Here you can read the first three chapters of my first self-published novel, Seclurm: Devolution. If you’re intrigued at all, you can learn more about the book–including where to buy it in full–here.

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PROLOGUE

The video stuttered, playback quality hindered by glitches. Frames were choppy and there were distracting cracks and beeps in the audio now and then. The image of Rosalyn sitting in front of the computer in low light was clearly lacking in quality, but the point of the message came across nonetheless. Rosalyn herself was at medium weight and height, with simple-looking glasses, a disheveled dark brown ponytail, and a soft-looking face and brown eyes, all clad in her bulky-looking brown leather coat.

She looked into the camera with sobriety, soft face clashing with her tense body language. “My name is Rosalyn Pulman, crew member of the Novara. The date of recording is April 29th, 2078. We’re about to leave the atmosphere for an estimated eighteen to twenty-four-month journey. I’m recording this message for my family in the event that I am not able to return.” She cleared her throat for a moment before continuing, her words coming together only with great effort. “I don’t expect you’ll ever see this video. …I hope you don’t. If you are, I just want to say I’m sorry, and I miss you and I’ve been missing you.”

Her eyes glimmered a bit with moisture. When she mustered the strength to speak again, it was sharp and quick, with momentary breaks between each sentence. “Just remember that there’s nothing you could have done. It’s okay. This is where I wanted to be.”

That woman hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen her family, and she didn’t feel much of a desire to make this trip any different.

On screen, Rosalyn reached forward to turn off the video.

[NEXT]