Alpha and Omega: Awakening

By Peter J. D. Woodruff

The Earth has been cast into shadow. Xavier and his love, Melissa, through no fault of their own, are caught in the middle of a climactic struggle for supremacy dating back to the time of Adam. Lost and accompanied by a rag tag group of unsung heroes. Xavier desperate for answers, ventures forth to uncover a secret plot that could spell doom for us all. With an angel on his shoulder to guide him, he must brave this strange new world while battling the myths of old, as demons now roam free across the Earth. An ancient secret that has been kept from him and his family since the very beginning has awakened.

As the war of good versus evil begins, only time will tell if Xavier rises to become the guardian he is meant to be, or if he will fall into damnation and become a destroyer like so many before him.

In this epic fantasy saga, a band of heroes guided by fate, angels, and a long-held secret must battle to push back an ancient, and terrible adversary before it is too late for Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jan 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781665733281

Peter J. D. Woodruff

Peter J. D. Woodruff enjoys art, culture, mythology, and history. Through these passions, he has come to a greater one through writing. Alpha and Omega: Awakening is the first installment of an intended series.   https://www.pjdwoodruff.com/ https://twitter.com/PJDWoodruff https://www.instagram.com/pjdwoodruff/ https://www.facebook.com/pjdwoodruff

Book preview

CONTENTS

Preface

Prologue

I.The Beginning

II.The Camp

III.The Tree

IV.The Night

V.The Moon

VI.The Lost

VII.The Chaos

VIII.The Found

IX.The Vision

X.The Sight

XI.The Sins

XII.The Exodus

XIII.The Kill

XIV.The Grove

XV.The Gate

XVI.The Faery

XVII.The Power

XVIII.The Wound

XIX.The Dwarves

XX.The Virtues

XXI.The Call

XXII.The Dominion

XXIII.The Chase

XXIV.The Light

XXV.The Dead

XXVI.The Brother

XXVII.The Wraith

GLOSSARY

PREFACE

This book is the culmination of over eight years, during and preceding my second stent of college. This work of fiction was born from a renewed spark of stories I read in my adolescence. Compounded with heavy research on the subject matter and inspired by some of my unpublished short stories. As well, the collective works of Joseph Campbell, John Milton, Andrzej Sapkowski, Dante Alighieri, George R. R. Martin, George Lucas, J. R. R. Tolkien, Alexandre Dumas, Stephen King, Leo Tolstoy, Frank Herbert, Karen Armstrong, Reza Aslan, and many others. The Alpha and Omega Saga epitomizes the classic hero’s journey. A tale of finding one’s place in the world and being unsatisfied with what is. Thrust into a voyage, not of your own making. To find out what you are made of, tempted by devils, and guided by angels. Friendships will be forged that will shape and alter destiny. This band of misfits will face great foes, battling monsters of myth and legend to fight conflicts that will forge alliances and break them. A tone of desperation with an inkling of hope. A world of ancient places, untouched by the feet of man. Where the world first began.

As the author, this is not a book about the apocalypse or on canonical literature. Even so, the Bible, Torah, and Quran have been heavily referenced along with many other noncanonical works of literature. In addition, throughout the last century, popular culture has begun to reference these texts for entertainment. Therefore, this book should also be treated as such. Furthermore, to clarify, many passages in this book have been italicized to identify speech within dreams. Or to identify nonverbal communication. As some of the characters in this story have the ability of telepathy.

With this first installment of the series, it is my hope not to divide people, but to forge bonds of solidarity and compassion in these troubled times. So that together we can move forward with wisdom and humility and face off against all evil no matter what face it may take.

With hope and prayer, this work will span several chapters in the coming years. To explore this ancient and unique world, like our own, but twisted and brought into darkness.

PROLOGUE

What if, everything we knew, was true—all of it. Every dream, every fantasy, every myth, every nightmare was somehow true. All the stories that terrified my ancestors as children. All the fairytales that were once told to show us misery and wonder. All those things hidden underneath their beds and behind the veil. Even the ones that were told to use as lies. The truth was far too painful; it has been so many years since then since the start of it all. So much has happened. So much has changed. Everyone is gone now. Everyone I cared about. How did we get to this? When did the string begin to unravel? I’ve thought about that for a while now, and I think the best place to start is with my father. My mother told me stories about him: the legend of his exploits, his rise from obscurity, his growth, power, love, defeats, and his fall. She used to tell me my father was mighty—one of the strongest of all the legendary heroes. I cannot even imagine him even with the statues built in his honor. I don’t even remember the smell of him, at least I’m not too sure. I was only just a baby. But even with all that power, he could not save those closest to him, including me. The tides of destiny swept me away from him. I don’t blame him, though. She told me so much. It’s like I lived it standing next to him shoulder-to-shoulder with all the other heroes. But to be clear she wasn’t my mother, not really. She told me as such, but she raised me into the woman that I am. She told me I’m so much like him. I didn’t understand why until only recently. But I see now what she meant. I lost someone dear to me, and I don’t know what to do. The loss of him was so heavy that the weight of it had crushed me. So much pain. So much violence. Why do they hate us so? Why couldn’t he have lived, and I take his place? I need to understand why. So, I will start at the beginning…

PART 1

I

CHAPTER

THE BEGINNING

G uess w ho? she said. He felt the soft press of her body against his, the hint of a giggle in her voice. It was a day like any other; the streets were bursting with morning commuters. Waiting impatiently for their taxicabs, Ubers, all moving to the inexorable rhythm of the Big Apple. A magazine stand opened for business. A line of food trucks prepared for their patrons. A group of college students walked on their way to campus. A foreign couple took pictures, gazing at the sights. A businessperson received a call from his boss. A homeless man fed pigeons on a park bench. Two older gentlemen bickered over a game of chess. And a young woman giggled at a text.

