S is for Setup

 

 

 

 For this year’s A to Z, I will be doing a collection of flash fiction featuring Steven, the MC from Blackbird, from right before he came to Newstead through his first weeks there.

S is for Setup

The sun was just setting when Erikson showed me to my room. It was all set up for me, like they knew I was coming early. I turned to face Erikson who was waiting by the open door. He didn’t even bother to look embarrassed about it.

Would’ve been nice if someone sent a car or something for me then, instead of making me walk the whole damn way.

I waited for a reaction from him to that, but he didn’t look like he’d heard me that time.

Instead, he went on with his own agenda. “This will be your room until the rest of the freshmen arrive in August. For right now, we’ll have you taking classes with this year’s freshmen so you can get used to how things work around here.”

I nodded, hearing the threat just like he meant me to.

I am giving out review copies of Blackbird through Story Cartel, in exchange for Amazon Reviews (And blog reviews would be great, too) before it’s official release date on May 1^st.  You can get your copy here  Also, Story Cartel is doing a big giveaway of its own this month, so signing up for a review of any book featured there puts your name in that pot. 

Don't forget to sign up for my A to Z Rafflecopter:

 

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R is for Reactions

 

For this year’s A to Z, I will be doing a collection of flash fiction featuring Steven, the MC from Blackbird, from right before he came to Newstead through his first year there.

 

R is for Reactions 

His eyes narrowed when he saw my face. “You’re tired,” he said, like that was my excuse.  

He got to his feet and I followed his lead.

Guess that’s all the intro I’ll be getting. I began to wonder if I would’ve gotten more if I reacted the way he wanted.

We left his office, then the office building in silence. No one was walking outside that time.

I am giving out review copies of Blackbird through Story Cartel, in exchange for Amazon Reviews (And blog reviews would be great, too) before it’s official release date on May 1^st.  You can get your copy here  Also, Story Cartel is doing a big giveaway of its own this month, so signing up for a review of any book featured there puts your name in that pot. 

Don't forget to sign up for my A to Z Rafflecopter:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Q is for Questions

For this year’s A to Z, I will be doing a collection of flash fiction featuring Steven, the MC from Blackbird, from right before he came to Newstead through his first year there.

 

Q is for Questions

After he was done he sat back in his seat, but he didn’t look comfortable.

“I suppose you have some questions for me,” he finally said, breaking the silence.

I did, but I didn’t know where to start; all my questions sounded like craziness to me. So I went with something safe, or so I thought. “What is this place?”

That time Erikson’s smile was real. “Newstead is a school for gifted young men.”

“Yeah, I got that part.”

Erikson’s eyes narrowed, measuring, deciding. That time the question was for me. “Have you ever fit in, Steven, you know, really belonged anywhere?”

No.

Erikson nodded, like I’d said it out loud. “That’s because you belong here; with us.”

“What is this place?” I asked again, only that time I got a different answer.

“This is Newstead; where you, and those like you, are trained for the New Order.”

My gut twisted uncomfortably. I don’t know why, but I didn’t like the sound of that.

 

I am giving out review copies of Blackbird through Story Cartel, in exchange for Amazon Reviews (And blog reviews would be great, too) before it’s official release date on May 1^st.  You can get your copy here  Also, Story Cartel is doing a big giveaway of its own this month, so signing up for a review of any book featured there puts your name in that pot. 

Don't forget to sign up for my A to Z Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P is for Possibilities

 

 For this year’s A to Z, I will be doing a collection of flash fiction featuring Steven, the MC from Blackbird, from right before he came to Newstead through his first year there.

P is for Possibilities

“We weren’t expecting you until later this summer,” the man said as he led me into an office building. There was weight to his words; it was almost like he knew all about what had happened in Wilson.

I kept my mouth shut. If he didn’t know, then I didn’t want to be the one to change that.

He smirked, sensing my distrust. “By the way, I don’t think I introduced myself. My name is Erikson; I’m the dean here at Newstead.” He held out his hand like he wanted me to shake it. After a half second pause, I did.

“Steven,” I answered, even though he already knew that. His grip was more than it had to be as he pumped our hands up and down a couple of times before sitting down behind his desk.

I followed his lead and sat down, and waited for a little more of what he’d said in his letter: the welcome, the promises; but that’s not what I got. 

Instead, he just sat there looking directly at me for a full minute, like he was trying to read my soul or something; and as it turns out, that wasn’t too far from the truth.
 

I am giving out review copies of Blackbird through Story Cartel, in exchange for Amazon Reviews (And blog reviews would be great, too) before it’s official release date on May 1^st.  You can get your copy here  Also, Story Cartel is doing a big giveaway of its own this month, so signing up for a review of any book featured there puts your name in that pot. 

Don't forget to sign up for my A to Z Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

O is for Others

For this year’s A to Z, I will be doing a collection of flash fiction featuring Steven, the MC from Blackbird, from right before he came to Newstead through his first year there.

O is for Others

He turns and leads me toward one of the buildings, and not knowing any better, I follow. He’s not the only one walking around now; there are lots of people, all of them as big as the guy I’m following, as big as me.

That’s new.

The man turns and faces me. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Nothing,” I mutter and look around. He’s not the only one looking at me expectantly.

My thoughts go to the sign out front: School for gifted young men.

I’m starting to think they weren’t just talking about sports.

I am giving out review copies of Blackbird through Story Cartel, in exchange for Amazon Reviews (And blog reviews would be great, too) before it’s official release date on May 1^st.  You can get your copy here  Also, Story Cartel is doing a big giveaway of its own this month, so signing up for a review of any book featured there puts your name in that pot.

 

Don't forget to sign up for my A to Z Rafflecopter:
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

IWSG, B is for Basement

As the first Wednesday of the month, this is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day as well as April’s A to Z. In respect of your time, I promise I’ll keep it brief. Right now I’m really not feeling insecure about anything. Not that I’m suddenly an Amazon bestseller, I’m not. It’s more that I’ve decided I love the books I write. I love the story, love the characters, and sometimes that’s enough.

For this year’s A to Z, I will be doing a collection of flash fiction featuring Steven, the MC from Blackbird, from right before he came to Newstead through his first year there.  

B is for Basement

I’ve always been real good at waking up to the slightest sound, which has gotten me out of my fair share of scrapes over the years. This morning is no different.

My eyes open just as Jason’s getting ready to come down, so by the time he opens the basement door, I’m already dressed with my backpack slung over my shoulder.

He flinches slightly, seeing me at the foot of the stairs. For some reason seeing me there always surprises him. “Steven--good--you’re up. It’s time.”

I nod. Time. Time for me to get the hell out of his house before his mom gets home.

“See you in school,” I call on my way out.

I am giving out review copies of Blackbird through Story Cartel, in exchange for Amazon Reviews (And blog reviews would be great, too) before it’s official release date on May 1^st. Just a note—this story is very dark, so read with caution.  You can get your copy here  Also, Story Cartel is doing a big giveaway of its own this month, so signing up for a review of any book featured there puts your name in that pot.

Don't forget to sign up for my A to Z Rafflecopter :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway