Alex had a terminal Cancer diagnosis and thought she would die before she got to be the girl she always was inside. That all changes when she's in the wrong place at the right time and gets transported to another world and into the body of a girl. So what if she's not human, she's alive and a girl. Now if only she had her sister with her to navigate this new world and her new responsibilities. Wait, she's here too? The passage of their souls between worlds may have doomed the Earth to apocalypse, but Alex and Michelle won't be there to see it and they have enough problems on their hands.
 

HOPELESS HIGH ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Hopeless High did not live up to my expectations. At first sight it was far, far worse. And to make things even worse “Hopeless High School” really was it’s name. The pride of Hopeless, MT. pop. 6,421, including me now. Hopeless had decided to keep the name because it drew tourists. Perhaps as many as 2 000 every year. Doesn’t sound much but it was the difference between life and deaths – for the motel and the one decent restaurant in town, sorry, city.

Queen's Gambit - Chapter 5

© Copyright 2025 Maeryn Lamonte

'I do not mind the dresses. In all truth I derive a great deal of pleasure from the sensation of smooth silk against soft skin, and my appearance in the glass, once I have taken the time to make myself presentable, is as much a source of pleasure for me as for anyone else who might see me.

Queen's Gambit - Chapter 3

© Copyright 2025 Maeryn Lamonte

Dinner consisted of – on my plate at least – a veritable mountain of bangers and mash with rivers of gravy flowing down the slopes like lava. Of course there were veg in there as well, I mean we are omnivores after all.

“Ugh,” I grunt as for the third time in as many mornings, I’m woken by the sound of not just traffic, but pedestrians passing by outside my window. With a sigh, I brush my hair out of my face, drag my tired body out of bed and slink through to the kitchen where — again, for the third time in as many mornings — my flatmate is already awake and eating her breakfast.

“Morning!” Martha says with a giggle between mouthfuls of muesli.

Alex had a terminal Cancer diagnosis and thought she would die before she got to be the girl she always was inside. That all changes when she's in the wrong place at the right time and gets transported to another world and into the body of a girl. So what if she's not human, she's alive and a girl. Now if only she had her sister with her to navigate this new world and her new responsibilities. Wait, she's here too? The passage of their souls between worlds may have doomed the Earth to apocalypse, but Alex and Michelle won't be there to see it and they have enough problems on their hands.
 

Chapter 36: End of Winter Break

At their hostel the Visunders are alert for any trouble in the night and, sure enough, something is tried. Unfortunately, the results include a body which means their departure from Ferenis will be delayed. Eriana becomes more desperate as the Rains approach, wanting to put some distance between the Visund and Denethar before they are forced to find shelter.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

102 - Night Visitations

Author's note: I am shocked by how long it has taken to produce this chapter. For once it has been a number of different things, all beyond my control. Hopefully (!) I will be able to do better in future.