Raized

By C. B. Amick

Jake is the happiest he has ever been.  He just graduated from college and his girlfriend, Amanda has agreed to marry him.  Everything is looking up for him, when suddenly both are kidnapped by aliens.  They are quickly whisked away from Earth with others like themselves.  Dragged to a completely different world, Jake is immediately separated from Amanda.  With no other option, Jake is forced to compete in the gladiatorial games or risk the safety of the only woman he has ever loved.

Raize has lived the majority of her life isolated from her own kind, at the mercy of the aliens who have enslaved her since she was a child.  Having never lost a fight, even her captors fear getting too close to her.  Numb to life as a slave, she continues on because God has given her a purpose.  Her faith is the only thing that gives her the will to go on when all she wishes to do is to surrender.  

Crossing paths with Jake in his first match, she realizes that he is the one that she has been waiting for.  Teaming up, the two of them will learn how to work together as they travel through the wilds of an unknown world, captives to creatures that are beyond imagination.

Will Jake come to know God and accept His plan for him?  Can they both survive and free their people, or will their captors win?  

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. B. Amick
• Release date: Jul 1, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231842339

Book preview

Prologue

Fifteen Years Ago

Ashton

A loud bang, just outside the front door, woke me from a deep sleep. 

The alarm clock on the bedside table read 12:04 in the morning.  I wanted to go back to sleep, mind hazy from the semi-consciousness between waking and sleeping, the warm bed beckoning me to return to its welcoming embrace.  But something was off.  There was a reason why I woke in such a fashion. 

Reluctantly, I left the comfort of the feather soft bed, in search of the source for the disturbance.  As soon as I walked through the doorway of my room, entering the hall connecting to the rest of the house, everything within me went on high alert.  My instincts were screaming, warning me of impeding danger.  The hair on the back of my neck began to stand up, shivers racing down my spine.  Something was definitely wrong. 

Through past experiences, mostly through training how to fight, like my father, I learned that my intuition was usually right and to listen to my gut feelings, especially when they’re smacking me across my hard head, like right now. 

I darted toward the dining room, passing my younger twin brother’s room on the right, but once I heard my mother and father begin to shout and scream I froze, not daring to move an inch from the spot on the soft carpet, rooted to the ground.   

Everything inside me said I needed to run fast and hard from what just broke into our home.  Listening to that instinct, I changed my course, running back, frantic to reach my younger brothers’ and sister’s rooms, to get them out of this house.

The screaming ceased and everything quieted down, eerily so.  Panic began to set in, the fear causing me to nearly hyperventilate, knowing something just happened to my parents. 

My father was more than capable of handling himself, since he taught MMA.  But even that fact didn’t bring me comfort.  He taught me how to fight and rely upon my instincts, and right now, my entire body was shaking with fear of whatever awaited me in that room.  We needed to get out and find help.  No time for hesitating, waiting for assistance that would never occur.

Somehow, through my fear and shaking so badly my hands would barely listen to what my mind was telling them, I remembered that I needed to get the others out, as well as myself.   I can’t do anything for my parents, but I can at least save my younger siblings.

Oh God, my parents.  Please tell me they’re alright!  Please don’t let anything happen to them.  We still need them!  I still need them!!  In my fear, I desperately prayed for their safety, but in my heart, a part of me knew.  I just didn’t want to accept it. 

Entering my sister’s room, I noticed six month old baby Riley was missing.  Guessing she woke up earlier and mother came to feed her, I sought out my brothers. 

If I wasn’t about to panic, I probably would have realized that the current threat was exactly where my mother’s screams abruptly ended. What could have possibly happened to my little sister and parents?  As it was, I could barely function enough to continue my search.

Retracing my steps, I back tracked for the twins’ room.  Five year old Shane and Zane shared the blue/green, super hero decorated room together.  Actually, they hardly ever left each other’s presence, always staying close.  Throwing the door open, I barged in glancing at the occupied bunk beds, instant relief filling me at seeing their paralyzed figures.  Eyes wide open, they were both awake, looking at me with terror filled eyes. 

What’s going on Ashton?  What was that loud noise and why did mother and father start screaming and yelling?  Why did they suddenly stop?  It was Zane and Shane’s habit to ask twenty questions at the same time, but, having lived with them long enough, I learned to discern through the constant babble.

I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re going to run to the Anderson’s across the street and call for help.  Do you hear me?  You need to move now!  There’s no time to waste, move!  They nodded their understanding, watching me with fear-filled eyes, not daring to question me further, only knowing that they needed to move.

Climbing from their beds, they followed me to the closed window with Superman curtains.  Tossing the curtains back, I swiftly opened the window and screen.  Once the window was open, I turned back to them, grabbed Shane’s hand and instantly, trembles surged through my arm.  The twins were shaking like scared little mice. 

