left to head home... LOL  Try his latest and let me know what you think...

GABixlerReviews

See Also:

http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2013/06/nocomus-columbus-spits-out-new-food.htmlhttp://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheav

http://gabixlerpersonalopinion.blogspot.com/2013/05/nocomus-columbus-street-lit-whips-up.html?zx=b96accaacc3c905f

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The Beatles Last Album Molded Around Family Saga by Chad Gayle... "Awesome!"

..."But for now, now that the song is ending, it's enough to nurture what she has,

the memories that will always be hers.

"It's enough to let it be."

~~~

Let It Be

Chad Gayle

Even if this novel is not based somewhat on an actual family, readers will feel that it is... Primarily written by the mother, although both the daughter and son take over as well. For instance the daughter opens the novel with a...simple?...fact...

"When my brother was ten years old, he almost killed a man..."

 It is never easy to decide to proceed with a divorce, even if you have an abusive husband. Most times it's about the children and how it will affect them.

It was no different for Michelle when she filed for divorce and moved to a home near her brother. 

It was the year that The Beatles' last album came out. Michelle had fallen in love with their music, even though she could only afford that one album, which she played all the time...

But when her husband lost his job, he pawned many of Michelle's personal belongings, including that album...

"One After 909" reminded me of their situation since Bill was the type of abuser that could be very nice, apologize, ask forgiveness, be much more involved...and then would go back to his old habits. Michelle had left one other time, but had not taken the kids. Bill told Joseph that this was just like the other time, that Michelle would come back to him and they would be together again...

"There's a track on Let It Be called "One After 909," a groovy tune about a guy who's trying to get with a girl that's on a train he can't seem to catch. To a thirteen-year-old girl like me, it seemed like a cool number, even though it was old news, and I had fun with it whenever it was on; I thought it was a great song. Joseph hated it, however; for my little brother, "One after 909" was a meaningless, worthless lyric that wasn't about anything, that was nothing but a ruse, and he was willing to argue this point for hours, which should tell you something about my brother. He was a smart kid, but he was a smart kid who could be ruthlessly stubborn when he was convinced that he was right and that someone else was wrong...

And that is part of the reason he got into big trouble...

"Get back, you stupid turd!" she shouts.

"I call Joseph's name and he stomps into my room, muttering to himself.

"What happened?"

"He shoves his hands in his pockets. "Pam kicked me."

"Why did she do that?"

"Because I pushed her..."

"Bill used to spank them whenever there was any punching or kicking, regardless of who punched or kicked first. That always bothered me, but I couldn't say anything about it; if I did, he told me that I didn't know how to discipline the kids..."

Joseph was very interested in all things related to astronomy, as well as art. His mother would take him to the library to get him the adult books that he would study and then draw...But he loved his father and he wanted the family to stay together, or, if it didn't, his father talked to him about living with him... He talked to him many times, asking questions to keep up with the family events...and more...He was also calling Michelle at work for which she'd gotten in trouble. Her boss was quite demonstrative in explaining how to just hang up whenever he

called... 

  

 "Now, I realize that some of the women who work here are going to go to the powder room every fifteen minutes, but I can allow that. And I can excuse some of the others for spending half an hour of each and every morning gossiping like a lot of chickens in a henhouse...But what I cannot abide, what I will not stand for, are women who make personal calls from this building while the salesmen up are doing their damnedest to make the sales that pay your wages. The first tear rolls down my cheek... "My husband, sir. My ex-husband." I try holding my breath, but it doesn't help; I hate myself for letting this happen, for crying like a child...I've asked him to stop calling me. I tell him every time, Mr. Maxwell...

"So it's his fault? Is that what you're saying?"  Of course it's his fault. I want to get up on the desk and say this over and over again, proclaiming it to the world, but I only shake my head...

~~~

Home wasn't any better because Michelle had to leave Pam in charge after school and when she had to leave for a short time. Joseph was getting upset, especially when Pam made a friend and spent more time with her. But then when Bill was due to pick them up, it really started and before long Bill had punched Michelle in the stomach...and more...

"Then I hear Bill's voice behind me, and I turn around as he comes through the gate.

"I've had it with you, you crazy bitch."

"He punches me in the stomach, hard, and I fall. I watch him stretch over me as he blots out the sky. I can't see his hands, but he's pressing down on me, and he has me pinned to the ground. He's crushing me, and I grab at the earth, but all I can find is mud that I dig through with frantic fingers. I reach out for the face that I hate, smearing wet silt over his nose, his round cheeks, and this his hands are at my throat, squeezing my throat so hard that I have to cough but can't."

