Night of Destiny Novel by Vanessa K

Zacharias was met with nothing but ruins. All the houses had been destroyed. If Shirley were really here, she’d be buried six feet under.

“Shirley? Shirley!” he shouted, his voice filled with despair. As he fell to his knees, his mind became a blank canvas.

Imogen had come down as well. She stood around, watching, her heart filled with delight. She rejoiced in her heart, muttering, Finally, the woman I hate the most is dead, and I killed all the kidnappers. There’s nothing to worry about anymore. However, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. “Zacharias.”

That voice was salvation for Zacharias. He turned and spotted a slender figure emerging through the smoke-filled surroundings-it was Shirley. She had survived. Tears welled up in his eyes, and the sight of her resurrected his cold, lifeless heart. “Shir!” He hurried toward her.

Shirley, too, ran to meet him, and amidst the swirling smoke, they embraced. Imogen watched, her eyes wide. She couldn’t believe Shirley had escaped instead of dying in the explosion.

hair, and he kissed her dust-covered cheek. Only her warmth could affirm that everything around him was still real.

and this time, he would not

kidnappers had exposed her involvement, she wondered, Could she have found out I was involved too? Anxious, Imogen observed Shirley, who seemed normal, but Imogen felt

Look at him, crying. They say men only cry when their hearts are shattered. When she had seen him earlier, kneeling and crying, she couldn’t help but empathize with him. She made a silent vow never to cause him to worry like

isn’t the best place to linger, sir. We should

her hand tightly, unwilling to let her go just

she noticed Roy’s swollen cheek. Concerned, she said, “Mr. Barlowe,

“It’s nothing. I

I punched

surprised. “What? Why’d you do

Zacharias snapped. He almost wanted to kill Roy for locking him in the car. One punch seemed

to come in and save you.

seriously. “You cannot hit