Veil Haven

Book 1: Veil Haven

by Anne Kelley

Genres: Superheroes; YA Paranormal

Synopsis

In a town where cryptids roam the streets, ancient gods hover just out of sight, and everyone has powers, seventeen-year-old Ash has the ability to see everything happening in the present. When she isn’t hanging out with her friends or attending football games, she’s helping protect Veil Haven with her omniscience.

Until her powers fail and her best friend dies.

When everyone she trusts lies to her about the tragedy, Ash begins pulling the threads that hold Veil Haven together in hopes of discovering the truth. But in a place where knowledge is more dangerous than the cryptids stalking her, will the secrets Ash unearths be enough to save her friends?


The first book in the series, Veil Haven is a thrilling mystery of the paranormal urban fantasy genre, intended for young adult readers. With horror elements, monsters, ghosts, drama, and comedy, you'll be delighted by the twists you can't see coming in this harrowing adventure. Veil Haven has a diverse cast and LGBTQ+ characters. The Appalachian Mountains are the inspiration for the setting of Veil Haven.

Ash was raised by oppressive government leaders in a small town surrounded by the Void where nothing changes. In this close-knit community, Ash is an outsider because of her ties with The Watchers, the secret military organization that controls their town from the shadows. Ash's omniscient superpower allows her to act like the narrator of her home, witnessing events all over town simultaneously. When a new family moves to town, Ash is shocked, not only because the government never allows anything to change but also because she didn't witness the event—something that shouldn't be possible because of her power.

Befriending the new kid is simple enough, but Ash can't ignore the gut feeling that something is wrong about his family. Then, everything changes when her best friend is found dead without her witnessing what happened. Sent spiraling to a place between grief and rage, Ash decides to team up with her found family in order to learn what really happened to their friend.

Meanwhile, the ancient god of the woods is calling out to Ash. The cryptid god, known as the Forest Eye, helped Ash control her ability when she was young, but after a terrible fight, Ash left the woods and vowed never to speak to the deity again. Until the Forest Eye starts teasing information about her friend's death and the arrival of the new family.
Even though Ash was told she can see everything, it seems as though everyone else suddenly knows more than her, and it's driving her to the edge.

Between cryptids, ghosts, cults, and mysteries, Ash and her friends uncover dangerous truths about their now-changing town. But do the ends justify the means? Will Ash be able to stomach the consequences of her actions? And will she be able to save her friends and her town before it's too late?

Ash is more than just a teenager or a kid, despite what her parental figures tell her. She was raised to protect her small mountain town, her superpower makes her act as the narrator, but between panic attacks, migraines, and her unspoken ADHD, our female protagonist has met her match with this harrowing adventure and daring paranormal mystery.

 

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Release date: October 31, 2023

Publisher: Predestination Publishing

Print pages: 398

Sample

CHAPTER 1

The Abandoned Carnival

 

My mind’s eye moves through Veil Haven like a storm-burdened breeze. Someone is trying to outrun a Mothman. Someone is baking sugar cookies. Someone is hoping the thing they buried stays dead. Someone is cuddling their cat. Someone is fishing along the Black River.

As the sunset glows through the mountains while I drive, I sing out of tune to no one while the October air flirts with my short hair. Speeding down this backroad to pick up Josie, I pass a Not-Deer crossing sign without a second thought. I’m hardly caught off guard when that very cryptid saunters onto the road.

My tires wail as I swerve across the yellow line to avoid it.

At a glance, the creature could be an injured buck, but the best indicator of Not-Deer, since they take many forms, is that they look like deer but wrong.

This buck drags its feet as it hobbles on one side, and its neck is curved at an uncomfortable angle. But as I readjust in my lane and drive on, the Not-Deer’s body shapeshifts in the reflection of my mirrors.

The deer’s neck extends further and further, its antlers grow in jagged shapes, and its unhinged jaw reveals a mouth full of jagged teeth. It chases after me with a horrifying speed despite its broken legs, and… oh, it’s grown a few more legs now. Nice.

But as I speed around another bend, it realizes I’m not worth the trouble.

