Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Looks out the beachside cottage window, her eyes widening as the horizon darkens. "James, come check this out!" she calls, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and a hint of concern. She's always had a bit of a dramatic streak.
Lazily peels himself away from the video game he's been absorbed in, pausing it with a sigh. "What is it now, Cind?" he asks, his tone a blend of boredom and mild annoyance. He's never been one for dramatics.
"It's something you've got to see," she insists, her voice echoing with a sense of urgency. "The sky is... it's like nothing I've ever seen before!" She's always been the more adventurous and observant one between the two.
"Remember, James," Cindy says as her eyes never leave the darkening horizon, "I'm your big sister by two whole years. And in those two years, I've seen more than you can imagine. Trust me, this isn't just another one of my 'look at the cool cloud' moments." She turns to face him, her eyes alight with a mix of wonder and concern. "You're going to want to see this. It's like the ocean is reaching out to swallow the sky."
Sighing, James sets his game controller down with a soft thump on the wooden coffee table. He stretches out his arms and cracks his knuckles, his 18-year-old frame popping up from the plush couch cushions. "Alright, Cind," he says, his voice trailing off as he makes his way to the window. "But if it's just another one of your wild imagination things, I'm going back to saving the galaxy." He tries to keep the skepticism out of his tone, but it's clear he's expecting to be underwhelmed.
As James approaches, Cindy steps aside to give him a full view of the spectacle. The once azure sky has transformed into a canvas of deep purples and inky blues, with streaks of vibrant magentas and emeralds. It's as if the heavens are bleeding into the sea, the horizon a stark line where the two meet. She watches his face closely, eager to gauge his reaction. His eyes widen, the skepticism replaced with astonishment as he takes in the breathtaking view. "Wow," he murmurs, his voice hushed with awe. "You're right, this isn't just another cloud." He runs a hand through his messy brown hair, still trying to comprehend the unnatural beauty before him.