Jabberwock Inn Novels & Stories

“Keep your phone in your pocket, on an open line to me, at all times. If I hear anything—anything at all—that sounds like trouble, I’m coming in. Agreed?” “Agreed,” she said, though she hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. They arrived in Havenwood just before noon. It was exactly as Marcus had described: a town preserved in amber, quaint and quiet. They bypassed the charming local inn, following Marcus’s instructions to the letter, and checked into a drab, anonymous motel on the outskirts of town called ‘The Sleepy Hollow.’ The room was clean but smelled faintly of pine-scented disinfectant and old regrets.

She nods, gathering up the empty wrappings. “Somewhere cheap.” “Somewhere clean,” I corrected her, offering my hand to help her up. She takes it without hesitation this time—another small victory—and lets me pull her to her feet. Luna stretches lazily on the ground before jumping back into her preferred position on Elara’s shoulder. The inn is easy enough to find. The building is modest but well-maintained, with flower boxes under the windows and a sign that reads “The Copper Crown Inn” in faded paint.

JASMINE Just before ten the next day, I saw his Jeep parallel park in front of the café. This time, much to my dismay, he came in to place an order. Lucy ran out from the back, flour dusting her arms and cheeks. “Well, hello there, Mr. Alpha! I knew I smelled your scent from the kitchen!” Lucy leaned over the counter, her low-cut shirt and loosely tied apron displaying her cleavage. “Seems you’re right on time for the end of my friend here’s shift.”

The crowds where starting to become more compact, and it was difficult not to rub shoulders with these brutes. I noticed that Seria and I where getting more and more glances. Men with greedy eyes licked their lips, ready to put their grubby hands all over us. It was uncomfortable to watch, and even more so because I couldn't stop them. I could feel myself tensing with every passing second, until Nicklos stopped in front of a tall white building. It was large in size, completed with simple long windows, a set of white polished stairs, and multiple balconies for each set of sliding doors. A wooden sign dangled from a metal rod protruding from the building. It swayed slightly, creeking as the r

My heart was racing at his words and he squeezed my hand. I teased, “Well, if you’re going to be that way about it. Don’t get your soggy self into a bunch, you can pay.” Then I squeezed him back. Davin said, “I know just the place. They always order the best cuts from Nick. It’s called Calloway Inn.”

Details like this made it clear that life in a nation like this was far from the fantastic paradise the media made it out to be. Wilbur flagged down a cab and brought the two girls back to the inn. Betty Lent, the innkeeper, was overjoyed to see the three of them. She flung her arms around Wilbur, landing two hard kisses on either side of his cheek. "Thank you so much, Mister Penn…"

"Right! It was easy for us to move stealthily. It was definitely odd. The infected will sense anyone up close." As we made our way through the town, leaving the others behind, we came to the only tavern present in this place. Its name made us shocked as we had memories of it. The Great Wizard, a tavern that was in the kingdom where we truly came from. We looked at each other then went in. The door was different from what we remember. A peasant is playing a recorder rather badly; she is clearly in need of more practice.