The Awakening

By S. Alan Schweitzer

In the near future, Professor Kyle Bennet has discovered a possible alien threat to the entirety of the human race. Kyle undergoes a constant struggle to uncover the truth about the existence and purpose of the alien presence. Surrounded by believers and skeptics and aided by a mysterious protector, Kyle seeks to discover the answers that may have profound consequences for the future of humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Jan 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781489714503

S. Alan Schweitzer

Alan Schweitzer was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in southern New Jersey. He is the author of six scifi-fantasy novels. A retired Spanish professor and reference librarian, his scholarly writings on twentieth-century Spanish/American literature have appeared in several academic journals. He holds a BA, MA, PhD, and MLS. An avid reader, Mr. Schweitzer now lives in Ohio with his wife Barbara and enjoys traveling and listening to classical music.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

K yle Bennett faced his impending execution with total lack of fear. Up to this moment Kyle had erased all memories which once plagued his soul save one: the transcendent vision of his beloved savior. No longer would he pursue his singular purpose to rescue society from the threat of the rise of totalitarian oppression: a rise which would threaten the very survival of integrity and hope within human lives.

For many years Kyle felt consumed by the need to find answers to the mysteries of human life. He was urged on by some unknown force to engage in studying the realities of current society. Kyle felt he possessed a type of sixth sense which enabled him to recognize potential threats against current leadership and a peaceful population. He was overcome by a vision occasioned by the appearance of the beautiful Calandra Portman. She embraced his soul and would remain his eternal companion in his efforts. He would absorb the universal leadership among current populations and their ideas, their feelings and activities. These images were increasing in intensity and were perpetuated by the beautiful Calandra, his uncompromising partner, who would do anything to assist him in his trials and missions. For years he became active in attempts to save the current population from oppression.

Kyle remained motionless and silent as he tried to imagine the possible effects of his forthcoming lethal injections. He realized his failure to achieve his goal. He started to shake and to move his head back and forth with increasing fervor. It was at this point when Kyle felt a sudden powerful vibration within his entire body. It was as if some alien entity were suddenly invading his mind and body. He sensed a blanket of fog come over him as an ethereal image suddenly appeared before him and approached his soul. It was Calandra with outstretched arms coming to rescue her lover.

CHAPTER 1

K yle was born in Philadelphia in the year 2090. He recalled that he spent his earliest years growing up in a prosperous suburban area north of the city. Kyle grew up a happy, somewhat pampered and overindulged child who recognized neither fear nor stress. His parents were a well-liked couple who were quite involved in community affairs. His adoptive father became ever more angry with his son’s lack of self-motivation and of his predilection towards silly pranks and childish games. As a result Kyle sunk into a debilitating depression and was forced to sever ties to his former trouble-making peers.

After graduating high school Kyle attended a nearby university where he obtained a bachelors degree in History. Academically Kyle did well. Yet his personal and social relationships were notoriously unrewarding. Again Kyle sunk into depression and loneliness. The one exception to this was the friendship he developed with his former history professor Cory Chadwick. The two men got together on many occasions sharing many quiet enjoyable evenings discussing history, current events, and their own thoughts .

During one quiet evening over drinks Kyle began telling Cory the story of his childhood and upbringing. The professor remained quiet and listened with keen interest. When the personal narrative concluded Corey requested more information about Kyle’s parents. Kyle responded curiously that he was told very little about his birth. His adoptive parents revealed nothing about the details of his birth or who his biological parents were.

Cory poked and prodded for more information from Kyle about his past and his family, but seeing his friend hesitant to say more merely urged his friend to find out more about his own past.

After Cory had left, Kyle felt drowsy and decided to go to bed. He was intrigued by his friend’s curiosity about his past, but decided to dismiss it as nothing worth dwelling on.

As he lay down to sleep a strange haziness came over him, almost as if he were drunk, but aside from a few glasses of whiskey that night he’d had nothing. The room seemed to begin to vibrate. He felt as if he might throw up and jumped out of bed to try to walk to the bathroom but fell at the foot of bed, his head spinning with a ringing in his ears. Woozy and disoriented he struggled unsuccessfully to stand up again.

Suddenly he noticed he was being enveloped by some sort of strange gray fog. Then he heard a soft voice calling his name. He was on the verge of passing out when he suddenly saw the outline