Monsters are real but they're not what we'd expect. Their realm lays hidden only to be found in darkness. They watch their humans and keep them from the dark portals leading to their world. To touch is forbidden... but not all follow the rules.
Missy has been fighting to live her entire life, but when she finds herself in a realm of unique and sometimes deadly monsters, she discovers just how much of a survivor she really is. Accidentally transferred to this mysterious realm by her monster and only friend, Charlie, he finds himself weak and unable to protect her. The only way she can defend herself and him, is to become a monster herself. But an unknown dark stalker watches her progress and if he steals her power, he will unleash a scourge on both his world and the world she left behind.
Chapter 1 - The Human
I knew I was dying. It’s weird the
doctor felt the need to explain that to me. I hear him outside my bedroom
talking to my mother, encouraging her to move me to a hospice. My mother
refuses with hot indignation. I picture her flailing her arms and insisting I
stay with the family ‘during this difficult time’. Truth is I’ve never really
lived. I look around my bedroom, and where most teens have a stereo, sits a
monitor for all the little gizmos attached to my body. No cool friendship beads
or Hawaiian leis decorate the posts of my bed, just two IV drips with drug
cocktails potent enough to subdue a lumberjack. Of course, it’s the drugs that
make the disease bearable. Not completely free from pain, but the numbness
helps. I hear my mother at the door again. She sneaks in silently just in case
I’m asleep. I’m not.
“You’re still awake, Missy?” she asks, brushing her
fingertips across my brow.
“Yes, Mom, I’m not really tired right now.” But I’m
always tired and I sleep most of the day. I just enjoy looking out the window
when the sun is bright and the clouds are scarce. I love watching the birds
perch on the feeder that hangs from my window. They are my entertainment, and
currently there is a rose finch noshing my seeds. I can’t sleep through this.
“Do you need anything, sweetheart?”
“No. I’m fine. I know you have things to do. Don’t
worry about me, Mom.” I try to sound cheerful so she won’t worry, but I know
she’s in a constant state of worry. Flashing my bravest smile, I reach for her
hand. I don’t wince, even though it is painful to move my stiff limbs. She
holds my hand and kisses it before releasing her grip and retreating from the
room. I can tell she’s going to cry again. I blow out a huge sigh.
A cool rush of air blows across my face. It feels
good. The antiquated osculating fan was my idea. The ceiling fan kept me too
cool but the floor fan blows air every few minutes making the air pleasant. The
gust is strong enough to lift papers from the bedside table. The whoosh and
crackle they produce bring back a memory, making me wince. Funny what you think
of at times like this. The sound sends me back to my earlier childhood. I’m
gripping the covers and stifling sobs into my pillow as I hear the other
children playing outside my window, knowing I could never join them. Sometimes
I would hear another sound coming from under the bed. As a child, I thought it
was a monster. I was right. He’d softly call my name and ask if I could play
with him. Once, I had the courage to look under the bed with a flashlight. Only
the dust bunnies and missing socks greeted me, but I still heard his voice.
“Missy, come to me; let’s play.”
Sometimes I would answer him. “I can’t today; I’m
sick.” He would grow silent but I felt sure he never left. I laugh to myself
thinking back on those memories and I swear I hear the monster calling me
again.
“Missy, come to me. Let’s play,” he calls from his
hiding place.
My muscles strain and it’s getting harder to breathe
but I wheeze out, “I can’t today. I’m sick.” This time I’m startled to hear the
monster laugh at me.
“Please come play,” he says.
I love writing fantasy fiction and especially for young adults. Many of my stories contain real life issues that teens face and although there’s a fantasy element to the solution, my job is to provide hope that things will get better. I’ve seen too many articles about teens who end their lives over bullying. I’m working on a spin off series from The Guardians of Esurack and hope to use this subject throughout each book. Life is too short to give in to bullies. I hope I can make that clear through my writings.
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