The Ten: Cloud Kingdoms

By BENJAMIN W. SCHENK

Hell's demons are starting to escape from the underworld, and it is up to The Ten to stop them. The Ten are ten men that are the Guardian Angels of man-kind. Their descendants find out that they are now part of this army, as well. Each family of The Ten has their own special weapons to face the demons with and now they have to train their families on how to use them. The Ten take their families to their castles in the clouds called Tenasia, the Cloud Kingdoms. From this venue, they will fight against the demons on both Tenasia (Cloud Kingdoms) and Earth itself.
The demons goal is to take six females to Hell. Now those demons are targeting the daughters of The Ten. The Ten not only have to battle the Circle of Evil, but now they have to keep their daughters from being taken to Hell by the demons. The battle has just become personal in the battle of The Ten: Cloud Kingdoms!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481746922

BENJAMIN W. SCHENK

My name is Benjamin Schenk. This is my eighth novel that I have written. The previous eight are called Second World (2006), Invasion of the Planet Gods (2006), The Seven (2007), The Seven: Second Invasion (2007), Dead World (2008), Immortals: Eternal War (2009), Immortals: Battle of the Ancients (2011), and Star Patrol (2011). They are all science-fiction, fantasy and Horror.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

At a house in the countryside of North Carolina, a very pretty, 5'2", blonde-haired teenage girl is washing clothes. She is about to open the washer when the washer starts rocking back and forth, violently, and sparks start flying from around it. A beautiful, slightly taller, brown-haired girl hurries into the room. The two girls back away, as sparks and now flames shoot from the washing machine.

Jessie, Laurin, what the hell is going on in there? A female voice says from another room.

The washing machine is acting crazy, momma. The brown-haired Jessie Star says.

Then turn it off! The woman replies back. Your dad will look at it when he gets home!

The 21-year-old Jessie starts towards the washing machine and a spark hits her on the right wrist. She quickly steps back and yells out in pain. The 17-year-old Laurin nervously looks at her older sister and then at the washing machine, as it continues to throw sparks everywhere.

Turn it off! The woman’s voice again comes from another room.

It just shocked me, momma! Jessie cries out.

A dark-haired, middle-aged woman walks into the room. She puts her hands on her hips, as the washing machine continues to shake, rock back and forth, and throw sparks. The lid to the machine suddenly pops open and a stream of electricity leaves the machine and into the woman! The woman cries out, in agony, and falls to her knees, her body smoking and charred. She weakly looks towards her two now screaming daughters.

Run. The woman weakly says, and then falls face-first to the floor. Don’t let him take yo…

Jessie and Laurin quickly hurry from the room and into the living room of the house. A young man in his early thirties and a heavy-set woman hurry over to the girls.

Momma’s… Jessie frightfully says, before she and Laurin burst into tears.

An electrical form, in the shape of a large man, walks from the kitchen of the house. The young human man gets between the two girls and the being.

What are you? The man angrily asks.

The being again turns into an electrical stream of energy and enters the young man. Jessie and Laurin scream out, in terror, as their brother’s body bursts into flames. The heavier woman tries to help her brother. She touches him and an electrical stream runs through her body, sending her to her knees, screaming in agony. Jessie and Laurin frightfully watch, as the woman’s body starts smoking and her clothes catch on fire. The man leaves the body of the heavier woman and forms back into his human, electrically outlined form.

Jessie grabs Laurin by her hand and the two hurry from the house. They head straight for a gray sedan sitting in their driveway. The electrical stream suddenly shoots past them and into the car! The car explodes, as the girls get within thirty feet of it, and sends both girls flying backwards and hard to the ground!

The electrical being leaves the car and forms back into the human-shaped electrical form. Jessie sits up on the back of her elbows and frightfully looks at the form. She nervously turns to where Laurin is laying face-down, and hopefully looks at her younger sister. Laurin starts moving and Jessie quickly helps her sit up.

An electrical bolt suddenly hits the ground, precisely between the two girls. They both frightfully scramble to their feet. Both girls, fear overtaking them, head back towards their brick house. Electricity shoots past them and into the house! The house instantly bursts into flames. Jessie grabs Laurin by her right hand and heads towards the right side of the house, trying to reach the back yard. The electrical being forms in front of them and they stop dead in their tracks.

Jessie and Laurin reverse their course and head towards the road leading towards their house! The being again appears before them, as he comes out of a cable wire above the road.

Keep trying to get away and you are dead! The being threatens. I am Boltar of the Circle! You will do as I say or I will kill you like I did your mother, your brother and your sister.

A silver car suddenly pulls up in the driveway. Jessie and Laurin hopefully look at it, as a young man and young woman climb from the car. The two walk over to the man and stand beside of him, triumphantly. Jessie’s and Laurin’s hope turns to disappointment.

You will allow my children to tie you up, or I will kill you! The man threatens.

What do you want with us? Jessie frightfully asks, as a rope magically appears in the right hand of the young man. Why are you after us?

Because of your father! Boltar angrily says, as a second rope appears in the hands of the red-haired young woman.

What does dad have to do with it? Jessie frightfully asks, as she backs away from the approaching young man.

A small surge of electricity leaves the fingertips of Boltar and into Jessie, sending Jessie to her knees, crying out in pain. He releases his hold on her and she weakly looks up at him.

If either of you want to live through this, you will not fight my children while they tie your hands! Boltar angrily says. I intend to take some of the children of Ben Star to the underworld, and to turn some of the others! It will take a while to get you there, so there is a chance that he can stop me before that happens. If you do not allow my children to tie you up, you die now!

Laurin fearfully looks at the girl, as she stands in front of her. Laurin frightfully holds her wrists out in front of her.

Behind your back, human! The woman demands. Only a fool would tie someone’s hands in front of them.

Laurin turns her back to the woman, putting her hands behind her back. She looks over at where Jessie remains on her knees, the man standing over her. Jessie dejectedly stands and puts her hands behind her back. She grits her teeth as the man roughly ties her hands behind her back.

What has our dad ever done to you? Jessie asks, as she glances back at the man that is wrapping the rope around her wrists.

For thousands of years, he and I have been at odds. Boltar says. Now that he has weaknesses, I tend to strike.

Thousands of years? Jessie asks. Dad’s not that old. He’s only about 50.

