Winter Smith (Book 1): London's Burning (55 page)

              “This is William,” Winter said, catching Violet’s eye and grinning. “I met him on the way here. William, this is Violet and Zach.”

              William introduced himself to Violet and Zach by shaking their hands.

              “I guess you’re one of us now, William.” Violet grinned.

              “Maybe, yeah.”

              Winter looked at him. “Maybe?”

              “If you want me to be.”

              “Why not?” Winter shrugged. “You’re not that bad.”

              As they travelled over seas, Winter found time to write in the journal she had found. She remembered back to how it had all began and wrote everything she could remember. She thought of her parents. She wrote hopes of finding them alive in Paris, or at the very least finding out what had happened to them. She wrote the fear she felt, the excitement, the worry, and even the fun she had had.

              She made sure she remembered those she had lost. As she wrote their names, the memories she had with them, she allowed herself to shed tears.

              She hadn’t told Violet or Zach about what had happened with Cedric and Ruby, although now she hoped that they would leave her alone and that she would never have to see them again.

              Night had fallen and a heavy rain had begun to fall. They had been told to stay indoors, and when Winter had heard the doors leading to fresh air shut she felt suddenly trapped.

              Violet and Zach had fallen asleep, and William had gone back to his room. Winter was sat in a room opposite Violet’s alone when she heard someone walk in. She turned around to see Cedric stood in the doorway.

              He smiled at her, waving his hand slightly, before walking into the room and shutting the door behind him.

              “Why are you here?” She asked, shutting the journal and put it into her pocket.

              “Because I don’t like to be told no, Winter.”

              He advanced on her until he was inches away from her.

              “Move back,” Winter said.

              “You have one more chance, Winter.” She could feel his breath on her face. His hand was only inches away from her throat. “One more chance to join my side.”

              “I’ve told you already. I’m not doing it,” Winter said, her voice shaking.

              “Then I will make sure your new life in Paris is ruined, Winter. I will make sure you never forget who I am.”

              Cedric stepped away from her. The anger he was feeling seemed to flow around the room and sting Winter’s skin. He opened the door and saluted.

              “Nice meeting you.”

              Winter watched him go. She saw Ruby walk past, not bothering to even look at Winter.

              Winter was stunned. She felt intimidated and afraid. Everything she had looked forward to about a new life in Paris was gone. She now dreaded what would wait for her. She now dreaded what could be.

              Winter sat back down, opened the journal and stared at blank pages. Suddenly everything that she had longed for seemed daunting. The whole reality of what she was about to face sunk in.

              She would have to start a brand new life in a foreign country. That wasn’t done easily.

              Winter, listening to the rain pouring outside, lay down in her bed and willed sleep to wash over her. Staring up at the dark ceiling above, she realised just how hard these next few years were going to be.

              She shut her eyes, and thought of the new life she would have to achieve in Paris. The Dead Years had only just begun, and now the impacts of them were going to hit her and everyone else around her.

              This was just the beginning.

Acknowledgments

First of all, I have to say I can’t quite believe that I have a book in print. My own creation, my own characters, my own story is out there for people to read. From a very young age I was always writing and adapting stories, and at seventeen I had the idea to write the Winter Smith series. She began as a ‘superhuman’ before I realised that idea was not great. It’s been a long time spent working on this series, but suddenly one book is out there for the public to read. I couldn’t be happier.

I’d like to thank C. L. Raven, or Cat and Lynx, for being so patient with me. They’ve been happy enough to answer my questions about the publishing process, and they were my copy editors when I desperately needed someone else’s eyes to scour through my words.

I’d like to thank Kathryn Davies, for designing my cover. You really got what I wanted on the cover and if I even get one sale, you helped with that!

I would like to thank James. I started writing this story a long time before I met you, but you’ve been nothing but supportive of it. You haven’t laughed at the idea, you haven’t criticised my decisions, and you’ve been there for me. I know you’re expecting me to become a best seller now, but you might have to wait for that.

Lastly, I want to thank you, the reader. I wrote this story for myself, but with the reader in mind. The fact you have taken the time to read through this story of mine makes me incredibly happy.

Winter Smith is a series of books. The second book will be out soon.

About the Author

Look mum, I’m in print!

            J. S. Strange is an author from South Wales.  His full name is Jack Samuel Strange. He owns a video production company based in Wales called Brother Hipster Productions. From a young age, Jack was always writing.  He would write scripts and short stories based off existing stories. He got the idea for the Winter Smith novels when he was on a flight to California. He started writing the Winter Smith novels from the age of 17.  Jack is currently working on more novels, including the second instalment of the Winter Smith novels.