Something lurks in the shadows of Linwood Avenue, visible only to Luke as he makes his way home from school on a sweltering afternoon. The air shimmers purple-black around a strange man with flat, black eyes who seems to exist in plain sight yet remains unseen by everyone else on the busy street.

Chapter 2 of "Countryside: The Book of the Wise" brings readers into a heart-pounding chase sequence as young Luke desperately tries to escape this mysterious stalker. With vivid, sensory details, we feel Luke's mounting terror—the hot air wrapped around him like a blanket, sweat rolling down his arms, and the frantic fumbling for keys as footsteps close in behind him. The ordinary neighborhood transforms into something sinister when viewed through Luke's eyes, creating a brilliant juxtaposition between the mundane and the supernatural.

After escaping into his apartment, Luke's confusion and frustration grow as his mother finds no evidence of a pursuer. The subsequent investigation with neighbors confirms what readers are beginning to understand—Luke perceives something beyond normal human sight. This masterful scene establishes one of the novel's central mysteries: is Luke imagining things, or has he developed the ability to see what others cannot? The boundary between two worlds appears to be thinning around him, setting up the fantasy elements that will drive the story forward.

JT Cope's narration pulls you directly into Luke's experience, making you question your own perceptions along with the character. If you're captivated by this glimpse into "Countryside: The Book of the Wise," you can find the complete novel on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Don't forget to leave a review if you enjoy the journey—it makes a world of difference for authors bringing these magical stories to life.

https://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2