Deadlines: Hicktown Hearts Part 5
— Knox — Birds chirping outside my window pulled me from the deepest sleep I’d had in, well, I don’t really remember when. I cracked open one eye and immediately shut it again; the sun was blasting its rays through the tiniest...
Chapter 3: Stars
The night had shown itself once again. Almost complete blackness had taken over like all times before, a shroud of the canvas of space, filled to the brim with shining constellations of stars, planets, suns… Of course, they were all distant, but...
Chasing the Sun - Epilogue: That Which We Seek
Octo closed the door, a tired sigh escaping his lips as the restaurant door closed, a candidate leaving after an interview. It was only two weeks since Róðe Strípe's opening, but it felt like a month. Today, the restaurant was closed as he wanted to...
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 63: A Proper Gift
Kevin sighed as he leant back on the car seat. This was quick, really. Despite the unease when they talked about this for the first time, he was glad to trust Octo. As difficult as the panther could be sometimes, he knew that once Octo said something,...
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 57: Unmarked Grave
“Alright, that's all for today. Thanks, guys! Please be here tomorrow at 9 like today." Kevin gave a deep sigh and stood up. Another day at work done, he thought to himself. He smiled and gave fist bumps to some of his workmates, some stayed to ask...
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 66: Opposites Do Attract
Røðe Strípen was going to open tomorrow, and Octo couldn't help but feel anxious. Taking a deep breath, the panther opened his eyes and stared at the wide, calming expanse of the night sky above. The stars were twinkling, occasionally covered by the...
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 64: Let Us Start Again
Kevin had always been very cute when he was enthusiastic. “Come on, you grandpa. The sale is gonna end soon!" The wolf looked back at him, smiling wide and tail wagging. The mall in front of them looked lively, as usual on a weekend night. Octo just...
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 58: The Steps You Took
“The wolf is back, _wål!"_ Everyone cheered heartily. Kevin laughed and drank his mead. He wiped his mouth and looked over the room, smiling wide as he watched his friends. He missed this a lot. He was in Barrowisle now, visiting for three days....
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 60: Teach Me to Trust You
The restaurant, Røðe Strípen, was coming along very nicely. Richard walked out of the half-finished kitchen with a wide smile. It had only been three months, yet the building already looked like a restaurant from the inside. The kitchen only needed...
Chasing the Sun - Chapter 56: Everything’s Gonna Be Okay
“And you know what? They gave me one more week of pay as a bonus!" “They should be. Actually, I think they should've given you more." “They did give me a voucher for three nights for the hotel but I don't know, it's good enough, I guess?" Octo leant...
Stillness in the Storm - Chapter One
**Chapter One.** Walking the halls of Tusk Valley University feels like navigating a maze. The signs make no sense. Everyone’s yelling over each other just to be heard. And the few who are paying attention? They look at me with confusion, concern…...
Stillness in the Storm - Epilogue
**Epilogue** The cabin creaked softly as the wind pushed against the outer walls, the only sound in a room otherwise suffocatingly still. Books lined the shelves, most of them well-worn, others untouched for years. A mug of tea sat cold on the table...