The Rescue: The Burning Tilogy, #3

By Patrick Jean-Paul

The Burning set the world ablaze, thrusting once civilized societies into anarchy. Seeking to arm himself with the solar refraction weapon capable of destroying life and technology, Captain Tyler strives to strengthen his reign. It falls to Lance and his friends to seize control of the deadly apparatus before it can be used again.But the war that's coming will be paved with blood and sacrifice. The Sanctuary and Colonel Pavlov have joined forces to form a mighty army. Pooling any and all allies, Lance leads the New Dawn into their biggest battle yet. Can they stop Captain Tyler from destroying what's left of their world? Or will the spark of rebellion be snuffed out by a growing empire hell-bent on destruction?The thrilling Burning Trilogy comes to an epic conclusion in The Rescue, by breakout author Patrick Jean-Paul!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clearview Services LLC
• Release date: Feb 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215201824

Patrick Jean-Paul

Patrick Jean-Paul was born on the Caribbean island of Haiti. He immigrated to the United States in the mid-eighties, where he settled with his parents in New York City. He began his writing career as a screenwriter in 2000, where he wrote The Impaler mystery and Die by The Sword screenplays. After completing five screenplays, he took a hiatus from writing until deciding to write The Burning.

Book preview

Chapter One

I can’t believe what I’m looking at! It is surreal. My friends are standing there, all of them, and they are alive. Why are Ethan and Kirsten holding hands? No, No! This is not happening. My girlfriend, who is the only reason I fought hard to get here, is holding hands with Ethan. I thought we were in love. I thought she was looking for me the same way I was looking for the day we would reunite. Let me not jump to any conclusions. There could be a simple explanation for why Ethan is holding her hand. I stand there, frozen. I can’t move, and neither can they. My whole world is complete and falling apart at the same time. I’m happy to be here with my friends, and my search is over.

Lance! shouts Cassie.

She drops her bag, runs toward me, and leaps and hugs me. My friends all run to me; they surround and hug me. I stand there, staring at Kirsten and Ethan, and they do not run to me, but they stare back at me. They continue holding each other’s hands. Did I misjudge the reason and drive that got me here? How could she do this to me? I look away because I realize Kirsten is now with Ethan. My heart sinks to my stomach. It hurts like nothing I’ve felt before. It is a gut-wrenching feeling that is worst than finding out that my parents are mass murders. I know I’ve completely lost her because neither of them is excited to see me, nor do they greet me.

They're just standing there with the other two strangers as if I’m a stranger to them. Even if they are together, they could at least say hello. Maybe they are in shock. Perhaps my sudden appearance is such a surprise that they do not know how to process it. I’m having trouble processing what I am seeing, too, my girlfriend holding hands with my friend. Did they give up on me? How long did they even look for me? I’m surrounded by Cassie, Nate, and the others. They are overjoyed by my presence. I don’t understand why am I just standing here with no emotions for my friends, who are happy to see me, and why am I so focused on Kirsten and Ethan when there are six others who are happily surrounding me?

I’m not feeling jealous, just lost, lost that my reason for working so hard to survive and escape was an illusion. How am I going to go on? What is going to drive me to go on? Do I have the inner strength to move forward without Kirsten as a purpose? Before I met her, the people tugging on me right now were the reason for my inner strength. I will have to dig deep and find that strength again because, while they survived without me when I was gone, they will need me for what is coming next. I have to move forward. No, I must move forward and be stronger than I’ve ever been before.

After getting over my initial shock of Kirsten together with Ethan, I hold Cassie tight, and then I pull Nate towards me and hug him, too. I also hug Jeremy, Emma, and Taylor. I’m happy that even Quinn could not contain his happiness to see me. I look up at Ethan and Kirsten. It’s up to me to walk over and break the ice. I have to do what a good leader should do in this situation and show them compassion and understanding. They thought I was dead, so I have to be the bigger person and push aside my feelings for the sake of the group.

Cassie kisses me on the cheek, and I become very emotional when I see tears falling from her eyes. I touch her face and wipe away the tears. We smile at each other, and then I look at Ethan. I walk over to him. He seems apprehensive and is not sure what to do. I put out my hand. He slowly reaches for it, and I take him, pull him to me, and hug him. He slowly puts up his arms and hugs me back. I reach for Kirsten with my other hand, and she hugs both of us. Then everyone cheers, and they surround us.

The two guys with them come over as well. The first put his hand out and introduces himself.

I’m Josh.

I’m John.

I’m Lance.

I shake their hands.

We kind of figured that out, says Josh.

The family is back together, and we have some new family members, which surprises me. I hope that the other two family members, whom I just left, are doing okay. I was expecting to see Allie and Trevor by now. I don’t know what it means that they are not here yet. Their car should be here by now.

