Author: kharrison

Jill

Staring down at the bright red wrapping paper and its shiny silver bow, Jill hesitated. Christmas day was not supposed to be about nervousness and worry. It hadn’t been either for her until this year. 

Unfortunately this year was different. She was different. Peter was coming over. He would be there any minute and she was on the verge of passing out. 

Shaking her head she set the present down on the table only to stare at it. It had taken forever to find the perfect gift. Now that it was wrapped and there was no switching it for anything else she was nervous that it wouldn’t send the right message. She wanted him to know that she cared without freaking him out.

With all the anticipation, she hadn’t given herself time to worry. 

“Mom. I’m going to go wait for Peter out front.”

“Alright, honey.”

She only debated for a few seconds whether or not to take her present but glancing back over at where her mom was working in the kitchen she grabbed it. Out front she wouldn’t have an audience.

As she was closing the front door she heard footsteps on the patio. 

“I hope you weren’t planning on leaving before I got here. After all, I was hoping you would be my Christmas present.”

“Peter. Hey!” Launching into his arms Jill laughed. “I was coming out to catch you before you knocked on the door so we could exchange presents just the two of us.”

“Were you watching out the window for me?” He chuckled. “I thought you loved Christmas with your family.”

She shook her head and pulled him over to the white wicker seats on the far side of the porch. “I wasn’t looking to escape or avoid my family. And I wasn’t looking out the window. I just have the most incredible timing ever.”

“Or is it that you don’t want me to meet your mother?”

Again with the shaking head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible to avoid. You’re meeting my mom ‘cause she knows you are coming. Now sit and open my present before I overthink it and hide it from you instead.”

Jill set down the shiny red box in his lap and flopped back in the other chair. Clasping her hands she tried to hide her nerves but they still shook just a little. When Peter didn’t move to unwrap her present she shifted around. It wasn’t noticeable. At least she thought it wouldn’t be but Peter noticed.

“Jill. Whatever is in this box is not going to change how I feel about you. You know that right?”

She nodded. “My brain knows that. And yet I’m still nervous.”

“Why?”

After a moment’s hesitation she gave a shaky sigh. “I put a lot of thought and effort into finding what I thought would be a great gift. Now that it’s time for you to see it, I’m just doubting my whole process.”

“Would it help to have you open my present first?” He reached into his pocket but her hand on his arm stopped him.

“No. I just want you to open it so I can see your reaction and stop freaking myself out.” Jill shook her shoulders. “It’s a good one. Open it.”

It only took a few seconds before the torture was over and instead she watched as his jaw dropped. “No way.”

She couldn’t stop nodding.

“Jill, you didn’t.” He laughed. “How did you manage?”

“I told you it took a lot of work.”

Pulling out the roll he kept shaking and laughing his head as he laid out the paper on the table. “You designed this? When did you find the time? You work so much as it is.”

She shrugged. “I put in time here and there. When I could. You’ve wanted to fix up your grandfather’s place for a long time, you said. And I remember you mentioning that you couldn’t find someone who could put your vision on paper. So every time you talked about what you wanted, I took notes. And we can change whatever you want.”

“Well now I wish you had opened mine first. There is no way mine can compare to this.”

Putting her hand on his she waited until he was looking at her. “Peter. Whatever is in this box is not going to change how I feel about you.”

“Oh funny. Using my own words against me.”

Beaming, Jill held out her hands. “Now give me my present, please.”

“No.”

Shock filled her face for a brief second. 

“I think I need to show you how much I appreciate your gift first.” He winked. “With a kiss…or kisses.”

Taking her hand he pulled her over onto his lap. Softly he whispered in her ear. “Thank you so, so much Jill.” Each word was followed by a small kiss. “I love your…present.”

“I’m liking mine too.” She whispered back.

He stopped, pulling back barely an inch. “Oh funny.” He smiled. “Now I won’t kiss you again until you open your present.”

“That’s not very holly jolly of you.” Jill gave him a pouty lip. “Just one more. Please?”

“I’m not Santa. Now go sit on your chair so I can watch you open your present.”

With a big exaggerated sigh she moved back over to her chair, glancing over at the front door and window to make sure they didn’t have any peepers.

“Once again I find myself with my hands open and waiting. Do I get my present now?”

He pulled out a small rectangle box. “Be kind.” His hand shook as he handed it over.

Opening the box she gasped at the small pendant necklace laying on the blue velvet pad. “A key?”

“Jill, I’m giving you the key to my heart. Maybe it’s a little corny but I wanted you to have this so that every time you put it on you remember that you have my heart all locked up and yours.”

“Oh. I love that.”

“I love you, Jill.”

Deah ~Part 3~

Deah Rose watched from the bench where she sat as her father practically dragged her new fiance toward the great hall. Only now was she beginning to understand her father’s desperation to have her married and away from here. If Alarik had heard of her from so great a distance, then surely the warlords had too. They would have no qualms of seeking her out in her home and stealing her in the night.

Suddenly she now felt unsafe.

Alarik stopped at the door, looking back at her. It was almost laughable how easily he could halt her father’s attempts to move him. She managed a shaky smile. 

“Deah Rose, would you do me the honor of accompanying me?” His deep voice steadied her, calming the shakiness that had engulfed her. At her nod, he smiled warmly and reached out a hand to her. No doubt, he would remain that way until she reached him.

While there was no impatience in his face or his stance, Deah Rose hurried across the room as gracefully as she could. Her father was not a patient man and he looked thunderous. He was not used to his daughter usurping his precedence. She could tell he did not like it, not one bit.

Her father patted her shoulder while she gracefully looped her hand into her fiance’s arm. “Now Deah, this is about your engagement. We want to introduce Lord Dunharein to as many people as we can.”

Alarik straightened. “Please be sure to point out your friends as well, Deah Rose. I would enjoy getting to know those who are closest to you.” 

As her father turned to lead the way out the door, Alarik leaned in. “Perhaps they will have amusing childhood stories to share.”

Her smile threatened to overwhelm her but she kept it in check, always aware that people were watching. She nodded to the still open door. “This is a gathering of my father’s business partners and associates. I have few passing friendships among them. That being said, I hope to introduce you to my true friends another time.”

“I shall look forward to it.”

