An excerpt from the prologue of Promise Me Light:
In
my dreams, it haunted me. In the light of day, it stalked me. In the blackness
of the night, it tortured me. It captured my life and refused to let go.
It
was grief and I was now its prisoner.
It
started the day that Ryder rode away. As I watched him leave, intent on
rescuing my best friend Eva, I felt darkness surround me. I knew it would stay
with me until I saw him again.
For
two weeks I waited. I paced. I prayed and begged for Ryder to return home. I
was like the epic heroine from an old time novel, yearning for her one true
love to return to her.
But
life wasn't a book and I wasn’t a heroine. I refused to sit and wait. I was
going after him.
I
stuffed bread and bottles of water in my backpack. Next went the box of shotgun
shells and bullets for the 9mm stuffed in my waistband.
I
zipped up the backpack and swung it on my shoulders. As I was picking up the
shotgun, a noise echoed through the house. A dull thump in the stillness of the
day.
I
stopped and listened. Nothing. Only silence greeted me.
Looking
around the bedroom one last time, I closed the door quietly behind me. Hurry before you change your mind, my
inner voice whispered.
I
darted down the hallway, my worn tennis shoes making very little noise on the
hardwood floor. I could hear oxygen rushing in and out of my lungs and the
blood pounding in my ears.
I
hadn’t gotten very far when morning sickness made me stop in my tracks. Not now! Please not now!
Placing
a hand on my flat stomach, I took deep, calming breaths, trying to push through
the nausea. When it passed, I reached into my backpack and pulled out the
bottle of water. I took a small sip, hoping it would help settle my stomach. It
didn’t. A sheen of sweat appeared on my forehead as the urge to vomit grew. Tears
threatened to spill from my eyes. Keep it together, Maddie. You can do this.
When
the nausea finally passed, I walked quicker down the hallway. As I passed the
living room, my eyes darted around nervously, expecting to see someone. Only
curtains blowing gently in the breeze made any type of movement. I’m still alone. I can get out of here
without any problems. Holding my breath, I opened the front door, cringing
when it protested loudly.
Bright
sunlight blinded me but I didn't have time for my eyes to adjust. I flew down
the porch steps and out into the yard. Dry grass crunched beneath my feet as I
raced toward the woods.
I have to go.
I have to find him.
