Crypt Keeper
by K.A. Young
Molly Maddison #1
Publication Date: October 21, 2014
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crypt-keeper-ka-young/1120562969?ean=2940150662773
Synopsis:
Book 1 in the Molly Maddison series
Molly Maddison grew up in a funeral home that unfortunately backed up to the largest Insane Asylum in the state. Very few understand what happens after death, Molly does. While other children were playing in the park with their living friends, Molly was in the cemetery playing with the dead. To say she is troubled is an understatement.
Now Molly has a new plan, to attempt to lead a normal life, and ban the contact with any of the dead. Realizing that she is madly in love with one of them was never part of that plan. However neither life or death ever go as planned and Molly is called upon to perform her role as the family Crypt Keeper…
Is she up for the task? Only time will tell.
CHAPTER
1
“Good
girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere.” ~ Helen Gurley Brown
The alarm
blaring on the bedside table woke me out of the dead of sleep. “Ugh,” I
groaned, picking up a pillow and chucking it at what I hoped was the general
direction of the annoying tones. When the alarm didn’t cease I surrendered,
cracking open one eye to read the time. I went from drowsy to full-out panic
mode when my mind registered eight thirty-five p.m.“Holy Mother of God!” Flinging
the blankets off the bed I vaulted forward, only to find that my left leg was
tangled in the bed sheet and I went down knee first onto a kitchen chair.
“Idiot, stupid ass monkey piece of shit!” I shouted the instant the pain
registered. Wrenching my leg free and shoving the chair aside I sat down on the
floor and assessed my injuries. I’d have a nice bruise on my knee and shin,
otherwise, nothing serious. Then I remembered I was working on curbing my need
to use profanity every other word and snapped the rubber band on my wrist
twice, wincing at yet another sting of pain. I’d been reading this self-help
book recently that swore by this technique. The wristband bad habit treatment
is designed to take you out of your own head and snap you back into reality.
The wristband treatment will act as a reminder to those with habitual
undesirable occurrences that they need to overcome their bad behaviors. I
wasn’t convinced in the method; however, if I ever planned on working with
children my potty mouth needed to go.
Standing to
my feet, I picked up the chair and walked it back into the dining room where it
belonged. I should know better by now. The furniture being moved around the
house, the dishes in the bathtub and all my frozen foods set out on the
counters to spoil was a common occurrence in my tiny apartment these days. He
was mad at me again. They all were. I’d left him…er, them. No, I wasn’t going
there. I didn’t move over one hundred miles away to dwell on the past. “Never
look back, Molly. The past is a wilderness of horrors.” I quoted my favorite
line from the movie The Wolfman. I did, however, replace Lawrence’s name with
my own. I would have gone a lot farther if it wasn’t for my younger brother
still living at home there. I was always available for him, mostly. All right,
I’d been a shitty sister but my intentions were honorable. Thankfully he didn’t
have the curse. It skipped him and I was glad.
Suddenly I
realized that the alarm was still going off in my bedroom. I made my way back
into the room, which didn’t take longer than a few seconds since my apartment
is a whopping seven hundred square feet that consisted of a tiny kitchen,
living room/dining room combo, a bathroom that I could barely turn around in
and bedroom. After shutting it off I began to dress in jeans and a black
t-shirt that had Party like a rock star written across the chest. Being a
no-frills kind of chick, jeans always seemed like the obvious choice for any
and every occasion. I pulled my dark brown hair back into a ponytail and bent
down to slip on my chucks.
“You aren’t
seriously going to wear your hair like that, are you?” a voice behind me asked.
Shrieking, I nearly jumped out of my skin again.
“Holy
shit!” Turning around, I faced the intruder and narrowed my eyes at the young
woman dressed in leather pants, biker boots that belonged to me and a red tank
that read Bite Me! Her hair was dyed jet black with dark green chunky
highlights today. The color was always changing but her razored-at-the-chin
hairstyle was always the same. She stood there smirking at me with her hands on
her hips. “Aren’t you a little too old to continue with these ridiculous
pranks?” Not knowing her actual age, she and I had estimated it around
twenty-four or so, the same as me.
She rolled
her eyes and plopped down on my secondhand sofa that had seen far better days.
“After all these years you should be used to it by now. I mean, really Molly,
you’re too easy.”
“Jewels, I
bruised the shit out of…” I snapped the band on my wrist. “I mean bruised the
dickens out of my shin!” The past twelve years we’ve been friends she’d never
told me her real name. I assumed it was Julie—hence “Jewels”—but wasn’t
certain. I’d asked her a million times over the years, and she’d always reply
with the same answer: My old name is as irrelevant as my past. That name died
along with that part of my life. I didn’t agree with her; her past was
obviously relevant. For the sake of our friendship I’d let it go.
She rolled
her caramel-colored eyes and blew a giant bubble in the gum she was chomping
on. When it popped she shook her head. “I don’t know anything about that.” She
eyed the rubber band on my wrist. “What the hell are you doing to your wrist
there? They locked people in solitary for less than that on my ward.”
