Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Blog takeover by INDIE-VISIBLE



Today I'm handing over the blog to Indie-Visible to announce the release of their online magazine. Check it out....

Indie-Visible 2.0 Soft Launch

Hooray! We here at Indie-Visible are thrilled to be (soft) launching our site! So, who the heck are we anyway? Indie-Visible is an awesome collaboration backed by a super talented team of writers, bloggers, and freelancers in the publishing industry, who you can meet here and here.

Indie-Visible's BookHub is an online magazine where readers can connect with their favorite authors in fun, innovative ways. BookHub will have a variety of columns, including Indie Book Recommendations, Interactive Contests, and all sorts of activities aimed at getting to know talented authors and their books.

In the PubHub, writers can get tips on a variety of writing and publishing elements, as well as build their dream publishing team by selecting from our endorsed list of freelancers. Our goal is to provide the perfect "Hub" for writers, where an environment of expertise and professionalism will offer high-level support in all phases of the publishing process and beyond.

If this interests you, be sure to click on the subscription link below! In addition to BookHub and PubHub, Indie-Visible has another AMAZING (Top Secret!) program set to launch in February.

Keep up on all the goodies by subscribing to our BookHub and/or PubHub newsletters (see below). All subscribers will also be automatically entered to win one of our AWESOME GIVEAWAY PACKAGES.

More details on those coming during our Full Launch in January!

Never miss out on an Indie-Visible post!

Friday, December 19, 2014

What's my favorite Christmas movie?


Welcome to day 8 of the 12 Day of Christmas Event

Hosted by Catarina of Reading and Things. 

Thanks, Catarina for inviting me. She's asked I blog about this question:

WHAT MOVIES DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ENJOY OVER AND OVER?
My kids are a little young to enjoy the classics quite yet, and last year I picked up A CHRISTMAS STORY and ELF. They love them so much, they're now quoting the movie. "Ralphie!" "I can't put my arms down." "You'll shoot your eye out."  
Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Christmas movie you can watch over and over and never grow tired of?
At 6pm CMT, I'll be partying on the Facebook page, giving away goodies and having lots of fun. 


This FACEBOOK event runs from December 12-December 23. Come celebrate the holidays with your favorite authors and bloggers and take part in games giveaways and more.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

$10 Book Sale -- Get them while supplies last!


$10 BOOK SALE!

I'm still in shock it's already December. Are you ready? I'm sure not! So to help with your holiday shopping, I'm running a sale. From now until supplies run out, all books are $10 those wanting signed books! Stinky Potatoes Rock, my new middle grade book, is $5. This also includes BLOOD WARS - Book 4 of the Talisman Series.



When the new books with the new covers arrived, I cried. They're all so GORGEOUS!!!! Curious to find out who readers chose for Julia's happily ever after? With all 4 volumes put together in 400 pages of action and romance, this is the longest book I've written to date. 
You can get it now -- signed-- for $10


CLICK THE LINK TO ORDER HERE or SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM



NEW RELEASE

For those with middle graders in their life, I've written a humorous sibling rivalry chapter book with my three nieces, Katie, Emma and Molly called Stinky Potatoes Rock.

STINKY POTATOES ROCK
Genre: Middle Grade

Meet twins Jake and Mia. Along with their friends Lexie, Anna, Brady, and Logan, things seem pretty cool for the sixth-grade. That was until Dev moved in down the street and filled the drummer vacancy on Jake’s band making Fart Club even more awesome. Now Mia needs to prove she’s just as cool, especially with the talent show coming soon, but what’s her talent? Luckily Lexie has a killer cheer squad and saves the day by insisting they cheer for the contest. When it comes time to name their squad and enter, Mia does something horrible.

Will Jake ever forgive her? Can Mia admit her true reasons for her actions? Find out in Stinky Potatoes Rock!


They had a great time signing these books for you!