Emerging from the small side room where they had taken brief refuge, Deah smiled at the crowd and stepped up beside her beaming father. Alarik followed, keeping his strong hand on the small of her back.

The man’s hand was distracting and caring, a sensation she was entirely unaccustomed to. Once he had escorted her to the front of the room his hand slid from her back to her waist, holding her lightly. She resisted the inclination to lean back into him. 

Deah fought the awareness of his proximity as it sliced through her where her shoulder brushed against his chest. His hand on her waist tightened for a brief second.

Whatever her father had said caused the men around her to cheer. Startled, Deah realized she had not listened to a single word he had said. Her father moved into the crowd with Alarik and Deah was swept along. It took all of her concentration to focus on the men in front of her and not on her new fiance.

“How long ‘til the wedding?” One man asked, catching Deah by surprise.

Her father laughed, the sound echoing around the room. “I suppose we should give it a few days to sink in and let the kitchen prepare a feast. I’ll have the girl married ’fore the end of the week.” He pinched her cheek and smiled around. “Two days?”

Deah’s mouth dropped open. Glancing up at Alarik in concern she hesitated to object.

Alarik smoothly cut in. “As delighted as I would be to have Deah Rose as my bride so quickly, I will require a bit more time to send for my family. They will not be pleased with me if I do not include them in this.”

“How long will that take?” Her father’s eyes narrowed. 

For a single fearful second Deah worried that her father would rescind their engagement. It seemed he wanted her married off more than she had realized.

Peering down into her face, Alarik smiled. “I will send for them with all haste. It should not be more than a week. And I will personally see to Deah Rose’s safety until then.”

“I can see to my daughter’s safety, Dunharein. Don’t presume to take on my responsibilities. I’m giving you a daughter, not free rein of everything.” Her father grumped.

“I am sure Lord Dunharein is merely attempting to impress you, Father. No one doubts your abilities to keep us all safe.”

With a short, surly nod he moved on to the next man vying for his attention and congratulations. 

“Thank you.” Deah whispered up to Alarik.

“Deah Rose, this is your wedding. I want you to be excited, not fearful.” He chuckled. “And my mother may truly throttle me if I married without her present. She will be surprised enough as it is, since there were no wedding plans in my future when I left.”

“How long have you been from home?”

“Only a few months.”

An over eager young man pushed forward, knocking into them both in his haste. Alarik caught him by the arm and pulled him abruptly to a halt. 

“Apologize to the lady and remember your manners.”

This brought Deah’s father’s attention. “Gardon, my boy. Where have you been? You did not miss our big announcement did you?”

“Who is that?” The boy demanded, ignoring everything else as he pointed at Alarik. “I don’t like him.”

Deah cringed. “Gardon, you cannot speak of others so rudely.”

Gardon merely stuck his tongue out at her and moved his attention back to Alarik. “You should apologize to me, for laying hands on me in my own house.”

Alarik’s gaze flicked to hers. “Your brother?”

She nodded.

Deah’s father interjected. “Gardon, this is your sister’s intended. They are to be married soon. Lord Dunharien, allow me to introduce you to my eldest son.”

Alarik gave a small nod but his face remained impassively stern. 

Deah moved closer to him and his hand tucked her securely to him, as if he were comforting her. “Lord Dunharein, my brother forgets himself at times. Please forgive his behavior.”

Eyes on her, he studied her face for a moment. “Are you the oldest or is he?”

“I am.” Gardon puffed his chest a little. 

“A pleasure to meet more future family. I’m sure you’ll grow into your future soon enough.”

Once more, Gardon stepped forward, his face turned red as he sputtered. “Grow? I am fully grown. I could take you in a duel if need be.”

“If you need a duel to prove your age, then there is plenty of growing left to be done.” Alarik smiled sharply. “Close your mouth, boy, before you say something you regret.”

Her father finally stepped in, all congenial smiles. “Gardon, go see if you can find something for our guest to drink. This is a celebration.”

Alarik gave her father a short nod and faced her. “Are all of your siblings as pleasant as this one?”

Deah laughed. “Gardon is a special case. Father has spoiled him. Nothing I say seems to make a difference.”

“If you don’t mind, I may have to find some time to teach your brother some manners.” He bowed slightly. 

“I would love to be present for such an occurrence.” She settled into his chest for a brief moment, soaking in his strong presence before straightening and facing the crowd once more. “For now, we have more people for you to meet, for my father’s sake.”

Amethyst

“I’m going to tell mom you went to the barrier again last night.” Tati whispered when I put my dishes in the sink.

Scoffing, I grabbed an extra roll left on the kitchen counter. “How would you know?”

“You snuck out again.”

“That doesn’t mean I went anywhere near the barrier. It just means I was out of the house, Tati.”

“Mom won’t like it either way.” Tati laughed. “You are in so much trouble.”

I stuck out my tongue and proceeded to ignore her. Besides, I had gone to the barrier and I was probably going to go again tonight. I had seen something through the barrier this time. While I couldn’t quite figure out what it was, I was determined to see it again. Whatever it is.

Supposedly the barrier had appeared the year before I was born and no one had figured out where it had come from. Twenty years later and they still hadn’t even figured out why it was there. Usually I ignored it just as much as everybody. Well, most of the time. Mom said I have an unnatural curiosity about the outside.

It was the flash of light while I’d been rushing home for dinner that pulled me to it. And then I’d been stupid enough to mention it to Tati.

So last night I waited until everyone was in bed and quiet for at least an hour before I crept over to my window and eased out. The walk to where I had seen the light through the barrier wasn’t far and I settled down behind a tree where I could sit out of sight, between the barrier and the tree.

Prepared for a long night of waiting I was stunned when there was a faint flickering light just a few short minutes later. It didn’t move. I waited but I’m never very good at being patient.

“Hello?”

Immediately after speaking I felt infinitely stupid. I was calling out to a flickering light through an impenetrable barrier in the middle of the light. No one had ever seen anything on the other side of the barrier, ever since it went up. My one consolation was that no one would witness my weirdness. Ok, two consolations. There was also the fact that if it was a wild animal or something dangerous out there, it wouldn’t be able to get me in here.

“Don’t start jumping at freaky lights, Amethyst. You’ll never make it through the night.” I whispered to myself. 

“Hello?”

