IF BY CHANCE

Science Fiction Fantasy

Synopsis

by

D’Norgia Taylor

August 2013

This is the story of a small Pacific Northwest community of folks who migrate west during World War II to be a part of the war effort.  The shipyards in Vancouver, Washington needed workers and most of those who migrated had grown up during the great depression and need jobs.  Byron was the first born in his family after the war ended and they moved further north in Washington just before the Vanport flood. 

Their community is plagued by tragedy, humiliation and outrage.  So traumatized that they don’t talk about what has happened to them, but keep the stories hidden even to their graves.   

Enter Byron Jr., who, while very young began to see horrible visions of people hurting.  The visions were just under his eyelids before he went to sleep and when he woke up each day.  Most of the time he was afraid to close his eyes.  One day while struggling with his divorce issues he sees a lady and is smitten by her, Maple, the rest of his life.  He loves her even though she is not available. 

After entering middle age, Byron becomes extremely ill and near death when he encounters a time traveler, Kaye.  He discovers that a generational curse has infected all the lives in his community, specifically those in his visions. If the curse is not broken the planet itself will die. 

Kaye takes Byron on a journey through time to uncover the origin so the curse will not damage future generations especially his children.  Byron must convince Maple, the woman he loves, to help him find all the victims, even though he is now a ghost. 

No one wants to come face to face with their secrets until Old Cup is found dead in the basement of the Church House and the Church burns to the ground before authorities can investigate how he died, what happened and why.