Rise of the Sandshadow

By Kara Bartley

One month after her harrowing adventure with a vengeful ancient spirit, Jenna Matthews is once again forced to confront her fears when a new evil appears in her world. With fiercely severed family ties and creatures thirsty for blood, Jenna must trust those around her as she prepares for the biggest battle of her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543448795

Kara Bartley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kara Bartley has always been interested in animals, so it comes as no surprise that her world is surrounded by them in both her life and imagination. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Earth Science, a post-graduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems and a master’s degree in Vertebrate Paleontology. In the spring of 2002, she began writing her first novel, The Siamese Mummy, while on a dig for fossils in Kansas. Kara is also the author of The Unearthlings, Call of Adhara and The Moon In Habock’s Mirror. She lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, with her three Siamese cats Apollo, Achilles and Agamemnon. Her horse, Dapplynn, is her biggest companion and anxiously awaits the day that she too, will have a guest appearance in one of her mother’s books.

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RISE OF THE SANDSHADOW

Kara Bartley

Copyright © 2017 by Kara Bartley.

Library of Congress Control Number:             2017913557

ISBN:                         Hardcover                              978-1-5434-4877-1

                                  Softcover                               978-1-5434-4878-8

                                   eBook                                     978-1-5434-4879-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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

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

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 09/26/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

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CONTENTS

Prologue

Run Quickly Or Stand Still!

Ruby Red

A Past Unknown

Wake Up!

You Are Not Alone

After Visiting Hours

Familiar Faces

Home Again

Something Taken

Back To The Books

Who’s There?

Do I Know You?

Stay Safe

Is It Over?

Somewhere Out There

They All Fall Down

A Common Thread

Connecting Trains

Closer Than You Think

For Those Who Listen

Ripple Effect

Welcome Back

Family Ties

Journey To The Temple Of The King

Silently Waiting

Lessons Learned

To Be Determined

Change Of Setting

From Beneath The Surface

A New Permutation

A Change Underway

Treasure Seekers

Resounding Thoughts

Beyond The Reaches

A Vicious Triumph

Answers, Please!

History In The Making

A Change Is Necessary

Paper Trail

Picture Perfect

Shadow Of The Night

Dreams Be Told

Keepers Finders

Kindred Spirits

Unending Expectations

Falling Stars

Let The Darkness Decide

About The Author

About The Illustrator

The Paleo Twins

For my father, Richard. Your love and support will never be forgotten.

When I see birds flying, I know that you are flying with them.

This one’s for you, Dad.

PROLOGUE

Wichita, Kansas

July 1992

Rain pounded the pavement as Jenna Matthews ran through the streets in search of refuge. Her shoes slammed against the puddles, splashing water all around. She was soaked to the bone, but still she ran. Behind her, a predator followed. One with deadly intentions. Jenna didn’t dare look back.

Up ahead, she saw houses not far in the distance. Just a few minutes more and she would be home. Ignoring the pain in her legs, she sprinted through the downpour. She’d been running for nearly ten minutes without stopping, but knowing what was behind her, she didn’t once think to rest.

Had she only stayed in the museum, this pursuit would never of happened. But after her disturbing discovery only twenty minutes earlier of an exhibit gone awry, the museum was the last place she wanted to be. Thinking only of her safety, she’d darted out of there without considering the consequences. Having known there’d be a chase, she would have stayed at the museum.

Lightning now rocketed across the thick, black sky, lighting the world above her. Jenna peered up as she ran. The storm was raging overhead. She pushed herself on, telling herself that she could make it if she hurried. In her heart, she truly believed it.

Thunder rumbled near the ground but Jenna was not fooled by the sound. The noise she heard was animalistic. The creature behind her was on a warpath, and her blood was what it was after.

Another surge of lightning blasted through the sky, this time reaching down to the road in front of her like a forked tongue. She screamed and came to an immediate stop. Sparks jumped off the lamppost as flashes of electricity showered onto the street by her feet. Jenna was terrified; now she was trapped. She felt like an animal being herded by the storm. There was no going forward, there was no going back.

Jenna slowly turned when she heard the predator approaching from behind. Frozen in fear, she watched its jaws open. Was this the end for her? She didn’t know. But one thing was for sure. Her nightmare was truly about to begin.

RUN QUICKLY OR STAND STILL!