If it hadn’t been a decidedly male voice, I would have simply brushed it off as my echo. It wasn’t. Some guy had answered my hello with his own. Glancing around the tree, I peered around the dark empty courtyard. No one.

After several minutes I settled back against the tree and nearly screeched when I looked at the barrier to find a face pressed against it.

Standing up slowly I looked closer. The face seemed smushed and contorted. Nothing else was misshapen when I looked through the barrier. Maybe there was disease outside the barrier that messed with how a person looked. Maybe that was why it was put in place.

“Are you real?” The man asked.

Nodding, I put a hand up against the barrier. He jumped back and his face immediately appeared normal. “Are you real? I’ve never seen any person outside the dome.”

“That’s because this land is said to be toxic, that it will kill any who come anywhere near here. There’s a whole elaborate wall to keep people out.”

“I don’t see a wall.” I peered once more out past the man. “I never have.”

He shrugged. “It’s a few miles away, through the forest. It makes sense you can’t see it. When it went up I guess there was lots of talk about hazardous materials and toxic levels and protecting people. That wall is crazy hard to get around.

“Yet you came in?”

With a shrug he looked back behind him. “I never was good at following the rules. Besides, this place has been off limits with no explained reason or cause for way too long to not be explored. 

I gulped. “So are there many more people beyond the wall?”

He laughed. “Millions. Are you guys trapped inside?”

“No one knows how or why the barrier is here. And no one knows how to get out.”

“Crazy weird stuff. How long ago did it happen?”

I pulled at my sweater and looked up to the sky. “A year before I was born. Give or take a month.”

Once again his face pressed against the barrier and scrunched. “You don’t look that old.”

“I’m not!” I smacked at the barrier. “I just turned 19.”

He shook his head. “No way. This place is so old. That wall is even older than old. I mean. This place has been toxic and a danger zone for hundreds of years. It’s a legend. Whispered around over campfires. The lost city, of sorts.”

“Lost?” I settled back down against the tree. “We haven’t gone anywhere. We aren’t lost. We’re stuck but not lost.”

“But only 20 years? Not possible. My dad spotted the shimmer of the top of your dome shield when he was young. He talked about seeing buildings not aged with time. The problem was he just couldn’t get any closer. But I heard the stories though. Those stories are why I’m here.”

I couldn’t stop shaking my head. “When he was young? That isn’t possible. Everyone knows that it has been 20 years. We are having a big commencement in a few days.”

“What’s your name?” 

Startled at the abrupt change I laughed. “Amethyst. What’s yours?”

“Flint.”

“Well Flint, this has all been incredible but the night patrol is coming by soon and I can’t get caught. So I have to go.”

Flint banged against the barrier. “Wait, don’t go.”

“I have to.”

“Come back tomorrow night?”

I hesitated. “Will you still be here?”

“I want to.” He glanced away from the dome. “I don’t know if there is anything that will keep me away.”

“Will you tell me about life outside?”

“Sure. Anything you want to know.”

Ruby

Ruby snatched her list back out of Wyatt’s hands and smoothed it out on the table next to her, making sure it was out of his sight. “Don’t touch.” She snapped. Several people glanced their way but Ruby steadfastly ignored their looks. 

Seconds later he looked back up from the specials list and pouted. “Ruby, you’ve been studying and marking that listy thing for the past several minutes. What gives? You’ve been completely ignoring me and you know how I feel about being ignored.”

“I’m not telling.” Instantly feeling juvenile, she stuck out her tongue at him. Wyatt always seemed to yank out the worst in her and put it on full display for everyone. “It’s private, Wyatt. Mind your own business. 

Normally she kept to herself and analyzed stock options for her bosses’ clients. Mind-numbing work for some but she liked it. Somehow that all went away around her long time bestie. Despite his flaws and nosiness, he kept her balanced…most times. Not right now though.

“What are you doing with that mile long list of guys’ names?” Jessica asked from where she was peeking over her shoulder. “Are you making a list for an event or something? Davis Long? Harry Telns? What kind of an event involves those two?”

Ruby blushed and shoved the paper into her purse, deep in her purse. “Since when do you guys need to know everything I do?”

“It’s a list of guys?” Wyatt was not to be distracted. He had perked up at the news. “Am I on it?”

She quickly shook her head. “Not a chance.”

He got up and plopped down in the seat next to her. “And why not?”

“Can’t we just drop it? What are you having?” Ruby grabbed up the menu and buried her head in it.

Both of her friends laughed. 

Jessica slowly pulled the menu down and raised an eyebrow at her. “I know you love your lists and all but is there a reason you are keeping this one all secretive? Usually you are over-the-top excited to show us your organization. To the point where we beg you not to. So what’s with this one?”

It took several attempts, involving looking between her friends and the menu multiple times and opening her mouth over and over before she whispered out. “It’s a dateable list.”

“A what?” Both friends leaned closer. “I didn’t hear you.”

Ruby groaned and took a deep breath. “It’s my date list; a list of dateable guys I know or have met or know of. I started it yesterday.”

Wyatt snatched the paper out of her purse and immediately smoothed it open on the table. His finger quickly scanned the list top to bottom.

“Something is wrong with your list, Ruby.” Wyatt declared.

She folded her arms and glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “No there isn’t. Just because I don’t have everyone I know on there doesn’t mean there is something wrong with it. I am taking my time figuring out who should be on it.”

“But Ruby, I’m not even on here. You forgot me.”

She laughed. “Of course I didn’t forget you. I just didn’t include you. You’re not dateable.”

“Plenty of women find me very dateable.” He pushed.

“Good for them, Wyatt. Go date them.”

He looked over the list again. “Why am I not on the list? And why was Devin able to make it on?”

Huffing, Ruby pulled the list out from under his hand. “I told you why you’re not. You don’t even know what I’m looking for in a man, so how would you know who should and shouldn’t be on my list?”

His smile broadened as he leaned over to grab the list back again. “You have a list to decide who can be on your list?”

While she nodded, he shook his head.

Jessica chimed in. “So then, what does it take to get on your date-worthy list? A job?”

Wyatt smacked Jessica in the arm. “I have a job. It’s not fancy but it pays my bills.”

“Uh huh.” Jessica pushed at him. 

“That’s not on my list.” Ruby took her menu back from Jessica and stared at it, ignoring her bickering friends.

