Cover Reveal: Stained by Cheryl Rainfield

I'm honored to announce that I've been asked to be part of the cover reveal for Cheryl Rainfield's new book, Stained.

The Lost Journal Volume 31

As always, find interviews, writing samples, videos, contests, more from the lost journals visit my website.

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

In bookstores now

Exiled News!

Hey everyone!

I'm excited (and shocked at how fast the time has passed) to announce that Exiled will be officially released in 4 days! I just -literally minutes ago, received my copies in the mail.  With the release comes several great events where I will be doing various book-related things.

June 5th we are having a launch party at Chester County Book and Music Co. 6:30pm -9.  This is the big release!  I will be signing, there will be food, drinks, prizes, fun!  Stop on in!

June 10th  Big Blend Radio and Magazine (2.5 million listeners/week, 1.3 million newsletter readers)
15-20 minute interview on June 10:

June 15-16th I will have a booth set up at the Chester County Balloon Festival.  Books for sale -get 'em signed! Will be hosting a scavenger hunt with a giveaway as well

June 23rd I'll be in North Carolina on a whirlwind book tour -more details on my website (soon)

July 1'st I'll be signing books at Ukazoo books in Baltimore

Also, my virtual book tour is happening right now!  I've been updating the links on my blog CLICK HERE There are reviews, interviews and guest posts.

Finally, once you've read Exiled, please post a review! Customer reviews are a strong determining factor when purchasing a book online.

Where should you post a review?

Goodreads -click here

Amazon -click here

Barnes & Noble -click here

Oh,

Where can you purchase Exiled?

• You can get it at my launch party.

• You can purchase it online in advance for the launch party -click here

• You can get it at the Chester County Balloon Festival from 5:30 - 10pm on Friday, June 15th and 3pm-10pm on Saturday

Or,

• You can go online to places such as
• Amazon -click here
• Barnes&Noble -click here

On eBooks: The eBooks should be loaded and available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble by June 5th (or shortly thereafter) Apple may take a bit longer.

Finally (for real this time)

• Word of mouth remains the strongest determinant when purchasing a book.  In that spirit, please tell everyone and anyone you believe would be interested in reading Exiled that it's now available.

I am eternally grateful for all your support and enthusiasm during this entire process.  Thank you.

I'd also like to thank my rock, my foundation, my steadfast and resolute wife, Lisa for all that she's done and continues to do.  Without her, I have no doubt that Exiled would still be buried in the recesses of my mind. Thank you, my love!

Always,

Josh
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Find interviews, writing samples, videos, contests and more on my website.

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

In bookstores 6-5-2012

The Lost Journal volume 30

You can find the entire collection, along with another excellent serial story, The Searcher and The Sentinel at my website, www.TheNeverChronicles.com

To navigate right to the journals, click HERE

Releasing 6-5-2012

The Lost Journal Volume 29

After a long hiatus...

You can find the entire collection, along with another excellent serial story, The Searcher and The Sentinel at my website, www.TheNeverChronicles.com

To navigate right to the journals, click HERE

Releasing 6-5-2012

The Lost Journal Volume 28

Enjoy Volume 28 of The Lost Journal!

You can find the entire collection, along with another excellent serial story, The Searcher and The Sentinel at my website, www.TheNeverChronicles.com

To navigate right to the journals, click HERE

The Lost Journal -Volume 27

Enjoy Volume 27 of The Lost Journal!

You can find the entire collection at my website, www.TheNeverChronicles.com

To navigate right to the journals, click HERE

The Lost Journal Volume 26

Enjoy Volume 26 of The Lost Journal!


You can find the entire collection at my website, www.TheNeverChronicles.com


To navigate right to the journals, click HERE

Book Rivew...look out! Divergent by Veronica Roth

Oh boy...that time again.   I've finished another book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I'll save the cover for the end...mix it up a bit.

 

The Lost Journal Volume 25

For more Lost Journal entries as well as the entire collection in one document, visit MY WEBSITE




www.TheNeverChronicles.com

Where am I?

I'll be honest, I haven't disclosed what's going on with my publishing process much.  I'm not sure why, really -I guess I think it isn't very interesting for an outsider.  For those thinking of publishing or just wondering what the process is like, I'll share where I am in the process.

