Balloons

By M. Saj

What if there is no tomorrow?

When one day hundreds of delightful blood-red balloons appear in the sky, no one suspects that this eye-catching phenomenon will lead to a catastrophe in a moment. Moments later, a mysterious virus begins to spread on the ground, which attacks people and animals at a rapid pace. Doctors are completely helpless. Soon civilization begins to decline, and the planet’s landscape is gradually deteriorating ...

Is there anything that can prevent the apocalypse? Will those who miraculously survive be able to contain the virus? Or is this what the end of the old world looks like and the beginning of something to come after it?

The first volume of the Virus series, which introduces us to a world ruled by Nature, where plants are able to kill, animals are thirsty for blood, and man in solitude fights for survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Dec 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398416338

M. Saj

M. Saj was born in Poland, but lives permanently in the Netherlands with her husband and daughter. She is a fan of all kind of fantasy, science fiction and thriller books, and also a great fan of Stephen King's works. She is passionate about photography and video games. Balloons is her debut novel and the first part of the Virus series.

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About the Author

M. Saj was born in Poland, but lives permanently in the Netherlands with her husband and daughter. She is a fan of all kind of fantasy, science fiction and thriller books, and also a great fan of Stephen King's works. She is passionate about photography and video games. Balloons is her debut novel and the first part of the Virus series.

Dedication

For my beloved husband, the sun thanks to which flowers grow in my heart.

Copyright Information ©

M. Saj 2022

The right of M. Saj to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528977968 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398416338 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the people without whom it would be impossible to create and publish Balloons.

Of course, first I would like to thank my husband. He persuaded me to put in words, what was in my head. He was the one who bought me a special small laptop for writing, in which the letter ‘M’ didn’t work (did you notice its absence?). He urged me to send the text to the publisher. He was the first to read the text and point out errors. It was thanks to him that I felt special enough to make my dream come true. Thank you, my love.

The next thanks goes to the family. My brother, for supporting me, encouraging me and pointing out mistakes. Mom and Dad Sajnog, for showing me that you can have a real family, a normal home and a normal life. To my beloved Aunt Irene, that despite all my mistakes she still forgives me.

I would like to thank my friend, Dorothy, who, after reading the first Balloons manuscript, was so impressed that I had to finish writing them.

I would like to thank Austin Macaulay Publishers, which made all this possible. Thank you for believing in me and giving me this chance!

If I have forgotten someone, I’m sorry, and thank you, too!

Prologue

Rock, rock me, a sound that soothes the pain sound as light as a cloud flowing—Artrosis, Request

Rossa was walking through the deserted streets. Her white, long hair was fluttering in the wind. She was wearing a gauzy, green dress reaching to the ankles. She felt a bit like living in a fairy tale. There was not a single cloud in the blue sky, and the rays of the sun illuminated the dreamy scenery. There was no trace of old civilization, the green was everywhere. The streets were covered with long, twisted vines, almost all asphalt disappeared from sight. The walls of houses and stores were covered with green-purple stems that climbed up and entwined the roofs, had jagged leaves of rotten colour and flowers in various shades of purple. Rossa already knew to not touch the leaves; they were razor sharp, and even the slightest cut could end up with infection. The flowers were very similar to her own, only on closer look she could tell the differences, although it was possible that only she could see them. Each bud had a different amount of irregularly shaped petals. Sometimes, there were five, at other times eight, and in some cases only three. Rossa’s flowers have always had seven petals. Once, out of boredom, she compared them with those growing on the walls of her house. She even found one that had eleven petals. Insects, with the size of a pigeon, flew in the air. Their wings were transparent and shimmered with colours depending on the angle of a light. They were dangerous, spitting venom that would infect and kill in less than ten minutes. Rossa wasn’t scared of them. They were afraid of her. They kept their distance and watched her anxiously with large blue eyes.

The girl reached the park, which now more resembled a magical forest from movies. From the boughs of old trees, long dark purple branches sprouted, wrapping around the bark. They climbed high, covering the sky. Benches, road signs, and even lanterns and litter bins were covered with new flora. There was practically no trace of old nature. She looked around, but no one was seen around, she closed her eyes and began to sing softly:

In my fairy tale, we will meet under a black tree,

In my fairy tale, we will sit in its shadow,

In my fairy tale, will be only you and me,

In my fairy tale…

Hello, girl with white hair. She opened her eyes and saw Veronika’s dead body, smiling at her. I didn’t expect you to come.

I had no choice, the girl replied sadly.

There’s always a choice, little girl, you just have to see it.

