Unhinged: 2 (46 page)

It hurts my heart to see Dad’s expression as he directs the nurse to leave. He’s afraid to be alone with me. I don’t blame him. But I shove my human empathy aside. He’s going to have to be strong for the journey ahead. If he wants to rescue Mom, his own sanity will be put to the test.

It’s okay, because I have faith in his strength.

He’s the key to all of this, and to make him fit the lock, I will be cutthroat and cunning enough for the both of us.

Left eyelid twitching, Dad looks at me. “Okay, Allie. We’re alone.”

I turn my lips into a savagely sweet smile. “Before we talk about prom night, take a bite of your food. It’s tasty.”

Narrowing his eyes, he draws a fork out of his teacup, dripping with meat, mushroom, and sauce, then shoves it in his mouth.

I prop an elbow on the table and my chin on my hand. “While you’re busy eating, may I ask you a question?” My voice sounds stilted and deranged, even to my own ears. All the better to unbalance him.

He shakes his head, swallowing. “Allie, stop playing games. We’re losing time here.”

I pout. “If you won’t play with me, I’m sure my other guests will.”
I lean forward and whisper to the flowers on the table, watching him from the corner of my eye.

He makes a choking sound, almost turning green. “Fine. What do you want to know?”

“I was just curious.” I grip the glowing mushrooms wrapped in Kleenex in my apron pocket. He doesn’t realize I laced both of our Salisbury steaks with the smoothest half of one, that within moments we’ll be the size of beetles, riding upon the backs of butterflies. “How do you feel about trains?”

I’m humbled to be acknowledging the contributors to a second novel.

First and foremost, thank you so much to every
Splintered
fan out there! Because of your enthusiasm and passion for the story and characters, I was given the green light to make it a trilogy. You’re the best!

Next, my most heartfelt gratitude goes to my husband, daughter, and son, and other family members—whether related by blood or through marriage—you’re each and every one an integral part of my writing dream. You’ve encouraged me at the low points and cheered me at the highs. And I know that no matter where this dream may lead in the future, you will continue to support me. You are a blessing and a treasure. Be assured that I’ll never take you or your sacrifices for granted.

Grateful hugs to all the usual suspects: My #goatposse, my WrAHM sisters, and of course my critique partners: Jennifer Archer, Linda Castillo, April Redmon, Marcy McKay, Jessica Nelson, and Bethany Crandell. Without your writerly wisdom, online support, and faith in my work, none of this would be possible.

Thank you to my
Unhinged
beta readers: Ashlee Supinger, Kerri Maniscalco, and Kalen O'Donnell. Your input and excitement over the manuscript were priceless. You are amazing writers, and it will be an honor to share the shelves with you one day soon!

Sincere respect and gratitude to my fearless and tireless agent, Jenny Bent; to my insightful editor, Maggie Lehrman; and to my savvy publicists, Laura Mihalick and Tina Mories. Thank you also to Jason Wells for knowing all the best places to eat while on tour, and to Maria Middleton and Nathália Suellen for being the most imaginative and artful book design team.

Thank you to my GoodReads’
Splintered
Fan Page moderators: Nikki Wang, Soumi Roy, Hannah Taylor, and Nobonita Chowdhury. You’ve made my debut year a delight! Not a week went by when you didn’t make me smile. And hugs to all of the Fan Page followers. Hanging out with you is one of my favorite pastimes!

Also, special thanks to Gabrielle Carolina for her outstanding work on my virtual book tours, to Stephanie Foster for inspiring Alyssa’s ankle tattoo in
Unhinged
, and to Lewis Carroll for writing the incredible novels that light my muse on fire.

A blanket thank-you to my Twitter and Facebook followers, book bloggers, and fellow authors/writers, and to my friends—online or otherwise. Being a writer can be a solitary endeavor. Having you reminds me that I’ll never be alone.

A. G. Howard wrote
Splintered
while working at a school library. She always wondered what would’ve happened if Alice had grown up and the subtle creepiness of
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
had taken center stage in her story, and she hopes her darker and funkier tribute to Carroll will inspire readers to seek out the stories that won her heart as a child. She lives in Amarillo, Texas.

This book was designed by Maria T. Middleton.

Its production was overseen by Alison Gervais.

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