Saturday, August 11, 2012

Independence: Chapter One

Chapter One
         



Maggie

          "Lynne, listen." I knelt down beside her and tried not to glance at the scar glaring from her cheekbone that was a constant reminder of what had happened. I had been in her shoes before, just weeks ago, and it was still fresh in my brain. "For some reason, the powers are taking their time figuring out what they want to be. Caleb didn't realize his until…well, you remember. And you and Kyle will learn what your powers are, too, soon enough. I'm sorry that we were all too wrapped up to even really pay attention to you guys."
          Kyle and Lynne had ascended on the roof of the palace and mutualized right after. Everyone had been so focused on what was going on with us and worrying about the bigger problems though, that we hadn't had time to dwell on the fact that neither of them were getting a feeling for what their ability was going to be. Or the fact that Lynne was human and had gotten the tattoo on her wrist.
          "No," she said quickly. "I don't want the spotlight. It's just that Kyle…" She sniffed in a way that showed me she'd been crying way before she came to see me. "He's upset about it. I just know it. How could he not be, right?"
          I smiled. I knew this one firsthand as well. I felt my cell buzz in my pocket, but ignored it. "Caleb and I went through the same thing. I felt like he'd been cheated because he was an Ace and I wasn't."
          "Yeah," she said and nodded. "That's how I feel."
          I knew it was mere minutes before Kyle came and found her. She was so upset, there was no way Kyle couldn't feel her. "Don't worry, Lynne. Kyle is a big boy. I promise you you'll both get your abilities when you're ready and it'll be something great. And Kyle isn't upset. I'm in his head remember?"
          "Well, then get out of it!" she screeched and stood. She blushed all the way into her hairline. "His brain is private now."
          I pursed my lips so I wouldn't laugh at her. "I just mean that I'd hear him if he was upset. He'd be broadcasting it out if he was."
          "Whatever," she grumbled and wiped her cheek furiously. "This whole thing has turned me into such a chick."
          I laughed just as Kyle bolted through the palace roof door. He practically flew to her and gripped her arms. "What's wrong?" He looked around for threats and found none. He looked between us and then finally focused on Lynne. Hearing her thoughts he heard it all and grimaced. "Lynne, it'll be fine. I told you that already."
          Her mouth opened and then closed. Then she said quickly, "But it-"
          "Uhuh," he said to cut her off and put his finger over her lips. I smiled at the sudden death glare she was giving him. "I have complete confidence in my kind. The abilities will come when they're ready. And I have faith in our new Visionary." He smirked at me. "She's a goody two shoes that's making the universe a very happy and giving entity. Teacher's pet."
          "Bite me, Kyle."
          He laughed. "See?" He turned back to Lynne and his smile changed. It was the one he saved just for her. "She's totally harmless and on board. So, can't you be?"
          She sighed and chewed the inside of her cheek. "I'm on board, too. I'll chill out."        
          "Really? All the way on board?"
          "Choo, choo," she joked wryly and he grinned, taking her face in his hands.      But then his thumb swept over the scar and he let his breath go slowly. "Good," he muttered, and I heard his guilty thoughts. He thought he let her down. He had been so upset about Rodney that he wasn't able to heal her cheek and knew she'd be stuck with it forever, because of him.
          "Stop," she whispered harshly. "Stop, Kyle." She gripped his face, too. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't cut me."
          "But I should have been able to heal you."
          "You lost your cousin," she whispered back. "Stop this."
          He thought about it before smiling. "Right back at ya."
          She groaned at being caught in his trap before laughing softly. "Fine."
          When she reached up on her toes to kiss him, I was outta there. I skipped down the stairs, my steps light and curiously worry free. Just yesterday, we'd learned that Haddock was my real father, and then Jen and Bish had imprinted… finally!
          But today, I just felt better. I felt like there was so much more to solve, but that we'd be ok. I hadn't felt that sense in my bones in a long time and I craved it. Things were falling back into their right place.
          Lynne had found me on the roof before. I was trying to call Beck before she interrupted with her cute little tirade. I tried Beck's cell several times, but always got voicemail. And Beck, who was driving up to the mountains with Ralph, was furious with me in the only way a best friend could be as I checked message after message from her that said, "How could you not tell me you were going to freaking London! Why haven't you called me all week?" And of course my favorite. "When am I going to get the juicy details of you and college boy? You better call me back before I got postal on your cute butt!"
