Broken Glass (The Wanderland Chronicles #2)

By J.M. Sullivan

The scariest thing about Wanderland isn't death--it's the momerath.

And now Dinah is one of them.

***

Alice Carroll has spent the better part of her life avoiding Wanderland--and the momerath--at all costs. But now with her sister gone, Alice has only one place to go.

Back to Wanderland.

Armed with only her blade and a raging vendetta against the traitorous Red Queen, Alice storms the undead wasteland to find Dinah and atone for her mistakes. But with relentless momerath and a ruthless Queen encroaching, will Alice's determination be enough? Or will she fall down a new rabbit hole searching for revenge?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Owl Hollow Press
• Release date: Jan 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781948583183

J.M. Sullivan

Teacher by day, award-winning author by night, J.M. Sullivan is a fairy tale fanatic who loves taking classic stories and turning them on their head When she is not writing, J.M. prefers to cat, choosing instead to stay at home and spend time with her husband and their four amazing kids. Although known to dabble in adulting, J.M. is a big kid at heart who still believes in true love, magic, and most of all, the power of coffee.

Book preview

She killed another Joker today.

Excuse me.  I mean, ‘Guardsman.’

Ha.

That’s the real joke. The Red Queen cares about the Marked as much as a cat does a dirty litter box. She’ll use them if she must, but otherwise they’re disposable.

Except for me.

She watches me.

I don’t think she knows what to do with me. Not that I blame her. I don’t know what to do with myself. Sometimes I feel like everything is normal, and other times, well—then, at least, the voices tell me that everything is fine.

I don’t quite believe them.

It would be easier if the memories stopped. Of life before. It’s muddled, but there are fragments of purpose and joy, all tied to a quiet, blonde girl. She is strong, stronger than she knows—I know this because I know her better than myself.  And yet, I don’t remember her.

I am empty.

The memories are not mine—they belong to someone else. I am a traitor in this body, an unwelcome host. And yet, the longer I stay grey, the more this body calls to me. Like the other Marked.

We understand each other.

They tell me things. Secrets the Queen will never know. I can read them in their eyes. I can feel them in my bones. Words unspoken, but always heard. Whispers, desperate songs, pleading for salvation. And all the while, they watch me. Waiting. Haunted stares as she kills our brothers and sisters. Their pain is palpable, heavy in the air and on my shoulders while they call to me on an undiscovered frequency.

I hear them laughing.

I hear them crying.

I hear them . . .

I hear . . .

Them.

My sister is gone, and it’s all my fault.

Alice buried her face in her pillow, trying to chase away the thoughts that refused to yield. The darkness didn’t help—she was still haunted by the vision of Dinah’s beautiful almond eyes flashing from rich, radiant brown to a mottled, murky grey.

A frustrated scream ripped from her chest and she flung the pillow across the room, lashing out against the fresh wave of memories threatening to drown her. The soft projectile hit her desk with a crash, toppling Alice’s family picture with Dinah and her mother. She winced as the frame fell, smacking against the hard wood. Alice rushed to her desk, overcome with a fresh surge of emotion as she looked at the picture and saw the fractured image of her family—infinitely separated by shards of broken glass.

Alice gently removed the largest shard, clearing the splintered marks from Dinah’s face, revealing the unmarred image of her sister. A harsh laugh ripped from Alice’s chest.

If only it was that easy.

In reality, things were much more complicated. In reality, her mother was dead and her sister was something worse. She was a momerath.

Alice shivered, remembering the way the virus had come for Dinah, changing her from a healthy, vibrant woman into a shambling monster in a matter of days. Alice glanced down at the image of her sister and was hit with a sharp pang of guilt as she studied her smiling face. She hadn’t even been there for the worst of it. She had left the Sector and gone to Phoenix, leaving Dinah all alone.

Alice bit her lip to still her trembling chin, then set the photo back in its place. She stooped to retrieve her pillow, then shuffled across the floor to flop mournfully onto her bed, overcome with shame.

She had gone to Wanderland to save Dinah, but all she’d succeeded in was making things worse. The rumor of a cure only brought more questions about the undeadly Momerath Virus, along with the undesired side effect of the death of too many good people. The guilt-reel whirred through Alice’s mind again, fresh with images of the people who had helped her through Wanderland. Dr. Abbott, Indi, Johnny, Big Mike. So many lost in a failed attempt to find a cure, and it was all her fault.

No. Alice strangled the pillow in her hands. It was the Red Queen. If she hadn’t interfered, Chess and I would have made it back in time to properly administer the antidote. If it wasn’t for her, Dinah wouldn’t have —

Alice’s nose pricked as she swallowed the lump in her throat. It was hard to believe that only a week ago, she had been sitting in this same room, mentally preparing for a simple scouting trip.

