Kidnapped by a strange boy, a girl is brought to an island where she soon discovers that the island's residents never grow old because no one can ever age there. Original.
A hundred eyes stare back. Glowing. Rimmed in black.
The small shell snaps shut. The eyes disappear inside.
He recognizes it. A clam shell. A scallop.
He sits up in the wet sand.
He is alone. The sun has risen but he is cold.
He picks up the shell and throws it into the water.
It needs to return.
Unlike him.
He never will.
He looks out over the bay. To the wall of white clouds sitting on the horizon, cottony and thick.
He has less than a day. The price of escape must be paid.
Startled by voices, he jumps to his feet.
From a pathway between the dunes, two people emerge. Strangers.
They wave hello and continue, without breaking stride.
He smiles, foolishly, uncontrollably.
He knows what he has done.
He knows his days are numbered.
And he is very, very happy.
Digging his hand into his pants pocket, he pulls out a pocketknife. He unsheathes the blade. Caked with sand, seaweed, and salt water, it crackles as it opens.
At the beachs edge, beyond the dunes and near the parking lot, he spots a waist-high metal box with a clear plastic door. It is labeled Nesconset Inquirer and Mirror free. He walks to it, placing the knife on top to dry in the sun.
Opening the box, he takes out a newspaper.
He checks the date.
His heart races as he scans the front page. The images and word rhythms seem so strange and false.
Then he sees a headline in the Social Events section:
Clemson Childers III to Celebrate 75th Birthday Gala Event at Nesconset Yacht Club
He looks to his left. Toward a large gray building at the edge of the land. Over the front door hangs a coat of arms. In the window is a sign:
Help Wanted. No Experience Necessary. Start Today.
A car is pulling up to the building.
He watches as a figure emerges, jangling a set of keys, heading for the front door
Description:
Kidnapped by a strange boy, a girl is brought to an island where she soon discovers that the island's residents never grow old because no one can ever age there. Original.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
PROLOGUE
July 15
He blinks.
A hundred eyes stare back. Glowing. Rimmed in black.
The small shell snaps shut. The eyes disappear inside.
He recognizes it. A clam shell. A scallop.
He sits up in the wet sand.
He is alone. The sun has risen but he is cold.
He picks up the shell and throws it into the water.
It needs to return.
Unlike him.
He never will.
He looks out over the bay. To the wall of white clouds sitting on the horizon, cottony and thick.
He has less than a day. The price of escape must be paid.
Startled by voices, he jumps to his feet.
From a pathway between the dunes, two people emerge. Strangers.
They wave hello and continue, without breaking stride.
He smiles, foolishly, uncontrollably.
He knows what he has done.
He knows his days are numbered.
And he is very, very happy.
Digging his hand into his pants pocket, he pulls out a pocketknife. He unsheathes the blade. Caked with sand, seaweed, and salt water, it crackles as it opens.
At the beachs edge, beyond the dunes and near the parking lot, he spots a waist-high metal box with a clear plastic door. It is labeled Nesconset Inquirer and Mirror free. He walks to it, placing the knife on top to dry in the sun.
Opening the box, he takes out a newspaper.
He checks the date.
His heart races as he scans the front page. The images and word rhythms seem so strange and false.
Then he sees a headline in the Social Events section:
Clemson Childers III to Celebrate 75th Birthday Gala Event at Nesconset Yacht Club
He looks to his left. Toward a large gray building at the edge of the land. Over the front door hangs a coat of arms. In the window is a sign:
Help Wanted. No Experience Necessary. Start Today.
A car is pulling up to the building.
He watches as a figure emerges, jangling a set of keys, heading for the front door
He knows just what to do.
He takes the knife.
And he heads for the man.