Threads of Chaos

By D.L. Miles

“When the fate of one is changed, everything changes. One person changes everything.”
Mercy Singer died five months ago, but the doctor’s managed to bring her back. And she was told by her new therapist that it was normal to think there was danger around every corner, and that seeing things was part of the healing process. What Mercy hasn’t told anyone is how vivid her dreams are, how it’s not actually her dying in them, and she also hasn’t mentioned the conversations she’s had with people that vanish.
And when the new boy in town, Tristan Holmes, finds her freaking out in the street, claiming to see a man that isn’t there, she thinks her return to school might have been too soon. Until his sister approaches her, claiming to know what’s going on, and that she wants to help Mercy.
Now numbers keep floating around Mercy’s head, and she knows it’s a countdown to something big. There’s a darkness coming to Balefire Bay High, and she thinks she’s the only one that can stop it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.L. Miles
• Release date: Jul 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301826957

D.L. Miles

Miles is a Sun Scorpio with the heart of a Moon Pisces. She began her publishing journey in 2012, admittedly maybe a little too soon. Her eclectic taste comes through in each book she writes, ranging from soft fantasy romances to dark brooding poetry to serial killers that hold a grudge.For special offers and updates check out her Patreon! www.patreon.com/dlmilesbooks

Book preview

Threads of Chaos

D.L. Miles

Copyright 2013 by Devin Miles

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover photography copyright Pablo Hidalgo – Fotos593/Shutterstock.com

Also by D.L. Miles

The Ethereal Crossings

Shadeland

Fenridge

Northcliffe

Glenbrook

The Dark Origins

Shimmering

Igniting

Phasing

Astral Bodies

With Cross & Charm

Goderich Girl Novellas

Violet 24

Rouge 52 (coming soon)

Threads of Chaos

When the fate of one is changed, everything changes. One person changes everything.

Mercy Singer died five months ago, but the doctor’s managed to bring her back. And she was told by her new therapist that it was normal to think there was danger around every corner, and that seeing things was part of the healing process. What Mercy hasn’t told anyone is how vivid her dreams are, how it’s not actually her dying in them, and she also hasn’t mentioned the conversations she’s had with people that vanish.

And when the new boy in town, Tristan Holmes, finds her freaking out in the street, claiming to see a man that isn’t there, she thinks her return to school might have been too soon. Until his sister approaches her, claiming to know what’s going on, and that she wants to help Mercy.

Now numbers keep floating around Mercy’s head, and she knows it’s a countdown to something big. There’s a darkness coming to Balefire Bay High, and she thinks she’s the only one that can stop it.

Prologue

The moon floated high over me, merely a sliver in the sky and not giving me much light to see by. My boots pounded the ground, the familiar adrenaline running through my veins and numbness a person only got when running for their life; I remembered it from when I was a child playing tag, trying to escape being it. Too bad, I thought, that if I was caught now, I would probably die. No, I knew that I would.

My terrain changed from sleek pavement to soft grass as I rushed past the mausoleums and headstones, my pursuer not far behind. If I survived this, what kind of story would it be? I wondered.

The night had started off so well; sneak out to the Bay, meet up with friends and have my first drink. Okay, I wasn’t really as interested in drinking as I was in seeing my friends, but it was still why I left home without telling anyone. It was so stupid, I saw that now. Leave home with a killer on the loose? What would my parents say? I wondered if anyone was looking for me yet…they must have realized I was gone…right?

Breath coming fast, I hopped over a small grave marker and landed on my foot wrong, twisting my ankle to an unusual angle. I fell to the earth below and cried out, clutching at my injury before quickly glancing behind me.

There was nothing there, the world quiet save for the gentle whisper of the leaves.

What? I breathed. He had been there, just behind me; I couldn’t have outrun him already. Maybe he gave up? I thought hopefully. I imagined it was possible, but given that this man had said I was perfect I doubted it.

A sudden blow came to my side and my face was pushed down into the soft dirt next to me, a freshly dug grave. Well, I thought, he’s still here!

I was on my stomach now when the man stood up, pinning me down with his shoe and pressing down onto my back. Struggling, I tried to push him off, but the angle was wrong and I couldn’t do anything. A fifteen year old girl versus a grown man? Not only a grown man, an experienced killer.

