The Journey The Only Survivors: The Journey, #1

By A.M. Parrish

The worldwide disappearance of all living creatures, after the catastrophic storm, brings Kyara to the brink of despair as she and her siblings go on a miraculous journey through time.

Everything changes the day of the storm. Time is lost. People are taken. And an unnatural silence settles over the land. Kyara and her three siblings seem to wake up to a normal life, but what is normal can never be normal again after that night's storm. Not when everyone in the world disappears, except Kyara and her three siblings—the only ones left in the sacred world. As they try to find out why everyone disappeared, they come across a time machine disguised in a cell phone. They travel first to the time when Jesus is born, in hope that they can find help from Him. But in each time after, they not only become vulnerable, but they also almost give up hope; for they lose the phone in every era they visit. While they journey through time, they learn about history, and how they can change it; they learn about faith, and how they can strengthen it; and they especially learn about love, and how they can protect it.

The Journey The Only Survivors, by Maddie Marcarelli, is a captivating story that everyone, not only Christians, can learn what it is to live by faith and live with love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.M. Parrish
• Release date: Jan 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9780359326822

Book preview

Inspiring Quotes and Bible Verses

‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I BELIEVE IN CHRISTIANITY as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

C.S. Lewis

IT IS OUR CHOICES THAT show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

J.K. Rowling

DARK TIMES LIE AHEAD of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.

J.K. Rowling

FRODO: I WISH THE RING had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.

J.R.R. Tolkein

GANDALF: YOU'LL HAVE a tale or two to tell when you come back.

Bilbo Baggins: You can promise that I will come back?

Gandalf: No. And if you do, you will not be the same.

J.R.R Tolkien

Prologue

Life. What is life ? Is life a simple or complex story? Is life a journey or just monotonous? Why do some people have a short life and some a long life? Why do children and babies die? What is the point of existing if you don’t make it past your third birthday?

These were some of the questions I had before the incident in which my life was changed forever. And now, I had a completely different perspective. My three siblings and I were the only remaining survivors in this scattered world, and, because of it, our lives were sacred. We were lost in a world we had only heard about in stories.

I mean, dreams were just dreams without action, right? No one thought that this dream could become true, or that someone would put action into making this dream a reality. But this dream did become reality, and that reality became a nightmare.

During our journey, we sought a return to normal, but we found it to be intangible. I know I sound a bit cryptic when I say this, but we kept on losing something that was essential—something we believed would help us return to a normal life. We felt like we were in a maze, and as much as we tried to find our way out, we just couldn’t. The future became impossible to see, and a normal life seemed foreign after all we went through. With something as drastic as this, we could only pray that one day our lives would return to normal.

The knowledge and order we once knew was forgotten, and a new order took its place. Someone was pulling the strings. It’s like they were using us as puppets in some sort of comedy film. But this comedy wasn’t at all humorous.

My name is Kyara Edwards. I have a sixteen-year-old twin brother named Bryan, a seven-year-old sister named Amy, and a six-year-old brother named Luke. We were home alone on the night of the terrible storm—the storm that changed everything.

Chapter I

Alone

The sound of hail pounding on our roof echoed across the house. I moved the curtains back and peered out the window. Buckets of rain fell from the sky and poured onto the roof and the concrete outside. When I turned back around, I noticed Amy and Luke clinging to each other on the sofa across from me, trembling in fear. A loud clap of thunder engulfed their voices as they tried to speak.

I sat on the couch in the family room flipping through channels on the TV while texting my friend, Molly. My brother Bryan sat at the kitchen table with his head buried in his history book. It was only July, and school didn’t start for another month and a half, but I knew my brother liked to get things done early. He never procrastinated. I, on the other hand, procrastinated on everything—even if we had three months to do it.

As I pressed the remote’s DVR button, the power suddenly went out as the lights switched off and the TV flickered blank.

Perfect. Now what do we do? I said. I could just barely see the figures of Luke and Amy—it was pitch black. Bryan slammed his book on the table and groaned in frustration.

I’ll go get candles and a matchbox, he said. Exasperation flooded his voice as he stomped toward the cupboard that held the emergency kit.