Your dad is as old as time itself. Boltar replies. He has a history that none of you can understand. Spark, Surge, gag them! I tire of hearing their frightened voices.

Jessie is about to say something, again, when Surge, the male, gags her with a black length of cloth, pulling the cloth into her mouth. She tearfully looks over at where Spark, the girl, is gagging Laurin with another black cloth. Boltar is looking towards the burning house, an evil grin on his face.

Jessie curiously looks at the large man. The man points towards the burning house and the heavier Kay comes out of the house, her eyes replaced by flickering electricity. She walks up to Boltar, her eyes dazed as she stands beside of him. Jessie tries to say something through her gag. Boltar motions towards the man and he takes the gag out of Jessie’s mouth.

What did you do to our sister? Jessie asks.

She is no longer your sister! She is now an electro-zombie. She is now mine! Boltar says. She will do whatever I tell her, no matter what it is!

She’d never hurt us! Jessie argues.

Slave, strip the smaller one! Boltar demands.

Jessie watches Kay, as she stands in front of Laurin. She suddenly tears open Laurin’s t-shirt. She reaches for the squealing Laurin’s bra when Boltar stops her. Kay steps back from the now crying Laurin.

As I said, she will do whatever I tell her to do! Boltar says. If I commanded your deaths; she would do that. If I commanded for her to strip both of you naked and give you to my son, she would willingly do that! She is mine! She is no longer a daughter of Ben Star! She is now a minion of Boltar and the Circle.

Jessie curiously looks at the man and woman, and then returns her attention back to Boltar. Boltar smiles, electricity outlining his evil grin. Surge puts the gag back in Jessie’s mouth.

Boltar and the two with him enter the electrical wires above the road! Jessie and Laurin frightfully watch, as the three streams of electricity run down the wires, jutting off on two separate wires and into two houses not far from theirs. Both houses explode, sending debris crashing around Jessie and Laurin. The two girls cry out, beneath their gags, as the houses are destroyed. They watch, in horror, as two men stumble from one of the houses and collapse to the ground, dead. The three electrical beings reform in front of the two girls and the possessed Kay.

The man is my son Surge, and the girl is my daughter Spark. Boltar replies. Like your father, I have been around for a very long time. Like him, I also once had many descendants. He and his people permanently killed all but these two.

A van pulls up in the driveway and two men hurry out of the van! Jessie and Laurin, both once again gagged by Boltar and his children, try to cry out to their brothers! Surge suddenly turns into an electrical stream of energy and shoots into the chest of the larger of the two brothers, instantly killing him! Spark hurries over to the second man and grabs his arm, electrocuting the man.

Boltar turns towards the crying Jessie and Laurin. Both girls turn towards where their brothers are now standing, their eyes filled with electricity, just like Kay’s. The oldest brother, a fairly large, dark-haired man, stands over Jessie, looking down at her with a blank expression on his face.

Prove how much I now own you, Albert Star! Boltar says. Take one of your sisters behind the burning house and rape her!

The 6'3" Albert jerks the struggling, crying Laurin to her feet! Jessie tries to go to her younger sister’s aid, just as the second, slightly shorter man grabs her by her long brown hair and yanks her back to the ground, violently slamming Jessie onto her back! Jessie, her breath knocked out, looks up at what was once her brother, helplessly.

Take her, Walter Star! Boltar demands. Rape her or kill her! I do not care which!

A gun suddenly goes off and a bullet slams into the back of Walter’s head! The body of Walter explodes in an electrical ball of fire! Jessie looks in the direction of the gun-fire to see a short, stocky man with a pistol.

Let my sister go! The man demands.

Jessie turns to where Surge has changed into his electrical form! She spits the gag out of her mouth and turns towards her older brother!

Run! Jessie screams. George, you’ve got to get out of…

Before Jessie can finish her sentence, the electrical menace enters the man’s chest and instantly kills him! Jessie screams out, in terror, as Surge leaves the chest and retakes his human-like form. He turns back to the now possessed George, and George stands. Surge points at the beautiful Jessie.

Take her! Surge demands. I want you to savagely rape that beautiful human!

A very short, 30-year-old brown-haired woman suddenly hurries out to Jessie and pulls her to her feet! The two girls run towards the back of the house, as Boltar angrily looks in their direction.

He is about to go after them when a large pickup truck rams him from behind! Boltar explodes against the truck, turning into a ball of electrical energy! A very beautiful, 17-year-old reddish-blonde-haired girl is thrown out of the back of the truck and lands hard at the feet of Spark. Spark touches her and electricity covers the girl’s body, instantly knocking her out.

The truck comes to a stop in the middle of the yard, as its electrical components are short-circuited. An average-sized, 24-year-old brown-haired girl gets out of the driver’s seat, and hurries towards the back of the house where Jessie and the brown-haired Fressy ran off to! She turns back towards the strawberry-blonde-haired Heaven to see Kay tying her up. She looks back at the truck. A very petite, very short, 26-year-old dark-haired girl opens the passenger door and falls out and to the ground, stunned by the crash.

Oh God, Jean… Leeann says, as she goes back and pulls the petite girl to her feet. Shake it off, ‘shorty’! We’ve got to get out of here!

Before the two can go any farther, an electrical ray comes out of the transformer box, causing it to explode and rain sparks and fire down on them. Leeann gets between the sparks and flames, and shields Jean from the flurry of electrical energy. A shadow covers them and Leeann nervously looks up. Boltar has formed in front of them!

Leeann is about to stand when Boltar points at her! An electrical blast slams into Leeann, sending her flying across the yard and landing next to the now hog-tied and helpless Heaven!

Jean starts trying to crawl away from Boltar and a blast of electricity hits the ground near the girl’s small hands. She frightfully looks back at him, as he points his index finger at her.

Stand up, little girl! Boltar demands. Stand up or die!

Jean frightfully gets to her feet, her hands raised. George grabs Jean and forces her hands behind her back. Surge hands a rope to him, and he starts tying Jean’s hands behind her back. She looks back at him, both scared and confused.

George, what are you doing? Jean frightfully asks. Help me, please? I’m your little sister? Why are you tying me up?

He is no longer your brother. Boltar says. He is now my minion!

What are you talking about? Jean frightfully asks, looking up at the much larger Boltar. He’s George? He’s my older brother?