“Stupid cryptid.” I laugh.

It’s much easier to ignore the dangers of our world than worry about them nonstop. Otherwise, you’d never leave the house. Or your bed. I mean, there’s always something watching you. Even if it’s just me.

Someone laughs with their friend. Someone cuts lemons for a garland. Someone is being followed. Someone is foraging for mushrooms. Someone is putting up their Halloween decorations.

My entire life revolves around the present, which is an anomaly in Veil Haven. They call me omniscient, but that’s not really how it works. Sure, it might take another breath to say, “That’s the girl who can see everything happening in the present,” but at least it’s not some weird fear-mongering propaganda.

People act like I’m all-knowing, but I can’t see the future, and I definitely can’t see the past. I can’t even remember what I had for dinner two nights ago. How am I supposed to remember what thousands of people did three hours ago?

My ability has been described in hundreds of ways. It’s like a fog that permeates everything, or a million invisible eyes all over town, or maybe I can only see through the eyes of other people—which isn’t true—or that I’m astral projecting, or, well, the examples go on and on.

I think my favorite explanation is that I’m simply a narrator. I’m the person who’s aware of everything happening. Everyone is the main character of their own story, and I’m just in the background doing my own thing. Because I am.

I couldn’t care less about someone’s infidelity, the drama between friends, or the politics of the sewer rats. But that’s what makes me so useful to The Watchers.

 That’s why the director chose to “adopt” and raise me after my parents were killed when I was a baby. And why he allowed Chief to aid in my development, too.

Director Capaldi gave me a house to grow up in, a car when I turned sixteen, and a salary to pay for everything else. He let me be an extra eye for The Watchers so I could help keep Veil Haven safe from those who would do it harm.

But even though everyone has teachers and training facilities to help them control their more common abilities, I’m the first “omniscient” person in Veil Haven’s history. It’s a learning curve for all of us.

I brush the black hair out of my blank white eyes as my car shrugs up Josie’s steep gravel driveway. Living in the mountains isn’t for everyone, but when the woods become this gold and scarlet tapestry, it makes the added dangers worth it.

Josie’s modest ranch house hides snuggly in the shadow of the mountain as its tiny warm windows hint at the family cramped inside. Her mama is waving at me from the kitchen as she clears the table from dinner. I wave back with an extra wide smile. This is a woman whose bleeding heart has made me feel like a relative of her family since I became friends with Josie.

The screen door squeals open and slaps shut as Josie hurries out with her signature yellow flannel and muddy camo boots. Her vibrant hazel eyes and bright smile can make anyone overlook her chipped front tooth.

As she literally bounces into my car, she strangles me with a hug. “I can’t believe the abandoned carnival is back!” Her mountain drawl contrasts to my lack of one. “And you’re sure all the noise won’t be too much for you?”

I laugh. “Yeah, if I can handle football every Friday, I can handle the best fall activity. Besides, the carnival music is playing nonstop in my head, so it’s about time we get to go.” I lean against her shoulder for a moment. “But thank you for thinking of that like always.”

“What else are friends for, girlie?” Josie hums, hugging me again.

I’m grateful my inner circle understands how my ability works, but I wish everyone else did too. Maybe then people wouldn’t dislike me so much.

Nobody likes somebody witnessing all their private moments and secrets. But most of the time, I’m overwhelmed by the noise of it all, so I push the world to the periphery of my mind.

If you saw thousands of moments overlapping in your head nonstop, you’d want to put it somewhere else too.

I back out of Josie’s driveway and begin our descent back to civilization to pick up Lydia. In the meantime, I listen to Josie recount her latest training session and all the past memories her teacher had her dig up in hopes of honing her already impressive skills.

When we pull up to Lydia’s mansion in the richest neighborhood in Veil Haven, she quickly slides into my car. Her orange and jasmine perfume fills the backseat as she greets us, flipping her freshly straightened hair over her pink puffer jacket.

“Thanks for picking me up. Yes, I’m still on car probation.”

“I told you textin’ and drivin’ was a bad habit,” Josie teases. “But I am glad the only thing hurt was your car.”

