Introducing Chaotic Ocean, a brand new work of imagination!
"If you like J.D. Salinger, J.K. Rowling, Oscar Wilde, J.R.R. Tolkien, H.P Lovecraft, Kurt Vonnegut, C.S. Lewis, Alexander Dumas, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, William Shakespeare, Dan Brown... then this is for you!"
Chaotic Ocean - 262 pages, see below
Lulu.com (paperback)
Praise for "Chaotic Ocean"
-LitWord's 2006 Book of the Year Runner Up
-FictionFile's 2005 Special Mention for Independently Published Fiction
-Lulu's Featured Book of the Month for May & December 2005
-Reader's Magazine 2004 Honorary Mention for Achievement in Creative Writing
**SCROLL DOWN FOR CHAPTER SUMMARIES**
Chapter Summaries
-WARNING: SPOILERS TO FOLLOW-
Chapter One: The Daedalian Inanity
Chapter one introduces the reader to Zigmund Sardoce and Kyla Demark, the two primary characters, as they banter outside of Zigmund’s mansion. Kyla departs as the victor, but soon takes to self-questioning and insecurity. She decides to stop at a London cathedral, and meets Horris, a simple but sagacious preacher-type. Impressed but annoyed, Kyla departs, and again takes to inner dialogue. After walking in the rain, she meets Sean – a down to earth cabbie, and catches a ride home. Her flat is described to the reader, and Zigmund rings. They quarrel about various matters, from the usefulness of art to the existence of God.
Chapter Two: All That We See Or Seem
After the conversation, Kyla falls into a sleep, dreaming of a savage beast that disturbs and criticizes her for her fears. She later reads a curious article in the paper that seems to ring true on a certain level. Kyla drives back to Zigmund’s the next evening. The reader is given background information on Zigmund and his family history and ideology. The two banter on again, this time about science and religion. After the two debate the nature and subjectivity of morality, Zigmund falls ill and asks for Kyla’s departure.
Chapter Three: Avant Garde
Zigmund begins a would-be descent into madness, and attributes his confusing emotions and sickness to some kind of supernatural power of the pond on his property. He feels that it has conveyed some profound message, but is unsure if paranoia or hallucination has set in. Zigmund decides the pond has a profound power of prescience, and resolves to hide the fact from his friend, Kyla. The reader is then given description of the innards of the mansion, and Zigmund falls into a dreamy sleep. While slumbering, Zigmund imagines a world in which he has no notoriety or money, and upon waking, fails to recognize any importance to the dream. The next evening, Zigmund notices his mind is ablaze with contemplation, and feels that he now views the world with increased clarity.
Across town, the reader is introduced to the hospital at which Kyla works as a psychologist. Each of her three patients, Dorian, Cecelia, and Laurna has session with the woman. Laurna brings up a disturbing pamphlet that was distributed to her, called a “subjectaphor.†The supposed author is Zigmund Sardoce, and this much infuriates Kyla. After the meetings, she reads newspaper articles that give her an odd sensation, written by Tim Sleiney and Berg Daye. While walking to her car, she meets Mr. Pem, a curious old gentleman, with whom she enjoys speaking. He gives her a gift – the lapis stone, a return favor for the favor-to-be: asking about employment for Mr. Pem at the hospital.
Chapter Four: A Tactile Existence In Question
Instead of heading home, Kyla rides to the church, in hopes if finding Horris. His simple clarity has bothered her, and she wishes to tell him of as much. The two converse, and Mr. Pem’s name comes up. Horris is visibly disturbed by the mention, and says that he had known a man of impure character who had gone by a similar name. Kyla lies to Horris when he describes the man he had known, for she knows the two are one in the same.
Upon arriving home, Kyla explores the lapis stone, and realizes a glowing energy about it. To the touch, it burns. Her body surges, and she quickly removes her hands and locks the object in a chest. Once again, Kyla suddenly feels drawn to Zigmund, and travels to his estate. Zigmund seems to have an enlightened take on the situation, and this shocks Kyla, as her friend now seems different somehow. He feels sublime and superior. Kyla thinks to invite Zigmund out to Exmoor Park, for a change of scenery, and he accepts.
