Echoes of Elsewhere (eBook)

D. M. Gurno (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2024 | 1. Auflage
369 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-095619-4 (ISBN)

Infos

When Sarah discovered her ability to shift realities, she became the key to saving the multiverse. Teaming up with Ethan and Zack, seasoned veterans of interdimensional travel, Sarah embarks on a heart-pounding adventure through collapsing worlds. With each jump, they edge closer to the source of the destruction, witnessing the eerie remnants of realities on the brink of oblivion. But new realities bring new dangers, from rogue Anchors to alternate versions of people she thought she knew. Sarah must push her powers to the limit, learning to adapt and trust herself in the face of the unknown. 

As they navigate the ever-changing landscapes of the multiverse, they unravel clues pointing to a mysterious force behind the collapse. Can this trio of Anchors find a way to stop the destruction and restore balance to the multiverse, or will they become the last remnants of a forgotten existence? Their quest will take them to the very limits of reality and force Sarah to confront the true depths of her abilities. The fate of infinite worlds rests on their shoulders, and the clock is ticking.

Textauszug

Chapter 1

 

 

 

Sarah Evans is a name known to everyone in Brookfield, but not for the reasons anyone would wish. At the age of ten, she lost her entire family in a tragic fire that consumed their home one fateful night. It was a night that scared the town’s memory as much as it did Sarah’s.

After the fire, the McClendon’s, a middle-aged couple who lived a few streets over, took Sarah in. Although they provided her with a roof over her head and the necessities of life, they were far from the loving guardians her heart yearned for. Mr. McClenon was stern, more interested in his evening news than in offering a kind word. Mrs. McClenon, while dutiful in her care, was cold and distant, treating Sarah more like a burden than a child to be nurtured.

For seven years, Sarah navigated the complexities of her grief and the indifference of her foster parents. Her days at Brookfield High School were a welcome escape, filled with the mundane predictability of classes, homework, and the occasional friendly interaction. She excelled in her studies, partly to distract herself from the emptiness that awaited her at home.

Sarah awoke as the world around her came into focus. She could feel the cool morning light streaming through the small gap in her bedroom curtains. She rubbed her eyes still heavy with sleep and pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her auburn hair normally pulled back, was now a wild, tangled mess, with strands of hair falling into her eyes. She brushed them away, her fingers catching on knots.

Her green eyes, usually bright and inquisitive, were bleary and puffy from a restless night. She glanced at herself in the mirror across the room and grimaced at the sight. She pressed her face into her pillow, leaving a faint crease on her typically smooth, fair skin.

Sarah swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching. She wore a faded old T-shirt that was too big for her, hanging off one shoulder and a pair of worn pajama pants that dragged on the floor. She padded over to the window, opening the curtains a bit wider to let in more light. The sun’s rays caught the freckles scattered across her cheeks and nose, highlighting them.

Running a hand through her hair in a vain attempt to tame it, she took a deep breath to relieve the tension she could feel in her head. To her, today was another day in a life on the verge of spinning out of control.

She grabbed her phone from the nightstand, saw a few unread messages, and wondered what challenges awaited her this time. With a sigh, she glanced at the calendar on her wall, flipping the page over to reveal the date in bold letters: May 12th.

"It's my birthday," she murmured to herself, the words sounded strangely hollow in the quiet room. Sarah stood before the mirror, getting ready for another day of school. Her eyes were drawn to the jagged scar running up and down her left arm. The fire that changed her life forever left a permanent mark etched into her skin as a reminder.

With a sigh, Sarah traced her fingertips lightly over the scar, the rough texture beneath her touch. It was a constant source of insecurity for her, a glaring reminder of her past that she couldn't hide no matter how hard she tried. She stared at her reflection; the familiar pang of self-doubt washed over her. The taunts and jeers of her classmates echoed in her mind, their cruel words like daggers aimed at her heart.

"You're so ugly with that scar," they would sneer, their laughter ringing in her ears like a relentless echo. Sarah wouldn't let their words get to her, wouldn't show them the depth of the hurt. No matter how hard she tried to brush them off. The wounds they inflicted cut deep, leaving behind scars that no amount of time could heal. Sarah pulled down the sleeve of her shirt, hiding the scar from view as best she could. No matter how hard she tried to conceal it, it would always be there.

Sarah slipped into her jeans and a worn T-shirt, her fingers tracing the edges of the faded fabric as she tried to shake off the sense of loneliness that lingered in the air. With a shrug, she made her way to the kitchen, hoping a hot cup of coffee would chase away the emptiness.

