Veiled
Page 34
I tightened my hold on Alex’s hand. This made him turn his head toward me and for a moment I could swear that he had forgotten who I was. But then he smiled and said my name.
“Tess?” It was a question, like he just wanted to make sure he had gotten my name right.
“Alex, don’t you dare forget me!” I warned.
He smiled back at me. “Never,” he promised.
We kept moving in the direction that the Veil was taking us. We were silent in spite of the fact that I wanted to talk to him. I was finding it hard to think of things to say.
I decided that I would repeat his name in my head over and over again, but as I started this exercise, I could not think of what his name was. “Come on!” I told myself, “you just said his name, it was…”
I turned to look at him and he did the same.
“I keep trying to remember your name, but I can’t.” I told him.
“I’m…I’m...” He couldn’t finish, and a troubled look crossed his face. “What’s your name?” he asked me, giving up on his own.
“…” I couldn’t think of it either.
I looked down at our clasped hands and back up at his face. His face looked familiar, and the fact that we were holding hands had to mean something.
He looked down at our hands as well. He frowned, and then looked into my eyes. “Do I know you?”
“Yes…I think so.”
We stopped moving and were now in front of several openings that looked like tunnels. They were all around us and seemingly endless. There were others who, like us, were standing right in front of them. Some of them looked around, and some others jumped right in without any delay.
“I have to go,” he said and released my hand.
“No, don’t leave me!” There was an echo and my voice sounded odd, like it belonged to someone else.
He looked puzzled. “Why?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“I have to go. Goodbye.” He turned and faced the tunnel in front of him. He was about to jump in, when he suddenly turned and looked at me again. His faced looked confused, like he was trying to remember something elusive.
“Goodbye,” he said again, then turned back toward the tunnel and dove in.
“Goodbye,” I said, too late. He was gone, whoever he was. My heart ached the moment he disappeared. I felt hollow inside, as if part of me had just been ripped out. Then it dawned on me! I loved him. I didn’t know who he was, but I longed to be with him.
I looked down at the tunnel he had just disappeared into, but it felt wrong somehow, so I moved to a different one. I stopped in front of a tunnel that felt…right. I looked at it and wondered why this particular tunnel felt better.
“You must go now!” The order felt like it should be obeyed. I gave one last look at the particular place in which I was and, closing my eyes, I too dove in—and fell.
* * * * *
A Note of Thanks!
I finished this book with the help of many, many people. My family, to begin with—immediate and extended—they have watched, cooked, promoted, read, corrected, discussed, and supported me and this book project.
I also have several friends local, long distance, and online who I’ve never met personally, but who I love and appreciate dearly for their part in Veiled. To begin with, the owner of my publishing company, Linda Boulanger, for giving me a chance, finding my work intriguing, and being such a pleasure to work with. Also to Laura Miller (AKA: author Jaimey Grant) for making such a beautiful cover for me, and indulging me with my bright and not-so-bright ideas.
I also want to thank Naomi De La Torre—my BBF, proof reader and kid watcher, so I could write; who introduced me to Swati Bharteey-Buck, another author preparing to publish with TreasureLine Publishing who helped me gain audience.
Then there are the many people who read the manuscript in full or partially: My mom (the Professor), Jody Jarvis (the speedy proof reader and fellow TJEDer), the above mentioned super mom Naomi, my brothers, and sisters-in-law. My friends who helped with the many decisions that had to be made and who also read partials and listened to me rant and rave: Jen McGregor, Joy Winn, Allison, Bobby Jo and Linda Niccum, Alison Bair, Erin Cantwell, Rebecca Cuevas, Dina Ridenour, Jennifer Wood, Lexi Majoue, Holly Grover, Heather Hammond, Jennifer Forthman, Nicole Johnson, Lisa Turner and the many, many more friends that I’ve made along the way.
* * * * *
Sites to Visit:
Laura Miller (AKA: author Jaimey Grant) at
www.anauthorsart.com
Naomi De La Torre at
www.organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com
Swati Bharteey-Buck at
www.thesinglemotherchronicles.com
Allison at
www.momentsbyallison.com
* * * * *
About the Author
S.B. Niccum ~ Silvina was born and raised in Argentina and at the age of fourteen her family immigrated to the U.S. She later attended the University of Utah, where she studied Spanish Literature. She is currently living in Dallas, Texas with her husband and her three homeschooled children.
To learn more about the author, please visit her website:
www.sbniccum.com
and her blog:
www.spiritualsupernaturalparanormal.blogspot.com
* * * * *
Cover Design: Laura J. Miller
www.AnAuthorsArt.com
Page Layout: Ellen C. Maze
www.EllenCMaze.com
Published by: TreasureLine Publishing
www.TreasureLinePublishing.com
Also available in paperback: www.TreasureLineBooks.com
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43