J. R. Kruze 
Lazurai 

(Short read – 30 minutes – 17 pages)An unintended result of a terrorist bombing a children’s hospital, the Lazurai could kill a person without touching them. The government made it worse by their experiments. All they wanted was to feel love like any child. When they grew older, their powers increased. And they found they couldn’t be stopped.Chuck hears a rumor of one coming his way, to his remote way station on the highway. But he can’t leave his wife, who’s dying. So he waits. And sees the hooded Lazurai walking the long miles on a hot desert day toward him. All he can do is wait.What he doesn’t know is that this one is different from all the rumors. And his life is going to change forever…Extract: Late morning that day, he saw someone walking.Miles off yet. Coming toward him, along the edge of the road andstaying off the pavement. Chuck could tell because the highwaywas laser straight for miles in both directions. You could hear anything coming when there wastraffic. And then hear it going. Walkers made no noise, and took a long time to getthere. A long time to get gone. "Well Mr. Lazurai, take your time. I’m in nohurry." Chuck said out loud to no one in particular. He figured that this had to be a Lazurai as he waswalking. People told stories about them: they wouldn’talways kill you right off. If they liked you, then you had a fewdays. The people that lived were cursed anyway, as anyone they knewwould leave them alone after that. As what the Lazurai gave a personcould also affect the other people around them. Big or smallcommunity, it didn’t matter. Viruses spread. Chuck didn’t care. He would not leave Charlene andshe would not leave her baby. So if this was the end, he was as readyas he would be. By the time the walker was nearly in earshot, Chuck had finished off the rest of his lemonade and was ready for arefill. But he stayed on that bench in the shade and waited tomeet this person. His only real hope is that the end would be swiftand painless. For everyone concerned.- – – -J. R. Kruze is an upcoming fantasy and science fiction author, credited with a couple of novels and several short stories. Be sure not to miss any of them.Get Your Copy Now.