“I was about to break a window when Jenna let me in. When I saw you lying there like that—” Gil ’s hands become fists. “I could have killed him. I wanted to.”
I cover his fist with my hand, loosening his fingers until I can get mine in between. “I ’m fine. The police found him this morning. It ’s okay. If Jenna hadn ’t been there already, you would ’ve been the one to save me. And what matters most is that you came.”
“Of course I came!” Gil swallows. “I felt so helpless. So damned scared.”
“But it ’s all over now, ” I say. “And I get out of here tomorrow.”
“Can I come see you? Maybe we could do something—at your place, if you still need to rest.”
“I ’d love that, ” I say.
“Me, too.” Gil leans down and kisses me.
It feels sweeter than before, maybe because I know how lucky I am to be alive. To have people who love me. A family who cares, and who ’s willing to accept and try to understand something they don ’t really understand.
For the first time in a long time, I don ’t care that I ’m not normal. I love the people in my life. I ’m grateful to be alive. And I know that my visions aren ’t a curse; they ’re a gift. They kept two people alive. They helped me right a wrong. And they helped me find the boy I love.
Thank you for reading PARALLEL VISION. I hope you enjoyed it!
If you enjoyed PARALLEL VISION, I would so appreciate it if you would let others know about it. It would really help if you ’d:
Recommend it. Let others know you enjoyed this book—in person, online (Twitter, FaceBook , your blog, etc).
Review it. Write a short review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, GoodReads , another online bookstore, or your blog or favorite social network.
“Like ” it on Amazon.com (the “like ” button just underneath the title, next to the rating), and/or rate it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and/or GoodReads .
I really think word-of-mouth recommendations can help other readers find books. If you like an author ’s books, it ’s one of the best ways you can help them. If you let others know about my books, you have my heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Learn more about Cheryl Rainfield ’s books at www.CherylRainfield.com and www.CherylRainfield.com/blog.
If you’re a YA book reviewer and want a digital review copy of one of my books, email me at [email protected].
Resource Guide for Readers
Origami figures that Kate made:
Origami Butterfly: Step-By-Step Instructions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4L5nDDgEEk
Origami Flying Pig: Step-By-Step Instructions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA5POB9bqSQ
Spousal Abuse/Domestic Violence
Are You a Victim?
http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/domviol/vic.htm
Domestic Violence Myths and Facts
http://www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/domestic_violence_myths.html
LGBT crisis lines and suicide prevention
The Trevor Project
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
It Gets Better Project
http://www.itgetsbetter.org/
Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US) http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Youth Suicide Prevention (Canada)
http://www.youthsuicide.ca/
Asthma
Asthma Attacks: Learn More
http://www.noattacks.org/
Teens Health: Asthma Center
http://kidshealth.org/teen/centers/asthma_center.html
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America http://www.aafa.org/index.cfm
About the Author
Cheryl Rainfield is the author of the award-winning SCARS, a novel about a queer teen sexual abuse survivor who uses self-harm to cope; the award-winning HUNTED, a novel about a teen who is a telepath in a world where any paranormal power is illegal; and the forthcoming STAINED, about a teen who is abducted and must rescue herself. Cheryl Rainfield is an incest and ritual abuse survivor who is an avid reader and writer. Through her work, Cheryl tries to help people know they are not alone, no matter where their pain comes from. She is an advocate for abuse survivors, people who ’ve self-harmed, and the LGBTQ community. She lives in Toronto with her little dog, Petal.
Cheryl Rainfield has been said to write with “great empathy and compassion ” (VOYA) and to write stories that “can, perhaps, save a life.” (CM Magazine) School Library Journal said of her work: “[readers] will be on the edge of their seats.”
She invites you to sign up for her newsletter on CherylRainfield.com, where you can get news about her latest books, free goodies for her books, and more.
You can find Cheryl on
Her website www.CherylRainfield.com
Her book blog
Twitter
Pinterest
FaceBook
GoodReads
YouTube
Like PARALLEL VISIONS? Check out these other titles by Cheryl Rainfield
Award-winning SCARS
“Scars is a brave novel, a read-in-one-sitting-except-when-you-have-to-put-it-down-to-breathe novel .”
- Ellen Hopkins, author of Burned, a National Book Award nominee and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Glass, an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults
In SCARS, Kendra must face her past and stop hurting herself—before it ’s too late....
An edgy, realistic, and hopeful novel about a teen survivor of sexual abuse who uses self-harm to cope.