Prove to the little one that you are under my control! Boltar demands.

George turns the now helpless Jean to him. She looks up at him with her pleading brown eyes. George suddenly backhands Jean, sending the 5' girl flying across the yard and crashing to the ground ten feet from him. She tearfully turns over on her back, a bruise on the right side of her face. Jean starts crying, as George starts towards her.

Behind the burning house, the balding Albert is forcing the struggling Laurin towards a small shed behind the house. Laurin struggles, uselessly, against her now dead, electrically possessed brother. She suddenly stomps down on his foot and breaks free of him! Laurin trips and falls to the ground before she can get more than ten feet away.

Fressy and the now freed Jessie hurry out to her and help her to her feet! A blast of electricity suddenly leaves the hands of Albert and hits the ground behind the three girls, sending electricity coursing through their bodies! The three girls fall to the ground, crying out in agony, as the electricity surrounds them.

Now, you die. Albert threatens, his voice crackling with electricity.

No, son, you die! A deep voice sadly says.

Albert turns to find a 6'4", fairly large, dark-haired man standing twenty feet behind the three screaming girls. A long-bow is in the man’s hands. Albert points towards the man and the man fires a pointed, rubber arrow into the chest of Albert! Albert explodes into flames and disappears, seconds later.

The three girls look up at the large man. Jessie slowly stands and looks back at where Albert was.

Dad, what’s going on? Jessie asks.

No time to talk just yet. The large Ben Star says. Where are the rest?

Leeann, Heaven and Jean are in the front yard. I think those things caught them. Jessie worriedly replies.

Daddy, they killed Kay and the guys! Fressy cries out.

I will take care of Boltar and his children. They will pay for killing the boys and Kay. Ben says. Free Laurin, and I want you and Jessie to keep her back here with you!

Ben hurries off, notching another arrow as he does. Jessie glances back at where Fressy is on her knees behind Laurin, and is untying Laurin’s ropes. Jessie hurries into the shed and comes out with a hunter’s bow and a quiver of arrows. She runs off after her father.

Jessie, we’re supposed to stay here! Fressy screams.

Dad might need our help! Jessie says. He taught all of us how to shoot the bows when we were younger. He said we would need to know how one day. This must be the day.

At the front of the house, a second car has pulled up. A pretty, middle-aged, dark-haired woman gets out of the car with an average-sized, 19-year-old blonde-haired girl. The woman quickly hurries around to her trunk, as George and Surge turns towards her and the blonde-haired girl. The girl slowly starts backing away, as they approach her.

Mom, I don’t know what you’re doing, but you better hurry it up! The blonde-haired Lynzy screams.

Ann, the dark-haired older woman, shuts the trunk, now holding a hunter’s compound bow. She fires a rubber-pointed arrow into the chest of George and George explodes into a ball of flames! Surge heads for her, just as Ben hurries around the side of the house and into the front yard. Boltar turns towards him and motions towards his children.

The possessed Kay leaves the now hog-tied Heaven and heads towards Ben. Ben draws back the string on his bow and sadly looks at his daughter. He fires the arrow into the girl’s chest and she explodes in flames.

Enter the wires! Boltar demands. There will be another time for these kids. Ben Star has others for us to take and turn!

Boltar and his children flee the area, turning into electrical streams of energy and entering an electric box at the top of the light poles. Sparks and fire leave the light pole as the box explodes! The electricity in the area is knocked out just as they enter.

Dad, what’s going on? Leeann asks, as the now conscious girl hurries over to the tied up Jean and starts freeing her.

No time! Ben replies. Leeann, do you know where Heather, Brittany and the rest went for Brittany’s modeling show? I was going to call Nancy and go there, but Albert called me about what was going on here, and I came here instead.

Heather told me Brittany and Stephanie had a modeling assignment for jeans. Leeann says. She and the rest of her sisters, and some of their brothers, went to watch it. Dad, I think it is all the way in Charlotte. If those things attack them before we get there, they could all get hurt.

Adam and Lee didn’t go. Jessie says, as she hurries up to her father and into his arms. Laurin and I saw them come out of one of the houses, just as they exploded. I think they are dead.

Ann and Lynzy turn in the direction of one of the burning houses. Three men lie on the ground outside of it, their bodies still burning and smoking from the exploded house. Lynzy is about to start in that direction when Ann stops her. She turns her into her chest, as Lynzy starts crying. Ann, tears coming from her eyes, looks at Ben, sadly.

Ben walks over to where Jean is being propped up by Leeann, blood coming from Jean’s busted lip and a cut on the side of her right eye. Her face is bruised by the beating she took from her possessed brother.

Ben’s left hand starts glowing and he puts it against the nervous Jean’s cuts and bruises. They instantly heal, as he turns to where Fressy is on her knees, untying the hog-tied Heaven. They help her to her feet and she frightfully hurries into Ann’s arms. A cut is on Heaven’s right arm. Ann takes her over to Ben and Ben touches it, healing the cut.

Thanks, daddy. Heaven says. But how did you do that?

Fressy, Leeann, Jessie, Jean and Laurin turn in the girl’s direction, surprised. Leeann is about to say something when Ben stops her.

Lynzy and Heaven are your sisters, too! And Heaven, all of you, I have healing powers. If you are not yet dead, I can heal your injuries. Ben says. And before you ask, the reason I wanted to know where Heather and the rest are is that they and their brothers are your siblings, as well. I will explain everything when the immediate dangers are over. Now, we need to get going! Leeann, please tell me Heather told you exactly where the modeling assignments are? Brittany mentioned it to me, but I am not sure where she said it was.

Dad, how are they… Jessie starts.

Not now, Jessie. Ann says, hugging her. Your father and I will explain the best we can on the way to where the others are. Right now, getting to them before Boltar and his kids is our main priority.

Ann’s right. Ben says. Like you and the ones here, Boltar might not hurt the girls; but he will kill or turn the rest your brothers.

Our brothers are dead. Fressy sadly says. Boltar killed all of them.

Ben, I’ve counted eight boys already dead. Ann sadly says. Boltar killed most of the boys. You had ten sons through your three wives. That means two of them are still alive, somewhere.

Harry and Shawn went with them! Leeann says. I talked to Shawn, just yesterday. He said since it was Stephanie’s first modeling assignment that he and Harry were going.

