Starr Gone

by Kim Briggs

  She smiles at me when her preparations are complete. “Why don’t you take a shower and then we’ll get started.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Starr

  “Hold still, while I put on your mascara,” she says.

  “I can put on my own mascara.”

  “Your grandmother wants me to do it. Remember ‘why do something if someone else can do it for you?’”

  “Those are her words not mine.”

  “I know. I know you would never think that let alone actually say it aloud.”

  My eyes meet hers. “You do?”

  She squeezes my shoulder. “A lot of things have changed since back home, but not everything. A person doesn’t change that much.”

  This intimacy reminds me of a hundred times we sat knee to knee on her bed. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Look at you and Samantha.”

  She peeks out the door before turning back to meet my eyes in the mirror. “Some people change more than others.” There’s hidden meaning in those brown eyes. Shared secrets between friends. She nods tightlipped at me. I almost believe her. I almost fall into her trap.

  She reaches for the necklace around my neck. “I don’t remember this,” she says.

  My heart jumps in my throat and her betrayal rushes back to me. I knock her hand away. “Don’t touch it.”

  She blinks as she realizes who gave me the necklace. Her posture softens. “Starr, I’m—”

  As if on cue, Samantha storms in. “Are you done with her yet?”

  Jody recovers herself. “Just about. Only a few more final touches.” She sweeps blush across my cheeks, brushes more eye shadow on my eyelids, and pats some powder over my face.

  “Perfection,” she says. “Look in the mirror.”

  “No, I’m good.”

  The tone of my voice wipes the satisfied smile of a job well done right off her face.

  Good, because I don’t appreciate her friendliness. She makes it too easy to fall back into the friend routine, and we all know the way she really feels about me, regardless of what she says without Samantha around. I’d rather she acts like Samantha. With Samantha, I know exactly where I stand—about two inches from having a knife plunged into my spine.

  Our interchange has left me uneasy. I march out of the room.

  “Starr, I mean Jessica, aren’t you forgetting something?” she asks holding up a dangerous looking pair of heels. I stalk back, grab them out of her hand, and slip them on. My only consolation is that I’ll have some type of defense during our afternoon tea.

  My legs titter back and forth. My ankles protest against the spiky things attached to my feet. I’m positive I’ll get a nosebleed from this height, but if it’s a performance they want, then it is a performance they’ll get. I straighten and glide down the stairs as if on air. I’m halfway down the stairs in a beautifully executed performance when one, well-placed shove between my shoulder blades sends me reeling forward. I catch myself and fall backward to counterbalance. Two arms wrap around my waist and I’m reminded of the person I once thought was my guardian angel catching me. Tears spring to my eyes.

  A snicker off to the side lets me know exactly who pushed me. As if I couldn’t guess.

  “You try that one more time,” Thomas growls, “and I’ll hand you over to Treadwell.”

  “Are you alright?” Jude asks.

  I use the railing to stand up. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  He steps in front of Samantha. “You do anything like that again, and I will kill you.”

  As if she needed any more reason to hate me.

  “Oh good, Jessica, you’re here,” Grandmother says, stepping out into the hall. If she wonders why the five of us are clustered together on the stairs, she doesn’t mention it. In reality, she probably doesn’t even see the “help” surrounding me. “Come down, and let me have a look.”

  I arrive at the bottom stair and wait. She moves around me, scrutinizing my hair, my makeup, my dress, my shoes. “Splendid, yes splendid indeed. You girl,” she says, holding out an open palm to Jody Lynn.

  Jody Lynn knows enough not to reach for the hand. “Yes, Mrs. Chamberlain?”

  “Consider yourself Jessica’s personal assistant. Jessica darling, a moment please?” she asks as if suggesting I have a choice. I have no choice.

  “Jerry Sr. and I were talking about you and his son. The match would be pleasing to us and particularly beneficial to the church. Your relationship would catch a nation’s hearts on fire in the name of our Lord.”

  Oh yes, my place in life—create an entire population of church-going zombies. They’ll eat my brains in place of Sunday brunch.

