The Dead Room

by Stephanie Erickson

  Her other classes held better prospects. She was excited because the day brought discussions about Gulliver’s Travels in British Literature, and The Poisonwood Bible in Modern Fiction. Save for the groaning from Modern Poetry, she expected it to be a pretty good day.

  It happened in the middle of Modern Fiction. A student had asked what point Kingsolver was trying to make by sacrificing the family’s youngest child.

  “What could possibly be worth killing such an innocent character?” she asked.

  “Well, what do you think? Do you think the father is so taken by his ‘mission’ to ‘save’ the heathens in the Congo that his youngest is a fair sacrifice, as you put it? What’s one life if it saves a handful of others?” Molly had just said it to spur the discussion. She often made extreme statements in class just to stir the pot and get a good discussion going.

  She sat cross-legged on top of her desk looking at the rows of students as hands shot into the air. She smiled and surveyed their faces. Their expressions ranged from angry to mischievous. Molly picked one that seemed undecided. “Mia, what do you think?”

  Before she could answer, the lights went out.

  The Blackout is available on Amazon.com. Get your copy today!

  Acknowledgments

  Publishing a book is a labor of love. A lot like restoring a classic car. First, you need faith. Faith in yourself that you can complete the project, faith in your finished product, and, definitely, faith in God to bless you with the tools needed to do the job right. As always, I am in constant awe of the blessings I receive and I am eternally grateful.

  Next, you need a strong body, the support system of your car. It holds your car up, gives it shape, and protects it if it gets slammed up against a wall at sixty miles an hour. My support system is freaking amazing. My husband is a rock star, helping me any way he knows how, from scheduling blog tours to watching our daughter so I can write, to talking through plot problems and everything in between. Be jealous, ladies, because he is awesome. My parents are equally fantastic and supportive, providing constant cheerleading, and really, who doesn’t love that? Of course, my friends, Mary, Dannie, and Christian, are exceptional blessings. Most people don’t even have one good friend, and I have three people in my life who are endlessly encouraging, quick to damn my opposition, and come to my rescue before I even know I need it. I love you all.

  Then, your car needs an engine, the driving force behind your machine. My team is seriously four hundred horses of throw-you-back-in-your-seat awesome. My betas, including my favorite beta, Jamie, help me to identify the absolute worst plot holes in the world, so my editors can focus on other things. Angela and Cynthia seriously know how to make something good into Grade-A bestseller material. And Damonza, your designers are nothing but sheer brilliance.

  Finally, I need a driver. That’s you, dear reader. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for spending time out of your busy day with me. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Until next time!

  —S

  About the Author

  Stephanie Erickson is an English Literature graduate from Flagler College. She lives in Florida with her family. The Dead Room is her fourth novel.

  She loves to connect with readers! Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stephmerickson, Twitter @sm_erickson, or stop by her Web site at www.stephanieericksonbooks.com.

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