NOC Ch22: Purity Test
Marcus Lewis struggled to fall asleep that night. Not for the reasons he'd had in the days and weeks prior, though. He wasn't struggling with anxiety about his future, stress about school, fear. Even hours later and with more alcohol in him, the...
NOC ch6: Going Home
Sobering up always made BJ want a nap. It didn't matter if he'd just had a few beers and a bowl at lunch or a whole case and smoked out the night, whenever the buzz faded, this pit bull was ready to go to bed. That was half the reason he wanted to just...
NOC ch13: The Chimera
Marcus's sleep was not the most peaceful that night in Boston. His dreams were a mishmash of anxious nightmares and wild fantasy, ricocheting between visions of Adrian Lucas as some monster movie beast looming over him and idyllic life with his real...
NOC ch9: First Contact
Boston. Marcus had made it. The teenage hybrid sat in a cheap motel's parking lot just within the city limits, the engine still running and his music on but turned low. In his hands, his phone displayed a picture he'd taken of the contents of his...
Prologue: Sunrise Over the Alley
The sun made its presence known, shining through a bare window to the bare room inside. On an old mattress on the floor, a slim rat stirred. He opened one eye, glancing toward the source of the unwelcome brightness invading his privacy. He snorted,...
NOC ch20: Into the Serpent's Lair
Marcus Lewis nearly jumped out of his shoes from the sudden voice, his hands fumbling to keep his phone from dropping into the water. He spun around, looking to see who was speaking. Off to his right, another form stood, leaned on the railing just like...
Ch2
Marcus pulled his oversized Range Rover (his sweet sixteenth birthday present, and he was adamant about it because he "needed the head room") up the driveway and into the four car garage. For once, getting home from school early wasn't much cause for...
NOC ch7: Exodus
Marcus walked. He had no idea where he was going, he just needed to get away from where he'd been. The gently winding street of the Krausers' cul-de-sac eventually turned into a larger road that had him traveling along past storefronts and a large...
NOC ch10: A Middle-Class Menagerie
Marcus stepped into Melody's room, unsure what he would find there. He even closed his eyes as he entered, trying to temper his expectations. He reminded himself that the dance was an act. As mesmerizing as her performance had been, Melody wasn't some...