The Quiet Burn Novels & Stories

Lauren swallowed a lump of saliva to keep her dry throat wet. Why the hell did Malcolm not warn her about this? She hated trouble and these women definitely smelt like trouble. Grabbing a drink from a passing waitress, she whispered a thank-you with a smile. Taking a sip of the red liquid, she closed her eyes as she savoured its sweet taste followed by a burning sensation, ignoring the looks she got from the half dozen women in the room. “it looks like Malcolm got himself a new whore.” One spoke up.

Jenny’s body trembled as she crouched behind the broken pew. The sound of footsteps echoed through the church, slow and deliberate. She could feel Ethan’s grip tighten on her wrist, his breath warm against her ear. Whoever had entered was searching for them. Her heart pounded so hard she feared it would give them away. The steps moved closer. Ethan pressed his lips near her ear. “Stay quiet,” he whispered. Jenny barely nodded. The silence stretched, thick with tension. Then, just as suddenly as they had entered, the footsteps retreated. The heavy church doors creaked shut, leaving behind an eerie stillness.

NIKOLAI I SAT IN car with the engine off, watching snow crawl down the windshield in slow, silent streaks. The kind of quiet that made the world feel too still. The kind that reminded you no matter how many men you killed, how many cities you burned, there were still things out there that could bring you to your knees. That thing sat in my coat pocket, burning a hole straight through my chest.

Then, real quiet, he asked, "If our baby doesn't make it... could we adopt?" So ready to keep his promise—to her. I gave a faint smile. "Remember what you said at our wedding? That if you ever betrayed me, you'd spend your life drowning in guilt. Never know peace." Funny how vows shine so bright... then vanish. Elroy's face twisted. "Babe, I'd never hurt you! You have to believe me!" I let out a dry laugh, pulled the blanket over my head. "I'm tired." Tired of pretending this was love.

She is married and has one child. Her hobbies include kayaking, crafting and of course, writing novels. House of Quiet Screams is her debut novel, loosely based on true events and written to give voice to the silence many carry. Dedications For every woman who was told to stay silent. For those still living in quiet screams—you are not alone. For Daylen Bradley Harbin, My first true miracle— You made me a mother, and in doing so, gave my life deeper meaning. Your light, your spirit, and your love inspire me to be stronger, braver, and better every single day.

Cared about his friends, she said. If Henry learned that Jake took care of his wife so much that she was pregnant with his baby, he might be so angry that he would end up crawling out of his grave to kill Jake. When I said nothing, Winnie gave me a fearful look. “Luna, are you still angry at me and Jake? I really just want a baby of my own. I’m just too lonely and scared alone.” As if she had just been bullied, Winnie started sobbing. Quickly, Gertrude grabbed some tissues for her to wipe her tears before glaring at me.

A quiet woman, once she snaps—she can burn it all down. --- I slid into the silver Bentley and drove straight to the private pier. In the passenger seat: a goodbye letter, a pill bottle, and a crumpled ultrasound report. Three tiny heartbeats, clear as day. No one knew I was pregnant. I didn't tell Jackson. To him, I was just another thing to control. He wouldn't care about the babies either. I sat on the bench, sea breeze slicing through me. Shivering, I popped the cap off the bottle and tipped one pill into my palm.

It just burns. That’s why I always come back to it. Not for the heat. Not for the light. But because it’s the one thing that quiets everything else. When my thoughts get too loud, when the faces from the past crawl out from the corners of my mind, when I see Thorne’s blood, or hear my father’s voice like he’s still in the room, the fire is the only thing that drowns it all out. I let my eyes unfocus, watching the flames twist and snap.

The dark night had fallen. Around us, the chirping of crickets filled the silence, their song weaving through the darkness that enveloped the forest where we stood. It was quiet—deeply, almost unnervingly quiet. A gentle breeze began to stir, causing the old windows of the cabin to creak and groan as if whispering secrets long forgotten.

My fingertips went cold for a second, but I felt no regret. Turning away, I walked over to the river's edge and let the ring drop from my fingers into the water. "Let the past sink to the bottom," I whispered. The river rippled once, then stilled, as if nothing had ever happened. The sun still shone brightly, and the breeze was gentle. All those past hurts that once took my breath away were just a tiny drop in the vastness of the world. I lifted my head and started walking toward the far-off horizon.