Wichita, Kansas

August 1992

The soft wind pushed through the night air as it brushed Jenna Matthews’ auburn hair over her shoulders. She stood with her head tilted to the sky, staring up at the stars. Although her eyes were lifted, her mind was focused on the field of cornstalks that stood before her. Back and forth they swayed as if to welcome her back into their world.

Jenna was alone for the night with the house to herself. Her parents had gone to see a movie and had left her in the company of the family pets, all of which were sleeping inside. She’d been drinking a glass of lemonade in the kitchen, when something in the backyard caught her eye through the window. A mysterious light had been creeping through the cornstalks towards the house. It had her full attention.

But now that she was outside, the light had disappeared, leaving Jenna trapped within her own thoughts. Strange images were coming in and out of view as they flashed in her mind. First was a road. A dark and lonely road. Jenna saw herself running down it, frantically searching for a place to hide. Behind her, a faceless beast was in pursuit. The snarling and clashing of its teeth frightened her even more. For a second she turned to see her attacker, but as she did the image dissolved completely. She stood alone on the road staring off into the darkness, praying for sanctuary, hoping it was only a dream.

Just as her nerves began to calm, her body was swept away to a cold, lifeless desert filled with nothing but white sand. Surrounded by night sky, she watched as the sand rose in front of her to take the form of a terrifying monster. The creature reached for her. Screaming into the night, Jenna cowered as it smiled with deadly intention. It hovered over her, edging closer. Its smell made Jenna sick. She couldn’t get away from it. But then the image turned to black and she was left standing alone in the darkness.

Jenna’s next vision struck her with the deepest dread yet. She was imprisoned within a dark glass pyramid, fighting to get out. She pounded her fists against the walls as something predatory stalked her from the outside. Its claws etched along the glass, slowly, deliberately. And then she heard the noise.

No, NO! She closed her eyes and screamed. Then there was silence. And nothing else.

The visions faded.

Hearing only the breeze of the soft wind around her, Jenna opened her eyes. She was once again standing outside her house. Her fingers were wound tightly around a baseball bat that she held securely in front of her. It was her most trusted weapon, and right now she needed it.

With the bat ready for action, she tried to rationalize the bizarre visions. It was just a dream… The frenzied beats of her heart then began to subside. She lowered the bat and took a deep breath. Oh thank God!

Jenna was not one to let her emotions navigate. She was a confident, strong-willed sixteen-year-old. But after recent events, her mind was in upheaval. Her unfaltering foundation had undergone a seismic rumble, leaving her questioning everything around her. She hadn’t left the house in weeks. Her safety net was her home and family. And she was not about to leave either one.

Her focus then turned to her parents. Where were Mom and Dad anyway? They should’ve been home by now!

As if she had willed it, the telephone rang inside the house. That better be them! Jenna ran up the back porch stairs and into the kitchen, towards the ringing phone on the wall.

Hello? she said, lifting the receiver.

Hi Hon, it’s Mom.

The ripples in Jenna’s veins were soothed at the sound of her mother’s voice. Hi, Mom. How was the movie? But she cringed after she said the words. Her tone was much too earnest and she knew that her mother would pick up on it.

Hon—are you okay? Is something wrong?

An awkward silence ensued. Jenna was hesitant to tell her mother about her visions. Her parents already thought she was a basket case. After a moment’s pause, she decided not to. Quietly, she leaned the bat against the wall.

Jenna—talk to me, her mother said.

It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Where are you?

Your father and I had to stop at the grocery store to pick up some things and we were just walking past the ice cream section…

Stop right there— Jenna grinned, double chocolate.

Anything else?

Nope, just that. Thanks, Mom.

Okay, we’ll be home in about twenty minutes. Where are the boys? her mother asked.

Jenna walked down the hallway into the sitting room. Peeking through the doorway, she smiled. The extended family was all asleep. Max, the golden retriever, was tucked away in one of the corners with Sam, the black Labrador lying next to him. To Jenna, they looked like two giant salt and pepper shakers that had escaped from the spice rack. Charlie, the German shepherd, was curled up under the coffee table licking his stuffed toy turtle. And stretched out on top of the couch were Ted and Tony, Jenna’s two fat red tabby cats.

They’re all good, everyone’s inside. It’s a picture in here, Jenna said, trying not to disturb the serenity of the room. She then headed back down the hallway into the kitchen.

Your father and I will be back soon.