"The outline of his face begins to blur..."

~~~

While, at the same time, Michelle had started dating Dan...who was the sales manager where she worked...

But Bill had quite a different plan for Michelle...and he was quite willing to involved his son...

The totally surprising ending of this novel is one that could not easily be projected. The first page gave us a hint, but I never picked up on what that could mean. And in the end, Michelle could only say...Let It Be...

Beatles Fans? A must-read recommendation! For me, there were a number of these songs I had never heard. I was able to totally get into the book and, only later, added the music. So don't worry if you, too, don't recognize the song/chapter headings. The mother's love of the music is an integral part, but the story line will have totally pulled readers in so that those who don't know the music will not miss understanding the novel. Still, I hope that including the vids will help you enjoy this extraordinary story of a family who is...no more... all wrapped up in music...

GABixlerReviews

About this author

Chad Gayle is a photographer and writer who has written for literary journals, trade publications, 

and newspapers. Previously, Chad worked for Poetry Magazine in Chicago and taught English 

at several colleges including Texas A&M University. 

Born in Texas, Chad lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and two children; Let It Be is his debut novel.

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• Let It Be

JCGardner Provides Family Saga Like No Other...

Image by Scuolesancarlo via Flickr

Not even the cosmetics sold by
Jarconni International could cover
the sins of the family...

"Thanks be to God for the ability to tell a story, for we know all stories ain't pretty."--JCGardner


Sinful Liaisons


By JC Gardner









The Jarconni family, owner and operators of an international, multi-million dollar spa and cosmetic company, earns the spotlight in a complex intriguing drama--one that will pull you in quickly and keep you reading until the shocking ending. Readers keep hoping that love will win out, but what if that love is based upon sinful liaisons...then perhaps...

"The nurse stared at the doctor in disbelief. Nurse Hilton would not let the issue rest," Nurse Hilton persisted, "I was in the delivery room with you when..."
Dr. Tonak became infuriated. "You are fired! Pack your things and get the hell out of this hospital.

Lewis Jarconni was still head of  Jarconni, International, but he had hoped that his son, David would now be nearing the time to take over. Instead, David had never really even held a position there, refusing to work for the money he constantly wasted. On the other hand, Carol, Lewis' daughter, had been actively involved with the company and was now in charge of public relations and advertising and, as far as she was concerned, would one day head Jarconni.

In fact, knowing that David was the assumed heir to the company, she had begun her own private campaign, providing special "favors" to many influential people who could help her. And, if that didn't work, using a tape recorder allowed a little "pressure" to be placed on those individuals...


Perhaps Danielle had the necessary influence to have David consider his role with the company... Danielle was a top model who had been selected to represent Jarconni. While she worked for Carol, when she saw David in the elevator one day and received his immediate attention, she happily disagreed with Carol and allowed David to stay and  watch the shoot...

The love they shared grew, it was real and soon David could not think of being without her...

Neither of them were aware that Danielle's brother had a history with David, one that involved drugs and David's usual response to trouble--moving fast and getting out, even if others were hurt or killed. Carol's brother had tried to get her out of the relationship, without explaining their background, but Danielle saw what she wanted to see--a wonderful man who would someday owned Jarconni International.

But what actually forced David to finally go to work was blackmail. He either would work, or he would go to jail:

"Nicole stared at David and wondered where she went wrong. "I don't think your father is planning on bailing you out of this one. He plans on leaving you locked up. He is even thinking about allowing you to go to trial and the whole nine yards."
..."David, I think I have the answer."
..."Well, you go and work for your father and learn the business so that you can take his place the way he wants you to. You learn to run Jarconni International and make a decent life for yourself....I know your father would have a change of heart if he thought you were ready to turn your life around."

Nicole's guidance would start the war between her children, ending with the death of one of them...and so much more...

I kept hoping, right up to the end, that things would work out, that there would be some salvation for this family. Only Nicole had been blameless, not knowing of the past until it was too late. Would she have forced David to work at Jarconni if she had known? Or had, really, she loved her children too much and not taken the time to see their true character?

One bright spot in all of the liaisons was a minor character who worked as head of security in Jarconni. Not only had he changed his life around because he knew he had met the right woman for him, but many, many years later, she came back into his life and he swore she would not get away this time. Watch for this little subplot and enjoy!

There is much to learn about life from Sinful Liaisons... What is fantastic is that you really won't realize that until you have completed the book! The drama is fast-paced, totally believable and relevant to today's world, spotlighting a love that was pure and innocent in itself, but unable to be fulfilled within the outside reality in which it lived. Truly memorable and highly recommended. Click on the title of this article to connect with this new author at Facebook... I'm already looking forward to seeing how she can "top" this one!

Book Received Via
Author Marketing Experts, Inc.


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