Flee: A Short Story

by Alicia McCalla

Flee: A Short Story is the prequel to the Soul Eaters: An African Elemental Novel. After the death of her grandmother, Shania Moore, a 27-year old African-American woman is tormented by her ex-boyfriend and a paranormal serial killer. When Shania falls into a dream realm and connects with an ancient African Goddess, her earth magic awakens. Shania realizes that in order to save her daughter’s magical soul, she must run into the arms of the white man that she lied to about having an abortion and stood up at the altar ten years before.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Fiction, Supernatural, Short Stories, Horror

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

After thirty years, Alicia McCalla accepted her calling as a writer of strong Black women heroines who fight back, sometimes to the death. Alicia’s stories are edgy, violent, and controversial with heart-pumping action and her protagonists are forced to make difficult choices.

Alicia began writing and self-publishing professionally in 2012. In the beginning, she wrote part-time while she worked full-time as a School Media Specialist. Tragedy struck and her only child, an officer in the US Navy was lost at sea. This single event changed everything. With the overwhelming intensity of her grief brain, she had to re-learn how to live fully while honoring her son’s legacy (he was one of her largest supporters and champions. He even produced a theme song for her work). She often takes the time to acknowledge her grief journey in her blog posts.

Now, Alicia is a full-time writer & merchandiser sharing stories and products of courageous, brave and strong Black women warriors. She enjoys writing Sistas with Skills, Swords & Superpowers. Alicia is Black Girl Nerd and regularly Cosplays strong female superheroes, warriors and maybe even a fairy. Because of her love of fan merchandise and desire to see Black women represented in SciFi and Fantasy Merchandise, she launched her shop Alicia McCalla’s Emporium featuring superheroines, vigilantes, huntresses and much more.

Alicia's influences include Octavia Butler, LA Banks, Faith Hunter, and Patricia Briggs.

She is an activist in the movement towards diversifying Science fiction and Fantasy (#diversityinSFF). She created the first "State of Black Science Fiction 2012" blog tour, is an active member in the State of Black Science Fiction FaceBook group and has a Pinterest account where she actively curates topics related to Black Warrior Women, Black Science Fiction, Fantasy and more.

Alicia writes for both new adults and adults with her brand of Black superheroes, dark fantasy, paranormal, and horror. She is a former Women Marine-Reservist and a decorated war veteran. Alicia is a native Detroiter who currently resides in metro Atlanta with her loving husband and many nieces and nephews. Sign-up on www.aliciamccalla.com for free reads, updates, sneak peeks, and merchandise coupons.

Reviews

[Kelbian Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story. It is a lot to digest, but since it's a prequel that's easy to forgive. Short stories aren't easy to get just right. But I was very intrigued and can't stop thinking about Shania's journey to Atlanta. I can't wait to see what happens. I'm really looking forward this series. It's a new and original concept. and refreshing addition to the fantasy genre.

A more thorough review to come the blog.

[Rell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly good! I kept wanting to read more and more and when I finally got to the end I was a little ticked off because the next book is not released until July. Perhaps I can remember to purchase it. Now I remember why I don't read books unless the entire story line has been released.

[Deleyna Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother of a young girl, I find this terrifying. Alicia is a wonderful writer, creating vivid images that will haunt your nightmares.

[D.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Flee. It's a short lead-in to a full length novel giving some background on the characters. Looking forward to read The Soul Eaters.

[Kima Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

So poorly executed.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had some interesting elements, but the execution failed to deliver a coherent story.

[Tyesha Litz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very promising start to the few series.

The short story features a stunning a mixture of African mythology and urban fantasy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[carol harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense at its best

I really like short stories.... This one made me want more....I could not put it down......very enjoyable.... Read it..its a must

[Sondra Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading! Now I am ready to read the series. I love the mysticism combined with modern times.

[Mrieves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Very good read! Cannot wait until I get the other parts to read.
Very mysterious. Good writing by the author l.

[Kevis Hendrickson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate having to give this book a failing grade as the urban fantasy genre isn't exactly bursting at the seams with books featuring a black female protagonist. The concept sounded interesting and the writing itself isn't bad. I also liked the emphasis on African tribal magical/paranormal elements as well as the Swahili that's used in the story. The problem with this book is the execution.

