Starting in 2019 I have been working on writing a novel. The writing took about a year the proof reading, rewriting, publishing and procrastination took far longer. Long enough that the sequel is also written though that one is till a long way from being published.
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It's been lots of fun and very rewarding though at times frustrating. A lesson to be learned from this is to not set your story in the real world unless it is a place you are intimately familiar with. Which considering I've never been to the united states I'm certainly not. So I had to spend so much time googling about massachusetts. But it's done and soon also the sequel so let me tell you about it.
The blurb
Something strange is happening in Arkham. And this time it might be more than just the usual rumors surrounding the isolated town. Detective Matt Lynch of Boston PD is sent to investigate. But when his new colleagues are keeping secrets and unsubtly encouraging him to leave that might be harder than he thought it would be. But as the old secrets are reluctantly revealed, new questions emerge. When local politics cause riots in the streets and the delicate balance of Arkham is threatened Matt must decide if he should keep up the status quo or join the fight against the things hiding in the dark corners and cemeteries of Arkham.
So basically it's a lovecraft inspired detective novel set in a modern day Arkham where humans, magicians and all manner of creatures live side by side.
If you want to buy it then you can do so here. You want to know more then scroll down to read the prologue.
Prologue
“It’s locked.” Aiden said, pulling on the gate. It made a loud clanking noise that echoed in the empty street but stayed firmly locked.
“I know it closes at six, but lucky for you I came prepared.” Cara said with a grin, before digging out a set of lockpicks from her handbag and taking off her black lace gloves.
“Since when do you know how to pick locks?” He asked.
“Since I have been stuck in this horrible town with literally nothing else to do.” She paused before admitting, “Also I may have planned this a little.”
“Just a little?” He asked, smiling.
“Very little.” She said, exaggerating her nonchalance hoping he would keep smiling. “Now hush, I need to concentrate on this.”
“As you wish.” Aiden said, taking a few steps back.
Beside the gate was a large sign and she heard Aiden wandered over to it leaving Cara to curse softly to herself. This lock was different from the ones she had practiced on at home, what if it didn’t work… she would look ridiculous.
“Have you seen this?”
“One moment,” She said and with a final twist to the lock picks and the gate clicked open.
“Impressive.”
“Thank you.” She said, feeling her face heating. Hopefully the dark and her pale makeup would hide her blush. She took a step back and looked over at the sign Aidan had been reading.
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“I think it’s a tourist thing. Now shall we?” She opened the gate with a grand gesture hoping it would make him smile. It did and together they walked into the empty cemetery.
It was darker than she thought it was gonna be. The light from the street was fading fast as the trees closed in and the elaborate wrought iron lamp posts lining the path were unlit. Only the moon allowed them to see anything as they walked through the graveyard, past marble angels and tombstones, some pale almost luminous in the moonlight while others, covered by lichen and algae, were dark and hidden in the shadows.
Dry leaves rustled under their heavy boots as they walked further into the eerily quiet cemetery. It was early autumn and while some leaves had fallen, enough still clung to the trees to keep the branches covered. If they had come here later in the year the trees would look properly dramatic, their naked branches reaching for the cold dark sky.
But they couldn’t wait for that. Aiden had to go back tomorrow and she couldn’t ask him to travel all the way across the country again just to see her. Not that she had asked him to come this time. He had just done it. When she’d asked him about it. He’d said he wanted to cheer her up… that he thought she sounded unhappy. She had been. Ever since dad had forced them all to move here she had been sad and miserable and lonely. The whole family, just moving across the country. Except Hanna of course but she was 19, she got to stay and have fun at college. While she was stuck in this boring town with no friends, no one to talk to and nothing to do. But she hadn’t told him that, hadn’t told any of them how much she missed them or that she didn’t have any friends here. Her classmates were nice, sure. But they had all known each other since kindergarten and there wasn’t any place for her in any of their groups. She hadn’t said any of that to them but Aiden had known anyway and now he was here.
He was nice like that, helping people, listening to them, listening to her. Though she kind of hoped that maybe he hadn’t come here just to cheer her up but because he missed her. Maybe as much as she’d missed him.
“It is beautiful here.” He said, breaking the silence.
“It’s my favorite spot. I come here a lot. The locals don’t come here much so it’s always quiet here. Although this is the first time I’m here after it’s closed.”
“I’m glad you showed it to me. It’s so quiet here, almost like we are the only people in the whole city. In the whole world.”
“Sometimes I think it would be easier if it was.”
“I’m sure your parents mean well.”
“I know,” She sighed. “That almost makes it worse, cause I can’t even be properly angry at them. It’s just… they don’t understand.”
They had come to a fork in the path. One path continued on through the cemetery, eventually circling back to the front gate while the other turned right to some stone steps.
“This way.” She said, leading him down the slippery steps.
There was a small pond in the middle of the cemetery. Its calm water was like a black mirror reflecting the moon and the trees. The path continued, curving around the pond until it ended at a stone bench.