Okay, Mom, and don’t forget the ice cream! Jenna hung up the phone. She stared blankly at the wall for a moment. I’m just imagining things, she said aloud. But glancing back at the window, her eyes were drawn to the glass where outside the light reappeared in the cornfield. Oh, great. Not this again!

Quickly, she reached for the bat. Get a grip, Jenna! she scolded herself. There was no sense in hiding indoors. Better to find out what was out there. With the bat gripped in one hand, she opened the door with the other. Breathe, just breathe…

As she stepped out into the evening air, a sharp shiver tingled up her body. She rubbed her arms in an attempt to warm herself and calm her growing anxiety. Although it was summer, the temperature was oddly cool for an August night in Wichita.

Goosebumps formed on her arms as she moved. Slowly, she stepped down the porch stairs towards the army of cornstalks.

The light was gone again. She had no idea where it went but with the bat pasted to her fingers, she felt safer.

A weird sensation had begun to coat her skin. A feeling stirred inside of her, like a cauldron brew being summoned to a boil. Jenna was torn between two places: the safety of her house and the sanctity of her mind. If the haven inside her head was breached then nothing would ever be safe. And that just made her angry. She was stronger than that, and now more than ever, she wanted to prove it to herself. She shook off her insecurities the best she could and stationed herself firmly on the ground, using her legs as weighted courage.

You will not defeat me! she said with resolution.

A faint chirping appeared in the grass as if to answer. Jenna was surprised by the sound. She listened as something small landed by her feet. Bending down, she came upon the large eyes of a grasshopper. Its emerald body was slightly concealed by the grass. The insect sat poised in position, ready for its next leap.

Jenna placed the bat gently on the ground, and with a steady arm reached out her hand. The grasshopper did not jump away. Instead, it stepped onto her palm. It appeared to be interested in her.

Well, hello there, little guy. What are you doing out so late? Jenna leaned her head to one side and looked inquisitively at it. The grasshopper just sat in the center of her hand, quiet and still.

Where’s the rest of your family? She gazed out into the yard. Now that I think of it, I haven’t seen many of you around. Where’ve you been hiding?

The grasshopper did not chirp, nor did it try to leave. There was something peculiar about the animal. Jenna was drawn to its big, black, oval eyes. It was as if they were trying to tell her something.

Then, out of nowhere, a loud sound blasted through the air. What was that? Jenna lowered her hand to the ground, but the grasshopper did not hop away. Its legs remained firmly tethered to her skin.

Where did that come from? It had sounded like a cross between a gunshot and a grandfather clock.

The noise came again, but this time it was closer, louder. Jenna’s ears were starting to sting. She could feel the weight of the grasshopper as it remained on her palm. It would not leave her. She used her index finger to softly push the animal onto the ground. But even then, it did not hop away. It sat amongst the blades of grass and began to chirp. Jenna covered her ears with her hands. The noise it was making was strange, unnatural. It was like a panic-stricken alarm clock that had no ‘off’ button.

Jenna stood; her eyes fastened to the animal below her. What’s happening?

Another gunshot-like sound punctured the air. And another. And another. Each sound that followed was louder than the first.

Jenna spun around in all directions, searching for the source of the sound. But then her eyes were lured back to the rows of corn where the light she had seen earlier suddenly reappeared. It was coming towards her.

Oh my God! She was frightened, but remained frozen in place.

This property was the source of many fears for Jenna, and now she was starting to feel helpless being out there alone. She searched the ground for her baseball bat but was shocked to see that it was gone. No! she cried.

The grasshopper continued to chirp in the grass by her feet. Jenna peered down at the insect and watched as its mouth began to move. She shook her head in disbelief as the animal looked up at her and spoke.

Run quickly or stand still, it mouthed.

With great force, the light broke through the cornfield and raced into the backyard. The colour drained from Jenna’s face. Oh…God—

A terrifying noise then ripped through the air. Her heart leapt into her mouth as the fears she had buried suddenly resurfaced. She was no longer able to cope with her surroundings. She struggled to stay on her feet without success. She collapsed onto the ground, and finally succumbed to the pain.

As she drifted into unconsciousness, a flicker of hope remained—that somehow she would find her family and warn them of what was to come.