ORDER HERE





Thanks for reading,

Brenda

Friday, November 21, 2014

20 books - $0.99 LIMITED TIME!

THIS WEEKEND ONLY! We will never be able to offer our twenty-book boxed set at this low price again. Amazon won't let us. We've been warned! So buy it for 99 cents while you still can. After this weekend, it will double in price, even though we don't want it to. What do you get for 99 cents?

  Hidden Worlds promo

Enter the hidden worlds of humans who shift to beasts, perilous enchantments and stars uncounted. Awaken in secret laboratories or walk among gods. 

Appropriate for ages 13+: Devour, by Shelly Crane Inescapable, by Amy A. Bartol The Forgotten Ones, by Laura Howard Elsker, by ST Bende History of Fire, by Alexia Purdy Everblue, by Brenda Pandos Guardians: The Girl, by Lola St. Vil The Gatekeeper's Sons, by Eva Pohler From Gods, by Mary Ting 

Appropriate for ages 16+ due to language, sexual situations, and violence: First, by Alyssa Rose Ivy Darkness of Light, by Stacey Marie Brown Lark, by Erica Cope Catalyst, by Jennifer Snyder Promise, by Kristie Cook Redemption, by RK Ryals Return of the Ascendant, by Raine Thomas A Matter of Fate, by Heather Lyons Runes, by Ednah Walters Freak of Nature, by Julia Crane River's Recruit, by Charlotte Abel

Get your copy for 99 cents now, between 11/20 and 11/23, before Amazon forces us to double the price!


Amazon kindle buy button Hidden Worlds Boxed Set

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Pieces of Revenge

I'm so thrilled to share my very good friend Valia Lind's upcoming release for 11/20. This cover knocked my socks off and totally encompasses the story! Thriller lovers, you have to put it on your TBR!

Synopsis: 

A weapon. A broken life. A humanity lost.

That is all Anastasia knows, that is all that she is. As an eleven-year-old, she witnessed her family’s brutal murder and she’s been on the run ever since. She’s spent her life training and planning for the day she can take her revenge.

Kallos Enterprises is a well respected corporation, set on improving the genetic structure of an individual. Or so they say. Anastasia knows, first hand, what kind of monsters lurk behind the pretty walls of those skyscrapers. Armed with combat skills and a beyond perfect memory, she heads to Chicago to uncover the answers to questions that plagued her for years.

After arriving in the city, she meets Logan, a boy from her past who changes all the rules. She doesn’t remember him, but he remembers her. His position at Kallos Enterprises is useful, his presence is unnerving, and he makes her question everything she knows about herself to be true. If her perfect memory can’t remember Logan, what else about her past is wrong?

Time is running out. Anastasia has nowhere to turn, but to trust the one person who’s a memory she should have, but doesn’t. With a madman threatening their every step, Anastasia and Logan must uncover the truths behind Kallos experiments and hope that the answers they find won’t destroy the world forever.

Release Date: November 20th, 2014

Links:
            Website: http://valialind.blogspot.com
            Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValiaLind
            Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValiaLind


Author. Photographer. Artist. 

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind

Monday, November 3, 2014

20 books for .99 cents: Hidden Worlds is LIVE!

20 Bestselling and award-winning authors have come together to give you HIDDEN WORLDS!



HIDDEN WORLDS, a 20 book boxed set is releasing TODAY, NOVEMBER 3rd. To celebrate, we're having an all day Facebook party event! Expect tons of prizes and tons of fun! My time slot is from 1pm - 2pm EST along with Erica Cope. Come say hi and win stuff!

RSVP for the fun HERE

HIDDEN WORLDS for $0.99
Amazon - Amazon UK - iBooks - Kobo

Friday, October 31, 2014

Which HEA did readers choose?


