Hidden World

By AG Liam

After leaving behind her hapless life, Dani’s destiny started to emerge—she is no longer the person she once was. Empowered and confident, she is now ready to avenge those who caused her harm and changed her life forever. Through a tumultuous turn of events, she finds a new home in the magnificent Rhowel village, where she is treated like one of their own. In this village,everything is tranquil, yet there’s an ever-present threat from the Ruemisuds, who want to end an ancient rivalry once and for all.

As the Rhowel Rebels are preparing to fight and defend their home from annihilation, Dani is ready to protect her newfound family from the Ruemisuds. However, nothing can prepare Dani, or the Rhowels, for what the sadistic Ruemisuds have created.

Dark Incidence is perfect for fans who love action-packed novels with a dystopian-fantasy twist such as The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Legendby Marie Lu, and Divergent by Veronica Roth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AG Liam
• Release date: Apr 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9780692674024

AG Liam

A.G. grew up in a gloomy and quaint suburb near London, England, and now lives in sunny southern California with her family. She has been an avid horror and paranormal fan since she can remember, reading Goosebumps when she was a child, to watching twilight zone as a teenager with her grandpa.She earned her B.A. in psychology, but decided to follow her passion of storytelling instead. Dark Incidence is her first full length novel, a unique vampire science fiction told through the eyes of two siblings. A.G. also has directed numerous shorts and written children’s books.Her favorite pastime is watching paranormal and horror movies, painting landscapes and seascapes, and reading fiction novels. She can never turn down an invite to eat something home cooked.

Book preview

I enter Deathorlion—a very large tunnel as tall as a two-story building and as long as a dimly lit highway that leads to the unknown. This particular tunnel has always felt special to me; sometimes I come up here late at night, when everyone’s asleep. I lie down on the hammocks, just being in the calmness of this place with its natural and architectural beauty helps me unwind and relax.

Deathorlion tunnel is different from all the other ones, as it’s the only one that is always kept lit with torches set up in sconces high up on the walls. There are pillars that go on for miles, each one with a different animal carved to portray a three-dimensional effect. No one knows who carved those pillars, or who dug this tunnel in the first place, nor where it leads to and when it ends. The only thing we do know is that it has been like this for centuries. Our elders say that it was the route of Nathan Rhowel, our forefather. The route he took to save his race and to protect them, and it was also a tunnel where people prayed because it was similar to a temple. Now, it’s no longer used other than by teens who like to hang out or kids that like to play in here. It’s blocked off so no one can go in farther than about a half mile or so. No other tunnels here in Locus are as big or as mystical as the Deathorlion. There’s a supernatural aura here that still lingers on of a bygone era, like spirits of the past dancing around happily.

There are noises coming in from the far end of the cave. I start to make my way over there and see some children running around, crouching behind pillars or hiding inside openings in the tunnel. They don’t look frightened; most probably are playing a game of hide and seek.

Hey, Kassie, I call out to my little sister as she runs past, eagerly trying to seek out a good hiding spot.

Shhhhh, Duvall, be quiet or she’ll hear you, says a low voice coming from behind a pillar. I stretch my neck to see Kaku hiding back there.

Hey, Kaku, why did you ask me to come here? Is Kassie all right? I whisper.

Yea, yea, she’s fine. We’re playing a game, just hide or somethin’ before she finds you.

Who’s gonna find me? As soon as those words escape my mouth, I notice a shadow slowly approaching, growing bigger and longer as it bounces off the light from the torches on each pillar. I squint my eyes and see that it’s Dani who is slowly making her way toward me. She’s blindfolded and her arms are stretched out like an awakened Egyptian mummy. Her wrists are tied and she’s twirling her fingers in the air, trying her best to touch something so she can get a sense of her surroundings.

I smile to myself, seeing Dani struggling to make her way around. She’s playing with the kids; she’s always been so kind to them. Unexplainable feelings come over me every time I’m around her. I can’t help but feel excited, my body tenses up and I freeze just watching her. I’ve never felt this way before for anyone in the past. Her beauty is something to be admired.

I recall the very first time I saw her. She was sitting on a bench with her long dark hair swaying slightly in the light breeze, her face so beautiful with her sharp features. Then, as she looked up at me . . . those unforgettable green eyes made my heart fall instantly. Now, every time I see her, my heart still falls so deep in my chest. I yearn to hold her hand, to hug her tight and never let her go.

