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Met You at The Wrong Time

Chapter One

Dalila hurried through the park, her heart pounding as she navigated the winding paths. She could see the group ahead, sitting at their usual spot by the large oak tree that provided shade and a sense of familiarity. The sight of her friends brought a mix of relief and anxiety; she hated being late, but she also cherished these moments of camaraderie.

“Glad you finally made it!” Hollis yelled out, her voice cutting through the ambient noise of the park. Children laughed in the distance, and the murmur of conversations floated on the breeze.

Dalila gave a sheepish smile as she approached, feeling the heat of the sun on her back. “It’s not my fault I slept in. The alarm didn’t work or something. I promise!” She dropped her bag on the bench, the fabric rustling against the wood.

Juno, his usual smirk in place, barely looked up from his phone. “Oh yeah, it’s not like we called you ten times, one of which you picked up and saying, ‘Just five more minutes.'”

Dalila rolled her eyes, ready to retort, but Hollis’s announcement interrupted her. “Oh guys, my friend I wanted you to meet is coming in like three minutes! Surprisingly more late than Dalila,” she said, casting a playful glance in Dalila’s direction.

 “What are you looking at me for? And why haven’t I heard that he is coming? Uninvited or what?” she snapped, folding her arms.

Lumi, ever the opportunist, jumped in with a grin. “Oo, is it a guy?” She leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

“Yes, but don’t you have a boyfriend?” Hollis and Juno said in sync.

“But back to you, Dalila, it was a surprise for you all, and no, he is not coming into the friend group uninvited.” Hollis laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Lumi rolled her eyes but kept her mouth shut, the tension palpable.

“Dalila, he is so your type, though,” Hollis said, trying to steer the conversation back on a positive track. Dalila’s curiosity was piqued despite herself. What did Hollis know about her type? Did she even have a type?

Dalila scoffed. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”

Juno muttered, “Whatever,” his gaze fixed on his phone. Dalila caught the brief flicker of annoyance on his face but chose not to comment.

“What was that?” Lumi asked, breaking the brief silence. “Is he tall?” Lumi continued, genuinely intrigued.

“why do you care?” Hollis replied.

Dalila, uninterested, tried stirring away from this conversation.

Dalila glanced around the park, taking in the vibrant scene. The oak tree’s branches swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The laughter of children playing nearby mingled with the distant hum of a lawnmower. This place had always been their sanctuary, a slice of peace amidst their hectic lives.

“Hey Hollis, next time you invite someone we haven’t met, can you ask or tell us beforehand about it?” Juno let out an exaggerated sigh. “Seriously, it’s not that hard to give us a heads up.”

“Duh, but learn what a fun surprise is,” Hollis shot back, her tone light but firm.

Lumi flicked her head towards Juno and Dalila. “Guys, we gotta be nice, y’know. Not everyone is as cold as you two.”

“Guys, he’s my friend. Trust me, I know what he is like. Annoyingly cold at times,” Hollis said, emphasizing the word “annoyingly.”

“You’re one to talk” Juno threw out.

A voice behind them spoke up confidently. “Talking about me, I assume?”

Pages: 1 2

I DO IT BETTER

Dust floats in the late afternoon sun as she steps into the half-finished kitchen. The smell of fresh paint mingles with the sharp scent of sawdust lingering in the air. The floor creaks softly beneath her boots. He’s crouched by the cabinets, wrestling with a box of hardware, the faint clang of metal against wood breaking the silence.

She crosses her arms, scanning the blueprints, then frowns. “Why do you have brushed nickel handles here? I specified matte black.”

He glances up, rubbing a smudge of dirt off his cheek. “Matte black chips. I swapped them out so they don’t look like crap in six months.”

She pulls out her phone, annoyance flashing in her eyes. “You just swapped them out? You didn’t even tell me! Clients want what I show them, not what you think lasts longer!”

