Oblivious Secrets

By Fawwaz AlShammari and Brennan O'Donnell

A decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall, three men endeavor to hike the Ozero Taymyr, a wild stretch of land located in the Russian far north, falling into an unknown post-Soviet research facility, with the struggle to find an escape route.

Unaware their inner conflict has unleashed dark secrets within the facilitys walls from human experiments to bionic weapons, which poses a threat to their liberation. What lurks for them in the wilderness could lead human civilizations oblivion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: May 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524633868

Fawwaz AlShammari

Brennan O’Donnell was born in Northern Ireland in 1997. In June 2016 he finished his A-level studies. He has an interest of the outdoors and in particular aviation. Since the age of fourteen, he has been volunteering with St. John Ambulance N. Ireland, regularly giving up his time to attend duties and continually updating his skills and knowledge on first aid. He intends to study paramedic science at university and will continue to cowrite with his partner Fawwaz AlShammari, alongside his professional career. Fawwaz AlShammari was born and raised in Kuwait and has been writing since the age of fifteen after he locally published his first novel Trails of Secrets while attending Red Crescent First Aid Association. After getting his degree in Acting from New York, he moved to Ireland and achieved a bachelor degree in biomedical science and medical biotechnology while part-time studying philosophy, internationally published a dystopian novel Prisoners in Heaven. He is planning to obtain his master’s degree in molecular medicine while continuing on his passion in writing and acting alongside with his partner, Brennan O’Donnell.

Book preview

OBLIVIOUS SECRETS

FAWWAZ ALSHAMMARI;

BRENNAN O'DONNELL

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AuthorHouse™ UK

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Bloomington, IN 47403 USA

www.authorhouse.co.uk

Phone: [phone]

© 2016 Fawwaz AlShammari; Brennan O'Donnell. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/11/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-3401-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-3386-8 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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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.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Welcome to Abram's institute

The Last Supper with Death

Rose's Thorn

A letter from Hell

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

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For ruinous fault of Gluttony, so are these sad souls broken by the rain and the mud

Within this river are those tyrants so aptly punished in a boiling blood

- Dante's Inferno

Chapter 1

"Yeah, well tell him he can go to hell!" An eerie silence followed as I turned to see them in despair, like scolded dogs. Probably wasn't the best thing I could have said.

Break it to us gently, Ian. The sound of disappointment rattled from Scott's throat, I could see his face was assembling a frown.

He's not coming. Said to give you two his regards. I chuckled.

"Great. His regards. Is that what's going to help us? This is typical of David.

Just bloody predictable. Always pulling out at the last minute. Never stopping to think just for one second how much time and effort it took to organise things. You know something? He would have never turned down an opportunity like this. He was always the 'get up and go' kind of guy. The one who would have skipped a day of school just to go a concert. But now, huh, well now he'd have to think twice before doing anything," preached Scott. His arms were like an Italian trying to win an argument. Probably got it from his grandfather. A look of regret descended over my, once enthralled but now, darkened face.

You do know you two are missing the big picture? intruded Travis. It's his wife. It's clear to see. Hey now I don't know the guy all that well, but from listening to the pair of you, he's been different ever since the day he tied the knot.

Oblivion grew over my obvious anger. Nodding my head in reply to Travis's --which one could consider to be a- valid point. I kept quiet, or just about. My tongue had gone numb from the vicegrip in my mouth. But he was right. He's always right.

Mr Big Time Pilot more like. I guess he's young and talented. No reason why he wouldn't get all the attention he needs to satisfy his oracular actualisation. But he can't handle money at all. Blows it on the most ludicrous stuff. Unlike Travis, Scott has the upper hand on his financial performance. Scott has plenty of money. Treated his wife like a princess, got her anything she wanted regardless of the price. What else do you expect when you make your first million before you're 20? A million dollars is only pennies to him now-a-days. I saw a lot of things in him, from high school to college, from nights out, and even how he can talk his way into a multinational business deal. I miss that Scott. He's not the same ever since Marie passed away 3 years ago. It was tough on him. It still is. He was always competitive, took risks and always got it right each time. I guess some people are just born lucky. But me? Well I had to work hard in order to get where I'm at today. Zoologist's may not be a dream job and it certainly isn't effective in pickup lines (trust me), but I'm satisfied with my life. Got a nice house, car, good quality of life. Oh yeah, and a fear of failing, but I guess we all have flaws. To be honest my main flaw is coming into contact with ketchup. The stuff makes me want to vomit. Although, maybe my greatest downside is not caring. Probably the reason why I don't have kids. Too much attention needed. What the hell am I thinking about? Kids!? Christ, get yourself together, Ian. I better speak now before the thoughts of these two become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Let's put this mishap behind us. What are we going to do? Drop out now? I'm not letting you or Travis quit. Not at this stage. We spent too much money and effort planning this. Took us 3 years. The realisation kicked into Scott and Travis. They knew I was right. Travis's phone then bleeped, it was his girlfriend. He walked off to get better signal. This was my opportunity to speak to Scott.

Scott listen, the plans stay the same and you know that. Just because David can't make it doesn't mean our expedition is jeopardised. Yes, he would have been a great help as he's walked the Artic circle before, but he's prepped us greatly and we know what to expect. Scott didn't seem convinced. I think he was losing hope.

