Through The Storm

f i f t e e n

🚨!!Before you proceed!! 🚨

I realise it's been almost 5 whole months since I last updated. Which is... insane. I never intended to give up on Through The Storm, because I'd invested a whole piece of me into it. So allow me to explain this immense gap.

I write TTS such that I'm always at least six to seven chapters ahead of what's on here. That helps me avoid plot-holes and gives me room to change the direction of the story if I need hit a dead end.

However, shortly after publishing the last chapter, I ended up accidentally deleting the entire document where I work on TTS (and many other pieces of writing extremely close to my heart)... along with twelve and a half unreleased chapters that I'd put my heart and soul into.

I was absolutely heartbroken. I lost all motivation to work on this story again. The chapters had so many key events and I'd made so much progress. Losing all of it because of a blunder... well, needless to say, I was devastated. I pretty much gave up on TTS- in fact, this is the first time I've logged in to Wattpad since then.

So yes, it's been ages today. But 10th February also marks a year since I published the very first chapter of TTS. Plus, I miss Ash, Murphy and the others. I miss Aerlyn. They've never left my mind.

And so I decided yesterday that I'm back. I don't know where this newfound courage and motivation has come from, but I'm looking at this positively. If truth be told, I wasn't satisfied with TTS earlier- I felt disconnected from my characters and their emotions. This gives me another chance to work on TTS in a way that's closer to my heart.

And there's lots in store for my dear readers. So I really hope I haven't let you down, and that you still believe in the story. Because I assure you, I sure do :)  

*** *** ***

Gwen held her hand out to me. I took it and let her pry me off the ground. Blake stood right behind her.

"We've got to meet the King tonight," she said to my brother and I. "You'd best get your story straight and stick to it like your life depends on it. Because it just might."

Murphy nudged her indignantly before I could reply and said, "I thought we were trying not to cause her panic again. When did that plan change?"

Rolling her eyes, Gwen said, "She's not a child, Murph, she can handle herself-"

"Yeah sure, but it just seems to me like you're reminding her about something she already knows-"

"Guys," I interrupted, "I'm fine. Scared, but fine. Gwen just reminded me of how much is at stake and now I realise I can't afford to lose my cool. I'll be okay."

Gwen just shrugged and stalked back to the table, clearly annoyed with Murphy. Blake followed after her. Taking advantage of it being just the two of us again, I turned to Murphy as we began heading back. There was something I needed to ask him. "So," I said, slightly hesitantly. "She calls you Murph, huh?"

He slowed down a little and looked at me, puzzled, his eyebrows pulling together slowly. "Yes..." The end of his answer trailed off into a question.

I suddenly realised I didn't know how to frame what I wanted to ask. I just shook my head instead, deciding to ask him later. "Nothing," I said, "I just haven't heard anyone call you that before."

His eyes narrowed slightly, obviously suspicious. "What's your point?" he asked, not unkindly.

"Just... no point really. Just wondering how you two know each other." My voice came out small and mouse-like and I hated it. I looked away from him.