---

On Friday, April 24th, I stepped into a new chapter of my life and into my new home.

I made sure to take a little time off so I could enjoy the transition and settle into my new surroundings. Moving always comes with surprises, and mine showed up almost immediately.

Shortly after selling my previous home, someone tried to open a business credit card in my name. Thankfully, the processing department for the home I was purchasing caught it quickly so we could dispute it right away. That little scare led me to add identity theft protection through my insurance company, which gave me some extra peace of mind.

Just when I thought the bumps were behind me, a man knocked on my door asking about renting the house. I was confused—I had just bought it. A few days later, another person showed up asking the same question. That’s when I discovered scammers had listed my home for rent on TikTok, collecting application fees from people for a property that wasn’t even theirs to rent.

Thankfully, my kids helped track down the links and report the scam.

Even with those unexpected moments, I couldn’t be happier here. The house is the perfect size for me, and I absolutely love my yard. In many ways, it’s a step down from my previous home, but for this season of my life, it feels exactly right.

This little place already feels like home. It’s sparked new ideas for stories, and my daughter is excited to help me work in the yard.

Sometimes a new chapter starts with a few unexpected twists—but I’m excited to see where this journey leads.

In the past, I have shared an excerpt from Far From Oz, today I would like to focus on Falling From NeverLand.

A Spark of Light

A faint glow pierces the gloom of the abyss. I can make out the muffled sounds of children laughing. The light grows brighter, revealing an image that feels so familiar.

“I’m going to get you,” one of them says while chasing after another. A high-pitched squeal shatters the barrier that had kept me in the dark.

“No, you won’t,” replies the girl, trying to stay ahead of the boy.

The sun shines on them as they play near a pond. Their smiles are bright and innocent, and their laughter brings me hope. The image is powerful. I can sense their happiness. Their joy becomes mine, and for a moment, I think I know them. Lost in an endless shadow, a small spark of light has found me. The darkness does not win. I have found a way home. As I make my way toward the light, a powerful force grabs hold, threatening to suffocate me. It coils around my

body, pulling me away from the light. I struggle for the image that found me, begging for its return, only to be greeted by despair. With my hope slipping away, I hear the Darkness whisper, “You will always be mine.”

Timothy Reign

I no longer feel her hand in mine. I tried to hold on, but the force pulling her away was too strong. She fades into the darkness we struggle against, and I am powerless to save her. Lost in a void, I am tormented by thoughts that I fear will break me. A faint whisper echoes in my solitude: “She will never be yours.”

For the first time since I was a child, I felt defeated. How could I have let her go? Why did I not fight harder? She captured my heart long ago, and again in the moments we shared. When I finally felt her lips on mine, I knew I could never leave her behind. The world wanted to claim those like me, but I had found my strength to fight back. I had found my Dorothy, and I let her go. Now, darkness seeps in. My mind is clouded with doubt and guilt. I wasn’t strong enough. I wanted to save her and show her that there is always hope—that despite the overwhelming darkness, light will guide us. It guided me to her. I felt her sorrow and knew her nightmares. She was one of us. She believed in our world and understood the truth.

The Sparks would not help her. Their mission was to save only me, but they don’t understand. To save me from the darkness that wants me, I need her. I need Dorothy. I do not believe she belongs to Darkness. She is something more. I believe she is the key, a gift to us all, but I am the only one who sees that. I am the only one who believes she is more than what they assume her to be.

I hear Darkness laugh, mocking my pain, relishing in my failure to save her. “She is mine,” I hear her whisper,” always.” I cannot let Darkness claim her. I know what I must do to save her, even if I cannot save myself. Darkness is calling. She knows I will follow my heart. “I told you,” she whispers, “you cannot escape me.”

I refuse to fear the unknown. I will welcome my enemy to save my light and do what the Sparks refused to. I will save Dorothy—my light, my silhouette. Falling further into the blackness of a forbidden world, my thoughts are only of her. I will be strong, and I will fight for her. With my

thoughts clear and my choice made, I hear my welcome: “You are mine.”