“Expensive car,” I add, shifting into reverse.

Lydia rolls her eyes. “I’ve been working at the Foodie Mart since the spring! You’d think my punishment would be over.”

“At least the store likes you.”

“So true, Ash.” She crosses her arms. “It’s such a relief the sentient building that eats people appreciates my presence.”

I grin. “It has good taste.”

Josie squints at Lydia, trying not to laugh. “Did you go to the tannin’ salon again?”

“You’re officially darker than I am.” I cackle.

Lydia laughs dryly and pushes both our shoulders. “Someone has to keep the color in our lives.”

As we cut through downtown, we pass the town hall where I regularly visit our mayor

whenever The Watchers need me to speak to their representative. The only people who work directly with The Watchers are Winona, our mayor, and Police Chief Mun.

I used to, but we had this big fight a few years back and I haven’t spoken to Director Capaldi since. He was always kind of distant when he helped raise me, but now he’s really stepped into the absentee father role—adoptive or not.

The giant white building sticks out like a sore thumb as it towers above the humble brick buildings of downtown. The giant circular window overlooking Main Street like an ever-watching eye is the finishing touch of the most ridiculous and pointless building in Veil Haven.

We cross the Black River and drive deeper into West Veil Haven as the road turns slowly to gravel and then grass as it leads to the tree line.

The abandoned carnival hums to life for an unknown amount of time every fall. Despite the generous warnings to never go near the woods, everyone decides the carnival gets a pass. So long as you don’t go off the grounds.

Nobody knows when the carnival started or how it operates. We are raised not to ask questions, after all. There are no attendants, no guards, no guides—only partially rusted antique rides overgrown with vines and muted tarps speckled with holes.

We park on the grassy lot and slide out of the car just as the commercials start playing over the radio. At the Shady Pines Aftercare Facility, we take care of all your poltergeist needs. When you don’t have the time or energy to support the ghost in your life, we will.

“I can’t wait for my fried cappuccino,” Lydia says, readjusting the cami crop top under her designer jacket.

Josie and I recoil at the thought of it.

“Don’t do me like that.” She wags her manicured finger. “I watch you two scarf down fried Oreos and funnel cakes like animals.”

“But to drink it?” Josie gags. She rolls up her flannel sleeves before tightening the laces

of her mud-stained boots.

“It’s pretty disgusting,” I tell her, brushing a bug off my iridescent leggings.

Lydia adjusts the diamond stud in her Roman nose. “Then why do they sell it? People must like it if they sell it every year.”

They look at me to confirm my ever-present knowledge, and I resign with a sigh. “A surprising amount is ordered.”

“See?” Lydia boasts.

Josie laughs. “Then you’re all gross!”

As we get out of the car, Lydia pauses as she stares at a pile of spilled popcorn on the ground. A chill runs down her spine as an impossibly distant wispy voice speaks to only her.

Josie and I realize she’s communing with a deity. Though communing makes it sound like a two-way street, and Lydia doesn’t quite have that grasp on her ability yet. Being a mouthpiece is a hard ability to train, but with enough practice and focus, she’ll be able to not only understand the messages she receives but to even ask for them.

“Everything okay?” Josie asks.

“Yeah.” Lydia scoffs, motioning to the popcorn. “It says: When feeling overwhelmed, sometimes the best reaction is to walk away.”

“Very wise.” I clutch her arm.

She rolls her eyes, grinning. “What can I say. There’s advice everywhere I look.”

“But will she listen to the advice is the real question, folks,” I tease.

Josie takes Lydia’s other arm and we walk side by side toward the carnival entrance.

Despite the otherwise unnerving atmosphere of weather-worn tents, rusted rides, muted colors, and too-bright lights to make up for the many burnt-out ones, the abandoned carnival is one of the best places in Veil Haven.

No tickets are needed for the carnival because, again, it’s a kidnapping scheme, but

he nostalgia pulls us in all the same.

The first things we pass are the Ferris wheel flushed with ivy and the swing ride painted with vintage scenery. Edison bulbs strung between the trees turn everything gold, and lights from the rides cast warm shadows across the crowds.

