Blood of the Imagined

By Rayna Scott and Dwayne Scott

Possessed by a mysterious darkness and driven by jealousy, Jacob commandeers a city ran by Drones (humanoid robots) to annihilate his brother’s city of Sunshine Valley and the magic-wielding Freaks who live there. With age, their abilities deteriorate, forcing the children ages six through eighteen to stand as Sunshine Valley’s last line of defense. As the shadow of war looms, the children soon realize that war is far bloodier than they imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664124035

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Copyright © 2020 by Rayna & Dwayne Scott.

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 Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/14/2020

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CONTENTS

Author’s Note

Prologue

Chapter 1 The Innocent

Chapter 2 The Road to War

Chapter 3 The Inevitable

Chapter 4 Protect Us

Chapter 5 Surrounded by Darkness

Chapter 6 Jacob’s Fate

Character Glossary

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Stop right there! Before you read any further, there are a few things you need to know. Think of this as the steps necessary to travel to a foreign country. The first thing you need to do is research the country you’re visiting. Lucky for you, I’ve done all the heavy lifting.

*     *     *

Sunshine Valley is one of the ten large cities that make up the country of Igoine. Out of these ten cities, only four of them have citizens that wield some type of magical ability. Those born with abilities are called Freaks.

Sunshine Valley is the capital of Igoine and is governed by a monarchy system. The king, referred to as the president, only has authority over Sunshine Valley. The line of ruling stays within the Patterson family, being bestowed upon the eldest son. Everyone in Sunshine Valley has the same last name, Patterson. No, they’re not related; but in order to become a citizen, it is demanded that you change your last name, a law created by President Clay.

He claims, It makes it easier for me to remember your name. Come on. What’s more flattering than having the president know your name?

Yes, he’s an idiot.

Only the true Patterson family can rule Sunshine Valley. Sunshine Valley is known as the City of Dreams; everyone flocks there to have a taste of perfection. Those who are born there are considered the luckiest in the world and are given the title of Freaks.

Each city has its leaders, either elected or of royal blood. The cities are as follows:

Sunshine Valley Elite is the home of Freaks with an incredible intellect. The only way to enter is to be invited by their elected mayor.

Drone is a city of androids referred to as Drones. They despise Freaks and keep to themselves. A monarch governs them.

Shadow Valley is a city made of mud and straw. Its inhabitants, wielding no magic, are terrorized by giant carnivorous rhinos. Shadow Valley has no leader, and they loathe the Freaks of Sunshine Valley for not assisting them.

Neon is a fast-paced, bright city of lights. Much like the citizens of Sunshine Valley, Neon’s inhabitants possess magical abilities. They have close relations with Sunshine Valley. An elected mayor governs them.

Phantom is a city of the dead. Ghosts that escaped Death’s scythe dwell there. An elected leader rules them.

Maori is a city of criminals, ruled by a mob boss. They have close relations with Sunshine Valley.

Arabia is an average everyday city stuck in the past. An elected leader governs them. Arabia and Sunshine Valley have a reluctant treaty of peace. Both sides are unable to cross into each other’s territory.

Happy Village is a tropical island floating amongst the waves of Lake Sunshine. A royal family governs Happy Village.

WFC is an underwater city. Organisms known as Water Freaks live there. Merpeople, sirens, squid people, and talking sea creatures make up its inhabitants. They too hate the Freaks of Sunshine Valley.

The Dark Forest is the last land in Igoine. It is not a city, but it is just as large as one. Werewolves inhabit the Dark Forest. They are classified by fur color and are segregated as such: The black wolves, the gray wolves, the burrowing (brown) wolves, the red wolves, the blue wolves, and the white wolves. The wolves are not permitted to leave under the penalty of death by Sunshine Vallian hunters. As you can imagine, they too have an issue with Sunshine Valley.

Life in Igoine is very different from the other countries in their world. In Igoine, Death claims your life by the age of twenty-five. No one has ever lived past this age. As the Freaks age, their magical abilities seem to deteriorate.

Ultra is a term used to describe females that are beyond females. The title of ultra is earned by being an outstanding female.

Lake Sunshine is an ocean. I am not sure why it was named Lake Sunshine, but it’s not a lake.

