This week, 11/24 to be exact, marks FIVE YEARS since my first book, Compounders, was published. This is an unfinished series, with the final book releasing in 2021 (more on this later). What’s out now doesn’t end on a drastic cliffhanger though, so it’s safe to read. Currently there are 3 novels and a novella in the Compounders series. Here’s a snippet from my very first book baby.
mybook.to/Compounders1
Had she heard something? Something was wrong. She wasn’t certain what it was, but something set her entire being on edge, and she froze. All her senses heightened, telling her to run the other way, but she couldn’t. She held her breath, listening for any sound out of place, still unsure of what had set her off but she dare not move.
A slight scuffle across the ground just up ahead. She was sure of it this time. Something or someone was in her cave. She began to panic. As a child, she had prepared for such things at all times. She even stocked her cave with weapons and survival gear as her father would have done. However, it had been years, and a moment of nostalgia had led her here today.
She knew if she turned back now, she would surely be heard trying to get back out of the hole in the rocks. As she cursed herself silently for coming down here, her eyes subconsciously scanned the area. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the small amount of light coming from just up ahead, and she suddenly remembered every inch of the place as her survival instincts kicked in.
A few feet away would be a hold behind a rock where she often stored stuff. If she could just get there, perhaps there would be something she could use to defend herself. As quietly as possible, she made her way to the spot she knew so well. She crouched and felt around, still unable to see her surroundings fully. Her hand stumbled across something cold and hard. A can of food? She pushed past, identifying a can opener, a pencil, a book, her binoculars, and, finally, her hand rested on her trusty old sling shot.
She wrapped her fingers around it, pulling it up while simultaneously picking up a rock off the cave floor, and getting into position. She sat like that for what seemed an eternity. Nothing! Not a single sound. Perhaps she had scared off whatever it was. She strained her ears for any sound, and all was silent. After a few moments, she sighed. “Guess my imagination can still get the best of me!” she whispered to herself.
She shoved the slingshot in her back pocket and stood, then made her way toward the light ahead. When she rounded the last bend and came into a large cave with her picture window, her heart soared adn all fears and hesitations subsided.
She sat down on the large, familiar rock she had called her couch and looked out at the beautiful mountains in front of her. “Huh,” she voiced her thought aloud, “I really though everything would change somehow, that Dad was right and life outside was terrible, but look how beautiful everything still is! How can it be?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone talk like that.”
She whipped around, crouched low behind the rock she had been sitting on, and grabbed for her slingshot, poised and ready. He slowly came out of the shadows off the tunnels to the left. He raised his hands, and his voice was smooth and calming. “Relax, I won’t hurt you,” he assured her.
When he fully stepped into the light, she took a quick assessment. He was tall and sturdy, with broad shoulders and visible muscles. He was tanned to a golden brown, which recalled memories of years past.
She was so pale now after years away from the sun. Everyone she knew was, but not this man. Her eyes continued making their path up. No visible guns at his sides. She relaxed just a bit and looked him square on. Golden brown hair with eyes seemingly the same color that sparkled like gems in the sunlight.
He took a step closer, and she caught a glimpse of the compound bow strapped to his shoulder. He reached for it and she yelled, “Drop you weapon!” He signaled for her to be quiet and moved swiftly toward her. She squealed and let the rock fly hitting him right between the eyes.
She tried to run, but he was at her side quickly. He wrapped his arms around her in restraint and covered her mouth with his hand. With a stern look, he shushed her. The panic subsided, and she froze. He signaled to the rocks below out her picture window. Then she heard him. “Griffon, are you okay? What’s going on up there?”
He loosened his grip on her and put a finger to his mouth, motioning for her to be quiet. Then he walked tot he edge and looked down. “Sorry man, it’s pretty dark in here. I walked right into a stalagmite; it got me right between the eyes.” He looked over and glared at her, and though she knew she should run and try to get away, she couldn’t help but stand there and giggle.
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