To Beginning (Part 1) — WARNING: The following content may not be suitable for young readers or audiences sensitive to violent content. A concussive thoom rumbled in the distance, followed by a telltale hiss. Mara’s heart stopped. She latched onto the first thing within reach—Monroe’s arm. She squeezed so hard her nails dug into his…

To Beginning (Part 1) — By Ales Krivec on Unsplash For three long, filthy, terrifying days they had crawled through thorn and thistle and clawing limbs. They’d waded through ash and leaf and loam and mopped away sweat and tears. Today was another day of scuttling through shrubbery, concealed under tree limbs and the dim…

To Beginning (Part 1) — “You’re daydreaming again.” It’s a man’s voice. Familiar. Warm and playful. Fun and teasing. Mara lifts her head, shielding her eyes from the rays of sunshine that stream in through the tower window. She turns to see her visitor. It’s him! Her heart skips, but she tries not to show…

To Beginning (Part 1) — By David Monje on Unsplash “What do you mean, Torien closed its borders?” barked one woman as she jumped to her feet. Her blonde hair whipped around her chin; her spittle flecked Mara’s face. Stoically, Mara flicked spit off her cheek. She’d been expecting such a reaction; she’d responded the…

To Beginning (Part 1) — We made it. Mara felt warm tears of relief trickle down her cheeks. There sat the safehouse, barely more than a wood shack under the crown of an enormous oak. But fear scorched away Mara’s tears of relief. Voices were coming from the dimly-lit shack. The past two safehouses had…

The chimney [sic] by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash Why? What earned us this much violence? A plume of fire burst through the black smoke at Mara’s left elbow. Close. Too close. Keep running, Mara. She and Ian had made it to two safehouses so far. But each time they’d arrived at one, flames had…