Whispers in the Ashes

Chapter 1

"Miranda."

"Miranda."

"Miranda Jade Lyndwood. I swear I will fire you if you don't make your way downstairs in the next 5 minutes!"

Susanna Clark was a hard ass on a good day, which was rare. Most of the time she was just a straight tyrant. At 5'11 she was imposing in both stature and personality. Four years ago she was a partner at a major New York law firm practicing corporate law. She earned the nickname "Clark the Shark" because of her abilities in the negotiation room. Rarely did anyone want to risk a court appearance with her on the other side.

But for reasons unknown, she left New York and her 2 million dollar high rise apartment and moved to Cypress Bend, population 3,000, located three miles from the Cedar Bayou. She set up shop in a corner office off of Market street and rented out the small one bedroom apartment above her office to yours truly.

Trust me I was forever grateful. Tyrant she may be, she made one hell of a boss and landlord.

"I am out of bed!" I said leaping from between the sheets I was currently tangled up in. "I just needed to run back upstairs because I forgot something. Be right there!"

Shit. Shit. Shit. These dreams were seriously hampering my routine. I hadn't had a full nights sleep in weeks. I was currently surviving off energy drinks and sugar, creating a habit I was sure would be hell to break when I finally did catch a break.

I hustled into the bathroom and looked at the two brushes. The ash taste in my mouth took priority over my hair so a hair clip would have to do. I quickly scrubbed my teeth, grabbed the random shirt and pants out of my hamper and rushed down the backstairs that led into the office. There was no door separating the office from my apartment which may have bothered other people but didn't bug me. I had a back staircase entrance that I used during times when I wasn't working.

I could see Susanna's blonde curls from the stairway. She stared at me over red rimmed glasses with the same look she often did every morning.

"Was it shoes?"

"Huh?" I said with a smile.

"Shoes. Was the thing you'd forgotten shoes or did you plan to work in your....fuzzy toe socks?"

I looked down. Well hell. Back up I went.

"Is that coffee I smell?" I said coming back downstairs donning tennis shoes this time. "Have I mentioned you are the best boss ever?"

"Yes. Strange though because I could have swore that's what I in fact paid you to handle."

"I know. Tomorrow I promise I will beat you here!"

"Tomorrow is Saturday. Did you sleep at all last night?"

Susanna knew about my sleep issues and even though she found enjoyment in giving me hell for it, she was understanding. I had confessed a few months back after a particular bad morning that the "nightmares" I was dealing with were contributing to my new look of sleep deprivation. She suggested a trip to Dr. Medina but I opted for hard liquor instead. I knew better but it was worth a shot. Unfortunately, working hung over didn't improve my customer service capability so that was quickly nixed.

I blew the fallen pieces of hair from my messy bun out of my face as I poured a steaming cup of coffee in my favorite mug. The hot pink cup read "Black like my Soul." The conundrum always making me smile.

"1:24 on the dot!" I tried to show some fake humor but in actuality last nights dream had left me feeling jittery unlike the rest of them. Fate was getting persistent and I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold out ignoring the messages she was sending.