Not in this case, Rossa interrupted her calmly. Not when he’s with you…

Oh! The dead girl laughed. I knew I would find a way for you to come to me. It is a pity that I did not come up with it before.

Where is he? Rossa asked.

Not so fast, girl. I want to talk first.

And I want to see him, she said sharply.

You don’t dictate the terms, darling. You’re alone here and I can kill you anytime, so you better not upset me.

If you could kill me, I’d be dead a long time ago. Girl’s voice was steady.

Hmm… you’re right. Before you die in suffering, you must give me some important answers. I want to know where you got those seeds from and how did you find my sister?

I want to see him first, otherwise I won’t tell you anything, Rossa insisted.

Fine. She smiled. So be it! But if I don’t like your answers, I’ll tear him apart in front of you, understand? Saying this, she raised her hand and waved it. Two non-humans emerged from behind the trees, dragging a body with a sack on his head.

They put him under Veronika’s feet and walked away slowly.

Here he is, safe and sound. She laughed again. Now tell me, where you got those seeds from? Rossa looked at the still body, focused on his breathing. He was fine, he was only asleep. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Now we have to get you out of here somehow, honey, she thought.

I got it from your sister as a gift, she began to speak slowly. When I met her in the cave, she gave them to me…

I know Elfie gave them to you, Veronika interrupted. But how did you find her? How did you find the cave? Only I know where the tree is…

I got there in my dream, she opened the portal, and I went through it, I don’t know how… she lied.

She can’t open any portal, you lie.

I’m telling you the truth; I went to sleep and then I found myself in a cave.

In the end, it really happened that way, Rossa thought.

Is it possible that she… maybe really… could it be that simple? The virus in Veronika’s body fell silent for a moment. You may be right, I will have to visit my sister, but in the meantime… She looked at Rossa hungrily. Since Elfie was leading you… she turned her head and looked as if she was thinking about something.

I thought about it for so long and did not consider the simplest solution. Now I understand. She laughed. So there is nothing special about you, white-haired girl. You will die like others. Give them to me then… she reached out her dead hands towards her.

Let him out first, that was the deal… the girl cried out in terror.

Oh, the arrangement, yes. Fine, let’s have fun. I will wake him up now and then we will finish it, she announced.

At the same time, black stems grew from the fingers of her hands, sharp thorns at their ends. They tore the sack in which the boy’s head rested. A small blue flower appeared on one hand, letting its juice into the boy’s mouth.

Go to him, she said. I’ll give you one minute. She laughed and walked away under the trees.

Rossa ran to the boy’s body, knelt beside him and grabbed his hand.

Nathan, wake up! It’s me! She patted his face.

The boy opened his only eye and smiled at the sight.

Rossa, what happened? He looked around. Where are we?

Veronika kidnapped you, I had to come here for you.

He looked at her tenderly, for a moment not understanding what’s going on. Once he realised their situation, his face changed, he got up quickly and pulled her with him.

You wouldn’t do that, Rossa, you weren’t that stupid, right? Tell me that Floyd and the rest are here, he said quickly, looking at her hopefully.

I had to come alone, that was the deal. Only because of that you’re still… She doesn’t…

Rossa, no. He began to shake his head. Don’t say it. Don’t…

His hands rummaged around his waist, searching for knives, but he didn’t find them. They had to take everything from him when they kidnapped him.

You have to run, you’ll make it. I’ll stop them for a while— he said.

No, she interrupted him in a whisper, and reaching for his face with her hands, pulled him to her. I made a decision, I had to save you. She kissed him. I love you; I regret that I admit it so late, that we had so little time to—

Stop it! he cut her off sharply. I won’t let you; you are too important!

He wanted to move away from her, but she hugged him tightly and kissed him again.

Tell Floyd I’ll be fine and I’m sorry, Rossa said.

No! He tried to break free, but her flowers were already entwining him. Stop it! Now! Rossa!

I love you, she whispered one last time and closed the green vines around him.

The one-eyed boy was absorbed by plants from her hands. She closed her eyes for a moment and looked one last time at the cocoon hiding her beloved one. Wiping a tear, she went in Veronika’s direction.

That’s the best way, she thought. Floyd will find him, and they will be safe, I had no choice.

I’m impressed, Veronika said. I admit, I didn’t expect you to be able to do such a thing!

You would have killed him… the girl replied sadly.

I admit it, I would do that. She smiled. I even wanted to tear him in front of you, piece by piece. Unfortunately, I will have to do it with some other friend of yours, maybe with this soldier?

Stop it! Rossa shouted. I did what you wanted; we can finish it now.

