Strobe Edge Novels & Stories

I grab one— pull him into another— force collision— create space. But it’s not enough. They’re adjusting faster now. Adapting. Just like me. Interesting. “You see it,” Adrian murmurs. “Yes.” “They’re improving.” “So am I.” A pause. Then— “Let’s test that.” The lights flicker again. Dark. Light. Dark. Light. Strobe effect. Disorientation. Cheap trick. Doesn’t work. Not on me. But it’s not for me. It’s for them. Their movements become sharper.

After the celebration, I returned to my room, exhausted, only to find Whitney already inside, holding my reservation slip. My pupils narrowed as I blurted, "What are you doing?" She waved the slip, a hint of malice flashing across her face. "So, you want the antidote?" Without warning, she pulled out a dagger coated in silver nitrate and slashed her own arm. I didn't understand what she was trying to do, but I instinctively stepped forward to stop her. However, she seized the moment to shove the dagger into my hand. Tobias and Nicholas rushed in just in time to see Whitney collapsing to the ground, clutching her injured arm.

I could hear the low rumble of their voices, though the words blurred into the background noise of the crowd until Trevor’s shoulder bumped mine. “Ash, look at two o’clock,” Trevor whispered, leaning in. He nodded toward a girl in a silk dress standing with a group of friends near a sculpture. “Tell me she isn’t exactly my type. Isn’t she stunning?” Brady exhaled a sharp, dry breath. "So your main job here is just spotting pretty girls, Trev?” I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. “She’s pretty, Trevor. But what’s the move? You’re just going to stare?”

It pulses once, like a heartbeat. I swallow hard. Strange things have always happened when I’m upset, lights flickering, books falling, dreams that feel too real, but this feels different. Like the pendant is reacting to something out there. Or calling to it. The fog thins as we turn onto a narrow road lined with lanterns shaped like pumpkins. They sway even though there’s no wind. “Hallow’s Edge goes all out for Halloween,” Ms. Carter says cheerfully. “Biggest festival in the county. You’ll be here just in time.”

He opened his mouth and suddenly his mind went blank. Cassandra had no warning for what or who faced her. That gorgeous, menacing stranger was right in front of her. Just feet away, staring at her. They were standing alone in an eighty-thousand-seat stadium, but to Cassandra, at that moment it shrank to the four-square feet surrounding them. And it was then that she had to acknowledge that the prickling awareness she’d been dismissing had just exploded into full-on shock.

“She’s dripping for me. Still full of you, but tighter now. Hotter. Like her body knows exactly who’s supposed to be here.” Chidi’s fists clenched on the armrests. Tobi cracked first. “Miss, I mean Adeyemi” His voice broke. “I can’t I’m gonna” She let go of him instantly. “No.” Tobi whimpered, hips bucking into nothing. A thick bead of pre-come welled at his tip and dripped onto her wrist. He didn’t come, but he was right on the edge shaking, flushed, miserable. Yusuf lasted another minute teeth gritted, breathing through his nose before he rasped, “Please”

He’s very thorough. ‘He can’t be so thorough. There’s got to be something we’re not seeing and it’s right in front of us. I can tell that much.’ As she spoke, she placed some rubber gloves on the tray that held most of the stuff she needed to Maddie’s corpse. ‘The street camera at the spot Maddie was stabbed didn’t pick up anything unusual but a cam across the street did. That’s weird, don’t you think?’ he furrowed his brows in thought. ‘It is. Really weird if you ask me.’

He lifted one hand and placed it near the edge without touching the ragged light. “Stay close,” Spiro instructed. “The crossing may feel wrong. Do not fight the sensation. Do not stop halfway. Do not look too long into the edges.” “Why not?” Astrid asked. “Because sometimes the edges look back,” Spiro answered. Astrid’s mouth opened. Then closed. “For once, I have nothing to say,” Astrid admitted. “That is a blessing,” Spiro replied. Ronan moved closer to me. “Are you ready?” Ronan asked quietly.

Henna will be mad if she has to buy me new books already. This stupid shade over my head is doing less to nothing to protect me from the rain. It's started to get really cold now. The wind is blowing ghastly almost, it seems like it must be storming in some places. Glad it's not happening here. I wouldn't like the idea of getting washed away from the earth with the harsh wind as much as Gabriel would like that. I have to admit though, I really like storms, I don't know why but It gives me inner peace, makes me all giddy for some unknown reason.

Three feet in and he wobbled like a newborn deer. I bit back a laugh. "Something funny, Cole?" he snapped. "You. Obviously." I circled him slowly. "Hockey skates have two edges. Figure skates have one. You're fighting the ice because you don't know how to find your center." He didn't answer. Just pushed off harder, trying to prove me wrong. His left foot slipped. I moved on instinct and grabbed his arm before he ate it. For half a second we were locked together - my fingers wrapped around his forearm, his hand gripping my shoulder for balance. He was heavier than he looked. Solid. Warm.