Arica's Revenge: Return to Sementia

By Angela Schmeling

They thought it was over. They thought they were safe. But now, thrown back into the depths of the jungle they fled from, the survivors of Sementia soon realize they must band together or be lost forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela Schmeling
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781087971896

Book preview

Arica’s Revenge:

Return to Sementia

Angela Schmeling

Prologue

Her heart pounded in her chest. Her lungs ached. But still she ran as fast as her burning legs would carry her. She jumped over the vines that covered the jungle floor, clutching a small bundle tightly to her chest. Shots rang out behind her and buried themselves into the branch she had just ducked under.  Aricalaheana, Arica to her friends and family, continued to run.

Swiftly, she fell to the ground and rolled; barely missing another red laser shot that burned a hole in the tree beside her. The burning bark inhaled her senses.

Taking a sharp turn around a tree, Arica ducked into the dense woods, closely followed by her pursuers. Diving into some bushes to catch her breath, Arica watched as the two soldiers looked around the dark brush for the escapee. She placed her hand over her mouth and tried to still her breathing as she listened closely.

Where’d she go? the one asked.

I don’t know. This place gives me the creeps. Let’s get out of here. The other replied.

No, you know the admiral will have our hides if we let her get away. She’s carrying too much information.

The other shrugged at him. What can we do? This place is too dense for anyone to get through. She’ll have to come out sooner or later. Let’s wait at the path.

His companion eyed him skeptically. You don’t understand, do you? She could blow this whole thing out of the water with what she’s carrying. We’ll all be sunk!

Arica silently took her bundle and strapped it firmly over her chest. The movement caused a small bushy branch to fall over her shoulder and tickle her nose. The damage done; Arica let out a loud sneeze.

The two soldiers looked in her direction and quickly sauntered over. Her terrified eyes widened. She could see their boots. They were inches away.

Scrounging up what courage remained, Arica ignored her protesting legs as she got into position and dove from the bushes, knocking the soldiers to the ground.

The startled soldiers dropped their guns and Arica quickly picked one up as she ran for her life once more.

Regaining their footing, the soldiers started the chase again. Arica ran for the densest part of the forest and was soon cascaded into the cool dark dampness of the trees. She didn’t slow down as she slithered through them. Arica pressed a button on her wristwatch.

Almost there. Arica said breathlessly into her hand. Being followed. Open the door for me!

Copy that. A voice replied. Open and ready when you are.

Arica heard her pursuers trudging through the thick trees behind her. She quickly took another turn and fell down a hole. The hole closed over her and she slid safely into a large room. Arica blinked her eyes to adjust them to the bright light. She looked up into a large smiling face.

Hey, kiddo. Did you have a nice trip?

Hi, Dad, and no, it wasn’t as nice a trip as I would’ve liked. She smiled cheekily at him.

Mickalean laughed at her with a broad smile. I’m just glad that you made it back okay. It was a dangerous thing we asked you to do.

No sweat, Dad. I can handle it. She untied her bundle and held it up. I got us some food, too. It’s not much, but at least it’s something.

How did you get that? Arica saw her mother, Anastacia, standing in the doorway. Like Arica and her father, Anastacia was tall with flowing blonde hair.

Arica’s look was mischievous. I just borrowed it off Admiral Goontz’s cart.

I’m glad to see that you’re okay. Her mother pulled Arica into a hug. Mick, we have to quit sending her on these dangerous missions. She’s only fourteen years old!

She’s doing great, Anastacia. Her father dug into the bag deeply and pulled out a loaf of bread. He handed it to his wife before reaching in the bag again. This time, he pulled out a small electronic chip. Here it is. The answer to all our problems.

What’s on the chip, Daddy?

Her father turned it over and over in his hands. This chip contains information that the true leaders of our planet have been sabotaged by Admiral Goontz. That they have been brainwashed to his evil schemes to take over our planet.

What are we going to do with it?

Take it to Amanda. She’ll know what to do.

Arica look grew curious. Who’s Amanda?

She’s the one person that can stop Admiral Goontz.

His young daughter nodded as she wandered around the room. It was a large room with cream walls and high ceilings. Two doors led to bedrooms and kitchen area. Something metallic caught her eye.

What’s the ship for?

It was sitting in the largest portion of the room and was circular in diameter. It was a small ship, but large enough if needed for escape.

Just in case we need a quick getaway. It’s programmed to head to Earth.

Arica’s eyebrows shot up. Earth? That’s such a primitive planet, Dad!