My heart was pumping, unable to handle or even believe such a situation. It was now or never though and I decided that I really wanted to live. I wanted to graduate from high school and I wanted to go to college. I wanted to see my friends again and I wanted to have my first kiss. I didn’t want to die.

The man gripped my dark brown hair in his hand and hoisted me upwards. I couldn’t feel the pain in my ankle anymore, my focus on him.

I hate it when they run, he said to himself, his voice deep, it makes this so much harder. He laughed, short and loud. It reminded me of my father’s laugh when he just couldn’t stop. And the thought of my dad made me fight even harder. With the last of my strength I swung at the man, managing to strike his face. It didn’t do much, only interrupted his ramblings to himself, but it was enough for his grip to loosen on my hair.

I ran for everything I had. This was my only opportunity and I wasn’t going to waste it as I headed for the first streetlight that came into view. My ankle started to scream at me to stop, the sharp pain running through my entire body, but I wasn’t about to give up. I was determined to not end up on the morning news, the third girl killed by the Balefire Bay Butcher, making him an official serial killer.

Blood trickled down onto my new leather jacket as I ran, reminding me that my ankle wasn’t the only thing that was hurt. The man had also cut me when he grabbed me in the forest, slashing at my collar bone when I had tried to get away. Now that was what had hurt the most; I had felt the blade slice right across bone.

As the incandescent light hit my face, I didn’t stop to bask in its glory. I could hear the man, the killer, just behind me, shouting profanities for hurting him and what he was going to do to me when I was caught. If, I told myself, if I’m caught. Just as I was about to pass the streetlight I saw two policemen walk around the corner of the building. I smiled, thinking I was saved as they saw me.

But a rough hand grabbed my arm and spun me around, bringing me face to face with the killer. The cops shouted something as I came to a grinding halt, the man’s grip being unbearably strong. A knife was in his other hand, and then suddenly it was plunging into my ribcage, a twisted smile on his lips.

You’re safe now, he whimpered, a strange amount of sorrow and happiness in his brown eyes, it’s okay. You’re going to be okay now, angel.

I stumbled backwards and he pulled the knife out. As I fell I heard something go off, a shot from the police maybe? There was more shouting and I heard more than I felt. My head contacted with the concrete sidewalk. I couldn’t see or hear what was going on around me now. The world was beginning to blur while I stared up at the sky, grasping at my wound. The blood felt wet as it coated my fingers, mind still trying to grasp what was happening. What was I supposed to do now?

Something thudded at my feet and a blurred policeman came into view. The walkie-talkie on his shoulder was buzzing as he applied pressure onto my wound. I hadn’t felt the knife go in, it only pinched, really. But now I could feel it searing, and a grunt escaped my throat. He was saying something to me but I couldn’t make out what it was.

My bloodstained hand fell beside my face, looking for something, anything that would make the pain go away. The clouds shifted across the moon and soon my breathing slowed, coming in white puffs beside me. I closed my eyes, falling asleep to the sounds of the night.

Chapter 1

Five months later…

Standing in the bathroom I stared at myself in the mirror. Wearing nothing but my jeans and a black bra I traced my fingers along the reddened scar down my ribcage; it wasn’t actually that long, only an inch and a half. What I found harder to look at was the matching scar at the base of my neck, running down my collarbone.

I leaned into the mirror and gently touched it, remembering the pain it had given me. The nightmares still woke me up at night, but at least they weren’t every night anymore. Well, not the ones involving me at least.

Hurry up in there! my brother shouted as he banged on the door, snapping me out of the flashbacks. Not a bad thing, I thought. He yelled, We need to leave if I want to get to work on time!

All right, all right! I called back to him, throwing on a tee-shirt. It helped to cover the scar, but the tip stuck out, just enough to bother me whenever I passed a reflective surface. I shrugged my shoulders weakly in the mirror, knowing this day wasn’t going to get any better.

Opening the door I came face to face with Ben, unhappily giving me the stink eye for taking so long. You’d think after being kidnapped by a serial killer and then being stabbed five months ago would get me a little sympathy, but not from him; he just became my body guard. I could barely go to the kitchen without him there, and if it wasn’t him, it was my best friend Aria. She still blamed herself for what had happened, saying that she should have been with me rather than flirting with her now boyfriend.