Wyatt grabbed her hand. “Name one thing on your list.”

With a sigh she tried to pull away. He squeezed and let go. 

“I’ll stop bothering you if you tell us one thing.”

“For how long?” She retorted.

“All day.”

She shook her head. “So generous of you. I’m going to have to say no.”

Jessica tapped the top of the menu. “Aww if you tell us what’s on the dating requirements we can help you look. Add names to the list and all that.”

“Or cross names off.” Wyatt added cheerily. “We’ll be so helpful.”

“One thing.” Ruby groaned. “In order to be dateable material, I am looking for someone who doesn’t mind if I disagree with them every once in a while. Not on anything big like where to live or how to raise kids but stuff like nachos are better than corn dogs or who is going to the playoffs.”

Wyatt elbowed her in her side. “I am adding my name to that list.”

Ruby was scoffed and laughing at the same time. “Because you possibly meet one part of the qualifications?”

“Yes! We disagree all the time and we are still as close as clams.” He pulled a pen out from where it always hung out behind his ear. “I say we keep my name on the list until I hear something that disqualifies me.”

“I’ve never thought about you that way, genius.”

He shrugged. “First time for everything. Now, we need to get eating so I can go finish making a custom table for Mrs Jantins. She said she needs it ready by Thanksgiving and I don’t want to leave it all to the last second.” Wyatt nudged at Jessica and winked. “That would be very irresponsible of me. No one wants to date an irresponsible man. I totally deserve to be on the list.”

Hanna

“You know those roses aren’t going to last through the whole flight, right?” Hanna held back a chuckle as the man sat down next to her with a huge bouquet of roses. “You probably should have waited till you landed. Do airports have flower shops? I’ve never checked.”

The man groaned, holding the flowers up and away from him. “Kill me now.”

“Are you going to hold them like that the whole flight?”

He speared her with an exasperated look. “Are you going to ask me personal questions the whole flight?”

Shrugging she settled back and leaned a little away from him. “No. I plan on ignoring you from here on out.” With that, she grabbed her headphones. Usually she would push herself to be social before she disappeared behind her book and music but that inclination had vanished at her neighbors continued scowl.

As she was fumbling to get the earbud in her ear and get the music started he sighed and shoved the entire bouquet under the seat in front of him, kicking it once. Hanna’s fingers froze and without thinking she looked over at the man’s face. His sheepish blush had her laughing.

“They really aren’t going to last if you do that.” She muttered, more to herself.

“What?”

Earbuds firmly in place she pointed to them and shook her head with a smile. When he mimed pulling them out she shook her head again. “I am minding my own business and not interacting with anyone at all. Not asking any annoying questions. Just me and my book.”

He left her alone, watching the stewardess explain the emergency exits and seatbelts. It wasn’t until the plane took off that he turned back her way and tapped her hand. She did not move, eyes fixed on her book. Out of the corner of her eye she watched him pull out a pen and write on the napkin that came with his drink. He slid it over.

I’m sorry.

After a few seconds he took the napkin back and wrote on it again.

I didn’t get the roses for anyone.

With an exaggerated sigh Hanna put the book down. “I thought you wanted me to keep out of it.”

“It’s a long flight and I forgot my headphones.” He held out his hand. “Can we start over? I’m Reed.”

“Hanna. Does this mean you’ll tell me about the roses?”

He kicked the flowers again. “They are from a girl.”

“Some girl gave you flowers?” She peered down at them again. “I hope you knew her.”

“I did. Do. We used to date.”

“And she didn’t get the no-longer-dating notice? Or refuses to accept?”

Shaking his head, he glanced back over at her. “I don’t know how I could make it any more clear to her. We haven’t been dating for months now. We don’t call or text or anything. Yet somehow she knew I was leaving today and knew when to show up to say goodbye and everything.”

“Stalker leave a card with the pretty flowers?”

He pulled a bright pink, heavily scented envelope from his backpack and dropped it in her lap. “I haven’t opened it yet. I didn’t want to kill anyone with the toxic fumes.”

“So you give it to me?” Hanna held it out and away from her. Someone must have dipped it in perfume and kept it in a sealed bag for it to be so strong still. “I don’t have a death wish.”

“I figured you might be able to stand it long enough to read it and tell me if she is going to follow me and murder me in my sleep.”

She shoved the card at him. “Why me?”

He shoved it back. “You are a woman. You have perfume too.”

“I don’t bathe in it.” He gave her the saddest puppy-dog-eyes plea. “Oh fine.”

Quickly ripping open the envelope Hanna pulled out the card and dropped the envelope on the ground. Scanning it, she laughed. “You won’t have to worry about her following but you probably won’t ever want to go back.”

“Why?”

Bumping shoulder to shoulder she lay her head on his broad shoulder and batted her eyes up at him. “Your one true love promises to have everything ready for the wedding by the time you get back.”

“No.” He instantly snatched it out of her grasp and read it himself. “No.”

Still chuckling, Hanna eased away and opened her book back up. “Don’t ask me to pretend to be your fiance or wife to get out of this. I have read way too many books and watched too many movies to fall for that line.”

“It would be rather clever.” He chuckled and elbowed her arm lightly, just enough to get her attention. “Besides, didn’t those all end in true love and happily ever afters? I could be you Prince Charming.”

She scoffed and pushed him away. “Only if you hadn’t heard it a thousand times before.”

“You have men begging you to be their fake wife often?” Now he looked beyond surprised and totally transfixed.

“No!” She held up her book. “Books. Movies. Not me.”

“Ahh. So are you dating someone?”

Dropping her book into her lap, she glared at him. “Is that relevant?”

“It is if I want you to have drinks with me. I wouldn’t ask if you are already in love with someone else.”

Raising her eyebrow she looked him over, studying him for a second.

He pointed up at the call button. “I believe there are the options of ginger ale, water, sprite, or diet coke. What do you say? Will your boyfriend beat me up at arrivals for even daring to ask you?” 

She held for another minute before conceding. “No boyfriend to worry about here. Though I do worry about your rosy ex if she hears about this. Maybe she hid a camera or recording device in the flowers.”

He winked. “I kicked it already.”

Laughing, Hanna nodded. “Wise choice. In that case, you can get me a ginger ale.”

With a gentlemanly bow, or as close to it as he could get while sitting strapped into an airplane seat, he reached up and pressed the call button. 