  “There are a few things you should know about Jerry Jr. First, you must be cordial to him. He doesn’t respond well to dry wit.”

  Be sarcastic. Check.

  “He likes a variety of outdoor activities ranging from waterskiing to downhill skiing, boating, and horseback riding. He doesn’t like soccer, baseball, or any of those contact sports.”

  Be all about team sports.

  “He’s dated a number of well-known celebrities and not all the breakups went well. Recently he’s had some bad press surrounding him and some of his...,” she holds her hands to her mouth in prayer, “‘habits.’ The press follows him relentlessly. Those vultures just wait for an opportunity to attack the church and its principles. It will be your responsibility to win him over and keep him out of trouble.”

  Bring up bad habits. Alienate him at all costs. Check and check.

  “Excuse me ma’am,” Jude says, “Do you think it’s wise for Jessica to meet Jerry Jr. when she’s so new to the mansion and the Organization? She may inadvertently say something that upsets the father or the son. I would hate to see that happen.”

  Yeah, I bet you would.

  Grandmother raises her chin. “Young man, if I wanted your opinion on this matter I would have asked for it. I have complete faith that Jessica will act in a manner reflective of this family.”

  I can’t help but smirk. I mean, does she even know me?

  Well, I guess that answer is obvious. No, she doesn’t.

  Mr. Willingsby steps into the room. “Mrs. Chamberlain.”

  “Yes?”

  “Mr. White and his son have arrived.”

  Her hands return to the prayer position. “Excellent, they’re early. We will create just the right amount of anticipation for Jessica’s arrival. Jessica dear, wait here until 3:15.”

  Without waiting for an answer, she turns to leave.

  I try to follow her in hopes of ruining her carefully plotted plans. Unfortunately, Jude and Thomas block the doorway, as if guessing exactly what I had in mind. “Sit,” Thomas grunts.

  I dip low as if to curtsy, but I push through instead. Steel cuffs grab both my arms and together they carry me over to the window.

  “When are you going to realize that you can’t escape?” Jude asks, releasing me.

  “When are you going to realize that I will never stop trying to?”

  He crosses his arms. “I guess we are at an impasse then.”

  I cross mine. “I guess we are.”

  Thomas’s bulk and Jude’s damn stubbornness make it impossible to get my way. General Clone can’t think past “yes, sir,” “no sir” and therefore no victim to my manipulations. And Jude, well, I’d like the least interaction as possible with him. I flop down on the armchair and stare at the woods across the street. I find solace in those woods. Solace is something I desperately need.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Starr

  Pushing the thick green moss to the side, I duck beneath its curtain to follow the worn path from ancient tree to ancient tree. A horn blast destroys the silence weighing heavily on the forest. Leaning against the gnarled bark, I peek across the road, through the gate, and into the mansion, to a room on the second floor that once belonged to a little girl named Jessica.

  The crunch of boots on dry leaves lets me know I’m not alone. I long to see those
beautiful blue eyes, that finely chiseled jawline, that lush gorgeous black hair, those velvet lips.

  “Jessica. Jessica?” I open my eyes to Thomas hovering over me. He’s pointing at his watch. “It’s 3:15. You need to meet Jerry Jr.”

  Awakened from a dream only to be plunged into a nightmare. That’s the way to put a person into one hell of a mood. I stomp out into the hall and this time Team Asshole follows me.

  Mr. Willingsby dips down into a bow as I approach. “Miss Jessica, you look dashing as usual. Let me announce your entrance and then I’ll show you in.”

  I wait one, two, three seconds, then follow him.

  “Dear guests, it is with...”—His eyes open wide when he sees me—“great pleasure that I present to you, Miss Jessica Chamberlain.”

  Jerry White, the father, rushes over and takes my hand. “Miss Jessica, it is my pleasure to see you again. You are simply enchanting.”

  His grip reminds me of the catfish I caught when I was five. No shape, no bone, and an overwhelming desire to toss it back into the water as soon as possible and scrub off the remnants.

  “Jessica, I’d like you to meet Jerry Jr.”

