Free The Dawn of the Lost: Prequel to The Lost and the Wicked by Cesar Gonzalez

Summer Moore (17-year-old High School Senior)
    Year: 2101
    Location: New York City
     
    The sun unceremoniously makes its way over the dark clouds, shining for the briefest of moments before being completely engulfed again.
    “Now remember, Summer,” says Kendra or, as I like to call her, ‘Stepmother from hell.’ She isn’t the usual evil stepmom one would think of (the ones who yells at you and puts you down all the time). No, Kendra is all smiles, always flashing that fake, rosy grin. But like a rose, she’s full of thorns. The biggest one being that she’s only with my dad for his money. If only he could see that the way I do. But he’s much too blinded by the blonde hair, curvy figure, and long legs that the woman half his age comes packed with. “I will pick you up from school at three o’clock on the dot. After that we’ll meet your dad at Rosemary’s Ice cream for some rocky road. How does that sound?”
    I roll my eyes and look out the car window, glad that we’re driving into the high school parking lot. It means I won’t have to deal with her much longer.
    She stops the Lincoln and turns to face me. “You know, I used to come to this school. Unlike you, I was quite popular and was voted prom queen.” She grabs my dark blouse with a face of disgust. “You’re not bad looking. Perhaps if you considered wearing some girl clothes for once, and not this gothic trash, you would get a boyfriend.” Her hand travels to my hair and I flinch back. “It wouldn’t hurt you to let this hair see the salon once in a while. People will confuse you for a boy. Why, when I graduated I fixed my hair in the most beautiful of—”
    “Speaking of graduation,” I interrupt. “When was that? Three years ago?”
    Her smile disappears. “You shouldn’t worry about that,” she says through clenched teeth. “Instead you should be thinking about your own coming graduation. You’re a senior after all.”
    “ Whatever .” I open the car door to leave. As I do, she reaches for my arm.
    “You should really be nicer to me. I care for you.”
    I toss her hand aside. “Don’t touch me. You’re only with my dad because of his money. If he wasn’t a CEO, you wouldn’t even look his way.”
    “What if I am?” she says smugly. “I’ve already convinced your dad to send you to Europe to study. Soon you won’t be around to mess up my plans.”
    Every ounce of my body wants to attack her, to slap her across her perfect face. Not only for what she said, but also for everything she’s done. Dad and I were a team. Inseparable in everything we did. That was until this bimbo showed up of nowhere, snarling after his cash and trust funds.
    Instead of hitting her, I take a calming breath. After all, I did promise my dad I would be civil. As I step out of the car I make out the voice of Mingo, the radio DJ, talking about some type of attack in California. I only catch the words ‘creatures’ and ‘sand’ before I slam the car door. The tires of the Lincoln screech loudly as Kendra pulls out of the parking lot and into the street, disappearing into the distance.
    Attack on California? A flash of worry rushes through me. My stepsister lives in California. But I’m sure there is nothing to worry about. California is such a big place. She’s probably safe and sound, tucked in bed.
    “Hey, Summer!” a voice calls from behind me. I turn to see Andrew, the captain of the football team, staring back at me. He has his usual red and white letterman jacket on. I don’t think I have ever seen him without it. Kind of sad really. Flanking him are half of the football team. “Your older sister is hot. Hook me up with those digits.” The boys erupt in a fit of snickers.
    Stupid pigs. “Get lost, Andrew!”
    “Maybe we can get lost together behind the bleachers. I’m sure even you can appreciate a good time.” The aroma of his musky cologne hangs in the air.
    “No, thank you. I have no interest in becoming one of your