Michael felt like his life ended the day his family left. In a way, it did. While he struggled to remain composed when he was in the company of others, he allowed his thoughts and anxieties to consume him when he was alone. Though the life that he had always known had ended, a new one quickly emerged, one that had been suppressed by the Elders for far too long. While Michael struggled to wrap his brain around the information he was learning about his true identity and the community he had grown up in, his heart continuously pulled him toward a young girl and his new found romance, while it simultaneously ached for the family he lost.
Genre: FICTION / PsychologicalThis is the second book in my Young Adult series. So far, it has not sold as well as the first book, but is still selling.
Suddenly, all that was left of his family was a cloud of dust. As he stood there facing the spot where his family had just been, Michael felt nothing for a moment. Then, a wave of hollow emptiness swept over him, taking his breath away. He inhaled deeply and tried to regain control. He couldn’t let the Statlers see him like this. He had to remain strong. He was a child of God, after all, walking in complete obedience; there was nothing to be upset about, nothing to fear.
Mr. Statler walked up to where he stood and put his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Come on, Michael, let’s go home.”
In a daze, Michael began walking back to the Statler’s dwelling. He felt like he was dreaming. They’re gone. They just…left. What will the Elders do? What will I do? Surely, people will notice they’re gone and probably much sooner rather than later.
“This has never happened before,” he heard himself say aloud. He was startled by the huskiness of the voice he heard. It didn’t sound like him at all. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe he really was dreaming.
The Statlers stopped walking and faced him, looking sad and feeling unsure of what to say. After a brief pause, Mrs. Statler asked, “No one has ever left Zion before?”
