Savage King: New Worlds - Milly Taiden Page 0,67

Washington. Growing up, her parents were seldom around.

Her father was a politician who spent most of his time either in DC or campaigning. And her mom, being an ER doctor on her way up, had to work late hours to prove herself in the male-dominated profession. Avery was left her alone most of the time after they’d moved away from her friends Kaia and Jen. Thus, her addiction to video games had begun.

Now she was back in town, but didn’t want to live the adult life. Everything had always been taken care of for her.

She had few complications, almost no worries, in her life. The only battles she had ever faced were on the screen in front of her. Winning those online fights also cured her loneliness. In her virtual reality, she was surrounded by foes and friends.

She picked up her phone and tapped the green icon. “Hi, Mom. You on your way?”

“I’m sorry, Avery,” her mom said. “A busload of kids were in an accident. Several are on their way in via LifeFlight. The trauma unit requested everyone..” She sounded winded, as if she was hurrying down a hall.

“Oh my gosh, Mom,” Avery said. “Stay as long as you have to.” She hated to say those words, but these people needed her mom more than she did.

“We can go shopping later this weekend.” Her mom hollered hospital jargon to those around her. “Sorry, honey.”

“It’s okay,” she replied. Avery was used to this situation. “But this weekend I’m going camping with Kaia and Jen. We’re celebrating Kaia’s birthday and watching the blood moon.”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m sorry, hon.” More shouting of orders. “Look, Avery, the helicopters are landing. I need to go. Love you, bye.” The line went quiet.

“Love you, too, Mom.” With a sigh, she laid her cell to the side and picked up the controller, glanced at the monitor, then tossed the handheld device on the table. She should’ve expected something would come up. It was all too good. Upset and mad at herself for being upset, she let out a breath.

Closing the recliner in her remodeled bedroom, she got to her feet and schlepped to the kitchen.

Since they weren’t eating out, she might as well find something at home. The cook, a man she’d known since her childhood, had just retired. Avery was on her own for food.

She searched the fridge shelves, pulling out a take-out Chinese box. After a sniff, she wrinkled her nose and dropped it in the trash.

Sushi rolls didn’t look appetizing nor did she feel like cooking a fillet. Not that she knew how. She could boil water and that was about it.

Instead, she pulled open the fruit drawer and grabbed an apple. In the pantry was an opened jar of peanut butter. And voila, dinner was served.

In her bedroom, she plopped onto her memory-foam mattress and turned on her favorite streaming service. This was the fourth night in a row of binge watching TV and eating subpar meals. Nothing had changed much in her years away.

Just once, she wished something interesting or fun happened in her life. She scrolled through the serial killer movies and laughed. Those were her favorites.

She always found something silly at the worst times that made her laugh instead of being scared. She thought about her upcoming camping trip and sighed, leaning back into her pillows.

Someday she’d live an adventure, but it wouldn’t be while hiking with her friends, and not at Briarleaf Park.

Get your copy of Elf King here

Dark King

Prologue

Alan is the cutest, Jenny texted as she walked along the sidewalk on her way home after school. A vehicle passed by, spitting out black smoke from its rear. She coughed and waved a hand in front of her face. “Get it fixed, dude.”

No, Colt is, her friend sent back. You’re so lame.

Jenny grunted, typing on her phone. No, you’re the lame-butt, she replied. Honestly, how could Colt, with a buzz haircut, be as hunky?

She heard younger kids hollering at the small playground in the park. She glanced up and noticed the polluting van had stopped further up along the sidewalk. At least it wasn’t poisoning the air anymore.

Attention back on her phone, she typed, Alan will be a freshman next year.

Puh-lease, we’ll be in 8th grade. Big whoop, her phone’s screen displayed.

As she passed the white van, the side-door slid open. She automatically stepped to the side to give room to the person getting out. A body did move, but not in the way she expected.

Instead of