If that was all I had to worry about now, Alice thought with a bitter sigh. She couldn’t believe how much she had whined at Dinah. Unbidden, a fresh wave of tears surged forward, carried on the memory of the last conversation she had with her sister.

‘I only talk to myself because I don't have anyone else to talk to. It’s a coping mechanism.’

‘You can talk to me. I'm always here for you, little sister.’

The tears Alice fought so hard to hold back spilled over her cheeks and onto her pillow. She couldn’t believe how selfish she had been. How much she’d taken for granted. How little she had done. Maybe if she were braver or smarter or faster, Dinah would still be there.

But she wasn’t. She was the same quiet, timid girl she’d been her whole life. And Dinah was gone.

Knock, knock. Chess appeared as he rapped the inside of the already opened door. He peeked at Alice from under the messy ash hair falling in front of his amber eyes. He brushed it away and a nervous grin twitched his lips, showing a bright smile that stood out against his dark olive skin. I come bringing gifts, he said, setting a peanut butter sandwich and a warm soda on the table beside her bed. Alice gave the offering a blank stare.

Thanks. She tried to smile, but it collapsed halfway through the gesture.

You have to eat, Chess chided as he flopped onto the bed beside her. I know you miss your sister, but it’s been four days and you haven’t left the room once. He screwed his lips together as he leaned in to sniff her shoulder. You’re starting to stink.

I am not! Alice pushed him back as she shot away from him and her long, silver-blonde hair tumbled over her shoulder, revealing a collection of tangled strands. Her eyes widened and she grasped it into a low ponytail, brushing her fingers through the ends to quickly smooth the snarls. Chess snickered.

Alright, the smelly thing wasn’t true. He coughed out another laugh before he looked at her disheveled state, then his expression softened. But honestly, Princess? This isn’t healthy.

I’m not hungry. Her stomach let out a contending growl and Chess’ lips quirked in a knowing smile. Alice huffed and flopped onto the bed, turning her back to him. Behind her, his chest rumbled with a low laugh.

Sure, you aren’t, he sighed, but didn’t press the issue. At least drink the soda. He waved it enticingly over her shoulder. It’s practically a delicacy.

Alice stared at the can. How could she care about food at a time like this? Her sister was outside the Sector running God-knows-where, disguised as a monster. Except, it wasn’t a disguise. It was her.

Kind of.

A frustrated growl escaped her throat. Her mind stuck in a cruel loop, forcing her to endlessly relive Dinah’s transformation from Carrier to momerath to . . . Alice wasn’t quite sure what. A million questions buzzed behind the gruesome memories accompanying the reel with a disparaging soundtrack. She twisted her neck to face Chess.

You don’t understand, she argued. You didn’t see what happened to her. The way she looked at me. I— Her voice broke her explanation, and she turned away to hide her impending tears. I lost her.

And you’ll find her, Chess encouraged. I mean, you found a Plague antidote in the middle of a momerath haystack. He nudged the small of her back. You can find your sister.

"We found half an antidote, she reminded him. It didn’t work—not all the way."

Chess sighed. Alice could picture him scratching the back of his head as he decided what to say next. She knew she was being difficult, but she wasn’t finished with her self-loathing.

Listen, Princess, Chess’ voice hardened, employing a different approach, you can mope over what happened and how you’re a failure as long as you want, but that isn’t the girl I know. And it won't help. If anything, it will only make finding Dinah harder later. He caught his breath before continuing, Because you'll get over this eventually, and then you’ll be upset that you sat around and waited so long to kick ass. He nudged her in the back again. "That’s my Alice."

Alice chewed her lip, considering his words. Chess was right. Her sulking wasn’t accomplishing anything. It wasn’t even making her feel better. Resigned, she slowly scooted to join him at the edge of the bed. Her shoulders slumped as she studied her knuckles to avoid Chess’ gaze, embarrassed by her tantrum.

What are we going to do? she moaned. She could be anywhere.

Chess’ features scrunched together as he deliberated. Where do you think she would go?

Alice shrugged. Whenever Dinah had taken her scouting before, they always took different paths. They never went the same way twice. It was too dangerous. Instead, they followed an alternating pattern, tracing an invisible circle around the Sector. The last time they went out, they went north, towards Glendale. If Dinah followed the same route, this time she’d travel more east.

She’d be heading towards Phoenix.

I think I know where she’s going, she gasped. But, she paused and turned to Chess, whose amber eyes narrowed when her face contorted into a grimace. I don’t think you'll like it.

Chess’ brows knotted deeper together. Why? he asked. Where’s she going?

Alice sucked in a breath, bracing for his reaction. She knew it was the last place either of them wanted to go. Yet, something inside her screamed that she was right. Her breath whooshed from her lips as she met his bronze gaze.

She’s going back to Wanderland.

