Life's Awakening

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum and Dr. Martin Welch return to Sars Springs to find that the town is underwater. Not only has a chain reaction caused a flood of the town, but several family members have also lost their lives or just became homeless.

As Raina joins forces with Colonel Mac Helms and the Army, she desperately tries to find those who are deemed missing, including her son, Logan. In the wake of the flood, the town isn’t the only thing that is starting to be rebuilt. Limbs, organs, and the dead ... well, eight of them, are starting to be rebuilt.

What effect will the rebuilds have on the lives of Sars Springs? What happens when the chosen eight dead are slowly awakened? Raina hits an emotional rollercoaster when she realizes that a part of her is also being rebuilt. Will the Markums be strong enough to handle the obstacles that hit them one after another? Will Sars Springs truly be an awakened town, or it will continue to drown itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215395769

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Awakening

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, 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.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Dr. Raina Markum and Dr. Martin Welch return to Sars Springs to find that the town is underwater. Not only has a chain reaction caused a flood of the town, but several family members have also lost their lives or just became homeless.

As Raina joins forces with Colonel Mac Helms and the Army, she desperately tries to find those who are deemed missing, including her son, Logan. In the wake of the flood, the town isn’t the only thing that is starting to be rebuilt. Limbs, organs, and the dead ... well, eight of them, are starting to be rebuilt.

What affect will the rebuilds have on the lives of Sars Springs? What happens when the chosen eight dead are slowly awakened? Raina hits an emotional rollercoaster when she realizes that a part of her is also being rebuilt. Will the Markums be strong enough to handle the obstacles that hit them one after another? Will Sars Springs truly be an awakened town, or it will continue to drown itself?

1 Chain Reaction

DR. RAINA MARKUM looked over at her partner, Dr. Martin Welch, who was driving. Home sweet home, she grinned.

I can’t wait until I get home. I’ve missed Carey so much, he said.

I know the feeling. I’m sure Terry has kept himself busy. I miss him. I can’t wait to get home. It feels like that meeting lasted forever.

Yeah, I know, he said, as he pulled down Long Bridge Road. "Ray, what the hell?"

She stared out the windshield as he pulled in front of the roadblock. Martin rolled down the window as a man dressed in Army Battle Dress Uniform approached them. Sir, what’s going on? Martin asked.

Um, Sars Springs is contained right now. No one in and no one out, he said.

What’s going on? We live there, Raina said.

Who are you? he looked down at his clipboard.

Dr. Martin Welch, Martin said, as he showed his ID.

Dr. Raina Markum, Raina showed her hospital ID. We’re doctors at the Healer’s State hospital.

Um, oh, well, pull over there. You two need to come with me, he said. I’m Sergeant Jenkins.

Martin pulled the car over and the two doctors got out. They followed the Sergeant over to a tent. Sir, he saluted the Colonel, who was sitting behind the desk. Doctors Markum and Welch.

The man returned the salute. Dismissed. Please, Doctors, have a seat.

Raina and Martin looked at each other and then sat down. What is going on here? Raina asked.

He looked at Martin. Dr. Welch?

Yes, sir, Martin said.

Which one?

Excuse me? Martin looked at Raina.

"Which Dr. Welch?"

Martin. Why? Where is my father? he asked nervously.

Unknown.

Raina leaned forward. Colonel, what is going on here?

Chain reaction, he sighed, as he stood up and walked over the map that was on the wall. Dr. Markum…

Please, it’s just Raina, Raina and Martin walked over to him. What happened?

A few days ago, a plane, carrying drugs and chemicals from your laboratory crashed into the dam that separates the Sars Springs Reservoir and Salter’s Creek.

Raina covered her mouth. The pilot? Did he survive?

The colonel shook his head. No, I’m sorry. Ted Malcolm died on impact.

Damn, Martin said.

The dam was destroyed, and the reservoir emptied into Salter’s Creek, causing severe flooding of… he stopped.

What? Raina asked.

All of Main Street, the park, the cemetery, and other surrounding areas. Probably the whole town has some type of flooding. Some of the bodies that were buried in the cemetery came to surface.

Not again, she cried.

That’s not the only problem.

What?

The drugs and chemicals that were on board were absorbed into the water. The drinking water is contaminated with your drugs. Do you have a list of the drugs that were on board? We couldn’t find any records.

Yes, of course, but the residents of Sars Springs. Where are they? My family lives there. My husband, children, grandchildren… Raina cried.

We don’t know who is in the town and who isn’t. We need to know what we are dealing with before we send in any aid. Right now, the town is blocked off. No incoming or outgoing traffic.

Have you been approached by anyone from the town? Martin asked. Aren’t people trying to get out?

We’ve only had contact with the Mayor, briefly until the lines went down.