Melissa, we are going to be late! the young man declared.

Sorry, but Trish called while I was getting ready. You will not believe what happened last night. Vincent proposed. Can you believe it?! Melissa said, releasing his face with her hands and spun him around with excitement.

What? You got to be kidding me! But they have only been dating for like a year?

I know, right? I remember when we introduced them to each other.

This year has flown by so fast. Where does the time go?

Yeah, wild, huh? So, Xavier, what plans have you arranged for our anniversary? she asked, batting her eyes in anticipation.

I have the perfect day planned out; I found this unlikely place. I think you’ll like it, but the rest is a surprise!

Oh, so you’re saying you somehow found a place we haven’t been to yet? Melissa said, taking hold of his arm, grinning, and staring deep into his eyes as they laughed. Xavier looked down at his phone, a peculiar fuzziness, and buzzing began to show on his screen.

This app is acting goofy again; it says he arrived.

I’m sure he is just down the street, here let me check.

Suddenly, they heard the screech of tires upon the pavement, the thud of metal, and panic. A car swerved out of control directly into a light pole, shattering the street’s serene demeanor. Traffic came to a standstill as drivers smashed their horns. The two of them watched as the driver scrambled out in a daze, screaming for everyone to see. He pointed behind his car for them to look. They gazed behind his car and saw nothing. Only fresh skid marks swerving on the sidewalk. The driver peered around frantically, swearing to have seen something and hit something. But all they could see was the man in a panic. They checked underneath his car; they looked around at every nearby vehicle. But there was nothing. They all thought he was a raving lunatic. With the traffic stopped on either side of the street, the two became concerned their ride would be delayed. They started down the street, moving away from the commotion.

Two police officers came walking up to the driver, requesting the man calm down. But just then, they saw it: a shadow over the asphalt. At first, merely one, like a plastic bag blowing in the wind. But then there were two; indiscernibly, they moved, distorting this way and that. Another two emerged, then the lights on the streets started to flicker. The sky grew eerily dark, and the wind began to gain speed. Abruptly, time stood still, and a crack split across the sky like glass. The world shattered like a mirror, fading away in shimmering light. The crowd stared up as a dance of light and mirror filled the atmosphere.

Xavier, it’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything like it!

But what does it mean? he replied, feeling a curious warmth wash over him.

The lights came down in between the buildings, in between the people, like the embers of fire or the lights of New Years, close enough you could reach out and touch. A curious sound resonated in each of them, as though the chime of distant bells. Suddenly in shock, a sound struck: the hit of metal caught everyone by surprise.

In the center of the street, the sound struck again and again. Until sparks showered across the pavement. Cast in shadow, two figures began to emerge shrouded in armor, the likes of which none had seen. The clash drew more eyes upon the street, as a battle ensued. Their foe remained out of focus. The two carried massive rifles, liken to cannons they used to discharge into the veiled enemy. With two clean hits of explosive rounds, the shadow fell back. One of them transformed his gun into a hammer and charged headlong into it. He landed a blow to its center, and it went down, ricocheting off the many cars that had collected behind it. The final car exploded on impact, and as the flames rose from the street, they could see it cast in shadow. They captured the events with their phones, like it was a movie scene. Unaware of the danger they were in, without warning, two more figures emerged from obscurity in the street, clad in sleek, ornate armor. Both had tan skin and silvery white hair, and long pointed ears. Behind them, as they rushed into the fray, a third emerged, taller than the rest. Towering over the street was a collection of boulders held together by unseen forces in the shape of a man.

Abruptly, they heard a crash as their hidden enemy was revealed. With pale skin and pale eyes, a deep gashing wound across its chest. The creature turned, showing its horns, fur, spikes, and chains. With a look of death upon it. Its attackers paused to reload. Then, from satchels attached at the waist, they loaded cannonballs into their rifles, and prepared to fire again, none of them aware of the audience that had begun to swell around them. The sky grew dark as they fought, and the world grew strange. A malignant decay began to rise, a sickness in the earth itself sucking the pigment of life from everything it touched, and as Melissa watched on, an alarm went off in her heart.

Come on, Xavier, let’s go, she said, attempting to lead them away. Xavier was captivated, unable to take his eyes off what he was witnessing. But as the sickness drew ever closer, her insistence won him over. She took him by the arm and raced down an alley. But as they glanced back toward the path of their escape, the street had begun to warp and shift, breaking, and bending as though the rules of reality were being ripped apart and thrown aside. Melissa, with trembling hands, uncertain if what she was seeing was real, began recording with her phone. We aren’t going crazy, are we? You see this too, right? she asked as her hands shook in fear. What is happening? he shouted, grasping his head in disbelief. The two of them felt helpless amid the gathering crowd as they searched for a path to escape.

