The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek(96)
She noticed the last bit of sun dripping down below the horizon, and she knew she was pushing it a little too far this time. She picked up her pace, hoping to rocket through the last few blocks before home.
As she approached Fulkins Park on her right, she noticed something lying in the road ahead of her.
Maybe roadkill.
She got closer and started to steer around it, relieved to see it was just a stuffed animal.
A blue frog.
She experienced a jolt of recognition and turned her head, catching something in her peripheral vision.
She almost fell off her bike.
Standing in the near-darkness of the park, staring at her, was a little blond girl in a white dress.
A little blond girl with sad eyes and a slightly crooked smile.
Alicia had no trouble remembering her.
“Hi, Alicia,” the girl said, her smile getting wider. “Everybody misses you.”
Alicia pushed down the scream lodged in her throat.
She pedaled away quickly.
DEDICATED TO OUR CHILDREN,
LILY, LOCKE, LINCOLN, SHEPHERD, AND LANDO.
KEEP QUESTIONING AUTHORITY
(OTHER THAN OURS, OF COURSE).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Like everything in our career, we couldn’t have done this alone. Well, maybe we could have, but it would have sucked.
Thank you to:
The South in general and Buies Creek, North Carolina, in particular. We are who we are because you are the way you are.
Lance Rubin, our sherpa in the adventures of novel-writing. Your talent, insights, and contributions were absolutely indispensable.
Our wives, Jessie and Christy, for supporting us in yet another entirely new and daunting endeavor, as well as tolerating us as we talked incessantly about this story. You are our hearts.
Our kids, Lily, Locke, Lincoln, Shepherd, and Lando for helping us stay connected to our own childhood through the vibrant ways you experience yours.
Our parents, for encouraging us to think big but never forget we’re from a small town.
Stevie Levine, our CCO and creative partner, for your input, ideas, notes, and guidance, as well as your management of our many other simultaneous projects.
Matt Inman and the whole team at Crown, for your tireless commitment to excellence and meaningful involvement throughout.
Ward Roberts, Daniel Strange, Jessie McLaughlin, Nica Halula, Helen Kim, Britton Buchanan, Lily Neal, Mike Feldman, Jenna Purdy, and Cole McLaughlin for your detailed feedback on our first draft.
Our amazing staff at Mythical Entertainment. Your incredible work on Good Mythical Morning and beyond allowed us to give this novel the attention it deserved.
Marc Gerald for daring us to write a novel.
Brian Flanagan, our COO, for holding down the fort at Mythical while we threw ourselves into this book.
Byrd Leavell, Brent Weinstein, Ali Berman, and the team at UTA.
Adam Kaller, Ryan Pastorek, and the team at HJTH.
Our childhood friend Ben Greenwood for leading us into constant adventure and fearlessly embodying Mythicality in all that life held for you. You gave us the Tree, the Rocks, and the River.
Each and every Mythical Beast who has supported our creative aspirations. We consider it a privilege to be on this journey with you. Keep on being your Mythical best.