Dad, how are they our brothers? Jessie asks. And how can Lynzy, Heaven, Heather and the rest be our sisters?

She’s right. Weren’t mom and Anne sisters? Leeann asks. Isn’t Nancy their sister, too?

They are sisters and they are all my wives. Ben replies. I can explain once we make sure Boltar doesn’t kill anymore of you. Where’s Cynthia, anyway?

That thing killed her, first. Jessie says, tears coming from her eyes. She tried to help me and Laurin, and it killed her. Mommy is…

Jessie starts crying, as do most of the girls. Ann tries to comfort them, as she looks at where Ben has lowered his head. Ben takes a diamond-shaped key-chain from his black pants’ pocket and pushes a round emblem on it. A roar comes from overhead and the girls look up to see a purple and gold colored 200-foot long motor-home flying above them. They watch, in amazement, as the very long motor-home flies down to them. They turn to him, surprised.

Everything will be explained as soon as possible. Ben says. Right now, we need to get to Heather, Shawn and the rest before it is too late.

Dad, motor-homes don’t fly? Jessie remarks.

And they aren’t usually that big, either? Lynzy remarks.

Just chalk it up to another surprise that we will explain at a much better time. Ann says. Now get inside! We need to get to the others!

Get your bows and crossbows, first! Ben demands. Ann, did you and your girls bring your weapons?

Yes. Ann replies.

But I was with Fressy and Leeann? Heaven says.

Your crossbow is in my trunk. Ann replies, opening up her trunk and taking out a crossbow. I have yours and Lynzy’s weapons with me.

Dad, we’re not fighters? Jean remarks.

You’re going to have to learn to be if the Circle is back. Ben replies.

Dad, can you call Heather, Harry and the rest of them? Jessie asks, showing Ben her cell-phone. I think those things broke my cell-phone.

Look around you, Jessie. Ben says. Those things destroyed anything electric for miles. The cell towers that our phones use were destroyed as well. If I know Boltar, he will destroy any way of communicating with the others. By time he and his family are done, I doubt very seriously that there will be any electrical power in the county. I can almost bet that he will take out the electricity in the entire state. He will try and take the rest of The Ten before we can contact each other. That is why we need to hurry after them.

What’s The Ten? Laurin asks.

There are a lot of secrets that will be revealed to all of you in the next few hours and the days coming. Ben says. Trust me; what you will learn is beyond your wildest imaginations. Ann, I need you to bring your car in case some of us need to split up.

Got it. Ann says, as she gets in the car with Lynzy and Heaven.

CHAPTER 2

At a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina; two very beautiful brown-haired girls are in the backstage area of the hotel’s showroom. The 5'8", very beautiful, 20-year-old Brittany is fastening the fastener on the very tight jeans that she is wearing. She glances over at where the beautiful, slightly shorter, Stephanie is sitting on a folding chair, her hands nervously over her stomach.

Are you okay? Brittany asks.

I’m scared. The 17-year-old Stephanie replies. What if I mess up?

Honey, all you have to do is walk down the runway and back. Brittany replies.

But… Stephanie starts.

Brittany kneels down in front of her younger sister. She tightly hugs Stephanie and helps her stand.

Look, Stephi, you’re as beautiful a girl as any of us have ever seen. Brittany says, tightening her hug on the slim girl. Between your eyes and that great smile, the people out there can’t help but love your look.

Stephanie glances down at the extra tight jeans she is wearing. Brittany walks her over to where a pair of red high-heel shoes are sitting and Stephanie steps into them. She slowly steps forward, wobbling as she walks.

What if I fall? Stephanie asks. I don’t like heels. I can’t walk in them all that good. Why won’t they just let us wear sneakers?

Don’t you think modeling in sneakers would be a little funny? Brittany asks.

I wouldn’t wear heels with jeans? Would you? Stephanie argues.

No, but even as beautiful as you are, I wouldn’t pay you 50 dollars an hour to model, either. Brittany replies. Look, honey, it is your first show. I know you’re nervous and scared, but I got through it the first time and you will too. They wouldn’t have hired you if they weren’t sure you were right for the job.

They hired me because I was with you?! Stephanie argues.

So were Heather, Nina, Danica and Molly! Brittany replies. They picked you over the other four.

Why me? Nina is as beautiful as they get?! Heather’s got the prettiest dimples I’ve ever seen, and I love Danica’s long hair. And if they want tall, Molly is really pretty and she’s taller than me by three or four inches. Stephanie argues.

They probably passed on Nina because they wanted somebody taller. I have no idea why they didn’t choose Heather. Danica’s got brown eyes, and our bosses like blue eyes. That could be another reason they passed on her. And considering all of the models for this company are either brunettes or red-heads, I guess that was why they passed on blonde-haired Molly. Brittany replies.

A bearded man pokes his head backstage. Brittany, still holding Stephanie’s hands in hers, looks towards the man.

The two of you are next! The man says.

Brittany nods her head and the man leaves. She looks into Stephanie’s blue eyes.

Now, we’re both going out there! I’ve fallen before, so it’s not that big a deal. The promoters might get a little upset with you, but the spectators and buyers actually show sympathy if you mess up. Falling in front of them shows that you are much more than just a pretty face. Falling won’t get you fired. They raised my pay after the last time I fell. You’ll be fine, Stephanie. Brittany says. Look, we have a dream job. We need to see this through.

A fairly tall blonde-haired, middle-aged woman walks backstage. Brittany and Stephanie turn to the woman.

What’s taking so long? Nancy asks. The promoters asked me to come back here to see what was wrong! They said you should be behind the curtain, not in your dressing room?

Stephanie’s just scared, momma. Brittany replies. I know how it is the first time. I almost threw up onstage.

You’ll be fine, Stephanie. Nancy says, hugging her. I’ll be proud of you no matter what. Look, honey, you are very beautiful. Now, get out there and let the world see that beauty.

Stephanie takes a deep breath and nods her head. Nancy kisses the two girls on their cheeks and heads for the door. Stephanie calls out to her, her voice shaking.

Is daddy coming? Stephanie asks.

He said he was going to call me. Nancy replies. He’d probably just running late.

