BloodBorne Series: BloodBorne

By James Keith

Unimaginable creatures are rising and mankind's only hope is run... or die. Join the adventure of this three book series featuring vengeful gods, ravenous monsters, and murderous beasts from the depths. Collection includes: 

 

-The Mighty Jungle

-From the Depths

-Flor Thurian

-Never before released bonus content

 

Fans of high-octane adventure with deadly stakes are sure to love The BloodBorne Collection. But beware, in the battle against otherworldly beings anything can happen... and no one is safe.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Keith
• Release date: Nov 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393755012

Book preview

The BloodBorne Series

The BloodBorne Series

The Entire Compilation of BloodBorne in One Set — Bonus Content Included

James Keith

James Keith

The BloodBorne Series

Full Collection

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Copyright © 2020 James Keith

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission from James Keith, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Editing Services Provided by Stacey Rourke with The Blurb Doctor www.facebook.com/blurbdoctor

Cover Created by Rene Folsom with Phycel Designs

www.phycel.com

For Claire

Contents

I. The Mighty Jungle

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

The End

II. From the Depths

Prologue

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Epilogue

The End

III. Flor Thurian

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

The End

IV. The Hunt

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

V. BONUS: BloodBorne Alternate Draft

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

About the Author

The Mighty Jungle Cover

I

The Mighty Jungle

William J. Harper was one of many who had their lives ripped apart when the bombs were dropped. A happy family man, William is torn from the life he loves by the demands of war.

Flanked by his platoon, William embarks on a mission into the heart of the jungle to retrieve a beacon that could lead the enemy straight to them. Yet, what they find instead unleashes an unworldly entity torn straight from their nightmares.

Can the band of soldiers reverse what’s been done? Or will the consequences of their actions be fatal?

1

William J. Harper had twin daughters he hadn’t seen since the day they were born. A First Lieutenant in the United States Army, he was five foot nine with short blond hair, and brown eyes. When someone looked at him, they wouldn’t find anything special. Well, except for his wife Christine. She was a knockout. His two kids were safe at home with her.

His life changed forever the day bombs rained from the sky and burned cities to the ground. Every able-bodied person sprang into action and signed up to fight for what was right, Harper included.

In the beginning, he was overcome with fear. As much as he had the urge to fight, he didn’t want to die. He had a wife and two beautiful baby girls waiting for him. It was their faces that kept him going, pushing him to be stronger, smarter, faster.

After a year of being waist-deep in shit, he was selected to go to specialty training. He wasn’t told what it was, where he was going, or how long it would even take for him to complete. The only thing he did know was if he passed the training, he would be among the second group to ever do so. Like any obedient soldier, he followed blindly, hoping that he wouldn’t regret it.

When the classes first started there were over a hundred candidates. On the very first day, they were all given basic supplies and sent out into the jungle. Their only objective was to make it back in three days.

There were no rules, no guidelines. Nothing. Harper knew that he wasn’t the biggest, strongest guy there. He would have to find at least one other person that would complement his strengths. He watched and closely observed the small group that was dropped near him.

He found two men.

David L. Petty, Second Lieutenant he was six foot even but didn’t look it. He always hunched a bit and explained that it was because of the house he lived in and that he couldn’t help it anymore. His brown hair was still cropped high and tight.

The other was Wallace B. Cramer, Second Lieutenant, who was five foot eight with black hair; he was allowing it to grow out a little bit. He wanted to see how close he could get it to touching his ears before someone yelled at him and forced him to shave it.

Both men were fresh out of advanced training. Harper only chose them because he saw their skill in making quick decisions when called to, and the ability to sense and work out the most complex of problems. They were already working closely together as a close knit unit which was important.

It took them two days and ten hours to get back to the base camp. The only reward they got was a hot shower, before everyone showed back up and took all of it.

Over the course of those two and a half days, the advanced training they had lost twenty-five people. Initially five had been rejected for failing to follow orders and being unsafe so they were shipped off home. They couldn’t have a risk of unruly and undisciplined men. Then there was the question of the others and what had happened to them.