What? Chess jumped from the bed, his eyes blazing as he gaped at her in shock. Though her own insides were swirling, she calmly met his gaze, confident in her suggestion. Finally, he dropped beside her with a heavy sigh.

It’s never easy with you, is it?

A small laugh escaped Alice’s throat. I never said it would be.

Chess scrubbed his eyes and flopped dramatically onto the bed. He peeked out at her through one hand, then quirked the corner of his lips. It’s a good thing you’re pretty.

Alice’s breath hitched, and she dropped her gaze to busy herself with freeing the stray fluffs from her blanket to cover the flush burning her cheeks.

Yeah, well, she countered in a strangled reply, "you’re the one who followed me, so this is on you."

Chess laughed. That’s because a gentleman always keeps his promises. He extended his hand with a wink. Are we ready to go find ourselves a sister?

Alice accepted with a quick nod. Let’s go get Lewis, she suggested. I promised him an ‘exclusive’ when I got home. Guess it’s time to pay the Piper.

He’s getting one hell of a payback, Chess muttered.

And then some, Alice agreed. She moved toward the door, but was stopped when Lewis turned the corner and barged inside, his chest heaving. He stuttered to a stop in front of Alice and clutched his side, his brown eyes bulging under his mop of mousy brown hair. He gulped in a ragged breath and stared at Alice before finally rasping out his words.

We have to go.

What happened?

Alice asked, but she already knew the answer. There was only one reason anyone in the Sector would look that terrified: Momerath.

There’s been an outbreak. Lewis’ face filled with disbelief as he gave his report. It’s the Petersons. They’re… he let out a strangled wheeze as his voice faltered, …not the Petersons anymore.

Any residual sadness lingering in Alice’s mind was swept away and a familiar surge of energy coursed through her veins as she assessed the situation. The Sector was built to keep things out—and people in. And it was small. Very small. If there was an outbreak, it would spread.

Quickly.

Alice shot back, ignoring Lewis’ confused cry as she tore through her room. If the Sector had been compromised, they had to get out—fast. They were minnows in a shark tank, and there was blood in the water.

Without stopping to think, she grabbed her sabre from where it rested against the table, still stained with blood. She strapped it to her back with a quick twist and turned to leave, hesitating when Dinah’s tattered medical bag caught her eye. She paused for half a breath before scooping it up and running to the boys, clutching it to her chest. It still smelled like Dinah.

Let’s go, she commanded, her brain whirring to find the best escape route. They needed the van. If they moved fast enough, they could get out of the Sector and into the stolen vehicle without anyone seeing them.

She prayed they did.

Alice lurched to a stop as she flung open the front door. They hadn’t moved fast enough to beat the virus. Her jaw dropped as she stared at a small-scale reenactment of the initial outbreak. People screamed as they fled, running from perversions of their friends and family. The chaos stirred the momerath into a frenzy, and they tore through the Sector streets, a group of fighters out for blood.

What are we going to do? Lewis bobbed anxiously on his toes behind her, watching the scene unfold. His nasally whine triggered a surge of impatience in Alice, but she pushed it aside and thrust Dinah’s medical bag into his arms to unsheathe her blade. A week ago, she would have reacted the same way. Funny how so much can change so fast.

We have a van, Alice answered calmly. It’s just outside the Sector wall. If we can get there, we’ll be in the clear. She paused as she considered what they would do after they got outside. Comparatively speaking.

Van? Lewis’ voice hitched louder, and Alice had to fight the urge to slug him. How did you get a van?

Does it matter? she snapped. It’s a way to move, and it’s not in here! We just have to go!

I’ve got the keys, Chess interjected with a jangle of the tiny Tulgey keychain.

Good. Let’s go! Alice yelled. She surged forward, leaving the boys to follow in a ‘v’ formation as she barreled down the sidewalk.

They made it to the end of the yard when a loud shriek sounded across the street, alerting them to where a pack of momerath swarmed, trying to break down the neighbor’s door.  They threw their bodies against the heavy wood, shrieking furiously as they attempted to barge in. Alice cursed and skidded to a stop, but alerted by the noise, the smallest ‘rath swiveled to face them. His eyes narrowed in an evil glare before letting out a garbled chatter to the his companions, pulling their attention to the live bait in front of them.

Hurry, Chess! Go! Alice pushed Lewis forward, urging him after Chess. The howling monsters scrabbled closer and a jolt of electricity shocked through her, disintegrating her fear. She slowed to a stop, gripping her blade as she faced the momerath hunting them, welcoming the high like an old friend.

A low buzz pulsed in her head, releasing a pleasant surge of endorphins as she stared down the monsters. It dulled when the momerath came close enough for her to recognize the Peterson twins, Timmy and Davey, and their best friend, Bobby Parker. They were the same ragtag trio she remembered, but now their chubby freckled faces were masked with dingy gray skin and cold, dead eyes.

