Christopher is host and creator of the Novel Readings Podcast and is a debut author seeking literary representation for a Speculative Thriller and a Science Fiction Novel. Learn more below.

The irate shopper leaned onto the balls of his feet as he spoke, punctuating each syllable by repeatedly stabbing a dagger-like finger in the direction of the salesman’s face. Although Madelyn could hear the words, she didn’t register their meaning. She didn’t need to, though. The stranger’s tone said more than the words leaving his mouth ever could.

Madelyn held her breath, desperately hoping to slow her pounding heart. When she only succeeded in deafening her ears with the sound of her thundering pulse, she released a gusting exhalation.

The affable store clerk shrank before the aggressor, horrified by the display of dominance. Unfortunately, the posturing man was not deterred by the clerk’s submissive response. He continued to shout about some trivial grievance, vocal cords crackling in a way that reminded Madelyn of a radio with intermittent reception.

Madelyn’s throat constricted, ratcheting her chest tighter with each breath. She associated the violence of the sound with what had always come next. Invariably, violent words led to violent actions.