Novels by Destiny

The bonfire roared. Sparks flew up into the black sky, mixing with music and shouting. The people of Ashford Cove partied — laughter, cups clinking, bodies pressed close in the heat. Jake was standing at a spot with his drink in his hand, watching summer school students kiss and do naughty stuff in the shadows past the light. He wasn’t really watching. Just killing time. Then Sarah made her way through the crowd, carrying a tray of drinks. She moved quickly, dodging people. Jake’s eyes caught on her bare wrist. Where’s your jewelry? He asked, stepping in front of her before she could pass. Sarah froze. “Not your business,” she said, trying to move past him. Her sleeve was pushed up. No gloves. No bracelet. Skin bare. “You always wear it in class, even under the hot weather,” Jake said, tilting his head. “And now you aren’t wearing it. So I’m trying to put two and two together.” Sarah stopped and looked at him with a pissed-off face. “Walk away, Jake,” she said, voice low. “Nah,

[ASHFORD COVE - NIGHT - 1903] There was a big steamship called CORALINE. It carried people and goods up and down the coast. On June 12, 1903, it was near Ashford Cove. A fast, bad storm hit. It wasn’t normal for summer. The waves got huge. The wind broke the ship’s wheel. Coraline crashed into the sharp rocks right outside the cove. The ship sank in 6 minutes. 147 people were on board. No one made it out. Kids, moms, sailors — all of them drowned in the same spot. The next morning, the water in the cove turned black. Like oil. When bodies washed up on the beach, their mouths were full of seaweed. Their eyes were open, like they saw something scary. [PRESENT DAY] The trees opened and there it was — Ashford Cove River. The water was flat and still. Mist sat on the surface in thick sheets, curling around the rotting dock posts like fingers. It was late in the night. Cicadas didn't care if it was dark. They were still loud. A tourist was walking along the riverbank, phone pressed