THANK YOU, Wattpad, for the HQ Love Watty Award! Concept: A mysterious young woman flees from her troubled past only to discover it is impossible to escape THE SECRET that haunts her. *PLEASE NOTE: This story was originally inspired by the movie "Sleeping With the Enemy". * * * * * "I would never, Steven," she promised, turning away from him in an attempt to protect herself. "I know you wouldn't," he screamed. Cupping her chin in his hand, he forced her to look at him. "Because I would kill you." His words hung heavy in the air. Sarah's heart sank into her stomach. No matter how many times she'd heard the menacing phrase, she could never get used to it. It had the same affect on her as the first time he'd thrown the ugly words in her face. The familiar sting of bile rose in her throat, and she knew she would deplete the contents of her stomach once she was locked in the safety of their master bath. 'If I make it through this time,' she agonized. Her biggest fear was that one day he would really lose his temper with her. Who knew what would happen then? *This story is an unedited first draft. Top Ranks: Action #1, Mystery and Thriller #1 *This story contains scenes of abuse and may be disturbing to some readers. While the characters are fictional, domestic violence is a serious issue that many people across the world face. If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, please seek help immediately. Notice: This document is not authorized for upload or use with artificial intelligence systems or platforms. Any attempt to upload, analyze, or process this content using AI technology is strictly prohibited.

Amidst the foggy abandoned mansion Cass Wilde stood in a once a priced jewel of the last generation. With a lamp in hand, she continually stepped on the creaking termite infested wooden boards held loosely by rusty nails hoping to finally locate the object that was once hidden and soon will be unravel. It was early morning yet peculiarly dark. The dew had just set on the leaves of a nearby crawling plant that extends further than the frame of the old french doors that were once gleaming white, with only a little candle wax left she hurried, feet pattering and the hem of her summer dress waving from side to side. Turning around a corner her dim light gleamed at a huge blood red door Cass grinned knowing that her long tiring journey for justice would soon come to an end.

The greatest tragedy the world has ever known turned out to be the ultimate catalyst for change. In the wake of World War III, which decimated most of the world's population, the remaining survivors vowed to not continue to repeat the same mistakes of the past. Fortunately, they had something previous generations did not have - advanced technology. The year is 2117 and this once shattered civilization has become prosperous again. Innovative forms of technology have enabled them to abandon the old model and re-engineer a better way of living for all. Brain implants and genetic modifications have made an entire population educated, healthy, and kind. Despite the benefits of this technology, it has created some unforeseen side effects that threaten humankind's existence. When technology proves to be inept at solving the world's problem, a new hope emerges in the unlikeliest form - a young orphan girl. *** Cyberpunk, dystopian, technology, future, futurism, scifi, heroine, prodigy...

In the near future, two teens are swept up in the battle for the internet. A fast-paced thriller about the consequences of the choices we make. Jonah Delacroix can't stand the real world - so he lives most of his life inside a global computer-based virtual world called the Metasphere, where everyone is represented by an avatar. When he discovers the avatar of his dead father, and assumes his online identity, he meets Samantha Kavanaugh, a deadly stranger fighting to keep the Metasphere free. Together, they race across the real world with a secret society to protect the freedom of all mankind. This is the first of a four books series that is published in paperback around the world by Hachette. If you like fast-paced thrillers like The Hunger Games, Ready Player One, and The Maze Runner, I think you'll love METAWARS. I'd really appreciate your feedback, and if you get pulled into Jonah & Sam's adventures, please find the sequels (there are 3!) in good bookshops or online, published by Hachette. Oh, and don't forget to vote!