Caught in the surging crowd, they pushed through to the next street over. The calming sounds of the city as it woke up. Where now shattered by screams on every street. The couple looked up to see the sky had darkened to the point of twilight, as though the sun had not yet risen to crest the horizon. Melissa took Xavier by the hand and quickly crossed the street, to the entrance of another alley. Beside them, a trash bin was falling victim to the decay. The metal being eaten slowly by some unseen pestilence. Even on the street, the light poles were beginning to bend and break, unable to support their own weight. Finally, away from the commotion, Melissa picked up her phone and immediately called her best friend, Trish. Who only lived a few blocks away from their apartment. She put the phone on speaker and waited for an answer. It went directly to voicemail. But Melissa was persistent. She tried again, and this time there was an answer.

Mel, is that you?

Trish, where are you? We aren’t far from your apartment.

I haven’t left the house yet. Where are you? Why are you breathing so hard, wait ya’ll aren’t fu—

Stop, just listen, go to your window, tell us what you see?

Come on, I’m putting on my makeup.

This is serious. Can you please just go to the window and tell us what you see?

Is Xavier with you? Hi Xavier, you better be taking my girl out somewhere nice—

Trish! the couple said in unison, Stop kidding around and go to the window!

Geez, you are no fun. What am I looking for? Why is it so dark…

What do you see?

Trish opened her blinds and paused briefly, wrapping her head around what she was seeing. In the sky, large, winged things circled that looked to be in the shape of men. Further still, between the streets, large lumbering black masses patrolled slowly. Each of them were at least thirty stories tall. The blue sky was fading to a hue of blood. Trish relayed to them what she saw.

Is Vincent there with you?

No, he hasn’t gotten back from work yet. What’s going on, why does the sky look like that! I’m scared, Mel. What’s going on?

Stay there; we are coming to get you.

Ok hurry quick. I need to make a few— But suddenly, the line went dead. Melissa tried once more to call, but it was no use. Xavier grabbed her by the arm, and they began to make their way toward Trisha’s condo. Behind them, they heard an ungodly yell. Something roared, back in the direction of their apartment. A violent squealing that couldn’t have been human. It was the sound of someone being eaten alive. The crunching of bone, the slurping of sinew. A primordial fear gripped them both, and they darted off in the opposite direction.

Xavier and Melissa managed to make it safely just a few blocks away from Trisha’s condominium. But between them and their destination, a huge mass of people making their escape were blocking their path. Along the sidewalk, people were looting—gathering whatever they could carry that wasn’t tied down. Suddenly, a pair of monstrous winged creatures came swooping down from the sky above. They shrieked and squawked as they descended between the buildings. Their wings were like bats, spanning the breadth of the street. Their legs were covered in sharp barbs and large hook-like talons. Their skin was gray, covered in shiny lizard-like scales. Its face was that of a man, gnarled and disfigured with demonic features. Their mouths were filled with layer upon layer of teeth, like a shark’s. With each tooth, narrow and serrated. Its mouth could broaden, and its lower mandible could extend and expand like a pelican, scooping in anything it set its eyes upon.

One of these foul beasts began to dive, descending into the streets below, and snatched an unsuspecting straggler—a broad man still clutching his briefcase—right off the ground. It clawed out his abdomen in its clutches and rained his parts back down on the people below. As the crowd looked on in horror, more monsters began to descend. The people ran, scattering in all directions. As Mel and Xavier hid, they watched as a man ducked into a car to escape. A massive beast came down from the sky and picked up the car with the man screaming inside. He tried to push open the door, but the creature’s claws had blocked him in. As he desperately rattled the car door handle, another burst through the window behind him, and pulled him from the car. With its prey in hand the car was released and came reeling down on the frightened bystanders below, blowing up an already calamitous situation.

A tear opened in the sky above the street, and a second group burst forth, descending like hawks, digging their talons into the masses as they ran, leaving a trail of bodies to turn back and feast upon. We need to get out of here! Xavier screamed, combing through the crowd for a way out. A pair of police officers fired their guns from atop their patrol vehicle, drawing the attention of one as it glided overhead, searching for its next victim. It dived, with its claws fully extended. They shot at it and caught it in the wing. Its massive body smashed into the ground next to their car.

Throwing them from their feet, they got up and reloaded, momentarily celebrating. But two more came down from the sky. Xavier tried to warn them, but distracted, they grew careless. One of them swooped down, splitting the police officer in half with its talons. The second grabbed the other officer by the leg and carried him off. As they rose higher into the sky, the police officer managed to stabilize long enough to fire into its wings, tearing through the soft membrane tissue. Then, in a sudden jerking release, it dropped him from several stories above, right on top of a group trying to escape, the impact killing them instantly. A giant beast came rushing by down the street, gripping the building as it passed. But like a hungry feral dog, it halted in its tracks, seeing the feast of citizens upon the road. It opened its mouth and lowered its head to scoop up the horrified mob. Unable to turn and escape, they were swallowed into its dark cavernous throat.

As screams turned into moans, and limbs into chum. The beast turned and paused as it chewed. Something in the distance gaining its focus. Everyone could hear it. A deep, resounding horn that reverberated over the world. It sounded a second time and drew the creature away. It climbed over the buildings in its way and leaped out of sight. But its colossal paws compromised the building’s foundations. Under immense pressure, the buildings began to collapse. Like dominoes, each building around it, one after another, came crashing down.

