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

Another silent ride, this one uncomfortable. Rose's tension cut through Alice's internal battle over and over, though the doll drew Alice back after only a few seconds of distraction.


   It argued with pictures, flashes of Evan shoving her into a closet and closing the door. The sound of his laughter at her pleading and screaming to be let out of the dark. Images of herself standing before Claire's mirror, the ugly purple dress hanging from her like a sack.


   The long line of bullies, tormentors, people who were cruel to her, marched through her head. The boys who tried to hurt her, to hurt Peter.


When the doll hit on Mrs. Talbot and the nasty little dog, Muffin, Alice flinched.


   It had gone too far hoping to pull her closer, instead pushing her to her limit. She'd almost killed someone.


   As though sensing its mistake, the doll fell silent just as the car came to an abrupt halt. Alice looked up, out the window, realized she was home already.


Chapter 36: Protected