Now the official line was that ten of them had been on an extended exercise when they went into the red line boundary. This area was sectioned off due to military equipment being buried. For some reason the boundary wasn’t there that day. The people wandered into the red zone not knowing and then the carnage began ... with one step they were blown to pieces somersaulting through the air one by one, if the mine had not got them the rapid fire did. Unbeknown to them they had triggered the trip wire, the sky was alight with fire and the air thick with the smell of ammunition. The recovery unit had been out as soon as they realised the boundary had been breached, there were no survivors. This couldn't get out so the official line was that they were just awol.

Rumour spread quickly that ten of them were never found again and were written off as necessary losses so the training couldn’t be shut down.

The entire training was intense as it took six months to complete. Within that time they learnt which plants would provide food and water, if their rations ran out. They learnt how to identify the many creatures within the jungle, some that could kill them with a single bite, and others that could cause an agonising and slow death. They needed to know what was friend or foe! The jungle food had to be prepared and handled a certain way, venomous animals had to be skinned and prepared in a specific way as to not cause poisoning.

Next was being able to build a dry and safe hideout away from the predators, they needed to be highly skilled in all elements of bush craft. It was an art and not something that took a small amount of time. They learned how to live and breathe the jungle. Their beating hearts had to match the one that thrummed deep within the trees.

The team dubbed themselves Jungle Cats and they lived up to the name. As the Jungle Cats they were trained to be the predator in the night, ready to strike when the moment was right. They were taught how to kill and more importantly to survive. Old identities were shed, disappeared and they became the next killing machine of the United States Army.

On graduation day they were all flown back to the States. There were only thirteen of them left after the awol men and those that had been sent home. Standing in front of their loved ones Harper’s chest filled with pride as with the others. He was one of a select few who had ranked up. They had made him a Captain and he felt the weight of it immediately.

As the ceremony came to an end, they all stood and did their chant filling the field and standing in with their booming voices. Fight for the weak. Fight for the strong. Fight for life. Fight for the jungle! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Everyone was dismissed and Harper ran off to find his wife Christine. The girls had to stay home, because the trip would have been too much for them and Christine even by plane. Harper dragged her over to meet Cramer and Petty.

These sons of bitches made sure I got out of there just for you babe, he told her as he pulled her in by the waist.

And he wouldn’t have made it without us, Cramer joked, knocking against his shoulder. Harper slung his arm around Christine’s shoulder. Meet up for dinner in a few hours?

Harper looked at Christine and gave her a wink. Yeah, I think a few hours should give me enough time to commit this to memory, he lifted his wife up, and she giggled, leaning down to give him a kiss.

They all went their separate ways for a few hours and then had dinner together. It was the best meal they had in over six months. They had just wanted a full house burger with the sides, followed by a good homemade apple pie. They only had a few hours so they had to make the most of it. Unfortunately, that’s all they got. Harper and Christine had been able to have a good meal but he knew this was going to be a few hours then she’d have to be going home back to the children. He hadn't wanted Christine to leave, but he knew she had to. They made their goodbyes away from the others. There were tears free flowing and they held onto each other until Edward shouted Captain it’s time to go…. Harper turned to Christine and held her hand, I will be home as soon as I can, look after the children and write often… I love you. With that he saw her make a heart with her fingers as she walked away.

Harper rejoined the others and as soon as they were back on base, each of them were handed a packet that held orders for their first assignment.

He climbed into his cot that night and turned on the lamp that stuck to the top bunk to read over where he would be sent. Carefully he began to read each line, not wanting to miss out on a single thing. Knowing the military, they would probably try to fuck him over and give him half pay or something like that. Harper had an excellent eye for detail, it had served him well so far.

