That Came Ch 12

Shaking, I fumbled for my phone, trying to call Charles.  Then a car, headlights blazing, came barreling toward me.  My back went cold. In an instant, I knew–it wasn’t an accident. This car was aiming for me.  I tried to run, but fear had already stripped the strength from my limbs. My knees gave out. … Read more

That Came Ch 11

Chapter 6  “I’m going to bring Diana back. Are you sure you wanna come with me?”  Caryn’s eyes shimmered with tears, but she nodded firmly. “Of course I’m coming. Callum, I’m a woman–there are things about the pregnancy Diana won’t want to tell you, but she might tell me. I’ll ask. I’ll find out who … Read more

That Came Ch 10

Samuel watched the scene unfold and sneered.  So convenient, wasn’t it? Caryn showed up right when Callum was about to understand everything.  Which meant one thing–she knew exactly what had happened that night.  As for why Callum remembered nothing after he woke up… the answer likely lay with her too.  nonsense are you girlfriend–his supposed  … Read more

That Came Ch 9

Chapter 5  Samuel let out a low chuckle. “Diana, you’re in the arts–you of all people should know. Real emotion shows in the eyes. Callum’s no exception.”  I immediately shook my head. “He’s not like that, Samuel. He’s found true love, remember?”  Samuel didn’t argue. He said a few more things to Charles, then hung … Read more

That Came Ch 8

Then came the sound of shattering glass–something fragile breaking against the wall or the floor.  Before he could roar again, I hung up.  I turned off my phone, slept soundly for the first time in a long while, and by the time I  woke  up, I was already across the  ocean.  Valmonde. A country full … Read more

That Came Ch 7

Chapter 4  With my headphones on, Callum’s yelling rang so loud it made my ears ache.  I turned the volume down, listening to his screaming voice crackle through the line–then let out a quiet laugh.  “Callum,” I said, “have you forgotten? I was never married to your brother. I was just his girlfriend. Even if … Read more

That Came Ch 6

Then I slid the medical report into the top drawer of my bedside table.   That drawer held all my most precious things:   The belongings my parents left behind, Sean’s keepsakes, proof that my child had existed, and the charm pendant Callum had begged for on my behalf when I fell ill three years … Read more

That Came Ch 5

Chapter 3 Author: Upside-Down Mouse I never expected the child to show up—so when it left, I felt no sadness. Only a quiet sense of how life plays its little tricks.  While my thoughts drifted, the nurse came in for rounds.  She gave me a once-over. “You’re awake? Your attending physician covered your medical bills. You … Read more

That Came Ch 4

His concern had briefly thawed the numbness in my chest. But then my eyes caught the faint lipstick stain on his collar, and the warmth slipped away, swallowed whole by a cold void.  His expression darkened. His voice was sharp. “Diana, don’t be like this. I left Caryn at the restaurant because I knew you’d … Read more

That Came Ch 3

Chapter 2 Author: Upside-Down Mouse “Callum, what’s wrong?” I asked.  His body was tense. In the dark, his hand reached out to touch my cheek. Only after confirming there were no tears did he finally explode.  “Diana, there’s thunder and pouring rain. And you won’t answer your phone or reply to my messages. Are you trying … Read more