Falling

By J.S. Devivre

Hayley Gabriel is a bookworm by trade and couch potato by choice. The night she takes the leap to go out on a date with charming Raiff St. James, the world turns upside down with catastrophic results.

Throughout her life, Hayley’s been told that she’s a jinx. Sure, she wants romance and excitement and adventure as much as the next thirty-year old, but without the risks those pursuits generally entail. So, she satisfies her longings by burying herself in the books she reads as a junior copyeditor for a San Francisco publishing house. Even she couldn’t mess up the lives of the characters about whom she reads!

When The Event occurs, that is to say, a global cataclysm, she’s forced to choose between sitting on the sidelines and watching the world quietly die or jumping light-years out of her comfort zone to join Raiff on a quest to save mankind. Her search for answers and solutions takes her to places she dared never go. All the while, the cosmic clock ticks on.

*Who will catch you when everyone is falling?*

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.S. Devivre
• Release date: Mar 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311912534

J.S. Devivre

JS Devivre is an author and eventeur specializing in full-immersion theme events. In addition to penning the 1920s Tea Cozy Mysteries series and Tea Traveller's Constant Companion guidebooks, she is the creator of the fictional Academy of Omniosophical Arts and Sciences. The interdimensional school serves as the basis for a 7-part coming-of-age series geared to adult readers. The first novel, Mind the Portal, is available now, along with a whimsical array of ancillary works as well as online classes and in-person Omni events.

Book preview

Falling

by J.S. Devivre

Copyright 2014 J.S. Devivre

All rights reserved.

2nd Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Regardless of your level of enjoyment (which is hopefully sky high), 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 do purchase an additional copy for as many recipients as you would like – the more, the better, in fact. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please close your eyes, close the document, and return to Smashwords.com to purchase your very own, shiny, new copy. Thank you for respecting the diligence of this author, whose only goal in life is to delight you.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Community, Acknowledgments & Author

CHAPTER ONE

She took small, measured sips of her freshly refilled strawberry lemonade and gazed out the bistro window in contented awe at the dazzling sunset. Time seemed to stand still in that blissful moment, and she reveled in the fact she could think of nowhere where she’d rather be, oblivious that the demise of all existence was less than an hour away.

It’s somethin’ else, isn’t it? Raiff said, leaning back in his chair and swirling the ice cubes in his soda glass. You picked a great spot.

It’s one of my favorites, Hayley replied. I never get tired of it.

Good. Then you supervise the sun’s descent while I ditch out to go feed the meter.

Yeah, sorry about that. The parking’s lousy around this area.

I’ll be right back! he said with a smile, standing to button his coat.

The moment Raiff was out of sight, Hayley snatched her phone from her purse and feverishly placed a call.

Hi, it’s me, she said, covering her mouth and glancing around the room. I only have a minute. He went out to put more money in the meter.

Well? said Sydney, Hayley’s office buddy.

It’s going great—better than that, it’s perfect. Everything so far is perfect!

Wooohoooo! Sydney hooted. Aren’t you glad you went through with it? I told you it would be worth it!

The night’s not over yet, Hayley remarked, hunching over the table and hiding her phone behind her shoulder-length hair.

Oh come on, what could go wrong?

I know. It’s just …

Too good to be true?

You know me too well, Hayley said.

I do. And no, it’s not too good to be true. You just had to kiss a whole lot of toads first.

Hey, when your life’s a hodge-podge of trial and error … mostly error …

Then it’s about time the odds were in your favor. So stop worrying and just enjoy yourself!

Uh oh, he’s coming back. Gotta go. Bye! Hayley squirreled her phone away and contorted herself into an awkward pose in an effort to look nonchalant and relaxed.

That just bought us another thirty minutes, Raiff said, his cheeks flushed and breathing heavy.

Did you run back? Hayley asked.

Of course! Or we’d only have twenty minutes left! he replied with a casual grin.

Well, we can’t let all that running be for nothing. How about we order dessert?

None for me, thanks, Raiff said, patting the six percent body fat that veiled his abdomen. I’m still stuffed from that coq au vin.