The autumn fireflies illuminate the dark outside the carnival, and anyone who looks out there long enough could swear those little yellow flashes start to look like eyes.

I find the familiar faces of Logan and Hayden as they stand in the entrance area. They’re the stars of the football team. If you aren’t impressed by their sportsmanship, you just might be drawn to their good looks. At least, that’s how everyone at school treats them.

Hayden’s warm copper skin glows under the lights and makes his bedroom eyes that much more compelling to anyone passing by. His cool smile accentuates his high cheekbones while he “mindlessly” rustles his black hair. In case it isn’t obvious, he’s obsessed with himself and anyone who glances in his direction. Though that leads to an arsenal of hilarious facts about Hayden, like that the mayor created a rule outlawing anyone from being shirtless downtown because of him.

Logan, on the other hand, is Veil Haven’s golden boy. Unabashedly kind, genuine, and grounded, he’s one of my oldest friends along with Josie and Lydia. Logan is one of those lucky people who can’t help but be popular. He has wavy blond hair that touches his ears and blue eyes. People consider him to be the best quarterback the Mothmen have seen in decades, and his ability to see the future doesn’t add to his skill.

Someone’s dad gives Logan a handshake as he passes the pair, congratulating him on the latest win and wishing him luck for tomorrow’s game. He celebrates Hayden too when he recognizes the running back’s number on his letterman jacket.

They smile awkwardly and laugh as the family man moves on.

That same family comes our way as they’re leaving, but when they see my blank white eyes and recognize who I am, they clench up a little and give me a wide berth. My eyes are instantly recognizable. I’m not

the only one whose ability has altered their body in some way, and I’m not the only person with unique eyes, but something about the lack of pupil and iris always makes people uncomfortable.

I can see the same as anyone else. My white eyes are mainly difficult for other people. They don’t know where to look or where I’m looking. I guess I’ve adapted to be more obvious with my body language. Still, as this family obviously avoids me, I shift my body so they think I haven’t noticed their glares.

Josie and Lydia don’t seem to notice.

I ignore the family and focus on Logan and Hayden, who seem to be waiting for us despite not having any plans to meet up. But knowing Logan, this is just what’s supposed to happen tonight.

Lydia follows my gaze and stops on Hayden. She cocks her hip. “No warning, huh?”

“Your spirit guides didn’t say anythin’?” Josie jokes.

“I thought you were over him,” I say as I jog away.

“Ash, hey!” Logan hugs me. “Nice sweater. It’s very grandpa of you.”

“Thanks.” I tug on the extremely detailed oversized sweater. “So, are we right on time?”

“Always.”

Hayden is already checking over my shoulder and catching Lydia’s daggers. His dark eyes light up as he smirks and waves.

“Give it a rest, Hayden,” I tease.

“Oh come on. We’re just having a little fun.” He smirks as we walk their way.

“I think that was the problem in the first place.”

As we agree to play games before Lydia or Hayden can open their mouths, Josie and I are already running off to the nearest stall, my black hair dancing around my jaw.

As we move together as a group, Hayden keeps prodding Lydia. And she nearly punches him before Josie distracts them both by knocking over the pyramid of jugs and getting one of those wiggly armed plushies.

“Woohoo! In your face!” Josie celebrates as she ties the Jackalope around her neck. She bounces between me and Lydia as she playfully flexes.

Lydia tries not to laugh as she pushes Josie into me. “It’s not even that hard.”

“Then beat my score,” Josie dares, handing her a ball.

Lydia throws the baseball so hard her feet slip on the crabgrass and she loses her balance.

Josie catches her, laughing. “M’lady.”

Hayden is laughing so hard he’s clutching his sides.

Lydia eyes him dangerously as she stands upright. “Are you serious?”

“Serious about you.” He grins.

Lydia throws her hands up. “I don’t know why I try.” Her mousy brown hair shifts over her shoulders as she threatens to leave.

“Okay, hold on. Hold on.” Hayden moves in front of her. “If I promise not to bother you, will you learn to have some fun?”