Kiani ~Part 2~

The whole village had gathered; the children, the elderly, and everyone in between. Tonight, one of us would be chosen as the sacrifice to the Warlord Gantos. It only happened once every five years but it has been five years to the day. I still remember the look on the man’s face from the last sacrificial call when his name had been called. While I can’t recall his name, his face is stuck in my memory. Imprinted there. 

After his name had been called he went through the village gate and into a wagon I hadn’t noticed before. No goodbyes. No tears. Abject horror on his face and then gone.

No one talked about him again. If I was called, it would be the same.

Usually when we all gather together as a whole village there is talking and laughing and jokes and food. Not today. It seems even the little ones are feeling the somber atmosphere. The only sounds were the natural ones; feet shuffling, doors opening and closing, wheels turning. I wanted to scream. Just for the reaction, for the noise.

The noon bell began to toll and everyone gathered by the fountain. And still no talking. That is, not until the red robed Elected raised his hands. Without any fanfare or introduction he clapped his hands once and spoke.

“Warlord Gantos calls for his sacrifice. Kiani Ciel.”

All the air left my body. I couldn’t move. I had officially entered the realm of the forgotten with that one plain announcement. Already people were drifting away. It wasn’t their name called so they could move on with their lives. And I guess to them I was already gone. I watched my mother move away, not bothering to look my way. 

The Elected stared at me, standing there gaping in the middle of the quickly dispersing crowd. He hadn’t moved. Instead the man merely waited for me to accept the call and meekly bow to it. Smoothing my tattered dress I took several steps back, away from The Elected. His unemotional gaze hardened to steel.

“Kiani Ciel. Step forward.”

I shook my head. Words still wouldn’t come.

The Elected pointed at the wagon waiting outside the gate. It looked exactly like the one who had taken the last sacrifice.

“You can go willing and be comfortable on your journey or you can go bound.” The Elected slowly walked to me. His gaze never wavered from my face, did not break eye contact. “Walk over to the wagon. Your life here no longer exists.”

Looking around at the only place I had ever known, I found his words to be achingly true. I walked over to the wagon without any further hesitation.

After I sat down in the wagon I looked back at The Elected. “How long?”

“It is a journey of 5 days to the Warlord’s base.”

With that, he stepped back and the wagon began to move. A man I did not recognize was on the seat guiding the horses. After what felt like hours may have been more or less, I found that I couldn’t focus. The trees blurred as much as the passing time did.

It wasn’t until the quick steady beat of a fast approaching horse broke the solemn quiet that I sat up straight and looked around. Behind the plodding wagon, a hooded rider with a huge flowing cape galloped closer. I watched as he approached, so unlike the slow steady inexorable pull to the reality of the warlord’s sacrifice.

Mere minutes later and the rider was beside the wagon and reaching his hand into me. I stared at that hand, uncomprehending.

“Take my hand.” His voice broke the last vestiges of whatever frozen acceptance had numbed my brain.

I could see the driver turning around as I flung myself toward the rider. In seconds I was pulled bodily from the wagon onto the horse. The position I landed in was oddly uncomfortable. I was sitting backwards, in the man’s lap, though if I shifted too much I probably would have fallen off. I wrapped my arms quickly around the man’s chest and held on tight.

The driver was yelling something but the wind drowned it out.

Several miles of hanging on for my life later and the man spoke. “Kiani, you just need to hold for a few more minutes.”

“H-h-how, how do you know me?” It was hard to chat on the back of a galloping horse.

He didn’t speak for several minutes until he slowed his horse to a canter, peering back behind him several times. “Kiani, we grew up together. Though I haven’t seen you for several years.”

“Five years?” She swallowed.

He chuckled. “A little more, actually. I ran away the year before the five year mark.”

“Declan?” I struggled to sit up better, hoping to stumble on a more comfortable position. “If you are Declan then I am thinking you’ve grown way too much for me to recognize you on the back of a fleeing horse.”

“I was there five years ago, hiding in the treeline. If they had called your name instead of Luc’s I would have done this then instead of now.”

“Luc.” I stared away and off into the horizon. “I couldn’t remember his name.”

Declan shrugged. “He wasn’t very social. And since no one talks about the sacrifice once they are gone I’m not surprised that you couldn’t.”

“Where are we going?”

“Kiani, I’ve been out here for six years. I’m taking you to my home. You’ll be ok.”

Shaking my head, I couldn’t clear away the fog. “I don’t feel well.” I sighed before yawning. “Won’t they come looking for me?”

“I don’t know.” He confessed. “You are the first sacrifice I’ve ever stolen. I did follow Luc’s wagon until it reached the city but I couldn’t go inside. I have no idea what happened to him. I’ll keep you safe though.”

“You can’t guarantee that.” I struggled to talk, to breathe.

Declan shifted, further slowing his horse. “Almost there. I’ll do everything in my power to never let you come to harm.”

“I missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Kiani. Welcome home.”

Hailey

Hailey stared up at the top of the ferris wheel and shook her head. “You have got to be crazy. I am not going up in that death trap.”

“Not even if I promise it will be beautiful and romantic and I’ll keep you safe the whole time? You won’t fall out, I guarantee it.” Jordan nudged her toward the line.

Still, she did not move more than she had to, staring up at the top of the circle where one of the little buckets swayed. She vehemently shook her head. “No.”

“Why?”

“How many reasons will it take to get me out of going on it?”

Laughing, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and yanked her into line. Luckily it was a long line so she wouldn’t have to face it for a while yet. 

Or better yet, she had a chance of talking him out of it.

“Jordan, I don’t want to go on the ferris wheel.” She added a little extra whine to make her point. “Why do you want to go on it so bad?”

He shrugged, looking around and pointedly not at her. “It’s supposed to be all romantic and stuff.”

“It’s not romantic if the girl doesn’t want to go.”

“Everything online said it would be perfect if I set it up right and that the ferris wheel was my best bet.”

Hailey folded her arms. “Perfect for what? Exactly.”

“Just come on the ferris wheel and see.” He pouted before his smile came back full force. 

“Jordan, whatever it is that you want to have happen in that stupid bucket on the ferris wheel could happen anywhere. Especially on the ground. We could go to the merry go round or maybe do the go kart racing. They both go in just as many circles, maybe more.” She tugged softly on his arm and grinned. 

