NOVEMBER NOVEL MONTH STORY IDEA # 2 Returning to Dust

 NOVEMBER NOVEL STORY IDEAS

STORY IDEA # 2

Returning to Dust

In the Bible, God told Adam, “… you were made from dust to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19)

Growing up in Utah, Marcus Killeen learned to hunt and track his prey. His father emphasized that a kill needed to be quick and clean lest the animal suffer, and the meat be tainted in death.

Working as an EMT in Park City, Marcus accepted that returning to dust is a natural part of life. He had witnessed firsthand those ready to return who welcomed death. What Marcus could not understand was why God would strike a person down before he or she was ready.

In time, Marcus came to believe it was his job to prepare those chosen to return by giving them a message: “To dust you will soon return. Prepare.” He hoped this would give them time to get their personal and business affairs in order before returning to dust.

Marcus could not explain why his messages went to so many wealthy men and women. Nor could he understand why the first three ignored his warning. When he helped them return, he discovered they were still unprepared even though his message had been clear.

His fourth message went to a wealthy widow living in Canyonland. Just to be sure, he sent her a second message. Rather than ignore his warnings to prepare, she went to the police, who assured her they would keep her safe and find the madman who wrote her letters. Unfortunately, they did neither.

Delmar Johnson, a retired congressman who had lost his reelection when his appetite for escorts and prostitutes was revealed by the press received Marcus' next message. Johnson, being a sensible man, went to the police, hired a bodyguard, and contacted the press. 

Unfortunately, Johnson’s response to a second message was to hire another bodyguard. Again, none of these precautions proved adequate. The two hired guardians were asleep when Johnson left early from his escort’s apartment and met Marcus. 

It was at this point that the Governor requested the DOJ, FBI, and Utah State Police to form a special task force to hunt down and stop the serial killer a local newspaper had labeled “The Dustman.”