McMann, a mother of two, has published many short stories, including the creative nonfiction essay, “When You're Ten,” featured in Literary Mama, and the award-winning short story, “The Day of the Shoes,” in 2004. She is also the author of Fade, which debuted on the New York Times best-seller list and remained there eleven weeks, and of Gone, the last book in the Wake series, which was released February 2010. Her first novel, Wake, debuted on the New York Times best-seller list for children’s chapter books. After she moved from her native Michigan with her husband and two children in 2004, she made writing her priority. She started writing during and after college in the early 1990s. All she can do is nod.Īnd then, there’s a sound from across the room.Before her writing career started, Lisa McMann was a blueberry picker, bindery worker, bookstore clerk, and later worked as a manager, and a realtor. His finger paints her skin from forehead to cheek, his hand captures the back of her neck, and then he lifts her, carries her to the chair. When the nightmare flickers to the picture of the woman again, Janie is just barely able to burst from her confines. She gathers up all her strength and pulls, groaning inwardly with such force that it hurts all the way through. Feeling like if she doesn’t get out of this mess, she might die here. Janie struggles again, feeling like she’s suffocating now. Trapped in the nightmare of a man who can’t wake up. The static is like pinpricks in every pore of her skin. The bright colors slam into her eyes, into her brain, into her body. Thinks Cabel is there, holding her, but she can’t feel anything now. Tries pulling out of the dream, but she can’t focus-the static is messing up her ability to concentrate. “Help me!” he pleads.Īnd then, like a broken filmstrip, the picture cuts out and the static is back, louder than ever, constant screamo in her ears. His eyes widen and he sits up straighter in his chair. He’s in the shadows, sitting on a chair, watching the woman. And then Janie sees that the man is there too. It’s the same woman as the day before, Janie’s certain, though she can’t make out any distinguishing features. Just when Janie thinks her eardrums are going to burst, the static dulls and the scene flickers to a woman in the dark once again.

She steps blindly toward the bed and Cabel helps her safely to the floor as her head pounds with noise. Again, Janie nearly crumples to her knees, but this time she is more prepared.

They stand outside Henry’s room, Janie’s hand tense on the handle. She gets caught in a weak dream but only for a few seconds-she barely even has to pause in step. At the hospital, Janie moves carefully through the hallways as usual, watching for open doors.

Gone lisa mcmann