So the sequel and the novella are in the process of being merged into a book. I promised I would post the first chapter here (when I was happy with it) and so I shall. This is original work. Enjoy responsibly.

Chapter one – The Trip

I was in a dark room lit by a single thick beam of light from above. Standing in that illumination was a tall, somewhat light-complected woman with sparkling skin and very long, braided blue hair. She was dressed in a black sports bra and dark jeans with boots. Her arms were toned and strong, and her visible stomach muscles flexed as they moved a bit, giving her a graceful, dangerous feel. She wore an enigmatic smile on her pale cold lips, with no teeth showing. Her upper face was mostly covered by a black mask but her blue eyes, surrounded by sparkling blue eye shadow, were clearly visible through two large holes. As I studied her, those blue eyes began to change and glow until it seemed they were lit from within by bright candle flames. I stepped toward her and that gold light brightened considerably. Since eyes are not normal if they glow like candle flames, I realized I was asleep and shook myself awake.

The scenery passing by my side of the small car hadn’t changed much. It was still a beautiful view of the stark winter landscapes prevalent in this part of the country. Today was Saturday, December 20. Next week I would celebrate my fourth Christmas in these parts and I still hadn’t tired of it as it’s so unlike where I was born. I’ve come to enjoy seeing the seasons in all their glory, from leafless and cold to brilliantly clothed in green and back again.

I glanced at the woman behind the wheel of the vehicle and grinned ruefully as I adjusted my tired slouch to a more comfortable upright position.

“Guess I dozed off on you. Sorry about that. Hope I didn’t drool on your car.”

Vishi laughed merrily. “You and your legendary napping abilities. Considering I fell asleep not once, not twice, but three times while you were driving, I think I can understand a little drool. I didn’t understand what you said, though. Something about a tutor? Don’t tell me you need a tutor in one of your classes. You’re the one making perfect grades, Sara, not me.”

“I said what? Tutor?”

“Yes, in your sleep.”

“Huh.” I rubbed my jaw and twisted my long braid of brown hair around in my fingers while I considered. “I don’t remember saying anything. You were talking to me and then I saw something strange that made me believe I was dreaming, so I woke up.”

My roommate, Vishi, is a sharp-eyed, sharp-tempered little thing. Half Italian and half Mexican heritage, her feisty side is hard to reckon with at times, but she more than makes up for it by being one of the kindest and sweetest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. Her only true downside is her cooking ability, which doesn’t really exist, but I’m happy to do all the cooking with her pitching in for half the groceries and the cleaning duties. We live in a little house in a little city where she goes to a university full time while I work pretty much full time and go to a community college two days a week. It’s a good situation; we get along pretty well, having met in high school where we became friends. If she said I was talking about a tutor in my sleep, then I was, as she is also one of the most honest souls I know. Funny thing is, I hadn’t realized I was worried about my grades. I have other things to be concerned with, though I wasn’t going to let her know that.

The strange dream was one of them, and it wasn’t the first time I’d experienced it.

“Sara?”

I looked over at her. “Yes?”

“I didn’t mean to worry you. Sorry.”

I smiled. There she was proving me right about her being a good soul.

“You didn’t. I’m just wondering if maybe it was another word, like Tudor, from my history class, or maybe tooter, from my boss, Mrs. Milford.”

She giggled. “Tooter? Really? The cafeteria lady? She says that?”

“Yep. Every time she farts.”

We both laughed out loud and it eased the situation. We were on the outskirts of a small town now, one decorated for the holidays, so we spent a few moments taking in the sights before the conversation continued.

“What were you dreaming about?” she asked as she navigated the light traffic. Continue reading First chapter of new book →