The Riddle Keeper: Lands of Chaos Series, #1

By Gray Hellsing

In a city plagued by dark forces of an unknown evil, Kenzie, a girl who thinks she has nothing left to lose, is thrust into an unfamiliar parallel world and forced to play an important role when Maximillian Prime chooses her to be his Champion in an upcoming war. Prime's main goal is to stop his power-hungry father, who seems to be prepared to destroy everything in his path to gain what he wishes most - the mysterious Inkwell. In a dangerous quest for the powerful artifact, Kenzie's actions will have a high price and her life will change forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gray Hellsing
• Release date: Nov 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519919960

Book preview

Lands of Chaos Series

Book One

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THE RIDDLE KEEPER

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Gray Hellsing

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Copyright © 2015 Gray Hellsing

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All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission in writing from the author. This 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.

This book is written in British English

Table of Contents

Copyright Page

Dedication

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

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31

32

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34

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38

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44

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55

56

To my friend Alycia.

Thank you for believing in me.

Of Blood and Time he is the master

Waiting for bonds to be undone

In times when worlds will face disaster

The Keeper shall seek for the One

Unleashing mayhem will be their only choice

Allowing chaos to fight against chaos

Instead of one, he chose a second voice

A familiar face his shadow will cross

 Dark times. Winds bearing the stench of evil to come. 

1

BLOOD IS RED, CORPSES ARE BLUE

Kenzie was slinking along narrow passageways, carefully checking the surrounding buildings. The Down Lanes were a dangerous place. So dangerous that even Soldiers hadn’t set up a frequent watch there. They knew they didn’t have to take people from there. The things in the Lanes usually did the job of killing them themselves. Kenzie figured all would be well as long as she made no noise whatsoever. If she could just manage to move around the Lanes without getting noticed, she’d find the pharmacy she was looking for – assuming the damn building still existed – take what she needed and return to the warehouse. How she would sneak past the Scavengers, who were the terror of the Down Lanes, if she encountered them, was something she’d have to worry about when the time came. Now she needed to find that pharmacy.

Lucas wasn’t being careful. There was no time for that. He just hoped he had enough ammo. The Scavengers – zombies or whatever the hell they were – moved slowly and seemingly aimlessly. However, when they spotted someone, they didn’t stop until that someone was dead. Persistent sons of bitches. Lucas heard stories about the Scavengers, but there was no knowing which stories were true and which were just urban legend. For some reason, they died only when shot in the head. No problem there. Lucas was pretty good at shooting stuff. Before Kenzie and he started dating, they went to the shooting range more often than they probably should have. Kenzie’s father had been a soldier – a real soldier, not one of those that were now making their lives a living hell – and when he died in the line of duty, Kenzie somehow started doing things her dad used to like or was good at. She said it made her feel closer to him. Shooting was one of those things. Death of her father changed her. The sweet, smiling girl was gone and a new one emerged; a stronger, darker one.

Kenzie was hiding behind some old crates stacked carelessly in the middle of a narrow passageway between a building that used to be a law firm and another that used to be a five star hotel. A Scavenger was walking down the passageway and Kenzie hoped that he was alone. Apparently, some Scavengers were actually able to smell unchanged humans fairly far away from them. Luckily for Kenzie, that had not appeared to be the case with the Scavenger at hand.

Still hiding, she remembered she had seen the Lanes in the news once, when it had all started. It used to be an elite neighbourhood with all the best doctors and lawyers, hotels in which celebrities stayed, and that sort of thing. It was all gone now. The Lanes were a huge ruin. No one lived there anymore. Well, except for the Scavengers, but who knew what they were. Kenzie couldn’t remember what exactly had happened in the Lanes, but she knew some chemicals had been involved; some chemicals that had been accidentally spilled all over the Lanes area while they were being transported in cargo planes. At least that was what people had thought, before most of them disappeared without a trace. Soldiers had been involved, of course. Since then, when shit happens, you can bet your life that Soldiers had something to do with it. From then on, people in the Lanes had started changing until they became what they were now. The whole area was under a quarantine of a sort. Tall unbreakable fences had been put up to stop the Scavengers from running around the city and to protect the remaining citizens from becoming infected or killed by the Scavengers. However, those who hadn’t become Scavengers were soon gone too, taken by Soldiers who searched the streets on a daily basis, trying to find those who hadn’t been caught yet. No one knew where those people were being taken and why. No one knew who Soldiers were and what their plan or purpose was. No one knew anything. All those few that remained in hiding knew was that a month ago the whole city had gone straight to hell.