Nancy leaves the room. Brittany turns back to their mirror just as one of the bulbs above the glass mirror pops. She and Stephanie step back, nervously. They turn towards the door to see Boltar standing before them! Both girls are about to scream, just as Surge and Spark appear behind them and cover their mouths with their hands. Brittany struggles to get free, and Boltar puts his electrically crackling hand near her chest.

Keep struggling and I will fry you! Boltar threatens. If you and your sister fight me; I will kill both of you!

Brittany and Stephanie frightfully nod their heads. Rope magically appears in Boltar’s hands. Brittany looks up at the large Boltar, fearfully.

Either you get tied up or you die. Boltar threatens. Now, my son and daughter are going to take their hands away from your mouths so they can tie you up. If you cry out, they will kill you. Do you understand?

Brittany and Stephanie nod their heads. The two girls are forced into their chairs and their arms and hands pulled behind the chairs. Stephanie, tears coming from her blue eyes, stares up at the large man. Brittany sympathetically looks at her, and then looks down at where Surge is tying her ankles. She returns her attention to the scared Stephanie.

We’ll be alright. Brittany says. They can’t get us out of here with all of the people outside.

Surge takes a red scarf and forces it into Brittany’s mouth, gagging her with it. Brittany looks over at where Spark is gagging Stephanie with a black scarf. The three beings walk out of the room, as the two girls struggle with their ropes.

Outside, Nancy, two young men and four more young women are impatiently waiting for Brittany and Stephanie to come out. Nancy watches the bearded man, as he checks his watch, impatiently.

Momma, where are they? The tall, 5'9" Heather asks.

About to get fired. Nancy says, frustrated. Stephanie was scared to death. I guess Brittany is having a hard time getting her to come out.

Boltar suddenly appears behind the bearded man! Nancy gets to her feet, just as Boltar grabs the bearded man by his arms and he is instantly electrocuted!

Run! Nancy screams.

The girls watch, as Nancy reaches into her pocket book and brings out a pen-shaped object. The pen unfolds into a crossbow in front of the girls. She fires the crossbow in Boltar’s direction and turns back to her stunned daughters.

I said to get out of here! Nancy screams.

Not without Brittany and Stephanie! Heather defiantly says, as the tall slim girl, and the tall, skinny blonde-haired Molly, and their two larger brothers hurry onto the stage and head for the backstage area.

Boltar suddenly enters a light socket, just as Nancy fires a crossbow bolt in his direction. Nancy turns, as Surge appears behind her. Before she can react, Surge grabs Nina and puts his electrically crackling hand on Nina’s chest. Nina tries to get away and the electricity surges through her body, causing her to cry out in pain. Danica tries to help Nina and Surge puts one of his hands against Danica’s chest, sending an electric shock through her body and knocking her to the floor!

Screaming catches the attention of all of the girls and they turn to see Boltar’s electrical form going in and out of the bodies of all of the people in the area. Some of the males that Boltar enters and exits turn into his electro-zombies. Nancy suddenly turns and quickly fires a crossbow bolt into the head of Surge, as the 6'5 Surge is well above the 5', 21-year-old Nina’s head. Surge cries out, in agony, as he releases the petite girl. Nancy grabs her arm and yanks Nina away from Surge. She turns, just as the 5'5 Danica hurries to her feet.

We need to go! Nancy says.

The 5'8" Nancy hurries onto the stage, pulling the shorter Nina onto it with her. The 18-year-old Danica follows both of them, as they head for the backstage area. Nina turns and frightfully watches, as Boltar continues to kill many of the males and females in the auditorium.

Momma, where are we going? Nina asks, as one of the electro-zombies reaches towards her ankles and Nina hurriedly steps away from the beings flailing hands.

We need to find out what happened to Brittany and Stephanie! Nancy quickly says. They should’ve been onstage.

What if they… Danica starts.

Boltar wouldn’t kill them! Nancy replies. The Circle would have better plans for them unless they fought back.

Stephanie wouldn’t have. Nina quickly says. She would’ve been too scared.

And Brittany wouldn’t have put Stephanie in danger. Danica adds.

Nancy takes another pen-like object from her pocket. It unfolds into a pink crossbow. She quickly hands it to Nina and takes another pen-like object from her pocket. That one unfolds into a yellow crossbow. She hands it off to Danica. Nancy turns towards where the electro-zombies have now gotten onstage and are coming towards them.

Open fire, you two! Nancy demands.

With what? Nina asks. We don’t have any arrows or bolts?

Fire the weapon, Nina! Nancy again demands. At the very least, those things are going to tie us up, if they catch us. At the worst, they might kill us or turn us!

Nancy pulls the trigger on her seemingly unloaded crossbow! A bolt magically appears in mid-air and slams into one of the electro-zombies and the electro-zombie explodes in fire and sparks! Nina and Danica turn to her, surprised, as Nancy fires a second bolt and takes out another of the zombies.

Mom… Nina starts.

Just fire! Danica says, firing her crossbow and watching in amazement as a bolt appears out of mid-air and slams into another of the zombies and that zombie explodes.

Nina shrugs her shoulders and opens fire, killing another of the zombies! She glances back at her taller mother, as more of the zombies get onto the stage.

Mommy, there’s no way we can stop them all! Nina frightfully says.

We have to try. Nancy replies. Be brave, girls! We aren’t going to get caught or killed without a fight.

Backstage, Heather and Molly enter the dressing room with their brothers. Spark is standing behind Stephanie, her crackling hand near Stephanie’s chest. Tears are coming from Stephanie’s blue eyes. Beside of them, an electro-zombie is standing behind Brittany, a knife at Brittany’s throat.

An electro-zombie suddenly rushes into the room and hits Molly over the back of the head, knocking her out! Heather turns and a second male electro-zombie tackles the tall, slim girl, sending her to the floor beneath its much larger weight!

The bearded, very large Harry goes to help Heather and Spark changes into her electrical form, entering Harry’s body! Harry stands, his eyes now sparkling flames.

Harry, help us! Heather cries out, struggling against the electro-zombie sitting on her back.

The chubby, shorter Shawn turns just as Spark enters his body. Spark leaves Shawn’s body, and he is now possessed, as well. Spark appears over the struggling Heather. Spark points at the zombie on Heather and rope appears in the zombie’s hands. Spark gets on her knees in front of Heather, as the zombie pulls Heather’s hands behind her back and starts tying them there.