Earlier in December, I was given a production schedule by my production manager at my publisher.   Essentially it marks the milestones all they way up until the release date.  The release date has been set to Tuesday, June 5th.

If all goes according to plan between now and then we will hit that release date -or possibly release earlier.  There is always a chance it could be pushed back.

What am I working on right now?

The copy editing team has my manuscript and is making their first pass. I expect to see it marked to hell in early February.  Then, I have to review, make changes etc. quickly.  I have three weeks max.  All while working full-time.  Ugh.

Also at the moment, I'm working with my illustrator on my chapter header illustrations.  Deadline for those is February 17th.  29 of em.

And, I'm gathering ideas/inspiration for my cover design.  I have some things in my head, plus a list of my top ten favorite YA covers I'll send off to the design team.

And, I'm finalizing a contract with a marketing firm. Hopefully I'll have it in my hands by the end of the week. 

Plus, I'm working on getting endorsements for my book -when you get someone famous to say how great your book is and put it on the back cover. I have to have all of those out by the 15th of this month. 

I had my photo-shoot for my website/PR/book shots done last week.

December short story contest seventh place

Not what I thought

by Emma Grimm

I went down stairs to eat my breakfast that my mom always has ready for me

when I come down stairs. It’s sweet and all, but never what I want. If I could have it

my way I would have something totally different. I came in to the kitchen and saw

my usual bowl of oatmeal. I went to it, closed my eyes and took one bit. It was

delicious. I opened my eyes to find what I always dreamed about eating. A yogurt

parfait. It had all the berries you could imagine. Well, they weren’t actually berries

I’ve ever seen before. There were rainbows of berries mixed through out the whole

thing. I looked at my mother. She no longer looked like her old, sleepy, grumpy

mom. She was young and beautiful. She smiled but never said a word. I was going to

walk to school as usual. I looked out the window. Of course, it was raining. I went to

the closet to get my pink, ugly umbrella. When I got it out I realized the umbrella I

thought I had was no longer the one I did have. It was a red umbrella with a ladybug

face on it, my favorite animal. I turned around and there my mother was smiling

over at me. I got my boots on and went out side. It was cold but only for a while.

Then the glorious sun came out and the beams of light completely dried the splashes

that of water that got imprinted in to my coat. I was happy, yes, but even happier

when the boy of my dreams came up on a motorcycle and stopped right in front of

me. He didn’t have to say anything, but from the look in his eyes I knew that I was to

get onto the motorcycle with him and get a ride to school. I got to school and when I

walked in the door all eyes were on me. My classmates, and teachers all smiled at

me but never said anything. I started to walk to my first period class but then

something unbelievable happened. Everybody, and I mean everybody, was giving

me presents of all kinds. I accepted a rather large one while they all watched me

open it. I began to tear the paper but before I could see what it was my best friend

came up and accidently knocked it out of my hand. Now everybody who used to be

watching me with love and compassion were no watching my friend with anger and

hate. She sat there afraid.

“Its okay. Really I’m fine!” But of course they did not listen. There was a loud

long sound. Like an elephant call for a fest. A man came out from the back of the

crowd with an axe. The crowd of people surrounded my friend so I could not see

anything that was going on. But I don’t think I would want to. When it was over two

people carried her body away out of site. I was shocked I had never seen anything so

terrible. I just could not take it. I sat on the floor and began to cry. They all looked at

me in a confused way.

“ Don’t you understand? You killed her! Your all monsters!” I screamed this in

the silence that was upon the room. “ Why wont you say something?” Again nobody

answered. Then a little girl came up to my and gave me a hug. I admit it felt good,

but I could still never get that scean out of my head. Before I new it I was in the air

above every one I loved and hated. I didn’t know how this happened but I didn’t give

it much thought. I hated it here, I wanted to leave. I tried to get down but all of my

limbs felt like stone. I was stuck. For how long? I did not know. At the end of the hall