Oh, crap. Kenzie curled up behind the crates as a far too familiar sensation came over her. Not now, not now. Feeling it in her entire body, Kenzie clutched her fists, trying to make the feeling go away. It was that horrible feeling of a deep-down hunger, feeling of weakness and strength at the same time. It was twisting her stomach, and Kenzie placed her hand on her mouth not to make a sound. Those were the kind of moments that reminded her, over and over again, that there was something seriously wrong with her. Then, as unexpectedly as it came, the torture was over, repressed. Suddenly, Kenzie heard shots fired in the distance.

Lucas looked unusually pale, his stomach turned at the sight of the grotesque scene in front of him. He had been practicing shooting for years, but shooting an actual someone wasn’t as fun as blowing holes in a paper target. It was self-defence, no doubt, and that creature could hardly be called a person, but still he felt heavyhearted. The gun felt unnatural in his hand. The Scavenger he had just shot – red blood looking strangely unrealistic in comparison to the bluish skin – was lying on the ground, motionless. Lucas hoped for two things: that this would be his only kill today, and that Xen was alright. Taking one last look at the disturbing corpse, he continued down the street.

Someone was in the Lanes. Kenzie knew that, because there was no way a Scavenger could have fired from a gun, and Soldiers wouldn’t be inspecting the area within the protective fence for at least four more days. It had to be Lucas. Who else would go after her so shortly after she left the warehouse?

Damn it, Reaper!

The Scavenger Kenzie was hiding from was gone and she was now figuring out her options. Should she continue towards the pharmacy or should she wait for Reaper? She decided to look for him instead. Knowing Reaper, he was stupid enough – he’d call it courage – to walk down the main street, in plain sight. Kenzie had to find him before his stupidity got him killed.

Lucas walked fast down the street, but he was being careful now. He’d be of no use to Kenzie if he got himself killed or injured. He kept his eyes wide open and his ears sharp. Kenzie was close. He could feel it.

When Kenzie finally saw Lucas, she cursed his recklessness. Of course he was having a nice stroll down the street. If anyone could make her go insane, it was that guy over there.

Reaper! she hissed, but not loud enough for him to be able to hear her.

Not wanting to make things worse by yelling in the streets and risk a bunch of Scavengers on their tail, Kenzie ran towards Lucas as silently as she could. She was a couple of steps away from him when he turned sideways and pointed a gun at her. 9mm Glock was only an inch away from her nose. Obviously, he managed to find weapons somewhere after all.

Lucas, it’s me!

Damn it, Xen, I could have shot you! he said, lowering the gun.

You idiot! She punched him in the chest.

Um, ow! What the hell was that for? He grimaced, rubbing the spot where Kenzie hit him.

Get your ass over here! She dragged him towards a passageway between two buildings. Kenzie had no idea what they’d used to be, but they sure were severely damaged, as well as most of the city, anyway.

What is it? Lucas said, looking clueless about why Kenzie appeared to be angry at him.

Seriously? Running through the Lanes in broad daylight? You forgot to write ‘Kill me, I’m stupid’ on your forehead. She tapped Lucas’ forehead with her index finger as she said it.

Lucas frowned. Are you really going to lecture me now? Because I can do the same to you. Why are you here alone? he asked, poking her twice in the shoulder.

Don’t poke me! she said angrily, slapping his hand away. Kenzie sighed. There was no reasoning with this guy. "We need medical supplies, because, in case you forgot, we’re leaving in two days. As a matter of fact, you should be thanking me right now, because, seeing how things are going so far, we’ll need an entire pharmacy just to keep you alive."

I can’t believe you left without thinking about the consequences...

Stop right there! Kenzie lifted her finger in front of Lucas’ face. You’re going to preach about being responsible and thinking before acting? She chuckled ironically. If you think you can patronise and control me, you’re confusing me with Doc.

The conversation was going in a direction he didn’t like. I’m just saying you should have waited for me.

Really? And how was I supposed to know when you’d be coming back? You’re never in the warehouse. You come and go as you please. I can’t rely on you.

Sorry, what? This one he couldn’t disregard. You can’t rely on me? Okay. He ran his hand through his dark brown hair full of Lanes’ dust, tiny dust particles falling and glimmering in the light. You’re pissed at me right now, so I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear you say that.