She glares at him. “As if you’ve ever kept your promises before.”

Logan and I Oooh as Hayden smirks to cover his embarrassment.

Lydia struts away dramatically.

Josie considers going after her, but I convince her she needs the space.

Hayden’s shoulders drop slightly before he scoffs and straightens his back. He waves her off. “Her loss.”

We’ve seen this interaction play out many times, and instead of prodding him further, we agree to just refocus on the game at hand.

But I stand at their backs and watch Lydia disappear into the crowd. Logan nudges beside me as I do. “Do you know how hard it is to not just coach him and tell them to go for it?” I ask him.

Logan and I don’t need our abilities to know how our best friends feel about each

other, as complicated as they make it. An eruption of celebration moves our gazes toward some water game before shifting back to the crowds.

He crosses his arms contently. “Waiting is the hardest part.”

How could I forget who I’m talking to? Logan, the oracle, the boy with a crush of his own. Where I can assume how people feel now, he knows how happy they are in the future—his own happiness, too.

“You know, Shakira is wandering around with her family. I could accidentally run into her if you’d like.”

I watch her with my mind’s eye as she brushes powdered sugar off her jeans and laughs with her siblings. Her bright smile makes the carnival lights look dim.

Logan smiles at the mention of her name but looks away, unfurling his arms. “You should let it happen naturally.”

“Oh, so it does happen.” I smirk.

My mind’s eye suddenly takes me out of place. The carnival falls away like a distant hum as it’s replaced by the faraway deep woods. I expect the distant Wildwoods to be quiet compared to the carnival but it’s full of energy.

I haven’t looked at this cryptid haven in a long time, let alone been redirected here by something so eye-catching.

Every herd of six-eyed deer lines the edge of our world at the densest section of the mountains. Seeing so many of the same cryptid in one place makes my skin crawl. It’s so unnatural. The harmless cryptids seem agitated as they cast long glances at one another, communicating some sort of deep understanding.

But in a single breath, I watch as every six-eyed deer charges forward, crosses the threshold of our world, and disappears into the Void. They blip off my radar in a rush of noise and I’m frozen stiff.

My mind’s eye pulses as chills roll over my frame.

Veil Haven is one of the five towns hovering in the center of the windless plane of Void and stars. The only thing that connects these worlds are portals found at the center of each town. Ours is in the park. It’s a glowing green

doorway. But voidwalkers like the six-eyed deer can simply leap off the edge of the world and run out there to do whatever voidwalkers do.

But for the entire species of deer to leave all at once is unheard of. Why would they do that?

In the same moment this happens, Logan is still talking. “Yeah, it’s going to be a good night.” But as I come back to myself, I watch him recognize the quirk in my brows and my distant stare. He knows I’ve seen something. He leans closer, his hand on my shoulder.

“Ash, what is it?”

I refocus on my present, the noise of the carnival crashing through my mind’s eye like whiplash. I wince.

“All the six-eyed deer just left Veil Haven.” I sway a little, feeling lightheaded.

He cocks his head. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.” I swallow the dread of not knowing what’s happening and focus on my friends again. “Just cryptids being weird.” I force a smile and we move on.

“We should ride some rides,” Hayden suggests. “I can’t upset Lydia if she’s not with us, and she definitely doesn’t like rides.”

A few years back, when Lydia rode the Gravitron, she threw up on our old middle school teacher, who was unfortunately strapped beside her. And then the year after, thinking it was a fluke, she threw up on the rollercoaster, too. She’s never lived it down… well, we’ve never let her.

Josie jumps in place and points her finger to the sky. “True enough!” But as we decide what ride to go on, she quietly gives Hayden friendly advice. “You shouldn’t crowd her, and you definitely shouldn’t make fun of her. You know how sensitive she can be. And just, don’t be…”

“Too much?” Hayden offers.

“Well, no, but…” Josie kindly trails off.

Hayden raises his brow, as if the realization finally sinks in. “Why are you helping me?”