For now, this is the reunion I’ve been fighting for, minus the girlfriend. The reunion stops short when we hear a burst of gunfire that catches our attention. We hear the screeching sound of a car tire, and the car crashes. I turn and see the crash a short distance away. Trevor has crashed the car into the truck as a last effort to escape.

Allie and Trevor exit the vehicle, fire a couple of shots into the truck, and run towards us. Everyone takes out their guns and aims at Allie and Trevor.

Whoa! I shout. They are with me, and that’s Sanctuary in the truck.

Trevor and Allie are screaming at us, waving their hands to warn us to get away from the truck.

It’s going to blow! they shout. Run! Get away from the truck!

As they sprint towards us, the truck explodes in a fireball. The blast sends them flying to the ground. We run over to them, and we help them to their feet.

Check the truck, I command.

Yes, boss, replies Quinn.

As he inspects the truck, I look around and notice that Ethan seems irritated with me for barking orders. I have been gone for almost two months, and I wonder if he’s been leading the group. He’s taken my girlfriend and my position. Well, I’m back now, and he can’t have them both. I’m compromising with Kirsten because it is not my choice to make; it is her decision. However, I will not compromise when it comes to leading this group and ensuring their safety. He is a loose cannon, and I will not leave our safety in his hands.

Are you okay? I ask.

Yes, replies Trevor.

We’re good, adds Allie.

Clear! shouts Quinn.

Are these your friends? asks Allie.

Everyone, this is Allie and Trevor, and this is Cassie, I say.

The best friend, blurts out Allie.

I thought I was your best friend, complains Nate.

You must be Nate, and I didn’t mean it like that, explains Allie. I feel like I know you all already. Lance talks so much about you. Come here.

Allie hugs Cassie, and then she hugs Nate. Taylor must have gotten jealous because she puts her arm around Nate as soon as Allie lets him go.

Allie looks at her and says, You must be Taylor. She reaches for Taylor and hugs her. I’m glad to see that Taylor and Nate are still together; at least one of the relationships has survived me getting shot. Quinn shakes Trevor’s hand.

I’m Quinn.

Trevor.

Okay, Lance, introduce us to the rest of your friends, says Allie.

This is Jeremy, and the one next to him is Emma, I say.

Aww, you’re right. They are cute together, says Allie.

Emma giggles, but Jeremy looks embarrassed.

These two new family members, I believe, are Josh and John, I say.

So, you’re not the only one with new friends, says Allie.

This is Ethan, I say.

Allie hugs Ethan.

And this must be the girlfriend you risked our lives to get to, says Allie.

I cringe when she says that. Ethan and Allie become uncomfortable.

Ex-girlfriend, I say.

Allie walks over and hugs me. I’m sorry. What happened?

Ethen and Kirsten thought he died, so now their boyfriend and girlfriend, says Emma.

So, what now, boss, man? asks Trevor.

Bro, you don’t know how much I miss having you here, says Nate. I’m so happy to see you alive. We got our captain back.

Glad to have you back. You’ve been missed, says Quinn.

See, I told you you’re a natural, says Trevor. We should get off the road. They may have more trucks that are looking for us.

What about the car? I ask.

Trevor shakes his head.

We all couldn’t fit in it anyway, I say. We should probably get our bags out the trunk before the fire spreads to it.

You had a car? asks Jeremy.

Not anymore.

How did you get it to work? asks Nate.

Long story. Come on, and I’ll tell you all about it, I say.

We walk to the vehicles. The truck is burning, and the fire is spreading. Trevor’s decision to crash into the truck worked, and we can stop running for now. I turn around and look at the gang. They are all walking behind me, even Josh and John. However, Ethan is still standing where we met. I hope his behavior isn’t a look at things to come. I turn to Nate.

What’s up with Ethan?

He’s probably upset that’s you’re back. He’s been trying to lead us since we thought you died. Cassie would not have any of it. She insisted that you were still alive. She even convinced me to believe, but not Ethan and Kirsten. They just knew you were dead. You know what, though? I’m glad Cassie was right.

When we reach the car, Trevor opens the trunk, and we take out our bags. The front of the car is a wreck and is wedged underneath the truck. Jeremy walks around and inspects the car.

Sweet ride, bro, he says.

Too bad it’s dead now, says Trevor. We need to get away before it explodes, too.

We quickly walk away from the car and head back towards Ethan.

Trevor, right? asks Jeremy.

Yeah, kid, says Trevor.

Jeremy.

My bad.

So, how did you all meet? asks Cassie.

We can tell the story once we get in the woods, says Trevor. We are sitting ducks out here.

This way, I say.

I walk into the woods on the opposite side of the street from where I exited. Everyone follows me. We walk for a good fifteen minutes before looking for a spot to stop for a quick rest and plan our next move. I see an area that seems suitable, and I check it out to make sure we’re going to be safe there.