Your brothers are now mine. Spark says, smiling. They will not be helping any of you. They are now under my control.

Harry and Shawn would never hurt us! Heather argues, trying to break free of the rope that now holds her wrists behind her back.

Spark stands, smiling. She points at Harry and then at the frightfully watching Stephanie.

Show them how much you are under my control. Spark says. Rape the blue-eyed beauty. Rape her right in front of her sisters!

Harry heads for the struggling Stephanie. Heather sits up on her knees, as the zombie gets off of her back.

Stop! You can’t just rape her! Heather screams. She’s your baby sister! She’s your ‘little blue eyes’! Remember, that’s what you have always called her?

Harry glances back at Heather. He returns his attention to Stephanie and puts his hands on the V-neck of her low-cut shirt. He glances back at Heather and then suddenly tears open the crying Stephanie’s shirt!

He reaches for her bra, just as an arrow slams into his back! Harry explodes in a torrent of sparks, as Heather and the rest turn in the direction that the arrow came from. Ben stands in the doorway to the room, along with Jessie and Laurin.

Shawn hurries towards Ben, and Ben fires a second arrow into Shawn’s chest! Shawn explodes in a flurry of spark and flames, as well.

The remaining two male electro-zombies start towards them, just as Jessie raises her bow and fires an arrow into the chest of one of them! The second one reaches Laurin, as she fumbles with the trigger on her crossbow. He knocks the 100-pound girl to the floor and is about to put his hands on the fallen girl’s chest when Ben kicks him off of her and quickly fires an arrow into the chest of the zombie!

Spark starts towards the door and Ben turns his bow on her. Laurin sits up on her knees, her crossbow now cocked and aimed at Spark, as well. Jessie hurries over to where Brittany and Stephanie are tied up and stands between their chairs, her bow raised and pointed towards Spark. Boltar and Surge suddenly come from the remaining two lights on the mirror behind Brittany, Stephanie and Jessie. They reform in their humanoid forms on each side of Spark. All three of them become electricity and Surge and Spark enter a light socket, away from the dressing room.

It is not over, Ben Star! Boltar says. We started with the leader of The Ten. We know your ranks, and we will work our way down to the lowest one. We will kill and possess many of your world’s humans. Before we are through, The Ten will lose many more of their children! The Circle is back! You will not stop us, this time. We will rule the world!

Boltar enters the socket behind his children. Ben turns to where Stephanie is crying in her chair. He pulls the gag out of her mouth and kisses her on the forehead.

Dad, what the hell were those things? Heather asks, as she continues struggling to get loose from the rope holding her hands.

Boltar is one of the many members of the Circle of Evil. Ben replies.

What? Molly asks, as she now sits up with one of her hands against the back of her head and is looking up at her father, in pain.

Let’s just say that ten men that you know, including me, are members of a group called The Ten. We have been fighting a secret war for as long as I can remember. The world can never know of us or the Circle. If it does, it could panic. Unfortunately, when the Circle attacks, they will not leave many witnesses, and the ones that they do will be telling stories to the authorities that will sound like something out of a science-fiction movie. Ben replies. Our goal is to fight the Circle when they show up. Boltar decided to bring the fight straight to us, and it has cost us a lot.

Dad, you aren’t making any sense? Molly says, as she slowly stands and stumbles over to where Brittany is tied in her chair.

Jessie, Laurin and Molly; help your sisters out of their ropes! Ben demands.

But Jessie and Laurin aren’t our sisters? Heather remarks.

Actually, Heather, they are your sisters! Ben replies. So are the daughters of Ann, as well. They are all your sisters!

But how… ? Heather asks.

That thing caught me and Laurin before any of the rest. Jessie replies. The rest of our sisters, and Ann and her daughters, got there before dad did. It was as big a surprise for the rest of us as it is to you, now. Hold on a minute, sis, and we will get you free.

Jessie smiles back at them, her arms around Laurin. Nancy, Nina and Danica hurry into the room, their weapons ready. Heather turns over on her right side and looks up at Nina. Nina pushes a button on the crossbow and it folds back into a small pen-like object. She slips it into her back jeans’ pocket and drops to her knees over Heather, smiling.

You fought? Heather asks, surprised. You’re usually too scared to do anything?

I didn’t have much of a choice. Nina says, as she hurriedly starts untying Heather’s hands. It was either fight or…

Nina starts crying, just as she finishes Heather’s hands. Heather quickly sits up and tightly hugs her sister. She glances over at where Danica and Molly are freeing Brittany, and where Ben and Nancy are untying Stephanie.

Ann, Lynzy and Heaven hurry into the room, followed closely by Fressy, Leeann and Jean. Nancy leaves Stephanie and walks over to Ann.

The boys? Nancy asks.

Dead. Ann says. All of them were killed at the houses except Harry and Shawn.

They are dead, too. Ben sadly says, as he helps Stephanie up from her chair and tightly hugs her.

All of the boys… ? Nancy asks, tears coming from her eyes.

Every last one of them was taken out by Boltar and his brood. Ben sadly says. All that survived was our daughters. All of them made it but one.

Brittany hurriedly stands, looking around the room worriedly. Ann walks over to Brittany and sadly hugs her.

Where’s Kay? Brittany worriedly asks.

I’m sorry, Brittany. Kay’s dead. Ann sadly says. They killed her and Cynthia at her house. They…

Brittany and Ann start crying in each other’s arms. Ben looks around at where most of the others are in tears and crying.

Smoke suddenly starts coming into the room. He hurries to the door of the dressing room and looks out at where fire and smoke has filled the hallway leading to the stage. He quickly turns to the others.

We need to go and we need to go, now! Ben demands.

Ben walks out of the room, followed by the others. Ann and Nancy follow him into the smoke with Fressy, Molly, Heather and Lynzy. The rest of the girls stop; not wanting to venture into the smoke and fire. Ben walks back out of the smoke and over to the girls.

The building is on fire, girls! Ben says. We need to go!

But how are we getting out? Nina asks. We can’t walk through fire?

Actually, you can. Ben replies, holding his large left hand out to Nina.

Nancy comes back out of the fire and grabs Danica and Stephanie by their hands. She pulls the hesitant girls towards the fire.