I was finally let down. I tried to get past all of the people in my way but they refused

to move. I had no choice but to push them down so I could get through. I ran and ran

but the hallway never ended. At every turn the was a group of people that I used to

know. Now they were the only things standing in my way to freedom. I turned at the

next corner. And looked for something to use to get them out of the way. I looked

and looked, and then I saw a fire extinguisher. I took it of the wall and charged

tordes the group of people. I was through my plan worked! I pulled the door to open

it. It did not work. I pulled and pulled. More people were crowding around me

coming closer and closer. I tried banging with the fire extinguisher. Nothing would

work. I was trap. They where closing in on me. I didn’t know what they would do to

me but I know they weren’t going to shower me with presents. Then the guy who

had killed my friend came over to me and raised his axe. I closed my eyes and

waited for death. But it never came. I opened my eyes to see my bedroom. It was just

a dream, a terrible dream. There was a knock on my door.

“Come in.” I called rather happy to be awake. It was my mother, with a yogurt

parfait.

“Mom?” I asked my voice shaking a bit. She didn’t say anything.

------------------

You can view the best of the best...the top seven, on my website HERE

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

Lost Journal Entry # 24

For more entries as well as the complete collection in one document, visit MY WEBSITE

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

December short story contest sixth place entry

 The Evil

by Alex Davidson




Carolina awoke to the sound of a crack and the sensation of being hit. Bleary eyed, her eyes
strained to focus on her surroundings. Carolina, rose to her feet, stretched and felt the warmth of the sun
energize her body. “Where am I” she whispered to her father. It was then that Carolina realized her
father was no longer with her. She asked the trees if they knew where her father had gone. All knowing
yet stubborn, they ignored Carolina’s plea and stood in emotionless silence. Carolina was often told of
the land she now found herself on. Her father had told her not to venture too far away from home, for
creatures, some known, many not, lurk and will snatch her up in an instant. Wishing to recall more of her father’s stories, but also needing to seek safety, Carolina found a large, smooth sloping boulder on which she could see in all directions. She also sought to recall the incidents which led her to her current situation.

It wasn’t long before this day, when her father had told his family, passionately, about the ways
of this world, the laws she must abide, and the creatures she must avoid. Once upon a time, and perhaps
somewhere still beyond the horizon, a land of beauty and peacefulness existed. Her family could once
spend an entire year, surrounded by the gifts of the world. Many different creatures existed together, in
blissful balance. However, this is not a story about what was, this is a story about what is. Her father
explained to Carolina that gradually, slowly, and inexplicitly, the world became darker, and “The Evil”
began to appear. The Evil infected its victims with bitterness and rage. The creatures that her family
once counted as its numerous friends transformed into enemies.

At first, the infections moved slowly and go unnoticed, but slowly, inexplicitly, one creature after
another began to change. Perhaps no creature became more infected than those from the Goldspring area, known to the other creatures as Lords. In earlier times, Goldspring was another land of bounty, with endless spaces covered with all the blessings of the creators. The rage infected the Lords quickly, subtly, and without reason. No one was sure why they were infected first, what is known are the consequences.

The Evil infected the Lords of Goldspring causing them to absorb the knowledge and energy
contained in the world around them at an increasingly rapid pace. What started as a trickle, within a very short period of time, became a flood. As more energy was absorbed, sacrifices to the other areas of
Carolina’s world were made. Carolina’s father told her of the day-screamers which move through the air, devouring all that was in their path. The beautiful, yet deadly Rumblers, roamed the many trails and
paths, devouring any creatures encountered, with no remorse. Often, the Rumblers would leave their
victims for days at a time after incapacitating them, in pain, only to finish them off later. But perhaps no
threat was as grave to Carolina, her family, and friends as the Omma.

Carolina had never seen the Omma; they struck quickly, and without warning. She did not
believe in their existence until the afternoon she was out gathering food for a feast with her
mother. There was no warning, just the sound of a tree branch cracking in the distance. Carolina turned
to her mother and said “How much longer before we….” but was interrupted by the sight of her mother
who had seemingly fallen dead; the sign of the Omma evident on her body. The Omma had sheared off
her mother’s coat, and penetrated her chest, death was instant and silent. Shocked and unable to move for what seemed an eternity, Carolina was finally found by her father who did not, could not weep. He
instructed Carolina to follow him immediately, as more Omma were heard in the distance.

