RB – Thoughts on Posting Part 1 of My Novel

Hey all! It's been a few weeks now since I finished up posting the preview chapters for Part 1 of my work-in-progress novel Outcasts & Runaways. I have to say, there were some definite positives to the experience! One of the primary positives was viewing my work from the perspective of actively sharing it with …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 2.1

Beginning<– Previous PART 2 - WORLDS COLLIDE Chapter 18 – Earth Jenny screamed, and something shiny and pink slithered instinctively over her arm. Shannon zoomed by in a white flash, snatching another two darts out of the air as a host of guards poured into view yelling and waving tranq rifles. More guards raced to …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.18

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> [DISCLAIMER: Please be aware there is graphic subject matter in this chapter.] Chapter 17 - Thera Consciousness came back slowly, and with it a tremendous amount of pain that made him consider staying in the dark forever. But it was too late to go back now, so Barrenger let himself drift towards wakefulness, …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.15

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 14 – Earth, Four Months AgoThe Plea At first, Jenny was uncomfortable around anyone but Dr. Thomas; the way she brightened when he came for her made Mercury feel ill. He had been the only scientist allowed to work with Jenny so far, which Mercury grudgingly admitted was a blessing. But over …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.11

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 10 - Earth, One Year Two Months Ago The Bladesmith A blade of purple light slashed the practice dummy, cutting deeply into the plastic. Subject 1A let it dissipate and created another, stabbing his blades rapid-fire into his target’s chest. “Enough,” a soft voice commanded, and Subject 1A stood back, breathing lightly. …

Outcasts & Runaways, Part 1.5

Beginning<– PreviousNext–> Chapter 4 - Earth, One Year Ten Months Ago The Streak The world stood still at Subject 3A’s command. So long as she kept moving, that is. That was the tricky part; she couldn’t just stop to observe, and running around and around something tended to create cyclones. This frustrated her, because as …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.4

Beginning<-- PreviousNext--> Chapter 3 - Thera Lunch was a simple affair, light salad and toasted fruitbread with citrus water. No self-respecting Haweyh overate before their coming-of-age feast. Barrenger dug in anyway, commenting on the tasty smells coming from the kitchen (while carefully ignoring the burnt ones), avoiding the subject of the swords. He still wasn’t …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.3

Beginning<—Previous Next—> Chapter 2 - Earth, Two Years Ago The Singer “Subject 4A is ready for testing.” “Confirmed. Proceed with the test.” The electric shock came, and Subject 4A wanted to scream. Perhaps she would have if she had a voice. Instead, she grabbed onto the buzzing sound of her torment. That was what it …

Outcasts & Runaways – Part 1.2

<—PrologueNext—> Part 1 – Worlds Apart “O lowly minds of Theran soil,Who bask in Elo’s mighty gifts,And claim that powers used to toilBelong to hands that plow and sow: Know not thee of the veil betweenThe world of soul and that of fleshIs thin and frail and often seenThrough selah’s bright and holy glow? Beware …

Outcasts & Runaways, Part 1.1

Prologue - Earth “We’re almost there! Run!” The light on the lock switched from red to green as Doctor Thomas swiped his keycard and slammed the door wide open. Mercury raced past him, dragging little Jenny in one hand and preteen Brock in the other. The other kids ran just a step behind as red …