An author could pause in the middle of a story's climactic scene for various reasons. Writers must strive to torture characters and keep an audience in suspense. Plots thrive upon tension. Lengthening an intense moment could serve to amplify it. But I stop here for ulterior motives. Allow me to draw…
Violent trembling seized her limbs as Laina ascended the final steps to her floor. Terror amplified each scuff of her boot sole. She gripped the banister's corner and squeezed the peeling surface until it threatened to slice into her palm. With hard swallow, she leaned from the stairwell. Darkness veiled the…
Violent trembling seized her limbs as Laina ascended the final steps to her floor. Terror amplified each scuff of her boot sole. She gripped the banister's corner and squeezed the peeling surface until it threatened to slice into her palm. With hard swallow, she leaned from the stairwell. Darkness veiled the…
Feral yowls whirled down the foggy alley as Laina's boots scuffed up the wide concrete steps to Harbor Towers. Horror Towers, as the media tagged them. Mist fingered through the bars on the lower story windows. She yanked open the entry door and its hinges responded with a whining cackle. After…
Feral yowls whirled down the foggy alley as Laina's boots scuffed up the wide concrete steps to Harbor Towers. Horror Towers, as the media tagged them. Mist fingered through the bars on the lower story windows. She yanked open the entry door and its hinges responded with a whining cackle. After…
Laina shifted her boots on the threadbare floormat, nudging the margarine tub. The medallion fragments jostled and slinked inside their plastic cell. She withdrew her feet and hugged the edge of the passenger seat. The downtown corridors heightened into a labyrinth of manmade fortress walls. Glowering steel and concrete stretched to obscure the…
A scream whirled from an alley across the street, punctuated by barked obscenities. Rubbish tinged the bitter wind pricking up the fine hairs on Laina's clammy arms. The bar-enforced door slammed shut behind her. A shudder slithered up her spine and niggled at her scalp as Arden clicked his key into the…
Pounding footsteps and silhouettes raced past the sheet-curtained alley windows. A battery of obscenities rattled in their wake. The crunch of flesh triggered groans. Laina crept toward the window. "I think someone's getting hurt." "Best stay clear of the windows after dark." Arden took an empty margarine tub from the shelf and…
Laina took a shaky step into the luminous circle around the pillar candle on the floor. The amulet lay just beyond the light puddle. The flame's reflection flickered in its emerald stone. "Why isn't it over?" She bent and stretched her hand toward the medallion. "Don't touch that." Arden fetched a bar rag…
Candlelight gilded Arden's scarred cheek and drove the shadows over his shoulder as he bent over her. "Laina, do you ..." His voice washed over her in mumble-squelched waves. "... and submit your life to Jesus Christ?" Her breath croaked and clenched. She forced her chin to dip in a slight nod.…