Compulsion

by J.J. Johnson

Sitting atop the town's water tower, pastor Vance Howard finds himself drawn deep into a coversation with a suicidal man named Jake. A man that brings to light the horrors of Vance's own past. Horrors that cause Vance to question his faith, sanity, and everything he thought he was capable of... Compulsion is the gripping short story that causes one to ask "is there a limit to forgiveness...?"

JJ Johnson is the author of many short stories that are laced with twist and turns that keep the reader guessing...

Genres: Short Stories, Christian, Christian Fiction

54 pages, ebook

First published August 5, 2012

About the author

Hi, my name is J.J. and I love to write, read, and drink coffee. As I write this I’m sitting in a local brewery sipping a espresso. There are few things in life that I feel need precise division with no room for error, coffee is one of them.

I love comic books, writing fun adventurous Science Fiction, and wasting countless hours on Social Media.

You can follow him on facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/jjjohnsonWrites

On Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/jjjohnsonWrites

Visit his website at http://www.jjjohnsonwrites.com

Reviews

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this short story at 2am last night.
It might have been the stupidest decision I have made in my life.
I was crying. I felt traumatized. I had a mini heart attack.
It's a love and hate relationship.
I love the story... and quite possibly hate the author. It's okay... I forgive you, though.
I'll definitely be reading one of your other works.

[Simon Okill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsion by J.J. Johnson is a brilliant psychological thriller with as many twists and turns as anything done by Hitchcock. The author has pulled out all the stops to bring enough tension and revelations into this awesome short story to fill a novel. This reader was swept away by the scruff of his neck and dumped breathless at the last page. And what a last page too.
The police call on Vance to help with a suspected leaper teetering on the edge of a water tower. Being the local preacher, Vance agrees to help the guy up there. Way up there. But Vance never expected to meet the man who's family altered his life forever.
This suspenseful thriller evolves at a fast pace with every reveal the man on the edge gives away to Vance. You will be biting your nails to the quick way before the last page, so be prepared for one of the best short reads ever.
This FIVE STAR thriller is up there with all the great thrillers synonymous with Hitchcock, especially Vertigo. Highly recommended.

[Abz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing exploration of forgiveness and the inward battle of good and evil. This is a short story with purpose; I appreciate the unpredictability of the storyline and the transparency of the characters. It's worth the read and won't take much of your time - I read it in about 2 hours.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lean, tense conversation on a water tower. Pastor Vance meets Jake, and their talk peels back a past he tried to bury. A sharp meditation on guilt, faith, and the cost of mercy. I closed it needing a breath.

[Emmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent short story. If ever there is a full length novel I would love to read it. It kept me at the edge of my seat wondering how the other shoe was going to drop. Well done! I will be keeping an eye out for other works by this author.

Synopsis:
Sitting atop the town's water tower, pastor Vance Howard finds himself drawn deep into a coversation with a suicidal man named Jake. A man that brings to light the horrors of Vance's own past. Horrors that cause Vance to question his faith, sanity, and everything he thought he was capable of... Compulsion is the gripping short story that causes one to ask "is there a limit to forgiveness...?"

JJ Johnson is the author of many short stories that are laced with twist and turns that keep the reader guessing...

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Vance is called to the scene of a potential suicide. A young man is threatening to jump to his death but wants to talk to the pastor first.

Now he is drawn to the top of the city's water tower and into conversation with the man he hopes he can talk down.

Pastor Vance has never met this man, but there is a connection that brings to light the young man's fear and the Pastor's nightmares. Nightmares that make the Pastor question his very faith. And when they discover what that connection is .... what happens now?

This short story is packed with emotion. It will make you ask yourself ... how much are you willing to forgive when faced with the very evil that destroyed your family.

I highly recommend this psychological thriller.

[T.N. Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand the premise of letting go of hate and practicing forgiveness. I'm just not sure that I was looking for a lesson to be taught to me. I wasn't exactly sure of what I was expecting from this story but what I got was a heavy dose of God can forgive as long as your heart's in the right place. I tend to steer clear of religious overtones and maybe that's why this just didn't appeal to me. It was very well written, short and to the point, but the darker side of me wishes I could've read more about the events of his father and him because someone like that has to have a deeper history than the one which was given...

But to each his own, you may actually enjoy it

[L.A. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is beyond incredible! Extremely well written, and with a great message. Stories this good are very rare indeed. Mr. Johnson weaves his idea into words so well that I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. I would give this seven stars if I could. In the Bible, "seven" is a number referring to completeness, and I was completely enthralled. "Compulsion" reminds us all of the instructing words of our Savior, "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us." This is not so easily done. Nor is writing such a fine book!

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Compulsion" by J.J.Johnson is an excellent moral short story about forgiveness. A tormented soul seeks a dramatic conversation with a pastor about his horrid addiction.
The conversation that follows is incredibly well written, insightful and thought provoking.
You do not need to believe in God for this religiously under-toned story to touch you deeply and make you think. The issues discussed are universally relevant and the story had a huge impact on me long after I finished it.
Really well done and highly recommended.

[Yelle Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and though provoking short story about forgiveness and the question you will ask yourself, "Can you forgive?"

Jake, the son of an executed serial killer plays the meanest mind-game with Pastor Vance. I don’t want to give any spoilers away of this short story but it grabs you at the beginning till the end. Thought provoking, mystery, spirituality and an Oh shi---! came to mind after I read this.

[Kirstin Pulioff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was engaging from the beginning to the end. The story was well thought out and the twists kept the pace of the story moving. There was enough detail to make me feel like I knew the characters, felt the conflict, and was satisfied with the resolution. All in all, the book had all the right pieces and flow to make it successful.

[Sarah Lyons · Rating 1 out of 5]

That is one problem with a kindle... You are never sure how long the book is?!? SHORT!

[Lee Shuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnson's story is emotionally honest and implements solid suspense mechanics. It is challenging for Christians and non-Christians alike. Compulsion is well worth the price of admission.

[Manda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow, repetitive and predictable. Shame, it was an interesting concept.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story! If you love suspense and speculative and are looking for a quick read, then grab this one.