Fractured Pieces (chapter five) “Wait!” I shouted, darting after him. “Miss Beckett!” a voice called from behind me. I hesitated for a split second to look back and spotted two newsboys striding towards me. By the time I turned to the alleyway again, the man had vanished, and all his secrets with him. “Geez, you look like you saw’d a ghost.” “Saw’d?” I repeated in an incredulous tone. Jett, the shorter of the two newsboys, gave me a sheepish grin and shrugged. “Ain’t that the

Queen's Opening (chapter four) Alex… was not an easy person to find. Granted, almost no one was easy to find in the giant maze that was New York City. Especially not in Brooklyn. Not to mention the limp my throbbing ankle was causing. Overall… not the ideal search party situation. Blowing out a frustrated breath, I trudged my way down the crowded sidewalks, dodging the mud puddles created by last night’s rain. Perhaps I’d get lucky, and he’d be at the first place I checked. I

wisps of night (chapter three) The door closed in front of me, blocking out the cold draft from the hallway. My parents spoke to me, but their voices seemed muffled and incoherent, as if I was underwater. Forcing myself to focus on their words, I tore my gaze away from the door, looking at my parents. “Nikki, darling, take some deep breaths,” Mam said, guiding me over to the couch. I all but collapsed onto it, the tears returning in an overwhelming flood. Water dripped from m

shadowed veils (chapter two) My heart departed my chest, thudding so fast I felt dizzy. I stumbled back a step, my breath caught in my throat, mind blank with terror. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the man, couldn’t look away as I watched the light fade out of his eyes. I’d never watched anyone die before. Mom always sent me away when it happened. And this was different. This wasn’t sickness or starvation claiming a life. This— This was a cold, unforgiving blade, through t

Artwork by Dernhelm