He shook his head. “There’s no spectacular view to inspire us on the merry go ‘round. And it isn’t just the two of us at any point. Are you scared of heights? Because when we went hiking last week you didn’t seem bothered at all.”

Slowly the line inched them closer to the ferris wheel. 

Hailey sighed. “Jordan it isn’t a thing about heights.” With a groan she laid her head on his chest.

Wrapping his arms around her waist he tugged her in for a hug. “Hailey, come one. Tell me. Help me understand. I put a lot of thought into where to go tonight and thought the ferris wheel would be the frosting on the cake. So if something is wrong, let me know and I can still make this night amazing and change plans.”

“Can’t we just change plans?” It was her turn to pout.

Hugging her close he whispered in her ear. “We should probably talk it out. I don’t want to make this kind of mistake again if it affects you this deeply.”

With a shrug she took a deep breath. “All I see when I look at the ferris wheel is it falling off its hinges and rolling away with me in it and crashing in some big crash either in the ocean or off a cliff.”

“And I’m guessing that nothing I say will make a difference.”

She shook her head.

“You haven’t ever been on one then?”

When she shook her head again, still staring up at the great big monstrosity, he nudged her hip.

“Hailey, have you ever seen one break?”

“In the movies.”

“Ok. Can I make a deal with you?” He swung her away so that she couldn’t see the ferris wheel unless she left the comfort of his arms and turned around. “We talk to the ferris wheel guy and have him only have us go around once, slowly. If you’re not ok with it we get off.”

“We can’t do that. They won’t let us do that.”

He smiled. “At least let me try my incredible powers of persuasion. Then if they say no, we don’t have to go and I’ll figure something else out.”

Taking a deep breath Hailey hesitantly nodded. “And if there is a freak accident and we end up rolling off to who knows where…”

“…We’ll die together.” He chimed in.

She laughed and tapped his cheek. “I was going to say that I’ll haunt you forever.”

“That’s assuming I live through it and you don’t. Too many assumptions there, Hailey.”

Jordan held her close for the rest of the line, slowly making their way up the line, his arms wrapped securely around her. When they were only a few people back Jordan disentangled himself and winked. 

“Time to work my powers.”

He was talking with the worker for far longer than she thought it would’ve taken for the guy to tell him no. Another few minutes and Jordan was walking back with a huge cheesy grin. 

“Bow down and admire my fearsome powers.” Jordan swooped in and tucked her under his arm. “One time around and he will only stop once so there won’t be too much swinging.”

“Stop?”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “Once at the top so we can see the view. Then he’ll let us down. You’ll love it and thank me for the experience for eternity.”

It took a ton of steady breathing and hand clenching to get into the chair-bucket thing. Then they were up and swaying. She may have clung to his arm a little more tightly than necessary. When they came to a stop at the top she may have let out a screech.

Jordan gave a light laugh “Hailey, look at the view. It’s incredible!”

Taking another deep fortifying breath she looked out and laughed. “It’s beautiful.”

When she turned to smile at Jordan she found her lips pressed tightly against his as he pulled her in. She almost didn’t notice as they began their descent, lost in the feel of his lips.

The worker chuckled as they came into view. “Good ride?”

Hailey blushed. “Best first kiss ever.”

Zadie ~Part 2~

When Emmett started pulling her towards the ocean Zadie slowed. “You are going to drown me. You may be convinced that you can breathe underwater but I know I can’t.”

“Zadie, trust me.” His smile tugged at her heart, dredging up memories of all the times he had looked at her that way. And how many of those times had ended up in an epic adventure.

With a sigh, she gave a short nod. “Emmett, if you kill me, I am going to haunt you forever.”

His laughter echoed along the shore and into her heart. She had missed him. Not only the adventures they always seemed to accidentally find themselves in, but him, everything about him. She still hadn’t fully accepted that he was there, standing in front of her. In seconds, they were up to their shoulders in water and he took hold of both her hands.

“I won’t let go but I am going to go underwater. Just keep treading water and I’ll be up in a bit. How long do I need to stay under to convince you?”

“Ten minutes.” Zadie threw out the number without thinking. “Are you expecting me to tread water here for ten minutes, holding your hands while you sit underwater?”

“If that is what it takes, then yes. I’ve missed you and I don’t want to lose you again.”

“Ok.” Zadie shrugged.

And he promptly sank. 

Those ten minutes lasted forever but not once did he struggle or pull, seemingly content to hold her hands.

The entire time he was under the water, Zadie was torn between scanning the shore for late night beach walkers who might mistakenly think that she was skinny dipping or suicidal, and peering out at the water as if she could see down into the dark water. There were no signs of anyone else under the water around them but she almost yanked on his hands to pull him up to ask and make sure. She didn’t want to feel some creepy hand grabbing her ankle and pulling her under.

After what felt like eternity his head rose above the water with a huge grin on his face. 

He intently studied her face for a minute then a grin broke out. “I thought you’d panic.” He laughed. “You’re amazing.”

“Frozen solid is more like it.” She shivered.

Emmett continued to laugh as he swooped her up into his arms and easily plowed through the water and back up the beach. With no ceremony or even any consideration, he all but dropped her onto the sand. He plopped down next to her, shaking his wet hair.

With a groan, Zadie smacked him.

“What was that for?” He pushed back at her shoulder in retribution. “I proved that I can breathe underwater and you slug me?”

“I didn’t bring a towel, genius.” She tried to laugh but it came out as more of an audible shiver. “I wasn’t planning on getting in the water in the middle of the night.”

He scoffed. “Huh. Why not? Perfect night for a swim.”

She couldn’t get the words to come out as memories of the day he disappeared swirled through her thoughts.

Emmett noticed almost immediately. “What happened? Was it something I said?”

She had no words.

“Zadie?” He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze.

Finally she was able to tear her gaze away from the crashing waves and looked up into her best friend’s eyes. Tears began to fall. Her mouth opened several times as she tried to explain, to admit how truly battered she had been since he had vanished. Nothing came out. 

His arm came to rest around her shoulder, giving off warmth and causing her to shiver again. She took a deep breath.

“Emmett, I haven’t been swimming since you disappeared.”

