Demigods: Survive the Death

By Rose Marlowe

Silent screams coupled with attempts to break free began to spread out, creating circular ripples on the water—the very same ones that Victoria sat admiring earlier, and which had now come to symbolize the fight for her life.
Victoria's body rhythm slowed down from the lack of oxygen, and her resistance decreased to such a point that oppressor let go of her neck.
Last breath left her all too quickly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rose Marlowe
• Release date: Sep 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9788394831301

Rose Marlowe

Rose Marlowe is a young writer from Europe. She's in love with music, books, art in every form and cooking. On a daily basis she's writing, working and studying.Contact: [e-mail]

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DEMIGODS

Rose Marlowe

DEMIGODS

Copyright © 2017 Rose Marlowe

ISBN: 978-83-948313-0-1

Cover by Rose Marlowe

This is a work of fiction. All names, places, characters, events and organizations depicted herein are either a product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously.

All rights reservered, including the right to reproduce this work in whole or in part, in any form.

For all action lovers. Thank you for choosing this book. Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER 1

PRESENT DAY, YEAR 2041

It was a beautiful day.

  Today's the day. I can't wait! exclaimed a tall brunette.

  I assume you're packed.

  A man ran by and gave a gentle laugh.

  For two days now.

  Victoria, a beautiful, talkative, 17-year-old brunette was spending the morning jogging with her father in one of Tallahassee's parks. Everyday before breakfast the two set out from their house in the suburbs for a run to keep fit.

  School ended some two weeks ago. Victoria had pretty average grades. Although she had a great drive for self-development, she always thought that they spent too much time learning unnecessary information. In order to avoid brain drain, she decided to use the time that should be spent on school subjects to do things that were more interesting to her own personal growth. Even Andrew, her father trotting beside her, could not convince her on this matter. He finally gave himself some peace, and decided that he did agree with her, as long as her school grades didn't plummet into the lower bounds. This all didn't matter much anyway, since Victoria had just finished her senior year.

  She had a few close friends, and a best pal, Jenny, who had just moved to Mississippi this year. She had even thought of flying off with her to some random university, just so that they could live together in the same place. In the end, she decided that she needed to focus on what's at hand, which is why she chose to stay in Tallahassee.

  And this is how she spent her usual day.

  Victoria and her father were leaving on vacation after lunch* today. Their plans included visiting Zion National Park in Utah and the streets of New York. They were in for an exciting week of sightseeing.

  A guy just sped by on a mountain bike. This was a very typical sight, seeing as their town was known for its specialized, obstacle-filled bike trails. There were also kayaks for rent that you could take out on the lake or regular footpaths for walking. These are usually what they used.

  Since she was a little girl, Victoria's father taught her a love of sports, since he himself was a Kung-Fu instructor at the local school.

  She was an only child, whose sole relative was her father. Her mother died before she even had a chance to remember her, as did her grandparents. Her father received a large inheritance from them, which is why he didn't have to worry much. He focused instead on his passions.

  During his regular training sessions, he taught Victoria her favorite kind of fighting; Wing Tsun—a special branch of Kung-Fu requiring great intelligence, allowing a visibly weaker opponent to defeat his physically stronger rival. Brutal at times, but effective.

  He was by all means a good father and a rigorous coach. Discipline was instilled into each area of their life.

  An equally effective form of staying fit were their daily runs in the park. They both rhythmically panted as they ran alongside the forest. Their path was coming to an end. They began to run with all of their power to the edge of the nearby lake. They just finished a break, but neither of them were panting all too much.

I feel better already, said Victoria.

Sweetie, I've got to go talk to to Jack for a moment. He asked me for advice regarding his business. It'll take me 15-20 minutes. Okay?

Okay. I'll wait.

  After these words, Andrew began to run off towards the forest. Not too far, because Jack's store was about a minute's run from where they were. Jack, a friend of Andrew's, was a nice guy with a beer belly who owned a shop that lent sporting equipment—mainly mountain bikes.

  Victoria sat down on the small beach where the land began to slowly drop off over the water. The sand was about a meter above the lake, creating small dunes. The earth had been trotted down heavily, but the plants around the path remained untouched, pretty and green.

  The water hummed nicely. Victoria dreamed about jumping into it, but the image of herself trudging home covered in wet clothes stopped her.

  Calm, focused, and happy. This is exactly how she felt after blissful physical effort.

***

  The sun turned the sand into precious shades of gold, covering Victoria's pale feet. The tiny glimmering parts resembled the color of her eyes, which now reflected the water's surface.