I’m the happiest I’ve been in a while at this moment. It is like old times again, being with my friends. There is safety in numbers, and I’m happy that the group has grown by four new members. We should be able to repel a small army with a group of this size. I am happy and depressed at the same time. I’ve gained a larger family, but I’ve lost love.

Chapter Two

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We take a twenty-minute break to figure out what our next move should be and what direction we should go. I know they all want to go to Taylor’s aunt’s farm in North Carolina, but I need to object to that plan. I need to be discreet on how I handle it, or it may backfire.

I sit there quietly, listening to Allie tell them how we met and how we ran into Trevor. Look at them. They are so happy, and I’m about to ruin it with my request. I’m about to ask them to give up a peaceful life to join me in a crusade to help right the wrong my parents created. The question still remains, though: do I tell them the truth, or do I hide it from them? If I tell them the truth, some of them may leave the group, but If I don’t tell them when they eventually find out, they may feel that I betrayed their trust, and I may lose all of them.

I tell you, I thought he was going to die, but finally, he did wake up, says Allie. He helped me gain the courage to escape, and here we are.

That’s it? It was that easy? asks Cassie.

Well, we were tortured by a crazy Russian colonel for a few days before we escaped, adds Allie.

That’s who was chasing us, says Trevor. It looks like they are working with the Sanctuary. They are bad news.

That still doesn’t explain how Trevor connects with you two, says Taylor.

Well, says Allie, the Russians and the Chinese were fighting each other after the Chinese discovered that the Russians have an ulterior motive. We took a chance and escaped, but the Russians caught up to us. We ran into a field while trying to outrun them, and that’s when Trevor and Clay, his dad, saved our lives. They took down the Russians that were chasing us and saved our lives.

Sounds like you survived quite an ordeal.

Lance got the brunt of it. When General Fedorov removed Colonel Chao and put Colonel Pavlov in charge of Lance’s interrogation, he tortured him for days.

So, Chao is a good guy? asks Nate.

Yes, yes, he is, replies Allie.

So, why were they torturing you, and why did they shoot you? asks Cassie. Did you ever find out?

I was hoping that this question would not be brought up at all, let alone that I would have to answer it right now. This is the moment of truth. Am I going to be honest with my friends, and will they understand? What about Josh and John? I just met them. How will they react to the news? If I hesitate and delay telling them right now, they may interpret that as me being disingenuous. They can say later this was the perfect opportunity to come clean, and I did not. As I’ve learned in the past year, things have a way of happening when we’re not ready for them, and this is one of those times.

Allie is staring at me, and I know that look; she is encouraging me to come clean. I have her and Trevor’s support, and that’s a start. I know Nate and Cassie are the ones who are most likely to understand, which leaves the wild cards: Ethan, Kirsten, Quinn, and the new guys. Emma and Jeremy will go along with whatever their sisters choose to do.

Well, Lance, why did they shoot and torture you? asks Taylor.

They are all staring at me with bated breath, waiting for a response. At this point, I have no choice but to come out with it and hope for the best. There is no other way to do this, and I have to be the leader they deserve, the leader they can put their trust in and trust. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Nate, Cassie, or any of them if they were in my position. We are friends, and we need to have faith in each other. We must have confidence that we will not deceive one another, to be honest, no matter what the risk is. They are all staring at me, and I need to say something.

Maybe Lance is not up to talking about how he was repeatedly tortured right now, says Allie. You can understand that, can’t you?

No, I’m okay to talk about it, I say.

You don’t have to talk about it now if you don’t want, says Cassie.

She rubs my back, which brings back all the memories of my hallucination when I was falling in and out of consciousness at the hospital. The kiss that we shared becomes so vivid that it seems real. The thought of it sends chills down my spine. I shrug it off, clear my throat, and speak.

After they shot me, the last thing I saw was Hector lying in front of me, dead. I can’t tell you how horrible I still feel about him, especially since we ditched him at the police station. Anyway, he was lying in front of me, dead, after trying to save my life. The sight of him still haunts me today.

It’s done. It’s the same for all of us, says Nate.

Yeah, adds Taylor.

He and his men saved our lives, says Quinn.

I notice that Ethan and Kirsten are very quiet. I assume that there is some awkwardness with me being here. Maybe me looking at my friend and my girlfriend together is too much for them. It’s a situation that we all have to get used to. I’m not happy about it at all, but I have to move on.

Yes, he did, I say. I guess I fell into a coma after that because the next thing I remember is being strapped to a hospital bed, and that’s were I met Allie. She kept me alive for a month, with no monitoring equipment or help, while I recovered. I owe her my life.

Well, I got a baby brother out of the deal, so it wasn’t all bad, Allie says with a chuckle.

Awww, says Taylor.