Chapter Five: Noesis Noeseos
The two motor to the park in an awkward silence, Kyla wishing to tell her friend of the lapis, Zigmund wishing to somehow use the power of the pond to verbally cut her down. They speak of lofty matters for some time, until accidentally witnessing a horrific murder. A shadowy figure stabs a woman to death. Zigmund threatens the man, who quickly vanishes into the night, and the two see to the woman. Kyla runs to phone an ambulance, and Zigmund stays with her. Upon return, Kyla perceives an odd feeling of dislike emitting from the victim, and is much confused by it. With her final breath, the victim forewarns, “Kyla, don’t, the stone.â€
The two ride back to the mansion together, each very taken back. Kyla is confused and upset, while Zigmund thinks to question his pond about the truer nature of the evening, assuming Kyla to be less innocent than she has let on. Kyla is also taken back by Zigmund’s change of character, his inner contemplation of late, and feels all the more insecure. She then accuses him of publishing the subjectaphor pamphlets, though he has no personal knowledge of the event, and takes the accusation badly. Kyla grows tired of what she deduces are lies, and so too does he.
Chapter Six: John Thomas
Kyla cannot rid her mind of the lapis, or of the power that seemed to have surged through her upon first examination. She explores again, this time to no success. The object is dull and lifeless.
Kyla then heads out to the hospital. Mr. Pem immediately greets her in the parking lot, and she is quite pleased to see him, though does not understand the reason for the emotion. The two speak of her promise to search work for the man, and she heads into the building to do so. The receptionist informs of her a janitorial position, but when Kyla heads back outside, Mr. Pem is absent, and she resolves to tell him upon their next encounter.
She begins her appointments, the first with Laurna, and again speaks of subjectaphor pamphlets. The girl promises to bring in the next she receives. Dorian, the next patient, banters on for a while, and eventually admits the fact that he has read Zigmund’s pamphlets, which greatly disturbs Kyla. The final meeting is with Cecelia. When the girl leaves, a piece of paper falls out of her back pocket, which Kyla discovers to be a subjectaphor pamphlet with Zigmund’s name.
Chapter Seven: The Abject Object
Zigmund resolves to summon the pond, and falls into a kind of trance-like state in so doing. He perceives the pond to flash images of Kyla orchestrating the park murder. Zigmund is exhausted, and a series of dreams are detailed in this chapter, each revealing more of his character.
Across town, Kyla is fuming with anger, and looks forward to another confrontation with Zigmund, so to give him the proof. She realizes a kind of internal change, one of bitterness and negativity that she dislikes. After attempting to dodge traffic for some time, she makes it to Zigmund’s. He is alert now, and the two approach one another very suspiciously. She accuses him again, and proceeds to show him the pamphlet. He still denies it, and suddenly falls prey to a voice that only he can hear. Kyla sees her friend is frazzled, as he barks questions into the air (speaking to the voice). The voice tells him to kill her.
Chapter Eight: Pernicious Events?
Zigmund slowly recovers and continues to deny the subjectaphor pamphlets. Kyla views him as a liar, and he questions the idea of killing his friend. She expresses concern for his health, but is asked to leave. Upon returning home, Kyla questions her own sanity, and laments her loneliness and the wretchedness of the stone. Horris pops into her mind, and she again decides to visit him at the church.
Horris harps on her relationship with Mr. Pem to a curious degree. The two converse for a while. She again returns home, and again begins to question the curious events of her recent life, as she is quite fed up with them. Suddenly, a storm surges in the sky, seeming to illuminate only her place of dwelling. A great energy courses through the air, and the lapis levitates, making itself one with the storm and one with Kyla. Her mind is set ablaze, so much so that she cannot concentrate on a single idea. In the aftermath, she is left weak, withering on the floor, drinking water from the storm.
Chapter Nine: Wondrous Waterbear
Across town, Zigmund begins his further descent into assumed godliness, as provided by his pond. He tries to summon the image, though nothing results. Again, a voice manifests in his mind, which tells him to baptize himself with the water. He follows the order dutifully. After a few moments, again he feels his body jolting like a seizure, but does not witness images of Kyla or her actions. He falls unconscious, and is disturbed upon waking. Zigmund decides to investigate the property, for possible robbery. Papers are strewn about, and an oddly placed key reveals itself, which he does not notice.