When he got to the end, he knew that the right choice had been made and that he wouldn’t regret a single day as a Jungle Cat. Their mission was to fly out to the jungle and retrieve a beacon that had been sending out a signal. It was highly sensitive and it could be worth a lot of money in the wrong hands. Then there was the issue of the enemy trying to retrieve this, they would have received the same signal. The Jungle Cats had the necessary skills to retrieve, protect the beacon and were highly trained to deal with anyone else that might just show up. The enemy, a group of terrorists known as Nosotros no Moriremos, were well armed and highly trained. They had advanced military weaponry and the war against them had been ongoing for five years. Obtaining the beacon was a no fail mission, Harper had been informed that the beacon’s sound could lead the enemy straight to them. Thus allowing the United States military to set up an ambush and finally end the war.

Harper tucked the orders back into the envelope and pushed it under his pillow. He would be leaving in the morning with Petty and Cramer to join Colonel Brian T. Zimmerman.

2

The morning they touched down the rain was coming down in buckets. The pilot of the helicopter had to drop them off about twenty miles from the base where there hadn’t been as much as a droplet.

Harper turned his head up towards the heavens, feeling the water drops hit his face. He didn’t know why, but it was soothing, even if the rain fell fast and hard to the ground.

They were given a map and told to march the rest of the way to the base. Petty took the map from Harper and looked it over. He pointed up ahead of them.

We should hopefully get there before dinner. We know you don’t want to miss out on that, Harp. Petty hit Harper in the stomach before walking forward.

Cramer let out a small laugh and lifted his pack onto his back. He adjusted his gun in his hands before he followed behind them.

I hope you’re right, Petty. God knows he would start getting cranky, if he went without more than one meal.

I have an MRE you idiots, Harper’s eyes scanned the line of trees ahead of them. Even if we got there late, I would still be able to eat. And, I don’t get hangry when I’m hungry. You just get more idiotic. Makes me want to tear off your heads and kick them like a fucking football.

Whatever you say, Capt., Cramer murmured.

The jungle swallowed them up and all three of them fell into step easily with Petty in the front and Cramer in the back. They were right where they needed to be. Stuck among thousands of trees, finding their way to their next home away from home.

An hour passed in silence and Harper decided to speak up.

I don’t know why I was expecting more time at home, his gaze shifted to the trees. The leaves blocked out most of the rain, but it still came down in a light drizzle.

They were there for a reason. Nosotros no Moriremos, the enemy was out there somewhere, and they had to find out where. Before they could retrieve the beacon and they had to eliminate them.

Petty looked back at him and let out a laugh.

I don’t either. You’re the most experienced out of all of us and I think even we knew we couldn’t stay home for so long.

Yeah, weren’t you already deployed out here right out of advanced training? Cramer took a few steps back and started following a few paces behind the other two.

The army doesn’t like to waste any amount of time. I’m surprised we even had a chance to see anyone after graduation from the advanced training course.

Harper sighed and let his eyes close. Suddenly the image of Christine in the hotel bed came back to his mind.

I know, but I wish I had another day with Christine, hell even just a few more hours would have been nice.

Oh, shut up, will you? At least you had someone show up for yours, Petty huffed. His shoulders were tense and the grip on his gun tightened. My girl broke up with me three days before I left for advanced training, she had enough of me being away. Three fucking days. Who does that?

Are you kidding? Cramer’s voice went up a few octaves. I was broken up with right after dinner. I mean, I knew it was coming and I can understand why he did it, but still. Broken heart and then I was sent here with you two losers.

Harper let out a low whistle and clapped his hand against his canteen. He held up a hand. Can you guys hear that? he whispered.

Both soldiers stopped and looked around. Their faces suddenly becoming serious all of a sudden. After a moment Petty frowned. I don’t hear anything, Harp.

No, listen closer, he murmured. If you do you can hear the sound of the smallest violin playing for you two.

Cramer hit the back of his helmet. Asshole, he muttered.