*     *     *

Now that you know a little about this slice of our world, you may enter. Keep in mind, though, this world is very different from your own. Keep an open mind and enjoy your stay.

PROLOGUE

The civil war between Sunshine Valley, Shadow Valley, and Drone started almost three years ago when President Patterson was to pass on the torch to one of his four sons—Stupid Devin, Clay, Jacob, and Trey. They all dreamed of one day ruling over the prosperous city of Sunshine Valley, but only one can be chosen. The honor is usually bestowed on the eldest male, but because of his infinite stupidity, the honor is given to the second born, Clay. Jacob, the middle child, felt this decision flawed. Being the most mature of the four, Jacob believed he was the perfect candidate, but for the reasons Jacob claimed made Clay a terrible leader, his father adored. Clay’s spontaneous nature, oddball ideas, and positive outlook was seen as pure genius in his father’s eyes.

After President Patterson’s death, Jacob attacked Clay and was defeated almost instantly. Clay banished him from the city of Sunshine Valley. Blinded by hatred, a mysterious darkness consumed Jacob. With his pride damaged and vengeance on his mind, Jacob rallied up the citizens of Shadow Valley and blackmailed the city of Drone into rising against Sunshine Valley and destroying all his father held dear. Death came to many, but the most unforgivable death went to the eldest son, Stupid Devin. With Devin’s death, Clay knew he had to stop Jacob at all costs.

CHAPTER 1

The Innocent

A dim night light illuminates a colorful room in a gloomy haze. The floor is padded with colorful puzzle-piece mats and littered with toys. Hand-drawn pictures line the nursery walls as well as scribbles in crayon that reads, Clarisse wuz hair. The canopy curtains of three toddler beds stationed near an open window flutter on a gentle breeze. The aroma of baby lotion and strawberry candy spirals around the room uplifted by the wind.

Cheri, age six, topples out of bed and pushes herself to her feet. Her long, dark, curly hair slips over her honey-toned face as her hazel eyes scan the room. She searches the other two beds occupied by her triplet siblings, Clarisse and Angel. With no sign of them awakening, Cheri toddles down the hall. She glances in every room, searching for a sibling that is awake.

Looks like I’m the first one up. That means I get to pick breakfast! Cheri says. She holds on to the banister and plops down the stairs.

Downstairs, Clay welcomes his cousins, Mel and Melmel, into his home.

Mr. President, Mel says with a nod. Mel enters the foyer with his twin sister, Melmel, in tow. Mel, the city hero, has black spiky hair with frosted tips. His muscular physique is visible under his tan uniform.

Melmel, his twin sister, resembles him almost perfectly.

We have the list of the recruits, Mel says.

Melmel hands Clay a clipboard.

Clay takes a lightbulb out of its container. With a crunch, he bites into it as if it were an apple. The shattering glass screeches as it grinds against his teeth. As he reads over the list, he swats his grass-green hair out of his emerald green eyes. He glances at Melmel and holds out the box of lightbulbs.

Melmel shakes her head with a nervous smile.

Clay shrugs and sets the box on a stand.

Sign it. We need to start basic training, Mel says.

Cheri freezes halfway down the staircase, listening intently.

Clay’s brow softens as he gazes over at Mel. The names on this list … they’re all children, Clay says.

Don’t you think I know that? Mel says. An annoyed expression unfolds on his face.

We can’t send our children to war, Clay says, tossing the clipboard back to Melmel.

Melmel fumbles with the clipboard then steadies herself. This generation is our only hope. You’ve seen what they can do. They’ve acquired powers that can win us this war, Melmel says.

We need the extra arms. Drone and Shadow Valley have us outnumbered five to one. My entire army was slaughtered overnight, Mel says. His intense eyes focus on the ground. He clenches his fists at his side.

Melmel places a gentle hand on Mel’s shoulder and squeezes it comfortingly.

Clay’s eyes widen for a second and then hardens. The lightbulb in his hand shatters, but not a shard of glass penetrates his skin. I have children, babies really, and you want me to stick them in your godforsaken army? Clay asks. After you just told me that your entire army was wiped out last night?

