Ashes Book Novels & Stories

# Chapter 13: Twisted Truth Eve sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers still trembling from the fake panic attack she'd used to cover Marcus's latest threat. Alex held her close, his strong arms a shield against the world, while Lila prepared tea in the kitchen. The envelope from the mysterious figure burned in her hidden drawer, calling to her like a live wire. Everything felt like it was spiraling faster than she could control.

Author's POV Emerald brushed her hair, still lost in deep thought. She was trying to decide which place to visit first. From the pictures, she had identified a few locations she was both curious and nervous to face. In her mind, she kept searching for reasons to avoid them. The trauma of nightmares and flashbacks was still fresh. She was terrified that new memories might surface—stronger ones this time—and no one would be there to handle her if she broke. But she had to start somewhere.

HAZEL’S HOUSE – STILL IN THE MORNING Hazel stood in front of the mirror, slipping her books into her shoulder bag. She was dressed casually, hair in a messy ponytail, earbuds in, head bobbing lightly to the music. The sharp sound of a car horn outside made her flinch. She yanked out one earbud and walked over to the window. Her eyes narrowed the moment she saw the sleek black car parked in front of the gate. She frowned deeply when she saw the plate number , she immediately recognized it has Randy's car.

Hearing the door open, he raised his eyes slightly and glanced at Brewster. Brewster breathed hitched. He could feel Ace's terrible mood. Ace returned his gaze to his laptop, "Wash up." He ordered. Brewster nodded and slowly dragged his feet to the bathroom. His mind wandered as he opened the shower, letting the water pour over his body while he rubbed it. "I hope... he pays me this time." He silently wished.

CASSANDRA The horrible sight before my eyes was the worst nightmare I’d ever seen, yet no matter how hard I pinched myself, it wasn’t going away. As the fire covered Asher’s body, his skin began to peel down. Soon, the black burnt skin became ashes, and then the ashes disappeared entirely and blew down the corridor. “No!” I screamed out of anger and sorrow. “No, no, no!” My lungs ached as I cried out, but I couldn’t stop. Tears spilled down my face like a river, and my vision started to break out with spots as I shook.

I took her hand and placed it on my chest. She snatched her hand from me. “Please leave me alone! Please...” her voice shook and she recoiled from me. Brody moved closer and sat at the foot of the bed. “Ashley we are sorry. We are deeply sorry. We know. We know what you have been through. We…” “No, you don’t!” she shouted, interrupting me. I sighed and nodded at Brody. He swallowed, “Ashley, we saw your journal. The Death Journal.”

“This is my healing outfit.” “Your healing outfit is my hoodie.” I pointed out to her. “Exactly. Sharing is caring.” She led the way to the living room. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips as I followed her. “Is that because I wore that hoody for an entire week when Bernard broke up with me? Because it sure did heal me.” She paused, sniffed the hoodie and shrugged. “That was over a year ago, this is clean now. Also, I will continue to laugh at his name. Bernard, really? He should've been a butler.”

“You’re what happens when someone gives up being themselves.” Ash flinched. But then he smiled slow and sharp. “Then prove it.” “What?” Ash stepped closer until they were almost touching. “Prove to them. Prove to me. Be the version of August Hale that I could never be.” He held something out. A folded envelope. August didn’t take it. “What is this?” “A choice,” Ash said. “Inside is everything they need to clear your record. To put your identity back the way it was. You can take it… and walk away from me forever. Or”

"I suppose I could." "Excellent. My car is just here." Sinclair waved at the black sedan parked along the street. The lights turned on, momentarily blinding Belishaw. He raised a hand to shield his eyes as Sinclair stepped out of the way to allow him to climb inside. He was halfway in when he was suddenly shoved from behind. He collapsed onto the seat, and something sharp jabbed into the side of his neck. The beast inside him, the one that always surged to the surface when his life was threatened, now sank deep into a dark abyss beyond his reach. The cool leather seat pressed against his cheek, and it was the only relief he felt as a flood of heat surged within his body.

Ashley narrated excitedly while Alan stared in amazement at her bubbly nature. “I haven't seen you this happy, you didn't tell me you would choose him,” Alan said. “Well I wasn't sure if he would accept so I didn't spill the tea,” Ashley said sitting on the couch in his bedroom. Pulling his shirt off “How did the appointment with the fashion designer go?” Alan asked. “Have you heard of don't judge a book by its cover?"That's what I and the girls experienced today. The man wore a pink suit, it was crazy at first till…” Ashley said, laughing loudly.