My Final Chapter: A Legacy of Words by Amy Shannon This is a collection of short stories, flash fiction and essays that I’ve written over the years. I don’t know if I will ever add more stories, but they probably would only be short ones. I am writing this part very slowly, as my tremor disorder has been diagnosed as neurological, my condition has worsened, and my hands shake almost all the time, especially when I hand write or type. Writing has always been a part of me. I have some unfinished works but hopefully by the time this book is finished, those stories will be part of this, and finished as well. The last words of this book, are the last words in a story, in a book, to be read by the public, written by me. Foreword Written by McKensie Stewart Cover Design: Bil Richardson Foreword By McKensie Stewart I met Amy Shannon in 2016, after I completed my first book and needed a reviewer. Amy not only reviewed my book but was helpful in giving advice on where to place my book on social media. Throughout the years we became friends and business partners. A Legacy of Words Short Stories is Amy's farewell as an author, but not mistaken as an exit from the literary world. The book spans many writing styles, genres and forms of the written word. Amy may not write books every year, but we must stay tuned for her next venture. Excerpt from the short story "Worth" Something is wrong. Something is definitely wrong. Marva, wake up! Are you awake? What's going on? It's so dark in here. Are my eyes open? I don't see anything. I can feel it. Wait. What is this? What's going on? What is the last thing I remember? Oh God, I think I'm dead. No way. I can't be dead. I just can't. I can't move. I think my eyes are open. Where's the rest of my body? Oh man, something is definitely wrong. What am I going to do? Wait, Millie. Where's Millie? She was just here, wasn't she? I gotta find Millie. Marva, open your eyes, please. Why can't I see? Something, something is going on. It's cold and damp, and the air feels heavy and smells like dirt. I must be lying on the floor, or something made of cement. I don't think I'm alone. It feels like something, or someone is next to me. I can feel it, a quiet presence in whatever the hell this is. I got to find out what's going on. Maybe I am dead now. Yeah, I must be dead, smells like death in here. If I'm dead, how am I still thinking? Is this Hell? Am I being punished? Aunt Lucy always said I'd go to Hell for being gay. Damn, what if she was right? No, it doesn't matter. My life, my life with Millie was worth it. It definitely was. Can I talk? Can I scream? I want to call out, I want to open my mouth, but my lips feel as if they are shut forever. What are we going to do? OK, think. Focus and think. Think about what's going on. Take a deep breath even if it is worse than anything I've never felt or smelled before. Millie? Is that you Millie? Marva, move your hand. Just do it. Reach for her. It's her, isn't it? Is this the mailman's revenge? No, can't be. He's not that smart. Creepy, yes. Stalkerish, yes, and even broke into our home, our bedroom, but no, this feels like something different. Millie, are you there? My Final Chapter This is a collection of short stories, flash fiction and essays that I've written over the years. I don't know if I will ever add more stories, but they probably would only be short ones. I am writing this part very slowly, as my tremor disorder was diagnosed as neurological, and has worsened, and my hands shake almost all the time, especially when I hand write or type. Writing has always been a part of me. I have some unfinished works but hopefully by the time this book is finished, those stories will be part of this, and finished as well. I, Amy Shannon, am retiring from being a published author. It really means that I won't be writing much or really publishing anything new. I don't even know if I will release the rest of my MOD Life Epic Saga on anything but my own online bookstore. I know why I wrote, it was in me, but now, I can't, at least the way the creativity would pour out from my brain to my fingers. It's just not the same, and I guess, neither am I. I will continue to focus on helping other authors, whether from my review blog, Amy's Bookshelf Reviews, podcast, The After Show with McKensie Stewart & Amy Shannon or my promotions company, Genesis Book Promotions & Blog Tours. We also have projects in the works together. The last words of this book are the last words in a story, in a book, to be read by the public, written by me.