Petrified

By Jack Trevino

Eric St. Clair is a power-mad stock investor. To be able to trade as a member of his Wall Street team is a dream come true for many ambitious brokers.

But, he also has a penchant for forcing his team into participating in harrowing weekend excursions. He believes they can only become stronger by facing their inner fears. 

With subsequent outings becoming more perilous, he nonetheless continues to push the boundaries of what he can do to his team. 

But on this fateful weekend, he gets more than he bargained for when an evil presence is accidentally resurrected - A hulk of a man petrified into stone and seeking revenge! 

As it begins to prey upon the unsuspecting group, they attempt to escape from the immovable force that ultimately proves to be so evil…so terrifying…that it leaves them all…Petrified!

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Atlantic Industries
• Release date: Jul 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201836818

Book preview

Prologue

Run! Run! It’s the only thing she could do. She didn’t have time to think. She was lost, disoriented, and terrorized. But, she had been running for what seemed an eternity. She thought, If only I could lie down for a few moments to catch my breath, maybe the answers would come to me. All she could ask herself was, How could such a creature exist, and more importantly, was I, in some way, responsible for it being alive.

She tried to erase the image of its face, but the increased effort only brought forth the vision of its dead eyes and sockets...sockets that oozed what could only be described as glowing red blood.

Maybe she could rest now. Perhaps she had run far away from where she last encountered the Creature? For now, she had no choice but to stop and rest.

The brush was thick and dense. She thought, If I immerse myself far enough inside the foliage, maybe I would be able to hide well enough not to be seen? Then, she spotted the hulking menace  some 30 meters away. Even at that distance, it was incredibly tall, over seven feet, maybe even eight. She could see its skin, if that what you could call it that, skin that was once living flesh, looking more like living petrified stone. It was rough and cracked. Everything about its body repulsed her, but more so by its grotesquely disfigured face.

She hid in the foliage, and her hands trembled as they moved around to find anything that could be used as a weapon. She felt something protruding from the earth. It was a large, partially buried stone lying half in the ground. She pulled upward until it was dislodged. She picked it up and held it tightly in her right hand. She wasn’t sure how she might do it, but she was poised to use it to defend herself.

As the monstrosity grew closer, an inner voice told her to throw it as far as she could in the opposite direction from her hiding place.

She threw it as hard as she could. She knew the stone was large enough to cause several branches to break and scatter as it traveled through the air. It was so large when it came down; it did so with a giant thud.

She thought to herself, That should do the trick! That’ll make him go in the wrong direction! She struggled to maintain her composure so as not to reveal her position.

The Creature reacted to the sound of the rock as it crashed down. It stopped its advancement and stood there motionless. Then, it took one step towards it but suddenly stopped.

It’s head slowly turned in a clock-ward movement until it stopped, its red eyes focused on exactly where she was hiding. It started to move once again in her direction.

No, no. No, no. Go the other way! she thought to herself. Go the other way!

She knew it was for naught. Her relentless pursuer was coming for her. She knew her only chance was to remove herself from the dense foliage and run.

She stood and began to move away, but she felt her ankle being held back. The more she tried to move away, the more the pull on her ankle became. What the....? It couldn’t be the Creature. It’s not that close.

She turned her head around and could still see it was moving and had not reached her location.

She reached towards her ankle and realized it had been caught in the foliage. Her first impulse was to pull on it frantically, which only served to tighten the grip and make things worse.

As she continued to free herself, a cold chill ran across her body. She knew she had to turn around but also knew it would not be a pleasant sight. She had no choice and slowly looked over her right shoulder. When she did, she saw the monster standing over her.

The first thing that came to mind was, How the Hell did I get myself in this situation?

It’s said that a person’s life flashes before them in the moments before their death. But in her case, the events that flashed before her were those that had led up to her being where she was now - the events that took place months earlier raced through her mind at incredible speed...

CHAPTER ONE

Astrong-looking hand abruptly thrust outward. It clutched seven straws that protruded half-circularly toward a group of people who surrounded it.

Time to pick, ladies and gentlemen. Not one individual reciprocated by reaching for the straws. Really? No one? You know how impatient I become when I have to wait! exclaimed Eric St. Clair.

He glared at the seven individuals tightly positioned around his clasped hand. Eric was impatient - Par for the course for someone in his position.

As a stockbroker manager, it was second nature for him not to waste time when it came to making critical decisions. It was something he had done every waking moment of his career.

Eric wasn’t just a manager of any stockbroker house. His was one of the more successful Wall Street firms. Being part of this elite organization paved the way for him to amass a small fortune.