He leans back, wiping his hands on his jeans, a dry rasp in his voice. “You’re the realtor, not the builder. I fix problems before they happen — like I could fix that attitude of yours.”

She snaps the blueprint shut, eyes darted to his. “I can’t work like this! I’m the one selling these houses. When they see differences from the listing, it’s on me — not the construction boys.”

He stands up, so the dust motes catch the light around his shoulders. “Construction boys? I’m making your life easier.”

He steps to her, the weight of the moment pressing between them. “It’s better to have a little inconsistency than a ton of callbacks.”

She grits her teeth, jaw tight. “Or we do it like I asked and get it done once.”

He smirks, voice low and certain. “Idealism’s cute, but the clock’s ticking.”

She exhales, fighting the urge to yell but keeps her voice calm. “Just… check with me next time.”

A brief silence stretches as the dust settles, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioner struggling against the heat outside.

He shifts, then nods. “Fine. Next time, I’ll run it by you. But only because I don’t want to see you drowning in angry clients.”

JURY DUTY

“JURY DUTY! You’ve got to be kidding me !”

I slammed my forehead against the doorframe five steps away from the mailbox. Head turned. I let out a flustered groan. There was no way I could do this, no way. 

I turned back to the mailbox, wishing I had never opened it. I clutched the green envelope in my hand, wishing it would dissolve into thin air.

A door opened next to me; I turned my head. A head turned back to me. Of freaking course in the worst moment of my life e/n had to show up.

“What’s wrong y/n, you got stood up, why u dang crying up the whole neighborhood.” 

“Why do you always bring ur cocky self in my business’ – y/n

“Whaaat I’m being so genuine.. What’s the matter?” He started toward the mailbox, not even trying to hide the fact that he was enjoying my misery.’

He unlocked the mailbox

“I got jury duty.” – I waved the slip up. And put my head down, then up-

 When he laughed

My face probably said it all.

When he stood there waving the same green slip I have in my hand

Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me…

“Don’t even say anything, I swear…” I muttered, ready to just throw the dang thing out the window and run away.

He cracked open the envelope with a practiced hand, flipping through the paperwork inside.

“Hey…y/n,”  he said, clearly enjoying himself too much.

I sighed, turning to head inside, wanting to just escape this moment.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to him. He was still holding the green slip. I wish I was imagining 

“See you tomorrow at 1pm,” he smirked as he closed the envelope

I tried to bite back the glare.

“I hate you,” I muttered under my breath.

“I’m about to make so many opposing points. I’ll be your own personal devil’s advocate,” he teased.

“That’s not even how it works, you idiot” –y/n shot back

He laughed, his eyes glinting with something— “Should we carpool? Talk about how this whole thing is probably rigged?”

I hesitated. This was insane, but at least if we fight in a serial killer court, I’d have him to sacrifice first.

We both just stared at each other for a moment—two neighbors, two enemies, but now we have to work together. 

Finally, I shrugged. “Ur car? Ur gas money?”

I turned back to the door, half-expecting him to turn away with my request. Instead, I heard him say

“Whatever it takes for you to sit in my passenger seat. So…this is gonna be fun, huh?” he said.

I smirked. “You have no idea.”

“Isolation”

Chapter One 

The waves crashed against the hull of the vessel, rocking it back and forth. Josephine held her son close, feeling the saltwater spray on her face as she stared out at the endless expanse of the ocean. They had been on the run for weeks, using their advanced gear tech to explore uncharted territories and escape the unknown dangers that pursued them. But now, they were stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no food or supplies left. They had fled their past life, but at what cost?

As the sun began to set on the horizon, Josephine knew they needed to find a way to sustain themselves. The sound of the waves grew louder as her thoughts got even louder. The wind picked up, making it harder to navigate. She tried to use a lider to scan the surrounding area for any signs of life, but the instruments were malfunctioning, likely due to the prolonged exposure to saltwater. It seemed as though their luck had finally run out.