BLOOD WARS vol. 4 is LIVE
$0.99
AMAZON - AMAZON UK - B&N - IBOOKS - KOBO

I've gone from having everything to having nothing with one stupid mistake. Even my death doesn’t fix my problems. All I know is if I don't right my wrongs and win back the guy I love, then Alora will get everything she's wanted. 

She always wins, which is why I have to fight--fight to the death if it comes to that. 


Find out in the riveting CONCLUSION of the BLOOD WARS SERIALS


$0.99 ebook sale until 11/2

Amazon - Amazon UK - iBooks - B&N - KOBO


Amazon - Amazon UK - iBooks B&N - Kobo


ONLY $0.99
Amazon - Amazon UK - iBooks - B&N - Kobo


ONLY $0.99
Amazon - Amazon UK - iBooks - B&N - Kobo

CONTEST ALERT!!!
I've been giving away an ebook a day on my FACEBOOK wall. Don't miss out!


ALL DAY FACEBOOK PARTAY!!! 11/3 Me and nineteen other bestselling and award winning authors have come together to offer a 20 book boxed set releasing NOVEMBER 3rd. To celebrate, we're having an all day facebook party event! Expect tons of prizes and tons of fun!

RSVP for the fun HERE
PREORDER HIDDEN WORLDS for $0.99 Amazon - Amazon UK - iBooks - Kobo

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Blood Wars #3 -- Coming 9/29




BLOOD WARS #3


Release Date: September 29th, 2014


GOODREADS

***
Phil was right. Mr. Cruor and company’s motives weren’t honorable. And to top it off, Julia’s most trusted ally was the ring leader. He gave Julia her wish, but not in the form she was hoping for. Now she’s stuck.
Then again, maybe working with Mr. Cruor isn't all that horrible. They finally have a chance to right the wrongs of the world and create peace. Only trouble is that Julia’s emotions are all over the board. She just needs to calm down and think clearly.
Except odd things keep happening and Julia begins to think once again she’s being kept from the truth. Only after people she cares about are captured, does she discover the true plan. And in order to get the upper hand, she must keep her friends close, and her enemies closer.
Yeah, well, that’s a heck of a lot easier said than done.
***

All I can say is that you asked for it, and now you've got it. For my faithful fans and followers, I'm offering BLOOD WARS #3 for .99 on release day! It's available for pre-order as well. Enjoy!



PREORDER FOR A SPECIAL $0.99 PRICE

          

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Happy Release Day -- Blood Wars 2 is LIVE!

Happy Release Day to Blood Wars 2!


Talisman Series lovers, the wait is over. The next segment in the Talisman saga is live! Curious what happened to Julia after her secret was discovered? Or maybe you're wondering why the vampires of the past keep popping up out of nowhere.

Of course, Nicholas and Phil keep arguing over what Julia should do. All she wants is for everything to stay the same. No such luck. Her life has forever changed and not for the better. She could run away from it all. Then again, one should be careful what they wish for... (dun dun dunnnnn) 


 
Of course I can't forget that ever charming Phil.

 

And because you're my faithful fans and followers, Blood Wars 2 be offered today for a special price of $0.99! So get on it and remember, reviews help me write the next segment faster! And I promise (since my kids are in school now) the next segment will be coming in a few weeks, so don't send out the lynch mob on me! 
 
SPECIAL $.99 PRICE

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vjftte
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1z3jBhz
B&N: http://bit.ly/BW2-BN
KOBO: http://bit.ly/kobo-bw2
IBOOKS: http://bit.ly/ibooks-BW2

And tomorrow at 1pm PST, don't miss my first Google Hangout. I'll be answering your questions from twitter with the #bloodwars2 (include the hashtag), or ones you send via email at brendapandos@gmail.com. Otherwise it'll be pretty boring. *cue crickets*
I'll post the link on my Facebook tomorrow (once I figure it out) so you can see my pretty face.

