The Silent Box Second Edition

By D R Rux

After many years of searching, Frank, and his associate find Pandora’s Box in a remote location. However, the artifacts power forces them to hide it from all of mankind. But this doesn’t stop a gang of zealots aimed to use the box as a means to control and bring the world to its end. With no options left, Frank is forced to turn to his father and an unlikely, albeit very shady, comrade to help keep the object’s location a mystery. Life is about to take a turn for the worse, but all Frank cares about is keeping his family alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D R Rux
• Release date: Apr 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452489926

D R Rux

D. R. Rux lives in Aberdeen, SD with his two wonderful children, Koby and Sydni. He has been writing seriously since 2010 and currently has one novelette on Amazon and two novel work in progress'.

Book preview

The Silent Box

Second Edition

D. R. Rux

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

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 D. R. Rux

All rights reserved, including the rights to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

ISBN: 978-1461101192

ISBN 10: 1461101190

For my children, Koby and Sydni.

Forward

I have only been writing for a little more than two years. In those grueling years I have come to receive not only a business relationship but a friend who has helped me out at every turn. Without her, this book would merely be a figment of my imagination, unable to make its way to paper. Rainy, I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me. Without you, I would still be making the same mistakes I made as a poor amateur poster on random writing websites.

My heart also goes to my children, for diligently standing beside me, and at some points asking tough questions to make me think whether what I am writing is good or bad.

Koby I know you still want to play X-Box rather than listen to me ramble about my characters and plot lines.

Syd, I know I must bring you to a sugar induced coma before even beginning to talk about my ambitions.

This novelette came about from another piece of work that still is in progress, which deals with the post-apocolyptic effects of Pandora’s box. I touch lightly on characters and scenarios presented in this book, therefore I thought my readers might like an understanding before they go in blind to the much larger book.

Finally, I would also like to thank you, my readers and fans for giving me the chance to indulge you in a world of fiction from my mind to yours.

Chapter 1

The man stood at the base of the stairs, his gun pointed directly at Frank and his children. Frank positioned himself in front of his children, attempting to keep them from the lunatic’s sight.

His heart raced as he tried to understand how the situation spun out of control. Even his life.

The gunman seemed to like toying with Frank as he pointed the .22 pistol at Frank and his children, one by one. Somewhere near the couch, the other gunman cackled and Frank jumped. He drew his children closer.

Whatever you want, just take it and leave. Frank jerked his head toward the stairs. I don’t want any trouble.

Where is it? the first gunman asked in a heavy Mexican accent.

All of my valuables are upstairs in the safe. The combination is six-three-four-one. Frank knew they wouldn’t believe it if he told them the truth: it wasn’t in the house.

The gunman pointed his gun at Frank’s fifteen-year-old daughter, Leah, laughed and pulled the trigger. She buckled under the pain, screaming at the top of her lungs. Blood splattered the wall behind them and along Frank’s jeans. She dropped to the floor in a pool of blood, holding her thigh and rocking back and forth. Frank looked down to his daughter.

I do not like to play games, Mr. Rice. Where is the box?

Frank took off his belt and wrapped it around Leah’s upper thigh, to use as a tourniquet. As he looked up from his daughter’s leg, he saw the second gunman reach for his gun.

No. You were given orders to observe only. The first gunman turned back to Frank. Do not make me shoot your son this time, Mr. Rice.

Frank’s mind went blank. Defeat was imminent to keep his family alive.

The gunman turned to Frank’s son, Jason. He was point blank. Where is it?

Frank lifted one hand to show his surrender while still holding onto the tourniquet with his other. He pulled Jason, by the arm, down beside Leah and handed him the belt strap.

The gunman followed Jason to the floor, still at a close range.

Pull on this very tightly, and don’t let go. Frank placed a hand on his son’s cheek and looked up at the first gunman. If you want the box, you’ll need to take me with you. Frank began to rise and looked the gunman in the eyes. However, my daughter must be given hospital care. And I need reassurance from both of you that not a single hair on my son’s head will be harmed.

The first man started pacing the floor, holding his hands—one still gripping the gun—to his head. He glanced to the second gunman and they both nodded. Finally, he looked back at Frank and agreed.

To Hell with this box shit, Frank thought.

Two years previously…

Easter Island

Frank! I think we’ve found something! Frank’s partner, Beverly, ran toward him from the dig site as fast as she could. She was out of breath by the time she entered the large tent