About A Trick of the Senses, A Sensational Story

by Anah Crow and Diane Fox
11 pages / 4950 words
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, epub, Sony-optimized pdf

Jasper is a reluctant psychic with difficult powers and Samson is his service dog in canine form and his best friend when human. At a very strange time of year, Jasper's powers are troubling him more than ever. He's determined to face down the danger, but Samson will do anything possible to keep him safe. Can they find a way to survive the season? Jasper and Samson of the "Sensational" series first appeared in the K-9 Taste Test by Torquere Press.

Sensational Reading Order:
Coming to His Senses
A Sense of Trust
"Heightened Senses" in Taste Test: K9
A Trick of the Senses

Sample

October 25

Dew-damp soil, fallen leaves, and the smells of various dogs' competing attempts to claim the bush at the intersection as their territory weren't enough to overpower the creeping sense that something was wrong. Samson's whole body was singing with tension as he circled Jasper's feet and whined softly.

"I'm fine, Samson," Jasper said. He sounded distant. Of course, that wasn't unusual. When they were out, Jasper often saw things -- real things -- that sent his thoughts wandering. "Heel." That wasn't usual, though, Jasper giving orders like Sam was just a dog. Usually, he would make a nice little hinting noise or even say 'please.'

Samson rumbled his disagreement; he could smell the wrongness on the air. He sat beside Jasper's feet and turned worried eyes up to Jasper. Sick, sick, sick, Samson's instincts told him. He knew the vision was coming, and a seizure with it, and he wanted to get Jasper home as soon as he could. He growled, hoping to convey his sense of urgency to Jasper.

"No, Sam." Jasper tugged a little. "I have to see. I have to..." Jasper stepped off the curb without looking, plunging into the intersection as far as Samson's leash would let him, his other hand outstretched. "No! Go back!" Jasper lunged forward a little, still reaching. "No, no!" But there was nothing there and suddenly Jasper jerked back as though someone had hit him and thrown him back at Samson.

Heart pounding, Samson got his mouth around Jasper's hand. He was careful with his teeth, only biting down enough to hold on as he pulled Jasper back from the street. He knew what was coming, and the knowledge sent anxiety twisting through his gut.

"I can't see. Sam... in the road..." There was nothing in the road. As Samson tugged, Jasper made it back far enough to trip over the curb and he went down to his knees, eyes rolling back in his head, back arching.

Around them, people on the sidewalk gasped. Some stepped back, a few stepped forward to help. Samson put himself between Jasper and the strangers so they couldn't interfere, and licked at Jasper's face, whining. Wake up, wake up, wake up.