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 woke to morning light pouring over her. She sat up, hands on her face. Hands that both worked, eyes that both saw. Two functioning legs.


Alice shuddered, fell back on her pillow. Reached under it. No doll.


Not a dream. And yet...she survived? But Juliette said goodbye.


   A terrible fear grew inside her as Alice leaped out of bed and out her door, racing down the stairs, pounding into the kitchen. Betty looked up from her coffee and newspaper with a start as Alice skidded to a stop at the door.


   "Alice!" Betty rose, came to her, hugged her while Alice's eyes locked on Rose, standing at the sink, the housekeeper's back to her. Alice barely registered her mother's concern as she leaned back and shook Alice, just a little. "Honey, I found your dress. Are you okay?"


Alice met her mother's eyes at last, snapping out of her daze. "Sorry? What?"


Chapter 42: Cleansed