A Linchpin Life — Kari Anne Kilgore

An Echo That Never FadesAnnie's life always feels disconnected. Detached. Missing an essential part.An empty space in her mind she never fills.Until one night a year, when worlds of possibility open.What happens when Annie takes a chance that could close the door forever? Also available in Fantastic Shorts: Volume 3 An excerpt from A Linchpin Life:A passage to herself Now Annie heard the fire crackle, heard the crunch and whisper of people moving along the sand. Low conversation floated into her awareness, along with the muted sound of the continuing wind.And still, the low, never-ending roar of the waves.Trent stopped pulling against her hands and gripped her upper arms. Annie felt his body rigid and trembling against hers.He tried to speak, but his voice shuddered and broke.I don't understand.Annie opened her eyes, her cheek still pressed against his chest.Still dark on a winter's night.Still that full moon riding overhead, partly hidden behind one dark, heavy cloud.But everything else had changed. Gone back to normal.