I want to let her know I’ll always be here for her no matter what and I’ll do anything for her. I’ll give her all my love but that may not be enough. I know that she is still grieving for her past and that her memories and guilt still haunt her, lowering her to the ground, pinning her down, refusing to let her up, to breathe, to allow her to move on. If only she only knew how she makes me feel and what I think of her, that I admire her strength and the way she carries herself. I know it can’t be easy for her to be who she is, especially with everyone here in Locus looking at her like she’s some sort of tough heroine that’s come to protect them, an answer to the ongoing silent war that we have been fighting for a very long time. Except, I don’t quite see that part of her. I mean, I know she is a strong, capable girl, and if needed, she will protect those she loves and help our race survive. Yet, I see the real Dani, the girl with a big heart that’s still afraid and a little insecure. A girl that feels vulnerable and doesn’t want to be alone. I wish I could hold her and show her that everything will be all right. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was the one. The one I will love forever. The one I will give my last breath to. The one I will die protecting, no questions asked.

Except I don’t know how to quite tell Dani this. Or how to show her my true feelings. My fear of rejection stops me from wanting to tell her so much. She has a lot to deal with already, and I don’t want to put any more pressure on her. I cherish what we have, what we have become—close friends, and if that’s all I get, then I’ll take that and accept it wholeheartedly. No matter how much my heart yearns to scream out my true feelings for her, I shall hold my tongue, as long as I get to be in her life. To be close enough to her so that I can protect her and keep her out of harm’s way.

Maybe, someday, I may get the courage to tell her, only when the time is right. Until then, I’ll wait patiently, I’ll wait for Dani to be ready, and I’ll treasure every moment I get to spend with her.

CHAPTER 01: Play pit

Paul

It’s such a beautiful day here in Locus; I can’t believe it. One of those days when you have to appreciate everything around you. Holding the hands of this beautiful woman, I take a deep breath, then look at my surroundings to take it all in—the beautiful, surreal Locus, the cave walls like an elegant temple, arched, decorated with intricate carvings, shimmering and glowing from the Dycadium within the walls, Elena and I sitting closely together, our bodies touching, her hand in mine, swinging back and forth.

Paul, don’t swing too hard, we’re gonna fall! Elena giggles as I put more momentum on the rope bridge, adding to the already swinging motion.

That’s the idea! I laugh as she gets more scared, then I quickly grab her tightly, and I can sense her getting more secure and comfortable.

Did you know these bridges have been around for over five hundred years? Elena tells me, as she feels the rope, admiring its strength and craftsmanship.

I can’t believe it. This must be stronger than steel, but it looks like it’s made out of plants of some kind. I also start to feel the rope, wondering about its origins.

Yea, just another one of those things in Locus that you can’t find anywhere else, Elena says in a flirtatious way, inching closer and giving me a gentle kiss. I take it in, instantly lose my balance, then quickly grab ahold of her, and she grabs me tighter.

Oh my, your kisses are literally to die for! We both laugh together, holding each other, looking out at the playground where the children are playing.

Down below, there’s a large pit with all types of obstacles, such as toys, hanging bars, colorful sculptures, swings, and a shiny polished brass carousal. Looks like a park playground, except deep underground, lit by light bulbs on strings running across the entire area. Children are running around, chasing one another. You can see one child shooting a toy arrow at another, and two others sword fighting. Just another day here, in Locus—where only peace and tranquilly is known.

Seriously, Paul, stop shaking the bridge so hard.

Huh, what . . . I’m not, I swear, I tell Elena, realizing the bridge is shaking on its own, much harder than usual. I see others crossing by stagger and hold on to the rope railing for support. I hold on to Elena with one arm and grip the bridge with the other tight.

There’s a sudden loud rumble, and the ground starts to shake uncontrollably. Cracks start to appear on the cave walls surrounding us. Each crack joining forces with the other, spreading like wildfire, till segments of large pieces of rocks start to fall down.

Aaaaah, help, what’s happening? the children start to scream.

My heart starts to pound. What is happening? I question myself.

Paul, what’s going on? Elena asks me, nervous and scared.

Let’s go help the kids! I grab her hand and help her up. We both hold on to the rope railing and try to descend to the edge of the rope bridge. We make our way down as quickly as possible, stumbling as the shaking gets stronger.

