Exclusive Excerpt from AWAKE
The more I knew about them the more terrified I became. There wasn’t going to be any getting through to them. They genuinely believe all the crap about my ‘crossing over’ and ‘opening the door’ for all of our eternal life. In-freaking-sane.
Today marked day one of the ritual and my second full day at the commune. It was too soon for me to jump in the water and cry with happiness because I was The Light but I also didn’t want to put up too much fight.
I was told to wear one of my white gowns; they hung to the left of the wardrobe. Not giving a crap what I wore, I ripped the first white one off the hanger and threw it on. Tonight was the first ‘ritual’. We were going to be joined or some crap like that. We weren’t going to be joined; I was just going to be terrified while they did whatever they felt they had to. Then I’d die.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I replied sharply.
“Don’t look afraid, Scarlett, this is just the beginning.”
Yeah, that was what I was afraid of.
“Can’t wait,” I said sarcastically.
Smiling, she reached up and placed a headband made from daisies on my head. I almost asked the significance of it but then I realised I didn’t care.
I was walked out of the house and towards the lake. The rest of them followed. I didn’t falter one step as we walked past the houses and stopped in front of the water.
“The Light has returned. She and she alone will lead us until eternal peace and harmony. We will become at one with nature. We accept The Light as our salvation. Cleanse her and let her lead.”
I was walked me into the water. My bare toes slipped beneath the cool surface and I wanted to bolt. This was all insane.
Looking back over my shoulder, I took a step closer to the centre. The water stung for a second before I became accustom to the temperature.
I shook with fear as I reached the middle, flattening the dress to my side so it didn’t puff up and float to the surface. Turning around, I saw them all standing much further back, watching me. They were in one single row and although I couldn’t hear them I knew they were speaking. Their mouths moved in perfect synchrony.
Leaves rustled in the light wind, making it even harder to hear. I managed to lip read The Light a few times. The dress, now plastered to my legs, felt like it weighed a ton. I might as well be wearing an anchor.
I could run now. They were far enough away that I could get a head start but it would probably just be a few seconds. And I had no idea where I would go.
Gulping, I closed my eyes as I couldn’t hold in the fear and uncertainty anymore. I cried in the middle of the lake while thirty-nine people watched.
***
Book Information
Title: Awake
Author: Natasha Preston
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Summary:
Don’t miss the latest gripping, high-stakes thriller from Wattpad sensation Natasha Preston, author of the runaway hit The Cellar.
Scarlett Garner doesn’t remember anything before the age of four-until a car accident changes everything. She starts to remember pieces of a past that frighten her. A past her parents hid from her…and a secret that could get her killed.
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Author Biography
UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she shared a story online—and hasn’t looked back since. She enjoys writing romance, thrillers, gritty YA, and the occasional serial killer.
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Wow That excerpt was very powerful !! The Handmaidens Tail was scary to me 🙁
It by Stephen King scared the living daylights out of me – I still hate clowns to this day!
I read IT when I was younger. Pennywise just completely creeped me out. Nothing like a scary clown
The Happening. I love trees and that just scared the crap out of me.
Not sure if it was the scariest, but it was plenty freaky. I read the first three books in Kay Hooper’s evil series (Touching Evil, Sense of Evil, Whisper of Evil). Gave me nightmares.
I’ve read a few, but The Exorcist is probably at the top of the list for me.
Geralds Game by Stephen King was pretty scary.
Jade Green
I really don’t read scary books…. Well. Not catorgorized as a horror. Hmm…. The Boy in Striped Pajamas. That’s a different sort of scary.