Upon their rapid progression out of the area, Carolina and her father found themselves
surrounded by a thick black haze, nearly impenetrable. Her father shouted “keep moving”, which she did, coughing and choking as darkness entered her body. She strained to see the cause of her suffering, but could only make out countless trees, burning from the canopy. “What hell had this become” she said, “What creature had done this and why!” As she followed her father further, she heard the unmistakable sounds of the day-screamers overhead. She continued to follow her father towards what she hoped was home, and out of this nightmare.

Startled out of her daydream, Carolina heard a familiar voice. Her father was calling to her from
a field just below the hill where she was resting. Upon reaching him, she was shocked by his condition.
Though alive, he was broken, and in a great deal of pain. “Carolina, you must get home to your siblings” her father said to which Carolina replied “it is impossible without your guidance.” “I have shown you all that I know and all that I have learned. You must help your siblings fight The Evil which infects the land.” Why was her father telling her to do this, once he healed, they could live together as a family again. “Remember to respect and adhere to the laws which bind us together, and you must inspire the Lords” he said. Abruptly, Carolinas father, looked towards one of the last remaining valleys, and slowly closed his eyes.”

Saddened, but unable to cry, Carolina thought about all she had just seen and heard. She
reconciled that her father was right, and must be a source of inspiration and change for those which seek to inflict suffering on her and others in the world for no apparent reason. Carolina would gather her siblings and begin her quest to right the wrongs of her world. With that decision, she took off, flying into the forest and calling, as Eagles do, to her family.

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You can view the best of the best...the top seven, on my website HERE

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

December short story contest 5th place

Alien Life

by J. Roger Greer





If you were an Alien Life Form, one that could travel the imposing distances of space; highly

intelligent, with the ability to take over any other life form, human for instance, for your own

means; how would you do it?

Cocoons have been tried; the face plant with exploding belly has been explored; mind control is

also an avenue of entry into the human race that aliens have considered; two out of three of those

failed due to the incredible bravery of a few individuals, and we all think the cocoon idea was

fiction. Simpler ideas, however, have never really been discussed. A simple thing, perhaps a

small, slightly raised to imply mass, white blotch on a black counter shaped disarmingly like a

happy little bell. Not a liberty bell, that would be too detailed, but a Christmas bell, with the little

ball on top; a shape that brings a smile to the faces of all but the scroogiest among us. Non-

threatening color, in the general scheme of things, designed to draw in a finger…just to check.

Just because.

So I touched it.

If you were an alien how would you enter the finger? Would it be bloody, painful, and obvious?

(there was no blood, no pain) Would there be a tingle, followed by pleasant smells, pleasant

colors, much like reports of near death experiences that end well. (depending on your point of

view of course) Would the host even feel it at all? (I did not feel a thing)

If you were an alien, who took over a human body, how long would you wait to attain complete

control? Partial control would mess up the host, I imagine. Lost, confusing moments, minutes, or even,  

dare I say, hours. It wouldn’t make sense to take over in increments; those lost moments in

reality would be noticed by the host; and by the others. I do know that I am unable to wipe that

pretty little bell off of the counter, and it seems that neither can any of the other four men who

share this space with me. Maybe they have been…noooo, that’s nuts. (they all seem to be

looking at me funny though when we pass in the hall)(and the whispers, the conversations that

end when I enter the lunch room)(and the looks, the funny looks)

If you were an alien and you entered a host, painlessly, took five days to completely supplant the

host’s personal thoughts, why would you then have one host kill the other four hosts? And why

slowly? With much chopping and cutting? This just makes no sense, there is nothing here

important enough, sensitive enough, or even valuable enough to justify eliminating other host

bodies. I haven’t seen any other strange growths indicating other alien forces, but the things they

were saying about me, no longer whispering, no longer stopping when I entered the room. (and

the looks)

Locking all of those doors was incredibly time consuming, why, if you were an alien would you

limit your escape options. The chairs and desks and filing cabinets and all the other furniture

piled in front of the windows also seems rather extreme. Will the ship come here, will they come

get me? (or have they forgotten me)(if there really was an alien life form)

If you were an alien who travelled time and space, created life, and controlled other species,

would it make sense to self-destroy that host? Scissors and knives, scissors and knives. Or

chemicals…plenty of chemicals here. Or scissors and knives and veins and blood and “Hey Schmitty,

get a load of this little white spot on the counter over here, it looks just like a

bell.”

