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Chapter 483
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2024-10-29 19:42:56How long my marvelous ride lasts, I have no idea, but I’m sad when it ends. Time seems to have lost its meaning as Ada guides me back into shallow water. I feel like barely a minute has passed, but I also feel like it’s been hours. Reluctantly, I let go of Ada’s fin and let my feet find the sandy bottom. I feel as if I’m still moving, and it takes me a moment to catch my balance. It’s a good thing I’m still holding Selene’s hand, or I might have fallen. Plus, I’d be freezing, because my clothes are completely soaked, of course.
“That was totally amazing,” I say to Selene.
“Holy crap!” Radar says as she glides to a stop beside us and releases her grip on Cami. “That was freaking awesome.”
Tamika swims over and places my cap back onto my head and then does the same for Radar.
“I’m glad…you enjoyed it,” Selene says. “You remember…why you
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 484
Radar and I walk away from the beach at a much quicker pace than we’d used on our way there. I’m anxious to tell my dad everything that just happened. I doubt he’ll be home this early in the day, but there are always a couple of Marines stationed at our house in case we need messengers. I can send one of them on a bicycle to fetch Dad.Our house is only eight blocks from the beach and we cover the distance in less than ten minutes. It’s a residential neighborhood filled with small two and three bedroom stucco houses on tiny lots. The area used to be very pretty — I know because I’ve seen old pictures — but the once green lawns have long since dried up into dusty dirt patches, and only the most drought resistant plants survive in what used to be colorful gardens. While the desalination plants keep fresh water from being overly scarce, it’s still too valuable to be used for watering lawns and gardens. Drinking, bathing and farming
Leesa's Advent Chapter 485
My mom is sitting on Dad’s left, across from me. She’s two years younger than Dad and still very pretty, with high cheekbones, blue eyes and short light brown hair. Mom is light years smarter than either of us, with a PhD. in molecular biology from Stanford. She was working in biotechnology before The Incident—now she works on whatever scientific projects the government thinks are the most pressing. Dad picked her up at her lab on his way home today so she could be in on the discussion.Radar is next to me. Plush sits opposite her, and of course Lights is next to Plush, holding her hand. On Radar’s other side is Doc. Her real name is April, but she’s Doc because of her Power. She can heal most cuts and bruises almost instantly, and is getting better and better at speeding the healing of much more serious wounds, especially if she can get to them quickly enough. She’s half Asian, with long, very fine black hair and a beautiful tan complexion
Leesa's Advent Chapter 486
The morning is cool and damp, with a low, heavy marine layer that’s becoming more and more like fog the closer we get to the beach. It’s barely eight o’clock—we could wait a few hours and all this would almost certainly melt away, but everyone is too anxious to see the mermaids and hear what they have to say to wait that long.We’re all wearing sweatshirts or windbreakers against the chill, with loose pants that can be rolled up above our knees. Radar and I told everyone we’d have to wade at least a little ways out into the water, so be prepared. Sneak and Rerun have done us one better and are wearing shorts. They don’t seem cold, so I guess their sweatshirts are keeping them warm enough.My dad has eschewed his uniform and is dressed in a worn brown leather bomber jacket and khaki pants. I guess he doesn’t want to look too official or scary for this meeting. He still looks like a warrior, though—it’s in his c
Leesa's Advent Chapter 487
“You have questions…of course,” Selene says to Dad.He nods. “Darn right, I do. Lots of ‘em. Let’s start with how you got here.”“The same way…others from my world…enter yours. Through a black gateway.”“And you were sent specifically to look for my daughter?” my mom asks. “And the others?”“We were told…to find the seven. Yes.”My dad takes over the questioning again. “Who told you?”“The one…who sent us.”“And who is that?”“I cannot say.”“Can’t? Or won’t?”“I am not allowed. So it is…the same thing…is it not?”I can see the frustration on Dad’s face. I’m guessing he’ll come back to this, but for now he moves on.“How is it that you speak our language? Is Engli
Leesa's Advent Chapter 488
That same evening, we gather around the table in my house again, everyone sitting in the same place they were yesterday. The feel of this gathering is different though, heavier and more portentous. The flickering candlelight illuminating the room only adds to the gravity of the atmosphere.My dad headed straight to headquarters as soon as we left the beach this morning, reporting back to the Command Council. He was there all day, only returning about ten minutes ago. When he got back, he spent a few minutes talking privately with Mom before joining us at the table.The Miracles have been here for almost an hour now, rehashing what happened this morning. We all have misgivings—some more than others—but we’ve all decided we need to go to Alcatraz. It’s not up to us, though. We’re just seven teenagers—there’s no way we can get there without help from the military. Even with help, none of us really knows if such a journey is possib
Leesa's Advent Chapter 489
The five days of preparation fly by. As my dad had said, we all spend half of every day practicing with our weapons. Most of it is with swords or machetes, with lesser periods devoted to knife fighting. We also spend time shooting hand guns and automatic rifles. While none of us seven is anywhere near as capable as the rawest Marine recruit with any of these weapons, at least we may have a fighting chance to survive in a pinch.The rest of our time has been devoted to learning all we could about the geography between San Diego and San Francisco and about Alcatraz. While I had heard of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, my head is now stuffed with names like Morro Bay, Hearst Castle, Big Sur and Monterey. Most of the coastal area north of Santa Barbara was wooded and hilly even before The Incident brought society crashing down. We’re assuming that by now it’s become far more wild and untamed—which is why I’m glad we plan to bypass it all traveling by sea.
