T.D. Fox - The Walls of Orion

This is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. All other characters, and all incidents and dialogue are drawn from the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real.

THE WALLS OF ORION. Copyright 2021 T.D. Fox. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America. For information, address

Acorn Publishing, LLC, 3943 Irvine Blvd. Ste. 218, Irvine, CA 92602

www.acornpublishingllc.com

Interior designed by T.D. Fox

Cover design by Damonza

Anti-Piracy Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from the author.

ISBN-13: 978-1-952112-42-3 (hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-952112-41-6 (paperback)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020924674

www.tdfoxbooks.com

PRAISE FOR THE WALLS OF ORION

An exciting debut that will ensnare YA readers and leave them wanting more of this intricate, intriguing world where nothing is quite as it seems. Fans of science fiction, dystopian and superhero fiction will fall in love with this story.

K.A. Fox, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Devil's Own and Judas Kiss

Original, dark, and gritty, Fox's debut novel beautifully marries the complexities of forbidden romance and moral gray areas. The pages practically turn themselves.

Jessica Therrien, Bestselling Author of Children of the Gods

A fun, inventive urban fantasy debut with plenty of atmosphere and a swoon-worthy antihero. Kept me turning pages late into the night!

Kat Ross, Bestselling Author of Some Fine Day

T.D. Fox has crafted a gripping and gritty fantasy with the perfect combination of suspense, twists, and self-discovery. The Walls Of Orion will have you on the edge of your seat!

Dennis K. Crosby, Bestselling Author of Death's Legacy

The mystery woven into every scene of this debut is riveting! Fox is a master at building suspense. The Walls of Orion will capture you with its charm, then drag you deep into a world that feels all-too-real. I'm so in love with this book!

Danielle Harrington, Bestselling Author of The Diseased Ones

WOW! A debut novel? I would never have guessed. The writing is perfect, the world building beyond imagination with truly exceptional characters. Stand aside, Roth! Fox is in town.

D. Fischer, Bestselling Author of the Heavy Lies the Crown series

To my Mom

Who never believed I was ordinary

CONTENTS

PART 1: THE CALL

1. THE CUSTOMER
2. THE LABEL
3. SOMEONE ELSES CRAZY
4. THE TORCH
5. THE SUPERHERO
6. SMALLNESS AND SNOWSTORMS
7. WILD GOOSE CHASE
8. WHATS THE HOLDUP?
9. THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
10. THE KNIGHT
11. HEROES, LUNATICS, AND EVERYBODY ELSE
12. DEAD MAN WALKING
13. WHEN IT SOUNDS THIS CRAZY...
14. ...ITS PROBABLY TRUE
15. THE FUSE
16. THE EXPLOSION

PART II: THE CHANGE

1. THE RUBBLE
2. THE DARK
3. THE NAME
4. WHO YOU GONNA CALL
5. THE BEST LIES
6. STRINGS
7. THE CHAMELEON
8. FAVOR
9. THE SLIDE
10. THE CHOICE
11. FIRES

PART I:

THE CALL

1. THE CUSTOMER

T HE RAIN DRUMMED , charging down the darkened windows like great silver cracks. Silent shimmering ribbons fought each other to reach the sill first, melting and streaking into oblong spider webs. A stark contrast to the cacophony inside.

Courtney couldnt remember ever having felt so claustrophobic. Coffee hung on the air in a burnt, chocolaty dust. The scream of the steaming wands, the hiss of milk churning, the clamor of customers filing past the counter... it all squeezed in like a big warm fist. Under the rumble of rain on the roof, someone else might call it cozy. She might, in another caf.

Not here. Not tucked in so close to the suffocating shadow of the Wall.

Its really comin down, Max said, leaning back against the bar while she steamed her thirty-seventh latte of the hour. Funny how dark it can get at three oclock this side of Main Street.

Courtney watched the thermometer climb to one-hundred-forty degrees.

Packed today, huh? He peered out at the lobby beyond their tiny linoleum-floored haven. No great tippers, either.

They just dont want to be wet and cold, she replied, soft tone clipped.

Max grunted, arms folded over his apron. His eyes drifted back out the window to the drizzled gray concrete beyond. At least the winds blocked here.

Her grip tightened on the pitcher handle. Killing the steam, Courtney tipped the milk into the next cup, topping the espresso with an expert, foamy swirl. Stepping around Max, who had yet to finish his macchiato, she slid the mug across the pickup counter.

Latte for Dave! she called.

What would you do? If it happened tomorrow.

Courtney snapped a look at him, side-stepping again to pick up the next order. If what happened?

If it came downyou know, the Wall.

Eyes on the espresso machine, Courtney queued up an Americano with stiff precision. Your foams going flat.

Turning back to his pitcher, Max sloshed the milk into a cup, flipped the shots over the top and slid the cup across the counter. Emily, your macchiatos ready!

Hands fidgeting as she watched the shots drip for the Americano, Courtney bent to snatch a bag of beans. She stretched up on her toes to overfill the already stocked espresso hopper.

Come on, what would you do? he persisted.

Why did they have to be the only two on shift today?

Id head straight for Chicago, Max went on. Screw packing, whatever, Id hop on my motorcycle and see the first live concert in town, blow my paycheck on the ritziest hotel I could find, kiss a foreign girl. Or someone from the West Coast. Hell, a Chicago-native, born and bred. Id kiss her so hard shed wonder what the hell kinda man they breed out here in Orion City.