What’s taking so long? Ben asked me, spinning on his heel towards the front door. I followed after him, grabbing my dark green army jacket off the rack along with a black scarf. I used to wear them for style, but now it was only to cover up the scar.

I wasn’t that long, I told him, we have plenty of time. The door slammed shut behind us, shaking the entire house as it always did. He locked the front door behind me while I waited on the wooden steps of our childhood home. Glancing around the neighbourhood, everyone that was usually out in the morning was there; the man across the street that always watered his lawn while drinking a beer, the woman next door getting her mail and the dog-walker who struggled to keep five animals at bay. Always there at 8:30 in the morning, like clockwork. I waved at the alcoholic across the street and he raised his can at me, smiling despite his wife starting to yell at him from the upstairs window. I questioned if he even heard what she said anymore.

"You have plenty of time, Ben corrected, I’m already late." I crossed my arms as he flipped his keys around to find one for the little blue Toyota sitting on the pavement nearby. Stepping off the porch with my brother I decided it was best to tease him.

Hey, I said, I can walk to school. No problem for me. I laughed at his silence, knowing he wasn’t going to leave me alone so easily. As I touched the door handle the woman getting her mail turned to me, something she usually did.

Mercy, darling, she said. How are you feeling?

I’m…all better Mrs. Ryan. I forced a smile on my face, trying to sound cheery. All healed up.

That’s good to hear, she said as she flapped her mail at me, if you ever need anything just ask.

Will do. I waved goodbye and we went our separate ways. Climbing into the car, Ben started it and immediately sped off towards my school. This was going to be my first official day back, and it was no coincidence that I had picked today; it was my birthday.

I hoped that as long as people remembered it was my birthday it wouldn’t be my first day back since I was nearly murdered. It would just be my birthday. Then people could just give me happy wishes and move on, leaving the awkward silences and quick glances someplace else.

Even though I was a minor, and my name had never been released, everyone still knew it was me. Balefire Bay was a small town, and I went to a small high school, so it was obvious that I was the one who was attacked. Everyone knew I had technically died for roughly two minutes, and murder was something that had never happened in this town. Serial killers were something that happened in big places, in other places. Usually when you died here, you stayed dead. But when I woke up in the hospital I became a miracle survivor. Oh how I loved whoever started that one.

The car rounded the corner to the school, just missing a few of my classmates. Ben ignored the honks he got from other students and parents as he pulled up to the front doors behind a school bus. I looked at all the people passing by, none of them taking any notice of me. My eyes drifted to the glass doors and it looked ominously dark inside the school, a strange feeling of dread welling up in my chest. I had gotten the feeling plenty of times before, but today felt different. It felt particularly gripping.

Ben’s fingers tapped my leg, dragging me from my thoughts. He said, tone dripping with a sickening amount of pity, If you need more time that’s fine.

Nah. I blew him off, along with any of my own feelings. No point in lying around the house all day with Aria skipping school to wait on me hand and foot. Wait…maybe I should then? Ben smiled and rolled his eyes, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small blue box, with a single gold bow taped to the top.

Here, he said as he passed it to me, happy birthday Mercedes.

Ugh, don’t call me that! I ordered. It’s just Mercy! But thanks, can I open it?

Go ahead. Ben rested a hand on the headrest behind me as I picked the lid off of the box. Inside was an old silver locket, decorated with flowers and swirls. I held back a gasp as I picked it up, eyes threatening tears.

Really? I managed to choke out. Ben gave me another pitying smile.

You’re sixteen today, he explained, Mom and Dad wanted you to have it on your sixteenth birthday.

I leapt over the seats and wrapped him in a hug. Thank you! I cried. When I finally released him I found I was pulling off my scarf, the one thing I thought I would never do in a million decades. I put the locket on over my head, the chain so long that the pendant rested near my belly-button. My scarf hung loosely over my shoulders as I admired my new necklace, well my new old necklace. I had wanted it ever since I was four, but my parents always said that I had to wait until I was sixteen…when they died two years ago I hadn’t even thought about it anymore. But Ben remembered.

