Once to Die

Once To DieA Novel of Catholic Christian Suspense T.S. EPPERSONMultivalent Press Copyright © 2022 by T.S. Epperson All rights reserved.Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, or otherwise permitted by U.S. copyright law. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, businesses or locales is entirely coincidental. For information, email: [email protected] design by W.D. Epperson ISBN: 979-8-9866064-0-8 First Edition 2022 Contents Note From the Author Prologue 1. September 4 2. September 5 3. September 7 4. September 8 5. September 9 6. September 10 7. September 12 8. September 13 9. September 16 10. September 18 11. September 19 12. September 20 13. September 21 14. September 23 15. September 24 16. September 27 17. September 28 18. September 29 19. October 1 20. October 4 21. October 5 22. October 7 23. October 8 24. October 9 25. October 10 26. October 11 27. October 12 28. October 14 29. October 15 30. October 17 31. October 18 32. October 19 33. October 20 34. October 21 35. October 22 36. October 23 37. October 24 38. October 25 39. October 28 40. November 2 Other Titles by T.S. Epperson About the Author Acknowledgments Note From the AuthorHello, Friend.Once To Die is the first book in a series of novels, which I hope you will find entertaining and thought-provoking. Someone told me long ago that a writer should write a story she or he would enjoy reading. In my case, that is a story where complex characters walk in haste or run to achieve a goal as lives hang in the balance. As circumstances intervene, they encounter setbacks, and blindsiding twists and turns that prevent them from completing their all-important task. And the clock is always ticking. I find a story most exciting when the stakes are even higher than life and death, delving into the deeper question of what will happen in eternity. The Other Side of Dead is a series that explores those deep questions. To put it simply, I enjoy stories that mimic the real world in which we live. Not many of us humans are truly good through and through. Most of us strive but fail to be as good as we would like to be. Even the holiest and most devout people struggle with some core weakness, or temptation, like St. Paul's "thorn in the flesh." The other side of that coin is that few people are truly evil to the core. Even the most heinous villains in human history were trying to achieve what they believed to be some "greater good" as they carried out their despicable deeds.I like a quote attributed to Professor Peter Kreeft, which says "There are only two kinds of people: sinners, who think they're saints; and saints, who know they're sinners." Once To Die is an adventure of one young man's heroic journey from self-reliance and spiritual indifference, to profound humility and spiritual awakening. My hope is that you may find in the story an honest look at the temptations, the hardships, the difficulties with which the narrow road to heaven is paved, and come away with a fresh resolve to get up and try yet again. When you've read the book, I'd love to hear from you. You can connect with me at:[email protected]/T.S.EppersonMultivalentPress.com/T.S.EppersonGod bless you on your journey,T.S. Epperson PrologueThe squeal of an old-time radio tuner screeched out of the darkness. An orchestra faded in, then out, through some static, to some idiots making stupid jokes. Then to more static, to a male talk show host’s voice. “Sandy, if I’ve said it once on this show, I’ve said it a thousand times. The homeless problem in this city is out of control. I know the bleeding hearts want us to think of these people as victims, but the truth is, most of them are homeless by choice.”“Stan… that may be true, but in the story we’re following tonight, a young man did fall victim to brutal violence.”“I know that, and I don't wish anyone harm. But I’m going to go out on a limb here, and predict that when the smoke clears, the evidence will prove that the violence was perpetrated by another homeless person, or by gang members. Two parts of the same problem. What does the evidence say so far?”“Stan, all we’ve been able to determine, is that he was bludgeoned by a blunt object. A baseball bat was found abandoned at the scene, and it appears to be the murder weapon. DNA samples are being processed to confirm.”“So, early findings are consistent with my prediction,” Stan said. “Have they identified the victim?”“Yes, but they’re not releasing the name because they are searching for the next of kin.”“Do we know anything at all about the victim?”“Not much, other than he lived in a makeshift shelter beside a dumpster. Police say he engaged in petty crime, scavenging, and stealing. He stole food from restaurants and supplies from construction sites.”“So, it is just as I was saying. He was unremarkable in life, and in death, he disappears into a landscape of statistics that are becoming increasingly disturbing. This is the end of another wasted life like so many blighting our inner city.”“Still, it is sad to see this happen to such a young person.”“It is, sad, Sandy. And these tragic stories are becoming all too familiar. It is hard to fathom why any young person would choose to squander their life in that way.”“I agree, Stan. Officials who work with the homeless say they tried repeatedly to give him a fresh start, but he was too stubborn to accept help.”“Sandy, you've proven my