“You’re like George Clooney in Up in the Air.”  “Forget the Dos Equis Guy.  You are the real Most Interesting Man in the World.” “Mark, it’s Mom.  We miss you.  Come home soon, please.”

These are just some of the things I hear regularly because of the life I’ve made for myself.  Just a few years ago, I was a typically broke college student, dreaming about hopping on a plane.  Where to?  Anywhere, really.  I didn’t care.  I knew there had to be a way to beat the system.  Card cou. . .

“You’re like George Clooney in Up in the Air.”  “Forget the Dos Equis Guy.  You are the real Most Interesting Man in the World.” “Mark, it’s Mom.  We miss you.  Come home soon, please.”

These are just some of the things I hear regularly because of the life I’ve made for myself.  Just a few years ago, I was a typically broke college student, dreaming about hopping on a plane.  Where to?  Anywhere, really.  I didn’t care.  I knew there had to be a way to beat the system.  Card cou. . .

There are moments in the history of people and planets when myth, legend, and inescapable destiny rule. Such times are bound by prophecy and, once begun, are impossible to halt—for the fates of all, unknowingly intertwined, move toward a numinous end that will not be denied.

It was on such a night that destiny stirred, once again, on the planet of Terra. Hanging in the starry sky like great watching eyes, Terra’s two moons shone with a silvery-blue light which radiated from deep within . . .

There are moments in the history of people and planets when myth, legend, and inescapable destiny rule. Such times are bound by prophecy and, once begun, are impossible to halt—for the fates of all, unknowingly intertwined, move toward a numinous end that will not be denied.

It was on such a night that destiny stirred, once again, on the planet of Terra. Hanging in the starry sky like great watching eyes, Terra’s two moons shone with a silvery-blue light which radiated from deep within . . .

Chapter One

THE CAR SEAT

“I’m in it to win it.”

—Det. Gronn’s comment about his upcoming testimony

I stood. Melissa’s car seat sat hunched behind the witness stand. Her soul filled the courtroom.

This was her moment. I was only there because she was absent. I’m never really nervous. I’m amped up and ready for battle, but never nervous. I held the PowerPoint remote in my right hand. I took a deep but silent breath. I looked down.

I. . .

Chapter One

THE CAR SEAT

“I’m in it to win it.”

—Det. Gronn’s comment about his upcoming testimony

I stood. Melissa’s car seat sat hunched behind the witness stand. Her soul filled the courtroom.

This was her moment. I was only there because she was absent. I’m never really nervous. I’m amped up and ready for battle, but never nervous. I held the PowerPoint remote in my right hand. I took a deep but silent breath. I looked down.

I. . .