  “Jessica,” he says reaching for my hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  The moment our hands make contact, I’m struck with one startling realization. Even after everything, I still love Christian.

  I will always love him.

  He has ruined me for anyone else.

  Epilogue

  Di

  RING...RING...RING...

  “Hello?”

  “I promised you I’d call before I go into the tunnels. Well, here’s my call.”

  “Christian, don’t.”

  “Di, I can’t wait anymore. I need to see her. I need to save her.”

  “You can’t go in by yourself. We need to be there. Wait for me.”

  “Di, I’m not waiting.”

  Click.

  Acknowledgements

  Book Three. Wow, I can’t even believe that Book Three of the Starr Fall series is complete and out in the world. It seems like only yesterday I wrote that 500,000 word vomit draft.

  My three little cherubs, I love you. Your belief in my writing gives me wings. I can’t wait for you to spread yours.

  Steve, thank you for supporting my writing. You lack a clean house, home cooked meals, and a second full-time teaching salary, but my sparkling personality makes up for it. Right?

  Alison and Donna, my INKSisters, you’re there when I need you—taglines, book blurbs, passages, character development, icing for cake...Can’t wait for our next writing retreat.

  Nif, of course, you made the Acknowledgements again. Thank you for all your love and support!

  Lucas, Bob, and Uncle John, thank you for helping me with all the police procedure stuff. You let me pick your brains without arresting me. Our community is a safer, kinder place because of you. Thank you for your years of service.

  Ashley, thank you for answering my endless questions about ambulance procedure and etiquette. Your kind soul brings comfort to those who need it the most. If you ever need someone to ride shot gun, I’m your girl. Thank you for your years of service.

  Vicky Burkholder, three books down, maybe two more to go! Thank you for your patience when dealing with my penchant for split infinitives and em dashes—you rock!

  Melissa Keir, I love your enthusiasm and your work ethic. You get the job done, but you’re ready to drop everything to answer my questions. Thanks for believing in Starr Fall.

  Najla Qambar, three books, three covers. All just as gorgeous and beautiful designed as the next. Your talent amazes me. I wished we lived close enough to visit. You make the book world a more beautiful place.

  My parents and parent in-laws, thank you for helping us along our life journey. Your support and love made us into the people we are today.

  My friends, my family, my Facebook friends, my Pocono Mountain classmates, my TEC family, thank you for your unwavering support. You make me feel like a rockstar.

  A huge thanks to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Tribal Nation and the Smoky Mountain National Park Service employees, you provided the inspiration for Starr Fall, the setting for most of the series, and guidance in accurately representing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

  Readers and Reviewers, your support of my writing means everything to me. Your reviews inspire my writing mojo. Keep them coming. Team Starr will be working the pavement soon.

  Your mission: Dive into your dream. Make it happen. Tell me about it. www.KimBriggsWrite.com or tweet me @kimbriggswrite.

  BIBLIOGRAPHY

  American Indians in Children’s Literature. https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com, 2016

  Caduto, Michael J. and Joseph Bruchac. Native American Animal Stories Told by Joseph Bruchac.Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, Co., 1992.

  Cherokee Preservation Foundation. http://cherokeepreservation.org/who-we-are/about-the-ebci/, 2016.

  Cherokee Smokies Website. http://www.cherokeesmokies.com/about_cherokee.html, 2016.

  Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Government Website. http://ebci.com, 2016.

  Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, NC. http://visitcherokeenc.com/eastern-band-of-the-cherokee/, 2016.

  Galloway, Mary Regina Ulmer. Aunt Mary, Tell Me A Story: A Collection of Cherokee Legends and Tales as told by Mary Ulmer Chiltoskey. Cherokee Publications, Cherokee, NC., 1990. 2005.

  Garrett, Michael. Walking on the Wind: Cherokee Teachings for Harmony and Balance. Bear & Company Publishing, Rochester, VT., 1998.

  Mooney, James. Cherokee History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas. Cherokee Publications, Cherokee, NC. 1891, 1900, Reproduced 2006.

