Chelsea’s fingers drummed against her steering wheel as she glared into the dark streets. Velvet winter night had taken over most of the city, but between worrying about Jack and Amber and having to be in New York, her nerves were raw.
Keegan rubbed his long, thin fingers together as he blew on them. His knees bumped against the only other piece of furniture that fit in the bunk, the bed her giant mutt of a dog was currently hogging.
The tiny, windowless shack she rented was warm and dry, and definitely made for a single person to stay in. Chelsea wasn’t sure she could get around Keegan to the bathroom.
He flipped his dark hair out of his eyes. “I hate this weather.”
Chelsea pulled the covers tighter around her and Bentley. “I didn’t call you.”
This is a series of short stories, detailing the adventures of Chelsea Childling. You can start with her origin story or pick any story from the index. *** Whiskey burned, but not enough. Chelsea could still taste ocean salt and Jackson’s last kiss. She signaled for another drink. “Aren’t you hunting tonight?” Worry shaded Morgan’s voice. “Nope.” Chelsea […]
Jackson Hawk settled against the headboard, pretending to be calm. His arms rested lightly across his stomach as he crossed his ankles. But heat flashed in his green eyes, and his foot twitched
Jackson scratched at the huge mutt’s silky black ears. “Amber… did she ever tell you about her family?”
Chelsea took a deep breath and thought back. “She mentioned she was very young when they died. Too young to remember some of the food her parents made.”
He winced as he studied Bentley’s ears. “She was seven. Just seven years old when the demon lord slaughtered her family.”
Every day is a lesson, and every person is a blessing.”
Chelsea found a smile. “That’s a nice thought.”
“It’s a way to survive.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “When you have nothing and no one, you have to find your lessons and blessings, every day.”
The patch of dirt that served as a parking lot had no lights, and the sounds of lapping water came from the dark. Chelsea popped her trunk and deposited her finger overcoat. Water monsters and suede did not mix. As Morgan grabbed the light and generator, Chelsea stretched and readied herself.
Morgan eyed her. “Why are you bait again?”
“Just used to it at this point.”
Keegan snipped the lock on the gate and Chelsea and Jackson slipped through the playground, quick and silent. As Jackson broke the window near the back doors, Keegan started the countdown on his phone, the beeps cold and mechanical in the dark. They had to be in and out before the police.
It took some time for the noise to register as a cellphone, let alone Chelsea’s own. The haze of many shots of tequila and amazing food blended with the dark hotel room. Only her dog, Bentley, warm at her feet, felt familiar. For a woman used to living out of her car, the single room just big enough for the bed seemed vast and empty.
This is a series of short stories, detailing the adventures of Chelsea Childling. You can start with her origin story or pick something from the index.*** The barest slit of a moon opened the sky above her as Chelsea pulled off the highway. The last week of practice had imprinted the route firmly in her mind. Which was […]
Words That Burn Like Fire 