Eden's Allure

By Tene Miller

Erin's been hearing a voice in her head, and wakes up one day,
finding herself in a blank, white room. A woman named Dominique
tells her that she has special powers, and that she has been taken to a different planet, called Eden. Erin discovers these powers, and along with other kidnapped teenagers, she soon becomes involved in a plan that she is desperate to see through to the end. With all the threats that Eden poses, the only problem with the plan is staying alive long enough to carry it out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469150185

Tene Miller

Dr. Tené Miller, 55, has been a practicing veterinarian for almost thirty years, and a taxidermist for five years. She lives with her husband, Jeff, on a small ranch in Yuma, Arizona. Writing is her hobby, and Eden’s Allure is her first published novel. Her daughter, Kristen Young, 19, who collaborated with Dr. Miller on this project, is currently in college at The Art Institute of Phoenix, studying culinary management. Both women are currently working on their own new projects.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A shrill ringing jolted me awake. Disoriented, I pounded my alarm clock. When the ringing continued, I sighed. I answered the phone groggily. Lo? I croaked, tossing back my tangled mass of dark blonde hair. I blinked open my blue eyes.

Erin! Hey! I groaned as I realized it was my friend Sara.

I’m having a party next Saturday night. I just found out my parents will be out of town all weekend, she practically sang. "So I have the run of the house… And, you know, they never specifically said I couldn’t have a party."

She was so bubbly that it hurt my half-asleep head to hear her voice. Who else is going? I tried to sound excited but sounded unconvincing, even to myself.

Oh, a lot of others, she said, and I pictured her waving her hand in an offhand way. "There are probably two dozen people I still need to call. But you need to be there! You always make parties more fun!"

I’ll be there, I said, smiling halfheartedly, forgetting that she couldn’t see me. Sounds like fun.

Great! Hey, I would talk longer, but I still have to call everyone else.

I understand, Sara, I said, silently thanking her. I wanted to go back to sleep. Grudgingly, more out of responsibility than any desire to assist, I asked, Need help?

Uh… , she hesitated. Yeah, actually I do. Can you call your little group of friends for me?

Of course, I answered with an undetectable sigh. Guess I wouldn’t be going back to sleep after all. Just the four of them? I asked.

Yeah, and Jacob, too, obviously.

I paused for a moment, shaken by the casual mention of the name I had been trying to forget. Actually, Sara… , we broke up, I said. An awkward silence ensued after my short, blunt statement.

Oh… , I… I didn’t know, she finally stammered.

I know, Sara. It’s all right.

OK, well…

Instead of trying to continue this conversation, I said, OK, Sara, I’ll call them. I silently willed her to just say good-bye and hang up.

Thanks, Erin! Bye-bye! she said, attempting to sound cheerful again to make amends for her blunder.

OK, bye, Sara, I said to a dead line. Sara had hung up. Weird, I thought.

I shrugged it off and replaced my phone on the receiver, silently cursing Sara for waking me up so early on a Sunday to invite me to a party that I probably wouldn’t even go to and then upsetting me by mentioning Jacob again when I had had a perfectly peaceful night not dreaming about him. Then I cursed my parents for giving me the room with the window that faced east. Sighing, I pulled the covers up over my head in a futile attempt to block the rays of the sun.

Five minutes later, I huffed out a frustrated sigh and threw off the covers. I grabbed the phone from my nightstand and dialed Rachael’s number, still cursing everything in existence. Rachael didn’t answer, so I left her a message, complete with a few profanities over the fact that I was awake and she wasn’t. I’m not a morning person, obviously. I called Daniel and Jessica, who answered readily, sounding as though it were the best day in the world. Then I dialed Joseph’s number and waited for him to answer. Finally, on the fifth ring, I heard the click of the phone being picked up, but nobody greeted me. Hello? I asked.

There was a pause, and then I heard an unfamiliar female voice that sent shivers up and down my spine. Hello, Erin. You have been chosen.

"What?" I asked, startled by the impact the two simple sentences seemed to have on me. My hands started shaking. Before I could ask any more, there was another unmistakable click of a disconnected line. Angrier now than I had been, and also thoroughly shaken, I hit the redial button, thinking that I had called the wrong number, but no, it was indeed Joseph’s number. I called again, and he answered on the first ring. Hey, Erin!

Joseph! Hey! I’m glad it’s you. The weirdest thing just happened. I told him about what I had heard.

Erin, calm down. It was probably just a prank, he tried to soothe me.

But I dialed your number. If it was a prank, I paused, "then you must have pulled the prank on me." I mulled that over a bit, trying to figure out if he would do something like that. Yes, he would, I concluded. Joseph was that kind of person.