In truth, I couldn’t tell their shaking from mine.  My nerves were just as rattled as theirs, if not worse.  As quietly as possible, I began to lower them to the ground, first one then the other.  As soon as both were safely standing, they took off running across the street, never looking back.  I watched for as long as possible to make sure they made it, but, I needed to find my other brother.  Alec was only nine and the closest to me out of all of my siblings. 

Trusting that the twins were safe, for now at least, I ventured further down the dark blue hallway, to the next room.  Nothing.  Alec’s room was empty.  Terror shot through me, I feared he went to the dining room, looking for the source of the terrifying noises that suddenly ceased.  Backing up, I cautiously made my way to the one room I didn’t want to enter.

My slow trek to the dining room was cut short at the scene that met my sight.  I wanted to cry out, to scream, to beg for this vision to leave my memories.  But I couldn’t move.  My entire body stilled, shocked to my very core. 

The dark green and tan area that always held so much life, that never failed to brighten our day with joyous laughter and outrageous fun, was filled with a horror so devastating I wanted to flee the house, block everything out and believe this devastating scene was some kind of nightmare, a figment of my imagination.

My father was lying face down on the floor, mother covering him with small, little baby Riley in her limp grasp, neither moving.  Riley, the never-ending screamer, was so quiet, too quiet.

My stomach, nauseas from just looking at the too still figures before me, dropped.  I knew without checking that all three were dead.  The lack in them, that all consuming void where once their vibrant spirits lived, nearly destroyed me. 

Alec.  Need to find Alec.  Concentrate on that, I repeated to myself, suppressing the overwhelming despair that rocked my body.  Focusing on my brother caused the shock to recede, barely.  It took everything within me to concentrate on saving what was left of my family instead of breaking apart, crying my misery out.

I needed to keep moving even though my heart was breaking.  Numbness became a part of me, as if I was outside my body, hovering, watching the scene before me as a spectator instead of a victim.  But I didn’t have an option.  Alec needed me.  The urge to press on, to protect my brother, was my only motivator.

Managing to look up from the three bodies, my blood ran cold and my heart stopped.  I went from despair to stupefied shock in less than point five seconds.  Like a deer caught in headlights, I stood frozen to the hard wood floor, beneath my feet. 

Two extremely huge men were standing by the door, Alec directly across from them in the kitchen, watching them as they held an unusual weapon pointed right at his head.  Keeping still, unable to move, Alec stood there, staring at them, wide-eyed look engraved upon his features.

Somehow, someway, I managed to break my frozen stance and move my body before I even processed what was happening.  Somewhere in the chaos, the corner of my eye caught the gleam of one of my mom’s sharp cutting knifes.  Not really sure what to think, my hand grabbed it before I could question myself. 

Next thing I knew, I was in front of Alec pushing him down just as the weird gun thingy went off.  For that split second, I thought I was dead, that I was free from the tragedy that continued to burn in my mind, searing me from within.

The guttural noises in a foreign tongue made by the intruders speaking to each other woke me from that escape.  A strangled moan slipped from my lips, anguish so heavy it threaten to crush me beneath its heartbreaking sorrow.  This horror wasn’t over yet.  The bullet, or what I assume is a bullet, missed us by mere inches, too close for anyone to discern whether or not it actually hit.

Beneath me Alec was breathing, sobbing silently while clinging to the front of my shirt.  Despair etched his features.  He was shutting down.  I couldn’t blame him. I wanted to do the same – after I got us out of this mess, that is.

Suddenly, an idea hit me, one I desperately hope would work.  Maybe, just maybe, I could fool them into thinking that I didn’t make it in time, that Alec was shot and dying.  This plan was insane, I knew it, but I was hoping they were more concerned with me than him, that I had their complete attention and Alec could escape.  It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was the best I can think of on the spot with my mind clouded by grief.  And I was desperate enough to try anything.

As carefully as possible, making sure they didn’t notice any movement, I pulled out the knife I was able to grab from the kitchen in my mad dash to face the threat.  Slicing my palm with the knife, I smeared my blood on Alec around the spot where he would have been hit, careful to make it appear as if I were checking to see if he was alive.  I leaned into his ear and whispered as quietly as I dared, play dead.  Whatever happens, don’t move.  With the blood coating you, they might think you’re dead, hopefully. 

In a louder voice I began to cry out frantically, quietly taking notice that Alec acted like a stone-cold corpse.  Alec, wake up!  Come on.  This isn’t funny.  OPEN YOUR EYES, NOW!  I screamed over and over, acting like a hysterical banshee, though it wasn’t hard to act since I was holding myself together by a thread.  Crying was far too easy.

