James Anthony Donohoe

Aspiring YA fantasy author, graphic designer, lover of hats, cinema addict, daydreamer and troll sympathiser. Working on my first novel "The Gatekeeper Chronicles" 62k words & counting. A short excerpt below...

An old picket fence surrounded the front garden and disappeared around the back of the house. The fence was about three feet high with each picket only just barely separated. There was hardly enough space for a even a mouse to squeeze through. It had been whitewashed in the past but now, where it wasn’t covered in moss, it was a dull grey colour. Each picket had a pointed top and although some of them were broken, aligned up together they looked like a row of spears defending the house.

It was dusk and the lights from the cab were casting teeth-like shadows through the fence, making the house look even more unappealing. Ayron’s heart sank. Was this what his life would be from now on? Living in an old house, miles from anywhere with his aging grandmother.

The gate creaked as Hettie pushed it open. A flock of crows rocketed away from one of the numerous crooked chimney stacks, alighting on some scraggy trees nearby. The jet-black birds cawed down loudly at Hettie and Ayron, cutting the icy stillness of the night air like a knife.