"Damn it all to hell and back, Son, but I think you out did yourself tonight," the Orleans County Sheriff said while chewing on a heap of chaw and amongst the flashing lights of seven cop cars. "Yep, out did yourself plenty. I know this is old hat to you boys back in the city, but back here folks ain't as crazy unless you boys run'em out this way," he added before walking past Reed into the house and the dead body inside.

Reed tried to hold his tongue and hold still at the same time as an EMT worked on his neck. His seat in the door of an ambulance was not the most comfortable place to be, regardless of whether an old, country Sheriff was pissed off and complaining. The night hadn't turned out as expected, he'd been shot in the neck, and the last thing he needed was more aggravation.

"Well, I don't think he'll be elected cheerful cop of the year anytime soon," the EMT said in a low voice.

Reed chuckled, knowing the statement was funny, but he felt anything but jovial.

"This might sting a little," the EMT said as he started to clean the wound on Reed's neck. Reed keep as still as the alcohol based solution infiltrated his tissue, and gauze brushed across his exposed flesh.

"Well, how's it look?" Reed asked, his eyes squinted in pain.

The EMT placed a large square of gauze onto the wound to seal it, making Reed's body jump a little as lightening bolts of pain shot from his neck down his arm.

For more, go to Episode 40: Proper Motivation.

I've not got too much to complain about in life. I'm about eight months pregnant and (knock on wood) everything is going great. Don't ask my husband whether or not I complain, because he will say that I do all the time, and he's probably right. But I have a pretty good excuse. I'm getting to the uncomfortable point now, so don't mess with me.

Today I'm sitting in jury duty. At some point in my life, I'd really like to serve. Because of my profession, though, any plaintiff attorney would be crazy to pick me. I probably have a pretty big bias against people who file lawsuits. I know there are deserving plaintiffs out there, but in most lawsuits with which I deal, I am very doubtful that I've found them. People too often deny person responsibility and/or blame someone not truly at fault for the problem. People who don't deserve to be involved get sucked up into lawsuits and it can be a signficant blow to them personally.

I think I could be fair when presented with a set of specific facts, but I also know that I have a bias. And right now, I'm physically uncomfortable and I have some business matters that a long jury trial would complicate. So I'd like to defer my service this time. We'll see what happens and if justice is served one way or another.

If you enjoy The DarkSide, we have two other stories available for the masses here at ShumanCreative. The first is a story written by Alice titled On Gossamer Wings. It is a healthy twenty-four episodes and is a complete story arc/novel.

On Gossamer Wings is a science fiction tale in the style of episodic television programs such as Star Trek and Babylon 5. With the expansion of humans into the solar system, Earth and its citizens must deal with exciting and dangerous new challenges. New heroes will be born and new tales will make Earth's history.

Click on the link above to take flight On Gossamer Wings.

Also available here is Gossamer: An Online Serial. This story was a web drama Alice wrote with Joel for seven years off and on. There are 108 episodes.

Gossamer is an online serial in the tradition of periodically published stories and classic nighttime television soaps. Tune in to see what transpires in this town of destructive forces and dynamic citizens, where anything can happen. Murder, deceit, natural disaster, or supernatural phenomenon: nothing is forbidden.

Click the link above to visit Gossamer.