I’m Lisa Wilson, biologist. In the winter of 2079, a viral cold swept the world. It caused people to briefly experience spots of blood in the urine and feces, but otherwise was unremarkable, and people recovered from it like any other cold, so not much was thought about it at first. But it was persistent, with more and more outbreaks among people who had not yet suffered from it throughout the year.

Cameron is slowly moving towards acceptance of her new fate, but not without a few bumps in that road. A new 'remembrance', hope they can effectively stand up to their hosts, and an unexpected presence reveals itself. What will happen to all she's come to accept in this reality she's been living?

Chapter 1: The Wish

The morning sunlight filtered into the small bedroom, casting a soft glow on Daniel’s face as he sat on the edge of his bed, staring at himself in the mirror. His hazel eyes looked tired, and his brown hair, always a bit unruly, stuck up in all directions. He sighed, pulling at the loose hem of his shirt.

Today was his fifteenth birthday, but he felt as invisible as ever.

The promised rain had finally caught up with me around two miles from home. The shower was heavy, so much for the forecast of just the odd light shower.

Caelan grew up as an orphan in the shadow of Avaloria’s palace, scraping by on the streets and bound by the ruthless thieves’ guild that demanded his loyalty. He never felt right in his own skin, never found his purpose, only his friends kept him from despair: Eira, the beautiful thief he secretly loved and longed to be like; Thorne, the mercenary who pulled him out of crime; and Alric, a healer who gave hope to the hopeless.

When Caelan is wrongly accused of a crime and the palace guards begin hunting him and his friends, his world falls apart. With nowhere to turn, a mysterious stranger offers a way out; a dangerous mission to find the lost princess of Avaloria. With everything to gain and nothing left to lose, Caelan and his friends set off on a journey that will change them, and their kingdom, forever.

Author’s Note: This is a full-length novel of nearly 100,000 words. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had writing it.

Blake Medical Recovery Center, Napa Valley, Northern California:
Cindy and Sara’s Office:
Dakota was sitting at a little table that Sara had bought for her to color and play on her tablet while she worked. Sara knew Dakota sometimes didn’t like being alone and felt better if she was nearby. She looked over towards Dakota and could tell she was happy.

“Last call everyone. You no have to go home, but you cannot stay!”

The bartender, Jakob Adamovich, bellowed. He was the sole worker, except for his wife and mother who worked in the back of house to deliver the best cheeseburger with a pretzel crust to ever grace the planet. I was able to try it once, three weeks prior when they had an extra one after someone mouthed off to the six-foot-three Jake who threw him out with absolutely no effort. Jake allowed me to sit at a table at the back of the bar so I could study as it was difficult to do homework by the dashboard light.

The School Bully
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

It was the home of Jason Davis – the school bully. Jason’s mother answered the doorbell. Chrissy was still wearing the ridiculously short skirt, but had changed her top to something that better displayed her burgeoning breasts.

“Hello Mrs. Davis,” said Chrissy. “I am here to see Jason.”

“My God. It’s Christopher isn’t it?”

“Not for over a year now, but yes, it’s Chrissy now.”

“Come inside, Sweetie,” she said. “What a brave child you are. It must have been so difficult for you.”

“Fire! Fire!” I yelled as I ran through the house. After getting my sister's unconscious body out of the house, and seeing that my parents were beyond hope, I grabbed my two most important belongings: my college paperwork, and Frosty's hat.

 
It is now the 2nd November. but the shops are already bedecked with all the toys, food and decorations for Christmas. Perhaps time to put pen to paper for the Christmas story. As always, I am not fussed about the story being a formal entry to the contest, but I hope readers will enjoy the story, and it may act as a prompt for other people to join in and make an entry.

Hope's Light

Chapter 16

by Erisian

Book 6

Chapter Sixteen - Grace

Over thirty demons and souls genuflected before me.

And I had no idea how to respond.

This is the complete story of Adam’s first day at Sasha Sucklove’s. We’ll be regularly checking in with him (soon to be her) and his classmates here. Now that the school, classes and characters have been established, I’m going to be posting the story in longer chunks, similar in size to this omnibus rather than the bite sized installments I’ve been posting so far. I’ll also be doing some spin-offs and new stories.

“Has he asked you to go to Homecoming with him yet?”

Pete's Vagina
60. Pass Interference
by Erin Halfelven

Midnight, Jack’s Ranch:
The Werewolves that came to help and protect Jack’s family were patrolling the perimeter of the property. Jack’s wolves were patrolling closer to the main house. Jack’s wife Debbie felt it would be better if all the grandchildren and the adults were at the main house, instead of in their own homes. This way they wouldn’t have to split their forces up.

Hope's Light

Chapter 15

by Erisian

Book 6

Part Four

Chapter Fifteen - Continuance

Time, fluid in its speed across all realms, inexorably moves forward with each advancing page.

Upon the fundament do towers rise, gleaming with marbled perfection in the undying shine radiating eternally from above. Multitudes of angels, working hand-in-hand and wing-to-wing in the fulfillment of the plans laid out by their cherished Architect, constructing the channels which culminate at the focal point, at the tallest tower of all:

The Throne.

Dido sent her team of ‘dips’ off for their summer break in late June. That allowed her to see how being on the ‘right’ side of the law felt.

Changes to what drives Cameron seemingly happen without much thought or effort as she navigates everything before her. Her time in the Exhibit House rolls by quickly, but there are many considerations - Garrett, the chance she could get pregnant, what she'll do with her life if they escaped, and a change in their environment no one saw coming.

Authors Note: Dropping this chapter early because I'll be traveling for the holiday. Happy Turkey Day!