Okay, then do you wanna get coffee or anything? Or should I just ask for the check? Hayley shifted in her seat and tried to force her disappointment into a carefree smile.

"Unless you’d like dessert …"

Either way’s fine with me. Her tone was unconvincing.

Raiff grabbed the dessert menu and flipped it open with abandon. Come on. Let’s order something sinful!

The more sinful, the better! Hayley cheered, devouring the menu with her eyes.

What looks good? Raiff replied, looking up to catch their waiter’s eye.

Hayley was on the verge of drooling. "What doesn’t look good?"

I’m guessing you two fell victim to our dessert menu? the waiter remarked as he approached, a finger poised over his iPad.

"You guessed right! Mocha cake with crème anglaise, please. Extra sauce, actually, if that’s all right," Hayley said, folding her hands on the table and rolling her thumbs as her toes tapped the floor.

Uh, the lavender lemon crème brûlée with berries for me. That looks interesting. Raiff handed over his menu, and an amused smile crossed his face as he watched Hayley organize her place setting in preparation of dessert.

And can we get the check? she said.

Parking meter? the waiter asked with a chuckle.

Of course, Hayley said.

After they’d lapped up their extravagant sweets, Raiff sprinted off toward the car, desperate to get there before the merciless meter expired. Hayley stood shivering on the curb, her ankles wobbling in her towering heels as she watched Raiff run in his tailored black suit and crisp, white dress shirt, seemingly gliding without even touching the ground. She moved from one foot to the other to stave off the cold while her shaking fingers reached for her phone; and she dropped her cell twice and turned her ankle once when trying to retrieve the phone from the sidewalk, finally succeeding in making a call.

You again? Don’t tell me the date’s over already! You always give up at the first sign of trouble, Sydney answered.

No-o-o-o, he juh-juh-just went to get the car.

You didn’t take a coat, did you? And now you’re freezing outside in your little black dress.

My c-c-c-coat’s too ugly, and owwwwww, she moaned.

Hayley, you okay? … Hayley!

Sorry, I’m all right. I’m just in mild agony, she said, rubbing her ankle.

From eating way too much, I’m guessing?

"That too. Besides, it’s our first date and I was treating! So I had to order appetizers."

"And did you have to order dessert?"

Hayley snorted. Like that’s even a question.

Where are you two kids off to now?

I don’t know. I was in charge of dinner and he’s in charge of entertainment. I have no idea what he’s got planned.

Oooooh mysterious. Sneak me a text or something when you get there. I want to know everything! … So … what do you make of him so far … in a word.

In a word? Dreamy, Hayley said, her pulse quickening and cheeks warming.

Dreamy is good. Fantastic, in fact.

And Dreamy is back with the car. Bye.

Raiff bounded from his double-parked, eco-friendly Prius and held up a hand to traffic as he whipped around to the passenger side to open the door for Hayley. In one deft motion he’d swept her into the car, handed her the seatbelt, closed her door, jumped into the driver’s seat, and hit the gas.

Would you like the heater on?

How’d...y-you...g-g-guess? Hayley replied, her teeth knocking together. Any hints on where we’re g-going?

Do you really want to know? Or would you like to be surprised?

Hmmmmmmm, it’s a t-t-toss up.

Let’s just say it’s the hottest ticket in town.

Hot s-s-sounds good right now.

He chuckled. Good! I’ve never been, so it will be a first for us both. How about some music while you warm up and I try to navigate to this place?

Hayley nodded, Raiff pressed a button, and a Chopin etude filled the car.

Chopin! One of my favorites, Hayley said, her speech normalizing.

I know.

Hayley furrowed her brow in puzzlement.

Don’t look at me in that ‘is he a creepy stalker’ sort of way. You posted your favorite music on your Facebook profile.

She smiled and sighed in relief, turning her gaze to the darkening, gem-filled sky, allowing Raiff and Chopin to spirit her away as she thought back on the whirlwind the last couple of days had been. Seventy-two hours earlier she’d never heard of Raiff St. James and had no desire to go on a date with anyone anywhere. She’d tried and failed at dating so many times in so many ways, she feared being cast on The Jerry Springer Show in a morality tale episode: Serial Daters and How to Spot them.

