Suddenly there is more: April 26th, 2005

What's happening as I inch closer to the release of Lords: Part One? There was an event in the Oleander art scene that had people scrambling on city streets like insects in water... and earlier in the day, in the driveway of my house, a creepy event at 5:30am. I awoke, hearing shuffling on the front porch. I got up and inched my way to the front door and peeked out the blinds. Expecting to see a set of yellowed eyes peering back at me I saw a man creeping around a car. A sigh of relief. He was my neighbor. But what was he doing? Nothing I suppose.I went back to bed. He parks in my driveway and that's OK. But then when I awoke I saw what had happened... Had the Lords paid me a visit? You tell me...

The Note, the trashed backyard:

Something happened March 9th, 2005 when I got home from work. It could be considered sinister. Probably isn't. You know how people play jokes. See for yourself what was attached to my screen door:

(Just what's going on here?)

Right now I'm laughing. Because it's either my lawyer playing a joke on me, or it's some dumb kid pulling a prank. Remember, my backyard was trashed a week ago. It's true. Someone came through and broke two tables. They tossed chairs around and left my fence wide open. I don't know who would do this, but I'm not worried.

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Not the first letters:

I want to tell you these aren't the first eerie letters I received. I don't like to scare anyone, especially those close to me who I love, but I have been tormented by far more severe letters over the course of the past year.

I fear that one of my sources turned on me. And just maybe this particular source was filling my head full of lies, that I then incorporated into my book. Only those alive back in those days and still alive now will truly understand the content of such a book. I mean, really, it could be filled with meaningless anecdotes of Bakersfield's haunted past. Or, this novel could be a sign of something far more sinister....

Just what could I mean by 'sinister'?

I think it's time I show you all what these other letters were all about...

It's no great secret that I didn't give out my phone number for a long time. It's because of the calls I was receiving. I don't need to repeat them here, it's enough that I have the content of the most disturbing letters I have ever gotten in the mail.

I suppose I could just scan them like other letters I have online, but I just can't. These letters say too much about me. They're so personal that I never wanted or expected to share such details with you. So I can only share excerpts:

Letter one: Received October 31, 2004

Dear Mr. Belardes

There are more than ghosts that will haunt you. There are more than Lords to look after you. We are more than you imagine us to be and will not be peered at through your magnifying glass... watch yourself in this dark hour of what you do...

Letter two: Received December 23, 2004

Letter four: Received January 12, 2005

Dear Mr. Belardes

What is your New Year's resolution? ...that's mine. And I think you need to stay away from the ...house. If you are seen near there in the daytime, there is going to be some unfortunate times in this town. Are you thinking we're just ghosts? Are you thinking we're powerless? Are you thinking we can't stop a book from being published? You're a nobody writer... no one will ever read your material. Who will support you when the powers of this city won't?

Letter five: Received Janurary 30, 2005

You will never show anyone what you learned...