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The rubber craft lurch and heave as they fight their way through the churning two and three foot breakers, but once we’re clear of the waves the ride becomes much smoother. Our rowers begin pulling hard and fast on the oars and I wonder what the hurry is—it won’t take more than five or ten minutes to reach the Star even at a more leisurely pace. When I see the sailors making repeated glances at the other dinghy, I suddenly understand. Our guys are racing their guys.For fifty yards or so, the boats stay remarkably even — we gain about five feet on the other guys. But then their boat begins to make up ground and pull away, leaving our oarsmen with puzzled looks on their faces. It doesn’t seem possible our competition could be going that much faster than us, until I see a smile on Plush’s face.“Plush is using her Power to help move their boat,” I tell the two sailors. “That’s why they’re going so fast.&rd
Leesa's Advent Chapter 491
Our sea voyage is great fun — until we leave sight of land, that is. When the coastal hills disappear below the horizon, my heartbeat suddenly quickens and I feel a lump in my throat. There’s nothing as far as the eye can see in any direction now but a seemingly limitless expanse of empty ocean. All of a sudden, I feel very insignificant.Thankfully, the sea is relatively calm, and the Star of India is gliding across the water with only the tiniest bit of up and down motion. If the water was rougher, I’d really be feeling anxious. Still, I’m not all that happy—I guess I had thought we would just follow the coast northward all the way to San Francisco.“Why are we going so far out?” I ask Jordy, who is hanging out along the rail with us. “Isn’t that dangerous? How do we know where we’re going if we can’t see the coast?”Jordy smiles at my unease.“Don’t worry, Leah. During
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 727
Serena awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the smell of fresh coffee brewing. She rolled over lazily, reaching out for Raphael, but the space was empty. With eyes still closed, she frowned. Where is that man? That man had probably been out of bed since the crack of dawn, beside himself with nerves for today’s big event, she thought regretfully. They were to be married today. Their lives intertwined for all of eternity. What man wouldn’t have cold feet at the prospect? And they’d known each other such a short time, too. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, and frowned again. She had awakened in the safe house. Last night, she’d killed a man in her own home, and knew she could never go back there ever again. She didn’t care how good the Brethren’s cleanup crew could restore her home. It would never erase the vivid memories and horrors of what had happened there. She and Raphael would have to find themselves a new home, together. Until such time, this place would be it, th
Leesa's Advent Chapter 726
It’s going to be a long day without Raphael, Serena thought, as she washed and dressed. But she carried on. With so many loose ends to tie up, final checks to be made, people and places to coordinate, she scarcely had time to think about anything else. Except for her father. In the quiet moments between the bedlam of planning a wedding, she reflected upon him and her heart ached. She had arranged for a nursing home staffer to drive him and his wheelchair to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for the wedding. They didn’t usually allow weddings there, but somehow, Raphael swayed their decision. Kemuel promised to wheel her father down the aisle beside her, and she loved him instantly for that. But her dream was to have him walk her down that aisle. A sob caught in her throat, and she quickly shook her head to whisk it away. None of that nonsense, Serena. Don’t be greedy. At least he is alive and here to be a part of it all. As the day waxed on to evening, Serena felt unsettled. She hadn’t s
Leesa's Advent Chapter 725
Raphael spent the next few days cloistered with Serena, away from everyone and everything, like a honeymoon before the wedding. But every morning he made creative excuses to tear himself away from her for a little while and work with Fred. To make sure she didn’t visit her father, he dropped her off at her shop first so she could plan a small wedding with Callie and catch up on the mountains of paperwork.The healing sessions with Serena’s father went spectacularly, and with Raphael’s charisma, he convinced the nursing home staff to keep any improvements secret from her. They thought it romantic that he came to help with his fiancée’s father’s rehabilitation. Everyone there rooted for him, amazed at his miraculous awakening. All of the therapists worked their tails off during his therapy sessions, wanting to see their severely stroke-damaged patient beat the odds and walk his daughter down the aisle.On the morning of the fifth day, Raphael got Fred walking without any assistance.“Co
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Raphael grabbed her hands. “Do it!” he demanded. He placed them on his temples and spoke to her through their bonded connection. She felt every thought he had had of Sirona over the years straight to the present down their threaded connection. She heard every thought he’d had of her, including every word he had spoken while holding her in his arms at Dr. Chappo’s estate. He sent her everything that filled his heart and soul about her, and finally, at last, she knew.She knew. And knowing was everything to her. He gently brought her hands away from his face, kissing her fingertips as he eased them down, and she took a few steps backward, looking at him as if for the first time. No one before had ever felt about her the way he felt about her, let alone express so strongly all he’d expressed when she’d lain dying in his arms.“You’re in love with me.” She gasped, astonished. Tears welled again in her eyes, but this time, for a very different reason.“Yes.” He took a bold step toward her.
