Original Stories, One Chapter at a Time.
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → The birth certificate named me Iris Vivian Vale. I read it until the letters stopped behaving like a name. Date of birth: October 2, 1986. Mother: Vivian Vale. Father: Thomas … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → Celeste wanted to remove the capsule in the veterinary clinic’s supply room. I showed her the broken sleeve from my jeans; she examined it, then the small swelling still beneath … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → “Did you know about this?” I asked. Julian read the policy without touching the keyboard. “No.” “Fifty million dollars is difficult to overlook.” “I never applied for it.” Celeste leaned … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → The matchbook in locker 314 came from the Bellweather Hotel. Room 217 had been written inside it. The broken watch had stopped at 2:17. Whoever built the trail no longer … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → The man in the doorway looked exactly like Julian until he smiled. My husband rarely smiled with his teeth. The stranger did. “Step away from the girl,” he said. Lucy … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → Detective Chen replayed the recording while technicians searched the apartment. “Which husband do you want me to bury?” the man asked again. There was no answer. A door slammed, the … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → The first Vale clinic had become a community arts center after the fire. Detective Chen obtained a warrant by calling a judge at two in the morning. By three, Julian … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → The file described a system called Second Life. I had designed the digital network at twenty-four, in 2010, using the clinics' older witness files to create identities for patients escaping … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → Detective Chen called the precinct while we ran. No one answered from the interview room. The desk sergeant said a federal agent had arrived with transfer papers for Lucy Cross. … Read more
My Husband Says I Died Three Years Ago A TaleDale Story · Story concept by Nora Ashwick ← Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter → Henry gave us an address and ended the call. Detective Chen wanted to wait for backup. Julian was already walking toward the freight office at the edge of the yard. … Read more