After Z-Day – Part I – Chapter X

Chapter Ten

Location: Waltham Forest, London
Date: 12 October 2016

My phone kept ringing. I’d put it on silent but I didn’t dare turn it off altogether—just in case. So instead, I could feel it vibrating in my hand every time someone called.

Naomi had called, but had given up after the second time. I’d sent her a text; I didn’t want to worry her too much.

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Tacenda – Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

scopaesthesia

(n.) the feeling of being stared at

The trees hugged the edge of the village in a way that meant Amber only realised she was crossing into it when she saw the first sign.

Welcome to Lower Cwealm. Amber paused, staring at it for a moment with a frown. Underneath, it said, Twinned with, and then instead of a town in France or Germany, as she expected, there was a word she couldn’t read.

She wasn’t even sure what alphabet it was in.

After Z-Day – Part I – Chapter IX

Chapter Nine

Location: Waltham Forest, London
Date: 12 October 2016

I slept, all in all, for maybe thirty minutes that night. By the time I got back to the flat, it was gone two, but Naomi was still awake, had waited up for me. I knew she didn’t like Lucy that much, but still, she sat with me when I cried, hugged me and offered to sit with my phone while I got some rest.

At four, I told her to go to bed. She went but kept her door open a crack and I knew it was in case anything happened, in case I did anything stupid. I couldn’t blame her for that—I wasn’t in a great frame of mind for doing sensible things.

After Z-Day – Part I – Chapter VIII

Chapter Eight

Location: Waltham Forest, London
Date: 12 October 2016

I stumbled off the night bus, not even caring about the stares that were being tossed in my direction. Lucy’s flat was off to my left, but I ran right, racing to the park I was sure she’d gone to.

It didn’t make sense and I had to go to the park—even though Jake had told me to meet him at the police station—because I had to see for myself that she wasn’t there. I’d only spoken to her a few hours before. How could she have gone?

Tacenda – Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

eldritch

(adj.) eerie, uncomfortably weird

The figure was a girl. Around eight years old, Amber guessed, all red hair and freckles. Amber bit back a curse, willing her racing heart to still.

“Was that you, just now?” she snapped, almost wincing at the harshness of her tone.

The girl didn’t seem cowed; she jutted out her chin and narrowed her eyes. “What’s it to you?” she replied, crossing her arms across her chest.

After Z-Day – Part I – Chapter VII

Chapter Seven

Location: Waltham Forest, London
Date: 12 October 2016

It was late.

Or early.

She didn’t care. She didn’t remember. Time wasn’t important, not anymore.

Not like this.

She watched.

After Z-Day – Part I – Chapter VI

Chapter Six

Location: Hackney, London
Date: 11 October 2016

The next day, I was exhausted. I’d hoped being surrounded by coffee might perk me up a little, but three espressos later and I could still barely keep my eyes open.

I’d made it back home fine, much to Naomi’s relief, though I’d dodged all of her questions before I shut myself in my room. I stuffed the file I’d stolen in my mattress and I’d been sitting there, debating deleting all the photos from my phone, when a face flashed into my mind.

A woman’s face.