Peacemaker and Other Stories

By Erik Deissler

In "The Lost Baroness," criminals Adam and Layla struggle to sit still while on the verge of receiving what will be the end goal of their biggest score: a bust known as the Lost Baroness. Enclosed in a hotel room, disguised as a married couple, the two must overcome impatience and a growing distrust in one another to see through to the end of their job.

"The Stranger from Beyond" tells a story of midnight terrors come to life. While on his way home, a truck driver has the unthinkable happen when he unintentionally strikes a young man down with his truck. When the young man gets up of his own volition only moments after an incident that would've killed most, the driver becomes suspicious of the young man's motives.

"What Are Androids Made Of?" is the near-future story of a 22nd century boy, Andy, living with robophobia, the fear of robots, in a time when androids exist in nearly every household. When a new neighbor moves in across the street, Andy decides to greet them in the hopes that he may finally gain a friend. One question runs through his mind as he rings the doorbell: who, or what, awaits him on the other side?

In "Peacemaker," aging sheriff Mr. Booker is awoken in the wee hours of the morning by the mayor's young wife, Emma, who he finds lying on his doorstep bruised and nearly frost-bitten. Although she is unwilling to tell him who did it, Mr. Booker takes it upon himself to pay Mayor Grimsby a visit, but he finds that not everything is as it seems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erik Deissler
• Release date: Mar 29, 2020

Erik Deissler

Erik Deissler is an emerging novelist of various genres, with a particular interest in historical and philosophical fiction. He is in the midst of earning a B.F.A. in Creative Writing for Entertainment at Full Sail University. He lives in Pennsylvania with his golden retriever and an ever-growing horde of books.

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Peacemaker and Other Stories

by Erik Deissler

Copyright by Erik Deissler, 2019

All Rights Reserved

Book Cover Original Images/Illustrations by Kevin Gill and Cecko Hanssen

First Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

The Lost Baroness

The Stranger from Beyond

What Are Androids Made Of?

Peacemaker

About the Author

The Lost Baroness

How long can we keep up this front? Layla asked, twisting the wedding ring on her finger.

As long as we need to, Adam said. He brought a glass of Scotch to his lips then paused and searched her anxious expression for meaning. She had finished with the ring and moved on to biting her nails. Like a merry-go-round she kept switching positions, crossing and uncrossing her legs without realizing she did so. Just until we get it, alright? he said. Then we’ll go our separate ways, like we never even saw the other’s face. That sound good to you? He sipped from the glass.

Layla put her hands