Mythological creatures are real - and their reveal to the world resulted in the destruction of civilization. A young adventurer must journey through perils, find allys, and defeat foes while discovering who they are. More coming soon.

A dark exploration of the systems that empower some and admonish others. Chapter 1 - Early Morning Walk More to come.

Shorter stories and ideas that haven't developed into larger ones. David & Diana - a dystopian, caste-based story of violence and ambition.

You can read sections of this exploratory fiction here. As I develop more, I'll add them here in the order that I believe they belong. There are gaps, but I hope you enjoy them! Chapter One: https://www.rrroyall.com/post/chapter-oneChapter — Unwritten section — The Last Time — Unwritten section — A Vicious Interrogation — Unwritten section — Urgent Interruption A Tragic Self Sacrifice Waking A Painful Escape Waiting Not Out of the Woods Yet — Unwritten sections — More to come

This project started as an idea I had after listening to the soundtrack of the musical "SIX" essentially on repeat for two weeks while I was riding a motorcycle across country with limited streaming capabilities. In Anne Boleyn's section, Henry calls her a "damned witch", and I wondered what kind of effect that might have meant to Elizabeth I during her reign. A fan of Tudor history, I started playing around with the idea of a historical fiction centered on Elizabeth I, "witc

Cara had left home over five years ago in a desperate attempt to save her little brother. He was thriving now without her, and the situation had once again become dangerous for her. It was time to let him grow up and discover himself. She wished she could keep watching him grow, but the threat of the young Corporal was becoming too much. What’s more, her brother seemed to be doing fine. Better than fine, really. Good schoolwork, a developing stature that oozed the confidence

Cara tried her best to come in quietly. She did come in quietly. He already knew she’d gone and he was waiting for her. “You thought you could hide from me,” not a question. She didn’t answer, just stood. She knew what came next, and while she was prepared to bear it again, it still made her afraid. He was across the room in just two strides with his backhand against her face. She tumbled down to to ground, and he pushed her down further with his heel to her back. “Get up,” h

Cara didn’t know if Cole had gotten the message – she needed to find him and make sure he knew that they were coming. She made her way as quickly and quietly as she could through the trees, working toward the compromised safehouse. As she rounded the corner of the building, she could see two men standing apart facing each other in the small clearing in front of the door. Cara stopped hard when she saw them. Cole was standing along the tree line opposite the door, his hands ho

Cole waited restlessly at the old church, the newest safehouse for the contester sect. Lucy had sent word that Cara had made it through a bullet removal surgery and would be smuggled out of the hospital today. There were so many things that could go wrong between there and the church. If she didn’t make it, he didn’t know what he would do. He needed to see her, needed to see that she was OK. But more than that, he needed to touch her and feel that she was real and alive. Watc

It’s an eerie feeling – being in the streets at night. But Jordan always enjoyed the silence of the city at sleep. Peaceful and calm – the streetlights giving rhythmic light to the squared patterns of the sidewalk blocks. Sometimes he wears his headphones and enjoys the sight of the city alone while listening to the music of the day. Other days, like today, he walks along with the sounds of the city as his tunes. A distant siren, a racoon in a trash can up the alley, the whoo

Opening her eyes felt like the most impossible task. They were so heavy, but there was a urgency she had forgotten. Cara must open them and figure it out. The place she was in was wrong. Too bright, and inside. Why was it wrong? What happened? She struggled to recall where she was a minute ago. Lucy was there. “Cara, Cara, take it easy,” she whispered standing up from where she’d been seated. “…ahh…,” was all Cara could get out, her throat hurt. Cole. She had been looking for

Lucy arrived at the church late in the day. Cara still hadn’t woken up, her beautiful eyes still closed – maybe forever. Mannon had to talk him down from multiple downward spirals. Cole was exhausted. Mannon went to greet Lucy in the entryway. Mannon and Lucy were one of the most consistent reasons that Cole had remained with the contesters, before even meeting Cara. Mannon approached Lucy, smiling and offering her his hands. When she took them, they closed together and the a

A small-town environmental scientist struggles to save the natural balance of land, flora and fauna against a profit-hungry construction company that continues to cut corners. An ambitious architect dreams of building the kind of art that lasts generations, but has to climb to the top to reach the sky. More to come.

David crouched atop the pile of junk, behind a flowing tattered canvas. He searched the debris below, looking for any signs of his enemies. Hidden in his selected perch, David saw movement to his left but shifted only his eyes to focus on it. Any movement of his own might give away his position. Only three days ago, these enemies were his cohorts. Other candidates all working toward the same goal, warrior status and the ultimate title of Elite Warrior. Of the thousands of tra

Just standing up off the edge of the bed was a challenge. Once she got on her feet, Cara wavered for a moment. Stairs, left, second left, door. The directions out were the most important and new. She repeated them like a mantra in her head. Lucy’s sense of urgency was palpable. Cara needed to get moving and get out of the building – without being seen. The regular clothes would help her a little, at least she wasn’t in a hospital gown anymore. But the HOSPITAL was military ba

The impact nearly knocked the wind out of him. His eyes still fixed on the barrel aimed at his chest. But the contact wasn’t a bullet to follow the crack of the gunshot. It was Cara’s body slamming into his at full speed. No…she didn’t. No! But she had. Even as his arms wrapped around her familiar form, he could feel her weight starting to sag. The barrel in his sights shook, then lowered as if in slow motion. A warm, wet sensation grew in his hands and arms. He knew already

Champion stalked into the space, stooping under the door frame. The contesters were lined up, kneeing on the ground and arms bound with three soldiers standing behind them. At the sight of him, most of them visibly tensed. The swell of pride and self-importance engulfed him. This was often his favorite part. He got such a thrill from making others give them what he wanted against their will. Slowly, silently, he gauged them each individually looking for the one who was going