When He Confronted the Past (#2) (The Fire Journal)

By Danielle Kazemi

Evie and Uriz find themselves at their new destination - a wonderful tropical island complete with supernatural beings intent on turning the populace into mindless zombies. All in a typical vacation.

The remote island crawls with stray body parts, preserved in their zombified form. Everyone on the island remains quiet, scared to mention to anyone the horrors that lurk about.

Determining who is behind these atrocities is the least of Uriz's problem. Confronting his former friend may prove disastrous.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Kazemi
• Release date: Oct 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301683116

Danielle Kazemi

Danielle Kazemi is the author of the YA series Dragon's Fire, The Fire Journal, and The Phoenix Token. She's a native from south Louisiana and spends her day balancing between kids and writing.

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The Fire Journal

When He Confronted the Past

Danielle Kazemi

Copyright 2012 Danielle Kazemi

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The Fire Journal

When He Confronted the Past

Danielle Kazemi

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 1

The baying of a lone dog sounded off in the distance as the moon maneuvered itself out from behind the darkened clouds. Far below, a building of sorts resided; the gray outer paint masking it from completely disappearing into the dense green jungle surrounding the land. To the outsider, it was nothing more than the water treatment facility, built to protect those residing on the island from impurities which may show it from time to time. Those who knew better understood the dark secret it held.

How much more time do you need? I expected by now to have a finished product already in my hands – not a continual barrage of excuses, another man said, his face hardened as he stared down the man across from him. His crisp business suit seemed out of place with the rest of the island décor; his companion being dressed in khaki shorts, opened short sleeve shirt, and wide brimmed hat.

The man shook his head, sweat dropping from his forehead onto the table in front of him. For the last time, these things need time. I have to make sure everything works exactly as you specified. Otherwise, we could end up with more problems than we can imagine. He wiped his hand against the side of his face to remove excess perspiration.

The first man slammed his fist on the table, the vials quivering. His hand remained in position for a moment as he collected himself. Regaining his composure, he stated, I will not have you sitting here making excuses about why you cannot finish a simple task. Anyone else would have completed the project by now. What have I been paying you for? Have you been sitting here all day, drinking yourself into oblivion?

The serum works, the second man said cowering under the pressure, I never said it had problems. There’s no problem. I want to run more tests though to make sure everything is perfect. Those are the only things keeping it from being on schedule.

Tests, tests, tests, the first man said rising from his wicker chair and heading towards the window. He could see the island highlighted from here, a few thatched buildings dotting the landscape. Every once in a while he saw light coming from one of the buildings but for the most part, the entire land remained in the dark. These people were barbarians – savages. No one would mind them being used as experiments. This was why he chose the remote island.

Turning back to the researcher, he asked, Have you tested this already? He knew the answer. He always knew before he asked.

Well, yes.

May I see a finish product? He wanted to know his money was being used wisely. He feared every dime he gave was only being absorbed by this man into leading a substandard life on this island. Only a few dollars would have given him complete control over anything he wanted. It would also be the same amount which would lead to his downfall.

The second man hesitated, opening his mouth multiple times to express his thoughts but closing it just as rapidly. This brings up something else. There…there seem to be a few issues with the formula for now. Not problems, he caught himself, but issues.

Such as? The business man’s eyes settled onto the glass pane reflecting the scientist’s gaze. He knew the downfall existed.

Well, the man paused, grasping for time, They can still think for themselves a bit.

The man in the business suit raised his eyebrow. A bit? How much is a bit?

This is what we’re trying to –

The man turned around, swiping his arms across the wooden table behind him. Brightly colored vials flew across the room, slamming into the walls and breaking into a myriad of shards. Liquid dripped onto almost every surface.

I gave you opportunity after opportunity to explain what the problems are. You have exhausted my patience. I demand to see what my money has paid for. If the scientist continued to refuse his demands, he would move onto more persuasive ways.

The researcher stood up from his chair, his hand slightly quivering as he reached for the nearby door handle. He paused for a moment. His heart visibly beat through his chest, the shirt he wore moving in rapid succession.

Open it, the business man said, his voice remaining calm. His right hand rose slightly. If anything he disapproved of dared to come forth, he would be prepared.

The second man did as he was commanded. His hand shook as he struggled to retain control. Gripping the handle firmly with both hands, he managed to summon enough fortitude to open it. He stumbled back, tripping over his own feet as he moved further away from the opening.

A figure stumbled out, reaching towards them with what appeared to be an arm yet only having faint human characteristics. The majority of the skin remaining was peeled away, bone and sinew revealed underneath the faint covering. The gaping maw where the person’s mouth should’ve appeared instead only bore broken teeth. Patches of hair upon the head appeared at odd places, frayed and fragmented.

The first man hesitantly gauged the creature, taking in everything presented to him and processing it. He knew this was what he wanted to accomplish in the end but never realized his project would come to fruition already. Yet there was a problem. His retainer spoke of it earlier. He could narrow in on the location but wasn’t entirely sure of himself. Can it speak?

The researcher once again found himself at a loss for words. The man he worked for always knew what problem arose even before it was explained. It unsettled him but he refused to show it – keeping his emotions close. It can talk but I’m unsure if it even understands what it’s saying anymore.

How so? The man crept ever closer, anxious to see more of this new creation. He wanted to know if everything he hoped for came out of the deal. Perhaps there was some truth to the man’s words about needing more time. His insight provided him some help but on other matters, it remained oblivious. He desired nothing more than to be finished with his project. His plans needed to come to fruition.

It cries out constantly, screaming at all hours of the night. Some of the men swear it experiences emotions the man said, his gaze shifting down.

The decaying creature raised its hands towards the man in the business suit once more, its eyes settling on him but remaining somewhat vacant. Decayed fingers reached forward, barely holding on by the rotten flesh. His voice stated clearly, audible even from a distance, Help me.

Chapter 2

Evie Garroway took a deep breath as she exited through the magical portal holding onto Uriz’s hand. The travel through proved stronger than she imagined and her head spun for a moment as she collected herself. Her bright smile showed in stark contrast to her dark hair as she examined where they were. Her eyes lit up when she noticed the lush landscape around her.

Green palm trees hung above them; their canopies blocking out the harsh sun. A few flowering trees grew in the area as well with brightly colored blossoms appearing in various locations. Exotic animals chittered