Granted, not the best plan, and perhaps not the best performance, and more than likely it contained many holes, but I was walking a fine edge between sanity and a complete breakdown.  Truthfully, I didn’t know how I was able to think or act rationally at all, when my entire life was in the process of being turned upside down right before me.

Turning to the men standing above me, looking with utter despair, I saw the bleak reality of a harsh future standing before me.  For the first time, I got a close-up view of them.  From the hood that covered their heads, I noticed their skin was an uncommon mud color, one I’ve never seen before.  Their jackets and hats covered most of their bodies so I couldn’t see much.  Only later was my mind able to process what they truly were.

You killed him!  You MONSTERS!  He was just a child!  I yelled at them.  I jumped up and lunged toward them with my knife raised, prepared to skewer them where they stood, but before I could do anything, they shot me with a different yet, still strange looking weapon, I assume.

The impact was similar to a stun gun, paralyzing my entire body, rendering me unable to move.  I remained conscious, aware of my surroundings, though I desperately wanted to retreat within my own mind, to convince myself that none of this was real.  One of the giants bent down and scooped me up off the floor. Tossing me over his shoulder, he began walking out the door.  A part of me was able to acknowledge that both of the insanely huge giants left, not bothering to ensure Alec was dead. 

They only wanted me.  Me.  Only me. They killed my family to kidnap me. 

Dazed by that realization, distressed by all I had lost, I never noticed we made our way out of the neighborhood, out past the trees that blanketed our road, toward a gray ship, hovering thousands of feet in the air.

Why?  With mother and father dead, there wouldn’t be anybody to pay a ransom.  What was the purpose of this?  Father and mother didn’t make much money, anyway.  Why was I their target?  Was it for revenge?

The distant wail of sirens reached my ears, drawing me out of my alarming thoughts.  A strangled smile crossed my face, knowing that Shane and Zane made it to the neighbor’s house safely.  They would be able to help Alec. 

As my thoughts returned to my mother, father, and young Riley, sadness weighed me down, hopelessness enclosed me, shutting out the world around me.

**********

I didn’t know when I passed out, when I gave in to my own despair, blanketing me from within, but I woke to a place I have never been before, one that could only be described with words such as harsh, cruel, and forbidding. 

I soon learned I wasn’t just taken away from my family.  I was taken away from my world, to a world called Krinan, forced into slavery by the one who sentenced my family to death.  My purpose was to die for the amusement of those who destroyed my life to my world or see my family again, left as reality set in.  The last fragment of my heart broke, millions of pieces scattering to the far reaches, with no hope of ever being put back together.

The only light in my newfound darkness was knowing that my brothers were spared.  They managed to survive.  They managed to escape.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for my parents.  Those monsters killed my family, just to grab me.  They wanted me to be their slave for a reason.  I would soon learn what that reason was, one I wish I hadn’t. 

I cried myself to sleep that night and never cried again.

Part One

Beginning

Chapter 1

Present Day

Jake

The last thing I remembered before everything went black was holding hands with Amanda and walking down the street toward our future house.  Her beautiful glossy, dark auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail shined with every amber color when the sunlight hit it.  She wore little makeup around her eyes, just enough to give her that tempting look. 

I love that about her.  She doesn’t need to dress up to feel confident.  She’s a natural beauty without all the superficial maintenance most women wear.  Her unmarred features are not round but not sharp either, but a delightful mix of both with prominent rosy cheekbones.

Today, on our special day (and I plan to make it even more so), she wore a sky blue dress that went to mid-thigh, flaring out on the ends with a slight v-neck.  Black boots with one inch heels came up to her delicate knees, showing off her long legs, making her seem taller than her five foot five frame.  The diamond heart necklace I gave her for her birthday clasped around her neck, declaring that she is mine.

However, it’s her eyes that can bring a man to his knees, knocking the breath out of him.  Those prized jewels, an emerald green with flecks of brown, and, when looked upon, could hold you captive with an internal warmth, compelling a man to answer her every whim.

We were enjoying ourselves, and talking about a future that has yet to come.  She doesn’t know it yet, but I plan to propose to her later tonight.  We’ve been dating for three years and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I don’t want to live without her in my life.

Do you think you’ll get the job, I asked her.  She wants to be an interior designer and had recently interviewed with one of the best designers in the city, earlier today. 

I hope so.  I think I aced the interview, but we’ll have to wait to see if I’m the best candidate.  What do you think, Jake?  Do I have a real shot at getting the job?

Of course.  You’re the best and you know it.  If you weren’t, do you think I would be dating you?  She slaps me on the arm for that little comment.  I laugh at her attempt of a mock expression.  I do have great taste and you should trust me.  There’s no way I would date anyone less than the best.

She giggles, the tinkling noise sounding like music to my ears.  Yes, I know how corny that statement sounds, but to me, it’s true.  Just hearing her laugh makes everything seem like it will be alright, like I can do anything as long as she was there, by my side, cheering me on.

