Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery Read online

  Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery

  Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery

  Midpoint

  The Thaneaddus Chronicles

  Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery

  by

  Jennifer Hampton

  SMASHWORDS EDITION

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  PUBLISHED BY:

  Jennifer Hampton on Smashwords

  Beautiful Sins

  Copyright © 2008 by Jennifer Hampton

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Smashwords Edition License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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  PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING TO THE STORY

  I want to start off by thanking you for purchasing my short story. Due to my current economic standing, I am unable to pay for an editor as of right now. As much as I hate to admit this, I have been spending more money paying for an attractive book cover when I should have been putting it into the content of my work. Because of this, I am now forced to do my own editing and formatting. I know that I am not the best writer, and many of my pieces could use some good polishing from a good editor that knows and loves what they are doing. I would like to apologize to every one of my readers for this inconvenienced that I have caused you. Thus said, I have made certain that all of my pieces will be priced at its lowest value: $0.99. I also want to let you know that every profit earned will go into improving any future work that I decide to publish.

  If you have any questions or concerns, or you would like to send me personal information on how I can improve my writing skills, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or [email protected]. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my story.

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  News Report!

  2026, we are at war now. A war, far more devastating than any historical battle we've ever come across. It's so intense we've lost half of our country. The Western Coastline has fallen under complete cloud of darkness. The sun hasn't been seen in over ten years.

  America has slipped into another depression. Crime rate among the western coast is on the rise, and people are losing and fleeing their homes. A King, his whereabouts unknown, steps onto our lands and changes everything. Taking harbor on the outer Island of Akutan, he and his people have reshaped the Western Coast, better known as The Dark Coast.

  Thank God for King Royce, he has assisted us in our battle against Russia, pulled us from our recession, and saved our Western Coastline.

  However, everything comes with a price. King Royce wants to claim the Dark Coast for himself in return for his assistance with the war. He has signed a treaty with Russia that the Western lands of the United States will remain untouched during the war. Meanwhile, the Eastern States suffer a great deal. We are under constant attack by Russian terrorists. Waking up each day to dark clouds of smoke, I begin to wonder if complete darkness isn't just the Dark Coast.

  The President is scheduled to sign a treaty within a few months that would put an end to the war with Russia. In return, he must turn over the Dark Coast to King Royce. What does that mean for America? Will we still be that thriving free country when we lose half our land? Better half our land than all of it, I suppose.

  However, Royce's lands are in danger as well. The crime rate has dropped, but it still remains. Wild untamed animals rule the forests, putting the Coasts citizens in danger and many Urban Legends about the Coast are soaring around the Eastern States. We are welcome to take refuge there but, at what price? Will we have to give up our souls for a little serenity?

  Just as God teaches us, everything has a price. What are you willing to pay?

  * * * * *

  The Only Home I Know

  I couldn’t believe it! This was absurd; the most ridiculous idea I had ever heard. My feet began to ache as I stood still on the hard marble floor of the kitchen, jaw locked. My mother was going to marry a man she met off the Internet. THE INTERNET! This was insane. She had known him all of what… six months? She was selfish, inconsiderate, and overly immature.

  "Leigha, honey, this is going to be a fresh start for us. A new beginning," my mother said softly. I rolled my shiny, light-brown eyes. I was only sixteen! Did she have any idea how difficult it was going to be for me to start over in high school? I had established myself here. I was the junior editor of the school paper, and the first underage writer to have my own column in the Detroit Free Press. I had friends, fame, and popularity. Detroit was the only home I knew, and she was pulling me from it. I sighed.

  My mother shifted in her seat at our small, round kitchen table. I scowled when her fiancé casually wrapped his arm around her shoulder and scooted closer to her. Who the hell was this guy anyway? He showed up from the Dark Coast (of all places), spent three days with my mother, and now they were getting married? Huh? I couldn’t even fathom my confusion at this point. I didn't even know she was dating this guy!

  "Leigha, sweetheart…" Don't even think about calling me sweetheart, jerk! "Can't you just be happy for your mother?" Randy asked. I rolled my eyes again. Great, just great! He was going to use my mother's loneliness against me. Why couldn't she just date someone from the States? Hadn't the news told her anything about the Coast, and the citizens there?

  "You both can go, but I'm not going!" I retorted angrily. My mother sighed and looked away. It was just sunrise, and I only had an hour before I had to head off to school.

  "I know what you've heard about the Coast, Leigha. but it's not as bad as you think. You're actually putting yourself in more danger by choosing to stay here in Michigan. You know a war is coming?" Randy reminded me. And war was coming. King Royce and the President of the United States had declared war against each other months ago. Not to mention, we were still at war with Russia. I groaned and stomped away to my room in defeat. I was leaving the only home I knew, and there was nothing I could do about it.