“What? Why?” He shook his head, squeezing her for a second. “You love the water. Most days I couldn’t get you out of the water unless I caught you and dragged you to shore.”

Shaking her head she glowered at him. “How could I get in the water? I watched you drown. You were fine one second, and the next you weren’t there. I didn’t even see you struggle. Nothing. I still can’t get it out of my head.”

“But you just went in there with me. You didn’t even hesitate.”

“I wasn’t entirely sure this was real. A part of me still believed I was dreaming. Still do. You can’t be real.”

Instantly she was enveloped in a back-cracking hug, pulled into his bare chest. He held her for a minute, not saying anything, just holding her.

Her voice was still shaky as she spoke. “Are you going to see your mom?”

He grimaced. “I was planning on it. Has this all been hard on her?”

“Once she found the note she was fine. She’s missed you. Some days I see her staring off into nowhere.” She shrugged. “I always felt like she was just waiting for you to show up again for a visit.”

“Really?”

Again she shrugged, leaning on him. “Everyone just thought you’d be back soon enough. My parents constantly tell me that you’ll be visiting soon and I just need to be patient. I guess they were right.”

“Zadie.”

She cut him off. “Are you going to tell her?”

“No.” She felt his shoulders slump. “I can’t.”

“You told me.” Sitting up she moved so that she could look closer at his face.

He avoided looking at her.

Another pause and she sighed as the realization crushed her lungs. “You wouldn’t have told me either.”

“Zadie, I couldn’t. I’d get in so much trouble.”

Shaking her head she stood, swiping off the sand clinging to her. “You would have let me believe that I was crazy. That I had imagined seeing you disappear under the water. You would have confirmed what everyone has said about me for the past two years.” She took a step away. “I’ve mourned alone for two years, no one believing me. My only comfort was that I knew what I saw. And now, you come back ready to take that from me too.”

A sob tore out of her throat and she spun, racing up the beach. She heard him call out to her but she didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

When she heard him following, she glanced back. “Go visit your mother. She’s expecting you.”

“Zadie, no.”

“Leave me alone.” Zadie screamed, her tears nearly blinding her. She kept running.

Her mind registered that she could no longer hear him behind her but she didn’t slow. She ran all the way home, slowing only when she was at the door and easing it open. Not bothering to turn on the lights she changed into her pajamas, crawled into bed, and cried softly so her parents wouldn’t hear.

Paige ~Part 2~

My mouth dropped open as Joey moved in close with a pleased smile. He didn’t move close enough to touch me, stopping just shy of my suddenly outstretched arm. I looked down at my hand, trying to figure out when I had put it up. If I inched forward at all, my hand would be pressed against his chest; his well-formed and surprisingly muscular chest. I’d never noticed before. Probably because I hadn’t been this close to him, ever.

“How do you know Joanna?” The words came out of my mouth and I almost laughed at the surprise on his face.

He didn’t back away. “She’s in my Chemistry class and Calculus. We’ve even been partners on a project once. Why?”

I nodded. My brain skittered to other questions I had popping through my thoughts. “Why did you kiss me?”

At that, the spark in his eyes faded a little. “That’s complicated. Can we go somewhere else and talk about that? I’ll explain.”

“Yeah. I don’t know. Apparently kissing is your main form of communication it seems and you just admitted that kissing me is complicated.” I reached out and smacked him. “Everything about you is complicated, Joey. Were you really looking for me specifically? Why?” The questions just kept tumbling out of my mouth and I couldn’t seem to stop them.

Joey sighed. “Somewhere else, Paige. Please.”

I put my hand over my mouth and nodded. After a few seconds of not moving, I spoke through my hand. “Where?”

He let out a loud laugh and gestured further away from my group of obviously eavesdropping friends.

“Paige, are you ok?” I instantly recognized Sarai’s voice, though she didn’t sound very sincere. She probably just wanted to be the first to spread whatever gossip-worthy info I could provide her. “Yep, I’m good.”

Sarai’s gaze skipped over to Joey though she couldn’t see his face, since he angled away from her. When her sharp eyes came back to me, they narrowed. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone. Who’s the lucky guy?”

I faked confusion. “Oh no. I’m not dating anyone. This is Joey McClure. Don’t you recognize him? Though, since I slapped him a few minutes ago I don’t think I’d label him a lucky guy.”

The confusion on her face was genuine. “What?” She shook her head and giggled. “I wasn’t saying that you were dating Joey.”

“Then what are you asking?”

Joey snorted with laughter as he moved to stand behind me. “I know what she’s trying to say.” Sarai narrowed her eyes even more, waiting. So he continued, “Your friend wants to know who you are dating because the only reason I would be kissing you or even talking to you is to break up you and your new secret boyfriend. It couldn’t possibly be for any other reason.”

Sarai snorted. “Now that I think of it, there has to be another reason. Paige hasn’t had a boyfriend since elementary school, and even then she had to bully the poor kid into saying he was her boyfriend.”

I clenched my hands, trying to keep from physically lashing out.

Joey jumped in. “Are you talking about Stuart Print? He wasn’t bullied. The stupid idiot made up the whole story himself when she wouldn’t let him kiss her. And that wasn’t her last boyfriend either.”

Surprise flooded through me as I whirled on Joey. “Would you stop talking?! Do you think I want the whole school to know everything about me? Besides, how would you know who my last boyfriend was?”

His arm went around her shoulders. “I pay attention, Paige. And since you have been a subject of interest, not only to me but to several guys who will remain nameless, I have paid closer attention than I usually do. And I have to say, you are fascinating. Which is how I also know that you don’t currently have a boyfriend. If you did, you would have suckerpunched me before I had a chance to even come close to kissing you.”

Sarai dramatically tossed her hair over her shoulder as she whirled around to go rejoin the rest of our friends without saying another word.

I shoved at Joey with a groan. “I can’t talk right now. Especially now that I know you’ve been stalking me. I have to go find Joanna. She just barely told me about Tanner and how you ruined that relationship when you jumped in out of nowhere.”

“And kissed you.” 

Folding my arms, I peered up at him. “Yes, you did. Thanks for that little reminder. Would you like another slap?”

He leaned forward. “Only if I get another kiss out of it.”

“Not happening. We can talk later about whatever it is that is so urgent that you had to…you know.”

“Kiss you?” He supplied.

