The Returning

By Eliza Mager

Twins Jennee and Jacob always felt a little different. No matter what they did or where they went, they never seemed to quite fit in. But when a mysterious stranger walks through their door, their lives change forever. Jennee and Jacob soon learn they are from Pontint, an otherworldly dimension. As they embark on their journey home, they learn of the evil dictator, David, and the prophecy of the twins who will end his reign.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684708277

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Mager

Copyright © 2019 Eliza Mager.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-0828-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-0827-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019911745

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 08/23/2019

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For my mom

and sister Amanda.

Acknowledgements

T his book wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of so many of my friends and family. First off, I’d like to thank my writing mentor Erica Arkin. Erika has worked with me for over two years and didn’t let something like her pregnancy get in the way. My social worker, Rebecca Lawrence, has helped me so much in the publishing of this book. My friends - Katie K, Medha, Rachel, Julia W, and Julia D have been my friends for many years. Their support and love have been unwavering and I thank them for being in my life.

Thank you to my editor, Kat Betts, for being so supportive, capable and awesome.

Thank you, Dave Rosenberg, for the wonderful author photo.

A special thanks to all of my GoFundMe friends who have helped make this dream a reality.

All of these people have been with me through some of the hardest times of my life and I am grateful.

—Eliza

Prologue

J a ck Hokins was a little boy for a five-year-old, but Garret Willemstad was smaller—even though he was three years older. His parents knew that Garret might get bullied for his size, so they encouraged the friendship between Garret and Jack. They even let Jack stay when Jack’s father Arthur needed him to. This time, Arthur and his wife Olivia were expecting twins, and labor day had finally come.

Arthur, the nurse said. Arthur lifted his head up from a puddle of drool. You fainted. The nurse reached his hand out to help Arthur up.

Thanks. Arthur pinched his bottom lip gently, wiping away the excess drool. Walking over to his wife he examined the baby, wrapped in a pink blanket and cuddled in her arms. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen someone with such tiny fingers and such pink cheeks. Hey—he leaned in and kissed Olivia on the head—I’m sorry. Are you okay?

We’re fine, don’t worry, I was prepared for you to faint.

Really?

It’s more that I, let’s say, was ready for something to happen—not that I expected anything though, Olivia said.

Would you like to hold your son? A nurse appeared with the second baby bundled in a blue fleece blanket. Turning to face him, Arthur opened his arms and gathered Jacob to him. Wondrously, he gazed into Jacob’s small chocolate eyes. Arthur extended his index finger and was almost shocked when Jacob grabbed on. Clutching hard, the baby in blue grabbed at Arthur.

Smiling and beaming at Jacob, he asked, Which one came first?

She was born at 11:50 p.m., and he at 12:02 a.m., the nurse answered.

Arthur raised one eyebrow.

Hmm, fraternal twins born a day apart, Arthur mused, facing his wife. Well that’s something, isn’t it?

Well, when was the last time anything normal happened to us?

Smiling at Olivia’s comment, Arthur swayed back and forth with his dozing son. Did they take the blood samples yet? Arthur asked.

Right before you woke up, Olivia said with a smile.

Great! After a slight hesitation, he smiled. Let’s get a picture.

Kissing Jacob on the head, Arthur passed him to Olivia as she positioned herself correctly. Arthur pulled out his camera and took a picture.

Sorry to bother you, but you have visitors; they’re in the waiting room, another nurse said.

You should go, Olivia instructed Arthur as he looked back at her. Let Jack know that I love him, and that his brother and sister are great.

Are you sure? Arthur asked. Do you want me to send them in here?

Not quite yet, Olivia said. Arthur took the twins from Olivia, gave her a little hug and a quick kiss before he handed her to the nurse. Leaving his wife and newborns, Arthur walked to the waiting room.

Howard Willemstad was a tall man with a rectangular face and long brown hair. His skin was rough and tan. His wife Christine, on the other hand, was a short woman with light skin and a blond bob. The two opened their arms to welcome Arthur. From the back of the room, Jack and Garret started running towards their parents.

After a hug, Howard asked, How’d it go?

It was—well, at least I was more ready this time than last time! Arthur laughed.

Oh no, Arthur! Did something happen to you—something like fainting? Christine grinned.

Arthur laughed. Yup. He spotted Garret and Jack.

Hi, Daddy! Jack cheerfully shouted as he jumped into his father’s arms.

Hey, buddy! Arthur kissed him on the head and turned to Garret. Hey, Garret, how are you?

Is it true that Jack’s sleeping over tonight? Garret asked.

Yes, it is!

Ha, I told you!

Why? I want to see my brother! Jack whined; he squirmed in his father’s arms until he slipped out and landed on his feet.