But there is a void in me.  A part of the darker side of my personality I never reveal to her, kept hidden deep inside, but it’s there nonetheless.  Amanda helps fill the dark abyss buried within, as much as she could at least, but still the lack remained.  It feels like I’m missing something just within my reach, right under my own nose, but still I could never grasp it. 

I know Amanda doesn’t have that void, that she is whole, so why do I?  Hopefully, marrying Amanda and putting my name to her would fill it, yet, something tells me that was a false hope.

My goal is to become a lawyer.  Having recently finished graduate school and held a well-paid internship with one of the most prominent firms in the city, I received a job offer with that firm for a full time position after graduation.  I long to propose to her the year before, but finishing school and obtaining a well-paying job before we marry is essential to my well thought out plan.  Ensuring the security of our future together was necessary to us both, so we agreed to wait.

With a job lined up for me and a prospect for Amanda, I no longer want to wait.  I can’t wait any longer.  Tonight is our third anniversary, and I’m going to make it special for her.

Where are we heading?  You haven’t told me and you’re being so secretive, she said with a wry voice, suspicion lacing her gaze.

You’re just going to have to wait and find out.  It’s a surprise and I’m not about to let you ruin it.  Trust me.  You’ll enjoy it.  I gave her my all-knowing look that she finds so amusing.

Alright.  But you know how much I hate surprises.

Yeah, I know.  But you’re going to love this one.  I couldn’t hide the grin on my face.  Excitement and anxiousness blending together through me, creating a heady mix. Everything was planned down to the precise minute of when we need to be at the restaurant to the very end of the night.  This evening is going to be so amazing, or so I thought.

We continued walking for a little while, just holding hands, enjoying each other’s company.  Lost in our own little world, nothing disturbing the intimacy of the moment, utterly content just being where we are.

The great thing about the city is that you can walk anywhere and everything you require was no farther than a couple blocks away.  Granted there are disadvantages to walking in the city, but sometimes there were advantages, like right now, far outweighs them.  Walking provided time to talk, to hold hands, to revel in each other’s presence. 

I could never have guessed how wrong I was about walking that night.

**********

She said yes!

We make our way out of the restaurant, a sparkling diamond on Amanda’s left hand, glittering from the street light, huge grins on both of our faces.  I couldn’t stop touching her, holding her hand, thinking about all the possibilities for our future.  Nothing can intrude on us, nothing can break the joy in our hearts.

At least that’s what I’m feeling like.  Everything is perfect. 

What date would you like to set?  Do you want a spring, winter, summer, or fall wedding?  I personally prefer a spring wedding.  That way the weather won’t be too hot or too cold, but just perfect, don’t you think?  Do you want a big wedding? A small one?  Well, we do have to invite our family members and once we’re done with mine we could easily be averaging well over a hundred.  You know how big my family is.  What about you?  Do you want to invite all of them or most?  Well, we still have time to decide that –

I zoned out after that.  Amanda has a habit of continuously talking and asking questions to which she doesn’t expect answers when she’s excited.  I’m so happy that I don’t even bother to intruding on her never ending babble.  If she really wants to talk to me, she’d stop and wait for me to ask her to repeat the question, giving me that cute exasperated look she gives.

And still there was one more surprise left for her, one she never expected. The house she’d been looking at for several months and has her heart set on, now belongs to us.  Well, it will be ours once we marry.  I plan to move our things over soon.  The house is a light brown brick, two-story building with four bedrooms, all upstairs, and three bathrooms, one downstairs for guests.  Marble flooring covered the kitchen floor, and a solitary window overlooked the backyard so we could watch future children playing while we cooked (well, more like her.  I can’t cook to save my life).  An open dining room branched off from the kitchen, leading to the front entrance.  A long hallway connects the two rooms to a spacious living room with cherry wood flooring, and a small office rested just past it. 

The price was a little much for us, oh alright, way too much for us, but she absolutely loves this house, so there is no way I could not get it for her.  Since it is going to be the home where we raise our children, only the best will do.  With some help from my ridiculously wealthy father, and the promise to repay everything back with an immediate and very small down payment, the residence now belongs to me.

The property even has a swing set in the back with a fenced in yard for a dog.  We don’t own a dog, but I think I might get one for her, knowing how much she loves animals.  I’m anxious to tell her, but the plan was to surprise her by dropping by, once she agreed to marry me, that is.  She said yes, so all that was left was to show her the place. 

The smile stretching across my face couldn’t be contained.  A bright and glorious future awaited me with many ups and downs, and I was looking forward to every fight and make-up session that married couples have.  My adult life was beginning, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Amanda, the woman I have loved for years, the one who could fill my life with happiness and, I’m not fooling myself here, troubled times, agreed to marry me.