September 2014 Contest Winners

We announced some of our September contest winners a couple weeks ago, but we have three more contests that need announcing. So here we go!

In the Afterlight – Yellow Psi Contest

One winner will receive a Yellow Psi prize pack. That winner is: Viki Sloboda

Firebug Blog Tour Contest

One winner will receive a finished copy of Firebug. That winner is: Ashley Jowens

Salt & Storm Seaside Writing Contest

For this contest, we asked you to write a 250-500 word short story that took place at the seaside. One winner will get a copy of Salt & Storm by Kendall Kulper. The winner is: Alyssa Sooklal, and here is her winning entry:

Where the Ocean Bleeds
by Alyssa Sooklal

Find me where the ocean bleeds.

Adelaide stared at the short missive, then flipped it over. Nothing more, just that one short, puzzling line of text. What an odd message – perhaps Patrick’s idea of easing her anxiety over the inevitable events of the day. He knew how badly she wished to skirt her duties as the earl of Pembroke’s only child.

Indeed, Patrick, she thought, a wry smile turning up her lips. I shall play your game.

***

Adelaide took each stair of the grand staircase with extra care, hoping to avoid her overbearing mother. She hurried to the garden door, and flung it open. Lifting her skirts, she fled down the path, towards the familiar smell of salt and seaweed. The sun was blinding, as if it never wanted her to see another day after this one.

Find me where the ocean bleeds. Where would the ocean bleed? Perhaps a patch of red coral, or submerged plants? Adelaide did not know if such things existed, but she would not let Patrick get the better of her. Not today, when she needed him. Patrick, her best friend. Patrick, the man she loved. Patrick, whom she would always want, but could never marry.

Marriage to Lord Sumner could not be so terrible, could it? Seven years her senior, he was handsome and titled. While she could never marry the eccentric scientist’s son, her prospects could be far worse – what if her only suitor was that ghastly Mr. Andrews! The man was old enough to be her father, and he had no shame in staring at her bosom when she was speaking. But no matter – she would be in Lord Sumner’s care, after today.

Meandering down the beaten, sandy path, Adelaide steered her thoughts away from duty, and thought of Patrick. Every time she closed her eyes, his face was there. When she went into town, he was there, chattering excitedly about his latest invention. When she stole away from dinner parties, she could hear him laughing at her descriptions of Lady Marlowe’s outrageous fashions. When she went to bed at night, she could feel his hands caressing her body, igniting a slow burn in her blood.

Find me where the ocean bleeds. Was he speaking in metaphors? Perhaps he simply wanted her to enjoy the seaside, before she was to be bargained away. She loved walking by the shores, feeling the crisp wind on her face, the sand beneath her shoes, the sun warming her skin. The waters were restless today, but not a cloud marred the clear blue sky. Adelaide gazed longingly at the shore.

A crunch of sand jolted her from her musings. Adelaide whirled around, Patrick’s name on her lips. But it was not Patrick.

“Mr. Andrews?”

Standing behind her, he lifted a revolver, aiming directly at her head. She could hear the chambers turning. She could hear the ocean roaring. She could hear the winds gusting. She could hear Patrick whispering her name.

A single shot rang out.

The sand stained crimson, trickling down the path to the ocean.