title: The Darkest Light
author:  Dalton Frey 
description: <div>&quot;Why?&quot; It&apos;s a question we all must ask ourselves. For Dalton, it was the driving question behind The Darkest Light, his debut book. However, if you were to ask him why he authored it, he would ask you in turn, &quot;That depends... what did it mean to you?&quot; Such is his philosophy when it comes to writing and reading. There is no clear answer, and there likely never will be. For some, the book could be a testament to the unwavering struggles we who live face. For others, it could be a reflective journey on the drivers of time, something simply obvious on the outside but internally complex and infinite. For you, it could mean something entirely else. It could inspire you, frighten you, challenge you, break you, or make you--and that is both wonderful and horrifying.</div><div>Be careful of meaning--it may be all we really have.</div>
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  An Ideal Family  
    
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  
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  # An Ideal Family
  
  
  ### Katherine Mansfield
  
  
  
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  THAT evening for the first time in his life, as he pressed through the swing
  door and descended the three broad steps to the pavement, old Mr. Neave felt
  he was too old for the spring. Spring—warm, eager, restless—was there, waiting
  for him in the golden light, ready in front of everybody to run up, to blow in
  his white beard, to drag sweetly on his arm. And he couldn't meet her, no; he
  couldn't square up once more and stride off, jaunty as a young man, He was
  tired and, although the late sun was still shining, curiously cold, with a
  numbed feeling all over. Quite suddenly he hadn't the energy, he hadn't the
  heart to stand this gaiety and bright movement any longer; it confused him. He
  wanted to stand still, to w