Thank you, I said again.

It’s from Mom and Dad, he repeated, his voice was a little weak, but he quickly straightened his back. I’m giving you my gift after dinner tonight! His eyes flicked out the window beside me and he nodded out it. There’s Aria, hurry up or you’ll be late.

Bye, I choked, my eyes still on the locket.

If you need anything…

I know. I stepped out of the Toyota and waved at him after giving him a kiss on the cheek. It took him a moment, but he eventually drove away, getting honked at again as he cut someone off. I laughed, still on the verge of tears.

Mercy! Aria called to me. I turned to find her running at me when she leapt into my arms. Happy birthday!

Morning, I said, quickly sniffing back my pain. Well, it was a sort of happy pain, if that made any sense. Sorry I didn’t walk with you.

Oh, that’s totally okay. She pushed herself off of me, a big smile plastered on her face. I’m just so glad that you’re here. I get to have all my classes with you now so it’s going to make this year so much fun! Hey—is that your family’s necklace? Her attention shifted as fast as ever and she gently picked up my present.

Yeah. I grinned, excited that she was exactly like she always was. Ben just gave it to me.

Aw, no fair! Aria set it down and spun around, gripping at her hair in frustration. Now my gift will totally suck in comparison.

I’m sure it will, I joked, but can we get to class? I kind of want to…just get some things over with.

Aria turned back to me, less ecstatic than before. She said, Okay. But there was an assignment do in first period so you might not know what’s going on too much…but I’ll explain when we get there!

I nodded at her and she took my hand in hers. She began to lead me through the school, with most people barely glancing in my direction. I did hear a couple of that’s her, but it wasn’t that bad. Not nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. Most of my classmates looked too busy with schoolwork because it was the middle of the week.

Today wasn’t the first day of school, it was actually October. I had officially missed my last two months of tenth grade, and my first of eleventh. All of my exams had been missed, but they passed me anyway after I took a small makeup exam. A pity pass as I called it, though they claimed it was because I had such a high grade point average for the rest of the year.

Aria was swinging my hand between us when she led me to her locker; she didn’t even let go to put in her combination. Finally, I just took my hand away from her and leaned against the cool metal, waiting for her to retrieve her books. Everyone knew we had been put in the same classes because of what had happened. I was sure Ben just did it to make sure I wasn’t alone. But I didn’t mind; he was right, I didn’t want to be alone.

We got Mr. Sampson for math, Aria whined, so we actually have to do…math. But it’s the last required year at least, we won’t have to when we’re seniors!

I giggled. And we have Mrs. Riley for art first, right? I’m so glad, she’s awesome when it comes to assignments.

I know, right? Aria slammed her locker shut and we began heading for the art room. When we were about to walk inside somebody tapped my shoulder. I turned, expecting it to be someone telling me how sorry they were for me. But instead I found a tall girl, a bright smile on her face with big green eyes.

Excuse me, she said through long blonde bangs, do you know where the art room is? I have it first but,—she looked down at a schedule in her hands—it doesn’t have a room number here.

I opened my mouth to say we had class together when Aria jumped right in. Oh, you’re the new girl! We have class with you then, it’s right here! Aria pointed behind us.

Oh, thanks…I’m Eve, the blonde said, tugging on her tight shirt to pull it down more, do you guys mind if I sit with you?

No, that’s cool, I told her. I was wondering if this girl knew who I was, but her expression gave nothing away. I’m Mercy, this is Aria. I didn’t realize we were getting a new student.

Oh, right! Aria smacked the palm of her hand to her head. I meant to tell you that but I got so caught up in wrapping your present! She has a twin too, a brother, right? Eve nodded.

It’s okay. I gave her a weak smile. Maybe if we had this new girl, my day wouldn’t be so bad? At least then I could tell myself it was her people were looking at; she was beautiful, looking much like a model from a runway. Together we walked into the half full classroom and I found it rather calming. This room was familiar to me, with the exposed pipes hanging over head, the smell of paint and charcoal and art decorating the walls. A few people glanced at us as we came inside but quickly went back to their own conversations. Aria led Eve and I to our usual desks by the window. I sat down first, allowing me to bask in the sun with Aria on my left and Eve beside her.