Xavier, over there. Look! Melissa yelled as a billowing plume of smoke surged towards them. She pointed to an entrance to the subway. They made a break for it, and jumped down the stairs as the smoke hit the entrance. The dust came rushing in behind them. The lights flickered for a moment until, inevitably, all the lights went out. Unable to see, they reached for anything to guide them down the stairs. Then, alongside them one of the people turned on the light to their phone. One by one each of them illuminated the path before them. Covered in dust and debris, the survivors began to make calls to loved ones.

Xavier called his best friend, Daniel. But the call didn’t go through either. Xavier turned on the light on his phone as well. But all they could see was dust and the murky darkness. Deeper inside, they could hear people moving and calling out.

I remember where we are; there is another exit. We’ve used this station to get to her place before, remember? It’s got a couple exits that go up to street level, Melissa said.

Xavier remembered a night he got drunk at one of Trisha’s house parties. His friends carried him back home, and this was the station where they got on.

They went further in and saw the cut-off that led to a long hallway. Where a large number of people had gathered. Stranded in the middle of their commute.

Hey, were you outside? one woman asked them as they walked by.

What’s happening up there, were we attacked again? another man asked.

We honestly don’t know. We’re just trying to get to a friend.

You’re going to go back up there? a man said fearfully.

It’s better than staying down here where it stinks of piss, don’t you think? Melissa said. The group behind them grew larger. They had nowhere to go but forward, determined to make it to the other side. In the hall, they found people huddled together, hiding from what was outside. A frantic middle-aged Hispanic woman was shouting as she grasped her grandchild. Her words carried a frightening tone, a dooming portent as Melissa listened. The years of Spanish now paid in dividends.

El Diablo está ahí arriba, she said: The devil is up there.

She repeated it over and over again, with a child crying in her arms.

They could hear fighting above them, and as they made it to the other side, they saw flashes of a strange light coming down from the entrance.

It wasn’t gunfire they heard. There was something else going on up there. Xavier had to check, his curiosity demanded it, and they couldn’t stay down there forever. He crept up the stairs to take a look along with Melissa and a few others. As they reached the top, they both saw it: a large floating figure cloaked in darkness, covered in rags wrapped in chains, wielding a scepter made of obsidian, imbued with a strange light. Down the street, several combatants were firing laser beams and bolts of light at the creature, but they were deflected by some kind of force field erected around itself. The dark one floated ominously, firing back with powerful energies that came screaming out from its eyes. The entity was more than distracted with whoever it was fighting.

I think we can make it; follow me on my count, ok? Xavier whispered. Melissa nodded in agreement. She was ready. She took his hand, and they both ran out, making a break for Trisha’s building in the opposite direction. Xavier glanced back as they ran, concerned with getting hit by any stray weapons fire until he saw the beast go down. A great glob of lava blasted into it, and the moment the creature went down, the others in the train station made their escape too. The beast coiled in agony as the molten rock encased it, rendering it inactive.

The two of them continued, making their way to her building, letting nothing stop them. As they ran, they could hear distant explosions and gunfire ringing through the city streets. The city had become a war zone, as though a battle had been raging between two adversaries who were utterly unknown to them.

At the condominium, sometime before Xavier and Melissa arrived. Trisha watched on from the window as the situation below continued to deteriorate. She called her fiancé.

Hello?

Babe, you finally answered, are you at work? I need you to come home right now, please!

What’s going on? Why do you sound like that?

Xavi and Mel are coming to pick me up; something bad is happening outside. Come to the condo right now!

What are you talking about? What is going on?

I need you and the guys to get out of that dark ass club and go outside. Get here now! Trisha said as her voice grew ever more frightened, gazing out upon the things she was seeing. I really hope you’re joking right now; is this a prank? You know I’m working! You’re punking me right now, aren’t you? Vincent said questioningly. But she lost the ability to speak, gripped with fear. With her phone gripped tightly, she listened as Rob climbed the stairs and opened the door. His breathing quickened, hearing the screams. The people running, the sound of sirens. Vincent yelled over the phone. A woman screaming next to him. A crackling distortion of noise and silence. A roar came through as she listened. She sobbed, helpless to do anything. What is that—What’s happening, Vincent? Vincent, are you there? Vincent? Oh my God. Answer me, damnit! She stopped to listen as people were screaming and running past. She could hear feet knocking against the phone. The scraping of asphalt against the microphone. The stampede of people rushed past, but there was no sign of Vincent on the other side of the line.

No, this isn’t happening! This can’t be happening!

She sat crying, her recently applied mascara running down her face. Then, as she heard the thing roar once again, the line went dead. Immediately, she tried to call back, but there was no answer. She looked out the window again and watched as the Sun dimmed. The sky turned a deep red. And as everything came into focus, she saw it: a great hand reaching out, eclipsing the Sun, and masking the world in darkness.

The sky looked as if it caught fire. She tried to turn on the television, but there was no power. From her vantage, she watched the waters around the city begin to recede. Huge bat-like creatures came down from a wound in the sky and encircled. Car alarms flooded the streets, as fighting broke out on every corner. People looted, making their escape toward the rivers. And in that bedlam, the building shook and the windows cracked. She looked down to see a monster with a whip-like tail strike her building. Before she could react, the windows burst as she screamed. But then a growl cooled her blood. Goosebumps rose on her neck, and in that moment, Trish knew she was not alone.