RUBY RED

This piece is of extraordinary value, Maggie Secord declared to the old man standing in front of her. It’s a rare ruby. With meticulous scrutiny, she looked through her glasses at the object in her hands. It was heavy but small, roughly the size of a golf ball. The round cut gem glistened under the lamp on the table. Maggie’s eyes were drawn to the center of the red glass. How did you get this?

The old man fidgeted in place, giving Maggie the impression that he was uncomfortable being there. He began to pace across the floor to the other side of the mahogany-coloured room.

I found it here in Wichita, he said.

Really? Here? That seems a little strange.

Why do you say that? he asked.

Without lifting her head, she gazed up at the old man. Because this jewel isn’t from here.

The old man said nothing.

As an archaeology professor at Brockfield University in Wichita, Maggie had become accustomed to people wandering into her office, asking for her assessment. She was cross-appointed with the Lionhead Museum and had spent endless hours working with their collections. In her field she’d met many wild and flamboyant characters; from the amateur enthusiasts who swore they had found Cleopatra’s misplaced jewellery to the retired widows who needed to sell their Ming vases to pay for their next cruise vacation.

Maggie’s personal favourite was the man who called to say that he had found the Sphinx’s nose. He was holding it for ransom in his mother’s basement somewhere in North Dakota. That, without a doubt was the most interesting story Maggie had ever heard.

Until now, when this old man walked into her office. Though perhaps he seemed more dodgy than interesting.

It’s a Siamese medallion, hardly something you’d find in Kansas, she said. It’s been taken care of, though. So, in my expert opinion it belonged to either a museum or a private collector.

Oh, I see, he said, turning away.

Maggie was sceptical of the old man. He’d shown up unannounced twenty minutes earlier begging for an appraisal on a jewel that he had with him. She’d explained that her calendar was quite full but that she could fit him in on the following week. But the old man was impatient. He’d insisted that Maggie see him, informed her that time was running out and that he could not wait. And just when she was about to call security, he’d pulled out an ace—he told her that he knew Barbara Matthews, curator of the Lionhead Museum.

Maggie’s interest was then piqued and she’d agreed to examine the object, if only to learn how the old man acquired it.

He stood now, watching carefully as she studied the jewel. Her fingers slipped over every facet, every crimson angle. An odd smile crept along her face.

Do you see this insignia here? she said. That’s a royal branding, from Siam.

You don’t say. The old man leaned his head and looked.

Hmm, that’s interesting…

What’s interesting? he said.

There’s another symbol here.

Oh? he grinned.

Maggie examined the markings underneath the light. Well, this is odd. This symbol looks Egyptian…

Oh, it might be, yes, he said. You’re very wise. It’s the reason I chose to come to you, you know.

That’s very kind of you to say, thank you, Maggie smiled. So, how long have you had this for? This time she didn’t look up.

The old man didn’t answer. Instead, he looked away.

Maggie’s trance was broken when she realized that she was talking to herself. Sir, are you okay? she said, peering up at him.

With his head turned, he waved away her kindness. I’m fine, yes. Please don’t dote on me, he said. I’m just curious as to what your findings are.

Well, I’m not sure yet, I’ll need some more time.

"Time is crucial, he said. But not for you."

As he turned back, Maggie jumped from her seat. The man’s eyes had glazed over in a harsh yellow stare. He looked almost reptilian.

Oh my God! she said in a state of shock.

Give me the ruby, he glared at her. His manner had completely changed.

Maggie watched as he unravelled in front of her. What’s wrong with your eyes?

There is no time for this—give me the jewel!

But…I’m not finished yet… her voice cracked.

The man was frantic. He reached across the desk and plucked the ruby from her hands. He grimaced and scurried out of the room.

Wait! Maggie yelled. She chased after him. Running into the hallway, she searched all around. She was surprised to see that the old man was nowhere in sight. Judging by his mobility, he couldn’t have gone very far.

With no name or contact information, Maggie had very little to go on but the memory of their meeting. The mere mention of Barbara Matthews at the Lionhead Museum was the only bit of information that she had. And for Maggie, it would have to do.

A PAST UNKNOWN

Beneath closed eyes, Jenna’s mind was alive. Anyone walking past the hospital room might have mistaken her restful state for peaceful slumber, but on the contrary, her mind had been very active since her body collapsed. It had taken her on a whirlwind trip through time, whisking her away to a path littered with memories. Some of which were not hers.

The clicking of the clock on the wall was so loud, that to Jenna it felt like a stampede of elephants heading her way. In a