First Dawn

By G M Sherwin and Sally L Roberts

The first book in the Evolution series, By G M Sherwin & Sally L Roberts.

The first dawn of humanity's evolution has begun and a war is coming. 

Twenty years ago a plan was conceived of and set in motion by a group of powerful individuals. Their aim is unknown, but the outcome will soon be realised and the fate of mankind rests on the few. 

Sam and Karl meet on the morning all hell breaks loose and are set on a course that will change their lives irrevocably and hidden secrets will be revealed, can Sam figure out the changes within herself before it's too late?
 

Evolution is a killer....

• Language: English
• Publisher: G M Sherwin
• Release date: Jul 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386937319

G M Sherwin

G M Sherwin was born and raised in a small village in West Yorkshire and still lives in the north of England with his wife, 3 children and 2 cats, Milo and Bumble.  He has spent much of his working life in management for various industries, mainly in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. He wasn’t greatly academic while younger, with the exception of enjoying English, but it was while at school that he penned his first short story which gave him a taste for writing. And it was a love of the Albert Einstein quote, ‘there comes a point in your life when you have to stop reading other people books and write your own’ which spurred him on to write his first book Immortalis. In the future, he hopes to go on to write many more books and that he will be able to entertain a large following of readers with them. When he isn’t working G M Sherwin enjoys spending time with his young family.  And if he gets any time to himself he likes to relax with a good book and a glass of red wine.  He is also a passionate film buff and loves anything out of the normal, the paranormal or sci-fi related. You can follow him on Facebook or email [e-mail]

Book preview

Prologue

Two men sat opposite each other in the low-lit room, each cradling a crystal cut whisky glass. They were celebrating.

‘Now that’s out of the way, are we ready? Are the sleepers in place?’ asked the older of the two men. His swept back grey hair and clear hazel eyes gave him the look of a man younger than his 70 years. He already knew the answer, he was the one who’d called the meeting after all, but he asked anyway.

‘London, Paris, Canberra, Quebec, Washington, and all the rest are set,’ said the younger of the two. ‘Once activation begins there’s no going back. It’s been a long time coming. We’re definitely ready.’ He rubbed his hand over his bald head, smiling as he sipped the last of his whisky.

The older man refilled their glassed from the decanter, and then replaced it on the table at his side. His muscular arms pulling taught the sleeves of his Italian tailor-made suit.

‘Tomorrow we make history my friend. We shall be the new forefathers of a brave new world – and God help anyone who stands in our path.’ A satisfied smile lit his face as he sipped from his glass.

The younger man glanced around the room before he spoke again, but it was an unnecessary gesture. Not simply because they were alone, but because this room had been built with privacy in mind. Even the smartest of surveillance tech could not penetrate this room.

‘The ten have their instructions to begin the process as soon as we give the go ahead.’ He said finally, now running his hand casually through his greying beard.

‘Have they shown any signs of suspicion about what will happen once the process begins?’

The younger man smiled broadly and leaned forwards. ‘None – nothing will lead back to us until it’s too late.’

They raised their glasses to mark the auspicious moment.

Chapter One

Initiation

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London – 5:45pm

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The city was bustling with commuters and city dwellers racing home at this, the most aggressive time of day.

Martin Cleeves rushed through the crowds to reach the tube station, and the train that would get him home by 7:30pm. Maybe. If he was lucky.

Bloody tube, he thought, scowling his way past the rude sweaty people who, no doubt, would share his commute home to Working. He moved quickly down the escalator, briefcase and coat in one hand, steadying his decent with the other.

Reaching the bottom, he darted left as he heard his train being announced by the clearly bored announcer, monotone and passionless. Martin saw his train pull in as he stepped onto the platform. A screech of the trains brakes signaled the mass to start shuffling and fighting their way onto the already crowded train.

Society at its best, I think not. He shoved his way forwards – it was the norm down here. Push forwards grab your seat and pretend that no one exists. After squeezing into a seat halfway down the carriage, martin opened his tablet and started to flip through the pages he’d opened that morning. Jeeze, the news is just full of shite.

He noticed a woman opposite him. She was openly staring, her eyes not moving from him. She had a vague look about her, although relatively attractive; it was beginning to unsettle him. He wouldn’t engage her, he decided. Probably more trouble than it's worth.

Fifteen minutes passed as Martin flicked through pages of inane news. Sweat was sticking his shirt to his back and beads of it were running down his face. He finally closed his tablet and shoved it away in his bag. Only two more stops then he could get off this fucking awful ride. The woman was still staring too. What is her problem?

That question was soon answered. Without any change in posture or demeanor she suddenly jumped from her seat and lunged at him. Martin tried to catch her mid-flight, but the woman had strength. He struggled to keep her at arm’s length as she fought him. He looked into her bloodshot eyes – no, not bloodshot. They were crimson and wild.

‘Help me, someone! For God’s sake get this woman off me.’ Martin yelled at the stunned onlookers. Most were scrambling to get away from the scene, but one came to his aid. A young man in gym gear pulled at the rabid woman’s arms trying to get her away from the panicked Martin.

‘Fuck me, she’s strong mate!’

The sound of the woman’s teeth slamming together, inches away from Martins face terrified him, but he managed to slam his fist into her jaw. This only seemed to urge her on. It gave the young man a chance to get the woman in a headlock, but she still raged. An older man joined to help and together they pulled the woman away. The fell back with the woman on top of them – she was too quick, and, in an instant, she had turned and sank her teeth into the older man’s neck. Arterial spray covered the passengers watching the horror. A woman screamed as she looked down at herself, covered in the man’s blood.

Martin had already picked himself up and was staring at the woman who, a few seconds ago was gnashing at his face, now tearing at another man’s neck. People were trying to get away but there was nowhere to go on this overcrowded train. He reached up and pulled the emergency stop. A screech and a few seconds later the train stopped. Martin was relieved for a moment, until screams and shouting began to echo down from further up the train. Suddenly, this violent crazed woman who had tried to attack him, and who was now ripping apart a man who’d tried to help him, wasn’t the only one of her type. Martin could make out dozens more down the train, until an intense pain shot through his back. He turned and saw another one of those things sinking its teeth into his shoulder. It bit him deep, and arms of inhuman strength dragged Martin kicking and screaming for his life to the floor. Bloody tube!

New York – 1:00pm

Daniel had spent months planning this day down to the last detail. All of their friends were in on it, Bella’s sister had even helped him choose the ring at Tiffany’s. He was leaving nothing to chance. She deserves the best.

Central Park was busy. Groups were gathering on the great lawn, ball games and picnickers mostly. He could see families playing in the distance as they walked towards Bethesda fountain. Where better to propose to the perfect woman?

Bella walked beside him, holding his hand and talking about her job. She’d worked at the magazine for five years, and this promotion was the jump start she needed for her career. He smiled as she made plans, too giddy with her news to notice that her friends and family were waiting by the fountain.

Daniel stopped, waited. Bella looked around and back at Daniel. Now she’d noticed.

‘Hey, what’s going on? Daniel?’

Daniel just smiled as he dropped to one knee. Bella gasped and let out a shriek of excitement. She brought her hands to her mouth as a huge smile spread across her face.

‘Bella. You are the lo-‘Daniel couldn’t finish the words he had so carefully rehearsed in his head over and over again. His eyes widened. Bella looked down at him and suddenly lost her smile as she followed his gaze.

Behind the fountain, which had been nothing but happy families’ moments ago, was now a rushing shouting crowd. Some of them were screaming, some sobbing; all moving as fast as fast as they could from the horror that was following them.

Children in their dozens were rushing behind the fleeing crowd of desperate park-goers. Daniel