Homeward Bound

By Marantha D. Jenelle

Sharon Maitland discovers shortly after her sixteenth birthday that her entire life had been based on lies. That proves to be the least of the shocks that she would undergo in the months following her birthday - one of which would forever shatter her belief in reality as she had always known it. There is a key choice that she must make, upon which the fate of her life and the world rely... but what is it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: THG StarDragon Publishing
• Release date: Jun 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301806003

Marantha D. Jenelle

Ms. Jenelle made her home in the beautiful state of Texas and shared her home with several service animals over the course of time she was alive.Ms. Jenelle's hobbies were drawing, painting, writing, poetry, calligraphy, glass and metal engraving, glass etching and painting, wood burning, origami, three dimensional folded paper forms and pop-up art creations. She created her designs both in the 'real world' and on her computer, using a mouse, many of which were sent to Teresa Garcia for safe keeping, though her most recent had not been transferred before her death.A victim of bi-polar/schizo-effective disorder, ADHD, and severe agoraphobia, Ms. Jenelle shared her stories and artwork as a way of showing the world that those who suffer mental, emotional or physical handicaps or disabilities can and could still have something of worth to offer the world at large.Her message to the world is/was that they should remember that even a misshapen seed can still produce a beautiful bloom.

Book preview

HOMEWARD BOUND

By

Marantha D. Jenelle

Smashwords Edition

© 2012 Marantha D. Jenelle. All rights reserved

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

This book, and all cover and interior artwork used on and in it is the sole creation and property of Ms. Jan Marie Parupia, writing and publishing under the pen name of Marantha D. Jenelle.

No portion of this book, or of its cover or interior artwork, may be copied by any means, old, new or yet to be invented, without the express written permission of Ms. Jan Marie Parupia, author and sole creator of both the story and of all cover and interior artwork used on and in this book.

The only exceptions are the publisher logo and the images in the editor bio. Those are the property of Teresa Garcia. The only exception to this mandate will be for those wishing to use small excerpts of this book for the sole purpose of reviews.

THG StarDragon Publishing is pleased to have assisted this author with proofreading, editing, and publication assistance.

~~~~

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my wonderful friend and fellow writer, Eric Swett. He has been a source of inspiration (and the occasional kick in the metaphorical seat of the pants when I wanted to give up!) through not only the formation of this story, but one other, THE IHMAYRAN CHRONICLES TRILOGY, which I will be releasing soon as well.

Check out his suspense filled new book, APOCALYPSE RISING.

He just released APOCALYPSE RISING on June 1, 2012. Filled with action, drama and suspense, it will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first word till the last.

APOCALYPSE RISING is available through many sources, check your favorite.

This book is also dedicated to my wonderful friend, editor, and publisher, Teresa Garcia of THG StarDragon Publishing. Without her wonderful help and guidance this book would not even exist. Ms. Garcia is the only one I will trust with my stories. Be sure to read the short bio on her at the back of the book.

Marantha D. Jenelle

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Prologue

Part 1: Dreams

Part 2: Bitter Thoughts

Part 3: Strange Sounds

Part 4: The Chamber

Part 5: Suspicious Explanation

Part 6: Strange Events

Part 7: Attacked

Part 8: Betrayed

Part 9: Unexpected Ally

Part 10: Caged

Part 11: Hendricks

Part 12: In Transit

Part 13: Proud Father

Part 14: Dark Truth

Part 15: Flashback

Part 16: Midway

Part 17: The Ship

Part 18: X'thayl

Part 19: Explanations

Part 20: Complications

Part 21: Choices

Part 22: Stroke of Luck

Part 23: Homeward Bound

About the Author

Coming Soon

Editor Bio

~~~~

PROLOGUE

Young Sharon Maitland was about to discover shortly after her sixteenth birthday that her entire life had been based on lies.

That, however, would prove to be the least of the shocks that she would undergo in the months following her birthday-

One of which would forever shatter her belief in reality as she had always known it.

***

PART 1: DREAMS

Sharon Maitland sat bolt upright in the bed, her body drenched in sweat. The dreams were getting worse. With hands that shook she brushed back her waist length ebony hair from her face.

Throwing back the covers, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. She reached down to get her slippers, only to have the entire room start spinning.

Sitting, hands braced against the mattress, she forced herself to take deep calming breaths as she fought the dizziness.

The dreams always left her feeling so strangely weak and disoriented. They had started about six months previously, and had come every single night without fail since then.

The dizziness abating, Sharon stood cautiously, and then began to get ready for the day. She moved mostly through habit, her mind still entangled in the dream.

It had been him again. It always seemed to be him. Though she had never really seen the figure clearly, she knew, without knowing how, that it was male.

Whoever he was, he had the power to come to her in her dreams. Not only that, lately she had begun hearing his voice during her waking hours as well.

Sharon never recalled the dreams in detail. The message at the end of every single one was a different matter.

That message she recalled upon awakening with crystal clarity. It was always the same-her future choices would decide if she would be humanity's salvation...

Or its destruction.

As Sharon brushed her teeth she hummed a small tune. Today was her sixteenth birthday. All at once she stopped humming; a sad expression filling her eyes.

She sighed. She didn't know why she was getting so excited just because she would turn sixteen today. It wasn't like there would be a party or anything.

Hell, given her parents’ natures, she would be lucky if they even remembered. Besides, it wasn't like she had any friends to invite to a party anyway.

Her parents forbade her bringing any of her schoolmates home, so most of the kids at her school pretty much avoided her.

They considered her a snob because she never invited any of them to her home-and she always refused to come to theirs.

Sighing once more, Sharon finished getting ready, tidied up her room and then headed downstairs.

Entering the dining room, she found her parents already seated at the table, both with their backs to her.

Sharon paused in the doorway to watch them. They were leaning sideways towards each other, whispering.

Sharon didn't know why, but a chill suddenly ran through her-there was an odd tension in the air. She could almost swear that her parents were arguing.

Shaking off the weird feeling, she spoke as she came into the room. Good morning, Mom and Dad. How are you both this morning?

Helena and Adrick Maitland stopped whispering and turned their heads as one to face their daughter.

Helena was the one to respond. We are well. Now sit down, we have something we wish to discuss with you. Her voice held all the warmth of a glacier.

As Sharon took her place at the table, she sighed inwardly. Just once she wished that her parents would show some kind of warmth towards her. Sometimes she wondered if they even cared for her at all.

Helena wasted no time. Sharon, we have decided that we all need a short vacation. We are letting you decide the destination as a birthday gift.

Sharon simply stared from her mother to her father, her eyes wide. When she finally spoke, her words came out in a rush. Oh wow! You really mean it? I get to pick where we will be going?

Adrick spoke up, his tone no warmer than his wife's. Yes, Sharon, we mean it. You are sixteen now, old enough, we both think, to make your own decisions. So, is there anywhere you would like to go?

Sharon did not hesitate for a moment. Yes, as a matter of fact there actually is someplace. I would like to go to the Himalayas.

Her mother and father looked at each other with odd expressions, and then returned their gazes to her, looking at her as if she had lost her mind.

Helena frowned. Are you certain that is what you wish? It is not exactly a tourist destination. They will more than likely have very little to interest a young person.

Sharon nodded. This was perfect, as for the past four nights the dreams had been telling her that she needed to get to the Himalayas.

Her tone