Title: Letter from Hell
Author: M. Lee Mendelson
Genre: Horror
A simple, routine call to 911 unexpectedly erupts into a grisly suicide. Mike, a well-seasoned deputy is uncharacteristically disturbed by the gruesome scene. Who was this tortured soul, and why did this happen?
Suddenly, out of the deafening silence, there erupted a bloodcurdling shriek from the quiet house which Mike had just walked away from, confident that all was well.
“I LOVE YOU! NO, DON’T! OH MY GOD! PLEASE NO!!!!”
Mike whirled around. As he did, he saw a bright flash looking like the strobe of a camera in a dark room, illuminating the large plate glass window of that beautiful house. With the flash came a single, thunderous “BOOM.”
Mike’s experience and training instantly took over. Instinctively, he drew his weapon and took cover behind the trunk of a large oak tree in Beatrice’s front yard.
Taking a quick inventory of himself first, he then looked and saw Steve, who had almost made it to his car, standing in the middle of the road. He appeared to be paralyzed with uncertainty.
The senior, more experienced Mike called out, “STEVE, GET YOUR RIFLE AND TAKE COVER!”
Mike then turned and cried out, “MRS. JOHANSEN, GET INSIDE YOUR HOUSE!”
Steve snapped to and reacted to Mike’s commands. He ran to his trunk and retrieved his AR-15 rifle.
He then took cover behind his patrol car.
“FOUR-THIRTEEN DISPATCH, SHOT FIRED, SHOT FIRED FROM 2701 RED OAK CIRCLE, REQUEST IMMEDIATE BACKUP, BE ADVISED WE HAVE A SINGLE SHOT INSIDE THE RESIDENCE!”
“Dispatch to four-thirteen, copy shot fired.”
The once quiet radio now sparkled to life. “Dispatch to four-oh-three, four-oh-nine, four-twenty-two, four-thirty-seven, Supervisor six, Canine seven, respond to 2701 Red Oak Circle for a reported shot fired.”
From the report, Mike could tell it had been a large caliber weapon that he’d heard, probably a shotgun or rifle. All units reported en route. Mike could now collect his thoughts.
He rapidly assessed. Am I okay? Check. Is Steve okay? Check. Is Mrs. Johansen okay? Check. Help coming? Check. In the distance, Mike could hear the sounds of sirens. The cavalry is coming!
In what seemed like an eternity, but in reality was only a span of a few seconds, Mike had run his checklist and was satisfied he was ready to continue.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of the same female voice piercing the silence.
Following the sound of her screams, Mike heard, “OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD, HE’S DEAD! HE’S DEAD! HELP ME, HELP ME!”
M. Lee Mendelson and his wife Yvonne have six children between them, three boys
and three girls. Yes–the Brady Bunch. He was inspired and encouraged by Yvonne
to write his first book after he proposed the concept to her.
dreamt of writing anything before his first book, but has now discovered he has
a passion for writing, with one idea after another pouring out of him. A rare
native Floridian, M. Lee recently retired from a career as a full-time
firefighter and part-time law enforcement officer. His twenty-six years of
experience on the streets have given him a vast array of experiences; some
good, some bad.
to his newfound obsession with the written word. His first book, “Letter From
Hell,” is a complex horror novel with a little something for everyone M. Lee’s
real-life experiences, coupled with an active and vivid imagination, allow his
stories to come alive.
reader into his scenes. His ambition is that people will enjoy reading his work
and deem it worthy to recommend to others.