  My heart began to race as the city's emergency alarm went off. This time, I knew it wasn't a test. I hurried out of my bedroom and joined my Mother and Randy outside on the porch. All it took was a quick glance at the sky. A huge blanket of black smoke had begun to consume the clouds. Ashes fell from the sky and covered the grass like snowflakes. Randy placed his cool, pale hands over my shoulders. I flinched at the strange temperature.

  "Come inside, Leigha. The air is not breathable. You'll be safer inside until the smoke and debris subside," Randy urged smoothly. I could feel his cool breath on my cheek as he moved past me, and I felt immediately soothed by it.

  We spent the day inside; it was too dangerous to go out. War wasn't coming; it had
already arrived. Why was I getting the feeling that this was not a war that America could win? I stared curiously at Randy as he held my mother on the sofa. There was something different about him, unnatural almost. Randy was a surgeon for Portland Hospital, in what used to be Oregon, and he held close ties to the court of King Royce. His blue eyes were too bright, and his skin was too pale. But he was ineradicably handsome. Even in public, he constantly had women’s heads turning in his direction. I was glad that my mother had good taste in men. He should have been a blonde, but his hair was naturally auburn like my own, and he kept it short and spiky. Randy didn't look thirty-eight, he looked more like he was twenty-five. Cosmetic surgery, I wondered. Randy met my gaze and smiled. My small lips turned up into a pout, but quickly formed into a look of horror when a loud explosion rocked our small house. My mother screamed in horror. "When can we get out of here!" she yelled. Randy held her tightly, whispering calming words into her ear. I just stared at him.

  "We can leave as soon as the danger lets up. I'll call my jet and tell them to prep for our departure," Randy assured us as he pulled out his Blackberry. So he had money, big deal. We were moving to hell.

  I decided to go to my room to write my last article. The Free Press had offered to let me continue my column long distance, but I declined. How could I talk about Detroit, when I was no longer a Detroiter? I opened my laptop and stared at the big white screen as the cursor blinked. I thought about what my friend Amy had said to me when I had told her we were leaving. We had been walking slowly down the green halls of Cody High. She just stared at me when I told her where I was moving to.

  "The Coast? You can't be serious. It's like going to Iraq and joining their military. High Treason!" she roared. And it was. Once we left here, we would never be able to come back.

  Amy pulled her long curly hair into a tight ponytail, letting a few loose strands fall down her slender brown neck. She was my best friend, the only one that truly understood me. We were both bi-racial. She was African American and Indian, while I was African American and Caucasian. Trying to grow up in a predominantly black society wasn't easy when you were a half-breed. She glared at me with her chocolate brown eyes, and I felt guilty. But I couldn't just let my mother go off to the Dark Coast all alone. "Leigha, I know you love your mother, but just think about what you’re doing. Are you really willing to sacrifice everything just to follow your mother's dream? What about your life? What about your dreams?"

  Her questions put me into deep thought. If I stayed, maybe, just maybe, all my dreams would come true. However, if I stayed, I could possibly end up dead. Amy could, too. The Dark Coast had more allies than America. In reality, it was practically a death wish to stay here. We were going to lose the war, and American vanity was bound to be our downfall. However, we were courageous, and we would always be remembered should we fall.

  "My life is with Patricia, Amy. You know that."

  Amy shook her head in disagreement, "It shouldn't be. You have your own life, your own destiny."

  "Yes, but she's my mother,” I countered. “I'm not going to just let her leave. I might never see her again. My destiny is with her for now. I'll find my way."

  I let my head hit the pillow as I fell back on my bed. Those were our last words before I walked away from her. She hadn't called; I hadn't called. We weren't speaking. To Amy, I was a traitor. But I would be anything for my mother. She was my life, giving up her own dreams to make sure I followed my own. Randy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wasn't going to let her pass him up, not for me. No matter how much I hated it. A light tapping on my bedroom door broke my reverie.

  "Leigha, do you think I could come in?" Randy asked.

  "Su-Sure," I said, pulling myself up into a sitting position. Randy entered, pulled out the small computer chair, and sat in front of me. He stared down at his long, pale hands as he spoke.

  "I spoke with my pilots. The attack is clearing up, and we'll be able to leave by tomorrow night. I wanted to know if there was anyone you wanted to say goodbye to before we left." God, I had a newfound hatred for this man! Could he be any more annoying? Randy sighed.

  "Leigha, I know this is a difficult transition for you, but I promise I will do everything I can to make sure that you are comfortable. The Dark Coast isn't what you think it is. It truly is a good land."

