Sunset Palette

By Shahreen Islam and Shantona Shantuma

Crystal Colden is an imaginative young adult. When she meets Leon Zheng, a magical boy who gives her a transformation locket, her life is no longer boring. She converts herself and her friends into magical warriors. However, she learns that choosing imagination over reality comes with a hefty price tag. Together they must choose their ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shahreen Islam
• Release date: Jun 20, 2020

Book preview

Prologue

At the dinner table, there was a familiar silence, even though Crystal was now visiting a strange household. Her boutique assistant named Gemma said nothing, and neither did her brother nor his wife. It was dreadful and dark, even though it was eight at night. She wished to break the silence but had nothing to say. Crystal tried eating, but everything tasted awful, from the chicken to the vegetables. Crystal felt that she must be the reason everyone was so quiet, or maybe even uncomfortable. She had been a guest to several dinners in her life, but none of them were so awkward. However, the hosts almost always try to entertain the guests. In her case, it was like no one even cared.

The lamps had candles in them, and Crystal wondered why they didn’t use electric lighting. It made the air hot, and she saw a drop of sweat trickle down from Gemma’s forehead a while ago. The lamps didn’t even provide enough light. There was electricity since she had been using their Wi-Fi.

Sorry, I can’t, said Crystal.

Can’t what? said Gemma.

The dining room was full of silk pillows, ink monochrome paintings, antique copper figurines, and a great stone form of a man on the table.

Well? said her brother.

Crystal couldn’t get herself to ask his name. Gemma had light, almost white curls, whereas her brother had long and light hair. Their eyes shone in the candlelight, along with his round glasses.

Can’t eat, said Crystal.

You may leave, said his wife.

Thank you.

Crystal dragged her chair out of the table.

I’ll lead you to your room, said Gemma.

Gemma took her down the hallway. She inserted the key into the door and turned the handle, which made a creaking sound. There was a damp smell, which led her to think that it must be awful and old. Her room was enormous, with a large bed with yellowing sheets in the center. There were a few cobwebs in the corners, along with an old television with antennae, a red rug that was fraying, and a metal table with a pile of newspapers. Gemma coughed as she unlocked a door. It led to a balcony.

We need to let in some fresh air, said Gemma.

Crystal yawned.

Good night, said Gemma.

She slammed the door on the way.

After freshening up, wearing a long nightgown, and tying her hair, she sunk into the enormous bed. She tossed and turned for a while, but couldn’t sleep.

So, she stepped out of the bed to explore the room. The newspapers had gathered a lot of dust. She coughed as she displaced the dust with her hand. The date was from the year 2002. It was from quite a long time ago, but it wasn’t ancient.

Having nothing else to do, she went out to the balcony. Crystal then discovered that there was another balcony right next to it, and Gemma’s brother was standing there. It made her startled. The lack of communication, and his habit of staring at Crystal, made her believe she couldn’t trust him.

Hey, you, Said Gemma’s brother.

Y-yes? said Crystal.

His round glasses reflected the moonlight. His white hair was flowing in the breeze. He still wore his everyday clothes. He had a sort of cotton jacket, with a grey shirt and jeans.

She was about to go back inside. He drew a bunch of cards from his jacket.

Pick a number, he said.

Crystal didn’t want to. It was dark outside, but there was the silhouette of trees, along with the sounds of various creatures like the hoot of an owl, and the croaking of frogs. The balcony overlooked the river, which was vast and had a fresh scent. A tied boat rocked back and forth. 

She looked around and saw that there were no weapons unless he was hiding them like the cards. The cards were glowing. She assumed it was because of a chemical like glow-in-the-dark paint. The backs had a unique symbol on them. 

Two, Said Crystal, lunging back.

Her heartbeat increased. She didn’t feel safe at all.

The backside had a symbol of a drop of water. He flipped the card over. His eyes widened.

Drowning King, He said.

What? said Crystal.

You’re drowning… but in your dreams, he said.

She didn’t feel safe. She shivered and swallowed her spit.

The stab of a comrade who had a hold of the King’s double-headed sword pushed into the sea. This card is the Drowning King, he said.

Crystal faked a yawn as she walked away.

I must go back, she said.

Be careful! Otherwise the… he said.

His words faded away as Crystal ran away into her room.

She locked the door behind her. Crystal found her jeans on the floor, looked at her pocketbook, and saw that her sales were stagnant. Every day at the boutique was the same. She was glad to travel here for a breath of fresh air. But the trio never spoke or interacted with her. Whenever they did, it made Crystal feel uneasy and made her want to run back home. Something was wrong with their house. It seemed uncanny, with dolls everywhere. Her room was the only room with no dolls.

At about midnight, there was odd music that gave Crystal chills. She was shivering after hearing it, because it sounded like whispers of people, along with piano and violin. Unable to do anything about it, she forced herself to go to sleep by shutting her eyes.

Chapter 1

It was early