It’ll be fun, like we are living in the past, he said and pulled open a drawer. The next thing I heard was a loud ouch! with a few selected curse words following. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Bryan, you do know we have two little siblings, correct? I said, attempting to raise my voice so he could hear me over the thunder.

It’s not like they haven’t heard those words before from Dad, he bellowed back.

I rolled my eyes and waited for him to return with the matches and candles.

Why did the power go out? Luke asked.

Because the rain is coming down hard, and the power lines must have gone out, I said. Though Luke was only six, he’s smart, so I knew that he understood what I meant, which was why I didn’t make up a story on how the power went out.

I couldn’t find the darn matches or batteries for the flashlight, Bryan said as he sat down next to me and dropped his books on the coffee table. But at least I got the candles. Sarcasm filled his voice as he said the last few words.

Great. So now, what do we do? I said. Oh, wait. I know where the lighter is. It’s in the dining room cupboard. I couldn’t believe that I had actually thought of something Bryan hadn’t.

Bryan growled under his breath and trudged toward the dining room to get the lighter. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the house, but when the next bolt of lightning struck, every sound was drowned out, and everyone flinched.

K-Kyara. Amy’s voice trembled, and I stared at her in sympathy. When are M-Mommy and D-Daddy coming home? she asked me.

Amy had been working with a speech therapist for more than a year and had gotten much better at speaking without a stutter. She used to stutter on every word, but now she only stuttered on every few words.

Late, I said.

Bryan came back into view with a proud smile on his face, holding up the lighter as if it was Lady Liberty’s torch. He lit the three candles, sat down, and stared at the flame on the tallest candle.

How late, Kyara? Luke asked, with a nervous tint in his voice.

Bryan answered the question for me, still with his gaze on the flame, practically motionless, You guys are going to be asleep before they get home. The void in his eyes grew as his eyes opened and closed whenever he blinked. Nothing could take his attention away from the flame.

Bryan? I said forcefully, trying to get his attention. Is everything. . .okay? I bit my tongue.

What? He glanced away from the flame and locked eyes with me. Oh, yeah. His eyes were glassy and opaque with a hint of uncertainty. I was just deep in thought, I guess. He rubbed his eyes and then proceeded to turn his attention back toward the flame.

I lay my head against the back of the couch and looked at the ceiling, which shadowed the wavering of the flame. When the lightning struck again, the flame quivered as though in apprehension.

I yawned, stood up, stretched, and then started walking out of the living room.

Where are you going? Luke said as flashes of lightning lit up the room, followed by another loud clap of thunder.

We need a flashlight. I’ll be right back. I tiptoed swiftly out of the room, making sure not to run into anything, and made my way to the garage. I felt as if I was some kind of super spy on a mission, and my target was the flashlight. The darkness tried to prevent me from meeting the challenge of retrieving the flashlight, but I knew in the end I would prevail.

Once I reached the door to the garage, I knew that right when I closed the door I would not be able to see a single thing, and Max and Jack might start barking, so I would have to be quick but careful. Any noise could distract me from my mission.

Before the storm hit, we had had the dogs with us in the living family room, but then they started getting really scared of the storm and ran around, whining every time they heard thunder. We knew from previous storms that they had always felt safer in their cages in the garage, so we put them in there.

As I shut the door, my eyes adapted slightly to the darkness, but I still felt blind. The dogs stirred in their cages.

It’s okay, boys. It’s just Kyara, I said softly to them. Jack whined, but neither of them barked, so I started feeling for the cupboards on the wall next to the door—my task at hand.

My sweaty hands searched for the drawer that held my target. When I finally found the cold metal knob, I opened it, pulled out the flashlight, and clicked the switch. Light permeated the garage.

Yes! I said gleefully—I had succeeded.

Max and Jack looked at me, their tongues hanging out of their mouths. Good boys. I went up to their cages and let them lick my hands. They did so happily, but, when I started walking away, Jack started whining again.

Sorry, Jacky. I’ve got to go. Bye-bye, boys. I bolted back, skipping slightly, toward the family room with the flashlight in my hands.

What took you so long? Bryan said. I frowned. Bryan did not know the importance of my mission.

I plopped down on the couch next to him and placed the flashlight face-up on the coffee table. I was gone for maybe two minutes, and, anyway, it was really dark in the garage. However, I did not hurt myself while doing it. I smirked. I had to give him something to congratulate me for.