  "Yeah, a land full of legendary monsters and mythical creatures." I muttered sarcastically. He flinched at my rude comment. What was that all about?

  All I really knew about the Dark Coast was the horrible stuff I learned from regular news footage of mysterious unsolved murders and “large animals”. I also knew that the crime rate there was ridiculous right after the storm. I'll admit it though, things have calmed down quite a bit since King Royce arrived and claimed the lands. I suppose you could say the King brought some kind of balance to the Dark Coast.

  Whatever my feelings about the Coast, I would have to remain polite. I had never had a father, and the idea of it did sound nice. Even if I couldn't stand him. I took a deep breath before I spoke.

  "Randy, I'm not going to lie to you. This is the only home I know, and the thought of leaving it behind is incomprehensible to me. But I am willing to put my problems aside for my mother. She deserves to be happy."

  Randy smiled, "You are so selfless, Leigha. It's a good attribute to have. Hold on to it."

  I rolled my eyes.

  "I'll leave you alone now. Think about what I said. I'm going to go check on your mother." With that, he left the room.

  I got up from my bed and pushed my small black chair back towards my computer. As I turned on the monitor, I scowled at the pile of pre-written articles for my column. I wondered who my editor would replace me with. The very thought made me furiously angry, and I scattered the papers onto the floor. That’s it when I saw it.

  The Chronicles. God, it had been so long since I had read it. I paused and stared at the thick, encyclopedia-like fictional journal. I thought about how The Chronicles had changed my life—inspired me to become an established writer. The feeling of escaping to a new world—a world of your own fantasies. King Thaneaddus, the first evil that shaped and molded the world into what it is today. And how without evil, the world could not exist. Thaneaddus was the balance. I picked up the thick book and sat it in front of my desktop, thumbing through it.

  I paused at the middle of the book. The love story, how Thaneaddus chose his beloved Eden over the Heavens. A love that powerful simply doesn't exist. I slammed the book shut and tossed it to the floor. It was absurd to even consider believing such fictitious urban legends. It was like believing that Santa Claus existed, or the Easter Bunny. A low chuckle erupted from my chest as I chided myself for my child-like attraction to the story.

  As I began to type my final article, I couldn't quite figure out why the Chronicles remained in my thoughts. I looked up at the screen glaring at the small paragraph I had written.

  * * * * *

  Goodbyes

  Today had to be the most difficult day of my life. I stood on the front porch, taking my final look of the only home I knew, saying “goodbye. Perhaps the terrorist attack had cleared out; however, military tanks and trucks still patrolled the streets. It's 2026 and perhaps the worst war in human history. America was running out of willing soldiers, and teenagers were being pulled out of their homes to serve their country.

  My mother sat peacefully in Randy's black SUV, while Randy loaded the trunk with our luggage. We were only allowed to take what we could carry. I would be leaving my life behind in this house. A part of me would have to be left behind as well. As much as I hated Randy for that, I loved and respected him in another way. The way he looked at my mother… It reminded me of The Chronicles, the way Thaneaddus adored and cherished his beloved Eden. I envied the love my mother received from Randy. It was a passionate love, an unconditional love. You just don't see that these days, not even in the movies.

  "Leigha my dear, it's time," Randy called, pulling me from m
y reverie. I took one final look into the sky. The clouds were still thick from the fire, and the scent of the air burned my nose. All I could smell these days was smoke and blood. I walked slowly down the steps, taking my time as I walked to the SUV. Randy opened the passenger door for me and assisted me inside before getting in and taking off.

  "Where to?" Randy asked as we turned onto Plymouth Road. My mother glared at me through the rearview mirror. She didn't want this, but we needed this. It was the mature thing to do. We had to say our goodbyes.

  "To Southfield. I need to say goodbye to my Grandpa." I chided myself internally for saying that. But I knew I would never be able to get on the plane unless I did this. I was brave; I could handle this. My mother groaned and relaxed back into her seat. Randy reached over and brushed his fingers along her pale rosy cheek. She took his hand in hers and lifted it to plant gentle kisses on the back of his hand.

  Their love was worth the trip. I constantly chanted that to myself internally. Their love was worth it.

  With Randy's speedy driving, we were in the City of Southfield within fifteen minutes. Randy pulled into the driveway and put the SUV in park.

  "I won't be long," I said. Randy hopped out of the driver's seat and helped me out of the car.

  "We'll be right here. Say goodbye for your mother, okay?" I nodded, trying to fight the tears that I was saving for Granddad. Randy placed his cool hands over my shoulders. I looked up into his bright blue eyes.