The Parting Glass Novels & Stories

“And the Hursts?” Elliot handed him a glass. “They’re already cracking. They just don’t know where yet.” They raised their glasses together. “To the future,” Elliot said. “And to a world,” Marcus added, “where the Hursts no longer exist.” The glasses clinked softly.

I mutter. The mirror pulses a violent red. The heating elements are failing, the glass spider-webbing under the thermal stress. C-O-M-P-R-O-M-I-S-E-D. One final sentence scrolls across the bottom before the glass shatters into a thousand glittery shards. O-N-E G-U-A-R-D I-S N-O-T H-I-S. I drop to a crouch as the glass rains down. I don't feel the shallow cuts on my shoulders. I'm staring at the empty frame.

The aftermath was quiet — almost serene — though beneath the surface, tension and relief battled in equal measure. Evelyn and Lucas moved through the room together, surveying the destruction. The mirrors that had reflected so many secrets now lay fractured on the floor. Sparks from the final projections had long since faded, leaving only shadows and silence. For the first time in months, the chaos of Project Glass had ended.

_My world is very noisy, almost dragging on death._Grace Manninhattan Prang! Shards of glass were scattered on the floor of the room, an empty glass without water ended sadly because of Mr. Flip's uncontrollable anger. Eyes fixed on the young man with his head lowered.

Set the glass down. Then said, "I don't know where we go from here."

“You don’t know what you’re playing with.” “Oh, we know exactly what we’re playing with,” he replied. “That device is the future. And you two are going to help us unlock it.” Reese stepped forward slightly, angling himself between Mara and the rifles above. “Not happening.” The man sighed, almost disappointed. “You always make things difficult.” A crack echoed through the alley—not from a rifle, but from somewhere overhead. Everyone’s eyes went up just as a chunk of the neon sign tore loose and crashed down between them, showering sparks.

In the end, his voice—and his presence—vanished beyond VIVA's glittering doors. I picked up a fresh glass of champagne. Cathy and I exchanged a smile and clinked glasses softly. "Cheers." To the youth I had lost, and to the brand-new future ahead.

"Sean, the family you believed in was the worst nightmare of my life. I will never forgive you." I did not look at him again. I turned away, my form breaking into tiny points of light, fading slowly into nothing.