Although this book is a prequel, it reads as though the reader is supposed to be already familiar with the storyline (which, chronologically speaking, makes no sense). It was confusing trying to figure out what was going on or why the MC doesn't act like its a big deal when the magic box her dead grandmother left behind is glowing and speaking to her. I'm sorry, but if I was in a room with a talking box, I think I'd pay more attention to it. If the MC already knows the box is magical, then why isn't that explained?

I also felt the racial stuff was starting to beat me over the head. A parade of characters, mostly described by the amount of melanin in their skin (or lack thereof) got tiresome after a while. First we're told the main character is black, then her best friend is also half black and half Asian. Next, we're introduced to the MC's ex-boyfriend who is bi-racial with identity issues because his mother was white trash and his father was a militant black man who hated white people and abused him because he was half-white. If his father hates white people so much, why did he father a child with a white woman? If the reason it's not explained is because it's not relevant to the story, then why bring it up in the first place?

Then there's a white priest who speaks in an African dialect who wants to do, well...something bad to little black girls. Eventually, we're told that the MC is in love with a white man and that her bi-racial ex-boyfriend is jealous of him because his competition is white and the ex-boyfriend wants to have a black child with the black MC. After a while I started to get a headache with all the race stuff. It's okay to draw attention to race, but it's probably better to use a scalpel rather than a sledgehammer when writing about it.

The worst thing about this short story is how confusing it is. Even set-up books need to explain what's going on. I was actually looking forward to reading the rest of this series. But after the bad taste this one left in my mouth, I can only imagine that I'm entirely clueless and just don't get it, or that I'm just not the intended reader for this series.

As I said, I wanted to give this book a higher score not only for the appealing prose style and intriguing soap opera elements, but also because it was well-edited and flawlessly formatted. But since it failed to inspire me to go on to read the sequels, I have no choice but to walk away from the series.

A disappointing 1 star for a book that could have, and should have, been better.

[Cherese A. Vines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flee by Alicia McCalla is a short story about Shania. Her grandmother has just died and she is dealing with a number of serious issues. One such issue is an alcoholic ex-boyfriend who quickly becomes a danger to Shania and her young daughter. On the surface this could be a Lifetime movie about domestic violence and stalking, but there are supernatural elements that quickly come into play. Reading this as a short story is like eating a caramel and trying to chew it, getting it stuck in your back teeth. There is so much going on in a few short pages it's difficult to wade through. The information the reader gets would not have been so overwhelming in a longer work. There is also a part that was gruesome and shocking. I realized too late that I should have read the tags under the description that state plainly what elements are in the story. I have learned my lesson. Read the tags. I'm not sure what to think of this short work. But it truly sets the tone for a disturbing supernatural thriller.

[KG · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Shania Moore’s grandmother dies, her alcoholic soon-to-be exboyfriend, Corbin, shows up to the funeral demanding she marry him to prevent their unborn child from being a bastard. When Shania reveals that she has had an abortion, he vows to get revenge. Shania later has a dream, in which she meets an African Goddess who warns her that she must flee in order to save her daughter’s magical soul. When Corbin breaks into her apartment to exact his revenge, he finds a white priest who performs a ritual that turns Corbin into paranormal serial killer, hungry for magical souls.

I found this book difficult to read. Reading it was like reading “See Spot Run.” The writing was very elementary and choppy. However, once I got past this, I found the book entertaining. By the end, my interest was definitely peaked. I think I will try the next book.

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Color me confused...this book started off with promise. There were so many elements for a great story...death of a family matriarch, unrequited love, a secret child, love that hasn't been revealed, and more. As the plot began to unfold as characters were revealed, as soon as the supernatural elements were firmly introduced, BAM! The story ended. MIT felt abrupt and incomplete, and I'm hoping that this is a prequel to what will be an amazing read in months to come.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story line, cant wait to read the series.

[Tyhitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Good prequel. I can't wait to read the rest of this storyline.

[Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing story that ends before it even gets started. Had an interesting plot that needed more developing.