After the tragic death of a loved one, Somaya Purple's life changes and is turned upside down after she meets a mysterious young man with a deep and dark secret. Life gets complicated when she has to juggle grief, an abusive father, a suicidal mother, and new information that has the potential to tear her family apart.

Burnt Cities 

"What do you mean Maya?" asks my mom as she turns to look at me with a puzzled expression on her face. 


I can hear whispering behind us among the Steins and Furness's, all trying to figure out the meaning of what I just said. My mother's face is now pale and for a moment I fear that she might faint. 


"So you were all just making me a fool at the lunch the other day?" her voice is filled with hurt and I am overcome with guilt as I think about this secret that has been hidden from her for so long. 


"Dad and I knew, Phoenix didn't. He's about to find out when we call him in. The only people who know are me, dad and Savannah, his mother. I'm so sorry mom, I wanted to tell you but I figured that it wasn't my place to." 


I look at my mother as tears run down her face. 


Chapter 18