Harper laughed and pushed his helmet back. I’m just trying to say that you guys are lucky to not have the weight of someone waiting at home for you. I have three somethings. Every decision I make directly affects them. I either let that consume me or I shove that down and forget about them for days on end. Neither is a good option.

The other two fell silent for a few minutes. Petty was the first to break the tension that had built up between them.

I guess you’re right, he sighed. I’m sorry, Harp. Didn’t think about it like that. But it would still be nice to know that I’m going home to someone, even if it was just a dog!.

Yeah, that’s the only thing that keeps me going really, Glancing to his friend, Harper reached forward to jostle his pack. But there’s more to life than having someone waiting for you. When you get home, you’ll be able to start your life for real. This is … just a few years. Don’t forget that.

You should write a book, Harper, Cramer told him. Self-help for soldiers or some shit like that! Make sure they don’t think that this is all they have.

Harper let out a full belly laugh and shook his head. If I could write I wouldn’t be here. I would be spinning lines in the back to feed to the people. Not trudging twenty miles east to clean up a mess the regulars can’t handle.

Fine then, Cramer grinned, I’ll write the book. It will be called: How Not To Get Shot In The Ass By An Enemy You Can’t See: All About the Depressed Soldier.

That’s a pretty long title Cram, Petty told him. We should work on shortening it.

They continued walking, jumping between conversation and silence the rest of the way to the camp. They weren’t surprised that they weren’t attacked. The area they were in was considered cleared. Even then they were all still a bit on edge.

Large gates rose from the ground in front of them later that evening. They were brown and grey and had the name of the base, ‘Area 36’ written on them but it was so faded it was nearly impossible to read anything but with Harper’s sharp eye to detail he was able to figure it out.

As they approached, Petty fell a step behind Harper and Cramer walked closer together. The guard at the gate walked in front of them. Name, rank, orders, he demanded. He eyed the soaked soldiers with a menacing look, weighing them up at first sight.

Harper pulled out the message which gave them the orders to be there and held it out. I’m Captain William J. Harper. We're the jungle special forces.

The guard read over the orders before looking them up and down again. He saluted and waited for the return salute, before letting it drop right along with the respectful demeanour. You were supposed to be here this morning! He handed back the paper and stepped aside. Good luck.

Harper resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow and instead nodded and led the way inside. The words good luck were swimming around in his head.

Now we just need to find Colonel Zimmerman, he muttered. Any idea where to start?. Both Petty and Cramer shrugged. Bunch of useless idiots.

They started down a long stretch of buildings and didn’t see anyone for nearly ten minutes. The first person to break that was a guard on patrol.

Do you know where Colonel Zimmerman is? Harper asked after they both exchanged salutes.

Zimmerman? she asked, raising an eyebrow. Oh yes. But I wouldn’t want to go see him right now. He’s missing… Her eyes bounced from one of them to the other. Oh. You must be the missing bastards he’s been shouting for. I can lead you to him, sir.

That would be perfect, Harper sighed. Thank you.

Harper shared a look with his comrades and silently wished for his own death. He shifted his pack on his soaked shoulders and started forward. The rain had stopped, though it only stopped about a half-hour before they got there. The water was sloshing around in his boots as they made their way to the other side of the base.

As they walked, the guard pointed out certain facilities. On their right was the gym, next the mess hall, and further up what they called the library, but was where all the higher-ups went to talk strategy. The furthest building over there is the Lemon tree; it's a bar without any drinks! supplies have been poor. The rest of the building are stores and then there's a building deep over there but we don’t know what it's used for because it's classified.

As they approached a door they could hear yelling from the other side, Harper wondered if he and his men would get a chance to change out of their soaked things at all.

The guard knocked on the door and waited until she heard a sharp, what before speaking. Sir, I have… she looked back at them for their names, Captain Harper, First Lieutenant Pe-

The door swung open before she could even finish.

Get in here now!, Zimmerman growled.

Zimmerman wasn’t a large man by any means, definitely the shortest out of the people standing in the general vicinity. He was five foot five. His brown hair was shaved off at the sides, but was growing longer on the top. His eyes, which darted between the three men, were an alarming shade of lagoon blue.

