http://slow.writerscafe.org/StephieAnne The original writings of author StephieAnne en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776075469 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Chapter ThreeCity Court✵The wagon jerked along the worn path, jostling Ajax and I inside. He was full of questions, and I was void of answers. How could I explain what was happening when my own thoughts were twisted and confused? I pulled my knees up to my chest, huddling in the corner as Aja.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1410213/ Deep underneath the ragged city of Marenis, Areeve Waters has a secret: her brother is a murderer. Sentyears ago from her house in a flurry of tears and terror, Areeve lived on the streets, squabbling for meals-until the children of Below welcomed her to their world. She lives her life in bliss, obl.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1410212/ Chapter TwoMarenis✵Laughter bounded across the walls of the room as another cup of ale was filled to the brim. I clutched my mug with eager hands, the frothy top nearly spilling over as a stream of giggles passed my lips. The eight of us gathered close together, sprawled out in the grandest r.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1410211/ Chapter Four Six deaths occurred in just three short days. Three days of panic and blood, screams and agony. They were all public punishments. We were all forced to watch. Even the children.Mr. Sampson was the first. He was the town herbalist, caught outside the town boundaries; he had somehow manag.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1403987/ Chapter Three The silence was unnerving. Their stares penetrated my mind, stabbing, piercing. I balled my fists. "Who's here, dear?" A tentative voice called from the crowd. My mother emerged, eyebrows drawn together; Mara stood behind her, lips pursed. I glanced around, taking in the fire cracklin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1403986/ Chapter Two Not a moment after I blurted my discovery to my mother beside me did the rest of town bolt into action. The square quickly filled up with the sounds of laughter and jovial shouts. My mother’s eyes lit up from the news, hands flying to my face in shock. “It...it’s been s.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1403985/ Part OneChapter One It had been two weeks. Two weeks of apprehension. Two weeks of waiting. The letter I had long been anticipating hadn’t arrived. I had hurriedly completed my chores, dashed through the chicken coop, scattered a week’s worth of eggs, terrorized the chickens and skidded .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1403982/ PrologueCity slumsSeven  years prior✵Storm clouds massed over the silent city, suspended over the rickety rooftops of shacks and the hunched bodies of the penniless.  Areeve sloshed about, waterlogged and ripped up shoes scattering the murky rainwater as she navigated her way throug.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1403967/ Chapter OneSt. Matthew’s ChurchPresent day✵The dust that coated the pews of the deserted church glimmered in the lantern light, a trembling flame so diminutive against the chasmal darkness. I pushed my way through, footsteps light on the groaning floorboards, wary, yet determined. &ldqu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1402925/ Read inside for full description. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1402923/ Fear makes us feel our humanity.-Benjamin DisraeliIt was as if the night had swathed blackness over the stars.  The cottages flanked each other, soft candle light staining the ragged curtains, probing hesitating fingers into the darkness outside. The streets were barren.  Desolate.  T.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1402171/ http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/StephieAnne/1373287/