Yeah, it was me, Erin. Sorry. I could hear the sheepishness in his voice as he admitted to the crime, but somehow, I knew that he was lying. It wasn’t that he sounded like he was lying—Joseph was the best liar I’d ever met—but somehow, I just instinctively knew that he was. At first I was mad, but I realized he was just trying to comfort me, and my anger evaporated quickly. I was glad I had a friend to protect me.

Aw, Joe! I said, feigning relief. You had me all freaked out! Now that I knew it wasn’t a prank, I was frightened. Whose disembodied voice had I heard then? Had someone picked up the line accidentally? No, because she said my name in that icy cold voice. I shivered.

He laughed. Sorry, babe. I couldn’t help myself. I could hear the smile in his voice. While I was trying to convince myself that it really had been a joke, Joseph interrupted my thoughts.

Was there a specific reason you called? he asked politely.

I tried to remember and found it was hard to think. Oh yeah! Duh, I said after several seconds. Sara’s having a party this weekend, and she wanted me to invite you. Do you want to go?

When is it?

Saturday night.

Sure, I mean, as long as you’re going. You always make things more interesting. He chuckled.

I gave a small laugh, remembering, as I’m sure he was, the time that someone had brought several boxes of Twinkies to a party. I, being the fun-loving type, had started a food fight with them. Everyone had gone home laughing that night with Twinkie cream in their hair.

Ah, Twinkies, Joseph laughed, reminiscing.

That party was fun, I agreed. I had been distracted from the thought of the icy voice for an instant, but now, as it returned, I felt suddenly chilled again. My arms were prickling with goose bumps, as were my legs.

Well, he said after another long pause of mine, you don’t seem in a very talkative mood right now, so I’m going to go. OK?

All right, Joseph. I’ll see you tomorrow, I answered.

OK. Bye, babe.

Bye. I ended the call smiling because Joseph still called me babe, just as he always had. At least in that respect nothing had changed.

I sat down on my bed, replaying the two sentences in my head of that chilling voice, raised my hand to look at it, and realized it was still shaking slightly. No! I said to myself. No. I will not allow myself to be frightened by this. Taking several deep breaths, I looked at my hand again and noted with relief that it was steady. I walked slowly to the bathroom to get ready for the day. In the mirror, my blue eyes looked gray and my face looked haunted—not at all like my usual spunky self or as Joe would say, The All-American good looks of five foot six of perfection.

My mom called me just then, Erin! Time for breakfast! I sighed, stood up, and walked downstairs to the table, where I was able to be my complete self. Nobody noticed the slightest alteration in my demeanor. I blocked all thoughts from my head and didn’t pay attention to the conversation being held around me by my parents and eight-year-old brother, just as I normally did. I thought about nothing; my mind was completely blank. And that’s when I heard the voice again.

Erin, it whispered. I looked up, not expecting to hear my name. However, my family was still engaged in their own conversation, ignoring me. Erin! that cold, evil voice whispered more urgently. Mentally, I thought three words: Who are you?

Have you forgotten me already? the voice asked, laughing. It sounded tinny in my head. Who are you? I demanded.

That is not important.

No? Really? Well, it’s important to me! Who are you? I screamed in my mind.

I told you, it does not matter who I am. It matters who you are. We need you, Erin. We want you to join us.

Why should I join you? I was indignant now. You’re just a voice in my head. Wait, I’m hearing voices . . . I must be crazy.

"Erin, listen to me. You are not crazy. We have chosen you. You are special. We need you."

I’m not listening to you anymore. Get out of my head! You’re nothing!

Very well. I will go until your mind becomes more open and accepting. I will contact you again soon. And the voice was gone.

I looked around now and saw my family staring at me as if I was from a different planet. What? I demanded.

My parents shook their head and went back to eating their food. I thought I heard my father mutter something that sounded like, Teenagers.

My brother turned also back to his food. Pushing my plate away, I dismissed myself up to my room, where I put my headphones in and blasted My Chemical Romance as loud as it would go. It worked. I couldn’t hear myself think, which is exactly what I wanted. No way was I going to open my mind to these… people… who wanted to contact me. Whatever they wanted with me, I did not want anything to do with them. I listened to the CD repeatedly, blocking out everything except the lyrics and guitar, eventually falling asleep.

Chapter 2

T he rest of the week passed uneventfully; I heard no more voices. I had myself convinced by Wednesday morning that I had freaked myself out over a prank call so much that I was hearing voices. I was not crazy. And by Friday morning, I had forgotten about it almost completely. I went to school as I normally did, paid attention in my classes, and didn’t think about the voice at all.

