I Saw My Life Pass Before My Eyes....

 Dannye Williamsen has written Second Chances and its sequel, The Threads That Bind. I have read them both. The first few pages hooked me and kept my attention until the last page.

 
　

Darian, one of the main characters in Second Chances, is obsessed with gaining power. You find yourself feeling sympathy for Darian at times, but you can never seem to get away from the scary side of him. I knew it might be risky, but I decided to interview him myself.

Darian, my name is Greta, and I wanted to ask: “why was it so important for you to have power?”

Power is what separates the weak from the strong. When I was weak, I was nothing. No one saw me. No one cared. When the Master found me and opened my eyes to my destiny, everything changed. I was no longer weak. I didn’t need all those people who never saw me. I was more than they could ever be.

You needed Fredrika, though, didn’t you?

No, I didn’t need her. I was giving her the opportunity to be part of something wonderful.

Aw, Darian, that’s not the whole truth, is it? You couldn’t reach your ultimate goal without her, could you?

[Note: I’m starting to notice Darian’s jaw tightening. Given his predacious history, it’s making me a little nervous.]

I don’t really care what you think. Freddie was just a shortcut. She had power, not as much as I did, but power nevertheless. Her life force would have just given me that extra boost that most couldn’t.

[I have a feeling that I’m stepping off a cliff here, but I stupidly keep going.]

Freddie had  more going for her than you did, Darian. She was a successful technical analyst. She was making a difference. You weren’t doing anything except looking out for your own selfish needs.

You think you’re so smart, but you don’t understand anything. Her life was small – just like your life, Greta Burroughs!!

[Now I’m starting to see a strange haze around him, and it feels like I’m suffocating. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed so hard.]

Darian! Leave her alone!            

[Struggling for air, I turn and see that Freddie has arrived. Thank God! She has his attention now, and I can breathe again.]

[Whirling around, Darian confronts Freddie.]So now you want to talk! How many times did I try to get you to pay attention? You sure you don’t want to faint on me again?

Give it a rest, Darian!

[I slipped quietly out of the room while they had each other’s attention. I think I had all the answers I needed.]