title: The Seventh Glitch
author: Ms Ronel van Tonder
description: Ronel van Tonder is an indie science fiction author from South Africa. When she's not writing, Ronel spends her free time slaying rendered baddies in the form of robots, gangsters and aliens - with any weapon that happens to be at hand. She also runs her own website design company, and loves dabbling in graphic design, 3D modelling and animation.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](index-1_1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](index-2_1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](index-3_1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## **The Secret in the Stars**
  
  
  Nancy frowned. Dr. Stars’s van was parked flush up against a metal guardrail.
  Slim as she was, there was no space to squeeze between the railing and the
  passenger side of the van. In order to see if he’d left a note on the front
  passenger side, Nancy would have to climb over the rail.
  
  
  
  
  
  Cautiously, aware of the sheer drop a few feet away, Nancy clambered over the
  rail. The graveled area slanted downward toward the edge of the bluff.
  
  
  
  
  
  Putting one hand on the van door to steady herself, Nancy stood on tiptoe and
  looked inside.
  
  
  
  
  
  “That’s strange,” she murmured to herself. “The doors are locked, but the
  window on this side is open.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Suddenly the gravel crunched behind her. Nancy started to spin around, when a
  hand clamped down on her shoulder.
  
  
  
  
  
  She staggered backward, the smooth soles of her sneakers slipping on loose
  stones, sending her ski