Hurry up, dummy! Melissa shouted as they reached the door. Several people came racing out of the building as they arrived. They hurried to the elevators, rushing past those trying to get to the street. Here’s hoping the elevator still works, Xavier said as he took a breath before pressing the button to call down the elevator.

I’m not climbing to the top, you hear me, Trish? I love you, but not that much! Xavier said as he panted, catching his breath. He pressed the button. The bell rang, and they knew the elevators were working. Both of them sighed with relief as the elevator opened. They hit the button to her floor and ascended. They flopped to the floor as they caught their breath, the elevator rattling and shaking as it rose.

Ok, so what do you think? Is this like the apocalypse or something? she asked. Xavier wheezed as he was still catching his breath.

I don’t know, none of this makes sense. Maybe when we get up there, we will be able to get some answers.

The bell rang, and the doors slid open. Inside her condo it was pitch black, the ceiling panels scattered all over the floor. Whole sections of the roof had been torn apart by something trying to break its way through. Claw marks and footprints embedded in the floor, leading away from the damage. The glass from the windows had shattered. A heavy wind whistled through the darkness. The sky was as blood, with the beasts flying outside, circling like vultures.

Trish… Trisha, where are you! the two whispered out into the condo. There was no response. Nothing but scaffolding, creaking beneath their feet. Melissa wasted no time rushing to look for her friend.

Mel, wait, it could be dangerous!

Shut up, dummy, and help me find her!

Xavier slowly entered, looking around cautiously. They called out for her again, listening for any sign. They didn’t get an answer. They called out once more, but this time they heard a thud in the living room. A weak voice called out to them, I’m here.

Underneath a pile of debris, they found her. Her head was bleeding, and she looked to be injured badly.

Sweetie, don’t move, please. How bad is it? Melissa asked as she knelt next to her.

Hold on and lay still, Xavier said as he reached down and lifted the rubble off her body. Are you ok? What hurts, sweetie?

Everything! she replied. Even my tits! she said as she busted out in hysterical laughter, coughing all the while. Take me to the bar, I need a drink. She pointed to the kitchen. With concern, they smiled, even laughed as they helped her to her feet. Trisha, what happened? When did this take place? Melissa asked. Dammit, give me a drink first! Then I’ll tell you. Y’all want any? Trish asked. They both declined. Well, suit yourselves more for me. They sat as she finished off an entire bottle, listening to each gulp, waiting for her to finish. So, I called Vincent after you all hung up, right? I got him on the phone and told him to go outside to see what was going on… and I got him killed. I killed my fiancé, Trisha said while sobbing. Melissa sat beside her and held her friend. I’m sure he is fine. Maybe he dropped his phone in the commotion?

No, no, Trish said, shaking her head in doubt. I heard it; it came for them. There was so much screaming!

We’ll try to find him, ok, Trish, I promise. But what happened? Melissa asked. Trish took a breath before she recounted what had happened.

A little after I ended the call, one building next door fell over. One of those THINGS hit its tail against the side of my building, just a few floors below mine. It broke my windows. I screamed, which I shouldn’t have, and I well, I think attracted one of those flying things—it landed trying to find me, but I hid. I think it’s gone, but I’m not sure.

One of those things is in here, and you’re only telling us this now?

Melissa, it’s ok.

Look, I’m sorry, I’m just out of it, you guys.

Mel, I will take a look around, Xavier whispered. He got up and walked off until he remembered something. You got anything sharp around here, like a knife or something?

Not really, just the knives in the kitchen. I have a pistol in my bedroom. Um, in the nightstand, Trisha said. Xavier cautiously approached the bedroom, looking around each corner to see if the beast was still lurking about. He could not hear anything over the sound of his racing heart. As beads of sweat fell upon his brow, he checked the rooms along the way until he reached her bedroom. He opened her nightstand and found what he was looking for. It was lying in the back of her drawer. But it wasn’t loaded. Trish, you got ammo for this thing somewhere? Xavier yelled. Um… Yeah, in my closet on top in a little red shoebox! she yelled back from the other room.

Mel, what do we do? Where do we go for something like this? Trish asked her.

I don’t know, but I feel like this is just the beginning.

The beginning of what, though? Xavier asked as he returned, loading the bullets into the pistol.

Do you two hear a humming coming from somewhere?

No, I don’t hear anything.

So, what is this, the apocalypse then? Melissa asked.

I don’t think so. Those soldiers in their weird gear and weapons, they had laser guns from some sci-fi movie or something, but those other things out there. They seem like something straight out of hell. Um, Trish, do you have more than this, I ran out? he asked, unable to fill a full clip. If that’s what you found, then that’s all of it.

Shit, that isn’t enough!

So, now what? Melissa interrupted.

None of our phones are working. We need to get out of here, this place isn’t safe.

Where do we go?

Maybe to Kevin’s place, or Josh’s?

They are all the way in Queen’s. How are we gonna get all the way over there with Trish like this?