I scoffed. “A lot later. No more talking right now. Go away.”

“Today though?” He immediately pressed, looking back toward where Sarai was still glancing over at us. “I really do need to talk to you. Tangier Park, after school, next to the swings?”

I poked him in the chest. “Only if you promise to behave.”

He didn’t appear worried at all. Instead he gave a jaunty nod. “I can promise that. I’ll be on my best of the best behavior.”

“Huh.” I took a step back and looked him over. “You must really need to talk to me.”

His laughter reverberated off the walls as he released my shoulders and sauntered away. “Or I find that I really like kissing you.” He called out, shooting Sarai a wink that had the snotty girl sighing at him in a near swoon. “Oh and Paige, I didn’t ruin Joanna’s relationship. If talking to me destroyed what they had, it wasn’t a relationship. It never would have lasted anyways.”

The whole group of girls gasped and I refused to look over at them. Now I was going to have to deal with them gossiping about Joanna on top of them thinking that the infamous Joey liked kissing me. 

Instead, I focused on the direction that Joanna had fled and took off to find my hurting best friend, inwardly cursing Joey McClure as I went.

Danielle

“Ugh.” Danielle threw another shirt on the pile of rejected date outfits. “You’d think I’d be past this by now.” She muttered to herself. Her cute jeans were on and really anything would match them. It was just that none of them were right. Since when did she have too many overly casual shirts and too fancy blouses? She wanted to impress without him reading too much into it. And now she was saying ‘too’ too much in her head.

Diana peeked her head in. “Date’s here, Dan. Get a shirt on.”

Groaning, Danielle grabbed a pretty pale yellow blouse and jammed in over her head as she reached to pick up her shoes. When was the last time she was late getting ready for a date? This wasn’t even a first date. 

…Maybe that was the problem.

She’d had plenty of first dates lately. Even some second ones. That’s when the numbers took a nosedive. It hadn’t even occurred to her that it would be difficult getting to date #3. This one was the first she’d had in almost a year. And her last third date had ended with her covered in sticky caramel. The guy didn’t even open her car door when he took her home. It was the sign she was coming to recognize as ‘no longer dating’. 

Apparently gentlemen were only gentlemanly when you were dating material. Though she seemed to be having better luck with Brooks so far. Of course with this being the unlucky #3 she might find out otherwise before the night was through. 

“Brooks.” Danielle nearly stumbled out of her room as she was trying to walk and tie her shoes at the same time. Not easy. Hence the stumbling. 

“Danielle?” Brooks stood with a goofy smile. “You know you can take the time to finish getting your shoes on. We aren’t in that big of a rush.”

“Aren’t we? I hate being late.”

He shrugged. “I’m ok with a little lateness. I figure it’ll give me a little leeway if I ever find myself running a little late.”

“True. That is a good point. Seems fair enough.” Danielle grabbed her coat. “Now, where are we going on this fine date?”

“If I suggested it stay a surprise would you be less than thrilled?”

Danielle was shaking her head no before he even finished asking. “I’d say that I don’t have a good history of surprise-type dates. Will it ruin the date if you tell me?”

“Oh, no problem.” He held out his hand. “I’ll tell you on the way to the car. I just figured it would be more fun if it was a surprise. Maybe I have to wait till later dates to think of a good enough surprise. Or will you never like any surprises?”

Taking his hand with a bright grin she laughed. “Later dates means more dates in the future. So I’d say there is a definite possibility that surprises might be ok then. After all, you just surprised me with that little tidbit of info so I guess not all surprises are bad.”

“Does that mean I can keep today’s date details a secret till we get there?”

Danielle tugged him to the door. “You can tell me on the way to the car. Let’s take all this one step at a time.”

“Yeah, I guess the best surprises are fourth date material.” 

Hiding her gulp, Danielle smiled. “That sounds rather nice. Now where are we going?”

“Nothing too special. I was thinking of maybe going over to Harmony Farms.” Reaching the car he opened her door and motioned her in. Once they were driving he cleared his throat a little and chuckled. “Does that sound good?”

“I’d like to say yes. I just don’t know what we would be doing at a farm for a date.”

“Oh.” He smacked his forehead. “I guess I should finish telling you what I was thinking. Sometimes you still make me so nervous. We’d go to the farm to pick produce. I think right now they have blackberries, peaches, zucchini, and I’m sure some other good stuff that I don’t remember right now. The website had a whole list.”

“Pick produce?”

“Yeah. Then have a picnic. We can eat what we pick.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Does that sound stupid? We don’t have to. Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t keep it a surprise. Right? We can do something different.”

Danielle laid her hand softly on his arm. “No. It sounds fun. Creative even. I’ve never gone blackberry picking before. This’ll be a first.”

“So we’re good?”

“More than good on my side of things. I can’t wait.” Laughing, she nudged him. “Good thing I didn’t try wearing heels. Dirt and heels do not mix.”

Brooks quickly smiled her way. “I wouldn’t have let you make that mistake. I woulda thought of a reason for you to change your shoes.”

“Aww. You’re so sweet.” Settling her head lightly on his shoulder she sighed. “To the farm we go.”

“It’s a bit of a drive. We may have to think of some things to talk about till then.”

They had reached the edge of town and there began to be less buildings. 

“We could make a list of acceptable times for surprises.”

Brooks burst out laughing. “Birthdays?”

“Yes. And Christmas. Unless you’re breaking up with me, then I don’t think that kind of surprise should happen anywhere near those two days.”

“Agreed.” He reached over to take her hand. “However, if we were going to break up at all we would need to officially be dating and not just going on dates. Are you saying you want that?”

“With you?”

He did a double take. “Yes, with me.”

She laughed softly. “Well in that case I would say yes. Though I don’t have much luck with third dates so maybe we should save anything edging toward commitment until the end of the night. Just in case.”

“In case I suddenly discover I don’t find you gorgeous and funny anymore?”

She nodded. “That would be a big one.”

“Then I might as well ask you now because I definitely don’t see that happening. Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Really?” Danielle blushed, sitting up straight to look at his face.

He nodded.

“Best third date ever!”

After a full minute of silence Brooks nudged her. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Yes.” Wringing her hands she smiled. “Yes. Sorry to keep you in suspense. I could have sworn I’d said yes before but maybe I had only screamed it in my head.”