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    The Dark Expanse - Novella 3
    The Dark Expanse - Novella 3
    The Dark Expanse - Novella 3
    Ebook83 pages1 hour

    The Dark Expanse - Novella 3

    By Henley Grey

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    About this ebook

    Amidst the darkness of your slumber is where you’ll find the Colosseum, an astral battleground filled with children. Limited only by their imaginations, they can transform into the wildest of creatures. Under the watchful gaze of the Overseer, they clash in hopes of becoming one of its Elite.

    Hidden deep inside the vast expanse, the Associates lie in wait. They are a faceless organization who decides which children enter the Colosseum. This company conceals itself in the shadows, using the youngsters to aid their agenda in the real world.

    Max Carter begins to question his vocation in life. He knows this isn’t wise, considering his employers are the Associates. Not many people are aware of their existence, but they are woven into society. When Max receives a cryptic message, he learns that the company isn’t the only thing prowling the dark expanse.

    Wesley Finton is chosen! Not by the Associates, but the sinister figure who lurks at the edges of our sleep. Once inside the arena, Wesley discovers a strange power dwelling within him, and a vile plot to exploit the children within its walls.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHenley Grey
    Release dateJun 20, 2017
    ISBN9781386195481
    The Dark Expanse - Novella 3

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      Book preview

      The Dark Expanse - Novella 3 - Henley Grey

      The Dark Expanse

      Astral Clash Series

      HENLEY GREY

      Volume Three

      ––––––––

      Digital Edition

      Copyright © 2017 by Henley Grey

      All rights reserved. This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

      Chapter Forty-one

      The snow covered Cedar Road from top to bottom. Nothing had been left untouched. The houses and cars were all cloaked in white. From Luke’s bedroom window on the third floor of the tall terraced house, he could see nothing but white. Luke stood at the window in his bathrobe and wondered why Wesley hadn’t been online the night before. Was he ill? He hadn’t answered his call either. He decided to go and see if he was alright. Only being around the corner, he wouldn’t have to trudge through too much snow.

      Luke selected a pair of boots from the assortment of family shoes under the stairs. He zipped up his blue coat and stepped outside to face the harshest of winds. The stream of blasting air whipped up from the bottom of the road and pushed against Luke’s back as he made his way toward his friend’s house. With each step, his light brown boots sunk deep into the snow. Luke was amazed at the amount of snow that had fallen; more than he'd ever seen. He never recalled his mum sorting out candles and torches before, but after the weather warning she had dug them out of some old boxes in the back room.

      Alberta Terrace was no different from Luke’s road, a mass of fluffy white snow and a severe wind, which now blew directly into his face. Pressing on, he used his arm for cover. Finally reaching Wesley’s front door, he rapped his knuckles against the wood. It was so cold, each rap stung. Quickly shoving his hand into his pocket, Luke waited for someone to answer the door. Sure enough the door opened and Wesley asked him inside.

      Looks bad out there, Wesley said.

      Luke basked in the warmth of the house. It’s bloody freezing man, he told him. Can’t believe how cold I’ve gotten from crossing the bloody road.

      Wesley took Luke’s coat and laid it across the radiator before the pair headed upstairs to Wes’ room. Wesley began with an apology. Luke, I’m sorry I didn’t call you back last night, Wes said. My uncle Chad was here saying goodbye. He’s gone away on business.

      Oh yeah, it’s no bother Wes, he said, accepting Wesley’s lies unknowingly.

      Family stuff, you know, Wesley continued.

      Luke smiled as he flicked the pages of his sketch pad open. Whoa, did you draw these?

      Wesley nodded, unable to hide the look of anguish on his face.

      Luke hadn’t noticed. He was too busy flipping through the book. You should draw comics man, these are incredible, he praised.

      Oh, no, it’s just something I’ve been working on, Wes replied, closing the pad and moving it away from Luke’s reach.

      The atmosphere changed. Luke wasn’t sure why, but it was as if Wesley was hiding something from him. The pair didn’t have secrets; at least he didn’t think they did. What’s up? Luke asked.

      Wes frowned, Nothing, why?

      You’re acting funny.

      Should he tell him about the clash he had the previous night? No, he would sound insane. Even if he believed him, would the man follow Luke too? Instead, Wesley tried to explain in a short non-descriptive manner.

      It’s just these crazy dreams, he said. Have you ever had a dream so real that it feels like it’s actually happening?

      No, Luke said, shaking his head.

      Wes sat on the end of his bed. In his head he was trying to figure out the best way to avoid discussing something he didn’t understand completely himself. These dreams have been playing on my mind.

      Luke asked, In what way?

      I’m dreaming about real people, real situations and it’s just... he paused, It’s just crazy as hell.

      They’re not real mate. You have to remember it’s all in your head.

      It wasn’t though, Wesley thought. That’s the problem. It’s not in my head; it’s real and it’s amazing. Yeah, I know. Wesley lied. He knew deep down he would have to tell him eventually. Wes just needed to sort it out first and then he would bring his friend on board.

      Come on, let’s do something. Take your mind off it, Luke cheerfully suggested.

      Like what?

      Luke knew Wesley’s mom and dad were out until late afternoon visiting friends as they did every Sunday, religiously, How about a classic fight on Marvel vs. Capcom?

      Old school, huh? Wesley said. On the big screen, he nodded in agreement.

      I’ll get the game. You get the console, Luke said, rushing to Wes’ shelf of games that sat neatly on the back wall of his room. Moments later the pair emerged, banging their way down the stairs. Moving into the living room, they set up the Xbox.

      The huge fifty-inch plasma television did the classic justice. The pixels were bright and colorful and the sounds clear and stunning through the surround sound. But it had lost its shine. The previous night’s excitement, armed with a shield and hammer, had taken its place - and then some.

      Oh, thirty hit combo! Luke gleefully punished his friend on the big screen with ease.

      How do you do that? Wes asked. His skill in the virtual world was lacking behind his friend’s superiority. He wondered if he told Luke about the colosseum if he could enter too.

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