So you have devoured Unwritten and here you are, searching for news on the next installment- Unbecoming. The good news, it is on the way. In the mean time, read the teaser chapter below.

"I can't wait for Unbecoming. You have to write faster."
- Jerry Swink, Oklahoma

Unbecoming
Chapter Teaser

Thursday, August 5
Washington, D.C
Enroute

          Harry Ashby, Navy Intelligence Agent, pulled the partially filled coffee cup from his chapped lips. He needed water instead of the multiple cups of coffee, but driving from Washington, D.C. to Franklin, North Carolina, with few stops, meant caffeine like a river. He had been driving for hours now. The trip had never seemed so long. What was supposed to take about nine hours somehow felt like an eternity.
          Heavy traffic had been avoided by leaving the capital long before rush hour began, in the dark, at midnight. Humidity levels had been steadily climbing as he drove farther south. The summer heat of August was just beginning. For most of the trip, the windows had been rolled down allowing fresh crisp air to flow through the government issued cruiser. The air conditioning was about to be put to the test as the sun began to climb in the sky. The only plus to driving the standard-issue automobile was that it resembled many law enforcement vehicles. That alone had afforded him the ability to drive a little faster without fear of a citation. He had been pulled over once by a North Carolina State Trooper, six years prior, outside Wilmington. The thought of repeating the experience was not one he relished.
          Signs for exits in Asheville, North Carolina, were blurs as he continued on. With only another hour or so to Franklin, a late breakfast was calling his name. His empty stomach was starting to grumble in protest.
Harry began to recall missions he’d been on with another Navy spook, Caroline Blaine. She’d saved him more than once. Now it was his turn. Heavily imbedded with the remaining Russian mafia in San Francisco for the last two years had made for boring detail. But the intelligence he’d managed to garner in the last week, concerning the Navy, made up for it. That information was why he had taken the job to begin with. Caroline’s knack for sensing situations had come through again. She’d been the one to talk him into babysitting the last Mafioso.
          Free of the hilly confines of the city by the bay, he felt relieved. That relief was overshadowed by the troubling knowledge he possessed. Intelligence given to him before he left Washington told him Caroline went on morning excursions on a river walk. He didn’t want to tip his hand too early in the game and spoil the whole plan. He’d watch first, protect as he could, and save the reveal of his presence for later.
          The sleepy little town was indeed as small as Caroline had described so long ago. He had passed only five cars since pulling off the main road into town. Main Street was busy however, the nexus of activity being a coffee shop. Two banks were just opening their doors for the day. Harry slowly pulled through town, circled, parking at the back of the police department lot, with the other like automobiles. The plates on the back could tip off the wrong people, so in addition to where he parked, he backed in. Sightlines were checked and rechecked. Cars parked on the street were noted, along with all the out of state license plates. Places to hide and easy exits were found, along with spots that would make good surveillance venues. A diner nearby had his full attention finally.
          Intelligence officers depended on their anonymity to survive. Being recognized would get you killed. Fierce independence was a mark of the true spook. With that came isolation, and often time paranoia. Harry had lived with both for a while now.
          Summer months in the south meant plenty of tourists, middle class and wealthy alike. No one looked twice at the six foot tall man with very short dark blonde hair as he walked through town in a summer-weight linen suit. Designer sunglasses hid vivid green eyes, serious with expression.
        Harry patted his stomach. Southern food was something he enjoyed, apparently a little too much this morning. A full stomach was making him lethargic and sleepy. He crossed the street and got back into his car. He left the police lot and found a secluded area to park under a large oak tree. Walking was going to be the order of the day. As he checked the Glock, hanging in a holster under his linen jacket, a mobile phone seemingly forgotten in the other cup holder, rang.
          “I’m here Jack. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be awake though.”
          “Harry, you know how Caroline is. I told her she had help coming, but she doesn’t know it’s you. If you spook her, she’s going to shoot first and ask questions later. I’m not sure how crazy these guys are or if they’ve arrived yet. Just-”
          “Do my thing. I know. I’ll wait and see what happens. I’ll keep you posted.”
          The conversation was abruptly ended. Despite the need to stay alert, summer heat and a full stomach were doing a number on his concentration. He began to relax further as a breeze continually swept through the open windows. The urge to nap was rising. Harry’s head lolled back against the seat and sleep came.