But, his onerous demeanor wasn’t necessarily limited to the workplace. He had always been able to recognize and take advantage of any situation, most of which resulted in him imposing his will on others, especially in the world of finance.

He had molded his unit into what was considered one of the premier groups in the firm primarily by weeding out individuals he believed did not live up to his standards.

He made it a policy to surround himself with those people who, as he so often would impress upon them, only those who can cut the mustard will remain in his unit.

Although 65 years old, Eric was a middle-aged man by his standards. Having been in the business for many years, he had become critical of those he employed. He expected nothing but obedient loyalty in return.

Very well then, since you seem reluctant to select, I’ll pick for you.

He started to pull out straws one by one and began to hand them to the team.

First was Stacie Martin, Eric's team's oldest and most experienced. Vincent Moreau is a stockbroker who plays by Eric’s rules and enables his boss in ways far beyond office protocol. Claudia Chan, a former high school teacher who turned to make money after being angered by the educational system, Jack San Miguel, is a coward by nature but always there to help move any situation along. Angela Johnson is an amateur athlete who is always looking to push the limits of human endurance. Cole Marsden, an outdoor hunter, is trapped in an office job, and Ed Santoro, Eric’s driver.

All right, let’s identify those among you who are willing to take risks necessary to build their own empire? Or shall we discover who will be left behind to cower on terra firma and the safety it has to offer? Eric thought his little speech would motivate someone. Unfortunately, no one volunteered. The group’s non-committal stance drew his ire. Oh, Come on! I need risk-takers! I know you’re out there. Where are you hiding?

Eric glanced at Stacie. She knew his comment was meant specifically for her. She was somewhat offended by the condescending gaze Eric he had directed at her and was about to respond to him when he quickly gestured with his hands for the team to approach him, Come on, we’ve all had the required jumping hours. Let’s see who among you has drawn a spot to jump with me from in the plane.

As they stepped forward, they glanced at each other, some confidently, others slightly nervous, and some unemotionally.

Now, place your thumb and index finger on the middle of each straw so we can see who’s earned a place.

As the group positioned their fingers into the correct alignment, Stacie appeared hesitant to show her straw.

Eric could not allow an opportunity to go by to put her on the spot. Don’t be shy, Stacie. Only three of the straws are short. You’ve got just as good a chance to be one of the lucky jumpers as the others. He raised his eyebrows. Unless, of course, you’re not up to the jump.

Stacie did not appreciate his attack on her character. She quickly fired back, Makes little difference to me. This is your party. I’m in for the ride, however long or short it may last.

Eric tilted his head and grinned, I’m glad you feel that way as your straw.... He grabbed and raised her hand high enough to display its length. Makes you one of the winners!

Stacie would not allow her personal feelings to be paraded in front of the others, one way or the other. She emphasized as stoically as possible, As I said, I’m in for the ride. As she turned and walked away.

Eric was forced to move on, so he examined the remaining straws. Vincent! Jack! Great news! You’re the other lucky jumpers! Come on, get your helmets on. Our plane’s waiting.

Eric watched as Ed issued each of the jumping crew a packed parachute. He patted each jumper on the back as they picked up their chutes. One for you, Jack. And one for you, Vincent. Then, he saw Stacie standing in the background. Oh, don’t worry, Stacie. I didn’t forget about you. Ed, make sure to give Stacie the last chute. Eric turned around, put his hands on his hips, and took in the beautiful surroundings. He took a deep breath, My, smell that fresh air! Let’s go!" He bolted off with the speed of an antelope.

Vincent was not thrilled, Hey, Jack! Hold up. Jack slowed down and leaned back to hear what he had to say. I’ll tell you what I think. I think we’ve been had.

Jack nervously answered, Wh-wh-what do you mean?

I -mean- I think the old man rigged the straws.

Awe, come on. How could he do that?

For him? It would be easy.

Stacie began to put her helmet on and was about to start toward where the plane was located. A voice rang out from behind.

Stacie. Stacie! Hold up a minute, shouted Angela.

What is it, Angela? Or didn’t you hear his excellency’s command? Stacie extended the straw directly in front of Angela’s face, I’ve got the winning straw, and that means I’ve got a plane to catch.

Angela swiped the straw from her hand and laughed, Not necessarily. Stacie looked puzzled. What I mean is, who says it has to be ‘you’ that has a plane to catch? Stacie attempted to take the straw back, but Angela held back and laughed, I say the honor goes to the bearer of the prized straw...me!

The plane's twin engines roared as it took off