  Medicine Man Craft Shop, https://medicinemancrafts.com. Cherokee, NC, 2016

  Museum of the Cherokee Indian. http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/?gclid=CNSHtIqVnNACFY5MDQodpB0J1w, 2016

  National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm, 2016.

  Smith, Anne M. Ute Tales. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, UT, 1992.

  Talking Leaves Bookstore, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Talking-Leaves-CherokeeNC/143324299061068, Cherokee, NC, 2016.

  Underwood, Thomas B., and J. Ed Sharpe. American Indian Cooking and Herb Lore. Cherokee Publications, Cherokee, NC, 1973.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kim Briggs once smashed into a tree while skiing. The accident led to a concussion, a cracked sternum, temporary notoriety as a sixth grader returned from the dead, and the realization that fictionalized accounts are way more interesting than just slipping on the ice.

  An unhealthy obsession with conspiracy theories combined with a love of travel and happily ever afters led Kim to write her YA novel, Starr Fall, where a secret organization decides 17 year old Starr Bishop is not only the model student, but the ideal assassin. While in hiding, Starr meets dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood. Cue the swoon worthy music. But it’s not all happily ever afters for Kim. Her NA novel, And Then He, explores the dark and scary corners of the human psyche. Following a night of innocent flirting with a handsome stranger, Tiffani finds herself in the midst of a nightmare she can’t escape. And Then He is available through Amazon and other major book retailers. Starr Fall released November 2016 with Inkspell Publishing, followed by Starr Lost in January 2017 and Starr Gone in June 2017. Her novella, Avalanche is part of the Valentine Kisses Anthology and released February 14, 2017.

  When she’s not doing something writerly, Kim can be found jumping into snow drifts with her three kids, husband, and dog. She’s careful to avoid trees.

  Visit her website and sign up for updates: www.KimBriggsWrite.com

  Please like her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KimBriggsWrite/

  Chat with her on Twitter: @KimBriggsWrite

  She shares writing love with her INK Sister Alison Green Myers at INK Sisters Write http://INKSistersWrite.Blogspot.com

  Find Out How It All Began....

  On th
e run from the Organization, Starr never planned on falling in love.

  Starr Bishop’s the complete package. A perfect smile, brains to match, and a winning attitude. Boys want to date her and girls want to be her. She’s the type of girl you want to hate, if only she wasn’t so damn likable. But don’t worry, she’s not interested in your boyfriend. Boys are one complication she can live without.

  When the Organization decides she’s not only the model student but the ideal assassin, Starr’ll need a lot more than high test scores and extracurricular involvement to get herself out of that commitment.

  Dark, moody, and dead sexy Christian Evergood is the last person she’d expect—or even want— to come to her rescue. From opposite ends of Webster High’s social hierarchy, their lives collide in one electrifying moment. Christian isn’t the Goth loner he pretends to be, he’s a part Cherokee, All-American boy who wants to be a hero, Starr’s hero. Christian makes Starr forget that the Organization is after her, but nothing will stop the Organization from collecting their top recruit.

  By the way, the spot for junior class president just became available.

  What People Are Saying About Starr Fall...

  "I was swept up in Kim Briggs' whirlwind of secrets, swoon, and adventure from page one. Beautifully writing combined with a smart, driven protagonist made this a book I couldn't put down.”—Isabel Bandeira, Author of Bookishly Ever After (Jan 2016) and Dramatically Ever After (June 2017)

  As the opener in what promises to be a thrilling series, Starr Fall hits the ground running and hits the water swimming. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough as Starr went from a super-achieving but otherwise pretty normal high school junior to a girl on the run from a shady, powerful government (maybe) agency and a deep, dark conspiracy we only see in glimpses. And why has the weird kid from school suddenly become her ultra-hot sidekick, with a connection between them that literally gives off sparks? He’s a lot more than he seems. Every answer raises another question as the reader ricochets between the threat level outside the remote cabin and the heat level inside it. Briggs knows how to crank up both kinds of tension, in the best possible way. Book two can’t come soon enough for this reader! - Liz Coley, author of the award winning, internationally best-selling Pretty Girl-13