Alessandra (#1, Omega Beginnings Miniseries) Read online

  I heard nothing, but the ribbons were never wrong. Stepping back into the hallway, I clutched Mrs. Nettles to me hard enough that she began to squirm.

  I whirled to head back to the shelter and spotted another set of three ribbons. This one was now between the door to the basement and me. Panic set in, and I raced to the back door and burst outside.

  My swing set and sand box, the ball I’d been kicking with Mrs. Nettles Tuesday, and other toys were scattered around the yard where I left them. The storm hadn’t hit my backyard.

  Or my room. The air didn’t smell of rain, and the sky was clear.

  “I don’t think it was a storm, Mrs. Nettles,” I said, wanting to cry.

  I heard it then, someone moving around the bottom floor of my house.

  Panicking, I darted to the tree in the corner of my yard and climbed the wood plank ladder to the tree house at the top. It was where I went when I was mad at my parents. There was no television or emergency supplies, but it was quiet and small, cozy with a mini-couch and rugs on the floor.

  I set Mrs. Nettles down and crept to the window overlooking my yard and the back of my house. Someone emerged from the back door and stepped into the backyard. I didn’t recognize his ribbons, or those of the three people who followed him.

  Ducking back down, I stared at Mrs. Nettles in the dark, my heart pounding so hard, I could hear it in my ears. “Keep quiet, Mrs. Nettles.”

  Her purring grew softer, and she cuddled against me.

  My focus turned to the dark night visible through the skylight. I slipped a hand into my pocket, and I gripped the jewel.

  “Mismatch, come get us,” I whispered. “I think we’re in trouble.”

  The men in the backyard spoke quietly to one another. I couldn’t make out their words, but they were getting closer.

  My eyes stayed on the sky. I had full faith in the gargoyle I had just met. My friends always came when I called, no matter where I was in the house, and Mismatch had said if I needed him, he’d come.

  I waited and waited, starting to cry when I heard the men approach the tree where I hid. Clinging to Mrs. Nettles, I squeezed the jewel even tighter. Her plush coat soaked up my tears.

  “Please, Mismatch. I’m scared!”

  Another long moment passed, and one of the men began to climb the makeshift ladder to the tree house.

  I huddled with my favorite pet, pressing my face into her fur, and waited for them to find me.

  Wind whipped the tree branches together, and they clattered. My eyes flew open, and I stared out the skylight at the wide wings beating the air above the tree.

  “I knew you’d come,” I said, smiling happily through my tears. My heart swelled with love for the creature I brought to life and came when I needed him.

  You are in danger, little one. His words slid into my mind.

  “I know.”

  Stay where you are until I tell you to come out. Do not look outside. Do you understand?

  “Yes.” I hunkered down and closed my eyes.

  He said nothing else, and the clatter of branches stopped. Someone in the backyard shouted. I tensed, scared and worried about my gargoyle.

  “We’re going to be okay, Mrs. Nettles.” I wiped my running nose on her head. She snuggled against me. “Don’t you worry. Mismatch is here. He’ll take care of us and tomorrow, we’ll go to Grandma’s and Mama and Daddy will be there waiting for us.”

  Little did I know at the innocent age of six, I’d never see my family again.

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  Stay tuned for “Mismatch” (#2, Omega Beginnings Miniseries) coming February 20!

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  Omega: Beginnings

  Prequel mini-series

  Alessandra (January)

  Mismatch (February)

  Phoibe (March)

  Lantos (April)

  Theodosia (May)

  Niko (June)

  Cleon (July)

  Herakles (August)

  Omega Series

  Omega (2015)

  Theta (2016)

  Alpha (2017)