Ignoring her
reference to her institutionalization period because the mere thought of it
made my heart hurt, I answered her question. “I’m trying to clean up my speech.
No one will hire a pediatric behavioral therapist that swears every other word.
I’d gotta run—I’m late for class. Don’t mess up my boots, they’re my
favorites.” Snatching my sling bag off the back of the dining chair I went out
the front door, closing it behind me.
The second
I glanced back up, Jewels was standing next to me. “I thought you already got
your master’s degree. Why are you still taking classes?”
Hurrying
into the stairwell I replied, “I still have to take my state licensing exam.
Besides, I like taking classes. There is something exceedingly comforting about
losing yourself in textbooks.”
“I think
this whole thing is stupid. You have a job waiting for you at home—you don’t
need to put yourself through all of this.” Jewels mumbled behind me. She’d been
pushing this “job at home” idea for the last few months and it wasn’t like her.
She’d always been so supportive in the past. After descending five flights of
stairs I was exhausted and considered joining some of the girls that I knew ran
every morning for a whopping half a second, then reminded myself that I didn’t
run.
“It isn’t
stupid! You know this is what I’ve always wanted to do.” I continued into the
lobby. “Thank you.” I nodded to the guy that held the door open for me to exit
just as Jewels shot him a bird.
“Stop
that!”
The smiling boy’s face was replaced with confusion. “I beg your
pardon?”
“I’m
sorry,” I pointed to a non-existent head set on my left ear. “Phone call.” His
face relaxed. “Oh, no problem.” Smiling, he waved. “See ya around.” Jewels
laughed, as she got a kick out of making me look like a lunatic. Something I should
be accustomed to by now. It’s hard to function in a society when you can see
and hear things that others cannot. I sometimes feel that I am not made of the
same matter as others, and at other times I feel completely normal—whatever
that means.
“Look, I
have to go do this,” I whispered as I passed groups of students chatting around
the campus lawn. Most of them would assume I was on the phone, so I didn’t need
to be too concerned,; not like when I used to talk to her as a child. That was
an entirely different story all together. “Catch up with me after, okay?” She
didn’t say a word, just vanished, meaning she was pissed. Sighing, I continued
on to class.
As usual
the class had already begun. I slipped quietly into the small room and took a
seat in the back. Going unnoticed wasn’t an option at this point. The sandy
blond-haired professor with the most intelligent eyes I’d ever seen in my life
was already knee deep in his lecture. I’d never forget the first day I saw him.
I’d been on the lawn reading when he pulled up in his car. He had some sort of
energy about him that caught my eye—well, that and a great ass. He’d made a
point to stop and introduce himself to me. I’d nearly choked on my own saliva
trying to formulate a coherent reply to the complicated question he presented
me with: Hi, how are you today? I’m embarrassed every time I relive that day in
my mind.
Professor Damon Night made direct eye contact with me without
missing a beat during his presentation. He always made direct eye contact with
me and I’d always had a hard time maintaining said eye contact. We’d met only a
few times after our first awkward introduction, and after becoming
completely-tongue tied around him repeatedly I made the determination that he
was a detriment to my almost nonexistent ego. Therefore it had been my mission
to avoid him at all costs during after school hours. Despite my efforts he
seemed to be everywhere I was—in the library, at the cafés, and he shopped at
the same markets. There was an embarrassing cart crashing incident at the
market that I tried desperately to forget. Why he affected me in this way was
beyond me. Yes, he was an attractive man and I was a healthy, lonely young
woman in desperate need of male companionship, I thought while licking my lips
as I took in his masculine frame. Strangely his eyes seemed to follow from the
long distance separating us, confirming my need to find a boyfriend fast and
stop having these fantasies.
Glancing
away I whipped out my phone, opened my memo app and hit the record button. When
I looked back up he was still staring at me with those dark green eyes that
seemed to smolder with desire every time they devoured me. Damn my overactive
imagination and my lusty fantasies. They were negatively affecting my brain
function.
“He’s one
hot piece of ass, huh?” Jewels whispered into my ear from the seat next to
mine, then began noisily opening a bag of Walker potato chips, my favorite
brand.
To my
credit I didn’t jump this time. Looking down at my phone I whispered in the
most annoyed tone I could muster, “You know I hate it when you show up in one
of my classes. You swore you wouldn’t do it anymore.”
“No, as I
recall I promised not to show up at any of your classes during finals, so
obviously this situation does not apply.” She shoved a handful of chips into
her mouth and nudged me with her elbow “So you hit that yet or what?”
Gritting my
teeth I glanced back up, rubbing the tip of my nose with my hand to conceal my
moving lips. “Dammit! How am I supposed to concentrate with you gabbing in my
ear the entire time? And no, I haven’t hit that nor do I have any plans to do
so. Now shut the hell up!” I whispered in the softest angry tone possible. She
made a locking her lips motion, and after throwing away the key she pointed toward
my arm. When I ignored her she elbowed me hard, shoving me forward in the seat.
