Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve DRAFT ByAnni ZFebruary 18, 2025 A low hum of activity filled the desert air as the first guests arrived, stepping off electric carts that buzzed softly as they pulled up to the covered walkway. The carts performed neat U-turns after dropping off their passengers, disappearing back toward the road to retrieve the next […]
Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven DRAFT ByAnni ZFebruary 17, 2025 The next morning, Mitch and KC arrived at the dealership before Aliki was fully awake. The air still carried the crispness of early morning, and a faint hum of activity from the spaceport barely reached the lot. Aliki stood near the entrance, arms crossed, watching the caterers unload […]
Chapter 10

Chapter Ten DRAFT ByAnni ZJanuary 7, 2025 Aliki’s jaw dropped. Mitch looked down at the floor, clearly attempting to repress a smile. Emmett did his usual Emmett thing, responding with a deadpan seriousness that somehow underscored the absurdity of KC’s comment. “Aye, an’ if he doesn’t disappoint, she can sculpt the marzipan into a trophy. […]
Chapter 9

Chapter Nine DRAFT ByAnni ZDecember 30, 2024 K.C. Aliki felt the floor tilt beneath her. This can’t be happening. “Tira, you can’t just leave. There are… arrangements, and the investigation—” “The investigation is over if you’re the one they want,” Tira cut her off smoothly. “And frankly, your little legal drama doesn’t concern me. What […]
Chapter 8

Chapter Eight DRAFT ByAnni ZDecember 30, 2024 Aliki shifted on the sofa, the familiar creak of the old springs breaking the morning silence. The thermal throw she’d pulled from the closet last night had done little to soften the discomfort of the couch, but it had been better than nothing. Her stomach wasn’t complaining this […]
Chapter 7

Chapter Seven DRAFT ByAnni ZDecember 16, 2024 Aliki woke with a crick in her neck and a sour mood, both courtesy of the apartment’s ancient sofa. She’d given her bedroom to Salyne because it had a door that locked from the inside—the only door in the apartment that could physically keep Tira and Salyne apart. […]
Chapter 6

Chapter Six DRAFT ByAnni ZDecember 10, 2024 The breakroom was still, the faint hum of the Nebulaflow the only sound as Aliki stood at the counter with her coffee. The earthy aroma mingled with the lingering residue of smoke from the fire, curling around her thoughts. She stared into her cup, letting the warmth seep […]
Chapter 5

Chapter Five DRAFT ByAnni ZNovember 26, 2024 The small office fridge clicked shut as Aliki pressed it closed, eyeing the two bars left on her desk. They were flattened and warped, casualties of the heat, and wouldn’t fit in the crammed fridge anyway. Her stomach growled. She tore open one of the wrappers, releasing the […]
Chapter 4

Chapter Four DRAFT ByAnni ZNovember 23, 2024 Aliki walked out of the storage room clutching the intact box of chocolate bars she’d grabbed from the table, leaving the crushed, sodden box on the floor next to Emmett. He could deal with that sticky disaster. After all, it wasn’t her fault the cooling system had failed—or […]
Chapter 1

Aliki prepares for the arrival of her new boss, unaware that he’ll soon be “recently departed”.