As soon as we get down, we start to make our way to the play pit. We get knocked over by the loud, alarming sound of the large portion of the cave blowing up. Chunks of rock and debris fly everywhere, a strong burst of wind gushes out, and a swarming cloud of dust engulfs us.

The kids get back up and scatter, some take cover behind the carousel. The ground ceases to shake, everything comes to a standstill, nobody makes a noise or utters a word. Everyone falls silent in fear—waiting to see what is coming through that cave.

Get the kids out of here! I whisper to Elena. She quietly runs toward the children, rushing them to hide beneath the behemoth sculpture of Godin, an ancient vampire holding up a working torch.

My fangs come out, my skin tightens. I can feel something lurking within the opening of the cave. I can hear its breath. What is it waiting for? It feels eerie and odd, like an impending disaster. I feel alert and ready and slowly walk closer and closer, trying to figure out what it could be.

BOOM! THUMP! The ground rattles. I wobble and bend over, trying to steady myself on the ground.

BOOM! THUMP! Again, the ground rattles. It’s almost as if something gigantic is taking each step closer toward the opening of the cave.

I start to take a few steps back, whatever is making such a noise can’t be good-natured. This whole situation doesn’t feel right, making me more and more apprehensive by the second.

My brows narrow and I squint to see past the dust cloud, striving to make out what is about to come in.

The dust starts to settle a little, and I make out a very large, black figure emerging from the cave opening—first crawling, then after having the clearance, fully standing up.

It yells a war cry, a hideous and menacing shriek—very loud and sharp. The sound slices through the silence. Bringing small fragments of cave wall tumbling down, causing more bursts of rock dust to spray out. A large cloud covers the entire play pit. It’s like a thick dust curtain, covering me from seeing anyone. I cough and exhale hard, brushing the dust from my face.

Kids start to scream again.

PAUL! Elena yells my name. I can barely hear her, nor can I see her or where the children are hiding.

Everyone take cover! I yell in their general direction, and make my way as fast as I can to Godin’s sculpture—away from the creature that has just entered our home. I crouch down, my back against the sculpture, and rub my eyes profusely, trying to clear out the dust residue. I hold my breath in, my body is tense, I’m panting hard and fast. What is that thing?

Slowly, I turn around to get a visual of the invader. The dust cloud has dispersed and settled. That’s when I see it—a beast of mammoth proportion. It’s clearer now—soaring high on two legs, almost three times taller than me, its arms are muscular and so are its legs. Massive wings with metal frames end with black ferocious claws, extended and ready to attack. A horrifically disturbing sight. I look around, hoping to see our men, the Rhowel Rebels, running in to aid us. But none are to be found. I have no chance of surviving something this large on my own. I am completely unprepared and out of ideas, but I need to do something; I have to buy enough time so the children can escape. But how? I don’t have my rifle, nor my sidearm. I feel helpless.

I take a closer look at the creature, it looks familiar—the face is leathery and demented, with oversized metallic fangs, ears pointing at different sounds within the pit, grotesque nostrils taking in scents. This must be a Ruemisud weapon—a transmutated monster. But how did it find us! Of course, I remember it’s a hunting beast, looking for its prey doing what it’s been designed to do. And yet its eyes . . . they look strangely familiar.

Hey, you, foul animal. Come here! I hear Elena calling out, trying to lure the creature her way.

The thing looks over in her direction, sensing a trap.

No, I’m right here! Come and get me! I yell out, trying to force it to come to me instead.

The creature now looks in my direction, the thick cloud of dust still lingers, covering our positions. It chooses to go toward the children instead, slowly stomping, its claws out, wings retracted, its feet taking soft steps, like a predator.

A large toy suddenly leaps out of the dust cloud and hits the creature right in the face. It screams in embarrassment, the entire play pit shakes, the children scream back in terror. It must’ve been Elena who threw that, trying to create space between the monster and the children.

This is my chance! I quickly rush toward it, gaining momentum and running full speed with my fists clenched and my arms slung back. I run right through its legs, punching its calf, and seeing the creature buckle and howl in pain. It’s now kneeling on one of its knees. I run back behind an empty stall with dried vegetation hanging from it. I hide and wait to see what the creature will do next.