For a change of pace, Kyla rings for a cab to bring her to the hospital. Surprisingly, Sean shows up. She is overjoyed to see him. His simple words always find a way of bringing Kyla solace, and she bathes in this emotion without regret. He gives her the number of his cab, for later pickup, and leaves her off. She again meets with Laurna, and to her dismay, is reminded of the subjectaphor pamphlets. Laurna had been asked to bring one in, and on this day, she has. Kyla is disgusted, reading the subject matter: commercially sponsored capital punishment. The young girl is told to disregard all future pamphlets, and it is agreed.
Dorian, the next patient, banters back and forth, as is his usual style, and before departing, expresses knowledge of the latest pamphlet. Cecelia enters, and Kyla’s paranoia still festers. The girl talks about an uncle who is a freelance writer, but then condemns the practice of selling one’s art. After the sessions, Kyla reads articles in the paper by Tim Sleiney and Berg Daye, noting some kind of perceived familiarity with such names. Suddenly, a stranger knocks on her office door, in ambiguous dress, and delivers a letter. She reads the first line. It is a death promise.
Chapter Ten: A Primordial Fervor
The letter goes on to chastise her weak character, and again promises the reality of death, not merely the threat. She is taken back, and is quite bothered, naturally. Upon rushing from the compound, Mr. Pem appears outside and stops Kyla in mid-step. He gives an unsatisfactory reason for having vacated the day prior, when she had gone in to procure a position at the hospital. Regardless, she informs him of the good news and the open position. He responds with elation.
After Mr. Pem’s departure, Kyla rings for Sean, and he arrives shortly thereafter. The two speak of the death promise, and Sean is greatly upset by the news. He tells Kyla that she must stay with him and his family until the whole business dies down. She refuses, but eventually submits. The two ride to Sean’s home, which rests in a destitute section of the town. He introduces her to Angela, his wife, and the two children. The family is very warm and welcoming, and converses with Kyla to calm her mind, before preparing a room for the night.
Switching back to Zigmund, he is found inside yet another dream sequence, one warning of his prideful behavior. After waking, he is soon greeted by the phantom voice inside his head. The voice reaffirms: kill Kyla.
Chapter Eleven: Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Zigmund argues with the voice, demanding that it must be mistaken. The voice further explains and rationalizes the killing. Zigmund continues to reject the notion until the phantom promises ultimate knowledge as the reward. The phone suddenly rings, and a voice mysteriously gives “124 Edgmere Street,†Sean’s residence (unbeknownst to Zigmund at the time).
He resolves to acquire the phone number, and rings the party. Sean picks up, confused, as is Zigmund, and all goes awry when he hears Kyla’s voice in the background, then accusing Sean of malevolence. Sean hangs up on Zigmund, and sheds Kyla from the reality of what had happened. Zigmund paces about, pondering the nefarious plot and the implications of his friend and the man on the phone. As the paranoia grows, he also imagines the power he will soon have. The strange key continues to manifest its presence, and Zigmund is still oblivious to the thing.
The next morning, Sean prepares to drive Kyla to work, but she instead requests the church. She and Horris speak of various matters, and then discuss her curious fear of the attic. Horris begins to talk more of good and evil, and a choice. Kyla departs after the conversation.
Chapter Twelve: La Forza Del Destino
Kyla phones for another cab to take her to the hospital and immediately runs into Mr. Pem upon entering. The two have a brief conversation, and Kyla heads to her office.
Attempting to place all of her personal chaos on hold, she awaits the patients. One by one, all do not show. Confused, she reads articles by William Blormy and Berg Daye in the paper. Additionally, she discovers a new subjectaphor under the paper. Angered, she reads this too. Kyla sobs in insecurity.
Zigmund plots the murder of Kyla, and resolved, he takes a dagger and calls for a coach to take him to the hospital. He will wait for her after work, will embrace her, and slip the weapon into her back. Upon arriving, he sees three young adults walking in the distance with a well-dressed man, and thinks it curious. Kyla exits the hospital, and spots her friend.
Chapter Thirteen: Hermes
Just before the killing, Mr. Pem appears and steps in, foiling the plot. Zigmund is enraged but attempts a cool demeanor. Kyla rings for Sean (who agrees to take her to her home), and Zigmund rings for another coach.