She kept me being awake secret for a while because she knew that the UN soldiers would interrogate me, I say. I’m grateful for her help and discretion. Eventually, she had to tell them that I was awake. They brought a doctor in that was going to take a look at me, and we knew pretending to be asleep wouldn’t work with him like it did with the soldiers.

We did spend time together and got to know each other while I hid him away, interrupts Allie. That’s how I learned so much about all you.

Colonel Chao told me that the solar flare was not an accident, nor was it natural, I say.

You mean someone did this? asks Cassie.

Yes. They built a machine that can harness solar material from the sun. One pull of the solar energy was supposed to power the planet for a full year. The first test was supposed to send the energy to a base on the moon, but something went wrong. Instead of a stream of solar material, the sun created a massive solar flare.

What does any of that have to do with you and why they shot you? asks Nate.

Remember my watch?

Yes, I have it! exclaims Cassie. She goes into her bag and searches for the watch.

After you got shot, she wore that broken thing until a few days ago, says Taylor.

How did you find it? I ask.

We went back to the field after the soldiers left, and it was hiding in the grass, says Cassie, so I took it because I knew you were not dead, even though they all tried to convince me you were.

Cassie finds the watch and hands it to me. I take it and just stare at it. This watch is the source of so much death and misery. I cannot believe it survived the attack on me. I’m even more shocked that Cassie found it and took care of it. I don’t know how to respond to the watch: do I destroy it, or do I keep it as a reminder? Do I keep it as a memorial of what my parents have done?

But what does your watch have to do with the solar flare? asks Quinn.

I’m getting there, I say. The watch had something called microfiche inside of it.

What? asks Jeremy.

I never heard of that before, says Nate.

Microfiche is old technology. It’s a tiny film that stores a lot of information, I say, that’s what the UN soldiers were after, and that’s why the Russians shot me.

How did it get in your grandfather’s watch? asks Cassie.

That is the crazy part. As it turns out, my parents have a secret that even I did not know. They always told me they were biologists, but in reality, that was a cover for a secret government program they were working on. They are both physicists and led the Tesla project that created the machine.

What are you saying? asks Ethan.

He’s been quiet since my return, and throughout this conversation. This is the first time he’s had anything to say, and he chooses this moment to speak up. He is already mad at the world, and now I may have given him a new nemesis to focus on: me.

My parents came up with the theory and designed a machine that caused the solar flare, I say.

Your parents killed everyone! shouts Ethan. It’s your fault!

No, Lance is just as much a victim as any of us, implores Allie.

Without warning, Ethan stands up and lunges at me, tackling me to the ground. He gets off a punch to my face before I even know what is happening. Quinn and Nate grab him and pull him off me.

Ethan.

Stop, Ethan.

What the hell?

Get off him, Ethan.

You’re a dead man! I will kill you! shouts Ethan.

I stand and try to lunge at him, but Josh and John grab me. Trevor gets up and gets in between us both.

Let them go, says Trevor.

What do you mean, let them go? asks Allie.

It’s obvious there is some animosity between them, and it needs to be settled now, or it will only get worst. They fight and end it here and now.

No! I’m not going to let them fight, says Kirsten.

You’re part of the reason this is happing, says Cassie. Whatever problems they had before is magnified by the fact that you could not control yourself and you started sleeping with Ethan. Can’t you see that?

I agree, says Quinn. They should settle it now. Let them go.

Go ahead, but I won't stand there and watch them kill each other, says Kirsten.

She turns and walks away. Quinn and Nate let Ethen go, and then John and Josh do the same with me. Everyone stands around us. I wipe away the little blood that Ethan’s sucker punch caused with the back of my hand. We both put our hands up and square off.

Yeah, come on, Lance. You got this, says Trevor.

Come on, says Nate.

They are all shouting, but I just tune them all out, and I move closer to Ethen. I’m sizing him up. I know how he fights, and his anger is going to throw him off balance. He won’t be able to think. He throws the first punch, and I move out of the way. He throws a second punch, and I block it. Then I throw a right, but he moves out of the way and catches me with a left. I stagger backward, and he comes at me and catches me with a right. I move back again.

Come on, Lance! shouts Trevor.

I throw a right and hit Ethan on his left cheek. My punch does not slow him down, though; it only makes him angrier. He strikes me with a jab, which dazes me, and he takes advantage of this and lands another jab and then an uppercut. He hits me with several body shots, each hurting more than the first. I swing and hit him with a jab, and he hits me with another body shot that winds me.

Lance! yells Allie.

As I stagger backward, Ethan moves forward and hits me with a right and then a left. He throws another right, and I dive and hit him with an uppercut, catching him by surprise. He staggers back, and I hit him with a left, then a right, and then another left. I hit him with several body shots, then another right hand, and he falls to the ground. I look and see that Kirsten has rejoined us. I stand there over Ethan on the ground, and everyone is looking at me. Ethan is coming to. I put my hand out to him