Our army was made up of those in our generation. Their magic failed them. That is the only reason they lost their lives. But the newer generation, they’re miraculous little Freaks, and they can hold their own. They stand a better chance than us, older folks, Melmel says. You know that with age, we lose our abilities. They’re at the perfect age, ripe and ready for the plucking.

They’re not fruit. They’re children! Clay says.

We don’t like this any more than you do, Mel says. His furious eyes meet Clay’s. But we must protect our home at all costs. Mel snatches the clipboard from Melmel and shoves it into Clay’s arms. Now sign off on the drafting papers.

Clay grips the list tight; his hands lose its color under the pressure. He chews on his lower lip.

Mel forces a pen in Clay’s hand. Do it, he says.

Clay’s eyes dart from the list to his cousins and back down at the list. He lets out a heavy sigh and moves his trembling hand over the drafting papers. He signs the forms and thrusts the clipboard into Mel’s hands. Clay’s concerned expression turns somber. You should leave now, Clay murmurs.

Melmel touches Clay’s shoulder. They’ll be alrig—

Leave! Clay bellows. He summons an arctic breeze that blows Mel and Melmel out of his home and out on the street.

No, Cheri gasps, still on the staircase. She spins around and gallops up the stairs.

*     *     *

An occupied bed floats upside down in a room cloaked in purple—the room twists and bends. The walls breathe, expanding and compressing as it inhales and exhales. Each wall ripples as if it were made of liquid. A castle ripples on one wall, a meadow on another, a volcano on another, and a forest made of gems on the last. The floor is pitch black, and the ceiling swirls around the bed, acting as a cyclone. A door appears on the wall.

Cheri bursts through the door and doggie-paddles up to Reality’s bed. She hoists herself in the bed, yanks the blanket from Reality, and covers herself with it.

Reality, age eleven, is an almond-colored tween with lilac-colored eyes. A purple hair clip with the word love clings to the left side of her short ebony hair.

Cheri? Real asks. She tugs the blanket from Cheri and pulls her into her arms. What’s wrong?

Daddy is sending us to war! Cheri cries.

Yes, I know. Sunshine Valley is at war with Shadow Valley and Drone.

No, Real, they are sending all us kids to fight! Cheri says.

Where exactly did you get this information from? Real asks.

I heard Uncle Mel and Aunt Melmel ask Daddy to sign the paper.

What paper?

They called it drafting, Cheri recalls.

They probably mean us older kids, closer to the teen years. You’re not going to be in this war, Cheri, Real says. I promise.

A clock inside of a rabbit’s mouth appears in front of Real.

Real peers over at it and sighs. Go back to bed. It’s four a.m.

Cheri lowers her head; her large eyes glisten with emerging tears. She rappels from Real’s bed using the blanket and plops on the floor.

Real shakes her head with a smile.

The floor swallows Cheri and spews her out on Real’s bed.

I said go back to bed, not go back to your bed. Why don’t you spend the rest of the night with me? Real asks.

Really? Cheri asks, her eyes glow with excitement.

Of course, Real says. She leans in and rubs her nose against Cheri’s. That’s what older siblings are for. Real tucks Cheri in and snuggles next to her.

I love you, sissy, Cheri says with a yawn.

I love you too, Cheri.

*     *     *

An hour later, Remedy, twenty years old, trudges down the staircase, her eyes clamped shut. She wanders through the living room and makes her way into the kitchen. She reaches in the cabinet.

Cody, fifteen years old, turns her around and hands her a mug. Morning, Mom, Cody says, making sure her hand is tight around the cup. He wraps his tan muscular arm around his mother and embraces her.

Cody? Remedy asks. She opens her dark-brown eyes. She lifts her golden-bronze-colored arm and scratches through her red dreadlocks to her scalp. What are you doing up? It’s five in the morning.

I wanted to make sure breakfast was waiting for you when you woke up. You always do so much for us. I wanted to return the favor. Cody pulls out a seat for his mother.

Remedy sits. What are you talking about, Cody? You make breakfast almost every morning, Remedy says.

Then why ask why I’m down here? Cody asks.