As she entered the kitchen, an eerie silence met her. A sense of unease prickled at the back of Sarah's neck as she moved to the counter, reaching for the coffee pot. Pouring herself a cup, she took a sip, the bitter warmth sliding down her throat as she scanned the room for any sign of life. There was none to be found. No laughter, no chatter, no birthday wishes whispered in the air.

Sarah sank into one of the empty chairs, her fingers drumming a restless rhythm against the tabletop. She had grown accustomed to the solitude of her foster home, but on her birthday, a hollow ache of loneliness gnawed at her chest.

She sat alone in the quiet kitchen, Sarah wondered what her life might have been like in another reality. Would she be surrounded by family and friends, celebrating with laughter and joy? Or was this isolated existence her fate, forever destined to navigate the world alone? Lost in her thoughts, Sarah took another sip of her coffee, a bittersweet reminder of the solitude that would follow her wherever she went. On this special day, she knew she was destined to be.

Sarah stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of her backpack as she tried to ignore the nagging sensation of unease that lingered in the air. Today was like any other day – school, homework, dinner, and then back to her empty room to do it all over again. She smoothed down her hair and glanced at her reflection, she couldn't help but wonder why life played out the way it did.

With a sigh, she shouldered her backpack and headed out the door, the familiar routine of the morning pulling her along like a tide. The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the sidewalk as Sarah made her way toward the bus stop.

As she walked, her mind drifted to the upcoming physics test, a daunting exam that seemed to loom over her like a dark cloud. The topic? The possibilities of alternate realities. Sarah couldn't help but scoff at the irony of it all. She was living proof of the existence of parallel universes, yet a sense of being trapped in the wrong one consumed her.

Sarah was lost in her thoughts when a familiar voice called out her name and startled her. Looking up, she saw her best friend, Lily, jogging to catch up with her, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders.

Lily's presence was always a comfort, a reminder of simpler times. Lily's brown hair shimmered in the morning sunlight, cascading down her back in loose waves. Her hair was always perfectly styled, framing her face with effortless grace. As Sarah got closer, she saw the natural highlights glinting, making her look like she stepped out of a shampoo commercial.

Her eyes were a striking shade of hazel, a blend of green and brown that would shift with her mood. They were the kind of eyes that could convey warmth and understanding with a glance, something Sarah relied on countless times. Today, they sparkled with the usual cheerfulness that Lily carried with her everywhere.

Lily wore a light blue sundress that fluttered around her knees, cinched at the waist with a simple brown belt. The dress complemented her fair complexion and brought out the pink in her cheeks. She threw a soft, cream-colored cardigan over her shoulders, perfect for the cool morning air.

She had a small leather satchel slung across her body, the strap resting comfortably on her shoulder. The satchel was well worn, a testament to years of use, but it suited Lily’s practical yet stylish personality. On her feet were a pair of white sneakers, practical for the walk to school yet undeniably chic.

Lily walked up to her, and Sarah smiled. She looked like she was always put together, cheerful, and ready to take on the world. Seeing Lily brought a sense of normalcy to her life. Sarah’s shoulders relaxed, and a small smile played on her lips, a reaction she needed more than ever.

"Hey, Sarah!" Lily called out, her voice light and melodic, matching her appearance perfectly. Sarah smiled back; her worries forgotten.

"Hey, Lily. You look amazing—like always," Sarah said, her face lighting up at the sight of her best friend.

Lily laughed, a sound that made the morning a little brighter. "Thanks, Sarah. Ready for another day?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Sarah replied, falling into step beside her friend.

"Hey," Lily said, tilting her head. "You’ve got that far-off look again. What’s going on in that head of yours?"

Sarah inhaled, deciding to start with something more mundane. "I’ve been thinking about my physics test," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I’m nervous about it."

Lily smiled, trying to reassure Sarah. "You’ll do great, Sarah. You always do."

"Thanks," Sarah replied, grateful for the encouragement. After a brief pause, she added, "Actually, I’ve recently begun looking into quantum physics. It’s fascinating."

Lily’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Quantum physics? That’s quite a leap from our usual school stuff. What got you interested in that?"

Sarah hesitated, her words slow and deliberate. " It was always something my father was interested in, he used to tell me stories of other realities, other dimensions like our own. It’s like... thinking about the possibilities of what might exist beyond what we can see. It sparked something in me."

"That does sound interesting...” Lily said, her hazel eyes filled with curiosity. “What have you found out so far?"

Sarah's excitement surged as she could finally...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 31.8.2024
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Science Fiction
• ISBN-10: 0-00-095619-8 / 0000956198
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-095619-4 / 9780000956194