          I smiled thinking about that. I missed her. She was my slice of normal pie and I could have used an extra helping.
          I heard his thoughts around the door just a second before his arms closed around my waist. I was pressed, but went willingly, to the wall with my back and then it was all warm lips and closed eyes and soft, but needy hands.
          Poor Caleb. Maria had taken it upon herself after our big reveal with Jen and Bish to come and sleep with us to give them some privacy. Caleb grumbled about needing our own privacy in his mind, but it was just one night, right?
          So when I felt his fingers teasing the skin just under my shirt, to soak me in as much as I was him, I knew he was making up for lost time. The hand in my hair gave me goosebumps as it massaged and swept through my hair gently. I shivered, causing him to groan. I pulled back just a bit and looked up at him.
          My Caleb.
          He smiled cockily and happily back down at me.
          Why, Mrs. Jacobson, are you blushing?
          Flushing is more like it, I corrected and smirked my own smirk.
          Well, I have it on good authority that our room is finally vacant of transients and squatters. Wanna come and…nap with me.
          His grin was absolutely not about a nap. I bit my lip and nodded for him to lead the way. He laced our fingers as we made our way down the hall. We reached our room and he kissed me again as he fiddled with the door lock. He swept deep in my mouth. I held on to his collar to keep him there and to hold myself up.
          But the loud giggling made us pause. Caleb pushed our door open to find Bish and Jen there. They had their shoes off, their legs hanging off the edge of the bed and they were lounging on their backs looking at each other. Before I could stop myself, I heard their thoughts. They were talking about learning to drive, remembering and laughing.
          They looked up and Jen smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Mom and Maria are napping in our room."
          "What about your room?" Caleb asked Bish, anxious to evict our guests.
          "They never gave me one," he answered smoothly.
          "Well…" Caleb searched for any semi-polite way to tell them to get the heck out. I chuckled under my breath and grabbed his collar once more. He rested his hands on my lower back, his forehead to mine.
          "We won't get a moment's peace until we get back to the states," I told him. "And then still not. Beck is going to drive me crazy for at least a week. And then Gran is going to start the wedding stuff, I just know it."
          Caleb nodded and silently told me I was right.
          "Sorry," Jen said again, but plopped back on the bed with no intention of leaving. Bish joined her, closer this time.
          He whispered, "I'm not sorry." Then he kissed her once, pulling her to his chest and they lay still as if to go to sleep.
          "Want to go back to the roof?" Caleb suggested in a low voice that held promise.
          "Eew," Jen groaned. "Get out before you start the sexy voice, little brother."
          "Our room," he retorted and smiled at me. It was his I'm happy no matter what we're doing smile.
          This was the smile he saved just for me, for when no one was looking.
          I smiled back and started to lead him back to our roof when Haddock met us at the door.
          "Maggie. Caleb," he addressed and fidgeted. I of course couldn’t hear his thoughts so I had no idea what he wanted. "I was wondering if we could talk…before you all leave."
          "About what," I said gently. I wasn't angry with Haddock and I didn't want him to think he owed me anything. I closed the door so Bish wouldn’t hear him. He didn't know about this, after all.
          But Haddock said, "When you leave tomorrow to go back to Tennessee, I'm coming with you. To your town, I mean."
          "What?" I blurted loudly. "What do you mean?"
          He stood a little taller. "I may not have been your father this whole time, and I know you have Jim. That's great, but I lost you once and didn't even know I had you to begin with. I have no intention of doing that again."
          I closed my eyes and tried to breathe normally. So, Dad and Fiona, and me and Caleb, and Bish and Jen, now Haddock.
          One big happy family.
          "Whatever," I said politely and tried to smile. "We'll see what we can work out, but I'm not telling my father…um, Jim. You know what I mean. I'm not telling him about all this."
          "Understood," he said and smiled. "See you at dinner."
          I remembered the text in my pocket. I pulled my cell out and tried not to shoot daggers at Haddock's back as he walked away. Caleb was muttering something about Haddock being a trouble maker, but stopped as soon as he felt my thoughts slam into him.
          I reread the text message five times while Caleb held on to me. When he pressed my face into his neck and said, "Ah, baby. I'm so sorry," I knew the text from Beck's mom was real.
          Beck & Ralph were in an car accident in the mountains. I tried to call u several times. They fnd the car, but no one was inside. They suspect they went looking for help &… They called off the search today. We're having the funerals on Sat. Pls, come home.