I guess I’m still trying to figure out why you do what you do. You help with your siblings, cook, clean; you’re a soldier in the army; you volunteer to help those in the community; and all while keeping a perfect F average in school. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a perfect son like you. Remedy places her warm hand on Cody’s cheek and smiles.

I’m not perfect, Mom. I wish you’d stop saying that I am, Cody says with a sigh. He gently removes her hand from his face. What would you like to drink?

OJ, Tye’N says as he strolls into the kitchen.

Make it two, Tye says, also strolling into the kitchen.

Tye and Tye’N, fourteen years old, are identical to each other; both boys have golden-brown-colored hair, sandy brown skin, and almond-shaped chocolate eyes.

The twins take a seat at the table while Cody pours three glasses of orange juice.

So, golden boy, what’s on your agenda today? Tye’N asks, a glimmer of mischievousness in his eyes.

Nothing besides school and training. I’m waiting to hear back from Uncle Mel. They left to check the border’s defenses and never got back with me, Cody says. His brow softens, and his saddened eyes graze the floor.

I’m sure everything is fine. If it wasn’t, your dad would have said something, Remedy says.

You’re probably right, Cody says. He snaps his fingers; as he does so, twelve plates of omelets and sausage links appear in front of every seat at the table.

Right on cue, his siblings and his father rush into the kitchen and take their places at the table.

Morning, Cody says.

Morning, Cody, Real says. She helps Cheri into her seat then sits.

Good morning, everyone, Chance says, his soothing voice imitates silk. Chance is thirteen years old. His reddish-brown hair matches his reddish-brown skin perfectly. His hair drapes over his face, covering his eyes, and grazing the bridge of his nose.

Without a word, Cloud, eight years old, dives into his plate, eating like a dog. His fire-blond curls sway over the table as he shovels armfuls of food into his mouth.

Morning all, Angel says, sliding into his seat. Angel, six years old, is identical to Cheri and Clarisse. A speck of food from Cloud’s plate flicks on Angel’s cheek.

Cloud’s powder blue eyes zeroes in on the speck of food. His tongue slithers across the table and slurps up the bit of food on Angel’s cheek.

Angel shudders and stares over at his brother in horror.

Are you going to eat that? Cloud asks, his eyes now on Angel’s plate.

Yes, Angel says. He shields his food.

Stop being a pig, Cloud. You have more than enough to eat, Clay says.

Okay, Cloud says before diving back into his plate.

This is delicious, Cody! Are you sure you have time to pamper the family like this? Silver asks. Silver, twelve years old, stares at Cody from across the table. Her blinding baby blue eyes search his expression. Her long silver hair is pulled into a thick braid that rests on her shoulder and dangles down to her abdomen.

Of course, he’s the child prodigy of Sunshine Valley. There isn’t anything my boy can’t do. Right, Cody? Clay says with a smirk. He dunks a lightbulb in his orange juice and crunches on it.

Cody’s eyes fall to the ground, doubt shining in them. His fingers graze over his left arm, gripping it tightly as a searing pain settles in on it. He winces and forces his doleful expression into a charming smile. Right, Dad. Cody takes a seat at the table and stares down at his plate.

Remedy glances down at her watch. Go on and finish your food. Your bus will be here soon, she says.

*     *     *

The sun shines triumphantly down on the city of Sunshine Valley. The beautiful manors line the freshly paved street. The smell of fresh asphalt lingers in the air. Each lawn’s grass is a vibrant green. The trees and other shrubberies all bear fresh fruit. The air itself smells of fresh strawberries and, when inhaled deeply enough, can leave a faint bitter yet sweet taste on the tongue. A somewhat brisk breeze sweeps through the city, causing the trees and other shrubberies to dance. The soft hissing of the pythons swimming in a lake is carried on the wind from down the street. The pythons silently submerge themselves in the glistening water, only stirring up the water enough to make small ripples in the mirrorlike lagoon. The sun’s soft rays drift over the city, keeping the air a comfortable seventy-five degrees and causing the town to have an almost heavenly glow around it.

Students soar through the clear blue sky and gather at the bus stop.

Cookie, Emo, Tiger, and Tigger kiss Iggy, their mother, goodbye, and pace down the street toward the bus stop.