They all piled into the office and Zimmerman spun around to the guard. Back to your post, he ordered before slamming the door. He turned and walked to his desk before sitting down. Do you know when you fuckers were supposed to be here?

Yes sir, we do, Harper said, stepping up as the leader of their small group. We were dropped off…

I don’t want to hear excuses Captain, I wanted you here this morning, Zimmerman told him.

His glare was harsh and made Harper go red around the ears, before he dropped his head. Of course, sir, he murmured.

I had something planned, to show you guys the area but because you decided to take your merry little time, I had to push it off until tomorrow, the colonel growled. He let his fist hit the desk in front of him. That is unless you want the tour now. I assume you aren’t afraid of the dark like some of these guys around here?.

Cramer’s lip twitched into a smile. Maybe the man wasn’t bad after all. Afraid of the dark? Nah, sir, we’re ready for whatever you throw at us.

Oh, it won’t be me throwing it at you, Zimmerman smirked, his eyes lighting up as if he was winning the war of words. It will be whoever’s hiding out there… Nosotros no Moriremos maybe He peered between all three of them before clapping his hands. Alright, go find your cots, they’re in the building next over. They didn’t want to stick you crazy shitheads with anyone else, so you’ve got a small room all to yourselves. Change up—new uniforms, your gun, and your knife, nothing else—and meet me back here in… he glanced at his watch, in about twenty minutes no later. He pointed at Harper. If you’re late again I will cut your balls off and toss them for the local dogs to play with. Now go.

Together they left the office, grinning from ear to ear.

3

After fifteen minutes all three men were standing in Zimmerman’s office again. They were eager to get going. Petty was bouncing on his toes as he waited for Zimmerman to show up.

Harper put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a look that meant ‘stand still before I make you stop moving’. He got a glare in return, but just shrugged it off. Harper wasn’t sure if the new guy was ok yet, but liked his way of thinking for sure.

Zimmerman stepped out from the back door of the office, smirking when he caught sight of the three men. He looked them over appreciatively, taking in what he could before he stood a bit straighter. It was to make him look taller and superior, but it didn’t help at all.

We won’t spend long out there. The higher-ups don’t like it when we take midnight strolls. As I’m sure you know when we’re leaving the base, we have to be extremely quiet but once in the jungle…I don’t recommend it, He checked over his gun for a moment, making sure the safety cap was on before he started for the door. Follow behind me. I don’t care how else you guys stack up back there.

The four of them slipped quietly out the back gate. Zimmerman timed it so when they left it would be at the guards shift change, and they wouldn’t be paying attention. It would be easy to get out of the base without detection.

As they walked, they kept their eyes on the trees and the shadows. Zimmerman was the only one that was familiar with the area, and knew all too well of the dangers that could kill them with one wrong step.

So, how many graduated from your class? Zimmerman asked, finally breaking the silence.

Thirteen by the end of it, Harper chuckled. We lost twenty-five on the first night.

Zimmerman waved his hand and couldn’t stop the laugh that came out. We had five in our class, he told them, looking over his shoulder. They must have gone easy on you guys.

Cramer swallowed hard. If they had gotten the easier training, he wouldn’t want to imagine what it was like for Zimmerman. Do you regret going through it?

Do you? he asked in return.

No sir, Cramer murmured. Not at all. I was only…

Oh, stop getting your panties in a twist, Petty laughed. I’m sure he doesn’t actually care if you regret it or not. You’re here aren’t you?

One, don’t call me sir ever again, Zimmerman told Cramer, then turned around and walked backwards, so he could level Petty with a stern expression. I absolutely care, if any of you regret your decision. You may be forced to be out here, but if for one second I doubt your dedication to this job I will boot your ass out. I don’t need you cowering in a corner, because you want your mommy. Understood!

Petty swallowed and gave a quick nod.