If you'd like to read chapter 1, you can find it HERE

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Blood Wars 2 - Coming August 21st




Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Release Date: August 21st


After it’s discovered that Julia’s blood carries a rare gene that cures cancer, her life turns upside down. Fear that the wrong people could abduct her and sell her blood on the black market, she’s forced to be chaperoned by a bodyguard. Of course, Mr. Cruor offers sanctuary at his luxurious mansion with promises of everything she could ever want in life. But all Julia really wants is to keep things the way they are—until she’s threatened.

Faces from the past keep popping up at the strangest times and the motives of their actions become questionable. Who’s really behind the threat? Do they remember the past, too? Phil believes it’s Mr. Cruor while Nicholas doesn’t. If things get really bad, Julia knows she could run away with Nicholas and her new stash of cash and start a new life far from the drama.

Then again, one should be very careful of what they wish for, or they might indeed get it.

Find out in the next riveting installment of the Talisman serials.



PREORDER FOR A SPECIAL $0.99 PRICE!
  Preorder Kobo   

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Cover Reveal -- EDGE OF FALLING by VALIA LIND

 EDGE OF FALLING, Book 2
Coming August 15, 2014

For Chance, there's always only been Dakota. He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck. Until Kyle comes along. Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness?

When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity.

Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?

As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.


I've read Falling by Design, which was a touching love story of love, loss and forgiveness. I can't wait to devour Edge of Falling with Dakota and Chance. It's a must read on your summer TBR!

FOLLOW VALIA:



YOU CAN PICK UP BOOK ONE, FALLING BY DESIGN, HERE:




Rafflecopter giveaway for copies of book one, Falling by Design: a Rafflecopter giveaway

VALIA LIND: Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. 

You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

UtopYA pre-order deadline is 6/5

It's June? Wait, what? Having just returned from BEA (Book Expo American) in NY, I feel cross-eyed. And UtopYA is now 16 days away!

BOOK ORDERS-- STAT! Since I have 7 titles, it's not feasible to bring a stack of each, so YOU NEED TO PRE-ORDER if you'd like to purchase a signed copy from me! PRE-ORDER: HERE

To tempt you even further, I have a gift with purchase. Check out the swanky awesome water bottle below! Anyone who prepays will receive one as a gift. Pre-ordered books will also be at a discounted price of $9.99 each! 

I know you want one..... 

DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, JUNE 5th!

Friday, April 11, 2014

Blood Wars is LIVE!

Blood Wars.... is LIVE

Talisman Series lovers, the wait is over. The next segment in the Talisman saga is live. 

---

WAIT! I have a disclaimer, well, a confession really. I'm an ADD writer (no duh!). I bounce from series to series with each new pretty idea that pops in my head. That leaves many of you in the wake, waiting for the next installment to whichever series you love. While this works for me, I hate that you are waiting. In turn, I end put extra pressure to write faster, which makes unproductive writing sessions. And unlike other writers who never sleep and produce books like bunnies, I can't write a million words in a sitting. Two books a year is my max. So... to solve this problem, I've come up with a solution.

SERIALS! 

What's a serial you ask? It's a novella sized book packed with a full-action story in a chewy morsel. It's a quick and dirty read to satisfy your appetite with a promise of the next installment in a few weeks, instead of a few months. Now I know for some of you, you want and crave a long novel. So, I've got a solution for you as well. After I release 3-4 serials in a series, I'll bundle into a omnibus and you'll have your full book at the normal price. I know I might get some "I'm bummed" emails, but hear me out. I will still give you want you want, just sooner if you wish to read it sooner. That's all that's changing.

So, BLOOD WARS, is part one of the TALISMAN SERIALS (this makes me a little hungry when I say it out loud)
After just having died while saving all of humanity, Julia wakes up to a world where no vampires exist. Unexplainably, she and Nicholas are the only ones who remember the past. Julia’s wish to be a normal teen has come to pass, and like a gift, they can start their happily ever after. 