Leesa's Advent Chapter 723
A bundle of nerves, that’s what she’d turned into. Since leaving her father’s, Serena had been nothing but a bundle of nerves, rehearsing over and over again what she would say to Raphael up on the Rock. Looking all around her now, frightening memories kept popping into her mind, making her think that at any moment, Steve or Wheezer were going to jump out and nab her. Unfortunately, she had gotten to the summit way too early, and now paced like a caged bobcat. It had to stop. The bad guys are dead, Serena. Think positive, and let go the past. So, finding a suitable rock to sit on, Serena decided to do a little meditation to soothe her worried heart. “When I see him, I’ll know the right words to say,” she notified the birds. It may sting for a bit, but it’s for the best.****Raphael showed up at the base of the mountain with time to spare, and noticed Serena’s Jeep already parked. Perfect, he thought. He checked his pocket for the millionth time, making sure the ring box hadn’t fallen
Leesa's Advent Chapter 722
Raphael watched Serena leave the nursing home from behind one of the bushes in the front. She seems in good spirits, he thought. Only when he saw her disappear down the street did he dare to venture out of his hiding place. He walked into the nursing home and headed straight to the reception desk.“Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Sikes.” He smiled amiably at the receptionist.“Wow, two visitors in one day. Fred’s a lucky guy. Sign in right here, please. You’ll sign out before you leave. Take this badge so we know you belong here. Room 103 is down the hall, make a left, and he’s at the end on the left.”He looked at her name tag, and winked. “Thanks so much, Judy.”Walking down the hall, he found himself fidgeting with the badge in his hand. Am I actually nervous? Hell yeah! Raphael, the man, is about to meet the father of the woman he loves. Raphael, the man, is about to ask for this guy’s daugh
Leesa's Advent Chapter 721
Great! Just great! There’s a leak in my bedroom ceiling. Wait a minute, that’s not right. I’m not in my bedroom. I’m locked away in Dr. Chappo’s house. She remembered more. Being bound to a gurney, her body broken and dying. But I’m not lying on a gurney now, and I actually feel great. How could she be dying and still feel great? And what’s with the rain shower on my face? Slowly her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped.It was raining. Angel’s tears. Raphael’s tears, to be exact.She lay in his arms, and from the way he shuddered and sobbed, she thought maybe he didn’t know she lived. To be honest with herself, she’d only realized this fact just a few moments before. Iridescent wings were outstretched and trembling though no breeze made them flutter so.She gently raised her hand to caress his cheek and whispered softly. “Shh…there now, Raphael, shh. It’s all right. I’m ok
Leesa's Advent Chapter 720
Raphael noticed a knob on the box. It made sense to dial it to its lowest setting. He followed the tubing to its clamp on Serena’s side and decided to completely clamp it off. Now, no more blood could flow. But he still needed to get the needle out of her arm. He found gauze and tape on the tray stand and proceeded to extrude the catheter from her arm carefully so as not to injure her. He replaced it securely with the gauze and tape. His hands shook. I can’t fall apart like this right now! He quickly shrugged off the threat of paralyzing fear.“Hey, Raphael, this guy says his name is Steve. Isn’t that the name of one of guys who assaulted Serena?” Gabriel asked.“Yes, yes it is,” he said through gnashed teeth. Rage filled him and he clenched his fists, trying to gain some semblance of control. “Bind him, tightly. Make sure he can see Dr. Chappo. I’d like him to see what happens to assholes like him when they choose
Leesa's Advent Chapter 719
Searing hot pain shot like lightning throughout every inch of Serena’s body. Well, every inch she could feel, which left her very disturbed indeed, because she couldn’t feel anything past her waist. She could barely breathe without severe pain ripping through her chest and back. She knew what that meant—broken ribs. But what about her legs? Where were they? And why did her wrists feel shackled? Oh, dear God! What’s become of me? Her shallow breaths quickened. Her heart raced and fought for freedom behind her aching chest. Tears burst through her closed eyes and flowed untapped down the sides of her face.A voice sliced through the whooshing sound in her ears. A voice she knew all too well, and had come to despise with every molecule in her being.“Uh, Doc, I think she’s coming ’round. What do you want me to do?” Steve asked.“Hmm? Oh, nuffin. Nuffin, Seeve. Jus’ keep watchin’,” Dr. Chappo sl
