At least something was going right: I must have slept, for the next thing I remembered was the sound of a clock chiming from some other part of the building. I had no idea what time it was, nor how long I had lain against the chair, but the room seemed untouched. I raised… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Twenty-Two: Leaps of Faith
I was nauseous. I didn’t open my eyes, nor did I try to sit. I was content to lay where I was, listening to the silence. The quiet was a comfort, and I wondered if I’d been to the fair; the twisted, flipping knot in my stomach reminded me of a summer from--five years ago? … Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Twenty-One: Deals
I didn’t care what Derek said. I’d been walking in the direction of Agenton for so long that my feet felt like jelly--that is, jelly with spikes sticking through it. At this point, however, I was hoping for any hint of civilization: the only indication that I wasn’t completely separated from all of society… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Twenty: Runaway
The voices were muffled. I couldn’t tell if this was because they were whispering, or because half of my mind was still in the future. It wasn’t until I’d shaken my head a few times that I realized no one was whispering at all. In fact, they were shouting. This wasn’t an argument--this was… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Nineteen: Answers
The sound of crunching Cheerios woke me up. I rolled over noisily, nearly falling from the couch. At first, I couldn’t remember where I was. Then I noticed Derek staring angrily at me, shoveling soggy cereal into his mouth. “What?” I asked, sitting straighter, and ruffling my hair. I noticed that someone… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Eighteen: The Disc
I didn’t get sick. I somehow managed to keep my breakfast down as we swerved through the back roads. I clutched at the seat, my hands sweating. I wondered how a teacher had ever afforded a car as nice as this, and set my head against the leather. It helped to somewhat relax, and… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Seventeen: Lakeside Realization
I didn’t realize that I’d closed my eyes until I heard Chay shout, “Todd, open your eyes! Are you trying to make Henbane’s job easier?” I opened them reluctantly. And discovered that I wasn’t dreaming. Dang it. Chay was pulling me further into the forest as Henbane lifted himself from the… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Sixteen: Henbane
I spent Tuesday thinking about Chay. Reb noticed the difference in my personality, and even Mom tried to get me to talk. I didn’t, though, because there was no way for me to put into words all that I’d seen and heard without being sent to a mental institution. On Wednesday, I… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Sixteen: Answers… Sort Of
Chay was waiting for me. He was very relaxed, his mood placid. Chay seemed to be able to encompass that uncomfortable calm before the storm. He looked up from his place on the couch, and gave a smirk. “Todd, you look ill,” he began. I didn’t speak. It wasn’t until he stood that… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Fifteen: Confrontation
I was late to school. I told the secretary it was because I overslept. The excuse I gave Reb was that it’s a Monday. I didn’t tell anyone that I’d been busy all weekend trying to predict the future. Ever since I’d talked to Chay, I’d been unable to write. Every time I picked… Continue reading Forthcoming, Chapter Thirteen: The Shrew, The Goth, and the Spy