Every day, I walked about half a mile home from school, along the sidewalk of one of the busiest streets in town. I always stayed as far away from it as I could; I’d heard about the dangers of walking along a busy road but never witnessed it firsthand. I was sixteen years old, but I didn’t have my driver’s license yet.

Friday afternoon’s walk started out no differently. I was consumed in my thoughts about my friends and about Jacob. I missed him, of course, but I was not about to go groveling and beg him to take me back. I didn’t miss him that much. Actually, I was considering going to the party tomorrow. Besides, I had a cute new outfit to wear. I had been dying to pair it with my sparkly shoes that I had received as a gift.

I was about halfway home when it happened. I saw a medium-sized, shaggy stray dog dart out into the middle of the road and stop.

I’m not really an animal person, yet I was immediately afraid for the dog, especially when I noticed the giant truck heading straight for it. I watched in fear as the truck drew nearer and nearer, showing no sign of slowing. I watched in horror, but I couldn’t make my mouth work correctly. Mentally, I screamed at the dog, Run, dog! Get out of the way! Then, to my amazement, the dog moved—not just moved; in fact, it came running full out at me. The truck passed right where the dog had been half a second before. As I watched in awe, the dog continued to run straight toward me. It then leaped up on me, knocking me to the ground, licking my face.

I stood up quickly, breathing hard, stunned at what had just happened. It was probably just a coincidence, but still, I had told the dog to move, and the dog had moved. I told it to run, and it had run. I looked down; the dog was jumping around at my feet, looking up at me as if I was its hero. I shook my head and turned toward home, when I once again heard the cold voice in my head.

Erin, it said, do you realize why you are special now? The icy voice wrapped itself around my mind, causing me to shiver.

Go away.

I won’t go away until I make you see.

See what?

Why you are special.

I was silent.

Erin, you know this was not a coincidence.

You’re wrong. I don’t know that. I only know what you’re telling me, and for all I know, you could be telling me lies.

I do not lie. You can control all life around you.

I don’t want to hear it. Go away and leave me alone.

Then just like that, the voice was gone. I continued on my way home, surprisingly not startled. I was just irritated. I looked down at my feet, and the dog was still following me. I groaned. I really did not want to explain this dog to my parents, and yet I could not tell it to leave. Wait, I thought. Tell it to leave? Oh great, now I’m beginning to believe that crazy voice in my head—the one I had convinced myself didn’t exist. I pondered this for a bit. What if I could control life? I could make anybody do anything I wanted him or her to do. If I wanted money, I could ask people to give it to me, and they would. I could have anything, anything, I wanted.

Despite myself, I thought back to my phone conversation with Sara and realized she had hung up when I wanted her to, and now that I thought about it, there had been times around the house and at school this week when I had surprisingly gotten my way. Therefore, I decided to experiment. Stopping, I looked once more at the dog standing by my feet. Sit, I said.

The dog sat. Coincidence, I thought. He must be trained.

I shook my head and started to walk away. The dog whined, causing me to turn back and see it still sitting there obediently. Instead of saying it this time, I simply thought my next command. Come here, I told the dog.

The dog came to me.

Follow me. The dog followed me as I started on my way home again. The entire way home I was telling the dog to do tricks, all of which he did. They weren’t just simple tricks either, like sit and stay and roll over. I told him to jump three times, turn around, and roll over. When he performed it, I was stunned. When I finally got home, I saw that my parents’ cars were in the driveway. I had no idea it was so late. My parents did not get home until five. I usually arrived home at four. I must have spent more time than I thought playing with my new companion. Right outside my front door, I told the dog to sit once more and stay. He obeyed.

I walked inside and set my backpack down on the couch, like always. My mother came out of the kitchen, wearing a scowl. Where have you been?

You are not angry with me, I told her.

My mother said, I’m not mad or anything, Erin. I was just a bit worried, that’s all.

You will be understanding about the dog and let me keep it. Hey, Mom, I’m sorry it took so long. I was walking home, and this dog just started following me.

A dog? she verified. Where is it, honey?

It’s outside, sitting on the front porch.

Sitting?

Yeah, Mom. It’s very well trained. I smiled to myself.

Let me guess. You want to keep it?

Well, yeah. He’s so cute.

I guess I had better see this mutt, she said, but the tone was affectionate.

I guess so. Follow me. My mother walked behind me to the door. I opened it and saw the dog still sitting there, wagging his tail.

Oh, you’re right! He is cute! My mother exclaimed.

