Like many other writers, I sometimes struggle to balance writing with Life. Honestly, it boils down to time management, but Life sounds more profound.
I am currently writing the sequel to Return of the Sun. The working title is Into the Sun. Original, yes? But I think it captures the spirit of the story. We’ll see if it sticks.
Into the Sun is part adventure and part thriller, continuing the story of our survivors. I think as I work along I’ll share excerpts of my rough draft. Hopefully someone will find it compelling enough to read the final product. I intend the regular postings to keep me honest. Maybe it will work, or maybe it will go the same route as my other attempts at a fixed schedule.
I hope you enjoy reading the following. Please feel free to reach out with any comments. Thank you, fellow writers and readers. -TMA
Excerpt from Into the Sun by TM Allman:
Marcie felt her skin rise in goosebumps as she walked past the man’s cabin. She had been aware of his existence for years, but had given him little thought until the previous autumn. It was at one of the harvest markets that she became aware someone was watching her. Before that day, she hadn’t truly believed a person could know when they were being watched, but now she was convinced.
At first, she was unable to identify her pursuer, but she felt the disturbance caused by his attention as she perused stalls filled with honey and late-season produce. She tried to keep her roving gaze casual so he wouldn’t feel spooked. She didn’t want him to know she was aware of his presence. Then one day, weeks later, as she walked home alone along the river, she saw him. He was wading in the water, fishing, his shirt off and lying on the rocks beside the bank. His back was muscular, his shoulders wide and hips narrow. He moved gracefully, belying his size. Marcie knew many of the women in town found him attractive, but although his face and physique were handsome, Marcie found him a bit off. There was a cold calculation in his expression that made her shiver.
She continued walking, attempting an unconcerned attitude, hoping he would ignore her presence. When he spoke, his soft voice, which was unexpectedly high, froze her in place.
“Hello, Martha. How are you today?” Marcie’s shoulders slowly raised as she turned as little as possible, but enough that she could see him.
“Hello. I’m well, thank you.” She didn’t like the tremulous sound of her voice. For someone who usually walked the world with her head held high, she felt terribly insecure under this man’s attention.
“I’m glad to hear it,” he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Marcie noted the lack of warmth in his eyes one would normally expect from an admirer. If he didn’t admire her, then what did he want?
“You may want to avoid walking alone this time of day. Especially now,” he purred. Marcie frowned.
“What does that mean? Especially now?” His smile widened and his hips moved in a way Marcie knew was meant to draw attention to that part of his anatomy. She felt her cheeks redden.
“You’re blushing, I approve. So many young women these days have no morals, but I know you do.” His gaze moved from the top of her head to her feet, lingering on her chest and the tops of her legs. Marcie felt a shudder of revulsion. “I say you shouldn’t walk alone,” he continued, “because no woman as beautiful as you is completely safe, even in our little community. I say especially now because you’ve come of age and are ready for a man.”
“Well,” Marcie said sharply, finding anger gave her the strength she needed to break his repulsive sway, “in that case I’ll be going. Good Evening.” She turned and hurriedly made her way along the path, growling as she heard his laughter rise behind her.
Marcie’s encounter with the man had left her in no doubt he was the one stalking her. She had been struggling with how to tell Jason and Deena when Jason fell ill. Life had been a whirlwind of grief and adaptation ever since so Marcie had buried her concerns. Now that life was returning to its new normal, thoughts of him once again intruded into her mind. With effort, she pushed her disquiet down, determined to speak with Deena as soon as she could.
She could feel something coming, something dark, and she knew they needed to act before it was too late.
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