Doomed Cleric/ A fade to black:  A tale of dark mystery, passion, and power.

Story

          My name is Kumar Mandala.   I am a successful and enterprising evangelist; who has, unknown to everyone, lost his faith in God.   Raised by Christian missionaries; I lived my entire life, in and around the church.

  My father and mother said that they fell in love with me; and adopted me, as a young boy.  This after discovering me, in a Vietnamese orphanage; for Amerasian youth.  My true father was an American G.I. , from the Virgin Islands.  The mother who gave birth to me, was a local women; a nurse that worked on base.

  It is said, that my mother was unable to leave the country, when my father was transferred to Korea.  Anyway, I love my adopted parents, for all they have done; and the lifestyle, they shared with me.    However, something was always missing; a hole in my soul, that has yet to be filled.

Though, I have traveled the world, bringing many to a tradition which I adore; I could no longer live a lie.    So, I resigned my post; and shut down my ministry.    My wife, puzzled and devastated, asked for a separation.  I lovingly, honored her request. 

I then, became troubled by the fact, that I was still under contract to my publisher.   They asked me to write a follow-up book; to my New York Times, Best Seller: The Ultimate Universal Rain.    My friend, who also was my literary agent, advised me to go on a sabbatical; to work things out.   He hoped that the change in my routine, would unlock, not just my second book; but, also the spirit within me. 

          While exploring the net, I discovered a perfect get-away location:  Moonhaven, an obscure little town, nestled in the mountains.  Their chief industry was coal; however, the mine closed suddenly, over twenty-eight years ago. 

            Now, the town has been reborn; into a touristy, bed and breakfast/ antiques and crafts community.   Yet, this is not it’s only claim to fame.  It is a region filled with many tall tales, and dark secrets:  secrets that consumed what was left of my soul.  But, we will discuss this later.

            I was oblivious to this fact.  For, I was on vacation:  enjoying the sights; the sounds; and the trees that eclipsed the sky.   I was just driving the roads, to Moonhaven.  Driving toward my eventual ......doom.