“Get a grip Parsons, put the glove back on and do your job. We are contracted to clean up blood,

flesh, and bones. Not silly little bells on counters.”

You can find J. Roger Greer's blog HERE

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You can view the best of the best...the top seven, on my website HERE

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

December Short story contest fourth place

Scarlet's Tale

by Rebekah Lawrence

She was half way home when she realised there was someone following her. The air seemed to get colder panting out of her lungs and frost was gathering on the narrow pavement which she walked upon.  Refusing to turn around to notify the footsteps that she knew they were there, she increased her pace.

It was a cold winter night in the middle of the village, subsequently no lights could be seen due to the fog; the house’s that were nearby appeared to be stretching in the distance the further she travelled. Also no one was around, that is, forgetting about the pounding heart beat behind her.

Her dark hair was escaping its bun. As Scarlet’s hand swiped to push the wavy strands behind her ear, she noticed an increase in the tempo of the heavy footsteps behind her.

Panicking Scarlet looked out the corner of her eye to catch a glimpse on the profile in an attempt to calm her nerves. Unfortunately her instincts were correct; she didn’t know the man following her. Crap.

His shining dark eyes were focused on her like a predator on its meal of the day. She was so screwed. His heavy riding boots were cascading towards her, and she knew deep down she was helpless for whatever he wanted. The tree’s screamed in the breeze as she came to a halt looking the man in the eye. She was no prey. She wasn’t going to run away like one, but instead stare him in the eyes and fight for all she was worth.

However as soon as she had stopped she noticed the boot fall had stopped meaning all she could hear was his heavy breathing and the harsh sound of nature. Maybe she wasn’t in as much danger as she thought.

Startling her further, the mysterious man bowed. He actually bowed. Scarlet couldn’t help the shocked expression on her face, but instead studied the young man who looked no more than 20, looking like he’d walked out of a 18^th century novel.

His bowed head caused a tumble of colour that could only be described as rich cream, to fall over his high cheek bones and caress his strong jaw. His stern neck was camouflaged in a high necked ruffle shirt, with a contrasting dark waist coat and tailed jacked. His lean legs were wrapped in midnight coloured trousers, with the high riding boots cloaking his stern carves.

Scarlet didn’t know the man, yet she felt she did. Absurdly, she felt that she should be curtsying back. Then diving into his arms. What the hell?

Her chest compressed as she erratically gulped down more oxygen as if drowning. What is this? Why did she feel she knew this man? His eyes were so dark, drawing her in to his presence that she had to catch herself from falling at his feet. As if sensing her inner torment he closed his eyes slowly, almost looking in pain. 

 “Who are you?” She almost begged. Scarlet couldn’t handle this. She didn’t even know him yet she was contemplating throwing herself into his arms. Instead she backed off the pavement.

A deep voice that caressed her senses replied: “You know who I am, my love.” Scarlet’s eyes snapped open at the endeavorment, not even realising that the hypnotic voice had caused her instincts to fly out the window. She couldn’t put her guard down. Even if she felt safe with him for some absurd reason.

“Come with me,” he carried on, reaching out his hands to emphasis the point. Oh he had nice hands. Strong. Smooth. Sinful.

Shaking her head to try to escape the spell he had set on her, she looked upon him in fear. How could he do this to her? A total stranger, yet here she was almost agreeing to go where ever with him. She backed up further onto the road.

“My love, please. It’s time, don’t be scared. I can help! Make sure it doesn’t cause you any pain.” Pain? What was he on about? The only pain she was emitting was the sheer power she had to use to stop leaping into his arms.

When she finally found her voice after his beauty was more tamed she pled, “I don’t understand! Why do I feel I know you? WHO ARE YOU?!” When her last words echoed around the trees, she noticed another faint noise. An engine. Good, it was only a small village: she knew everyone. Someone could give her a lift away from this man who made her insane.

Scarlet stepped further into the road. She was safe; the car would take her away. Take her to the normality of her home with her average parents, average pets, and average life. Away from this extraordinary boy who made her feel dizzy in the mind.