Upon returning home, he sees a strange man on his property. The visitor tells Zigmund that he has been led astray in his quest for knowledge, and Zigmund is thus amenable to the man’s trespass. He invites him in, and the two have a drink. The visitor speaks of Moksha, an even greater force than ever imagined, and tells his host that it is had in combining the lapis stone, an artifact Kyla has hidden from him, and his pond. The visitor departs, and once more, Zigmund is oblivious to a glittering key.
Chapter Fourteen: Setheus
At home, Kyla recounts all her troubles, and the fear of her attic. She again resolves to see Horris, and falls into a night of dreams. In the morning, as planned, she drives to the church, and wonders why it is that she is drawn there as much as she is. Horris tells her an evil surges about the city and that she must find salvation through the church. He tells that she is an important key to it all, though she refuses the comments and runs out.
Upon returning to the hospital, she sees Mr. Pem again, and this time his presence and conversation are both ambiguous. He makes curious remarks and quickly departs the dialogue. She sees him in the distance with three young people that she assumes to be her patients.
Chapter Fifteen: Neither Hither Nor Thither
Kyla stands there confused, and wonders exactly how well she knows Mr. Pem. Once again, she resolves to consult Horris.
Across town, Zigmund is ranting and raving of godliness, and further plots the seizure of the lapis. When Kyla arrives at the church, the doors are locked, and all is silent. After some knocking, Horris answers. He again chimes in with religious notions of good and evil, and tells Kyla all the curious events of her current life are connected. He tells her that god is dead.
Chapter Sixteen: The Ubermensche
Horris tells Kyla that she is one of the “super-men,†able enough to utilize the power inherent in the soul to rise above evil, above man. Horris begs her to accept her role and bring about salvation. She questions what she must do, and he responds that he has little more information to offer. Kyla exits.
Chapter Seventeen: Perdition and Parousia, The Final State (Deus Ex Machina / Denouement)
Finally, Zigmund discovers the key that he has ignored throughout. He does not recognize the mark or to what the object unlocks. Zigmund decides to investigate, and eventually finds himself surveying the outside property. He comes upon a small shed that he hardly recognizes, and sure enough, the key unlocks the chain. Zigmund soon finds a small printing press and discarded subjectaphor pamphlets, then realizing Kyla’s accusations had not been false. Still, it is completely strange to him why his memory still does not agree with the facts of the matter. Enraged, he curses the air, the pond, the phantom of his mind, for he feels they are at work in his forgetfulness.
He then heads off to Kyla’s home. Kyla decides to investigate the attic, which has given her so much dismay, after further contemplating Horris’ religious warning. She discovers old papers on her three patients, and to her great surprise, discovers they are all related to various writers whom she has been reading in the paper. She also discovers an ancient book that encases a curious golden sword, ambiguously telling of a decision of existence. A pounding on her front door distracts her fright, and she departs the attic. Zigmund makes haste, and soon after greeting Kyla, dashes for a blunt object, and repeatedly smashes his friend in the skull. He discovers the location of the lapis, and takes it outside, where existence has become eerie.
Mr. Pem walks closer from out of the distance, and Zigmund asks if he has means of transport, and lies that Kyla is not home. Kyla stumbles out, beaten, and the three stand there, exchanging words and revelations. Zigmund speaks his own praise of godliness, and is arrogantly unaware of the greater situation. Kyla realizes Mr. Pem to be one in the same with the park murderer. Mr. Pem also reveals himself as the visitor who foretold Zigmund of his fate.
The three find themselves instantly transported to Zigmund’s estate. Kyla realizes she must stab Mr. Pem in the heart with the golden object, but has not the strength of character to do so. Zigmund is too blind to fully see he has been hoodwinked, and combines the lapis with the pond, despite Kyla’s most urgent begging. The Dorje is thus created, the object beyond good and evil, transcendent of all definition. Zigmund is not granted ultimate knowledge, but instead, has done the bidding of others. Horris appears, and it is revealed that he and Mr. Pem are of the same “fight.†Finally, Mr. Pem speaks one last time, predicting the new existence, free of concepts of heaven and hell. All that exists is the Beyond. Nothing is again the same.