That was until a new teacher showed up. To everyone else, Mr. Cruor is just a good looking guy with a voice that makes everything sound exciting, including stories of a bunch of dead guys. However, Julia knows Mr. Cruor. Stuck in his class, Julia is afraid that he’s not here to teach her history. He’s here for something else and there’s nothing she can do about it.

Following THE ONYX TALISMAN, BLOOD WARS is volume 1 of a spin-off of serials, each approx 20,000 words. Jump in here, or immerse yourself with the drama in THE TALISMAN TRILOGY.


Amazon: http://bit.ly/bloodwars
Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/ukbloodwars
Nook: http://bit.ly/bwusnook
(iBooks and Kobo coming soon)


If you haven't read the Talisman Trilogy, have no fear. You can jump in with Blood Wars, or enjoy The Emerald Talisman for FREE.








Also, OUT FOR BLOOD IS FREE on AMAZON until 4/15! This companion book to BLOOD WARS is told in Phil's perceptive. Want to know how he really feels about Julia? Then you'll want to get this book. Don't have a Kindle? Never fear!

Amazon has a FREE Kindle app HERE

It works on just about any computer.
- Smartphone (Android/Windows/Blackberry/Iphone/Ipod)
- Tablet (iPad/Android/Windows)
- Computer (PC or MAC)
Once you've downloaded the FREE app, you can click to purchase the ebook for FREE and it will automatically be sent to your app!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Blog Tour Kick off for GLITCH





Genre: New Adult Dystopian
Perfect World. Lies. Blue eyes.

When a mysterious guy from the forbidden zone sneaks an illegal slip of paper to a beautiful young girl from Brighton, she must decide if she should turn him in or follow what the note says. 

Eighteen-year-old Abby has no trouble following Brighton’s rules. For one, she’s OCD about checking her Date of Death clock, making sure her decisions never shorten her timeline, and two, she enjoys the peace Brighton has to offer. In no way would she bring on another attack that destroyed earth’s inhabitants like her predecessors. But when her best friend returns from her Advice Meeting--a glimpse into the future--shell shocked and won’t tell Abby what’s happened, she’s worried what awaits her Advice Meeting in a few days. The stranger with blue-eyes knows something, but does Abby dare enter the forbidden zone to get answers? It's infested with zombies, or so the Elected Agency says, yet there hasn't been sightings in years.... Those who enjoyed Divergent, Hunger Games, Time Travelers Wife and Walking Dead, will love Glitch.

Check out the Excerpt and enter to win a signed copy!
GRAB GLITCH TODAY AT THESE RETAILERS!
amazon   bn   kobobutton
(iTunes and the Paperback will appear shortly)
“So much happens in this book that you are just hooked and can't stop reading.” -Adriana
“This is a zombie story with a difference.” -Claire
“Recommend for all age fans of paranormal, zombies, dystopia and time travel!” -MS

EXCERPT:


Keeping my eyes on the ball, I tripped on something hard and round. My ankle twisted, tipping me over, and I fell directly into the foliage. I half-expected to land on solid ground beneath my butt, but all that was there was air. Then I thudded onto the rocks and continued sliding down a sharp decline. Tumbling over, I slid head first into the dry creek bed with an oomph.
Once the momentum stopped my body and the racing of my brain lessened, pain ricocheted everywhere. I bit back a wail and tears trickled down my cheeks. Beyond the stars flickering over my vision, birds jostled the leaves of the trees, taking flight in the bright sky. With my head spinning, I lay still, afraid to get up. Thoughts of a trip to the hospital and a cast from ankle to thigh rocked through me. Just my luck to break something right before my Advice Meeting.
“You okay?”
I startled at the male’s voice and gasped, struggling to right myself. Something other than pain jolted down my side as cool, blue eyes under a shock of dark hair met mine. My breath caught and I forced down a swallow. Cute—so cute. I couldn’t form anything coherent for a second, other than zombies didn’t talk.
“I—I’m fine.”
He quirked his head, scanning the length of my body. “I doubt that.”
Warmth rushed through me while under the gaze of this mysterious guy and my brain filed through all the faces of my potential mates online. His was one I’d definitely remember, especially with those eyes, and yet this was the first time I’d seen him. How did he escape my stalking? Was he on the unapproved list because of his blue eyes? From another province perhaps? One thing was for sure: he most definitely wasn’t a zombie.
“Here.” He reached for me and clasped my hand. His grip was strong and warm as he pulled me to my feet. But there was something between our palms, something flat, yet stiff with pointed edges.
He squeezed my hand hard and leveled me with a convicted look. I felt a rush of blood hit my cheeks when he held on a little too long.
“What is this?” I peered into his anxious eyes. Did he expect that I should know him? What was between our hands?
“Shhh—” he said, cautiously. “I just—need to tell you—”
He looked around nervously, then dropped my hand when the shouts of my teammates called from the ridge.
“Abby?” I heard Elle scream above the rest. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I called while my heart revved to a sprint. I fingered the thing he’d given me, trapping the evidence inside my palm, as my chest filled with terror. My mouth opened and shut, then I scanned the trees for hidden cameras. If I was caught with what I’d suspected he’d given me, we’d be arrested, no questions asked.
The strange, cute guy moved backward into the trees, blending in with his grey and black clothing. I wanted to ask him where he was going. The only thing echoing in my head was the Civilian Handbook.
Rule 6.1: Paper is illegal. To not make, manufacture, or use paper in any way. Report all violations of this law, or suffer a year in prison.
The sweat in my palm softened the pointed edges of the note. If I kept my hand closed, the EA wouldn’t see. But then how could I read what it said?
“Abby?” Elle screamed again. “Where are you?”
I moved away from the guy and back toward a trail leading up the side of the ravine to the field in a rush, panicked over the paper, panicked over everything.
“I’m coming.” I warred with a weird sense of being torn. My numb feet stumbled forward, knowing the correct response would be to run and report him. Another part of me wanted to help him. He wore vintage clothing from the pre-zombie era and black Converse shoes I’d kill for and had only seen in the museums. Where in the heck did he get his hands on paper? And why would he trust me with it? One quick glance at his wrist—no DOD watch. I wanted to ask him, but then I knew the EA was listening. Time ticked on slowly as we looked questioningly, into one another’s eyes.
When I looked up the trail once again, my teammates’ feet were rushing toward me, stirring up dirt everywhere. I turned back to the guy one last time, but the blue eyed stranger was gone.
His note, though, burned in my palm. And then, as the girls rushed down the trail toward me, terror flooded me. If I were caught, I’d be detained for who knows how long. I moved to the tall grass, stooped over to pick up my glove and stuffed the note under a shiny black rock, praying no one would notice.