You know what I don’t understand? Tigger, six years old, asks. Her feline-like ears twitch. Three black tiger stripes whip across her left cheek, resembling whiskers. A tiger tail swishes back and forth as she walks. If we’re going to school to master our powers, why do they get mad at us when we try to use them in class?

It’s a respect thing. We use them when they tell us to use them, Cookie, eleven years old, says. Her right dark-brown eye and her left green eye stare down at a study guide.

I get that, but why can’t we just snap to school instead of riding the bus? Tiger, six years old, asks. His light-brown dreadlocks pour over his face as he glances up at his older sister. He too has feline ears, a tail, and three strips that resemble whiskers on his right cheek.

Because we’re not supposed to use our powers unsupervised unless it’s an emergency, Cookie says.

Why? Tigger asks. Her dark-brown eyes take in her sister.

Cookie rolls her eyes. Because we don’t know what will happen if we use too much or how much is too much, Cookie says with a groan. Now stop asking me so many stupid questions, I’m trying to concentrate.

Mom says there are no stupid questions, Tigger recites.

Ugh! Cookie groans. She snaps her fingers and disappears.

Hey, I thought we weren’t allowed to do that! Tiger says.

Emo, eight years old, shakes her head.

A buzzing sound whips through the air, and a bolt of lightning strikes Emo’s head.

Bolt, a boy with black hair and frosty-white tips, glides across the sky. He snickers and blasts lightning bolts from his fingertips. Bzzz, bzzz!

Another bolt hits Emo.

Gotcha! Bolt says with a grin.

Hireth! Emo says. Her face scrunches up as she spreads her bat-like wings and takes off after Bolt.

Bolt laughs as he spirals into the sky behind some clouds.

Emo follows.

Bzzz! Bzzz! The cloud flickers yellow and blue as Emo and Bolt zap each other.

You’re not setting a very good example for us young ones! Tiger shouts.

Hi, Tigger! Cheri says as she rushes across her lawn toward Tigger.

Cheri! Tigger says.

They both plow into each other and embrace.

Oh, I missed you, best friend, Tigger says.

I missed you too, best friend, Cheri says.

Hey, Cheri, is Angel coming to school today? Tiger asks.

Yeah. He’ll be out in a minute, Cheri says.

Silver, Real, Chance, Cloud, Tye, Tye’N, Angel, and Cody saunter out of the house and head toward the bus stop.

Two soldiers covered in lacerations limp down the street while dragging a soldier with a gaping hole in his head behind them. Two others solemnly carry a large chunk of earth with what looks like a two-dimensional burnt corpse splattered against the ground, his body twisted in an unholy position.

The children gather around, their eyes glued to the chunk of earth.

Cody jogs up to the soldiers. Are you from the front? Cody asks.

We’re just the retrieval team, a soldier says. His dark eyes don’t make contact with Cody’s. The soldier’s eyes are dull, and his face expressionless.

How is the front holding up if the retrieval team comes back in this condition? Cody asks.

A distorted expression clings to the soldier’s face. Perspiration drips from his body, drenching his clothes. The soldier’s distant gaze falls on Cody, sending wave after wave of shivers down his spine. He suddenly rips his gaze from Cody and stumbles away.

The rest of the soldiers limp past Cody.

A fear-stricken expression unfolds on Cody’s face. He grips his left arm and grimaces.

The children disperse as a hovering green school bus pulls up at the bus stop.

Wolf, a fifteen-year-old boy with canine-like features, bulldozes Cody to the ground. Wolf looks over his shoulder at Cody and growls, revealing his daggerlike canines. Watch it, Prince Charming. He strides toward the bus.

A pack of wolf-like children trample Cody and follow Wolf toward the bus stop.

Cody stares wide-eyed into oblivion.

Chance appears next to Cody and pulls him to his feet. We need to go, Chance says. He guides Cody toward the school bus.

Cody stares over at the soldiers.

Remedy rushes out of the house. Oh God, tell me the children didn’t see this? Remedy asks, her voice now in the distance.

The children standing at the bus stop disappear, atom by atom, and reappears in their assigned seats on the bus. The seats are made of black leather and outline the bus’s interior body. The sleek marble aisle illuminates itself in a green glow. The