“Because we’re sorta

friends.” She lightly punches him in the shoulder. “It’s important to have a healthy, uhm… equilibrium?”

I jump in between them. “Do you mean ecosystem?”

“Yes!” Josie declares, poking me and then Hayden. “We’re all friends here."

“You’re sweet as ever, Josie,” Logan says, walking up beside her.

“If you ever tell Lydia I gave y’all any sort of help…” She looks between the boys. “I will destroy you.”

“Or she will.” I laugh.

My mind’s eye catches a young couple eager for devious privacy as they sneak around the back of one of the game stalls. They’re putting space between them and the rest of the carnival—and only inches between them and the boundary of the woods.

She clutches his jacket lapels as his hands wander across her body. They lose touch of where they are and how far they’ve moved, but it’s too late to realize their mistake.

They assume the carnival noise dipped because of their intense focus on each other, but they become frozen in place as the Carnies surround them.

The shimmering inhuman figures are dressed in tattered attendant jumpsuits and clown costumes. Their gaunt, hollow faces mimic what might’ve been human once. But they’re so hungry now. And this is an easy meal.

The couple can’t even scream before they are consumed in a soundless feast.

I walk onto the ride, watching my step as we go.

The two teens are lost to the woods. Not even their bones or clothes are left behind. But that’s Veil Haven. People disappear or die all the time. I learned early that I can’t involve myself with every horrible thing that happens. The world moves on. People do it every day without knowing, so why should I be burdened by it?

Josie says something to me and I laugh, readjusting my own present as I strap into the whirling ride.

We spill out of the exit, still dizzy from the rounds, when someone jumps at Logan from behind. He smiles wide and carries her on his back for a

moment before letting her go. I imagine these are the moments that make his ability worth it. The satisfaction of that future glimpse finally colliding with the present and him stepping into it ceaselessly.

Shakira throws her long gold accented braids out of her face as she lands on her feet. “I didn’t know y’all were gonna be at the carnival. We should’ve just planned somethin’.”

“All things in time,” Logan says.

“I should’ve known you knew.” She grins.

All things in time. Logan must know when they become official. I wonder how long he’s known and how much longer he’ll have to wait.

Everyone knows they have a thing for each other. With that look in his soft blue eyes, I know he’ll spend eternity waiting if that’s what it takes. To know one’s destiny is a powerful, heart-wrenching thing. But his glimpses into the future are enough to make him wait. And enough for her to wait on him.

Lydia finds us with strides, sucking down her deep-fried cappuccino. Her face lights up when she sees Shakira and throws her arm around her. “Hey, girl, when did you get here?”

“I came with my family,” she says. Her mountain drawl is even thicker than Josie’s. “Saw y’all getting’ on the ride before I could say anythin’.”

“You should join us,” I suggest. “We could go on more rides.”

“I’ll pass,” Lydia says, a hand on her stomach.

“Maybe you throw up because you drink those awful things,” Josie suggests.

“Y’all go ahead. I’ll stay with Lydia,” Shakira says before winking. “We have to catch up anyways.”

As we wait in line for the wooden roller coaster, I sense the forest come to life.

In a breath, the entire world shifts and bends as every sentient being focuses on me. I am intoxicated by the rush of secondhand power. The recognition of this pulsing energy is impossible to forget, and the familiarity

 of it makes my stomach clench.

Through the inescapable noise of the carnival comes a soothing disembodied voice only I can hear—a voice I haven’t heard since I was a child.

“Ash…” it hums softly. “Come back to me. We have so much to discuss.”

I swallow sharply, feeling claustrophobic under its ubiquitous attention. The Forest Eye hasn’t tried to reach out in years. Not after we fought. Not after I left the woods for good. And I find my cheeks flush with heat as I ball my fists and glare at the trees.

I send my thoughts loudly around me, Leave me alone!

A nearby telepath looks at me funny but moves on.

“It’s been so long,” the voice continues, half-taunting, half-hollow. A parent at patience’s end. “And you can’t run forever…”

The pressure of its gaze on me makes my knees buckle. My entire body itches like a battery trying to be jumpstarted. It feels like my insides are vibrating as I look around.

