In a universe in turmoil, one species stands apart as protectors and defenders of the greater good. Their greatest law: Never Fall in Love Trigger warning this story includes scenes involving domestic abuse, and stalking.

As Detective Drew Lucy typed up the report on the Waterton case the pretty ankle slipped into his line of sight. It was shaped like trouble. The chief's sixteen-year-old daughter Millie was worried about her brother, Ike, who had started to disappear some nights. The chief could fire Drew for messing with family business, but Drew reluctantly agrees to tail Ike. The trail leads to a speakeasy and the mushrooming business of organized crime during Prohibition in Chicago. Clues from the Ebony Gardens murder point to the same gang, but the gangsters can smell Drew coming, and bullets are cheap. By the time Drew enters the seductive orbit of a mink-eyed vixen addicted to risk, he's in over his head. If he isn't shot full of daylight by gangster tommy guns, he'll drown in Bianca's perfumed embrace. It's enough to make a gumshoe readjust his fedora. ----- This noir flavored detective yarn is set 100 years back in time. It's a bit grittier than my usual breezy output. This story is basically clean and I did not flag it as mature. However, darker human failings (alcohol use, sexual desire, and violence) drive the plot. I don't dwell on those aspects, but it's definitely a story for grownups. The intended audience is new adult or adult. Winner! 2022 Amby Awards, Mystery and Thriller category. Winner! 3rd place in the Ballsy Tea Awards 2022, Action and Adventure category.

{ CLOSED } Couldn't figure out another name. Like it? Anyway, you can have any kind of book to enter these awards. All rules, prizes, and other such things will be in the book. Good luck to you all.

Whosoever hath collared the devil best not let slip the leash... Cracks are forming. In the Gates of reality. In the seams of a universe abandoned by its author. In the brittle heart of a lonely girl. In the opalescent eyes of the Wytch Wyrd. In the clean clay skin of an old gypsy Listener. In the fragile foundations of the empires of men... In the prisons that hold the greatest and most ancient evil, cracks are forming. Dalli cannot number the bruises or the indignities, the fears or the lies, but there are two things she can count: her enemies, and the thirteen silver bells with thirteen notes soul-searing sweet to call forth an unknown power. Have you a soft spot for the anti-hero? Do you like heroines who'd rather play to win than play nice? Does your heart beat faster when you hear a floorboard creak in an empty house? Want to feel the warm wind of whispered words against the back of a bared neck in a winter-chilled room? What about the ghost touch of a fingertip that glides down your arm just a quarter inch away? if you love adventure, romance, intrigue, mystery, and maybe even a shot at redemption, or if you just enjoy a fantasy world where there's a story behind every brick and tree, then please do come inside. We have cookies, and they have stories, too.

WATTYS 2021 SHORT LIST**HEART AWARDS FOURTH PLACE. FORMER #1 PROCEDURAL. Detective John Robin discovers the murdered body of the hotshot homicide chief who recruited him to the city's "A Squad", rabbi'd him up to detective, and taught him so much. Distraught, John catches the case...for about two minutes. In the blink of an eye, a more senior detective is assigned instead. How can John get reassigned to the case? How can he solve the murder of his boss and friend? What's happened to his flaky girlfriend, Lizzie, a fallen New York model, and his squad partner Mike, who's having a mental breakdown? How can those clues help him solve the crime? When John himself is attacked, the stakes climb.

A girl with no memory of her former life. A boy who might have all the answers, and people who will stop at nothing to get them both back. 16-year-old Ryder, a certified street rat, and skilled thief has always been able to dream parts of others pasts. Nothing intrigues him more than the past of a strange green-eyed girl, running from something terrifying. To 16-year-old Lana, Ryder was just another obstacle in her way. A blip in her path to finding out how she ended up wandering the streets with no memories. But somehow, she's connected to him. Somehow, Ryder knows details about her past that Lana was meant to forget. Lana knows one thing, and one thing only, the people she escaped from don't intend on leaving her alone. The scars up and down her arms tell her that much. Searching for stolen memories, Lana and Ryder discover that sometimes, it's better to forget than to remember. "I'm a subject to you, aren't I? Funny thing. You're just another monster to me, so I guess we're even."

A short story I wrote in memory of those who have passed on.

Sandra is just another depressed high schooler, her life a wreck. She is swamped with essays and projects, but on top of that her mom is always at work, her dad slaps her, her best friend pays more attention to her phone than her, and her other friends insult and terrorize her. Hanging onto her only hope left, she dreams that just one person would love her. That's why she made the perfect fake boyfriend up in her mind. Until he isn't. Suddenly, he really is at her school and is a real human being. But without her mind choosing all his actions and decisions, what will he do? (Please do not copy or use any of my work. All rights are reserved. only I am allowed to publish or change this work, but I do hope you like it! Please offer any feedback or comments you would like!) also, this amazing cover is all thanks to @HeartlessVibes1 !!! So thank you!!!

Welcome new writers, undiscovered writers, discouraged writers... writers in general! Being recognized as a writer here on Wattpad is hard since millions of very good books exist, but there's no need to lose all hope from sharing your brilliant thoughts with the world! This thread seeks to bring writers of all types to interact with each other and share common issues as well as discuss characters, gain feedback and insight. Within this community authors are at liberty to share their works out of sheer excitement or for constructive criticism for preparation of submission to awards. This community was created to make new and experienced writers better acquainted with the wattpad community by incorporating a familial atmosphere.