Five Bells

Laura Vasilion
Nov 2 · 5 min read

Chapter One Novel Excerpt from Maelstrom, a WWII novel set in Iceland, Boston and New York.

Boston Library Photo Courtesy of National Archives

Johnny was asleep when the busboy lit the match. Unconscious, when flames flickered in the artificial palm tree and flashed across the blue satin ceiling. Ate up the tropical fabric and netting and imitation leather fixtures. Roared up the Melody Lounge stairs. Gave birth to a black wall of toxic smoke that rolled through the swank nightclub.

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Laura Vasilion

Written by

Editor of Present Tense and Talking to the World. Author, blogger, novelist. Would rather be living in Iceland.

Laura Vasilion Present Tense

Essays, short stories, novel excerpts. Using my words in the moment.

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