  Breathing deeply, she followed the beautiful circular water ripples that appeared on the surface of the lake.

  Her watch pointed to a few minutes past eight.

  Victoria closed her eyes in delight as the sun rays bathed her, nearing closer to the edge of the sand and dipping her foot into the water. So focused on her rest, she didn't notice the quiet footsteps approaching.

  Unexpectedly large, manly hands grabbed her from behind by her neck. They held her in an unnaturally strong grip, and dragged her into the water. She didn't even manage to yell, because her head was already underneath the shallow surface. Her neck began to throb from the pain. All of her possible defense alarms were activated, mobilizing her instinct to fight for survival. The seconds continued endlessly, each one giving advantage to the man.

  Her surprise caused Victoria to forget all that she had learned. She was paralyzed.

  Silent screams coupled with attempts to break free began to spread out, creating circular ripples on the water—the very same ones that she sat admiring earlier, and which had now come to symbolize the fight for her life. Victoria's body rhythm slowed down from the lack of oxygen, and her resistance decreased to such a point that oppressor let go of her neck.

  After seventeen years of life, her last breath left her all too quickly.

CHAPTER 2

Help! Victoria tore herself free and took what was probably the deepest breath of her life.

  She began to choke. She was confronted with a very real and unpleasant feeling of having her lungs filled with water.

  And then relief. It was gone. As if nothing had ever happened.

  A quite rumble surrounded her.

  How did I get on a plane? She wondered.

  A stewardess entered the cabin, encouraging passengers to order some food from the menu.

Victoria's father sat next to her, closely observing her.

  Is everything alright, sweetheart? he asked, in a deep low voice.

  Uhh. I think so, she replied, slightly disoriented.

  How are you feeling?

  My lungs hurt. I had a very realistic dream where I drowned, she said wryly, choosing to leave out the details. How did I get here? I don't remember anything since our jog.

  Consternation filled her face.

  Strange. I came back from Jack's, we ran home, had lunch, set off to the airport with our luggage and here we are. Just as we'd planned, her father said with a worried look.

  Victoria focused her mind to try to remember this, to remember anything—but it was a lost cause. Her entire body ached, especially her head. She looked at her puzzled father and decided that she didn't want to worry him.

  Do you have any gum? Mint-flavored would be best, she said with a forced smile.

  Andrew relaxed and took out a large bag of their favorite flavor. Just don't eat all of them at once.

  Oh, I don't know. If I don't do it, then you will. Did you know that there's some ingredient in these that, when eaten in large amounts, works as a laxative. Last time...

  Quiet! he stopped her, with a rattled laugh.

  This is just the kind of ease that Victoria appreciated in exchanges with her father.

  So where are we off to first? he asked.

  I thought that this trip was supposed to be spontaneous.

  Yes, but I wanted to suggest a spot where we could stop by first.

  I'm listening.

  Burgerland.

  Victoria snorted in laughter.

  It's a shame I didn't think of it first.

  We've already checked off Italian, Spanish, and Californian specialties, a now we've got a chance to eat a real burger in Utah. Isn't that fabulous?

  It'll be fabulous if our blood pressure doesn't rocket. Sometimes I wonder if this is whole tradition is really worth it.

  Her father stared at her in amazement.

  But then I quickly come back to my senses and order another burger.

  That's my girl.

  They both started to laugh.

  Her father's hand made its way to her palm and squeezed it. Victoria tilted her head and focused her sight on the orange sun.

  She felt an unpleasant throb in her neck, reminding her of her dream. She still felt some pain in that spot, but she decided that she wasn't going to mention that nor her temporary amnesia anymore. She just wanted to fully enjoy herself on her long awaited vacation

***

  Andrew attempted to gently wake his daughter up, but this seemed rather difficult to do. She finally began to make some contact, and rubbed her sleepy eyelids.

  Please fasten your seatbelts. We are landing shortly, the stewardess said.

  A few minutes later they were finally on land, feeling completely refreshed.

Why does everything hurt me so much? She wondered.

  Completely different air here, Andrew stated, breathing in rapidly and looking slightly silly.

  They had quite a long wait for their bags, after which they quickly stopped by the restrooms.

  Come on, we've got to pick up our bus tickets for Springdale.

  He fixed his glasses and ran his hand messily through his blonde hair. They then made their way up to the booth at the airport. Here sat a redheaded woman, overweight, with her eyes lined in thick black make-up.