Dating wasn’t her only downfall. She’d tried her hand at every fad and social activity she could find, all without success. Yoga was the latest debacle. Her attempt at a One-Legged King Pigeon pose saw her toppling over sideways, creating a domino effect. As she’d watched her classmates fall over one by one, the idea of cow-tipping had popped into her head, resulting in her exploding in laughter. The instructor had savagely rolled up Hayley’s mat and shoved it into her arms, asking her not to return to class, namaste.

And so, she’d chosen to adopt a simple, event-free life where she found all the romance and adventure she could desire in books. Reading was more than a vocation for the thirty-year-old junior copyeditor. It was her salvation. Books were the only companions that were always there for her, that she could depend on. And reading was the one thing she felt she was good at.

Then again, she never put much time into new endeavors or gave them a real chance, opting instead to abandon them at the first challenge or setback, lest she once again cause an incident and feel like a buffoon. Her apartment boasted an entire closet stuffed with hardly used equipment. She called it The Pit of Despair and Broken Dreams. It housed a murderous kayak that had tried to drown her by holding her upside-down underwater, a pair of cowboy boots for country line-dancing that surely were factory defects and made with two left feet, and a cracked cycling helmet that had been used once and barely made it to the end of the block. If only riding a bike was as easy as riding a bike! she’d muttered when she cast the helmet into the pit.

She’d fared no better with animals or plants, and she was politely banned from the local pet adoption agency. The only thing she managed to keep alive, a miracle to all, was an orchid she’d named Astrid. She couldn’t bear the thought of Astrid ever dying, so every year she would purchase a new potted flower to replace the previous, christening each one with the same name.

Instead, she retreated into the exciting and colorful world of books where her greatest gaffe was spilling coffee on an open page. She no longer felt any compulsion to take up exercise. Exercising her mind was rigorous enough a workout for her. In books, she could go wherever she wanted at no cost and, more important, without getting lost.

Her friend Sydney, a confessed cosplay addict, zealously tried to persuade Hayley to join her when the conventions were in town. Hayley always declined, preferring to get into her favorite characters by burying her head in their written stories. No fuss, no muss and, best of all, no sewing required—thus no pricked fingers sullying costumes with blood. Sydney loved attracting attention. Hayley avoided it all costs, having a history of attracting it for one legendary bungle or another. She knew in her heart she had become a wallflower, and so she threw her passions and desires—her wishes and dreams—into her greatest pleasure and primary activity, her work.

As they drove, she snuck a long look at Raiff, and pondered how unlikely it was that two such opposites had been attracted to each other. He came from a close-knit family of seven children who still had dinner with their parents Sunday evenings. She was an only child whose parents were no longer around. He was an elite tri-athlete; she was an elite pomme de terre de canape—her glorified term for couch potato. He’d nearly become an Anglican priest. She was an atheist who filed all religious texts in her library on the same shelf as 1001 Arabian Nights.

At one point, she dabbled in a smattering of traditional religions and cults, finding the Holy Rollers most entertaining, but none of the doctrines had stuck. She’d tried on New Age mantles and found while she could talk a good game, that’s all it was—talk. Her belief system du jour came from the television show Doctor Who, and when in need of moral guidance, she would ask herself, What would the doctor do?

Her differences with Raiff enthralled her. He worked as a community college history teacher, specifically so he could have his summers off to travel to exotic lands. She worked just blocks from her apartment on the edge of San Francisco’s Financial District and walked to work. She no longer owned a car. She didn’t see the point, as parking was at once hardly existent and exorbitant, and she was happy just to putter around the city on foot. If she craved an international experience, she could simply amble over to China Town or North Beach. Much easier than dealing with the perils of passports, foreign currency or the dreaded TSA, she reasoned.

