What had my boss dug up for me this time?

From the time I first rolled up their driveway, I knew I didn’t belong.

An audit for an older couple – it had sounded so simple, so fast.

But I'd had no idea just who was watching who when I entered.



Prim and proper, styled and successful.

They had every reason to hold their heads proud.

How gracious – a homemade cup of tea to begin our review?

Who could help but admire such a generous host?



But she wasn’t after admiration – she was after far more.

And when I pressed my luck and fortune, she pressed right back.

I’d always wondered what it must be like to grow up in a home like this.

Now it’ll take everything I have and am to escape.

Returning fans likely noticed that the Ashes to Ayshas story jumped a few tracks from our typical space opera series. Anybody who purchases paperback or hardback copies of S.D. Nightshade books finds this short intro on the back cover:

"S.D. Nightshade is an insatiable explorer of space, time, and beyond. No adventure is too wild, no character too obscure, no concept too random to beg digging deeper, and deeper - if only to search out the mysteries of What If?..."

Well, two people passed a scenario by me that I found so gripping, so beyond what I've come to expect from humankind, that it consumed that "What If?" curiosity on all counts. Ashes to Ayshas is my response to Gordan and Utopia's challenge. While primarily a hostage-crisis mystery bordering on horror, it paired so well with genetic experimentation, bio-technology, and parallel worlds that this psychological thriller easily bridges into the science fiction arena.

Once again, special care was taken to write this story in good taste, but some of the images that inspired it may be considered inappropriate to sensitive souls or young audiences. Only continue if you are comfortable with themes like bondage, cosmetic surgery, and latex in a fictional setting.

BACKGROUND

Background image graciously provided by: Untitled Luxury Bedroom by Nancy Snuggs on Pinterest.

Ukrainian Barbie (Valerina Lukyanova) & Dominica (Olga Oleynik)
(Image courtesy of Katya Soldak, "The Barbies Are Coming" Forbes, 11 Dec 2012.)

CHARACTERS
(Special thanks to the artists whose images inspired the story - you scared the bajeepers into me, so here you go!)

Images graciously provided by: "Pnk Maid 4" by Suicide77, "This Is Where You Live Now, Dear" by Latexspacebabes, "At An Automatic Factory" by AmyBlank, "Becoming-Bot-1234582888#image-48" by Gunnyogone, "Doll Transformation Salon 01" by XOSleepdolls, "It's So Easy To Control You By Using This App by Moad111, "Her New Doll" by Latexspacebabes, "Mystic Gothic Beauty in Grey and Pink by Gothic Enthrall on Pinterest, "djt0pa7-1e5625a1-0990-42ad-a4c4-9974dd678136" by Fastspinperils, "Brain Blitzed Scroll View by Gunnyohone.

SETTING
(Again, special thanks to the artists whose images inspired the story!
Creativity is truly a community combo, filled with surprises and mystery.)

"Platson Generational Estate" by EnsedaKimri, "Untitled Art Forms Abstract and Furniture" by Kristi Vanselow, "32 Game Rooms Elevate Play with Baroque-Rococo Design(Concept Interiors) by Home Stratosphere" - House Plans, Interior Design, and Luxury Homes on Pinterest, "Scifi Project" by Emanuel Lima da Mota on Pinterest, "Drowning in Roses" by EnsedaKimri, "Untitled Outdoor Spaces-Luxury Patio" by Susie on Pinterest, "Jardim-Paisagismo-Casa-Plantas-Refúgio" by Archlovers on Pinterest, "29 Decorative Accessories for a Polished Dining Room Look by DIY Home Decor Home Improvement on Pinterest, "Customzie Garden Large Marble Angel Statues Wholesale" by Alibaba-B2B on Pinterest, "Home Decorhapsody" by EnsedaKimri (background).