He groaned and then whispered something under his breath.

What do you say? I said in a singsong voice waiting for the magic word, the smirk still fresh on my lips.

He rolled his eyes emphatically but managed to let out a small, Thanks.

Thunder rattled the windows again. The thunder is so loud that it’s making it hard for me to think. He picked up his AP History book again and started reading. He had two essays due the day school started.

That was why I never took AP anything. Too much work...It was almost August, and I had only started on my history summer work so far. I didn’t have much. I just had to read a few chapters of the textbook so that we knew what was going on in class.

I know, but it should be over soon. Although the rain, or it could be hail, is coming down pretty hard. It will start flooding in places soon. I wonder if Mom and Dad will be stuck at the restaurant, I said.

Shut up, Kyara, Bryan said, turning his head to look at me. His anger reflected in his squinted eyes.

You’re making it worse for them. He motioned toward Amy and Luke, who whispered to each other and embraced every time the storm hit, wincing.

This storm is very weird though, I said and then took no attention to what Bryan just said. I mean, there’s a large storm in the middle of the summer in Los Angeles. Well, we had been having strange weather this year so far.

I bent my neck to gaze through the window again, but all I could see were random flashes of lightning. Turning around, with my knees on the couch, I placed my hands on either side of my face and put them up against the window so that my hands would protect my face from touching the frozen-over glass. It was cold and icy, and it made shivers roll down my body, but I kept my face up against the window to see how slanted the rain fell. It was nearly sideways, and the wind, between rumbles of thunder, shifted the water as it poured from the sky.

I pulled away from the window and grabbed the blanket on the side of the couch to wrap myself in it.

Well, I’m bored. A rumble of thunder. There’s nothing to do with the power out."

Start your summer homework. Bryan suggested, pursing his lips when our eyes met. My eyes widened in disbelief.

Definitely not. My mouth dropped. I couldn’t believe Bryan thought of suggesting that.

Why? His lips were still pursed together, and I could tell he was getting steadily angrier. For some reason, Bryan hated that the power went out. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, but it didn’t bother me when he got angry. I got used to his temper tantrums long ago.

Because summers are for chilling and doing nothing. We shouldn’t have homework. I raised an eyebrow at him, trying to sound formal in order to calm him down.

I’ll help you with it, he said, shrugging and rubbing his forehead. I knew he didn’t want to help me with it—he just wanted to get me to do something, so he could pay full attention to his homework.

Whenever Bryan started on something, he could not stop until he finished. Even if it took all night, Bryan had to complete whatever he started on.

I stared at Amy and Luke and thought for a second. Why don’t we play a game? We should do something to get the kids’ minds off the storm.

No, I want to finish this, Bryan said, his voice was short as he turned his attention back to his book.

I sighed deeply. Amy had stood up from the sofa when she heard the possibility of a game. Luke held his legs close to his chest without seeming too thrilled about the idea.

C-Can we play a game, K-Kyara? Amy asked, moving over next to me.

I pulled her into my lap and began tickling her as she squirmed and screamed for me to stop in a playful manner. She laughed so much, that it made it hard for me to keep tickling her. Her laughs always brought a smile to my face.

Why don’t we play the silent game, Bryan said, slamming his book on the coffee table.

Wow. Someone is in a bad mood. My eyes widened as I lifted my hands up at Bryan in surrender. He disregarded my statement and stood up.

W-Where are you going? Amy said, sharing a look of annoyance with me.

Food, he said and then staggered off to the kitchen.

You hungry? I asked Amy, raising my eyebrows.

N-no. She shook her head and looked down at her hands. I rubbed her hair and then got up. She stared at me.

Well, I’m going to go get my schoolbag, I said. I then whispered to Amy, Maybe that will calm him down.

Amy nodded as I took the flashlight and ran out of the family room. I fumbled up the stairs to my room, got my schoolbag, and went back downstairs. I then pulled out my books and dropped them next to Bryan, who had gotten some chips to snack on.

So you gonna help? I sat back down and stared at Bryan, biting my cheek in uncertainty. Amy, who had been lying down on the couch when I came back, put her legs on mine. Luke had fallen asleep on the sofa.

I’m not doing it all. He stared at me in disbelief.