The only thing Hayley and Raiff looked to have in common was books. She loved to read them, he loved to write them, or at least he loved the experience of writing his first one—a project he was deep into when the pair first met earlier in the week at Frog Hollow Farm, a popular local coffee shop. Both had arrived with the intention of spending the entire day there, working. First contact came at about ten in the morning when Hayley grabbed Raiff’s drink order by mistake. As the day wore on and patrons came and went, they had occasion to strike up conversations with each other now and again—while getting coffee refills, ordering snacks, even waiting in line for the building’s public restroom.

It was while at the cream and sugar station the initial sparks of interest were ignited. For the briefest of moments, Hayley feared Raiff’s flirting was all a ploy to curry her favor since he was a would-be author and she a copyeditor, albeit a junior one. But that suspicion quickly faded when he’d mentioned the writing was just a hobby for him, a way to chronicle his travels while putting in his time at work and waiting for the next summer’s adventure.

They shared a couple rounds of coffee, abandoning their literary projects in favor of performing the perfunctory get-to-know-you quizzing of each other. A brief but fierce debate about creation versus evolution threatened to blight their budding relationship, but Hayley smoothed things over by expressing her sincere interest in Raiff’s beliefs. She loved to learn about foreign cultures, and the world of theology was definitely foreign to her. Before they parted at day’s end, a date was made, setting in motion events neither could have imagined.

* * * *

Hayley was deep in thought when Raiff turned down the musical nocturne in which she’d been lost. He stopped the car, set the parking break, and turned to face her squarely.

You ready?

I have no idea, she said, wide-eyed in eager bewilderment.

He patted her knee reassuringly, and all trepidation was replaced by the tingling occasioned by his touch.

C’mon. Let’s see what this place is all about.

The night’s chill took her by surprise as he opened her door. He wrapped his coat around her shoulders and led her by the hand to a dreary alley where a score of people waited outside the metal door of a featureless black building devoid of windows or signage. There was little discussion among those waiting, aside from the occasional whisper between people who arrived together. Every now and then, a flamboyant emcee emerged to shake hands with those in line, giving them an estimate of their wait time.

Curvy females decked out in vintage cigarette-girl outfits sashayed by, purveying concessions, followed by young women wearing faerie wings who rolled by on skates, proffering complimentary champagne and cooing, Strawberry or peach, in reference to the choice of beverage garnish. Finally, a fellow dressed as a jester minced through the alley spritzing the air with an antique perfume atomizer, giving a fresh citrusy scent to the otherwise urine-laced passageway that housed a collection of over-stuffed dumpsters belonging to the tenement next door.

Hayley and Raiff chatted cordially while viewing the parade, until it happened.

CHAPTER TWO

A hush fell over the city, and Hayley and Raiff left off talking, staring dumbfounded at each other.

Hayley was the first to speak. Did you feel that?

I did, only I have no idea what it was.

It seemed like some sort of EMP thing … I guess … I don’t know. What was that?

The crowd of people waiting in the alley stirred. Hayley couldn’t make out what anyone was saying, but noticed tempers were heating up and some minor arguments had broken out. Inexplicably, she was overcome with an intense feeling of vulnerability, awash with every insecurity she’d ever borne. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and unsafe in the dark desolate alley, and tried to think of a way to tell Raiff she wanted to go home, though without sounding insulting.

Raiff made it easy when he asked, Hey, do you mind if we continue this another time? All of a sudden, I’m not feeling so hot.

Sure, of course. I totally understand, she said, trying to disguise her relief.

The walk back to the car was wordless, and Hayley rued ever having accepted their date in the first place. The feeling of anxiety and danger continued to grow, and she tugged at her dress in an attempt to cover up here physique, glancing nervously around as they trudged their way through the bleak labyrinth of walkways leading back to their parking space. Raiff, previously so open and gracious, was now withdrawn and sullen. Whatever it was that swept through the alley, Hayley was certain no good would come from it and suspected its full consequences had yet to be revealed.

When they neared the car, Raiff clicked the remote’s unlock button, and they both took their seats in silence. He then turned on the ignition and let out a great sigh, Oh thank God.

What? Hayley asked, paying little attention to whatever he might answer.

I was afraid that shockwave, or whatever it was, would’ve taken out our electronics. Have you checked your phone?