Exactly. It would be the last place they would expect us to go. He took the chip in his hand and walked over to the ship. He slid the small chip into a camouflaged compartment in the steering wheel.

What’s goin’ on? a sleepy voice said behind them. The three turned and saw the youngest of the family rubbing his eyes. His chestnut hair sprayed around his head.

Rashaad. What are you doing out of bed? Anastacia said. Setting the bread on the table, she hugged the seven-year old.

I heard everyone talking. I wanted to know what was going on. He went and rested his head on his mother’s shoulder.

Arica playfully ruffled his hair. You always have to be a part of things, don’t you? She picked up the bread from the table and handed him a piece. Rashaad dug into it hungrily.

Watching him, she asked. How long do you think we’re going to have to keep hiding like this?

I don’t know. Mick said with sad eyes. Hopefully not too much longer now that we have the chip. I’ll talk to Amanda first thing in the morning.

Morning never came for the refugee family. Soldiers found their hideout in the middle of the night and invaded. Arica clutched Rashaad in a small hiding place and watched helplessly as her parents shouted to take the emergency escape.

Go! Mick shouted. Take your brother to the ship. You know what to do, Arica. Do it! Those were the last words he spoke. Arica watched in horror as her father was slain through the heart by a fatal shot from Admiral Goontz’s gun. His eyes gleamed over the pistol and turned his gaze to Anastacia.

Where is the chip? He snarled.

Anastacia glared at him. You will never find it. You will never take over this planet. You will be stopped! She picked up something on the stand beside her and hurled it at the admiral’s face. Contact! The admiral fell to the ground in pain, clutching his face and screaming at his soldiers. They each lifted their guns and pointed them to Anastacia.

With the soldiers preoccupied; Arica and Rashaad left their little hiding space and ran as their mother was murdered. Arica swiftly picked up her brother and threw him into the ship. Their only hope for survival.

Arica jumped in just as a laser blast shuddered through the ship. Metal hissed and sparked as a hole formed. Arica pushed the door down quickly and started the engine. Don’t worry, Rashaad. I’ll get us out of here. She pressed down on the steering wheel and the ship flung forward.

Accelerating the power, Arica plowed through the wall and then the ceiling and soon they were into space. Flipping to the auto-pilot, they headed toward Earth. Arica sighed.

Okay, Rashaad. We’re okay. Her brother didn’t reply. Arica turned to see her young brother lying in a pool of blood. The last laser beam had caught him through the chest before exploding in the wall. Tears flooded her eyes. No! Thoughts of the evening now invaded her mind and Arica began to shake. This can’t be happening. Arica wept throughout space and time until her eyelids began to swell shut.

The sound of an alarm awoke Arica abruptly. She stood up and looked out the window. Earth was approaching rapidly. Frantically, Arica tried taking the ship off autopilot, but to no avail. The ship shuddered as they plummeted into the atmosphere. Arica felt it start to slow down, but not enough to keep them from crashing. Looking out, Arica saw the sparkling blue waters of the ocean playing beneath her. Suddenly an island appeared, and she braced herself for the crash.

The ship tore through the trees and bounced on the ground. Splitting the ground in two, the ship came to a numbing halt. Yellow light cascaded around the ship as silence ensued. Arica coughed as dust settled in the air. She pushed away debris and cried out. A piece had sliced her arm and Arica could also feel blood trickling down her face.

Slowly and painfully, she pulled herself up. Grabbing a kit from under the seat, Arica opened it and pulled out a dropper. Putting two drops on her wounds, the cuts instantly sealed on her head and arm. She looked over at her brother and then at the dropper.

Her brother’s body was mangled from the debris and Arica quickly worked to get him out of there. Oh, Rashaad. I’ll get you out of this. When the last of the debris was moved, Arica bent over her brother’s body and started pouring the solution from the dropper over her brother’s wound. Knowing that it wouldn’t work on such a large wound, Arica pressed on. It has to work. Come on, Rashaad! Tears filled her eyes as her brother continued to lay still.

Arica fell into a heap next to her sibling and sobbed. No. Please, don’t let this be happening. Mom, Dad, Rashaad. I need them with me on this horrible planet. No. This isn’t right. She picked up the dropper and tried to cover her brother’s wound once more until the dropper ran dry. In anger, Arica threw it across the room. Her eyes slit in anger.

I will avenge you all.