Yes, pretend. That’s what you’re good at. Kenzie turned around to walk away, but Lucas grabbed her hand, firmly but careful not to cause her pain, and stopped her.

What is that supposed to mean? He demanded an explanation, though he was pretty certain of what she was getting at.

Kenzie fought the urge to turn around and throw poisonous words at him just to hurt him. She hated how his touch was making her weak. She felt her heart skip a beat. It was driving her insane, but still she stopped herself before saying something that would just add oil to the fire. Let’s just get what we need and return to the warehouse. The words seeped through her teeth.

Fine, but, Xen, Lucas looked at Kenzie with absolute seriousness untypical for him, this conversation’s not over yet.

Lucas released her arm from his grip. She hurriedly continued ahead until the end of the passageway and then turned left. The sooner they got this thing over with, the better.

2

BRIGHT LIGHTS OF RED

In a warehouse located at a safe distance from the Lanes, three people were going out of their minds. Doc tried not to think about what might be happening to Reaper out there. She combed her hair, and put on a dress and her string of pearls. The pearls reminded her of home, and when she touched them, she always felt better. Bea was, as usual, furious at Reaper. She kept twisting the end of her long dark ponytail. D’Andre was working on modifying the Hummer because he had to, and because he didn’t want Bea to see how exactly worried he was. Rubbing his hazel eyes that Bea loved so much, he wondered where the two of his childhood friends were.

Kenzie and Lucas finally reached the pharmacy. Kenzie rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Am I dreaming or is this building looking intact?

How did that happen?

Okay, we need to be careful. Maybe it’s a trap.

If it is a trap, it’s a very obvious one. Lucas squatted to tie his shoelaces.

Maybe they want us to believe that. Kenzie tucked a few red hair wisps behind her ear.

Well, what do we do now then? Are we going back? As soon as Lucas asked that question, he realised how stupid it was. As if it weren’t Xen standing there next to him.

Reaper, don’t be ridiculous. Kenzie gave him a look of sheer annoyance. Guns at ready. We’re going in.

Lucas couldn’t help but smile. That was his Kenzie. Even though she wasn’t his anymore.

The building was a mall. A bunch of stores and none of them demolished. Hell, there wasn’t even litter on the floor.

What the hell is going on? Kenzie asked softly, but Lucas heard her.

I honestly don’t know, he said carelessly, hiding his suspicions.

The tension was rising. Kenzie and Lucas walked around the mall quietly, and the disquieting silence made their hair stand on end. Kenzie was expecting an attack any time now. She just didn’t know whether it would be the Scavengers, the Soldiers, or someone else.

There’s the pharmacy. Let’s hurry, she whispered and led the way.

Lucas was ready to pull the trigger if necessary. Guarding the entrance resolutely, prepared to withstand any sudden attack, he took a quick look to see what Kenzie was doing. With a swift rush, she was putting things into her backpack that looked huge now that it was full.

Crap! Kenzie said, aggravated.

What is it? Lucas looked again to see what was happening.

Nothing. Kenzie waved off. My stupid bra strap snapped.

Lucas shook his head. Okay, he said with a hint of laughter.

The mall was still quiet. A little too quiet for Lucas’ liking. Xen, come on! he pleaded.

Just a sec. She responded from somewhere behind the shelves.

After she found what she was looking for, she came out. I got everything, I think. She smiled, zipping up the backpack.

All things in place? Lucas looked at Kenzie’s chest, his expression mocking.

Kenzie shot him a harried look. Ha-ha. She slapped him over the shoulder. Let’s go.

While they were running downstairs to the ground floor, Lucas saw a grocery store. Food.

What? Kenzie looked in the direction Lucas pointed. We don’t have time for that now. Besides, I’ve got nothing to put food in.

We should come back tomorrow then, Lucas suggested.

We’ll see. Come on.

Nearly at the exit, they both sensed something wasn’t right.

What’s with the walls? Lucas seemed to read Kenzie’s mind.

Is that... mould? Kenzie asked, squinting.

I reckon that wasn’t here when we entered, was it? Lucas scratched his head.

It wasn’t. Yeah, Luc, I don’t think that’s mould. Kenzie grabbed him by his forearm.

What is it then?

The mould-like thing was spreading all over the wall, and it appeared as if it were coming out from within the wall.

No idea, but I’m pretty sure mould doesn’t move, she said with deliberation.

