Detachment Point

by Paul Winters

When Del Kenner meets an untimely, though well deserved, death, people he never met are mysteriously impacted as the evil that he was strives to live on. Del Kenner was a foul-mouthed, abusive drunk who beat his wife, tormented his children and deserved to die. His body did die, and violently so, but his spirit lived on. Now Peter Barnett has to deal with the repercussions of that, a man he did not even know, and try not to become one in the same. As the feeling of 'detachment' grows stronger and stronger, he races to find out what is causing it, and wonders if he is powerless to stop it. A stand alone short story originally written in 1995, Detachment Point is currently being updated to reflect a more current period.

Genres: Short Stories

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2012

About the author

Paul Winters, a former international consulting executive, has been an avid reader of the thriller genre since his days in college. His favorite authors include Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton. He holds an MBA from Indiana University where he majored in Marketing and International Business Administration. Paul currently lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife, two children and an ever-changing number of dogs.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free download of "Detachment Point" a short story from the author, Paul Winters, in exchange for an honest review. Having read his debut novel, “Deepest Doors”, I was eager to start this one. Detachment Point is a fast-paced mystery thriller, with a touch of the paranormal woven into the plot, that gets you hooked right from the beginning, and won't let go until you are finished. The plot is intricate and exciting.

Did not know what to expect from this standalone short story (47 pages), but I read it in one short sitting. Don’t want to give any spoilers away, so will be limited with what I say.

He woke from a bad dream, a nightmare…not sure for a second who he was. Who is this woman lying in bed next to him? And then it comes back to him…he is 29 year old Peter Barnett, a computer geek with an MBA from NYU, awaiting a promotion at work. The 30 year old woman beside him in bed is his wife, Claire. They had been married for seven years and had no intention of starting a family yet, until they had built up their wealth and status. But ever since the bad dream, he felt different. Something was wrong with him. Life starts to unravels, and he starts displaying peculiar activity. What is going on?

I highly recommend this story. It is well-written, with an intricate plot.I'll definitely be reading more stories by this talented author.

[Sarah Baethge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detachment Point by Paul Winters is a quick, eerie story where someone’s death in no way ends their influence upon the world. Where a wife who sees her only option left to be raising an ax against her abusive husband (Del Kenner) once his back is turned, is unintentionally setting free his primal spirit and violent impulses to possess and take command of other people’s lives.

Taking command?

What exactly happens when a person dies? What say Del doesn’t ‘move on’ but instead sees his chance to live again trough someone else’s body?

And then, what would happen to that possessed person?

Peter Barnett is a happily married man anticipating a possible promotion at his job in a business firm. When he suddenly starts picking up the habits and attitudes of the former auto mechanic Del Kenner, Peter’s friends just get uncomfortable, not understanding why he acts and speaks so differently.

Is there any way for things to return to normal?

As useful as it may be to suddenly gain another person’s set of skills, would it be worth suddenly finding your mind latched onto a new style of behavior?

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you believe the mind and body are two separate entities? Do you believe the mind (spirit) of a person can live on, without the body?

Del Kenner was a very offensive, foul-mouthed drunkard and dies a violent death. Can his evil spirit inhabit another? Peter Barnett was a courteous, and kind gentleman. After strange things accompanied with horrible nightmares, Peter begins feeling like some dark cloud is shrouding him and his existence. It is as if some evil, powerful force is taking over his life. Suddenly, he doesn't know who he is and doesn't like what he might have become. Will the dreadful, wicked spirit of Del Kenner take Peter's life and then move on to another?
Readers: Don't be too sure this kind of thing cannot happen...
All I will say is: Nobody laughs at Jeremy Dickerson!

Jeannie Walker - Award Winning Author of "Fighting the Devil"
( A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder)

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Barnett is having nightmares of abuse and murder. The problem is, Peter and Claire have never been more happy or successful. Still this evil begins to take control over Peter and he isn't sure why until he watches the news. Little by little Peter begins to piece together what has happened and loses his sanity. Is it possible for evil to live on? See what you think.

WOW! I had no idea what to expect of this novella but let me tell you I got more than I bargained for. Paul Winters tells this story in such a way you really don't see what's coming until it happens. Scary and thought provoking in equal measures, this is a novella you'll enjoy time and again.

I found no issues with this one.

I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it really makes the mind wander. ~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~

[Angel Gelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great short story! It was so good that I read it straight through with just one quick, necessary short break. A man awakens from a nightmare. He's disoriented and it takes a moment for him to remember who he is and who's sharing his bed. As time passes, he begins to behave in peculiar ways. He suspects that something is terribly wrong. As his personality quickly unravels, he learns that he's not quite the man he is supposed to be. No spoilers from me, but I highly recommend this story. It is well-written, perfectly paced and greatly compelling. I'll definitely be reading more stories by this talented author.

[Alfaniel Aldavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those stories I couldn't put down. Based on the body-soul dualism, it engages in an well written yarn speculating on "what if" the soul can migrate to another body. It proves an opportunity for a short thrilling story.
Recommended for paranormal, (mild) horror, eerie fantastic fans.

[L.J. Monier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briliiant. Gripping and impossible to put down. If you have any interest in crime, horror and a good read, you'll want to know what happens to Peter.