CHAPTER TWO

Careful to remain under the cloak of darkness, I sucked in the precious air and pulled the black hoody tight around my face. Feeling naked without my Date of Death watch on, I quickly scanned the softball field for signs of life. If anyone caught me here, I’d have a lot of explaining to do. That was if the undead didn’t get me first. I shuddered and pushed away the thought.
I’m safe. There’s been no sightings in years, I reminded myself. Besides, I had to go. I had to know what the note said.
Sneaking along the edge of the field, I darted stealthily in the shadows, fighting the cold. The chilly February night was in direct opposition to the unseasonably warm day we’d had earlier, yet I couldn’t get Blue Eyes out of my mind—his clothes, his shoes, his eyes, his illegal paper. And no matter how hard I tried or as stupid as breaking curfew and sneaking out was, I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep until I knew what the note had said.
Across the street, Elle’s brother Landon’s bedroom light beamed from the swanky remodeled apartments, perks of being a top security monitor for the EA. Courage burned through my veins as something he’d said replayed in my mind. The reason the EA insisted on everyone wearing their watches at all times was because cameras had difficulty deciphering people’s faces in the dark. He’d know, with all the sneaking and breaking of rules that he did. I never broke the law, ever. One, for fear of getting caught, and two, for having the stress take years off my life.
There was something in the way Blue Eyes looked at me that I couldn’t shake. The huge risk he took to transfer this information to me, one the EA couldn’t intercept and why paper was illegal in the first place, drove me mad with curiosity. Giant computers in the EA shrines held all interactions between people, conversations recorded by DOD and messages off people’s flat screens, and only through a warrant were those private interactions allowed to become known. Of course Landon said that was bullshit, which is why I’d removed my watch before sneaking out.
My heart thumped as I looked over my shoulder toward the street. Landon’s apartment overlooked the field and if he spotted and reported me, or my mother found my unattended watch next to my flat screen, playing a recording of me sleeping in the background, I’d be dead. Though we lived in a crime-free society, she’d send everyone on a hunt to find me. I’d be arrested and forced to talk. Then they’d implant a DOD band on me—one I couldn’t take off, ever. I would be branded a criminal.
Bands of light from the security tower tried to penetrate the dense trees and the proof of what I’d destroyed with my fly ball came into view. Wow. I’d knocked the container off its hinges. But where was the gun? Had I knocked that off, too? And why hadn’t anyone come to repair it?
I stepped into the tree line, feeling a cold rush of bitter wind cycle through the grasses and around my ankles. Hugging my arms to myself, I traversed the path from earlier, my feet stumbling in the darkness. My mind began to wander. What if a zombie could sneak over the wall now that there wasn’t a functioning gun? Were they smart enough to climb? I inhaled, sniffing for rotted flesh, and trudged down the path quickly. The dank dust flooded into my nostrils as my heart raced harder. A rustle in the leaves made me freeze. With wide eyes, I choked down the bile and held my breath, anticipating a feral groan. The walking dead, according to the survival manual, only reacted when they saw living flesh or smelled blood, but you weren’t to tempt fate.
Rule 21.2: If you’re in need of help, press your emergency button and call for backup immediately, especially in an attack with the undead.
Of course, without my watch on, that wasn’t a possibility for me.
I waited, and after hearing nothing else, I continued down to the end of the trail. Zombies didn’t know to hide or be quiet, but I didn’t want to bring attention to myself with a flashlight. Barely able to see the path, let alone a miniscule slip of illegal paper, I knelt down with a wish and a prayer.
Brushing my hands through the grass, hoping spiders and bugs kept far away from me, I searched. My thigh throbbed in pain from the fall earlier, as I scoured helplessly for the rock. It had to be here.
Where is it?
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the gleam of black in the moonlight. I reached for it, counting my blessings, when something large scuttled through the brush behind me. I squeaked, snagged the rock and slip of paper, and straightened my legs. Holding my breath, I stared to the other side of the dry creek bed toward an illusive dark shape standing at the base of the giant stone wall. I cocked my arm back, ready to pelt whatever it was with the rock. A breeze blew in from the spot, bending back the grasses toward me, revealing it wasn’t a person, but a hole in the rock wall. Then a flash of white scooted past on the other side.
A grunt followed.
My heart leapt into my throat and I sprinted up the trail before I could think. The moan of what had to be a zombie filled my ears. Quelling a scream, I ran to the field, still staying out of the light. I cleared the fence and turned, my chest heaving. The nighttime noises took a backseat to the blood pulsing heavily in my ears. I scanned back and forth, but nothing came out of the trees. I waited to be sure as guilt snaked through me. The most responsible thing would be to report a sighting, but that would mean admitting I was breaking curfew. Maybe I’d just imagined what I’d heard.
Unsure what to do, I ran to the street to find an overhead light. I unfolded the damp note sticking to my palm.

Scrawled in charcoal, I read, “Don’t meet your future self tomorrow. Please.” 

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway