I’m an international, multiple award-winning author with a passion for the voices in my head. As a singer, songwriter, independent filmmaker and improv teacher and performer, my life has always been about creating and sharing what I create with others. Now that my dream to write for a living is a reality, with over a hundred titles in happy publication and no end in sight, I live in beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada, with my giant cats, pug overlord and overlady and my Gypsy Vanner gelding, Fynn.

Début

The world struggles around It, a back and forth seesaw of demand and denial. It flops inside its box as the world spins, turned upside down. One of the shining, pearl-topped pins jabs Its leg. The pain is a shock. But It is unable to do anything about the agony. Gravity lets go and It floats for what seems an eternity before crashing into something hard.

The box remains intact, at least. Its home, Its safe haven.

Still, It has no fear, only confusion and need. Where is the girl in whose image It was created?

Silence. Darkness. Waiting.

All the while, the pin. And the pain. On and on forever.

Alice isn't popular. Alice isn't pretty. Alice isn't likable--at least, that's what she's been told most of her life. Moving to a new town hasn't helped any, not with her nasty brother torturing her almost daily and her too-cool, uber-popular cousin making her life miserable. When Alice finds an old doll in her grandmother's attic, she feels an unusual connection to it. She just can't bring herself to feel bad when horrible things start happening to the people who are cruel to her...

Pins and Needles

Alice avoided Peter the rest of the day, though it wasn't hard to do so. He seemed to be doing the same to her. From the look of the growing bruise on his upper arm and the torn hem of his t-shirt, he'd endured more than just abusive words from his brother.


Alice's guilt swallowed her happiness and, despite her desire to fit in, she found herself withdrawing all over again.


   She waited for him after school, determined to apologize for leaving him alone, but Peter didn't show. Finally, saddened by her own cowardice, still clutching the wrinkled note he'd given her and Ben had tried to destroy, Alice considered going alone. She had no illusions about herself or her motives to make things right with Peter. She was the first to admit she needed him to come to the store with her. So she wouldn't have to ask questions by herself.


Chapter 21: The Voodoo Room