Turning Grace

by J. Q. Davis

  I gave him one last look, and stepped into the car. The windows were tinted and I knew he couldn’t see me.

  I glanced over at my mother, who was now in the frame of the front door. And then to Tristen, who stood motionless on the sidewalk, staring at the tinted window. I closed my eyes, allowing all the tears I held back for him to finally fall.

  The Secret Agent stepped into the driver’s seat and Dr. Roberson motioned for him to begin the drive.

  We pulled away, and I didn’t look back. I couldn’t bear to see their faces again.

  Was I making the right decision? I was leaving behind all I knew. My best friend, whom I had killed and eaten. Were they going to bury her properly? What about her family?

  My mother, who worked my entire life to keep my disease a secret and did unimaginable things to keep me alive and going. Could I ever forgive her for lying and keeping it all from me?

  And Tristen, who murdered someone for me. Whom I still barely even knew, but professed to me that he was falling in love with me. Even after he found out who I really was. Will I ever get over him?

  “Grace, we have a jet waiting for us at the airport. You must be getting hungry. We will have food there for you.”

  As if on cue, a familiar pain shot through my torso. I didn’t look up at him.

  There was a moment of silence, and then Dr. Roberson turned his body toward me. “Grace, I know you are scared. But you made the right choice. We will take good care of you.”

  I didn’t answer, and he turned back around.

  I stared at my hands on my lap, suddenly feeling a sense of loss wash over me.

  I had no idea what was going to happen on that island. But I knew I had to get through it. Alone.

  About the Author

  JoAnna Quintana-Davis currently resides in the desert of Southern California. Her and her husband were stationed there due to her husband’s orders in the Marine Corps. She has no children, but considers her pooches, Lucy, Cassie, and Bella, her daughters. She is eagerly awaiting her return to New Orleans, Louisiana to be with her family and friends. In the meantime, she will continue to add more pages to Turning Grace.