Kendra, fifteen, hasn ’t felt safe since she began to recall devastating memories of childhood sexual abuse, especially because she still can ’t remember her abuser ’s identity. When her abuser starts leaving her threatening messages, Kendra cuts to cope. She also turns to her therapist, and Meghan, her classmate who becomes more than a friend. The truth about Kendra ’s abuse is just waiting to explode, with startling unforeseen consequences. SCARS is the unforgettable story of one girl ’s frightening path to the truth.
SCARS is a Governor General Literary Award finalist, #1 in ALA’s 2011 Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, and is on ALA ’s Rainbow List (LGBT recommended books).
SCARS received a starred review from School Library Journal.
The arms on the cover are the author ’s.
“Scars is a painful and well told story, obviously written with the heart ’s blood of the author. It could prove to be a life-saver for other young victims of abuse and self-harm .”
- Lois Duncan, Margaret A. Edwards Award-winning author of Killing Mr. Griffin and I Know What You Did Last Summer
“Scars is the ‘must ’ read for any teen. I couldn ’t put it down .”
- Gail Giles, author of Right Behind You, a 2009 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
“Rainfield ’s gripping, chillingly honest account of an abused teen ’s fight to survive her history, and its consequent self-harm, is written with such compassion and empathy that this is ultimately a story of hope .”
- Wendy Orr, author of Peeling the Onion
Click here to read a sample or to buy SCARS!
Award-winning HUNTED
“Spellbound by this one! HUNTED’s got my vote for the sharpest, most thought-provoking fantasy I ’ve read in a long time. It ’s hard not to fall in love with resilient, defiant Caitlyn, whose voice is as tough as it is pure.
Vividly realized and tightly wound, HUNTED builds tension on the edge of a knife. Its cut-glass style will hook you, and its brave and provocative themes are sure to stir up both emotions and conversation .”
- Adele Griffin, Author of Where I Want to Be, National Book Award finalist, Kirkus Best Book, ALA Best Book
In HUNTED, Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any paranormal power is illegal. She is on the run from government ParaTroopers . When Caitlyn falls for Alex, a Normal, and discovers dangerous renegade paranormals, she must choose between staying in hiding to protect herself, or taking
a stand to save the world.
Finalist for the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction & Fantasy. Highly recommended by VOYA and CM.
Check out the book trailer for HUNTED.
“In this suspenseful parable of prejudice and oppression, Rainfield creates unique, appealing characters we root for until the satisfying end.”
- Pam Bachorz , author of Candor, 2011 YALSA Popular Paperback
“With its eerily contemporary themes, Hunted will set your pulse to pounding as Caitlyn, struggles to cling to a faith in the basic goodness of humankind in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”
- Cinda Williams Chima , The Demon King, A VOYA Perfect Ten, VOYA ’s Best Science Fiction, 2011 ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults list, and more!
“This is a marvelous read for those teens who loved The Hunger Games .” - VOYA
Click here to read a sample or to buy HUNTED!
Coming in 2013: STAINED (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013)
Sarah, a teen with a port-wine stain, is abducted and must find a way to rescue herself.
Also available now by Cheryl Rainfield —two hi-lo (high interest, low vocabulary) books for teens:
Dragon Speaker: The Last Dragon (HIP Books, 2009) A boy is the only one who can hear—and save—the last dragon.
SkinWalkers: Walking Both Sides (HIP Books, 2011) A girl, half-human and half—shapeshifter , must find a way to bring both worlds together.
Acknowledgements
My deep and heartfelt thanks to:
Jean, whose love, support, and encouragement nurtures my soul, and who has become a mother to me. I love your joy, your beautiful soul, and the way you can hear all the painful stuff, and also have fun.
Evelyn Fazio, my fantastic editor, who edited not only this book but also Scars and Hunted, and who has believed in me and encouraged me steadfastly, and become a dear friend.
Julie Schoerke , my wonderful book publicist, who has helped me get my books out there, believed in me, cared about me, and become a good friend.
Andrea Somberg , my literary agent, who believes in me, answers all my questions, and always works to help me no matter what I write, and who gave me feedback on this novel.
Nelsa Roberto, who read not just one but two versions of this book and gave me valuable feedback, and greatly encouraged me; and Erin Thomas and Karen Krossing , who gave me very helpful feedback on this book.
Jo-Anne Beggs , my dearest and longest friend, Hilary Cameron, and Andrea Medovarski —dear friends all, who believe in me and my writing.
The wonderful community of fellow children ’s and YA writers, who encourage and support me, including Megan Crewe, Debbie Ohi , Wendy Orr, Lena Coakley , Nancy Prasad, Lesely Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Carolyn Beck, Anna Kerz , and so many, many others.
All the many readers and book bloggers who wrote to tell me how much Scars and Hunted touched you, and who wrote reviews. Your emails, messages, and tweets full of love for my books feed my soul.
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