My stunt is working—I’ve bought the children more time; they are starting to leave the play pit via a small tunnel, built for ventilation. I can hear less and less of them. Elena is smart, she is handling it very well, she must be coaching the children into safety. I just need to keep distracting this thing until help arrives.

Suddenly, it stands up again, this time puffing its chest, with wings fully extended. It lets out a primordial scream, signaling its anger. Lunging fast with shockingly agile arms, it picks up a person trying to escape it, then lifts her all the way unto its face for closer inspection.

My heart drops, and I freeze when I realize it has just captured Elena. It brings her closer to its face and stares at her, as if it is recognizing her.

Elena is crying, she looks terror-stricken and in a lot of pain, trying to escape the creatures firm grip, but it’s futile. It only tightens its grip on her. My heart starts to race; I have to help her.

No . . . I hear Elena sob, as she looks at the creature, locking in on its eyes. No . . . it can’t be. She looks puzzled.

Oh my God . . . Luke? she asks, as if she knows who it is.

Everything comes back to me at that instant. I recall the holding tanks where he was imprisoned, my last conversation with Luke before his operation, Dr. Hedgar, the Ruemisud official spectators laughing and indulging in the cruel and merciless agony Luke had to endure in order to become this very malicious creature.

I walk closer to the monster, not sure what I could do, but I had to get closer. It’s staring at Elena intensely, not paying attention to anything else.

Luke! Look at me. Elena stops crying and forces out a smile. The creature is frozen, not able to comprehend what is happening. It’s almost as if time itself stops and everything is paused.

What happened to you? Elena touches its face, trying to comfort it. The creature hisses softly, as if acknowledging Elena’s sweet voice, seeking comfort.

This is my perfect opportunity to attack, free Elena from this thing. It’s not Luke anymore; she doesn’t understand. She has no clue what this thing is capable of doing. It’s going to kill everyone inside Locus. I must stop it, even if it means losing my life.

I get lower, ready to sprint at it again, hoping to knock it off balance once again.

Suddenly, an electrical buzzer sounds off from its chest, a mechanical noise come alive. The monster cries in pain, as if being electrocuted.

Elena! I’m coming! I yell at her, running toward her.

No, Paul . . . stay back . . . run . . . it’s too late, Elena replies back, knowing her fate is sealed.

Before I could reach the monster, it lifts Elena up and brings her down, smashing her like a doll on the hard cave floor. There’s a hideous sound of bones shattering, Elena’s body bounces back up and falls down, flopping like a lifeless dummy. Then the monster curls its fingers, flexes all of its muscles, lifts its head up, and roars with its face scrunched up in pain.

A burst of anger and dread rushes through me. Nooooo!!! I run to Elena, hoping she’s alive. No, she can’t be dead, Oh God please, please, she just . . .

"Elenaaaa!" I open my eyes, my fangs out, my fists clenched. I look around, mortified. I’m on my mattress, surrounded by my bedsheet and pillows. I’m in my own hut. I hear the villagers walking about outside, I hear children’s laughter. I quickly get up and open my hut door. Everything is normal, and everyone is going about their usual business. Relieved, I close the door and sit back down on my mattress

It must’ve been a nightmare. No, it can’t be. I try to control my breathing, trying to calm down, but it’s not working. I start to hyperventilate, gasping for air. It was so real. I was there, everything seemed so real, I keep muttering to myself.

Elena, please listen to me! I practice talking to her. I need to go see her and tell her about her late husband, Luke. I remember everything about him.

I quickly wash my face and throw on some fresh clothes, grab my rifle and rush out my door, almost running straight into Rob. He’s a young soldier that has recently joined the Rebels. He has been training since he was thirteen and was determined to join us as soon as he turned eighteen. His dark eyes flare up upon seeing my ruffled state. Is everything good, sir? he asks.

Morning, Rob. Yes, everything is fine. Were you about to knock at my door? I ask.

Yes, sir, I hope I wasn’t disturbing you. But the General wants to see you right away, sir.

Rob, stop calling me sir, please, it’s Paul. You know that, I tell him with a half smile.

Yes, sir, I mean, Paul, he corrects himself, then gives me an awkward salute. His slender frame straightens up as he clacks his boots together.

We make our way toward the General’s hut. As we walk, I realize that not even the General knows what exactly happened to his son, Luke, after he was captured by the Ruemisuds or what they have turned