Hey bitch, I’m fine I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Yeah, yeah, you’re fine, all right, Melissa said as she grabbed her friend off the stool. She could barely stand from the pain in her leg. Ok, ok, put me down, you convinced me, Trish said with reluctance as she stared at the empty bottle. Best chance we have is to get off the island. Let’s just go, we can produce a plan along the way. The two of them helped Trisha to her feet, and as they made it to the elevator, there was a shudder in the ceiling. A noise stirred behind them; a growling, clicking noise that was like nothing they had heard. The building shook as the creature moved in the ceiling above them.

It’s back, Trish whispered.

The two of them carefully made their way to the elevator and pressed the button. The ding of the bell alerted the creature. It burrowed its way violently through the ceiling until it crashed through. Out in the darkness of the apartment, they could see two large red and yellow eyes staring back at them. The clicking grew louder as they panicked, waiting for the elevator to arrive. With Trisha in tow, they rushed out of the elevator and toward the staircase. The creature screamed at them, clawing, and gnawing at their backs as they ran. Xavier pulled the pistol out and fired back at it. They made it to the door as the beast reached out to grab them. But he shut it just in time. The monster’s huge size prevented it from drawing closer. They escaped, and as they made their way down the stairs, the cries of the monster diminished, and all they heard was the echo of their footsteps.

At ground level, outside on the streets, the three of them could see people standing outside. Overhead they heard the crack of thunder. But then they recognized the sound of jets flying high over the city. The building rattled from the flyby. It was the first time the three exhaled a sigh of relief. I think I’m ok to walk on my own now, you guys, Trisha said, pulling away from them. She stood alone, still regaining her balance. Are you sure? Melissa questioned, seeing the wobble in her knees. Yep, sure am, she said, firmly planting her feet. Outside the door, the people in the street were drawn to something in the distance. A tower stood ominously over the center of the city. Its size eclipsed all that surrounded it. A spiring obelisk where no light could be cast. What is that? Melissa asked. A moment ago, there was nothing there. It just appeared out of thin air, an old man said, standing next to them.

Above them, a fighter jet fired its rockets into the tower. It flew past, only inches from collision. Then another flew by and did the same. The rockets struck the tower but as soon as the smoke cleared there was not an ounce of damage to the structure. But just then, at the top of the tower, there was movement. A dark pedestal extended outward, and on it stood a figure. From the ground, no one could tell who or what it was. But they could feel it, a thickness in the air that spread out in all directions and seized the atmosphere in a molasses of evil. The jets orbiting the tower suddenly stopped in their tracks. The creature whispered atop the tower, and all could hear its words—a voice of ferocity, and malice, which caused the earth to tremble. The jets burst into flames and crashed onto the onlookers below. Just a few blocks from where the three of them were hiding.

Xavi let’s go! she said, putting her arm under Trish and urging them to follow. They ran, but halfway down the block, they were stopped. A trashing whirlpool of light and sound, as loud as a tornado, roared through the street. Without warning a deer came rushing out, slid across the pavement, and was sucked back in like a vacuum. Suddenly, a parked car, crashes along the side of building. A light pole, and other random debris were sucked in as well. The apparition closed rapidly, and for a moment there was silence, but another one opened right in front of them. A vacuum wind tore on them with tornado like force, pulling them closer to the event horizon.

Hold on to me, don’t let go! Xavier yelled. He grasped hold of a light pole and held on for his life as the girls wrapped their arms around his waist. The suction grew more intense as it drew closer. The cement cracked and gave way at its base, and as the pole jostled around, Xavier couldn’t hold on any longer. The pole broke loose and was sucked in along with them. They closed their eyes; the noise was drowning. But curiosity got the better of them. They opened their eyes to see the strangest of sights. They were traveling through a tunnel of light and sound, passing through different places. Each one stranger and more unusual than the last. They were flung through deserts, jungles, palaces, towns, cities, even outer space. They were elsewhere, nowhere familiar, none of them had seen such sights.

Until abruptly, it stopped. At the end of the tunnel, they flopped around in midair right into a murky bog. Still grasping tightly to one another, they panicked, struggling for air. The water was shallow and cloudy, cold, and dark, everything was a blur. The water was slimy and full of waste. As they pulled themselves into the shallows, Trish screamed in disgust.

Ewww, what the fuck just went in my mouth! she said as she coughed. Xavier wiped his eyes of muck and realized where they had landed. They were on the western bank of the Hudson, close to the George Washington Bridge. They crawled to shore; the river having receded. They reached solid ground. A solitary fish lay dead on what used to be the beach.

What the hell just happened to us! Xavier said, before spitting up mucky water. Melissa and Trisha coughed and gagged. All of them felt like they had just been spin cycled in the wash. Where are we? Melissa said, wiping the muck from her face. Beyond the shore, and through the trees, they could see light. The echo of loudspeakers blaring. The noises of metal clanking and vehicle engines. There is this nasty stuff in my shoes. It’s squishing around between my toes, Trish said with disgust on her face. Me too, this stuff isn’t natural, Melissa said. I could use a shower.

Me too.

They collected themselves at the foot of the shore. The glare of light flickered through the trees. They moved closer, lured by the sights, and sounds of civilization. It grew louder and brighter as they approached. They were drawn to the decay that had formed upon the side of the trees. The decay had rotted away the bench, tables, even a car that had been left behind. They came out of the darkness, blinded by lights. In front of them was a compound packed to the brim with evacuees. At the fence line, they saw tanks and troop transports, vehicles, flak guns, missile launchers, and turrets all laid out defensively aimed at the city behind them. In front of the fence stood consecutive anti-tank barricades, sandbag walls, and even towers, keeping watch on the approach. Further in, through the fence, they could see hundreds of tents with people walking, talking, waiting in lines to be processed. I guess this is just the beginning, Melissa said, reluctantly. How did they build this all so quickly? Xavier said.