Oh. My face turned pink as I picked up my science book and opened it to a random page to make it look like I was reading and doing the work. I just didn’t even know what the assignment was. There, now will you do it? I’m starting my science. . .Could you do the rest?

I was uncertain as to how Bryan would react. He had always helped me with my homework, but he had never been this mad when he had.

You don’t even have chemistry summer work. Bryan laughed skeptically. He took another mouthful of chips.

Then what do I have? I asked, feeling my face turn steadily redder. I reached my hand in the bag and pulled out a few chips to snack on. Amy reached her hands out for me to give her some.

Bryan looked at me sternly when I turned back to look at him, like I should know. Everything, except chemistry. Your worst subject is science. You’re in the ‘easygoing’ class. He said the last words with heavy sarcasm. He seemed to be calming down. Maybe he just really needed food. I’d known him to get angry when he was hungry before. He took another handful of chips and plopped them into his mouth.

Oh, then can you do my English, Algebra 2, and History then? I asked, hopeful as I stuffed some chips into my mouth.

No, he mumbled and then swallowed. I said I would help you, he said with great irritation flooding his voice. But this time, the irritation wasn’t shredded with anger.

Why? Can’t you do it all? I said, pouting and crossing my arms. The puppy-dog face almost always worked.

We’re almost juniors! he said, his voice rising a little but in a playful way. I did most of the work for you freshman year and before that, but now you need to do your own work. He took another handful of chips and tossed a few in his mouth.

I clenched my eyebrows together and frowned, hoping he’d change his mind. He didn’t—his eyes were wide with discernment. I tried to think of a way to blackmail him, so he would have to do my work, but nothing came to mind at the moment. I’d probably make him do it anyway. We still had five or six weeks before school started.

Fine. I picked up all my books and shoved them back into my bag with difficulty.

You should seriously start that, Bryan said. If you got an early start, you wouldn’t have to deal with Dad getting on your case about getting it done in time.

I sneered at him but thought briefly about doing my work. There wasn’t really anything else to do, so I picked up the schedule that listed all of my assignments for the summer and stared at it; my eyebrows scrunched, and lips smacked together.

What a surprise, Bryan said, his eyes wide and eyebrows raised with sarcasm. Kyara is actually starting her work. I never thought this day would come. He flailed his arms as he spoke.

Oh, shut up. I rolled my eyes and looked back down at my paper at the English section. It said I needed to read a book that hadn’t arrived in the mail yet and then write an essay on it. English was the only Honors class I took, and I was okay with the work in that. As much as I hated school, I loved reading, but it had to be a good, fictional book. Good thing the book we had to read for summer reading was a good, fictional book.

I’ll proofread your work to make sure you’re doing it right and all, but other than that—

A big whooshing sound, followed by a loud boom! cut Bryan off. Amy screamed and fell off the couch. Luke jolted awake and stared at Bryan and me in confusion. I helped Amy back onto the couch and then looked out the window, thinking a lightning bolt had struck near us, but, instead, I saw a beautiful, starry night without rain. It looked like we never even had a storm.

What was that? I said. Am I crazy or did the storm just end?

After making sure Amy was okay, I retreated from the couch and stood in front of the sliding glass door. I put my hand on the handle but did not dare pull it open, for I was fearful of what was out there.

You aren’t crazy. Bryan stood up, and our eyes met. The storm did just end, but I don’t understand how it could have done so quickly like that. Bryan walked over to stand next to me and looked at our pool, which was filled to the top because of all the rain.

I slid the door open, and a gust of cold air filled the room. Shivers ran down my spine as I stepped out into the night air. There were no clouds in the sky, but the ground was still wet from the rain. I felt the heat coming off Bryan’s arm as he brushed mine on his way out. He stopped a few feet in front of me.

See if the power is working again, he said, and, just as he did, the lights in the living room came to life.

Both Amy and Luke jumped, and then stared at me in horror.

I held my breath as I turned my attention back outside and flipped on the light switch, and, sure enough, the light that stuck to the wall, next to the door, shined gold. Bryan walked past the pool and stopped at the stone pathway that led to the basketball court. I flipped the second light switch, and the path lit up.

What are you doing? I called after him.

