The Crimson Soul of Nathan Greene - A Tale of The Empty

by Thom Reese

Vietnam 1968 Nathan Greene is not human. He is of a race known as the reyaqc, or The Empty. They appear human, but due to an unstable genetic matrix must infuse DNA from others in order to survive. Most take from humans alone, but some infuse animal DNA as well, becoming something different, something horrible and monstrous. Nathan lives within human society, but while reporting on the war in Vietnam for a stateside newspaper he becomes disillusioned with his human cousins. How can they be truly civilized if they slaughter each other on such a grand scale as what he sees in this jungle battlefield? Confused as to his true place in the world and enamored by the wiles of a beautiful and adventurous reyaqc female, Nathan is coaxed into infusing animal DNA. Soon he is thrust into a world of savagery the like of which he’s never imagined. Soon he must ask himself if his soul is as damaged as those he would despise.

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 25, 2015

About the author

Thom Reese is the author of the novels, THE VOYAGE OF THE AMETHYST CASTLE, THE INFUSION OF ARCHIE LAMBERT, A SAVAGE DISTANCE, THE DRACULA JOURNALS Trilogy, THE DEMON BAQASH, DEAD MAN'S FIRE, DEAD MAN’S FIRE, CHASING KELVIN, FIRES OF THE ATESI, and THE EMPTY, along with the short story collection, 13 BODIES: SEVEN TALES OF MURDER & MADNESS. Thom was the sole writer and co-producer of the weekly audio drama radio program, 21ST CENTURY AUDIO THEATRE. Several of Thom's audio dramas have been published on CD and MP3 formats. A native of the Chicago area, Thom currently makes his home with his wife in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional addition to Thom's earlier novel "The Empty". It seems he may be continuing his tale of the reyaqc, a people of mixed emotions that live with us. I enjoy this premise and , for me, a twist to a new type of vampire (no blood required). A people trying to fit in with the human race at the same time maintaining their heritage. Great story and characters. I recommend this book to readers of new ideas and spins. Check out this short story. Grab a copy of The Empty and enjoy.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice work!

Great writing! Intricate story! It really captured my interest from the beginning to the end. Great plot and unexpected twist.

[Kristin L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am already a huge fan of Thom Reese, and have enjoyed his other books. I could not resist when I saw this short story. This is my first venture into the world of the reyaqc, and it immediately intrigued me. I love the idea of an alien species that has quietly been living among humans since ancient times. Our hero, Nathan, has chosen the more "civilized" side of being reyaqc and is trying to blend in with the humans as much as possible. He finds himself in the war-torn country of Viet Nam during the war, and he witnesses the atrocities that are taking place. After an encounter with a female reyaqc named Tuyen, Nathan finds himself drawn to the darker side of his species, the "molts," who draw animal essence rather than human essence to survive. The "molts" end up as a rather monstrous hybrid of human and animal, with pieces and parts put together almost haphazardly. The staged fights between molts is hugely popular, and Nathan finds himself in the cage. The psychological downward spiral of our hero reveals that in the end, we are all fallible. And while Nathan believes he has learned that his core character is a monster, the story left me with the hope that he would find himself and his civility again.

This story is truly a remarkable combination of science fiction and horror. I have the book The Empty next on my "to read" list, and can't wait to venture further into the story of the reyaqc.