‘Engella’ by Paul Ian Cross is a short story about titular character Engella, a young girl whose past is literally catching up to her. Set apart from her family by long distances – of time and space – she struggles to survive on her own, outsmarting Hunters who want to see her dead.

Cross is clearly going to continue his story based on the cliffhanger ending of this first installment in Engella’s journey. However, some clarification on exactly who the Hunters are would be helpful. The question arises of why they would rather have her dead when they themselves are traveling through time and space like she does. If this point had been elaborated on further in this particular tale, even if just in a paragraph or short chapter, it would have strengthened the storytelling. The concept of having Hunters and Watchers, people who obviously want to end Engella’s journey alongside those who are there to help her, respectively, is intriguing. The prospect of learning more about them keeps me invested in reading the next story that Cross intends to write about Engella’s fate.

The dialogue is realistic and the descriptions are strong and imaginative. Even though the story lacks some of the other pieces that would make it a stronger read overall, it is engaging nonetheless. Anyone who enjoys a good plot twist will want to learn more about Engella and what will become of her when the story comes to a close.

You can find ‘Engella’ by Paul Ian Cross here.