Not quite sure. He laughed nervously and reached the basketball court. I glanced back inside to check on Amy and Luke. Amy had gone over to Luke, and they clenched each other’s hands. I could see tears forming in Amy’s eyes.

W-What’s going o-on, Kyara? Amy said with defining apprehension in her tremulous voice. Luke did not move a muscle, but he stared at me with complete fright in his eyes.

That’s what Bryan and I are trying to figure out. Hold on, I’m going to go talk with him. I ran out to Bryan, who currently stood under the basketball hoop, watching the water drop from the net to the ground, making a distinct puddle. The smell of rain and the taste of fog overwhelmed all other senses.

It doesn’t make any sense, Bryan said as I got closer to him. He always stared at something entirely random when he tried to figure something out. It was just something he did. I’d never understood it.

Yes, it’s very strange. The storm ended with a big bang. I bit my lip.

Not only that. . . His words trailed off as he closed his eyes and scratched his head. His lips were slightly ajar as he licked and bit them over and over.

I raised my eyebrows waiting for him to continue. I shivered and began rubbing my hands over my goose-bumped arms.

Close your eyes and listen.

I obeyed and listened to the world for a few seconds. I don’t hear anything.

Exactly. He opened his eyes and stared straight into mine. My mouth dropped as I realized the complexity of the situation. I ran all the way to the front yard.

Looking down at the town, I noticed nothing normal. Our house was stationed on a hill, above all the city lights of Beverly Hills. However, the movement below had completely ceased.

Nothing. Bryan followed me out. No people, no sounds, no sirens. Nothing. Our frightened eyes met once again.

Bryan? What’s going on? My voice cracked as I spoke, and my heart stopped. Tears formed in my eyes, and I didn’t even know why. For some strange reason, it felt as if the world had come to an end.

I have no idea. Bryan’s face was stern and unmoving.

There are absolutely no sounds. All the lights are on in the city, but. . . I looked at the streets and realized that the cars hadn’t moved an inch; the sounds of engines had been terminated. The sounds that had once seemed normal—ones that you never would have noticed existed—had completely died off. The city remained still. The world seemed lost.

I’ll be right back, Bryan said. I’m going to take a look around. Stay here with Amy and Luke. Bryan jogged swiftly inside the house to get to the garage before I could even think about objecting.

The garage door opened, and Bryan pulled the car out. What is he doing? Where is he going? All he did was wave. I stood there, frozen—both from the cold and from bewilderment.

When I felt my feet and hands grow numb, I went back inside and sat on the couch again, slightly disappointed. Amy and Luke gaped at me, standing by the coffee table, opposite me. Their mouths opened and then closed as they tried to speak, but no words came out.

Amy finally came over to me and sat next to me; I put my arm around her. Luke joined us and sat next to Amy, and they held hands.

Bryan will be right back. What else could I tell them? My mind overflowed with questions, but each question was impossible to answer. I sat waiting for something to happen, for the sound of the garage door to open, for Bryan to return. Anything. I texted my parents and every single one of my friends, even people I almost never talked to, but replies never came.

Then a thought occurred to me. Maybe I should call 9-1-1. Calling hadn’t been working on my cell phone for a few days, so I ran to the phone in the kitchen and dialed the number.

The phone rang and rang, but nobody answered. Something was wrong. No policemen or anything were around. My heart raced. I hung up the phone and dialed 9-1-1 again. Still, there was nothing. I tried three more times and then gave up, dropping the phone, which broke as it hit solid ground. The world was becoming spookier by the second.

I sulked back toward the couch, and Amy and Luke, who observed my every move, were terrified as tears etched the sides of their eyes and their lips quivered. I looked at my phone in hope but saw only my wallpaper and no notifications.

Minutes passed, or maybe hours, for all I knew, since the concept of time seemed to have no effect on me. Nobody expressed a word in that expanse of unknown time, but I held Amy close to me.

Finally, we heard the car pull into the garage. I got my hopes up as I heard Bryan’s hurried footsteps, but that was dashed quickly when Bryan reappeared with a sullen look on his face.

No one is around, he said, shaking his head, his eyes blank of any expression.

Ha-ha, very funny, I said, hoping he was pulling my leg.

Stop joking around. I can see behind those eyes of yours. You’re an easy soul to read. My voice cracked and trembled as each word came out. It was not