(Click me I get bigger)
The car pulled into my apartment complex and I heard Mrs. Watts
tell her friend to hold on. She smiled at me and said, “Well thanks for all the help with the yard, guess
I will see you Saturday.”
“Oh, it was no problem, glad to help. Thanks for the ride.” I climbed out and started making my way up to my door. The parking lot was dark, the lights around my building had gone out a week ago and no one had seen fit to fix them yet. I guess seeing wasn’t part of their living accommodations. Situating my book bag I looked around. I was alone except for an older woman walking her dog. I nodded to her as I headed for the stairs. No sooner had my foot touched the first step when I began to feel this revulsion like something was crawling on my skin. Out of instinct I turned and looked behind me.
Leaning against one of the broken light poles was a man. I couldn’t make out his face as it was covered in shadows, but fear shot through me like a bullet. My body felt frozen, I knew I should run, but it felt like doing so would set everything back into action. I tried to will my foot back onto the step.
“Hello pretty,” the dark man said in a haunting voice that chilled to the bone.
My voice shook as I formed the words. “Who are you?” It felt stupid, but nothing else had come to mind. I managed to get my foot back on the step.
He stepped from the pole and said, “Me? I’m no one. You though? You are something special, in fact you’re so special I have a feeling I’d like to take you home with me.”
I turned and ran knowing it wouldn’t be fast enough. I felt him grab my shirt from behind and push me to the metal stairs below. I kicked out and struggled to pull myself from his hold. A gust of wind rushed past me, it blew my hair wildly and I was free.
Not waiting to see what happened I scrambled up the steps and quickly unlocked the door. Slamming it behind me I slid down with the cold white wood to my back. My breath came in quick gasps, I felt my whole body shaking. What was that, why did he let go? I quickly stood up peering through the peephole in the door. No one was outside. Putting my ear to the wood I tried to listen for any sound that would lead me to believe he was still out there.
After a few seconds I backed away from the door and sat in one of the chairs by the table. I had just calmed my thundering heartbeat when the handle of the door started to twist. I scrambled for anything I could find to defend myself with, settling on a picture frame that was on the wall next to me. As the door opened I drew back ready to swing with every ounce of my strength.
P.S. If anyone is looking for an E for A-Z Elemental is a great word :) :)
“Oh, it was no problem, glad to help. Thanks for the ride.” I climbed out and started making my way up to my door. The parking lot was dark, the lights around my building had gone out a week ago and no one had seen fit to fix them yet. I guess seeing wasn’t part of their living accommodations. Situating my book bag I looked around. I was alone except for an older woman walking her dog. I nodded to her as I headed for the stairs. No sooner had my foot touched the first step when I began to feel this revulsion like something was crawling on my skin. Out of instinct I turned and looked behind me.
Leaning against one of the broken light poles was a man. I couldn’t make out his face as it was covered in shadows, but fear shot through me like a bullet. My body felt frozen, I knew I should run, but it felt like doing so would set everything back into action. I tried to will my foot back onto the step.
“Hello pretty,” the dark man said in a haunting voice that chilled to the bone.
My voice shook as I formed the words. “Who are you?” It felt stupid, but nothing else had come to mind. I managed to get my foot back on the step.
He stepped from the pole and said, “Me? I’m no one. You though? You are something special, in fact you’re so special I have a feeling I’d like to take you home with me.”
I turned and ran knowing it wouldn’t be fast enough. I felt him grab my shirt from behind and push me to the metal stairs below. I kicked out and struggled to pull myself from his hold. A gust of wind rushed past me, it blew my hair wildly and I was free.
Not waiting to see what happened I scrambled up the steps and quickly unlocked the door. Slamming it behind me I slid down with the cold white wood to my back. My breath came in quick gasps, I felt my whole body shaking. What was that, why did he let go? I quickly stood up peering through the peephole in the door. No one was outside. Putting my ear to the wood I tried to listen for any sound that would lead me to believe he was still out there.
After a few seconds I backed away from the door and sat in one of the chairs by the table. I had just calmed my thundering heartbeat when the handle of the door started to twist. I scrambled for anything I could find to defend myself with, settling on a picture frame that was on the wall next to me. As the door opened I drew back ready to swing with every ounce of my strength.
P.S. If anyone is looking for an E for A-Z Elemental is a great word :) :)
Congrats! Looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteThank You I'm very happy with it.
DeleteSweet cover, sir! Has a great Avatar vibe to it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, yeah it does, I was really happy with it.
DeleteCongratulations! Perfect cover for the letter E.
ReplyDeleteJenn @Scribbles From Jenn
Yes it is and thank you.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Brandon! Great cover!!
ReplyDeleteTy so much and nice to meet you as well.
DeleteThis excerpt is AWESOME (cover too)! You can't leave us hangin' like that! :)
ReplyDeletelol, ty and I had to leave a little bit of hanging :)
DeleteOooh AWESOME cover!! And engaging opening. :)
ReplyDeletethanks Susan nice seeing you how is your book going?
DeleteThis is really good, beyond good. I'm proud of you!
ReplyDeletethanks sis, glad you like it.
DeleteThat cover is gorgeous! Congrats, Brandon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm really proud of it.
DeleteGreat cover and excerpt. What happens next!! Glad I finally found your blog:)
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it as well, thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI love, love, love the cover. It is soooo gorgeous! What amazing art work. I can't wait to read. Best :)
ReplyDelete:) glad you like it and thanks for the comment.
DeleteAmazing!!! Cover reveals are the best :) I bet you want to climb into your computer and hug it!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!
Yes, yes I do.
Deletebeautiful cover, thnx for stopping by my blog
ReplyDeleteNew GFC follower
-Danielle @ Coffee and Characters
ww.daniellecromero.blogspot.com
Thank you and my pleasure.
DeleteThe cover is great and the excerpt is appealing and intriguing. I would like to know what happened next!
ReplyDeleteI saw your sculpture. I have problems with Sculpey because it doesn't seem to get hard enough. It's either that or I burn it. Probably is just my oven. In any case I prefer to work with things I don't have to cook.
I actually boil mine, it makes it easier to get right although finding a pot for bigger stuff sucks lol. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteLove the cover! Returning your visit to my blog :)
ReplyDeleteTy and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteLove the cover, Brandon. :D
ReplyDeleteTy :)
DeleteCongratulations! The cover rocks!
ReplyDeletethanks.
DeleteCongratulations! How exciting! I love the fire and water swirling toward each other on the bottom - very cool.
ReplyDeletety, yeah he did a great job with it. I think it tells a story.
DeleteThe cover is really cool. Congratulations on finding an artist whose vision matched your own!
ReplyDeletety and yeah I enjoyed the process greatly.
DeleteGreat little snippet and awesome looking cover- congrats Brandon!
ReplyDeletety and thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteSweet cover! Who's your cover artist?
ReplyDeleteTy, S. Balac, I did a post about him and have a link to his Deviant Art page and his blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover! Looking forward to reading it soon!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, ty.
Deletehmm....I stopped by to return the favor of a visit (thanks for stopping by Faith and Substance btw) and now I am intrigued. Your book sounds like something I might like! I will have to keep an eye out for it. Will it be on Kindle as a e-book?
ReplyDeleteIt will, I am hoping for an April 20 release. I will have it for Kindle on Amazon and a hard copy from Createspace. I am glad you stopped by :)
DeleteGreat, I will be watching for it!
DeleteThat does look great. I know the old adage "you can judge a book" and all, but this looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you, can't wait to reveal cover number two.
Delete