I don’t feel so good, Trisha said as she stood there shivering.

What’s wrong?

I think… I feel… Trish collapsed, and the two of them reached out to grasp for her.

TRISH!

Lights turned toward them, blinding them as they held her.

Xavier, what’s happening?

FREEZE!

II

CHAPTER

THE CAMP

H elp us, please! Melissa screamed. Four guards approached, with lights and red dot sights beaming through the fence. She held up her unconscious friend as Xavier knelt next to them. Trish started convulsing in Melissa’s arms, holding desperately to her friend. Her body grew unresponsive, and sweat began accumulating. Amidst her shaking, Melissa noticed a lump pulsating against her friend’s thigh. The soldiers approached from either side, screaming at them.

GET ON THE GROUND!

GET ON THE GROUND NOW! they said.

DO IT, OR WE WILL SHOOT YOU! the soldiers persisted. Xavier did as they instructed, for the sake of his friend, until they tackled him to the ground.

Look, we mean no harm. We only want help. We escaped the city just now!

Quiet, not another word!

We have the intruders in custody, one of the soldiers said as he bound their hands with plastic zip ties. Melissa pleaded with them again, but there was no response. A few moments passed as another group of soldiers came around the fence and helped pick Xavier up, leading him into the compound. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HIM? WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG! We were only trying to escape! Melissa screamed.

Two more soldiers came around the fence and restrained Melissa. The refugees watched with reservation, holding close their loved ones. As they dragged Xavier away through the gathering crowd, he pleaded with them for the sake of his friends. Look, my friend Trish back there. She is hurt, bad. She needs medical attention, a nurse, anything. Please, can you all do something for her?

Quiet! the one to his right said as they dragged him along.

Where are you taking me? he asked again.

I said, quiet!

Xavier did not resist. He tried to look back through the gathering crowd. But all he could see was Melissa. As the soldiers surrounded them, Mel had tears running down her face. The soldiers gathered around Trish; the last thing he could see was them cutting open her pants. Something startled Melissa to the point of screaming. But by then, he could see nothing. Only the back of everyone’s heads as they watched.

Four hours. It had been four grueling agonizing hours since they began the interrogation, questioning every moment that led them to the shore. Throughout it all, Xavier grew more confused as they scried his mind with questions, repeating the same story over and over. From when the sky grew dark to when they arrived at the edge of the base, none of what he said made sense.

Wait, we need to stop. What day is it? Xavier asked them, coming to a moment of revelation. The soldiers looked at him with peculiar expressions. It’s been over forty-eight hours. They have killed hundreds of thousands, with many more remaining unaccounted for. So, you need to answer my questions. Where were you, and how do you account for all this missing time?

Xavier sat there, astonished by the discovery. How did we lose two days without even noticing it? he replied. The interrogator felt the very same thing. That thing that sucked us up, that has to be it! When we got pulled through, time must move slower than on the outside.

You mentioned some distortion that carried you out of the city and out into the river, correct?

Yes? Xavier replied.

Then perhaps there— he paused, suddenly a woman entered the tent, dressed in a military uniform. The two interrogators stopped what they were doing and stood at attention.

That is enough from both of you, she said.

But Colonel!

You can leave. I will continue this interrogation.

Ma’am?

New orders, wait outside.

Yes, ma’am?

The two men left the tent. And waited outside, their egos slightly bruised. She sat down across from him and stared at him for a moment. The colonel wore an air force uniform, teeming with ribbons, with two silver oak leaves on her shoulders. Clutched under her left arm, she carried a tan folder. She pulled it out and planted it in front of him, referencing the information inside.

Xavier Phillips, correct?

Yes, ma’am?

Born January 20th?

Yes?

Adopted after parents were killed in a car crash.

Yes, I’ve already answered these questions. Where are my friends? he asked.

I’ll be asking the questions. I have already spoken to your girlfriend, Melissa. She has told me the same story my men got from you. With the state of things, as they are, the United States government would appreciate it if you keep your story to yourself. Do not repeat it while in the camp, not to anyone. Everyone out there is scared and looking for answers. They will do anything to find out what is going on. Right now, we are still gathering information. There have been a few incidents before you arrived—creatures that looked like people but were not. We have had a few attacks, so the blood test helped us confirm you are who you say you are. So please keep it to yourself. Can you do that?

I think so?

Then you’re free to go.

Just like that, I’m free to go?

Yes, just like that, she said with a smile.

Xavier’s eyes seared from the lights as he walked outside. Even through his hand, he could see the glow of floodlights. He peered up at the sky, now free from the low clouds. Through the still lingering fog, he saw the branches of a tree hanging far, far above him. Beyond those twisted lifeless limbs were the twinkle of stars. The tree slowly grew across the sky, extending its grip over the world in a dark embrace. From where he stood, he gazed upon the city to find his home had thoroughly been altered. An eerie glow enveloped the city, the streets filled with fog. With tendrils growing out from the roots of buildings, smothering the city’s majesty. The dark towers still loomed, jagged, ominous, overlooking all others. He could see shadows moving through the streets and heard distant screams of those still left behind. But suddenly, the roar of jets startled him as they flew overhead. Faint helicopters could be heard moving slowly through the clouds.