We have to get in there. We have to get to that town. We need to see what we’re dealing with, Raina cried.

The drugs, Doctor.

Oh, of course, she sat down at the table. "Diadriamine. Revitoline. Rejuvenix. Latix. Cyrotentic and cardomine hydroxide," she said, as she wrote the names down.

Are these lethal? he asked.

"No, they are revitalization and awakening drugs. The Latix is a heart medication. I don’t know the effects it would have on a healthy person. The Cyrotentic is primarily used for cryogenics, but if it’s ingested, it helps heal dead or damaged cells. The Cardomine Hydroxide is just used to clean out toxins, she looked at Martin. I don’t know what it would do to dead tissue. The major effect of any of these drugs is that a person would feel and appear younger and healthier."

Sounds like Salter’s Creek is now a fountain of youth, the colonel said.

We have to get in there. We have to see the damage. We don’t know if the crash or flood caused any casualties or fatalities, do we?

No, we don’t. I’m sorry. I only have a list of residents of Sars Springs. As of two days ago, the mayor and his wife were accounted for, but the lines got cut off. Must’ve gotten wet or something.

What do you plan on doing and how are we getting in there? Raina cried.

We’ll take you two in the town and take it from there. We can check out the damage.

We need to find the residents. I don’t care if we all have to go door to door, but we need to make sure all the residents are alive, Raina cried, as her cell phone beeped. She looked down at the text. Terry? she whispered.

What’s it say? Martin asked.

It just says Doc, she looked at Martin. He’s in trouble.

Try to call him back, the Colonel said.

Raina dialed Terry’s cell phone number. No answer. Do you have access to GPS?

Yes, ma’am. We’ll trace the location. Don’t worry… we’ll find your husband.

Raina slowly sat down in the chair and Martin took her hand. We have to get in there, she said.

I know, he said, as a man, dressed in a lab coat, walked into the tent.

Raina looked up at him. Racy?

Raina? he smiled. What are you doing here?

Raina looked at Martin. This is Dr. Horace Jefferson. We went to med school together.

Martin smiled. Dr. Martin Welch.

Please, call me Racy, he smiled. I’ve been working for the Army. Um, they want me to test the water samples once we get in there.

My family is in there. This is my hometown, Raina wiped her eyes.

"I heard you married Terry Markum," he grinned.

You know Terry? Martin asked.

"Never met him. Raina just neverstopped talking about him," he laughed.

Yeah, he’s my third husband, Raina said. Fate was finally good to me, she smiled.

Martin looked up at three soldiers that walked into the tent. Colonel Helms? one man saluted.

Yes, he returned the salute. What is it?

The trucks and boats are ready, sir, he said.

Very good, Sergeant. Let’s do this, he said.

Do what? Raina asked.

We’re heading into Sars Springs. Now, we’re not sure what we’re going to find… so I’m going to prepare you.

We understand, Raina said.

Follow me. Dr. Jefferson, we’ll contact you when we’re ready.

Very good, sir, he saluted and left the tent.

Raina and Martin followed the Colonel out of the tent and over to three Hummers, that had boats and trailers attached to the hitches.

Will it be that bad? Martin asked.

We just don’t know, Colonel Helms said.

Raina looked at the colonel. Let us get our bags just in case there are those who need medical care, she and Martin hurried over to their car.

2 Damage

RAINA AND MARTIN stared straight ahead through the windshield. OK, we’ll have to stop here, Colonel Helms said, as he pulled over to the side of Main Street.

Oh, my god, Raina said, as she and Martin got out of the Hummer. They stared at the town, which was partially underwater. She looked at Martin and collapsed in his arms. My home is right off the creek. Terry? she dropped to her knees. I can’t lose my husband.

Dr. Markum, Colonel Helms said. Let’s go to your home first, he said, as the soldiers pulled the boats off the trailer. Dr. Welch, those men will take you to your home. Go with them, he handed Martin a radio. This will keep you in contact with us.

Thanks, Martin kissed Raina’s cheek. Go with them and let me know what happens.

All right, she said, as they walked over to the boats and got in. She looked at Colonel Helms. Are your men going house to house?

Yes, that group is checking the police station and city hall, he pointed. Those men over there are going to check the hospitals and the Tower. We’ll check your home and then work on the rest of the houses. Come on, Doctor.

Raina climbed into the boat and took a deep breath. Slowly the boat floated down Main Street. She sighed at the sight of crumbled buildings and businesses. Oh, God, she cried, as she pointed to what was once Spring Tower.

Martin looked over at her from the other boat. He pointed to Destino, Terry’s restaurant, where there was a flooded parking lot, but the building was still standing. As they continued on, Raina stared at the park and the cemetery, Stop, she cried.