25 years later

Dark silhouettes shadowed the jungle floor. Their silent footsteps lightly kicked up the dirt as they padded along the path. Blending into their surroundings, the two men moved stealthily along with only hand gestures of communication. Considerably older than his companion, gray peppered the first man’s hair and lines were forming on his face, but his age didn’t keep him from the discovery he was about to make. Christoph held up his hand to stop his comrade; his eyes surveyed his surroundings.

The younger man, by the name of Donavon, stealthily came up behind Christoph. Pushing his shaggy brown hair away from his contrasting blue eyes, he whispered. Have you found something?

Christoph glared at the young man and internally groaned to himself. He felt the young man a burden on a quest such as this. The discovery of the secrets of this island would be amazing. If only he didn’t have some tag along pestering him at every turn. Christoph raised his rifle and walked on. The trees broke open into a clearing.

The older man gasped as he saw makeshift cabins decaying in the small area. The moon shined brightly, and he turned off his flashlight. So, intent on the cabins, Christoph didn’t notice the look of uncertainty and fear in his companion’s eyes.

Are you sure we should be here? Donavon asked, fear etching his voice.

What did you think we were here to do? Christoph reached out and gently touched the structure. A noise startled them, and they lifted their rifles quickly.

Christoph gestured to Donavon to follow him and they cautiously shuffled their feet to a nearby path causing nothing to break in the night but the dust silently plodding up from their footsteps.

There was nothing in the path. The silence was deafening. Donavon let out a small gasp as he noticed something out of the corner of his keen blue eyes. Bones were starting to protrude through the dirt. Human bones. Christoph looked a little shaken as well.

I wonder who they were. Donavon contemplated, terrified.

Christoph leaned down and looked at the partial bones. Animals have been digging them up for years, it looks like. They’ve finally gotten some of it because there’s some bite marks here on the skull.

Bite marks? Donavon asked weakly.

You’d think you’ve never been on a hunt before the way you’re acting, Donavon. Christoph looked at him closely. You’d almost think you were a woman.

Donavon laughed nervously. I’ve never seen human bones on a hunt before.

His companion eyed him carefully but seemed to accept that answer. A twig snapped jolting the silence and both men went into a rigid stance.

Deafening silence settled over them once more and began to roar in their ears. Sweat beaded their brows. Click. The silence was broken as the younger man readied his rifle. Christoph glared at him. They stood silent for moments that seemed to last forever.

Finally, the older man lowered his rifle and released the breath he was holding. Donavon followed his example. The rifle slipped as he was bringing it down and the gunshot hit the dirt, barely missing his toes. He looked sheepishly at Christoph.

You stupid youngster! the man growled. Don’t you know how to hunt? They gave you such high recommendations, but obviously you don’t know what you’re doing!

The young man hung his head in shame as Christoph continued to rant and rave. He walked up to Donavon and grabbed his rifle continuing, This is the last time that I take someone that I don’t know on an expedition. You have no idea how big this find would be do you?

Suddenly, a figure came running out of the woods in a blur of white and threw Christoph to the ground in the middle of his ravings. To Donavon, it looked like a beautiful woman, but as soon as she was there, she vanished. He stopped and blinked a few times, wondering if he’d imagined her. Donavon looked over at Christoph and ran to him. He was on the ground shaking violently.

Christoph, are you all right? the older man couldn’t answer; he was shaking like a rag doll. As quickly as it began, the shaking subsided and the man was still. Donavon checked his pulse. The pulse was steady, but Christoph was out cold. Donavon frantically looked around but saw nothing but the forest about him. He shook his companion gently on the shoulder, but Christoph made no movement.

Carefully, Donavon slung the older man’s arm across his shoulders and hoisted him up. Slowly, he tried carrying him down the path, but the older man was heavier than Donavon anticipated, and he had to set Christoph down. He picked up his water bottle and threw water into Christoph’s face to arouse him.

Christoph spit and sputtered as the water hit him. What are you doing?

We need to get out of here, Christoph. Right now.

What are you talking about? We need to explore this island. Christoph looked at him oddly.

No. I’m leaving and if you don’t want to be stuck here, I suggest you come with me.

Christoph stood up abruptly, and then fell back down. Lightheadedness and dizziness overcame him. Reluctantly, he nodded. We’ll go back now. But I’m going to come back here and I’m going to find someone more qualified to come with me! He struggled to stand once more and then stalked down the trail, Donavon rushing to keep up with him.

Soon after, they were walking out of the jungle and onto the beach. Donavon watched Christoph look around frantically for the boat. It was gone. The dock was there, but the little boat that was once tied to it was no longer there. He shook his head. I knew this was a bad idea.