The dog wagged his tail even harder, thumping it against the wooden porch. He pulled his lips back to expose his teeth, but his tongue lolled out the side of his mouth in a goofy grin. He had won my mother’s heart. This is kinda fun, I thought. Could it be for real? My attention wandered as Mother gave me a Take care of the dog lecture. Afterwards, I repeated much of the same lecture to the dog, to which, to my utter amazement, he appeared to comprehend. This must be for real. After all, the commands I had given him were nonverbal, and he obeyed each one, executing each correctly. I have to sort my thoughts on this. I headed to my room, leaving the dog in the backyard with bowls of food and water.

Chapter 3

S aturday morning I woke up excited. Not only was I excited about the party that I had decided to attend after all, but I was also excited about this new talent I had discovered. I had spent Friday evening telling my family what to do, and nobody had noticed anything out of the ordinary. I could not wait to go down to the beach and tell the sea animals what to do. I giggled at the thought, but suddenly I remembered that I had to be at work. My enthusiasm gone, I threw off the blankets and got out of bed. It wasn’t that I didn’t like my job; quite the contrary, I loved it. Nevertheless, today I just did not feel like sorting and organizing books.

I got ready quickly and set out for my one-mile walk to the bookstore, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl on my way out the door. I had reached the bottom of the three steps to the porch when I remembered my new dog. Filled with excitement once more, I rushed around the house to the backyard, where I saw him lying on the grass in the sun. He looked up as I entered the yard, wagging his tail. OK, boy, I thought. I have to go to work for a few hours. I want you to behave while I am gone. Put your head down if you understand.

The dog lay down his head on the grass. Exuberant, I practically skipped to the bookstore. I was almost there when I remembered how much I did not want to work today. OK, I thought, when I walk in the door, Mrs. Frungle is going to tell me she doesn’t need help today, and she’s going to tell me to go home.

I walked into the store, expectant but didn’t see Mrs. Frungle, the owner, anywhere. I went looking for her in the back rooms and found her sorting some books in her personal office.

Hi, Mrs. Frungle, I said.

I saw her jump a bit, turn around, and say, Oh, hi, Erin! She glanced at her watch. You’re late. It doesn’t matter, though. I have a feeling that today’s going to be slow. I won’t need you today. You can go ahead and go home.

I tried to hide my satisfaction as I answered, OK, thank you. I turned and walked out of the store. Once outside, I took a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling free and boisterous. I pulled out my cell phone and called Joseph.

Hey, Erin! he exclaimed. What’s up?

I just got off work for today. Want to hang out?

Always. Where are you?

I’m by the bookstore, but I want to go to the beach. I got a new dog, and I want to take him there to play, I said.

All right. Are you going to walk? he asked.

Yup. I’ll be there in half an hour, OK? I have to run home first and get him. Hey, maybe you can help me name him!

OK, I’d love to. See you then.

I hung up and started my walk home. Hello, Erin. The voice was back. Goose bumps sprang up on my arms and legs.

What do you want?

Do you believe me?

Yes, OK? I believe you now.

Will you come with me?

Look, I don’t know who you are or where you want to take me or why. I don’t care what your interest in me is. I’m not going anywhere, especially with some voice in my head, which I am still not entirely sure is real.

The voice was silent through my rant, and patiently she answered, Come with me to Eden.

Um . . . where’s Eden?

I will explain it all when you get here.

No, explain now. Or better yet, just leave me alone! Go away! I’m not going wherever it is that you want to take me. Besides, I’m having too much fun here with this new talent, not to mention there’re my new dog and my friends. I felt my anger bubbling inside. It was strange; I usually didn’t have much of a temper.

I’m the one who made you realize you had this ability. You owe me, Erin.

I don’t owe you anything. I still don’t even know who you are. Or what you are. I was becoming really mad.

You’re right. Forgive me. Forgive us. Don’t worry. I’ll explain.

And that’s when I blacked out.

Chapter 4

W hen I regained consciousness, I was alone, lying in an unfamiliar four-poster bed in an unfamiliar, entirely white room. The sheets and comforter covering me were a deep blood red, as were the heavy curtains draped over the single window and the sheer ones hanging from the bedposts. There was a plain white door in the room, with a shiny, round, gold handle that had no lock. I had no idea where I was, but I was absolutely certain that I had not been here before.

Welcome, Erin, said an unfamiliar female voice. It wasn’t in my head, though, but sounded scratchy, as though it were spoken over an intercom, but as I looked around, I saw nothing like speakers anywhere in the room. The new voice was softer too, more