It’s still working, Hayley said, engaging her cell’s welcome screen.

Are you sure? Maybe you should try making a call.

Okay. What’s your number?

I don’t have a cell phone.

How is that possible?

I do a lot of triathlon training and the last thing I want is my mom calling during an endurance run to ask me what flavor of Jello I think she should make before Dad comes home. Having no cell phone is a survival tactic.

Hayley chuckled—the first time she’d felt anything but trepidation since the perplexing occurrence in the alley.

There’s that smile, Raiff said, grinning in kind. He activated his car’s GPS and headed toward Hayley’s address.

She quickly dialed Sydney. Hey, Syd. Just checking to see if you’re okay.

Haha, yeah right. Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be? I think you just wanted an excuse to sneak another call to me during the big date. Any news to report?

Umm, no … Actually, I better go. Talk to you later, Hayley said, cutting the call short so as to avoid discussing the progress of the date in front of Raiff.

Well, cellular service is still intact. That’s good news, Raiff said, attempting to ease the tension.

It is, Hayley replied and turned her head once again to browse the sky, a favorite pastime.

The clear, shimmering heavens had become misty, and the stars were fading. She’d never seen the atmosphere look so milky and thick. Just then an enormous jolt and thunderous cracking noise sent the car swerving wildly.

Earthquake! she shouted as Raiff fishtailed the Prius uncontrollably.

At length, he righted the car and brought it to a stop. But the earthquake didn’t stop. After the ground’s initial jerk came a series of rumblings and minor tremors sandwiched between roller-coaster-like groundswells. Car alarms went off in unison. Gas lines and water mains ruptured. Fires broke out, and the wail of sirens echoed from every direction.

For the second time that evening, Hayley and Raiff stared at each other slack-jawed and thunderstruck.

Raiff held his breath and tentatively put the car back into gear, rolling forward and assessing the condition of their driving route.

Should we turn on the radio and find out what’s going on? Hayley asked.

Won’t do any good.

You mean the earthquake took out your radio?

No, my radio’s been on the fritz for ages.

No radio, no cell phone? Who is this guy? Hayley wondered. Frustration quickly set in, and all she wanted was to get home.

Potholes and jagged asphalt paved the way, and Raiff drove a conservative ten miles an hour in his effort to avoid the myriad hazards. The mile-long journey took more than an hour. With only a city block to go, they hit a dead end—a gaping fracture in the road that had been blocked off by barricades with flashing lights, supervised by an officer posted at the scene.

Hayley gawked at the city’s wreckage. Now what do we do?

I’ll be right back, Raiff said, jumping out of the car and jogging over to the officer.

Jeez, doesn’t that guy ever just walk? Hayley said aloud, resuming her perusal of the sky that had quickly become a starless swirl of smoke and fire.

A moment later, Raiff came jogging up to the car and tapped on her window, his charming grin back in place.

Officer Gleason pointed out a path we can take to walk the rest of the way to your place. It’s a little tricky, but should be doable.

Thanks, Raiff. I think I can manage on my own from here, Hayley said, impatient to get home—alone.

Nice try, missy. I’m not letting you walk by yourself on these chewed-up streets in those heels. Not another word, he said, cutting her off before she could register her complaint. He opened her door, extended his hand, locked the car, and set off slowly with her in tow.

The going was treacherous, owing to broken glass and jutting slabs of concrete, and Hayley admitted to herself she was thankful Raiff was there to escort her. When they finally made it to the front door of her apartment building, they shared an awkward goodbye—no kiss, no hug—just his hand placed on her arm, accompanied by a gentle squeeze. Hayley unlocked the door and gave a last glance to the figure jogging back down the street.

Once inside, she pressed the elevator’s call button and rested her head against the cool metal panel next to the machine's doors.

Not working! she heard shouted from somewhere behind her.

She turned around to see the building’s oldest resident peering out from behind her door, bathrobed and curlered as befitted the cartoon cliché she was.

Thanks, Mrs. Owens, Hayley shouted back.

You’ll have to take the stairs.