Are we on the wrong side of the island, Donavon?

Donavon let out a little scoff and shook his head. Nope, we’re on the right side of the island. The deep voice was replaced by a light alto. A very feminine voice. We’re stuck on the island of Sementia and we’re not leaving here any time soon.

Christoph looked at him curiously. Who are you?

The young man swallowed hard and reached up and pulled back the shaggy brown hair. It fell away in one swift motion revealing long, blond hair. Christoph stared in shock, as the man called Donavon peeled away the mask that he was wearing to reveal a beautifully tan face. My name isn’t Donavon. It’s Dawn.

Chapter 1

Ariana Rickards fumbled through her school bag looking for her dorm keys. Where did they go?

In her efforts, the bag slipped from her fingers and dropped to the floor, spilling all its contents to the hallway floor. She groaned in frustration. Ariana groaned even harder when no one stopped to help her but proceeded to kick her things along the hallway. Unbelievable! She thought in anger. A pair of feet stopped in front of her and Ariana looked up into the most beautiful brown eyes she’d ever seen.

Do you need some help?

Ariana smiled wide as her boyfriend, Martin, stooped to help her. As long as you don’t kick it across the hall.

Are we still on for tonight?

Her smile widened even more. Unless you have a better offer.

Better than you? Not a chance. He winked as he picked up the last book lying on the floor and then handed her the keys that landed by his feet. I’ll pick you up in an hour, okay? Martin gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked on.

Ariana’s dimpled grin gave away her excitement as she turned to walk in the dorm room.

You have a date with Martin, don’t you? Were the first words Ariana heard out of her roommate’s mouth. Chelsea McIntosh pulled her short spiky black hair out of her eyes and looked at Ariana, her hazel eyes twinkling.

You know me too well. Ariana smiled. Why’d you have the door locked?

Privacy. Didn’t want anyone to come in while I’m trying to study. She grinned guiltily and held up her magazine.

Studying really hard. Ariana rolled her eyes and tossed her bag on her bed.

So, what time’s your date? Chelsea asked. She was happy for Ariana. Martin Talley had been begging the pretty brunette for a date all year and when she finally accepted, Ariana started to open up to Chelsea. The last three months of her dating Martin, Chelsea was finally starting to feel like she was beginning to know Ariana.

In an hour. Ariana started leafing through her closet. I don’t know what to wear! Any suggestions?

You can borrow my knee-length jean skirt with that red top that looks so good on you.

I’ll wear the read top, but do you have long skirts? Ariana asked, a worried expression crossing her features. Never mind. I’ll wear this black one. Ariana tossed her outfit on the bed and started talking away to avoid the questions that were running through Chelsea’s mind. Can you believe that our freshman year at USC is almost done? Two more weeks.

Yeah, only a few more finals and then we’re out of here! I thought I’d never pass Professor Dungart’s English final. That was almost disastrous!

Finals were a breeze. I’ve been through far worse!

Chelsea looked at her curiously. Worse than Dungart’s? How is that possible?

Ariana just laughed and continued to change. As she changed, Chelsea caught a glimpse of a hideous scar jagging down her calf. That’s why she didn’t want a short skirt. Chelsea thought with raised eyebrows.

What happened to your leg, Ariana?

Ariana let out a little gasp and threw on her skirt quickly. It’s nothing. An accident from a long time ago.

Chelsea stayed quiet. She didn’t want to pry but wished Ariana would open up to her more.

The phone rang, interrupting Chelsea from her thoughts. She leaned over to pick it up. It’s for you. Chelsea commented dryly as she handed Ariana the phone.

Hello? Ariana said picking up the phone.

Ariana! Oh wow. It’s been so long. A girl’s voice came through the line, vaguely familiar.

A confused Ariana hesitantly said, Yeah, it has been a while.

The girl paused. You have no idea who this is, do you?

I’m sorry. I don’t.

No, I’m sorry. I should have said instead of assuming that you knew. This is Else Craick.

Ariana’s mouth dropped. Chelsea watched her with the usual expression of raised eyebrows. Wow! It has been a long time. How are you?

I’m all right. Else replied laughing. Keeping busy. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time. Do you have time to talk?

Ariana glanced at the clock. Not too long. Chelsea handed Ariana her makeup case. I was just getting ready to head out. How’s Dawn doing? I haven’t talked to her in quite a while either.

"She’s doing fantastic. She and Caspar are getting married next year and she’s going frantic with wedding plans. We were working on them