I just walked in and out of the fire, along with your father. Nancy says. That should tell you that it is safe for you to do the same.

Nancy leads the tentative Danica and Stephanie into the fire. Brittany shrugs her shoulders and starts into the flames. She reaches out to the very nervous Heaven and takes her hand. The two enter the fire. Leeann, Jessie and Laurin look up at their father and he nods his head. The three girls follow Brittany and Heaven into the flames.

Nina closes her eyes and takes Ben’s hand. The two enter the fire, seconds later.

Outside of the now burning building, Ben and his family has gathered. Ben, Ann and Nancy hurry the family around the buildings, just as fire-trucks, police cars and ambulances pull up to the building. They start about their business, not noticing the family, as they do. Ben, Ann and Nancy lead them to where the huge motor-home is hovering just above the ground.

Dad, how is that thing flying? Stephanie asks, as Ben helps her onto the bottom step leading into the motor-home.

Just get onboard! Ben demands. We need to hurry! He said he was attacking The Ten in order of our ranks. That means Ross and his family is next!

Dad, you can’t expect us not to have questions? Heather says. We just found out that we have seven more sisters and evidently another mother? We were just attacked by something made of electricity, and we watched all of our brothers die.

I know you have a lot of questions, Heather. I promise that I will answer all of them the second we get a break. Ben replies. Right now, if we waste too much time, the rest of The Ten are going to lose most of their family members, just like us.

He continues to help all but Ann’s daughters and Ann into the motor-home. Nancy turns to him, excitedly.

We need to get to Jill’s first! Nancy says. She and Teresa don’t have the great fighting ability that you do! The two of them and Jill’s daughters are going to be in serious trouble.

Why can’t we just call them and warn them of what’s going on? Heather asks, as Ben enters the motor-home and heads for the driver’s seat.

Look at your cell-phone, Heather. Leeann says, as she sits beside of Jessie on a bench seat. The reason we couldn’t call you was because there are no signals.

Heather and some of the rest look at their cell-phones. Ben starts up the motor-home and heads into the sky with it. Stephanie and Laurin excitedly look out one of the many windows of the motor-home.

How are you keeping this secret? Heather asks. The police below have to see the motor-home?

Believe me, girls; they aren’t seeing anything. Ben replies. We need to get to Jill’s. Ross will have to wait until we help her out.

She’s just a friend, isn’t she? Heather asks.

No, Heather; she is my sister. She and Teresa are my younger sisters. Ben replies, smiling. Like everything else, it is something I will explain at a better time.

CHAPTER 3

At a brick house twenty miles away; the very pretty, dark-haired, middle-aged Jill Star is watching television with a very petite, very beautiful 18-year-old, dark-haired, dark-skinned girl. A knocking sound comes at the front door and Jill goes to it. The television starts sparking and Jill turns back to her daughter.

Madison, unplug the television and do it fast! Jill excitedly says. I don’t know what’s wrong with it but we don’t need it starting a fire.

Jill opens the door to find Surge standing in the doorway. He reaches towards her with his sparking hand and Jill quickly backs away! She looks at her youngest daughter, just as the 5'1" Madison unplugs the television.

Madison, get away from there! Jill quickly screams.

Before Madison can back away from the television, Boltar appears through an electrical current! He reaches for the petite girl and Jill quickly pulls her daughter away from him. She turns towards the door, just as Surge enters the house. She and Madison run past Boltar and head for their back door! They sling it open to see Spark standing outside of it. Jill tries to shove her way past Spark, and Spark sends a surge of electricity through Jill’s body, knocking the painfully screaming woman to the floor!

Madison quickly pulls her mother to her feet and the two sprint into the living room where Boltar and Surge are standing. Spark triumphantly follows them into the living room. Jill and Madison back over to their couch, trying to put some distance between them, Boltar and his brood.

Boltar again reaches for Madison and Jill protectively gets between them and her daughter. The small, 5'2" woman angrily looks up at the much taller Boltar.

Leave her alone! Jill angrily screams. You can’t touch her without hurting her or maybe killing her.

Surge reaches for Madison, and Jill again gets between him and Madison. Boltar calls out to Jill and she turns to him, nervously.

Surge can touch the two of you without electrocuting you or hurting you. Boltar says. Either he ties the two of you up or both of you die!

I met Surge when he kidnapped me back in 1512! Jill declares. That is not Surge!

That is Surge’s new body. Boltar replies. The body you last saw him in has been gone for 500 years. Your brother destroyed the Surge’s body that you knew shortly after he kidnapped you. Now, the two of you will put your hands behind your back and let Surge tie you up, or you will die.

Jill disappointedly nods her head and puts her hands behind her back. Madison nervously looks at her mother and then at Boltar.

Put your hands behind your back, Madison! Jill demands.

Momma… Madison frightfully starts, her blue eyes tearing up.

Do it! Jill demands. They are not bluffing about killing you if you don’t!

Madison frightfully puts her hands behind her back. Spark reaches into the jacket’s pocket that she is wearing. Jill watches, hopelessly, as Spark starts tying her daughter’s hands behind her back. Surge grabs Jill and starts tying her up!

Hundreds of years ago, I tried to take you as my bride. Surge says, as he roughly ties Jill’s hands behind her back. I will not fail this time. You will be my bride!

My brother will stop you! Jill angrily says.

Your brother just lost half of his family, earlier today. Boltar evilly laughs. He is way too busy protecting the ones that lived to worry about his pathetic little sister.

Jill looks over at where Spark is gagging Madison with a white cloth. She turns back to Boltar, curiously.

We’re being cooperative and she’s being quiet. Jill says. Why are you gagging her?

Foolish woman, Surge doesn’t want both of you. Boltar replies. He just wants you. I am not interested in the dark-skinned beauty, either. Since neither one of us wants her, she will be killed.

Jill is about to cry out when Surge gags her with a black cloth. Boltar reaches for the now terrified Madison with his electrically crackling hands. Spark gets between Boltar and Madison. Jill tries to go to her daughter’s aid, and Surge throws the struggling woman over his right shoulder.

Dad, I want to play with the kid. Spark says.

Surge, take Jill to the van! Boltar demands. Spark, you can play with the little beauty for as long as you want. When you are through, electrocute her and set this house on fire!

