Sia
Authors: Josh Grayson
Copyright © 2013 Josh Grayson
Published by Josh Grayson
All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form or binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Cover Photography
:
Audrey Ruth Photography
Cover Design
:Mayhem Cover Creations
Interior Formatting
:: Mayhem Cover Creations
Author Photography:
by
Audrey Ruth Photography
Book Editing:
Genevieve Graham, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Autumn J. Conley, Susan Helen Gottfried, and Marti Lynch.
ISBN: 0-9898690-0-8
ISBN : 978-0-9898690-0-3
PRAISE FOR SIA
“
A compelling read full of intrigue, romance, and lots of surprises. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! Beautiful and inspiring.” –
Jennifer Read Hawthorne, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“
Uplifting and fast paced. I enjoyed reading about Sia’s journey of discovery.” –
Victorine E. Lieske, New York Times bestselling author
“
A heartwarming, sometimes tear jerking story that reignites one’s faith in humanity. An excellent debut!” –
Alexia Purdy, Bestselling author
“
This is a fun, sweet, fairy-tale of a book! It’s a tale of romance, redemption, and about learning what really matters in life.” –
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
“
I felt like I was reading a script for a movie, the plot is fantastic and the characters are great, there’s a little of humor as well as tragic situations.” –
Bookish Randomness
“
Sia
would be an excellent novel for the Disney Company to adapt for film. Hers is a story of cruelty and kindness, pain and redemption and ultimately of making the world in which you live a better place.” –
Rabid Readers
“
I’d highly recommend
Sia
. You can’t go wrong with this book.” –
The Mad Reviewer
“
It delivered on all fronts: it’s well written, compelling, well conceived and structured, and...joy of all joys, immaculately edited.” –
Cath ‘n’ Kindle Book Reviews
DEDICATION
For my family
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, I’d like to acknowledge my editors: Genevieve Graham, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Autumn J. Conley, Susan Helene Gottfried, and Marti Lynch. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Thank you for all the wisdom, insight, and guidance you provided me during the early stages of this book. I am also deeply indebted to all the amazing reviewers and book bloggers who took a chance on
Sia
and recommended it to readers. You didn’t just give me reviews, you gave me hope. Something I truly needed. Above all, I must give a huge thanks to my friends and family. Your encouragement kept pushing me forward, and your kind words kept my dream alive.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
It’s a definite touch on my cheek. I sit up and flick a fly from my face. The sudden movement leaves me dizzy. Waiting for balance to return, I brace myself against the bench. After a moment of stillness, I blink into the beautiful afternoon.
Sunshine blazes through the park, streaming in ribbons of green and gold between blossoming trees. It’s spring, and cheery birds dart from branch to branch, playing tag. A couple of joggers run by. They look straight ahead, hearing nothing but what’s coming from their earbuds. Just like the small white pair jammed in my own ears.
I frown, confused. Why does the idea of my own headphones feel so strange? I pluck them out and follow the wire to the iPod strapped to my arm. The screen says
Sia’s Playlist
.
I look back up and scan the park, searching for a landmark. I recognize nothing. Where
am
I? Nothing about the park looks familiar. The bench where I sit, freshly painted and warmed by the sun, looks foreign. I study the forest around me, noticing the scattering of fruit trees dwarfed by oaks, the small pond a few feet away, the winding jogging trail. Everything around me is strange. In fact . . .
I look down and pinch the soft Lycra material of my jogging outfit. Good thing the day is so warm because I’m wearing only a pair of skimpy shorts and a tiny top. Both are a vibrant pink—but I don’t recognize them. I don’t recognize my bright white runners, either. How can I not know my own clothes? I frown back at the trees, my head cocked to the side. Obviously the clothes are mine because I’m wearing them. But . . .
I bend down and check under and around the bench, but I don’t see a purse anywhere. Of course, it could have been stolen since I have no idea how long I’ve been here. Still, it doesn't answer any other questions. How did I get here? Why was I—
Comprehension dawns, and all the blood leaves my head in a rush. I start to shake. No matter what question I ask, the answers all point in one horrifying direction.
I have no idea who I am.
The iPod is my only clue.
Sia
, it says. I’ve never heard that name before, but I assume it’s mine. Why would I be carrying around someone else’s playlist?
“
This isn’t happening,” I whisper, calling up the playlist. Maybe I’ll find answers within the list of songs. No such luck. All I discover is that I’m a fan of pop music. Really cheesy pop.
My fingertips pulse with adrenaline and I’m close to hyperventilating. When I stand, my knees wobble slightly, but I recover and walk to a nearby pond. The water is the complete opposite of what I’m feeling. Its surface is calm, with sunlight glittering off it like diamonds. I squat at the water’s edge and lean over, examining the reflection of a perfect stranger.
I run my fingers over the top of my head. My long blonde hair is pulled back—to keep the hair out of my eyes while running, I guess. Curious, I smile at the water and am pleased to see that I’m an attractive girl. I have large blue eyes and perfect teeth. I’m not sure how old I am, though. I look young enough be a high school senior. Or maybe a college student. If that’s so, where do I go to school? I sit back on the cool spring grass and sigh, shaking my head. School? I can’t even remember my name. Why am I worrying about school?
A bike whizzes by, followed by two more joggers. I toy with the idea of asking one of the passersby for directions. At least for the name of the park. That might make something in my memory click. But the thought of approaching a stranger intimidates me. How do I know they won’t hurt me? I get to my feet when a police car cruises along. Then I stop. A sudden stab of terror immobilizes me, and my heart starts pounding uncontrollably.
Don’t.
An order from the recesses of my chaotic mind.
A warning.
What if they’re already looking for me for the wrong reason? What if I’m a criminal? A drug dealer? A murderer? What if I had some something horrific before losing my memory?
Okay, maybe I’m being paranoid. I doubt many murderers run around in bright pink. But you never know. I could easily have done something illegal without knowing. No. I won't ask the police. Not until I remember more about my past.
Immediately, my heart calms with this decision—it has to be the right one.
My stomach growls, and I make yet another unpleasant discovery. I have no money. No ID, no cash, nothing.
“
Hey,” comes a voice. “You okay?”
It’s a trio of teenage boys. They wear sleeveless tops and baggy shorts. The way they stroll toward me sends a chill down my spine. I have a feeling this guy’s concern isn’t all that sincere.
“
I’m fine, thanks,” I mutter, then start walking away.
“
Where you going, baby
?
Don’t you wanna party?”
They’ve picked up their pace and now move like a pack of wolves, the leader flanked by the others.
“
No thanks,” I fling back over my shoulder. I need to remain calm. I don’t want these guys to think I’m afraid, or they might take advantage of that weakness. And from the looks on their faces and the tattoos on their large biceps, I doubt they'll think twice about taking advantage of
any
weakness.