  Andrew took care of everything, and soon after they set off on their way.

  The journey took several hours, which passed quicker than expected. They could see the mountainous wall in the distance, draped in all shades of orange.

  It had been shaped naturally and extended along the left side of the road. On the right side, there was a chasm.

  When the bus came to a halt, they had to switch over to a rental car.

  The passing rock formations were already making an incredible impression on them. What would it be like once they reach the park itself? Victoria could hardly wait.

***

  In front of the park entrance, Andrew went over a few safety rules before they both climbed out of the car.

  Tall mountains had created natural patterns. From afar, you could see a sparse forest made up of low-lying coniferous trees. This was the kind of climate that allowed only the most durable of plants to thrive.

  Victoria was captivated by the sights surrounding her. For a moment, she even thought about moving there, if it were only possible.

  They slowly went up the mountain on a marked trail, which was slowly becoming more difficult. They had to take a quick break. Her father reached in his backpack and handed her a bottle of water. She turned toward the park's vast, open space and began to drink.

  What an incredible place. It doesn't matter where you look, it's beautiful everywhere, she thought.

  Victoria felt a wet, putrid cloth on her face. Her legs gave in to the weight of her body and crumbled underneath her as she helplessly fell to the ground.

  She would have hurt herself if her father hadn't caught her, whispering in her ear, Don't worry, everything's going to be fine.

CHAPTER 3

Flashes of consciousness woke Victoria up, after which she quickly raised her hand to her head. She felt as if her body was going to explode.

  She opened her eyes. An unfamiliar room appeared in front of her. Andrew was sitting next to her with his hands braided together, making his caring expression.

  What is this supposed to be?!

  Victoria wanted to stand up but she couldn't do anything other than sit—her legs were blocked by metal rings. In a futile effort, she began to jerk around, shooting her father an irate glance.

Why was he calm?! My God, he put me to sleep!

Tell me what's going on here!

  Andrew took a deep gust of air and started to explain.

  We're in a place that we like to call the isolation ward around here.

  I hope you're not trying to say that I'm mentally ill?

  Of course, not. You're here because you're special.

  I don't understand.

  She could see a man in a black outfit behind Andrew. She assumed that he was there to guard the entrance, but Victoria mostly took notice of the gun he was holding.

  The room was small and square shaped. The two walls in front of and behind here were white, while the ones at the sides were see-through. There was a glass corridor behind them. Even further beyond the glass you could see an orange rock formation, from which water flowed onto the planted shrubs below.

  Victoria was laying down on a large white bed, looking at a black plasma that was hanging on the wall. At least it looked like a plasma, except that it was far more futuristic than the ones that she had seen before.

Oh, thanks to the charming design I almost forgot about this camera that's recording in the corner of this room.

Special units have been sent out throughout the world, he began. For the past several dozen years, they have ordered that each infant be checked to find the quantity and quality of mirror neurons found in their body. Children fulfill the necessary requirement if the number of these neurons is above average, which means that they are built slightly differently, he continued. Only a small percentage of people are aware of the fact that a grown human, who qualifies into this sector after birth, can undergo 'transformation', Andrew said, with a hint of excitement in his voice.

  Death activates a series of processes in these neurons, which then affect the entire organism. In order for full transformation to take place, a special kind of training is necessary—but more on that later. You could say that after their first death, these people are born again as half-gods. The second death must be avoided at all costs, however, because it would be final. You've surely started to experience some pain, since it's one of main symptoms of transformation.

  Victoria looked at him in disbelief.

  You're crazy. This is some kind of joke, right?

  Her father sighed and called over the guard. Victoria automatically tightened her muscles at the sight of the guy, or rather gun.

  Andrew noticed this and immediately calmed her down.

  Victoria could only now take a closer look at him. A needle was sticking out of his gun.

  The guard laid it down flat on his hands. He began to stare at it intensely, then quickly moved his hands from under it. Strangely enough, the gun was in its original spot, suspended in mid air. He was now turning around on his own axis.

  What in the... Victoria held her breath and stiffened.

  These newly-born superhumans aren't called that for no reason, Andrew pointed out. After death, their altered mirror neurons give them extreme control over mind and body. Telekinesis is only one of many abilities.

  Wait. I just realized something.

  Interested, Andrew stopped talking.

  I died...someone killed me!

  Listen, sweetheart. It wasn't me, I could never do such a thing—but it was in fact one of them who did. Calm down, let me explain, he