So I figured, Mrs. Owens, Hayley grumbled, not in the mood for a conversation she considered inane.

She slipped off her shoes, stretched her aching arches and toes, and trudged up the stairs toward her flat, three floors up. For someone who eschewed all physical exercise, it may as well have been a race to the top of Mt. Everest. An aftershock rocked the building, and she clung to the stairwell’s handrail as her body swayed and teetered.

When the building’s motion ceased, she walked her hands up the banister in concert with her feet, unwilling to let go of her grasp should additional aftershocks strike. Once on her floor, she proceeded down the long hallway toward her apartment. Half of the doors were open, and televisions blared the latest news. Just before reaching her own door, she heard her friend next door call out.

Hayley, I’m so glad you’re all right, gushed Mare, the effervescent college student who lived with her older sister Marty, a paralegal who moonlighted as a waitress to put her sole sibling through university.

I’m fine … other than that annoying trek up the stairs, Hayley said, panting and trying to shrug off the malaise she felt since the incident in the alley.

Mare wrapped her in a heartfelt embrace.

You look nice, Mare said, releasing Hayley from her clutches and turning her this way and that to get a good look at her.

Thanks. I had a date, Hayley muttered, looking to the ground in mild embarrassment.

A date! You? Marty shouted from the kitchen.

I know … and before you say anything, no, I can assure you my going on a date in no way caused the earthquake.

That’s fantastic! That you went on a date, I mean, not the earthquake, Mare said, pulling Hayley into the sisters’ apartment.

You’re just lucky you made it back in one piece. Most of the roads are blocked off, Marty said.

"So I saw. Did they say what happened? Or where the epicenter of the quake was?

Mare and Marty shared an uneasy glance.

Was San Francisco the only city affected? Hayley asked.

You mean you don’t know? Mare said.

You may want to sit down, Marty advised, clearing a spot on the couch for Hayley.

Know what? What are you talking about?

There was no epicenter, Marty said.

What do you mean? Hayley asked with kindled apprehension.

She means that the earthquake wasn’t local. It happened everywhere … literally.

I don’t understand, Hayley said, taking a seat on the sofa and trying to get her bearings.

Hayley!… Excuse me, do you know which apartment is Hayley’s?

Raiff’s voice snapped her out of the momentary chokehold of fear that threatened to paralyze her thought. She jumped up and dashed into the hallway.

Raiff, what are you doing here? she said, huffing in mild consternation.

The date had ended without her making a consummate fool of herself, and she wanted to keep it that way.

Sorry, the last aftershock made a shambles of the street, and there’s no way I can get back to my car right now, he said, walking toward her.

So he is capable of simply walking, she thought.

A minor temblor sent the pair pinging off the walls like pinballs. Raiff reached Hayley just in time to steady her before she fell, and the two embraced, staring again into each other’s eyes until the rocking subsided.

Hi, I’m Mare, the younger sister said with a vivacious smile as she exited the apartment, offering Raiff her hand.

Raiff, he replied, shaking her hand.

And that’s my sister, Marty.

Hey Marty, he said with a salutary wave as Mare took the opportunity to shoot Hayley an exaggerated wink of approval.

You better come in and make yourself comfortable, Raiff. It looks like no one’s going anywhere for a while, Marty said.

Thanks. Any news on the source of the earthquake? Raiff asked, taking off his coat and running his fingers through his run-tousled hair.

That’s what I was just asking, Hayley said.

The source is Earth, Marty remarked with cryptic omniscience.

Well there ya go, Raiff said, trying to play along with what he perceived was a joke.

It’s true, Mare added. The earthquake happened all over the world, all at the same time.

But that’s impossible. There must be an epicenter somewhere, Hayley said as her right eye twitched involuntarily.

Something’s not right, Raiff said, a look of concern lining his face.

Marty loudly dropped the flatware she’d been drying into its designated drawer slots. Ya think?

So what do we do now? Mare asked.

"You know, in the Boom Town episode, when that enormous earthquake hit Cardiff, and they thought the source was the rift, The Doctor—" Hayley began.

Marty