The City on the Sea (City on the Sea Series Book 1)

by Heather Carson

  “What is this?” I ask clasping the item tightly in my hand. I scurry away from him and sit closer to the wall.

  “Open it.” Calder brushes the dirt from his uniform as he stands.

  I unfold the material into a large square. On it is a drawing. A perfect replica of my father’s painting of the machine. There are no words, no labeled parts, but the machine in its completed form is there. My hands shake as I study it.

  “Why?” I whisper.

  “Because it wasn’t right.” He lowers himself down the cliff face.

  “Wait.” There are so many confused emotions and questions that I don’t know which one to grab. “How did you do this?”

  He closes his eyes. “I copied it, but don’t do anything stupid with it. Don’t tell anyone. Keep this for yourself. The machine is gone. Do you understand me?” I nod even though I don’t understand.

  “Wait,” I cry out again as he begins his descent down the cliff. “What is this material? Where did you get it from?”

  Calder hesitates as his mind races. The struggle is written on his face. In a single drop he’s lowered himself and I can’t see him anymore, but his words travel up to me on the wind.

  “It’s from where I live. They call it paper.”

  ‡ Epilogue ‡

  The roar of the tumultuous sea crashing into the rocks mixes with the howling of the wind. I allow myself to be consumed by the noise that matches the raging emotions inside of me.

  The paper in my hand flutters against the breeze and I grip it tightly. I’ve been staring at it for hours trying to make sense of it all. Calder is a liar. That much is certain. He did make this for me, and he didn’t have to. I wonder if it’s a trick, a test to see what I’ll do, but he said they weren’t watching me anymore. Then again, I’d only trust that guy as far as I could throw him.

  What I do know is that the watchmen aren’t who they say they are. There is no logic to what is happening in my world. It’s scary and confusing. There is no other way to articulate this hollow ache.

  If I let myself sit here long enough, maybe I’ll go numb. Then maybe I won’t have to think, but it’s not that easy anymore. There are too many questions and too few answers. I fold the paper and stick it in my pocket.

  Then I force myself to climb carefully down the cliff.

  *

  Dear Reader,

  I sure hope you liked this story. If you have the time, can you leave a review? I’d really appreciate it. Also- sorry about that cliff hanger! Don’t worry though, book two is waiting for you at the link below.

  If you want to read The Wall That Divides (City on the Sea Series #2) you can find it here:

  https://www.amazon.com/Wall-That-Divides-City-Book-ebook/dp/B08P285DKJ

  And if you want to know more about me and my other books feel free to come visit my website. You can sign up for my mailing list and download a free copy of Katrina’s Story, a short story prequel to the already published Project Dandelion Series.

  www.heatherkcarson.com

  Thanks for reading!

  Other works by Heather Carson:

  Project Dandelion (Series)

  Also available on Audible!

  Link to series page:

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082QQ42TP

  Sent to a fallout shelter to survive a nuclear catastrophe, a group of teenagers are the last hope for humanity. Can they survive living with each other first?

  A Haunting Dystopian Tale (Trilogy)

  Link to series page:

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087Q4XTQ3

  A Haunting Dystopian Tale takes readers on a harrowing journey through a post-apocalyptic world. Dark Fantasy meets Dystopian Fiction in this action packed, character driven series for Upper YA/NA readers.

  "If Caraval and Grimms Fairytales had a baby, it still wouldn't be as terrifyingly whimsical as this novel. This book grips you from page one, until the very last sentence... A hardheaded and strong female lead saves the world yet again. But from Heather Carson, do we expect any less? Five Stars, Hands Down." - Kimberly Mearns, owner Ink Spill Indie Bookshop