Touch: A Novella

By Garrett Robinson

A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING

Sally suffers from a curse: the ability to Touch others and see their thoughts. She doesn’t know how. She doesn’t know why. All she knows is what people are thinking. And she doesn’t like what she sees. Driven to a life of seclusion trying to avoid the minds of those around her, she has given up hope of a normal life.

Until a friend is murdered, and the police have no leads on the killer.

Now, in order to bring justice, Sally must come out of hiding, embracing her gift instead of rejecting it, and making use of every ability at her disposal – natural and unnatural. New enemies rise along with new friends, and the hope of a life Sally had long since given up on – if she can keep herself alive to enjoy it.

This debut work of independent author Garrett Robinson thrills from start to finish, exploring themes of thought versus action and takes a new, realistic look at the effect of inhuman abilities. A pulse-pounding ride that promises to keep you at the edge of your seat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Garrett Robinson
• Release date: May 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311023094

Book preview

Touch

by Garrett Robinson

Copyright 2014 Garrett Robinson

Smashwords Edition

SALLY

SALLY STEPPED FROM THE ELEVATOR into the office building. The office was mostly empty, like it usually was when she arrived for work. She went to the cleaning closet and got out her cart, grabbing a mop from the wall and sticking it, business end first, into the cart. She headed for the kitchen. Some people were still kicking around, wrapping up work in their cubicles. But hardly anyone spent time in the kitchen at this time of day.

Sally always worked at night.

She parked the cart outside the kitchen and stepped inside. It was empty, which was good. Sally could usually avoid Touching others, but it was easier if they weren’t in the room in the first place. Sally tied up the trash bag from the can by the door and began sweeping.

She glanced out the window while she worked. The office had a decent view of downtown Los Angeles. She loved the look of the city at night. At night, you couldn’t see the dirt which always hung in the air. There were only the bright, twinkling lights of the office buildings. She liked seeing what was beautiful about the city and ignoring the filth it always sat in.

Of course, Sally never visited downtown. Too many people. Too hard not to Touch them.

The kitchen door swung open and someone came in. Sally was pretty sure his name was Scott. He crossed the room to the fridge, and Sally used the motion of her sweeping to move as far away from him as possible. Long practice had made her good at it, subtle enough that he wouldn’t notice.

(Probably) Scott smiled politely at her. Hi, Sally. He reached the fridge and pulled it open.

Sally merely nodded in reply. Scott was polite. Always remembered her name, always greeted her if he saw her. But she never talked back much. Because Sally knew that when people were talking to you, they tended to move closer.

Scott opened the fridge and pulled out an empty tupperware container, lined with residue of whatever he’d had for lunch. He closed the fridge door and leaned against it, looking back at her.

Oh, no. He wants to talk.

Wife kills me if I don’t bring these things home, Scott said, holding up the container ruefully. These are the cheap ones, the kind that are supposed to be disposable, but she doesn’t care. She knows how to pinch a penny in two, you know what I mean?

Sally really didn’t, and she wasn’t sure how to shut him down. If she nodded again, he might see it as an invitation to keep talking. She could just walk away, but that wouldn’t do. Sally’s lifestyle revolved around seeming almost normal, but never friendly. Friendly lead to Touching. But if you were too rude, you got fired, and that was bad. Sally had to eat.

She was still trying to figure out what to do when Scott continued. I suppose it’s a good thing. I mean, she runs a damn good house, you know? He looked down, spinning the container between his palms. Never lets us spend more than we make. Great woman. He paused the spinning, looking over at Sally again.

You got a husband, Sally? Boyfriend?

Nope, Sally said.

Hm, said Scott, then mercifully fell silent.