Cara sat down, carefully fanning out her long black skirt so it draped attractively over the bench but still left enough room for Aidan to sit beside her, if he wanted to. He did, sitting close enough that his arm brushed hers whenever he moved.
“Anyway, let's not talk about David and his ideas,” he said.
“Of course,” The silence grew long as she struggled to come up with a new subject that wasn’t her parents. “How is it? University I mean.” She finally asked when it was clear that she wouldn’t be able to think of something better.
“It’s good, I mean it's a lot. But it's been fun.
“That’s nice.” Cara said, trying to not feel jealous or at least to not sound jealous.
“It is, I’ve been taking classes in writing and I’m learning so much. Do you want to hear some of my new poems? I promise they are a lot better than they used to be.” Before she could answer he had pulled out a small notebook from a pocket and began reading.
It would be nice, she thought, if they could stay here forever in this perfect moment. With only Aiden’s clear voice and moving leaves breaking the still night air. Somewhere far away a church bell struck ten. They would have to leave soon, her parents would be up waiting and they only allowed her to go out until eleven. It was ridiculous she wasn’t a kid anymore and what could possibly happen anyway. This wasn’t LA. Arkham was the most boring town ever, she wouldn’t be able to get into trouble here even if she tried.
Their time was running out, a few more minutes and they would have to start walking back and then Aiden would have to leave on Sunday and she wouldn’t see him again. Maybe not for a whole year until she too could start university. If she could go to UCLA with Aiden and not Miskatonic like mum and dad wanted. Maybe she should mention that Hanna was there and so it would be perfectly safe. She just had to figure out what courses to go... and what career to have.... and what she was going to do for the rest of her life… and she only had half a year to think about it and if she got it wrong she might end up… she cut off the thought before it could spiral too far out of control. It didn’t help and just made her feel a clawing sense of dread and anxiety. She only had this one weekend with Aiden and she wanted to enjoy it. Enjoy this one night where for once the wind wasn’t making everything smell of fish and rotting seaweed. For once it was completely calm and not a leaf was moving on the trees.
“So what do you think?” Aidan asked.
“It was great.” Cara smiled trying to remember any of what he had said. She had been too caught up in her own thoughts to listen. “You have really improved.” What if he took it the wrong way, “Not that it was bad before or anything like…”
He took her hand stopping her from babbling, “Thank you it means a lot that you like it. Do you want to hear another.”
She nodded, his hand was warm and soft where he was still holding hers. She leaned a little closer, pressing her shoulder to his. This really was as close to perfect as it could be. It was almost completely silent, with the trees surrounding them hiding the sounds and light of the city. Only Aiden’s voice and the faint rustle of leaves break the silence. It was beautiful too with the moon painting the cemetery in silver and shadows. The silent trees reflected in the crear pool, not even the faintest breeze disturbing it.
Cara frowned and looked at the pond surface, smooth like a dark mirror. She looked up at the trees, their leaves and branches still and silent. In the deep shadows under the trees leaves were rustling.
“Aiden.” She said slowly.
“Yes,” He sounded surprised at her interruption and worried when he looked at her serious face. “What is it?”
“There is no wind tonight.” Cara said putting her thoughts together.
He looked up at the treetops, all of them calm and unmoving “No, it's very calm. What...”
“None at all.” She confirmed.
“Cara what…?”
“If there isn't any wind, then how can I hear the leaves rustling?”
A giggle broke the silence. High pitched and cold, it sounded more like a hyena than anything human. From the trees around them they heard rustling footsteps and saw dark shadows moving. Whoever was there wasn’t trying to be quiet anymore. Another giggle and it stepped out into the moonlight, saliva dripping over yellow teeth and its eyes glowing in the dark.
Aiden grabbed her hand, pulling her up and into motion. Holding her hand until he had to let go as they started up the steps and down the path. It was following her and glancing back she saw even more of them coming after them, running behind her, beside her. Cara was running faster than she ever had before. Faster than she thought she could.
They were faster. Their light footsteps followed just behind her easily keeping pace. Cara stumbled her long skirt ensnaring her legs, her heart beating heavily in her chest. She cursed her heavy boots as they weighed her down. All around shadows were following, one running right next to her snapping at her heels.
The path twisted slightly, the trees thinned and she saw the gate was in front of them. Just a few more yards.
A heavy body hit her back and she fell forward. Cara cried out as gravel and stones scraped the skin from her palmes. Aiden continued running a few steps more, before looking back at her, tuning to her. A shadow crashed into him forcing him down. His head struck the stone path with a wet crack. They giggled again, their bodies covered him from view. All she saw was his still face and dark blood spreading on the cobblestones.
She tried to crawl to him but screamed as pain ripped through her shoulder and back. Rotten breath and yellow teeth filled her sight.
A final scream split the quiet night.
Their giggles, growls and the sound of crunching bones.
Then silence and the rustling leaves.