The girl’s mind began to race as she contemplated their next move. She thought about the possibility of encountering hostile sea creatures, or worse, being completely alone with no hope of rescue. The thought of her son’s safety weighed heavily on the mother’s mind, and she was determined to find a solution. But as the night fell, the darkness enveloped the boat, and the ocean seemed to take on a life of its own. It was as if the past had finally caught up with them, and they were at the mercy of the unknown.

Josette hugged her son even closer, feeling his small frame shivering in the cool sea breeze. She tried to keep her mind focused on the task at hand, searching for any signs of land or civilization. But the hours passed slowly, and fatigue began to set in as Josephine jumped back into the sea to hold onto the ship and continued to swim aimlessly through the dark waters. Josephine began to wonder if they had made a mistake by embarking on this journey and if the risks outweighed the potential rewards.  But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that Josephine had a responsibility to herself and her son to push forward and find a way to survive, and finally be able to live.

 It seemed as though their fate was sealed.

As the first light of dawn began to peek over the horizon, Josephine spotted something in the distance. It was a small town, perched on the edge of the ocean. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The town seemed deserted, and there was no sign of life. Josette knew they needed to be careful, as danger could be lurking around every corner.

Chapter Two

As Josephine approached the town holding her son in her arms, saw that it wasn’t completely abandoned after all. She saw signs of life. Fresh footprints in the sand, doors that had been recently opened, Smoke rose from chimneys, and the sound of faint chatter could be heard in the distance.  She cautiously made her way through the town, trying to stay hidden. But curiosity overpowered her.

Her heart swelled with hope, knowing that there were people nearby who could help her and her son. But as she drew closer, she began to feel uneasy. The town didn’t seem entirely abandoned, but there was something off about it.

Josephine cautiously made her way through the deserted streets, her senses on high alert. She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone or something was watching her. Her son clung to her tightly, his small body trembling with fear. They walked for what felt like hours until they finally came across a small shop with a flickering sign that read “Open”.

Josephine pushed open the door, the creaking of the hinges echoing through the empty shop. She called out, but there was no answer. The shop was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of dust and mildew. Josephine noticed a small jar of canned goods on a shelf and quickly grabbed it, hoping to find more supplies.

As she turned to leave, a sudden movement caught her eye. She whirled around, her hand reaching for her gear tech, but it was just a rat scurrying across the floor. Josephine let out a sigh of relief, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t alone.

They continued to search the town, but everywhere they went, it seemed as though someone had just left. The doors were left unlocked, and the lights were still on, but there was no one to be found. Josephine began to feel as though she was walking through a ghost town.

As they turned a corner, they came face to face with a group of people. Josephine’s heart leaped in her chest, relieved to finally find someone who could help. But as she looked closer, she realized that something was off about them. Their eyes were sunken, and their skin was pale and sickly.

She slowly started to back away, step by step. But as she turned away she was faced with more of these sick townspeople. She had two choices, kill them all with a bullet from her overpowering gun or talk to them.

“Hello? I’m sorry I didn’t mean any harm, I was just trying to find food.” she whimpered

“Oi lady” someone jumping from the back started, “We ain’t gonna kill a scummy gal like you.” 

“Oh yes, we will.” footsteps came closer. But a hand stopped him.

Josephine froze.

Everyone in the front said nothing but just stared down at the things she had, they seemed fascinated by her gear tech. Yet everyone in the back had things to say. They couldn’t see.

A leader in the front started talking, “ Everyone shut up, If we even dare try to touch her she will blast our guts out in a matter of seconds.” The people went quiet. 

“The new guy told us something about these.” He went on, “New technology, able to kill anything in sight.” 

 “Everyone scram, and let me deal with the girl.” he locked eyes with her.

They listened yet stared from a distance by their houses and shops.

“I promise ill just buy a few things and leave you guys alone,” Josephine said with confidence this time, knowing they are scared.