Whatever the thing was, it was now crawling down from the wall onto the floor and towards Kenzie and Lucas, forming a circle around them and piercing the silence with a sort of a spluttering sound. They were trapped. The creature moved in a wormlike manner using the bristles on both sides of its flat body. It truly looked like a disturbing accumulation of black mould with its blacks, whites, and greens. Kenzie noticed, with horror that made her stomach turn, that the creature’s upper side of the body was full of small, volcano-like orifices that kept opening and closing as the creature kept on moving closer and closer to Kenzie and Lucas. As the circle around them was becoming tighter and tighter as the creature was coming closer, something started coming out of those orifices. Some sort of thin, gray tentacles that were palpitating in the air above the creature.

The exit was too far away, and the creature spread over most of the floor around Kenzie and Lucas. They were sure they were done for. Lucas took Kenzie’s hand and she held it firmly. The tentacles palpitated towards them and the orifices opened wider. The creature was about to touch Kenzie’s and Lucas’ feet when Kenzie decided not to resign to their misfortune. She gave Lucas a sign that surprised him, but he understood. They were about to try their luck and run over the creature when the exit’s door suddenly opened. A person dressed in black turned on a huge flashlight, and when the light touched the creature, it backed away from the light and, more importantly, away from Kenzie and Lucas. First it crawled back onto the walls, but when the stranger flashed it again, it hid back inside the wall. The stranger turned off the flashlight and took off his ski mask. A young man with blue eyes and blond floppy hair smiled at them. Lucas and Kenzie were so surprised that they lapsed into silence.

Stop staring and say thanks. I just saved your lives. The stranger’s lips spread into a wide smile, revealing a set of white but irregular teeth.

Lucas’ first thought was: Who’s the surfer?

Kenzie looked at Lucas and he appeared to be as confused as she was. Thank you, Kenzie finally uttered.

Who are you and what the hell was that? Lucas asked, pointing at the wall.

Hi, I’m Red. He offered his hand and Kenzie shook it.

I’m Xen and this is Reaper.

Nice to meet both of you.

What was that thing? Reaper couldn’t help but look at the wall. He just couldn’t believe the mouldy thing was inside the wall. Especially since there were no visible cracks.

Fuzzles? What that is, is anyone’s guess, but I do know it eats meat. If it weren’t for me, you’d be its lunch. Red shrugged like it was no big deal.

"That thing eats meat?" Lucas gaped.

Oh yeah. If you don’t believe me, you can check the grocery stores around here. Everything’s intact except for meat. You won’t find a single chunk here.

Is that why this mall...

Yeah. Red grinned at Lucas’ evident confusion. That’s why the mall looks as good as it used to. Whoever comes here gets eaten alive.

What did you use against it? A flashlight? Kenzie asked and, realising what Red was looking at, awkwardly let go of Lucas’ hand.

Red looked as if he hadn’t noticed anything. UV light. Works like a charm. I’ve discovered that by accident.

We’d like to come back here for food and supplies, if that’s okay, Lucas said, thinking that it would be polite to ask if Red agreed, since it was obviously his territory, and he had just saved their lives.

I don’t mind. Red flashed a smile then became serious. "Unless ‘we’ is like a hundred of you."

No, there’s just five of us, Lucas assured him. Are you on your own?

No, I live with my wife and two daughters not far from here.

Kenzie wondered whether it would be a good idea to ask Red if he and his family wanted to join them. There had to be a way to repay him for saving Lucas and her, but there was no room for his entire family in the Hummer. There was barely enough room for her friends.

You live here, in the Lanes? Kenzie gasped.

Yep! Red chuckled. I know how crazy it must sound, but you’d be surprised how safe it is. We live on the top floor of an apartment building. Scavengers are too stupid to find us there, and the Soldiers hadn’t picked up on us, either. Where are you guys from?

We’re currently living in People’s Park Place, near the Westwood Orange Park, Kenzie answered.

That’s far from here. Red seemed surprised.

It is. We needed medical supplies. We figured a pharmacy in the Lanes might still be useful, and we were right. Kenzie shrugged.

Yeah, I go to that mall twice a week. Of course, not all the food’s eatable anymore, but there’s still more than enough to survive. At least for now.

How long do you plan on staying here? Lucas thought Red was a pretty okay guy despite his funny accent.

I, uh, honestly don’t know. Depends, but not for long, I guess. You plan on leaving the Park Place?

There are plans, yes, Kenzie said ambiguously. There was still no knowing whether Red was a person they could trust or not. It wouldn’t be wise to uncover their plans to a complete stranger, regardless of the fact that he had saved them only minutes ago.

