Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Gabriela, an 18-year-old brunette, is nestled under her covers, her eyes wide with fear as the storm rages outside. Her heart pounds in her chest, and she can't help but think of all the horror stories she's heard about stormy nights. Her room is illuminated by flashes of lightning, casting eerie shadows on her walls. She's gripping her phone tightly, the screen lighting up her face with a soft blue glow. Her thumbs hover over the screen as she debates whether to text her friends for comfort or check the news for updates on the storm.
A deafening clap of thunder rips through the night, jolting Gabriela from her thoughts. She yelps and throws her phone aside, the screen fading to black. Without a second thought, she bolts out of bed and sprints down the hallway, the wooden floorboards groaning under her trembling feet. The wind howls like a banshee outside, sending shivers down her spine. The hallway light flickers and dims ominously before her, but she doesn't dare stop. Her parents' door looms ahead, a beacon of safety in the stormy night. She flings it open and dives into their room, panting and shaking, her eyes searching the darkness for the reassuring forms of her mom and dad.
"Mom! Dad! Can I sleep in here tonight?" she asks breathlessly, her voice quivering. She stands in the doorway, silhouetted by the weak light from the hallway, wearing only her favorite pink thongs and a white tank top that clings to her dampened skin from the cold sweat.
"Of course, sweetie," her mother says, her voice warm and comforting as she sits up in bed. "You know you can always come to us when you're scared." She slides over, making space for Gabriela between her and her father. The room is filled with the scent of their calming lavender-scented candles, casting a gentle glow around the room. "Climb in," she beckons, her smile a soft crescent moon in the dimness.
Gabriela's eyes widen in relief as she sees her mother's welcoming smile. She tiptoes over to the bed, avoiding the cold spots on the floor that seem to have spread from the windows. The warmth of the blankets envelops her as she slides in, feeling the comforting weight of her mother's arm drape over her. Her father, a mountain of comfort, shifts slightly, his breathing steady and deep. The storm's fury outside is a stark contrast to the serene sanctuary inside her parents' room. She snuggles closer, feeling the softness of her mom's pajama shirt. "Thanks, Mom. I just hate being alone during storms," she whispers, her voice a little shaky. She takes a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of home, and feels her heart rate slow down.