Dear Reader,
I’m excited to present an exclusive first look at the prologue of my upcoming novel, “The Summer of the Sentinels”! This sneak peek is a special preview of the next chapter in the adventures of Ava and her friends.
The Summer of the Sentinels – Prologue
The prologue is still in its draft form and has not been revised or copy-edited yet. I am eager to hear your feedback and thoughts on this early glimpse into the story.
The Book of Prophecy
Ava Mason had the dream about her childhood again. This time, the labyrinth of her dreams led her back to the well-trodden paths of her youth. The clarity of her recollections seemed to defy the haziness of dreams. In her slumber, she was whisked away to a time gone by, back to the seclusion of the quaint cabin nestled deep within the forest, cocooned by towering redwood trees. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Ava wandered these familiar paths in her dreams, each step taking her back to the carefree days of her childhood.
In the eye of this whirlwind of memories, her youthful companions—Nate, Willow, Kyle, and Brandon—came alive, their laughter echoing through the cabin as they moved their assorted toys—an array of miniature monsters, robots, and even a figure of a strange-looking girl with an accompanying tiny robot—as if they were the heroes and villains of an epic tale. Nate’s eyes lit up as he orchestrated a battle between robots, his movements quick and excited. Willow meticulously arranged her figurines in a defensive formation, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Amidst the symphony of youthful exuberance, Ava sat perched on a worn-out sofa, cradling an aged, red notebook in her hands. Its battered cover boasted the title ‘Book of Prophecy,’ etched in her young handwriting. This ledger of make-believe was their anchor to an imagined universe, their playing pieces breathing life into it with each move.
Their narrative, filled with intergalactic warriors and cosmic monsters, unfolded in spontaneous bursts. “And then the evil Xenoformers, cruel aliens from outer space, attack to conquer the world!” Brandon announced with theatrical flair, sending his monstrous toy crashing onto the table. Ava, dutifully playing the part of the scribe, diligently noted down the progression of their story in the prophecy book.
“But then, the Earth Defense Force and the Sentinels arrive!” Nate chimed in, his voice ringing out as he brought a toy figure of a giant robot into the mix. Ava swiftly noted this heroic intervention, her hand keeping pace with the frantic progression of their tale.
The ebb and flow of their narrative continued, with Willow adding, “But then, when everyone thinks that the world is at peace, the Xenoformers return and launch a surprise attack!” More monsters, courtesy of Willow, swarmed Nate’s robot. Ava’s pen flew across the page, diligently recording the sudden twist. She then paused, her gaze shifting to her friends, “What happens next?”
The room fell silent, each of them lost in thought. Then, their faces lit up in identical grins. “Then Ava, with the help of a time-traveling ally and her friendly robot, becomes the hero of humanity and saves the day, together with her friends,” they said in unison, their laughter filling the cabin. Ava found the absurdity of the scenario amusing, her laughter mingling with theirs.
With the laughter dying down, Nate shifted his gaze to Ava. His voice fell to a grave whisper, “After saving humanity, Ava is betrayed by a trusted friend and suffers a dark fate.” This revelation marked a drastic turn in their playful narrative. His words echoed in the room as the four children swarmed around Ava, their fingers dancing on her sides, causing her to dissolve into fits of laughter.
“Okay, okay—I give up, please!” Ava gasped between chuckles. “I can’t write this down if you tickle me.”
As her laughter subsided, Ava closed the book and regarded her friends with a gravely serious expression. “This is the Book of Prophecy—everything that is written in this book is going to come true.” Her friends nodded, their young faces wearing masks of earnest solemnity as they pressed their hands onto the book.
“You have to swear to protect the Book of Prophecy with your life and don’t let it fall into the hands of the enemy.” Ava’s gaze drifted towards their bookshelf, lingering over a collection of horror stories. “Else the evil Nyarlathotep will rise to power and destroy the world at the end of the millennium.”
The children looked at each other, their young faces wearing masks of earnest solemnity. “We swear, we’ll protect this book with our lives,” they vowed, the gravity of their promise hanging in the air.
As the late afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the cabin windows, Ava suggested, “Let’s go to the radio tower.” Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “We need to check if we got a response to our message.”
***
As they trekked through the woods, Ava’s thoughts drifted to the game they had played the night before. She had run a Dungeons & Dragons campaign all summer, weaving a tale of bravery and mystery that had kept her friends on the edge of their seats. The game had ended with a cryptic message from the oracle: “Seek the Dark Tower on the night of the Grand Cross.”
Nate seemed to be reading her mind. “Are we going to continue the Dungeons & Dragons campaign tonight?”
Ava nodded, her mind still buzzing with questions on how to tie everything together.
Kyle buzzed in. “Yeah, but we still haven’t figured out how to get into the Dark Tower. It’s supposed to be the final showdown.”
“The Dark Tower again?” Nate grumbled.
Willow, catching up, chimed in, “And what about the Grand Cross? I remember you mentioned it in the game. What’s the deal with that again?”
Kyle, always eager to share his astronomical knowledge, leaned forward. “You guys remember the Grand Cross I mentioned? It’s happening in August 1999, at the end of the millennium. The planets will align in a cross, and get this—each point matches the signs of the four beasts from the apocalypse. It’s like the stars are lining up for something epic.”
They had spent hours researching and dreaming up scenarios together, and their creativity had culminated in the creation of the “Oracle of Ava,” an elaborate prophecy that had found its way into their game and the Book of Prophecy.
The path led them to a clearing where the remnants of an old radio tower stood tall against the sky. It was their adventure playground, a place where they could dream without limits. The tower loomed above them, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch into another world. Although the radio tower had once been the epicenter of their imaginative escapades, its allure had begun to wane. Now, they talked about exploring the caves underneath Aurora Bay, a daunting prospect that both thrilled and terrified them.
As they gathered around the base of the tower, Ava pulled out a small, handheld radio they had repurposed for their experiments. They had been sending out signals to space all summer, hoping to contact alien life. Tonight, they were eagerly awaiting a response.
The radio crackled to life, emitting a series of beeps and static. On the screen, a single four-letter word appeared, flickering with a strange, otherworldly light. Her friends buzzed with excitement, their whispers filled with awe and wonder. They had really contacted alien life. Ava carefully noted the mysterious word in the book, their imaginations running wild with the possibilities of what it could mean.
As the stars began to emerge, twinkling in the dusky sky, her friends looked at Ava. The screen flickered, the word glowing eerily. Kyle’s voice trembled, “What if they’re like the Xenoformers…?”
A distant, unearthly sound echoed through the forest, low and guttural, like a beast’s growl or an ancient chant. The sound grew louder, sending shivers down their spines. Ava’s heart raced as she glanced at her friends, their faces pale and eyes wide with fear. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the shadows around them darkening as if in anticipation.
Ava’s heart raced, and then she awoke with a sudden shock.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. It means the world to me to have you on this journey. Enjoy the sneak peek, and as always, feel free to share your thoughts!