Nervously I glanced around to see if anyone had noticed. Thankfully it didn’t
appear that anyone had. Before I could let out a sigh of relief the bitch did
it again, and this time I nearly fell out of the chair. “Shit!” I shouted
loudly. When I sat back up she was gone and the entire room had turned to stare
at me.
Snatching
my bag off the floor I did the only thing I could do in my current situation: I
bolted, nearly hyperventilating in the process. Jewels was standing casually
outside the room, dusting the crumbs off her shirt as if nothing was amiss. I
would have ripped her a new one if the hall didn’t have other people milling
around. Stomping off, I’m sure I had steam rising off my head because I was
fuming.
“Don’t be that way Molly—I was only trying to help.” When I
didn’t reply she proceeded to bribe me. “I brought you a case of Walker chips
from my pop over to the UK last week, the variety pack. They’re in your pantry.”
She was upset. I could hear it in her tone; nevertheless, I didn’t turn around.
“Come on Molls, don’t be like that. This is hard for me. You and I have always
had each other until this whole school thing. I’m trying to adjust, truly I am.
Don’t be mad at me—you know I can’t handle it,” she pleaded. Softening, I
glanced back at her. She looked so downtrodden that I just couldn’t stay mad.
This was hard on her, I knew that, and it was hard on me too. She’d been a
constant in my life for as long as I can remember. She’d been there for me
always.
Crossing
the parking lot, I moved over to a vacant bench and sat. This time of night no
one would be out here and I would be able to speak to her freely without the
prying eyes and ears of others. Staying mad at her had never been easy. “Did
you bring the cookies as well?” I smirked, folding my arms. She grinned and a
box of McVitie’s Caramel Biscuits appeared in her hand.
“Of
course.” Taking them out of her palm, I ripped open the box and wrapper and
took out a biscuit. She plopped down next to me and I extended the box toward
her. Smiling, she also took one biscuit as well and we leaned against each
other, munching on our snacks.
After
swallowing I asked, “How were you trying to help me?”
She reached
over and snapped the rubber band on my wrist. “You were cursing like a sailor
in there.” I winced. “Oh, right.” “By the way, you do realize that hot ass is
really into you?” she said around a mouthful of biscuit, wagging her eyebrows.
“No, he
isn’t.” I took another nibble of mine. I couldn’t consume the massive amount of
junk food Jewels could without it showing up on my ass the next morning. “Trust
me, I know these things and that guy is definitely into you.” Uh oh. I turned
and stared at her. “Don’t look at me like that, I haven’t been spying. You know
I’m over that kind of shit.” She grinned. “It’s no fun if they don’t know I’m
watching.”
“You better
be.” I gave her a stern look. “Remember the last live guy you were in love
with.” I did the finger quotes when saying the words in love. It lasted for
less than two weeks but that had been enough time to do serious damage.
She blew
out a breath. “Not this again.”
“Yes, this
again. You drove the guy insane with all your writing on the mirrors in his
bathroom and leaving little gifts for him. We’re lucky he bounced back after a
little therapy. It is unnatural for someone dead to be in a relationship with
someone living.”
She
narrowed her eyes at me. “You should talk.”
Slumping
back next to her I argued, “Why do you think I moved to Atlanta? I’m trying to
get on with my life among the living. Besides, it is slightly different with
me.”
She snagged
another cookie. “True. And that rule doesn’t apply to us as friends.”
As much as I wanted to disagree with her and as much as I wanted
her to try to get on with her life on that side, I couldn’t imagine not having
her around. We’d been close since the day she’d wandered up onto our property.
The poor thing didn’t even know she’d died. And I didn’t have the heart to tell
her until weeks later, and it wasn’t until she’d tried to speak to other living
kids our age that she noticed something was off. “No, not us as friends.”
About the Author
K.A. Young is a paranormal/fantasy romance author that lives with her family in the South. She began writing because her mind was swimming with incredible stories that were begging to be told. Her love for reading began as a small child when she realized that a good book was an instant escape to a mystical land that could be reached anytime and from anyplace.
Guest Post From K.A. Young
Hi! I’m K.A. Young, an Indie paranormal
romance and fantasy author. Thanks so much for allowing me this guest post on
your amazing blog. I’m hosting a contest whereby the winner will be given
a part in (The Molly Maddison Series).
CONTEST
Here’s a little background on
the contest:
Enter to be written as a
character in my Molly Maddison Series. I’ll create your character
using your name, description and personality. I already know which
character you’ll be and without giving away too much, this character is:
* integral to the storyline *
And will play a part in all
future books in The Molly Maddison Series
The winner will get:
* A written part in the Molly
Maddion Series
* The ability to read the book
before it’s released to the public
* Added to the Acknowledgments
page of the book
* A signed (with dedication)
paperback copy of the book
* A signed paperback copy Crypt
Keeper (Book #1)
Simply complete the
questionnaire and GOOD LUCK!
Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome :)
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