Yet as she travelled further into the fog she noticed she saw his eyes close in expected pain. The look was so filled with longing and love she almost went back to him, but then the car hit her.

Her legs buckled. Her body somersaulted through the air. She landed with her head smacking into the pavement with an audible crack breaking through the pain in her legs and torso. Her vision blacked out.

The next thing she knew she was out of her body. Literally. She was hovering above her broken body with the handsome man shimmering next to her. Yet as she looked down at the blood and broken limbs she found she didn’t feel anything. Instead she could only feel the warmth of his hand, the flush his half smile brought her skin and the love she felt blooming in her chest.

She had died: hit by a car. But she didn’t morn her life. Instead she celebrated the joining of the man next to her. The ghost who stood by her side. Her love she lost in her previous life’s; yet gained every time she died. 

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You can view the best of the best...the top seven, on my website HERE

www.TheNeverChronicles.com

New entry from the lost Journal!

Open publication - Free publishing - More exiled

Don't forget to visit my website where you can find all the journal entries. Click on 'extras' from the main menu.

TheNeverChronicles.com

Twas the night before christmas...with Zombies

Twas the night before Christmas….with zombies

A disturbing holiday poem by J. R. Wagner

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Many creatures were stirring, eating two dogs and a mouse

The stockings lay strewn and bloodied by the fire

A struggle had taken place, apparently dire

The children had woken to the screams by their beds

One single thought had entered their heads

…zombies

When Mama came limping and moaning down the hall

And Papa crawled toward them having no legs at all

Out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

Screams and smoke and gunfire did shatter

The window as Timmy ducked avoiding the glass

While Gina reached for her .9 allowing no dead to pass

The moon on the blood strewn across the white snow

Gave an ominous look to the situation below

When a sound cut through the eerily silent night

The thwack, thwack, thwack of chopper blades joining the fight

It landed out front raising snow like a storm

Timmy and Gina  an to the window to shout, to warn

One-by-one men ducked out beneath the deadly blades

M1’s tightly gripped as they looked through the haze

A few shots fired, several men down

the area called ‘clear’ then his foot touched the ground

The children both smiled as he lifted his hat to his head

Yes, you guessed it, Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead

As dry entrails took flight like birds fleeing from prey

The presence of Rick let the children know this would be a special day

Rather than through the front door, Grimes jumped to the roof

His .357 reporting as walkers fell with an ooph

Then, with a whoosh followed by a deafening blast

They knew Shane Walsh and his RPG had made it at last

Debris dropped down what remained of the flu

Followed by smashing and bashing from you know who

Snakeskin boots were the first to drop in

Followed by county issued pants, shirt and his gold star pin

A bundle of guns he had flung on his back

He looked like a dystopian peddler opening his pack

His eyes, dark and weary, his jaw set tight

His cheeks were striated always ready for a fight

His perfect white teeth smiled up at the kids

Unable to hide the guilt for the things that he did

He cocked his hat back revealing more of his face

Blood splatter and gore were all over the place

The children relaxed having seen it before

Grimes was a legend, a gift to help settle the score

The hilt of a dirk he held tight in his teeth

And the dust cloud from his entrance circled his head like a wreath

He was thin as a man, ever they had seen

Food can be scarce unless one is keen

He was formal and terse as he moved, shoulders set

Not believing the children already dispatched the threat

A wink of an eye and a twist of his head

Told the kids not all the walkers were dead

He spoke not a word but went right to his work

Removing the shotgun and ArmaLite AR-18 with a jerk

Cautiously stepping into sister Jennie’s small room

Then gunfire and screaming and boom, boom, boom

Rick stepped slowly back out from the fight

Clutching his side with one hand the .357 in the right

His face was pale, his eyes cold and distant

The problem, the kids knew exactly in an instant

Timmy and Gina, holding her .9

Made their way to the chopper –double time

Looking back at dust-off toward the house where Rick lay

He’d been bitten, you see, and needed to stay.

As the chopper lifted and rose past the trees

A bright star reminded the passengers, it’s Christmas eve

Merry Christmas, said Shane gripping the mesh

The kids gave an odd smile then feasted on his flesh

To my Walking Dead buddy: Iris. Merry Christmas,

Love always,

Daddy

Check out my website! www.TheNeverChronicles.com