Boltar turns into an electrical stream and enters a light socket. Surge carries Jill out of the house, as Spark kisses Madison on her gagged mouth.

Three arrows suddenly slam into the back of Spark. The girl cries out in agony, and vanishes in an explosion of sparks. Madison frightfully watches, as the sparks enter the same electrical outlet that her father went into.

Madison, tears streaming from her blue eyes, looks towards where the arrows came from. Brittany, Heather and Lynzy stand in the doorway leading into the kitchen of the house. Molly and Ann hurry into the room, arrows notched in their bows. The light socket that Boltar and Spark entered suddenly pops and bursts into flames, quickly igniting the rest of the living room.

Heather, Lynzy; get Madison! Ann demands. We need to get out of here as fast as possible!

Heather and Lynzy hurry over to the very scared Madison. They grab the girl by her bound arms, and all of them hurry out the front door of the house.

Meanwhile, outside of the house, Surge has forced Jill into the back seat of a custom van and tied her ankles. He turns towards the house as he hears his sister’s scream. Boltar comes out of an overhead street-light and appears beside of the van. Boltar and Surge start back towards the now burning house, just as the ones inside come outside.

Nina, Danica and Stephanie come from the back yard of the house with their crossbows pointed at the electrical beings. A crossbow bolt suddenly hits Surge in the back of his right shoulder. He angrily turns, sparks coming from the area that the bolt is stuck in. Nancy, Heaven, Fressy, Jean and Laurin stand behind them.

Kill them! Boltar demands.

Surge starts towards them when Ben comes out from behind the van and fires three arrows with lightning fast speed into the chest of Surge! Surge cries out in agony and turns into an electrical stream, entering the power-lines above the road near the house.

Leave here! Ben demands. My sister and her family are not going to be yours today!

It is not over! Boltar angrily says.

It is, for now. Ben says, pulling back on his bowstring and an arrow magically appearing in it.

Boltar glances around at where the others in the yard have their bows and crossbows pointed at him. Boltar angrily steps towards Ben and he fires an arrow into Boltar’s chest! Nancy shoots a crossbow bolt into him, followed by arrows from Heather and Molly, and more bolts from Danica and Fressy. Boltar, weakened by the projectiles in his body, fires an electrical blast in the direction of Nina and Stephanie. The blast falls short of the girls, as Boltar’s powers have been considerably weakened. He curses them and vanishes.

The family turns, just as a black luxury sedan pulls into the driveway. An average-sized, very pretty, middle-aged blonde-haired woman and a dark-haired girl hurry from the car. The 21-year-old Nikki hurries over to her tied and gagged mother, as the frightened Madison runs into Teresa’s arms. Teresa pulls the gag out of Madison’s mouth and walks her over to where Nikki is untying Jill.

They’re back, Jill. Ben says, as he watches Teresa untie Madison.

Ben, where are the rest of your kids? Jill worriedly asks. Where are the boys?

Ben lowers his head. Jill, now free, hurries over to her brother and hugs him. Ben looks down at his very pretty sister.

The boys, Cynthia and Kay are dead. Ben sadly says. One of the boys was coming home in his truck when he saw mine and Cynthia’s house on fire. He called me and I immediately headed there. By the time I got there, Kay and the boys were dead. They had been turned into electro-zombies. Most of the girls had been taken captive and tied up. I was lucky enough to save the ones that were there.

The ones of us that weren’t there were at the theatre where Brittany and Stephanie were doing a modeling assignment. Boltar and his family attacked there. They killed Harry and Shawn, along with hundreds of people. They captured Brittany and Stephanie, but we were lucky enough that none of the rest of us were killed. Nancy says, her eyes tearing up. All of us made it out of there, with the exception of Harry and Shawn."

Boltar won’t stop with just us! Ben angrily says. He’ll head for Ross’s next! He said he was going to attack the families in order of rank. That means Ross is next, and then Ronnie.

We need to get there fast! Jill says. Ross is a chef. If he’s on his job, he won’t have his cell-phone with him.

Jill, the cell-phones are inoperable, right now, anyway. Nancy replies. Boltar took out the towers. That is why Ben couldn’t warn us at the theatre. He had to go there in person.

We need to split up! Teresa says. Some of us can go get Ross! If I know him; Kim, Leigh or Jamie will be there with him.

Dad, you still hadn’t told us what is going on? Heather asks. What are those things? Why did they kill our brothers? How are all of us sisters?

And one of them said something about wanting momma hundreds of years ago? Madison nervously says, as she in Jill’s embrace. Momma’s just 50?! How is that possible?

No, sweetheart, I am not just 50. Jill says, smiling. Ben, Teresa and I are a lot older than that.

How old are you? Nina asks.

We’re not really sure. Ben says. The three of us have been around for a very long time. For us, time is irrelevant. The only reason we know time is because of all of you, Nancy and Ann. We were told in the last battle with the Circle that when the youngest child of The Ten reached ten years old, The Circle would be back. We were told to start having children near the end of the 20th century. Keara, a daughter of Tony Star, is the youngest child of The Ten. Evidently, Keara just hit that magic number.

You said our grandparents died before any of us were born? Leeann asks. Was that true? When did your parents die?

The three of us never had parents. None of The Ten or their siblings had parents. We were not born in the way you were born. Jill replies.

But you had to have had parents? Heather asks.

We were created. Ben replies. Our father is the supreme being.

Ben, we need to get going! Nancy urges. Boltar could be attacking at Ross’!

My girls and I will go after Ross! Ann says. You, Jill and Teresa can explain things to the kids on the way to Ross’s house. I’ll tell Lynzy and Heaven as much as I know on the way to Ross’s restaurant.

I agree! Ben replies. Girls, Jill, Teresa; get in the motor-home! We need to get to Ross’s house!

The girls all look at them, curiously. Teresa and Jill hustle some of them towards the hovering motor-home.

Dad, what’s going on? Brittany insists.

We will explain on the way! Ben demands. The boys and Kay are already dead. We need to do what we can to make sure all of Ross’s family does not follow them!

CHAPTER 4

In the motor-home, Ben sits in the driver’s seat of the space-age motor-home. The girls are buckled into their seats, as the motor-home lifts off of the ground. Fressy, the oldest daughter, is buckled in a seat next to her father. Teresa and Jill