They stopped the boats. Dr. Markum?

Something… all those caskets… she cried. My family’s caskets.

Colonel Helms lightly touched her cheek. We have to focus on the live persons.

I understand. I’m sorry, she looked toward the hospital. Looks like both hospitals are intact. The parking lot is flooded, but I don’t see any damage.

Helms picked up his radio. Get the team to the hospital and verify that it’s in working order. Also, get a list of all persons that are still alive.

Yes, sir, the sergeant said, as one of the boats headed toward the hospital.

Raina looked at Martin as they floated passed Solutions Computer System. Wait. There are people on the roof, she cried.

Martin stood up. Carey? he cried. We need to get there first.

Sir? the sergeant said on the radio.

Helms picked up his radio. Yes. What is it?

The Healer’s State Hospital has been deemed safe. Anyone who has been able to make it here, is here. They’re using it as an emergency shelter.

Who’s in charge?

Doctors Steven Welch, Kenneth Doyle, and Marcus Markum. We are collecting names of the living and the dead.

Stay with it, Sergeant.

Martin took a sigh of relief as the boat pulled up to Solutions’ steps. He quickly hurried into the building.

Raina looked at the colonel. Take a left on Mulberry and then a left on Destiny Lane. I have to get home. Please.

All right. Sergeant, continue.

As the boat floated down Mulberry, she looked toward her daughter’s farmhouse. Hold it.

What’s wrong?

My family. They’re on the roof of the farmhouse.

Let’s go, he said, as they floated toward the farmhouse.

Starr? Raina cried.

Starr stood up. Mom? Oh, thank god.

Who’s with you? Raina cried.

Elliot and Ely stood up, along with Kyle and Tara Garris. We’re here, Sparky, Kyle said.

Can you climb down or go through the house? Raina asked. We have boats to help you. We’re taking you all to the HSH.

We’ll be right down, Starr said.

Raina took a sigh of relief as they came out of the front door. Raina hugged her daughter and grandson, Ely. Have you heard from anyone?

No, we heard the crash and then the water… it just started pouring out of the creek. I didn’t realize that the creek had that much water. Kyle and Tara managed to get here, since our house is taller. There’s about a foot of water on the main floor, Starr cried.

Your brothers? Raina cried.

We don’t know, Starr looked across the driveway at her daughter’s house. I haven’t seen Sarah, Jeff, or even Chris. I just don’t know.

All right. You all go with these men to the hospital. We’re looking for survivors and then we’ll figure out how to fix our town, Raina hugged her daughter again.

Sparky, the Tower is gone, isn’t it? Kyle asked.

Yeah, Raina said.

The skyline is so different now, Kyle said, as he hugged his big sister.

If you see any of our family, please, have the nearest Sergeant call Colonel Helms, she said.

We will. Mom, where are you going?

I have to find your father and then Matt, she cried.

All right, Starr said. Stay safe.

You, too, Raina said, as her boat continued to the road. She sadly looked down Angel lane and saw no signs of life. I hope they’re all right, she cried. She took a deep breath as they turned on to Destiny Lane. Wait. Where’s the water? she cried, as they stopped when it hit the pavement.

Helms looked at her. Your house wasn’t touched. That’s weird.

She quickly got out of the boat. Mark Dix’s yard is flooded but mine’s not. Check out that house, please. I’m checking out my house, Raina ran to her house screaming, Terry! Terry!

She opened the door. Terry? she cried. Where are you? she asked, as she ran into each room, but he wasn’t there. As she headed toward the kitchen, she noticed the sliding door was slightly open. Terry? she cried, as she noticed her husband, lying on the deck. Baby?

Doc? he whispered, as she turned him over.

What happen?

I feel funny. My chest hurts. I think I had a heart attack.

All right. I’ll take care of you, she said. What is that smell? she asked.

I started smelling it after the crash.

Stay right here. I have help with me. Baby, the whole town is flooded except for here.

Doc, don’t leave me, he cried. I don’t want to die alone.

You’re not going to die. I promise, she kissed him. I think it’s the drugs in the water.

What? What happened? Terry cried.

You rest, Baby. I won’t let you die. I promise.

Colonel Helms walked out to the deck. Dr. Markum?

My husband has had a heart attack. We need to get him to the hospital.

All right. Need help?

Yes, I don’t want him walking. Oh, the other house?

No one inside.

Good. I want my husband brought right to the hospital. Have Dr. Steven Welch take care of him. I have to see if I can find my brother and the rest of my family that lives on Angel lane.

Joshua? Terry cried.

We’ll find them. We’re searching all the homes. As soon as I check out the road, I’ll be right there with you. I promise, she kissed him softly.

Two Sergeants walked into the