Remember you have a sister, too!

Oh! What are their names? Garret asked.

Jennee and Jacob, he answered.

When can I see them, Daddy? I want to see Mommy.

Soon, Jack. Don’t worry, you’ll see them before you leave, Arthur promised, stroking Jack’s hair.

Hey, Garret! It’s a clown!

Mommy, Mommy! He’s giving balloons out! Can we have one? Garret requested. Nodding her head, Christine followed the two boys.

So, how’s Olivia? Howard asked.

She’s well, I mean she— Arthur began but was interrupted by a sudden loud explosion from behind.

Instinctively, Arthur and Howard ducked out of the way, dodging the wall pieces shooting in their direction. Arthur spun around as smoke and debris filled the air. It took a few seconds for Arthur to realize people were running from the direction of his family’s room. Panicked, Arthur raced through the grey smoke and rubble, desperately trying to make his way to the room.

Arthur! Howard hollered behind him.

Check on the boys and Christine! Arthur called back. I’m going to find Olivia! He continued to tackle the ruins and avoid the crowd running in the opposite direction. As he entered what was left of the room, Arthur looked around for a sign of his family. His breathing grew rapid. Before he could really scour the area, a high-pitched screech sounded behind him, getting louder and louder until it ultimately turned into an unbearably loud cacophony. Slapping his hands over his ears, Arthur had only a split second to run for cover.

Within seconds, the entire hospital collapsed. Lying there in the rubble and debris, Arthur was grateful the hospital was only one story high. Instead of being buried under tons of remains, Arthur was able to run as far as he could away from the hospital just as the building collapsed. Once the smoke cleared, all Arthur could recognize was a broken table that was standing on three legs. Crawling to his feet, Arthur looked around, searching for any movement or other survivors. He couldn’t tell since the sky was dark and there was smoke everywhere. He figured people were either crushed or escaped quickly enough. His first thought was Jack.

Sending his thoughts to his son, Arthur desperately asked, Jack?

Daddy! You’re alive! Are you okay? Jack’s thoughts popped back into Arthur’s mind.

I’m fine. Did Garret teleport you out?

Yeah.

Okay, so you’re okay?

Yeah! Where’s Mommy?

Arthur paused for a moment or two before answering calmly, I have to look, but when I find her, I will tell you. I have to go now, okay?

Okay.

Arthur stared into the distance. He saw a figure that, without smoke surrounding the area, resembled a woman in a hospital gown. Arthur squinted his eyes and waited for some of the smoke to clear. He barely saw the woman turn and start running into the forest before being interrupted by an army of first responders.

Sir? behind Arthur, an officer bellowed.

Quick, you need to help— Arthur turned. The woman had vanished.

We are going to do as much as we can. Please, follow me to an ambulance.

We need to find them! Arthur started to push away debris on the ground.

Sir?

They’re gone! Arthur walked up, towering over the officer and grasping his dark navy jacket. Who did this?

Sir, you need to let go of me and exit the premises immediately. We will release information once we understand what happened, the officer replied with a constant tone. He pushed Arthur’s hands off his jacket.

No, you don’t understand! They aren’t even ten minutes old! You must look for them!

Sir, please go to an ambulance. You look badly injured. The officer continued to push.

No, I’m fine. I’m certain. Please, you just need to find two newborns. They’re so small, they’ll die in this cold weather! Please! Arthur persisted as the officer signaled a paramedic with his index and middle finger. As Arthur continued to plead, a needle pierced his upper arm. The paramedic was right behind him to catch his fall.

When he awoke, Arthur found himself in his own bed with Howard sitting on the futon across from him. It was later that morning.

Olivia, Jack, the babies, where are they? The words tumbled out of Arthur’s mouth.

Calm down, Arthur. Jack is fine, he’s at my house with Garret and Christine. Howard hesitated. They don’t have much information on Olivia. Arthur, there are many bodies that were burned up so badly that they haven’t been identified yet. For all we know, Olivia could be alive. Howard hesitated again, allowing his statement to sink in. And the twins, Howard started. Arthur’s eyes widened. He started to shake his head.

Please, Arthur gently said. Please don’t tell me they’re missing, too.

Arthur, I can’t tell you much except that all the deceased infants have already been identified, and none of them were Jennee or Jacob.

"So, they are missing?" Arthur asked.

Yes. Howard nodded. Unfortunately, they have no leads as to where they are now.

As the conversation continued, Arthur learned just how devastating the attack was. There were over three hundred dead and more than two hundred injured.

Jack stayed with Howard, Christine and Garret until the following day. The moment Jack walked in the door he asked where the rest of his family was. The Willemstads were right by Arthur’s side