Ember Island Players Novels & Stories

“You don’t have to be strong every second, rebel.” “I know,” I whispered against his neck. “But I want to be. With both of you.” Festus knelt in front of us, resting his hands on my thighs. “Then we go. We play their game smarter. And we end it.” --- The private jet landed two days later on a small island off the coast. The man waiting for us on the dock called himself Elias. Tall, silver at the temples, expensive linen shirt open at the collar. He smiled like a host welcoming old friends.

She moves closer to Mira, leaning in until their faces are inches apart. “That video…” she whispers "…airs in every media house in the country.” Mira swallows. “And you know what happens then.”Isabelle says. Silence. She straightens and smiles. "Very well. Who wants to play a game?” Jason scoffs. Mira shakes her head. I stare at her like I want to kill her. Sandra… smiles. “Game?” Sandra says. “Yes,” Isabelle says brightly, pulling the chair and sitting like this is some casual gathering. “Let’s make this fun.”

To a sound solely, by him. At 06:06 a.m. the restaurants lights flash briefly (nearly tender). At that moment all the screens, throughout the area illuminate simultaneously. Cellphones. Notebooks. The old television mounted over the bar that Javier won’t swap out. Even the shattered tablet Marco assumed was broken. The same image on every screen. Isla. Six years old. Crown of subway tokens. Red dress. Eyes gold. Sitting on the throne. However on this occasion she isn’t, by herself.

“Yes you can but after we eat the snacks they brought, are you two excited for the island?” “So excited,” Zack said, “I want to run on the beach and find shells.” Isaac kept caressing Isabel’s shoulder. “We are going to do all of that. Swimming, building sandcastles, eating whatever you want. No phones no drama just us.” The flight felt short because they talked and laughed the whole time. Isabel leaned her head on Isaac’s shoulder and watched the ocean get closer. “I feel so relaxed already,” she said. “The kids are smiling so big. This is what I needed.”

And it was that heartbeat they had sworn to protect. At that moment, the three of them—Alia, Marcellus, and Elias—were each stationed at different corners of the island. They could not see one another, yet they were bound by the same invisible thread of destiny. Each knew: after tonight, nothing would ever be the same again. ——

Richard revealed as he took Isla’s soft hand in his with his gaze on her mother. Isabella rasied a questioning brow. “We don’t need an assistant. We can take care of ourselves,” she claimed. “Don’t worry, you will still get to have your privacy,” he assured her as he stole a glance at Isla. “I will be taking Isla to the game house, and I will bring her back just in time as you and your friends exit the cinema.” “Then… I guess I will be seeing you later?” Isabella trailed while giving him an expectant look. Only if she knew that she looked like that, she would have been more guided and reserved with her emotions.

"And just in time. Look." They turned. An island rose before them dark, massive, crowned with mountains that caught starlight. No lights showed, no signs of habitation, but something about it felt alive. Waiting. "The island," Liam breathed. "It's real." "It's real." Sera guided them toward a hidden cove, the boat moving through waters she seemed to know by instinct. "And now it's yours, if you want it." They landed on a beach of black sand, the boat grinding gently ashore. For a moment, no one moved. Then Elara stepped off the boat onto solid ground, her feet sinking slightly, her face lifted to the stars.

�𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝘀, 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁. 𝗔 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻’𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁� �𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱’𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲. "Thank you for the update, Mother. The Island was just a backup. We’ve already moved the primary server to the one place you can never reach."

Haze says. Haze, Mykenzie, Kylani, Bryn, Jace, Josh, Brandon, Mitchell, and I are sitting around a table in a small room. We are getting ready to get a poker game started. I like this; we have a few more people than last. This should be a good game. It’s nice having a few more people. There will be no buying of an island this time and no more tattoos. “Just to make things clear. I don’t have the money to buy an island.” Josh says.

ACE Pulling up in my garage with an indifferent feeling,I opened the car door , walking halfway to the house door I heard a gentle giggle , who brought a child into the house? Curious I opened the door . I saw Isabella sitting in front of the game stand with the control pad ,she didn't strike me as one who is into games , but then why would she be laughing playing a duo game alone.