Look, I know you're worrying about getting there safely. He nodded his head in agreement. You are more than capable of doing this. We all are. And Travis? He spends his working hours at 31,000ft in a cockpit, looking at what others only see the underside of. I'm sure he can stick these three weeks of ass-freezing temperatures and vacuum packed food just as much as you can. I didn't think my positive reinforcement strategy was working, but he seemed to have made a decision in his head."

I will be alright. I have nothing to worry about, you're right you know, we have put too much blood sweat and tears into the planning of this and God knows how much more it'll take out of us. It's just that we always wanted to do this, ever since the 8th grade. Scott laughed. How foolish we were back then. I miss thoughts days, Ian. Always had fun no matter what we did. So I don't see why we can't continue on and have a great time. I was confused. Didn't know if he was joking or if he was coming to his senses. But we talked no more about it, Travis had just came back.

Right then. Let's get a bite to eat before we head off. Our flight is in a couple of hours and we'll need a good solid sleep on the plane. I tried to say it in an energetic way, but they weren't convinced. Both sat there with morbid expressions.

Travis's eyes were saying it all. He had something to proclaim.

It's Lucinda. Well... actually it's her mother. She has just been rushed to hospital. She was found unconscious in her room this morning. My father-in-law are following the ambulance. Travis had a look of regret, as if somehow he'd caused this. Lucinda wanted to know if we could just delay the expedition for a day or two. You know, just to see what her condition is like. Fantastic. Just when I thought things were getting back on track, another problem has now intercepted our efforts. I told her that we can't delay anything, and she knows that. She's only worried that communication will be bad whenever we get to basecamp and not being able to get in contact with me. I told her to keep me posted for the next several hours, just before our flight leaves, but I won't walk away from our plan now. I can't be the second person to let the team down again. I began to pounder if the expedition would go ahead, if we'd be able to manage with one less team member. It's immaterial if it was a group of 40, but a group of just 4? That's 25% of the manpower and resources gone. David owes us big time. It isn't like he'll miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity, I mean he has been to the Artic before. That's why we needed him. Our navigator, our sense of direction.

Oh well. Never worry. I said with a sigh. We'll manage just fine. As if I was really confident about the news. Look guys, we spent three months going over the route and procedures with David. We're more than well equipped to do this as a party of three. Sure haven't we got the navigation aid? The $900 GPS I bought in the hope that we won't get lost. Yeah, I bought it. Not Travis. Call me hypocritical, but at least I'm not a politician.

I'm sure GPS is how all the great expeditioners' made their name. Scott joked. Or so it seemed. It was obvious he was getting anxious. More so than he usually does. I haven't seen him this bad since the time he went to Germany and turned out the hotel forgot to include breakfast in his stay. Not to say he's fat or overweight. The guy just likes things to go his way. Speaking of food, I'm kind of hungry. Our flight departs in 6 hours. We really need to grab a bite to eat before we board. Let's say we go stuff our faces with fast food, huh? Last chance of high salts and saturated fats before we leave civilisation. Plus, a good sleep will be needed. Although, I don't sleep well on planes. Never have, never will. "Grub's on me fellas.

Not going to need my Visa in sub-zero temperatures." I tried to humour them, but my efforts weren't successful.

I don't feel like eating anything, Ian. Scott quickly replied. Big meals and air travel doesn't agree with me.

"Oh come on. Seriously? You two are the worst to take on a plane. Travis abruptly added. There's...there's you Ian with your constant worry that the plane will go down any second and questions after questions of 'Is it supposed to make that noise?' And Scott. Oh Scotty boy, you can't even stand the idea of sharing a closed space filled with people coughing on you and spilling their drinks over your knees. But this isn't standard air travel guys. We're being flown off to nothing but snow and ice in a DC-3, probably an ex-British plane the Russians stole during the second world war. Fine, I see your point that plane is over 40 years old but it's managed to survive a war, then I'm sure it's able to fly a couple of dozen or so people to base camp. Right?" Travis thought he was making a point, but nervous bladder Scotty over there was getting more and more anxious.

Let's not eat each other's heads off, shall we. I pleaded. We'll go and get something to, or at least try to eat. Maybe throw down a couple of beers, what'd you say? We all looked at each other and nodded in unison. So it's settled then. We go eat, forget about David not coming, and then head to our gate. How's that for a pre-flight plan?"

Yeah sure. Travis said with a smile on his face, kind of like a child in a sweetshop.

Why not? Added Scott. As if he'd been peer pressured into doing it.

Actually, he probably has. Must be my expert negotiation skills. Hardly not, more like.

Several hours later

No really, it's the Gods honest truth. I was sitting there in a board meeting and the guy giving the presentation just, well... collapsed. This is Scott trying to tell us his funniest moments at director meetings. Scott's a CEO of a major pharmaceutical company up in Seattle. He used to do government work, or was it for NASA? I don't remember and I'm not going to ask him now, he'd probably blab on about that too for hours on end. The guy would almost convince you to take the pills yourself regardless if you were sick, that's how good he actually is. Now that I think of it, he might have a diploma in psychology. Seems legit. By now I've zooned out of their conversation and Travis and Scott were literally pissing themselves laughing, or was it the split booze? I don't even want to know.

So Travis, what's the worst thing that has happened you in the cockpit? Wait, sorry, you pilot's these days call it the flight deck, right? I quickly questioned him in an attempt to get away from Scott's board meetings and women harassment cases.

"Yeah, you can call it