by Ho, Jo
But although she had tried to enjoy herself, had tried to wipe that picture of him kissing someone else from her brain, there was no hiding that her heart was broken.
She didn’t want to be here.
What she needed was a good cry and to drown her sorrows in a tub of Ben & Jerry’s.
Pushing past the dancers, Becky reached the exit and turned around to wave goodbye to her friends. They shouted something at her, but Becky couldn’t make out what they were saying above the singing of Bruno Mars. Getting the gist of it though, she shrugged apologetically, mouthed “next time,” and made her way outside.
Becky shivered, unaccustomed to the sudden chill, as the fresh air hit her. They had been experiencing an unseasonably warm summer so the abrupt cold was a shock to the system. She clutched her cardigan closed over her chest, wishing she had worn her favorite one with the buttons. Shelby had insisted on this skimpier one. It came with a waterfall opening that didn’t hide her assets and that was a good thing, apparently.
Although no amount of cleavage had kept Mark faithful, Becky thought bitterly.
Picturing her warm bed, Becky hurried towards the dorm she called home. It was only a few blocks away and if she wasn’t wearing these stupidly high heels, she could probably get there in half the time. Unfortunately, everyone knew the price of beauty. The four-inch shoes gave her legs the illusion of length even if they pinched her toes and made balancing an Olympic art form.
Making her way across the square, Becky left the music behind and quickly found herself swallowed up by the silence. As she walked, she noticed that there was something different about the air tonight. She couldn’t put her finger on it. There was a heaviness to it that was almost palpable. She could feel it weighing down on her.
Or maybe that was just the sudden realization that she was single again.
She’d have to date again. She’d have to go through all the uncertainties that came with meeting someone new, but this time, it wouldn’t be as easy as finding him in the same class. Becky was already in her second year at college and she knew the talent — or lack of it — that existed there. The thought of having to be more social, of having to regularly hang out at places like Tonic filled her with dread. While some lived for going out, partying all the time just wasn’t for her.
Her ghostly reflection appeared on the glistening black glass as she approached the John Hancock Tower. She looked away when it creeped her out too much. Her friends always laughed at her for being so jumpy. Becky had grown up with a superstitious mother who always warned her it was best not to look at yourself on shiny surfaces at night, because you might not like what you find there.
It wasn’t like she was five or believed in monsters anymore.
Realizing how ridiculous she was being, Becky mentally shook herself. If she hurried up, she could still catch a few old reruns of Gilmore Girls before bed. That show was what she liked to describe as Hug TV. It was the kind of show that always made you feel better after you experienced it — just like a hug — and a hug was exactly what was required right now.
It was as she was clearing the building that Becky heard a footstep behind her.
She noted it in her mind but kept moving, expecting the person to keep their distance or to move away, respecting her personal space.
But more footsteps came… Closer this time.
Too close for comfort.
She stopped, spinning around to see who it might be. A gang of local kids had taken to water bombing passers-by lately. Becky was not going to be amused if this was them now, especially not in this cold. Scanning the area quickly, she could see no one. Still, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rising, one by one. She couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. Tentatively, Becky called out.
“Who’s there?”
There was no answer. No other sound.
Just the tap-tapping of her heels, picking up the pace.
Nervously, Becky fumbled for her bag, hoping to take her phone out. She wasn’t sure who she would call, she just knew she would feel better with it in her hand, but in her haste, the bag slipped from her shoulder dropping to the ground. Makeup, and her Tennerson keyring fell onto the sidewalk, sounding as loud as gunfire in the silent night. Having fallen from her bag, her phone lay on the ground a little distance away.
Even from a few feet away, she could see a large crack spider-webbing across the dark screen.
“No, no, no…”
Dropping down to the ground, Becky scrambled for her phone, punching the home button, hoping desperately for it to come on but it stayed stubbornly off. Her fingers reached round to press the two buttons that she knew would reset her phone when…
Something moved in the reflection of the glass building.
Startled, her head snapped up to look at it.
What she saw there filled her with such terror that she froze, unable to move…
This ends the preview of WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU. To continue reading click HERE.
Also by Jo Ho
SERIES
The Twisted Series (YA Urban Fantasy)
Perfect for fans of The Mortal Instruments, The Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars!
What Doesn’t Kill You (Book 1)
Beware The Signs (Book 2)
See No Evil (Book 3)
The Blood That Binds (Book 4)
When Trouble Comes (Book 5)
Plus lots more to come!
The Chase Ryder Series (YA Thriller)
Love Maximum Ride? Love dogs?
Then you’ll love this series!
Wanted, Book 1
Haunted, Book 2
Hunted, Book 3 - Coming 2018
STANDALONES
A new town, a new place, and a new mystery…
The Boy Next Door (YA Mystery)
For purchase links please visit Jo’s website
About the Author
A proud geek and video gamer, and champion of complex female protagonists, Jo brings her page-turning screenwriting style to books to weave well-crafted, suspenseful stories with twists you don't see coming.
A self-taught screenwriter, Jo’s writing life began when she created the ground-breaking, critically acclaimed CBBC action fantasy television series, "Spirit Warriors," which introduced leading actress, Jessica Henwick ("Game of Thrones," "Star Wars: The Force Awakes") to the screen. Granted the biggest budget ever given to a CBBC show at the time, it was nominated for "Best Children’s Program" at the 2011 Broadcast Awards, with Jo herself, going on to win the Women in Film & Television’s "New Talent" Award in 2010. Jo even made history for being the first Asian person — man or woman — to create a British television drama series.
Since then, Jo has worked with some of the most acclaimed producers in the world with several television shows and movies currently in development. It is her dream to bring her Twisted series to screen and she believes she can make it happen with her readers' help!
Jo lives in London and hopes one day to travel across America in a super kitted out, Zombie-apocalypse-ready RV, with her lovely fella, Matt, and three equally lovely kitties.
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For a complete list of Jo’s books, visit her website.