by Mary Gray
“Come on!” Cleo yells from the SUV. Marcus pulls away, that lazy smile I’ve come to love creeping across his face. He kisses my hand and leads me toward the car, the skin on my hand sizzling.
Cleo’s in the front seat, Sal beside her, and Marcus and I slide in back next to Ana. The car hums with life as Cleo turns the key, and we lurch forward. I can’t believe she tossed Jonas in with that lion. Part of me wishes I got to stay behind and listen to the roars avenging Ramus and Bee. Staring at the ornate beading I’ve hated so long, I decide maybe I should ask her real name, once we’re farther from this place. I’ll learn all their names—Ana’s and Sal’s. Everybody’s.
Marcus brushes his chapped lips on my cheek, making the blood rush to my face. Dawn breaks, a light pink shade at the tips of the sky. Flecks of gold, splashes of purple and green flowers seem to whisk past us, though I know we really whisk past them. It’s all beautiful, and for once, I see the world as it truly is and how it could be.
I can think. I can move. I can breathe. My eyes are naked; I am awake.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you, my inner demon, for pushing me to write this book. Cheyenne’s loves and fears are so much a part of me, it wasn’t acting, writing this. More importantly, thank you Grayman (my own personal superhero and husband) for existing and showing me the light I am not. You are my best friend, the guy who holds me together, my rock.
Brian, Aidan, Lincoln. You are my precious babies, and I love you all. You give my life the meaning I needed to pursue this. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.
My babysitters, too numerous to list, are etched into my heart, but Irene, Lenee, Kathy, Margaret, Bonnie, and Cherine, thanks for loving my children like your own and for being so stoked about seeing this book in print.
My sister, Cammie, my shrink. The one who gets the books, music, and shows I love. The one who always listens and I miss THIS much. Thank you for believing in me, and teaching me how to reverence art. My fierce sister, Chris. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue my passion (something I haven’t heard enough in my life, something you do so well on your own) and for always challenging me to leave the house. The rest of my family’s support: Travis, Kerri, Lance, Carl, Barbara, Kim, Will, Mom, Dad, Ben, Paul, Ashlee, and Gramps. My fun uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews. Cousins, too. Thanks for your excitement.
My brilliant, fun, and ingenious editor, Danielle Ellison, you are the one God sent. I prayed for you, the stars aligned, and you sent me a revise and resubmit. Thanks for pounding the hell out of The Dollhouse Asylum and helping me rework it from the ground up. Your name should be next to mine on the cover of this book.
My second editor, Rich. Spencer Hill calls you “The Closer” for a reason. You are crazy good with details. Thanks for pointing out diabetics keep their insulin not in dressers, but in the refrigerator (nice one, Mary) and for giving me some praise one night when I really needed it. I’ve loved working with you.
The others on my Spencer Hill Press team: Lindsay, Kate, Kendra, Patricia, Rachel, Jazmin, Laura, Jill Marie, Christin, Kathryn, Cindy, Anna, and Rebecca. Thank you for your encouragement, excitement, and expertise. My writing couldn’t have been in better hands.
Jeremy West, you created the best cover a girl could ever hope for. I LOVE IT, and so does the rest of the world. Jeffrey and Jeremy, thank you for revealing my book on This Week in YA. It never gets old watching you introduce my book on your show.
Derrick, for brainstorming with Danielle and identifying the most amazing title for my book.
Kat Salazar, thank you for picking my story out of the slush. You gave me more than I can say. Thanks for believing in my writing and selling my book.
My writing friends (most of whom are on Twitter) thanks for buoying me up. Nicole, thanks for being my first writing friend, and thank you to my sweet and unfortunate first readers: Tamara, Laura, David, Ann, Cammie, Summer, Cherine, Jerry, and Justin. Thanks for not telling me to give it up while I could because my story was a big pile of murlush. My cultlings (Cult Dollhouse Asylum), I adore you guys so much! And thank you to my church friends.
My book trailer team! Mark, Bailee, Mikaela, Stephanie, Dustin, and my extras: Joey, Mari, Maddie, Britt, Chance, and Adam. Your hours of commitment mean so much, and filming this was the most fun I’ve ever had on a group project.
Dave Wolverton, thank you for helping me see which parts in this story I needed to trash, and for walking me through a basic outline of this book. Your workshop gave me the bones of the story that I needed to find Kat.
My Heavenly Father. Thank you for knowing the desires in my heart; for pushing me, and for always giving me more than I ever thought.
And thank you, dear reader, for opening your mind and heart. May you find the light amidst the dark.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Gray has a fascination with all things creepy. That’s why all her favorite stories usually involve panic attacks and hyperventilating. In real life, she prefers to type away on her computer, ogle over her favorite TV shows, and savor fiction. When she’s not immersed in other worlds, she and her husband get their exercise by chasing after their three children. The Dollhouse Asylum is her first novel.
