Thanks dogdeity. I'm working on the whole short story thing, as I'm used to writing the longer stuff that looks better in print. This is one of those stories that seems jumpy in the beginning, and then comes clear in the end(yet to come). I always thought it made for a more interesting plot, not to mention that the re-reads provide a great deal more for the reader.

Thanks honeygloom! I only wish I could edit the work I publish here to make a few modifications. Perhaps I'll simply publish the modified version too.

@Diana: Thanks-I think! I'll get write on it.

@mrwolfley: Thanks! It's always a good boost to know when you're on the right track.

@dkk4510: Thank you! I wish they included an edit feature so I could fix those little slips that I didn't catch. I'm always too impatient to let a story sit long enough to give it a proper rest before the edit. :)

Once again, very nice work nash. I'll be waiting to see where this one goes.

Wow, this one really caught me up quick. I haven't read anything like that in a while. Great work. I vote a 5.

Thanks for the comments Katrina. I see what you mean about the officer; in the unlikely event that my chapter is chosen to continue the contest, the though had crossed my mind that someone might wish to elaborate further or use the character to bring the plot together. There's always the chance that it was nothing more than a distraction, however. Something to keep the reader guessing a bit. Because, after all, the best stories are ones that take you places you never saw coming.

Thanks for the comments chloe. It's wonderful to know that people enjoy my writing.

Beautifully done! This flows nicely with the first two chapters, and I especially liked the humor. Adding the backstory with the Priest also gave it a nice, three-dimensional aspect while introducing a villanous character. I thought it might have gone a bit long in a place or two, but not to the extent that it detracted from anything. This is a fantastic chapter.