Tracers and rockets fell from the sky as they passed, hitting targets on the distant shores of Manhattan and the Hudson side of the island. On the horizon, war was raging. Flashes of bombs and gunfire broke the night from north to south, and fires could be seen casting against the clouds. But amidst it all, the people paid no attention to the scene in the distance, just a few miles from where they stood. Xavier? The lieutenant colonel called to him. What’s happening? Why haven’t we been evacuated?

It takes a lot of effort to evacuate an area as dense as Manhattan. But, to be entirely honest with you, we were not prepared for anything like this, she said.

We are at war, but with whom?

That is the question. However, that isn’t your concern now; you should join your friends and get on one of the evacuation transports as soon as you are able.

What about my—

Xavier! a woman screamed. It was Melissa, waving wildly on the far side of a group passing by. She weaved through the crowd and ran over into his arms. Are you ok?

Yeah, but my ass hurts—the seat they had me sitting in was hard as hell, Xavier said, smiling while rubbing his rear.

Mine too. They interrogated me as well. You would think they could afford better chairs.

He was a good sport.

I doubt that.

Where is our friend Trish? Xavier asked.

Don’t worry, Xavier, your friend is safe.

Come on, we should go, Melissa said as she tugged on his shirt.

Remember what I told you.

Yeah, we got it. Come on, Xavier, I want to show you something, Melissa said, pulling him into the crowd. The two melted away, and as soon as she lost sight of them, the Colonel called over one of her subordinates.

Keep an eye on them. I don’t want them out of our sight.

Yes ma’am.

Did they ask you about the thing? Xavier asked.

What thing, what do you mean?

The time thing?

We aren’t supposed to talk about it, dummy.

I don’t think they meant we can’t talk about it amongst ourselves; we were there, you know.

No, that colonel lady came into our tent as I was explaining for like the tenth time what had happened. She got them to lay off and told me not to say anything.

Two whole days have passed since the start of this craziness.

I overheard something else too. So, we took a break, and outside I overheard them. There was a communication blackout or something. But whatever this is, it’s happening all over. Not just here, it’s happening everywhere, Melissa said.

So, everyone on earth is—

I have something to show you. Follow me. It’s kind of a surprise, she said, pulling him along by the arm. We set up shop at the far end of camp; this place is enormous. There are a lot of places to get lost. Come on.

Who’s we? Is Trisha with you?

No, you’ll see.

Trisha, what happened to her? he asked with concern.

She’s doing better from what I’m told. Something was attached to her leg, like a leech but much worse. But before we go to visit, I need to show you something.

Ok? he replied anxiously.

What was the thing on her leg?

No one, I mean no one, would tell me anything. All they would tell me is she is stable. They keep it all secret; they do not want regular people to know. It might start a panic. Because what I saw attached to her leg, it wasn’t normal, she said with a worried look.

What was it?

The soldiers ripped open her pants, and there was something like a leech but, with spines, bones, and blood. It looked up at me with its eyes. It was horrible. It was sucking on her, eating her blood, getting fat. Then they took her away before I was interrogated. But Vincent has been… Shit, damn it.

Wait, Vincent?

I spoiled the fucking surprise, she said, disappointed with herself.

But this is excellent news. He wasn’t killed, like she thought. Did anyone else make it?

You’ll see.

They continued on until they reached a park where thousands of people had gathered. There they found lines of hungry citizens waiting for hot meals and clean water. On the far side of the park was a large group of tents. Noticeable even from where they stood was the large red crosses affixed across the top of them. Outside several doctors and nurses rushed around patients performing triage. At the center of a clearing was a command tent with a large radio antenna affixed alongside. A sea of people stood between them. From all levels of society: rich, poor, Black, White, Asian, Indian, everyone was out in the streets waiting—hungry, pressed against each other. All dressed in what they wore that morning. All with less than a sunny disposition. There was a lingering stench that persisted over all of it. The smell of sweat, old men, the ordure of homelessness, but more still. That smell of rotten eggs, that no amount of coverage could alleviate.

As they made their way through the camp, they observed it wasn’t without its troublemakers. With so many people cooped up together, fights cropped up all over. Fighting over food, commodities, and even territory. In some instance, it was survival of the fittest, every man for themselves, the end of civilization. But the soldiers seemed to be doing what they could where they could to keep the peace. But with so many cooped up in tents in close proximity to gang members and bankers. Who were both equal in difficulty to deal with, it was nothing but a deteriorating situation. People wanted to return to their comforts, TVs, cell phones and video games. There was arrogance and ego in some, as though they were too good for it to be happening to them. Some even believed it wasn’t actually happening. It was all a dream; one they would wake up from with the right amount of intoxication. While others became more feral, already at the bottom of the food chain in the real world. Some took it upon themselves to change that circumstance.

Come on, this way. This place is bad. I tried not to come this way, but it’s no use, we got to go through to get where we are going, Melissa said.

They continued, but as they did, amidst the crowd standing on top of a flimsy set of boxes was a man who looked to have been taken homeless, ranting about salvation through fire. Mothers grasped their