They careened toward her, their jaws working as though they had already torn into her flesh. Their faces were covered in tiny lacerations, and Alice wondered how long it had taken them to turn. Her breath caught, and she choked as she realized that Dinah had visited their house to check on their sister before she got sick. The baby had probably turned before Dinah, and knowing Mrs. Peterson, she would have kept her hidden. But with five other kids under the age of twelve, the virus would have been impossible to contain. Her stomach churned as she imagined all the different scenarios that could have caused the outbreak.

A loud growl behind her interrupted her musing with a furious reminder that it didn’t matter what happened. The virus had spread. And with seven potential hosts, it was no wonder the epidemic spread through the Sector so fast. Carriers changed slowly, but if someone physically turned through the transfer of blood, the change could happen anywhere between thirty minutes to a few hours. It wasn’t a fine science, but it was assumed that Body Mass Index and age played a large part. Healthy adults changed slowest, followed by the sickly, the elderly, and then children. They turned the fastest.

Alice! Come on! Chess waved for her to follow, but something held her back. It made sense for her to run—and in another life, she would have—but now, something inside spurred her toward the danger. She spared another glance at the miniature momerath hurtling towards her.

Davey, the younger Peterson by two minutes, had already done a number on himself. Huge gashes wrecked the sides of his face, covering his graying skin in a mixture of black, coagulating wounds that oozed blood, leaving a trail of contaminated bread crumbs trailing down his cheeks. Beside him, Timmy ran towards them, gnashing his tiny teeth. Gore and bloody spittle dribbled down the sides of his mouth, evidence of an earlier meal.

Alice’s stomach churned but the tiny buzz in her head spread, filling her limbs with crackling electricity. If she didn’t expel it, she was sure she would explode.

Alice! Chess’ frantic voice was echoed by an identical cry from Lewis as the monstrous trio drew nearer.

Get to the van—I’ll hold them off! Alice commanded. She sunk her knees low, preparing for the impending attack. If she ran, they would only be caught. Chess was no fighter, and Lewis— Lewis was a dreamer. It was up to her to take care of them.

Alice gripped her blade, preparing to fight as the pack bore down on her.  If it weren’t for the mottled, graying skin, it would have looked just like the boys were playing another round of Five Hundred. Old habits died hard.

With a wicked shriek, Timmy jumped at her, launching into a headlong tackle. Alice responded, lashing out with a swift swoop of her sabre. Her shoulder jarred as her blade hit bone and the force traveled up her arm. She clutched the blade and pushed through his skin and sinew with a sickening squelch. Carried by the follow-through of her swing, she spun back just in time to see Timmy’s head arc through the air to land in the grass with a dull thud.

An anguished howl sounded to Alice’s left, where Davey stared at Timmy's remains. Then, with a furious glare, Davey angled his neck to face her and stepped closer, like a stalking tiger. Bobby mirrored him on the right, trapping her between them. Alice dropped back and raised her blade. It would be harder to fight both of them, but not impossible.

An ear-splitting yowl cut across the yard to her right. Bobby broke formation to lurch towards her, closing the gap faster than Davey. Alice surged forward, meeting him head on, and swung her sword up in a deadly uppercut that pierced the end of her thin blade straight through his jaw. The weapon punched through his face and sliced neatly through the top of his head. Bobby’s body rose with the impact, then crashed down as gravity regained its command, bringing Alice with it. She tugged her sabre, trying to release it from Bobby’s skull, but the blade stuck fast. She gave another desperate wrench as the thud of footsteps came closer, but her efforts were wasted. It was trapped.

Alice dropped the blade and whirled around as Davey jumped at her shoulder, knocking her off balance. She hit the ground, slamming her knee against the dirt and bracing herself with her hands. Brittle rocks and thorns dug into her palms, cutting her hands open. She wiped them on her pants, her gaze locked on Davey who advanced on her slowly, his brows furrowed as a low rumble escaped his throat.

Alice curled her hands into fists to conceal her open palms from infection. The tiny ‘rath’s eyes narrowed as he pressed forward, then with one last shriek, lunged and grabbed her wrist in a viselike grip. Davey pulled Alice forward, close enough that she could see the individual gashes tearing down his face. They mixed with his dotted freckles, which had also grayed and mottled, making the vicious slash marks look like he had attempted a sick game of Connect-the-Dots.

Alice jerked back to pull her face away from the creature, but his grip held firm. He tore her wrist toward his body as he twisted the opposite way, wrenching her shoulder backwards with an audible pop. Alice let out an agonized cry and Davey’s face contorted into an awful grimacing leer. A set of hisses escaped his throat, and Alice would have sworn he was laughing at her.

Fire burned the pit of her stomach and she forced her arm around, feeling it snap as she threw the momerath to the ground with a burst of pain. Kneeling low, Alice wrapped her arms around Davey’s face, locking him between her good arm and