Where’s fun with that? Veronika asked cheerfully. All right, I’m just wondering whether to kill you here or take you to Elfie and do it right before her eyes? Yes, it would hurt her, the white princess whom she gave her power, destroyed at her own request…

I had no choice, the girl defended herself.

Oh, I’ve already told you. There is always a way out. You just made the wrong choice. She started laughing cruelly.

You chose a meaningless boy who is just dust. You had the power to save your world. You, people, are so terribly weak, so hopelessly stupid, so predictable!

You don’t understand, Rossa whispered. You’ll never understand…

When I kill you and destroy the seeds you give me, the virus went on, your flower will wither, then I will take care of your beloved. I will find your friends and finish them the same way, she finished mercilessly. I will spare you this sight and kill you right now. Veronika approached her slowly.

You can’t do anything to them, my flowers will protect them! Rossa shouted, but it dawned on her that the virus was probably right.

When the seeds are destroyed, nothing will save her friends.

Nothing protects them, white-haired girl… When I take the seeds, your flowers, your magic, everything will die with you. She was closer with every step. You were already dead when you came here alone.

Rossa closed her eyes. She knew that she would die soon. She accepted it when she made up her mind and decided to come here. But she wasn’t sure now. She wondered if anything else could be done, or could she escape somehow. She opened her mind and tried to contact Elfie, maybe she would help her. However, the door were closed. Elfie, I need you, she thought. Open it. Rossa felt her friend approaching, but then, suddenly, she heard someone calling her name. She broke contact and opened her eyes. She turned her head and saw Floyd running down the street. No, it can’t be true, he couldn’t follow her here. Then the girl looked at the place where she had left the cocoon enveloping Nathan and saw that he was gone. There was a boy with one eye who was running towards her, he was screaming.

Rossa, no!

She wanted to come back to him, hug him, to say she was sorry. She wanted to leave with him and undo all that had happened. At the same moment, however, she heard a shrill squeak and felt the thorns tear her body apart. When she fell, she saw Veronika’s cold smile, felt Elfie cry, and then there was darkness.

Balloons

Balloons appeared early in the morning. They hung high on a sky and charmed with their beauty. Shimmering with green and purple, emanating power and magical glow they scattered the rays of the sun and focused all attention. Just as they suddenly appeared, they burst. They exploded red, which flooded the sky like a blood and wrapped it with its tentacles. Billions of tiny seeds dispersed all around the world.

First, unnoticed, in complete silence, they entered the bloodstream, merged with it and sprouted roots. They grew into bones, poisoned the blood and finally torn the heart. They were wonderful, fairy beautiful and deadly dangerous. When they appeared in the sky, they heralded rebirth, a new beginning. But for a new to be born, there had to be death. And she didn’t wait.

The virus was in balloons and spread very quickly and intensively. By the evening, all animals were infected.

In humans, signs of infection appeared little later, despite the fact that it was already consuming every living creature on Earth. The virus wasn’t stupid. Put our vigilance to sleep and when we realised it, it was too late. The planet bloomed with new beauty, put on fresh colours an gave itself to seeds, allowing for changes. Old life was dying and new, dark, magical and dangerous one was growing on its corpse. The reign of the virus has begun.

Ella

Ella was standing by the window, watching the sky. She got up a few minutes before the alarm rang. She watched the balloon burst and thought about blood. There was no popping sound, but it still gave her shivers. There was this feeling, deep inside her, that something bad had happened, something really bad. She closed her eyes and thought back about her old home. She was eleven, playing with her best friend Izabela on a blanket in front of the block. They held old, broken Barbie dolls and pretended to be princesses. The window on the ninth floor opened and Iza’s mother called her home for dinner. Ella sighed sadly because she knew that it also meant for her to go back, and she hated it. She rode the elevator with her friend to her floor, then walked slowly down the stairs to delay the return as long as possible. She dragged herself along the corridor, stood at number 43 and lowered her head. Ella took a breath and opened the door. The house was quiet. There was no mother hanging around, waiting for her daughter with dinner. Her mother usually lay in bed, unable to lift her drunk body. There was no tired father after work, sitting in an armchair drinking coffee. No, her dad probably lay next to his mother, just as drunk and just as unaware of his daughter’s presence or absence. There was no sister listening to music in the room and writing a diary. Her sister ran away from home when she was fifteen, became pregnant and now had her own family. There was also no brother who would defend his younger sister. Her brother escaped a year after his older sister and since then Ella never saw him again. She was alone.

She turned on the light in the kitchen and opened the fridge. She took out the sausage, put it on a plate. She started looking for bread when she heard footsteps. After a while, her mother appeared in the kitchen. She was a tiny woman, she had a skinny body, long hair tied in