Carlton: Down Sized
by Tawnee Chasny
Writers' Branding


"We are going to bring back some facts that were lost to you in your recent past."

A man wakes to find that he has no memory of who he is or what has happened to him. Witnesses recount seeing him hurled from a moving van, and an investigation later finds a wrecked motorcycle at the bottom of the hill with a dead woman strapped to the bike. He is taken to the hospital for treatment. With the help of the medical staff, he begins to piece together the events of that fateful day. The two nurses that help him the most are gifted clairvoyants who can connect with people and see into their pasts. With their support and coaxing, Carl relives the chain of events that led him to cross paths with a gang of prison escapees who are looking for someone to take the blame for their heinous acts of violence.

From the harrowing opening scenes to the shocking conclusion, this story doesn’t let up as the mystery deepens around Carl, his memory loss, and the carnage of one terrible day in his life. Finding the truth takes patience from investigators and support from the doctors and nurses who care for him. As the process unfolds, the suspense intensifies, and disturbing details are revealed. When the narrative shifts to the criminals who have escaped from prison, the story takes a dark and violent turn. Carl’s innate goodness stands in stark contrast to the cruelty of the serial killer who uses him to cover his trail of crimes. The story alternates between chilling evil and hopeful resolution and restitution. The relentless uncertainty of Carl’s past serves to build suspense and compels readers to keep digging for clues. Each time Carl wakes from a vision, the jigsaw pieces snap into place, and slowly the grim scene comes firmly into focus. The puzzle of the past and the fuzz of memory shifts into a clear and horrifying picture of mayhem, with Carl caught up in the middle of it all.

Carl’s tale of amnesia melds mysticism and mystery as it explores themes of good and evil, courage, and perseverance. Carl’s search for answers leads to increasing suspense as he retrieves the details of his life and the events that led to his grim encounter with a band of criminals. Readers will feel the disorienting frustration of Carl’s lost memories but will also relish the relief when revelation comes in the end. This is the pleasure that comes with reading suspenseful stories full of mystery despite the horrific crimes and unnerving violence. There is great satisfaction when the case is closed, and readers can breathe a sigh of relief. The narrative bobs and weaves as the past is reconstructed and revived, but it ultimately ends with clarity and closure.

Carl’s ordeal serves as the catalyst to explore the mystical power of clairvoyance, the investigative prowess of law enforcement, and the enduring influence of relationships. Beyond the mystery and the crime, this is a story about how people are bonded together for good and for bad. Some relationships are forged in fire and in trauma and lead people down paths of destruction. Others are founded on a spirit of support and sustenance. Carl’s journey leads him to cross paths with those who will do harm and with those who will help, asking the ultimate question of who will triumph in the end.

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