42 comments:

  1. holy snickerdoodles!! anticipation is running through my veins zinging all over for this book!!

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    Replies
    1. I want to appreciation to Dr.Agbazara of AGBAZARA TEMPLE for bringing back my husband who left me and the kids for almost 2 years. i never taught i would get him back untill i saw a comment online about dr.agbazara and i contacted him, after following all instruction given to me by Dr.Agbazara, my husband came back begging for forgiveness within the space of 48hours. Thanks doctor your spell is really great. For those of you who have marriage/relationship problem should contacct him for hel via (agbazara@gmail.com) OR WhatsApp/call ( +2348104102662 ). And experience it your self.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for Chapter 1 but OMG! Are you kidding me??? Is it Dec. yet??

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  3. OMG Beck and Ralph! No, I like them... ugh. I can't wait until this book is out! December needs to come soon- like 3 days ago!

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  4. Noooo! I need more!!!!!!!!!! December isn't getting here fast enough! Lol

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  5. Oh my GOSH.....what a teaser that was!!!!!! I cannot wait for this!!!!!

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  6. Thank you Shelly!! I can't wait for December!

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  7. I have to know more, please one more chapter (or 20)

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  8. SHELLY, YOU ARE THE BEST : I cant wait for the rest of the book, I know its going to be awesome just like all the others

    Thank you,
    Tammy

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  9. OMG! You can't end the first chapter like that. That's so mean. haha, but I can't wait for this book. It comes out a week after my birthday. Belated Birthday/ Early Christmas Present!!!

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  10. OH.MY.GOD!! I want, no need more!! I can't wait until December!

    Thank you Shelly! :D Awesome Teaser.

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  11. Now I hate the months of September,October AND November !!! Gah ! Looks like a reread of ALL your books Miss Shelly. ")

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  12. Oh this was exciting!!! I bet they didnt avtually die and the Watsons took them as... Hostage or something. But im probably wrong.. I cant wait to read the rest or this book!!!

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    1. OMG... your probably right. Something bad has to happen to Maggie and Caleb before there big, Beatiful wedding and the ending of the series maybe its a new villian though instead of the watsons

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  13. Omg Shelly, thank you thank you thank you, but now I can't wait for it:)

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  14. Thanks for the chapter but..........OMG!!!!!!!!! Can December come faster???????

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  15. OMG!!! That was FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!

    Thank you so much for this...you totally ROCK!!!

    Hurry up December!!

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  16. Gahh!! Why did you have to stop there?!?!?!?! I should really stop reading teasers, they make me want it so so so so so much more!!!!!!!

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  17. OMG!!!!!!!!!! Can we just skip September, October, and November and go straight to December?????????


    Thanks for the chapter....love your work!!!!!!!!

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  18. I think that classifies as cruel and unusual punishment! Thankfully we have Revolution to distract us come September!

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  19. Noooooo......I just know that Marcus it the cause for Beck & Ralph disappearance so he can get Maggie back home sooner.

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  20. I have enjoyed this series and this preview, but I need this next book now. It is like a drug. I am addicted.

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  21. Thank you Shelly for chapter 1 and OmG cant wait for it....so come on December!!

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  22. Thanks for chapter 1! How big of a bribe would we have to offer for you to release extra, extra early? I think waiting for December will be cruel and unusual punishment.

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  23. All I can say like everyone else is OmGoodness!!! I already have tears forming!! I can not wait!!! 4 months and 6 days!! Buuuuut I must side with "Anonymous" above my comment!!! What will it take? hehe Thank you Shelly soooooo much!!!

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  24. WHAT?!? Nooooo! I need more! I almost cried! How long till december?

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  25. AHHH!!! I can't wait so many months!!!! SAVE ME! :( :(

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  26. Dang it!!!! I might die of anticipation before December has arrived. :/

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  27. LOVE IT!!can't wait for December!!!

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  28. AHHH!!!! December cannot come fast enough!!!!! I'm too impatient!!!

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  29. But Maggie can always use her ability/gift to search for Beck & Ralph right? Like the time when she saw the guy from the ice cream shop finally together with his mom.

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  30. I need this book in my hands NOW! 4months still??? Seriously Shelly?? Seriously?!?!? I can't take it. I fill my free time with other books but my mind always wanders back to Maggie & Caleb. Impatiently waiting for December. Sigh. I knew I shouldn't have read this teaser of ch 1. Lol. Sooooo good!!!!

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  31. I cant wait to read the rest! Shelly....give us more chapters to read.... soon.

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  32. Gahhh *Makes choking noise* Such a cliffhanger! Why must you do this to us, Shelly???? Now I have to go set up my sticky note countdown! Love your writing! Squeeeeeee!

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  33. WHAAAAT???!!!!!!! WHAT HAPPENED?????????!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! DECEMBER HURRY UP ALREADYYYY!!!!!!1

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  34. Oh, no! First Rodney, now Beck? Can you release Independence early? PLEASE?

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  35. I want to appreciation to Dr.Agbazara of AGBAZARA TEMPLE for bringing back my husband who left me and the kids for almost 2 years. i never taught i would get him back untill i saw a comment online about dr.agbazara and i contacted him, after following all instruction given to me by Dr.Agbazara, my husband came back begging for forgiveness within the space of 48hours. Thanks doctor your spell is really great. For those of you who have marriage/relationship problem should contacct him for hel via (agbazara@gmail.com) OR WhatsApp/call ( +2348104102662 ). And experience it your self.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I want to appreciation to Dr.Agbazara of AGBAZARA TEMPLE for bringing back my husband who left me and the kids for almost 2 years. i never taught i would get him back untill i saw a comment online about dr.agbazara and i contacted him, after following all instruction given to me by Dr.Agbazara, my husband came back begging for forgiveness within the space of 48hours. Thanks doctor your spell is really great. For those of you who have marriage/relationship problem should contacct him for hel via (agbazara@gmail.com) OR WhatsApp/call ( +2348104102662 ). And experience it your self.

    ReplyDelete