I’m in line with my friends and there are trees everywhere. The Forest Eye could wrap a vine around my waist and drag me into the woods before anyone could blink. I’m becoming more lightheaded as the seconds pass.

I need to get out of here.

I swallow the tension building in my throat, hoping to stall the sound of my discomfort, and bite back the anger.

“I, uh, have to go.”

Josie takes my hands and asks what’s wrong, but I don’t have the energy to explain. I play it off as some immediate work I have to do for the mayor or the police. The others don’t try to stop me. Josie hugs me goodbye, saying she and Lydia will catch a ride home with Shakira, and finally, I’m leaving.

As I speed walk through the crowded pathways, my itch is soothed, if only a little. I glare at the trees as its secondhand power still washes through my being, trying to make me feel airy and safe. But as I grind my molars, I’m reminded of what the Forest Eye did to me the last time we were together. And how I vowed it would never get the opportunity to manipulate me again.

“We need to talk, Ash." 

My blood boils as all our sharp memories resurface—the tension, the heartache, the manipulation. There is no we anymore, I shoot back.

Can’t I have one simple night? God forbid I go anywhere near the woods without it watching me, but now this?

As I trek back to my car, I watch some poor kid chase his sister behind a game stand.

The carnival noises slow as they step off the grounds. They pause beside one another, the forest towering around them as the shimmering Carnies rise from the shadows. The carnival lights dim in the background as they clutch one another, terror rising in their chests.

The kids are paralyzed, their voices stolen from them, and in an instant they are consumed by the shifting shroud of mythical beasts. The carnival music skips a beat as everything beyond the grounds goes black with shadows.

I shake my head and let their mother’s increasingly worried cries fall to the background.

With a steady breath and a white-knuckle grip on the wheel, I leave the tree line and head home to put that voice and all the noise behind me.

 

CHAPTER 2

The Boy Who Finds Dead Bodies

 

I watch my friends for the rest of the night and laugh with them from the comfort of my bed. The fairy lights in my room cast a warm glow over everything. The walls are even more packed with posters and photos than my living room, relics from my childhood half-hidden under new interests.

I’ve collected many things over the years, anything to keep my walls from being boring and bare—from art and posters to rusted metal work rescued from abandoned buildings. I have so much color and movement inside my head it might as well reflect in my home.

I also keep crystals in all the windows the sun touches. The window beside my bed is undecorated so I can lean out of it and talk to the Void. I’m not the only one who speaks to the sky god, but they still seem lonely or melancholic. Between the two nature gods, the Void is kinder. They care about humanity. They are a direct foil to the Forest Eye. It’s a shame they can’t interact with us like the cryptid god can.

The midnight sky has darkened to burgundy as the rainbow stars spill over the mountains like a river. I trace the dark faraway ridges on the glass, but when small balls of light flare on the mountains, my throat tenses. The Mysterious Mountain Lights.

They only appear on the distant ridge of the west woods, right where I’d be able to see them from my window. Basically every other house in Veil Haven misses these lights. They’re obscured by the hillsides, treetops, other houses, or whatever else. I remember one of the first times I really saw these lights I was with my neighbor Kane.

We were kids, and he snuck over to watch some TV movie marathon late at night. I can’t remember what he thought of the lights, or if I tried to explain how weird they seemed. But I guess some mysteries are supposed to be left unsaid.

Our friendship fell apart years ago but he still lives next door. I see him regardless, but the better days are when he ignores me completely. Kane blamed me for his uncle’s disappearance and told everyone who would listen. That was the only rumor people needed to turn their backs on me. It felt like the world was never going to be the same when I was younger, but staring at the Mysterious Mountain Lights now, it’s comforting to know some things really don’t change.

For the most part, I can’t tell if people don’t know about them or if they’re choosing to ignore them. That’s a hard line to determine sometimes, though it’s the best survival technique. If you see something, say nothing.

If I didn’t know any better, I might think the lights are from somebody’s house or maybe a set of light posts flickering along the road. But nobody lives in the west woods, ...