“We will give all you want for free, just remember this town’s name. Nemesis End. Remember we did you no harm, and remember our name means vengeance.” he stated with a cold stare and left.

Puzzled, she went to go get what she needed wanting to get out of there. Feeling uneasy about this town. 

As she was getting her final needs, She noticed a man sitting on a bench, staring at her intently. He looked different than the pale townspeople. He looked familiar. but Josette couldn’t quite place him. Suddenly, he stood up and approached her. She started to leave in a hurry.

“Josie?” he said, his voice filled with disbelief.

Josephine looked back at him, and then recognition dawned on her. “Kai?” she gasped.

It was Kai, a childhood best friend who she hadn’t seen in years. They hugged each other tightly, and  Josette felt tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn’t believe that she had managed to find someone she knew in this strange, strange town.

She started leading him to the boat while he started talking. 

Kai explained that he had been living in the town for a few years after he had run away from a place they used to call home. He had found a community of people who had also escaped from their lives, and they had banded together to survive. They weren’t hostile – they were just trying to stay alive but they didn’t want any more mouths to feed and any more bodies to take care of. The only reason they took a fondness for him was because of his stories and knowledge about what else lies around this town. He was the new guy the leader was telling her about.

They got to the boat and Kai’s face dropped. He noticed the little child inside. 

“Oh kai, I almost forgot, meet Renjiro! He turns 4 soon!” Josie joyfully mentioned.

“Mhm, hello Renjiro.” he looked away.

“Hi.” Renjiro muffled.

“Oh, Renji quit being so shy.” His mother, Josephine playfully announced.

Renji sat back down in the boat, while Josie pulled Kai aside, and whispered in his ear, 

“ You shouldn’t mention a father, uhm..” she looked up with glossy eyes. “I do not know where he went, or who he is.”

Dark Shadows: A Gripping Mystery and Thriller Novel.

The darkness of the night was oppressive, yet the figure knew he had to keep going. He had been searching for days, desperate to find what he was looking for. He had heard the rumors – it had to be here.

The figure cautiously entered the abandoned building, and the sound of his footsteps echoed eerily through the corridors. He had to be careful – one wrong move and it could be the end of him.

He rounded a corner, and suddenly he saw it. The thing he had been searching for – a mysterious book, its pages filled with secrets. He grabbed the book and quickly tucked it away in his pocket. Now he had to get out – fast.

He started to run, but he soon heard voices behind him. It was too late – he had been spotted. He had to think quickly and find a way out. He ducked into a nearby room, hoping he could find a hiding place.

He heard the voices getting closer until they finally stopped outside the door. He held his breath, hoping he hadn’t been seen. But then the door opened, and two men stepped into the room.

“Where is it?” one of the men said.

The figure knew he was done for – he had been caught. He pulled the book out of his pocket and presented it to the men.

“This is what you’re looking for,” he said.

The men examined the book, and their eyes widened in surprise.

“This is it,” one of them said. “This is the book we’ve been searching for.”

The figure had no idea what the book contained, or why the men were so interested in it. All he knew was that he had to get away. He made a run for the door, but the men were too fast.

They grabbed him and dragged him back into the room. The figure knew he was in trouble.

The men asked him questions, but he refused to answer. Finally, one of them pulled out a gun and pressed it against the figure’s head. He had no choice – he had to tell them what he knew.

The figure explained that he had found the book in an old library. He had no idea what was inside, but he knew it was important enough for these men to be willing to kill for it.

The men took the book and disappeared into the night. The figure was relieved to be alive, but he still had no idea what he had been caught up in. He decided to follow the men and find out.

The figure tracked the men to a secret hideout, and he watched as they opened the book. His curiosity got the better of him, and he crept closer to get a better look.

Inside the book was a map – a map to an ancient temple filled with treasures beyond imagination. The figure knew he had stumbled upon something incredible.

The figure knew he had to get his hands on the map, and he was determined to do whatever it took. He was in for the fight of his life, and he was ready…