I see. Well, I’ve heard rumours about a safe city somewhere up north, but I’m afraid I’m not brave enough to go and check. Is that where you’re headed?

A safe city up north? Since when? Kenzie hesitated, so Lucas answered. We’re really not sure. We might give it a try, but for now, the only thing we know is that we can’t stay here any longer. Some of us just can’t spend their lives fearing of getting caught. If we die, at least we’ll know we died fighting.

Oh man, you sure sound motivated. I’m glad. It’s good to see there are still a few brave people around here. I wish you nothing but good luck.

Thanks, Red. See you tomorrow? We’ll be here first thing in the morning. We need to gather up some food, and we could use your help against that pet of yours. At the thought of the creepy flesh-eating mould, chills ran down Lucas’ spine.

Fuzzles, yes. Red laughed, but his laughter sounded strange. As if he were feeling awkward or hiding something.

Lucas smiled, and so did Kenzie. However, it was then when she decided she didn’t trust Red. If there was anything she had learned lately it was that no one did anything unless they could get something out of it.

3

FOOL ME ONCE...

Filled with pride and pleased with what he had done, D’Andre was looking at the Hummer, the perfect car, and now improved according to the plans he had made with Kenzie. It was smart thinking when Kenzie had decided to steal it before the Soldiers demolished the building where it used to be parked. D’Andre wondered whether the car used to belong to a celebrity or to a drug dealer. There used to be loads of both in the olden days.

Kenzie and Lucas were gone before the others woke up. The night before, they had told them that they were going back to the Lanes to get food. D’Andre was excited about food. He was also excited about finally leaving the warehouse. Thinking about being far away from the ruined buildings, the stench, the Soldiers, and from everything that was now suffocating him made him feel like there’s hope. A hope for something better. Finally! He missed the city noises, the parks, the crowd. He missed life!

Red was already waiting near the mall when Kenzie and Lucas arrived. Red saw them coming. The petite pretty girl with intensely blue eyes and red hair, and the tall hefty guy with brown hair and dark brown eyes. Red’s eyes were pinned to Kenzie. She really was a brave little thing. He had to give her that. Not very smart but brave nonetheless.

Hey. Red seemed as friendly as he was the day before.

Hey, Red. What’s up? Lucas greeted, a wee bit more cheerful than was his custom. The promise of food did have that kind of effect on him.

Not much. We should get in and get this over with.

Kenzie glanced at the UV flashlight in Red’s hand. You’re right.

Lucas gave Red a friendly pat on the shoulder. Let’s go.

A good hour later, the three of them were out of the mall. Thanks to Red, they had no trouble with Fuzzles.

Finally the countless hours in the gym had paid off. Lucas was carrying four large duffle bags filled with food, two in each hand.

You sure are a strong bloke, aren’t ya? Red commented.

Kenzie looked at Red and a smile spread across her face. He is.

Lucas was glad Kenzie thought that. Why he was glad he knew very well.

Well, I guess it’s time to say goodbye. Red took a quick look behind him and then over Lucas’ shoulder. Kenzie followed Red’s gaze but saw nothing. Still, something troubled her.

Good luck, kids! Red shook their hands and walked away in what Kenzie thought was a hurried manner.

Was Red acting a bit strange or am I starting to imagine things?

I don’t know. Lucas shrugged. Let’s go. I can’t carry these bags forever.

Lucas started walking towards the passageway they had come from and Kenzie followed, fighting the unease she felt somewhere at the bottom of her stomach.

Nicely done, Xen, Leeanne mumbled, impressed with Kenzie.

For someone feeble-minded and with no notion about medicine, at least not as far as Leeanne knew, Kenzie had done a pretty good job picking out the important things. Leeanne had wanted to give her a list of things to take to the pharmacy, but Kenzie had said with such resolute that there was no time to try to figure out what the things on the list were. Leeanne never liked Kenzie and considered her as her inferior, but she had to give her credit for completing this particular task.

D’Andre was worried. The Hummer was a big car, but there were five of them, plus their things, food, supplies, weapons, and stuff. After thinking everything through, he had come to a conclusion that one vehicle wouldn’t be enough.

Xen’s gonna kill me. He crossed his arms, observing the improvements he was so proud of only a short while ago. Damn!

He was tired of staring at the car, so he put away his tools and went to grab something to eat.

Bea was washing her clothes. Even though she wasn’t in the mood, it needed to be done.