Oh, I should let you guys know, Aria said, today we’re just presenting our egg projects, so you won’t really have to do anything.

Egg projects? Eve asked, sounding completely appalled at the idea.

Yeah! We had to create something using only egg shells. Aria pointed to hers sitting at the front of the class. It looked like she had made a rainbow sun, the shells decorated in every colour she could think of. It was so much fun, although my dad got kind of mad at me for using so many eggs…

Is that why you said you felt sick for eating too many omelets the other day? I laughed and she nodded. Mrs. Riley came into the classroom then, a green and gold turban on her head with a matching floor length dress. She spotted me immediately and I stood up to greet her; she had always been my favourite teacher.

Mercy! she called out, arms going wide to wrap me in a hug. I gave her one back, trying not to sneeze from her flowery perfume. It’s so good to have you back. We missed you here; you always did the best found object sculptures.

It’s nice to be back, I half lied, a feeling of terror bubbling up inside me again. I missed being here.

Well you picked a good day to come back, Mrs. Riley said, you won’t have to do a thing today! Oh, and happy birthday! Aria has been talking about it non-stop.

I can’t help it, Aria chimed in, I’m just so excited!

Well if you have so much energy why don’t you help me set up the projects? Mrs. Riley looked down on my friend who was still eager. Aria jumped up and they walked to the front of the room to move around the egg shell pictures. I sat back on my little plastic chair, still smiling.

Happy birthday, Eve said, looking more awkward than it sounded. Were you sick or something?

Um…or something. I shrugged and looked out the window. So she didn’t know what had happened? Realizing how rude I must have looked I turned back to her. Eve was watching Aria and Mrs. Riley move around, as if trying to determine why they would want to make art out of egg shells.

So where did you move here from? I asked, hoping to drum up a conversation. Balefire Bay only had one high school and the nearest city, Groveswood, was an hour’s drive away. It must have been kind of lonely for her here.

Vancouver, Eve said, shrugging out of her jacket. As it passed closer to me it began to beep, loud and piercing.

Cell phones on mute, Mrs. Riley ordered, wagged her finger towards Eve from the front of the room. She reached into her jacket and clicked a button, looking more confused than anything that it would be going off.

That’s a horrible ringtone, I joked, why don’t you change it?

I…can’t really hear it otherwise, she said, her voice going a little higher.

Oh, I guess that makes sense, I mulled, just don’t let Mrs. Riley hear it again or she’ll take it away. It’s the only thing she’s really strict about; she always says—

Art cannot be interrupted, finished Mrs. Riley. The teacher approached us, finger pointing towards the pipes overhead. And you must be Eve Holmes, welcome to Balefire!

Thanks, Eve nodded her head at the teacher. It’s quite the change from Vancouver.

I would imagine. Mrs. Riley’s dress shimmered around her as she twirled back to help Aria. But you’ll see it’s much easier to breathe here!

She doesn’t like big cities much, I whispered, she says it’s something about too many auras being around her makes her feel sick.

Aria came back to us, flopping down into a small chair on the other side of the desks. She took the elastic out of her dark hair and let it fall to her shoulders. It seemed so much longer than I remembered…

The bell rang and I jumped in my seat. More students filed into the room and sat down, scattering all over the place. Aria touched my hand, telling me that it was okay, but it really wasn’t. A loud, sudden noise would make me jump out of my skin, and not getting much sleep wasn’t helping.

Eve eyed us but said nothing. I wondered if she could sense what had happened, or if she was just starting to put everything together. I knew I was just being paranoid.

All right class, Mrs. Riley said, her hands clapping at the front of the room, if you haven’t done so already, please bring your projects up here so we can start the presentations. A few students set their eggshell work on the chalkboard ledge and returned to their seats. Mrs. Riley picked someone to present first and they began.

By then I had stopped paying attention; I knew it was a little mean, but I never cared to watch others talk about their work. Instead I rested my head in my hands and stared out the window, watching as a few orange leaves fell to the grass. Closing my eyes I took in a deep breath, getting the remnants of the crisp air into my lungs. When I reopened my eyes I saw a girl standing on the walkway across the street, watching me.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized her in her