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Chapter 506
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2024-10-29 19:42:56MOVING ON
Climbing the steep ridge above the destroyed bridge and pushing my way through the thick underbrush is slow and exhausting work. The foliage high above me is so dense that I can only see tiny patches of blue sky. I could easily get lost in these woods, but by keeping the chasm I’m trying to skirt to my left and continuing to move upward, it’s not too difficult to keep to the proper direction.
I’ve ascended only two or three hundred feet in twenty minutes or so when I come across a narrow game path. I hope it’s been formed by deer or something equally harmless.
The trail heads up the slope in the general direction I’ve been going, so this is indeed a nice break. The path is barely wide enough for a person, which is just fine with me, because that means it’s not used by monsters like the giant reptile thing I barely escaped. I suppose vampires or werewolves could use it, but I’m not sure what tho
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Suddenly, I realize what’s been bothering me about his appearance—it’s his age. He looks like he’s in his early twenties, but that’s impossible, of course. As far as I know, there’s no one in their early twenties in this world. I glance down at my machete through the corners of my eyes and draw my knees up in front of me.“Uh, Kai?” I ask softly, “where are you from?”He hesitates for just a moment. “I think you have probably guessed that by now,” he says.“You’re from There?” I ask, wanting to hear him say it. “From the other world?”He nods. “Yes. We saw you were in some trouble, so I was sent to help you.”My head feels like it’s spinning. The spit and the rabbit drop to my lap, but I scarcely notice. Kai’s simple statement has raised so many questions that I can’t wrap my brain around them all. Beings in the other
Leesa's Advent Chapter 508
Less than an hour later, Kai slips down off the log he’s been sitting on.“Your friends have arrived,” he tells me.I climb down from the same log, where I’d been sitting next to him. My descent is slightly less graceful. We can’t see the bridge from this far back in the trees, and I haven’t heard anything. I guess Kai did, though.“Really?” I say, as excited as I’ve been in a long time. “Awesome!”I hurry down out of the woods with Kai close behind me. Sure enough, when I step out of the trees, I see six Marines on the highway, maybe a hundred yards from the beginning of the bridge. I recognize Lieutenant Gregerson immediatelyI wave both my arms over my head. I didn’t really need to draw their attention, because at least one of the soldiers has already spotted me, but I’m so happy to see them I don’t care. The squad is now trotting toward me.Kai and I move out onto our section of the bridge. The Marines stop a few feet from their end of the broken span.“Leah, thank God you’re okay
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We settle in to wait back among the trees, just to be safe. Lieutenant Gregerson tells me about the runner he sent back to inform my dad that they had discovered the remains of my fire. He thinks the main group of Marines with the Miracles might reach us by the end of the day. If not, he’s certain they’ll be here sometime tomorrow morning, unless something delayed them. I hope nothing has, but in this wild place, there are plenty of things that could slow them down, or even stop them. I don’t let my thoughts go down that road, though.The Marines keep busy constructing crude barriers around our hiding place out of small saplings and branches hacked from trees. While they work, I sit with Kai. There’s something I’ve been wondering about, so I decide to ask him.“When my dad gets here with the rest of the soldiers, will you still stay with us?”Kai looks at me with a puzzled expression. “Where else would I go?”“I don’t know. I thought that maybe once I had plenty of protection around m
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I awaken in gray twilight, which tells me it can’t be long past dawn. I don’t remember any dreams, so I guess I slept peacefully. Kai is still sitting on the log where he was last night. Maybe they don’t sleep over There where he’s from. When he hears me stir, he swings his legs over the log so he’s facing me. “Good morning,” he says. I stretch my arms out to the side and yawn. “Same to you. Did you sleep at all?” “For a little while, yes. The lieutenant spelled me for a bit.” I’m glad to hear he at least sleeps some. Glancing around, I see that all the Marines are already awake. Most of them are tending to their weapons; two are keeping watch. “Now that you’re awake, I’ll go fetch breakfast,” Kai says. “I hope you don’t mind leftover deer meat.” I smile. “Not at all.” I want to offer to go with him, but I doubt Lieutenant Gregerson would let me. Besides, I’m sure Kai can travel through the woods much faster on his own.
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I’m still watching Kai across the way. A couple of the Marines, not knowing exactly what’s going on, have their guns raised toward him. I guess I don’t blame them. Protecting the Miracles is their primary job, and after watching that spectacular leap, it’s not hard to see why the soldiers might be unsure about Kai’s intentions.“I will, Dad. But first, tell your guys to rest easy. Kai’s there to carry the Miracles across on the rope, so they don’t have to go all the way around.”“Stand down, men,” my dad calls across. “He’s on our side.”The Marines lower their weapons and Dad turns back to me, looking at me expectantly.“I don’t know all the details,” I begin, “but Kai was sent from There to help me. He saved me from a two-headed cyclops right over there on the other side where everyone is standing. He shot arrows into both eyes, a split-second apa
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It's still well before noon — Kai’s help has saved us half a day or more by not having to wait for the company to hike around the ravine. Dad gathers the Miracles, Lieutenant Gregerson and his three remaining sergeants alongside the roadway for a meeting. The rest of the soldiers form a wide circle around us, keeping watch for any sign of danger.Kai moves off the road with us, staying by my side. Even though I’m now protected by a company of Marines, I’m happy he’s staying near me. Dad doesn’t say anything about Kai’s presence, but Radar flashes me another wink.“Our mission is still a go,” Dad tells us. “I’m guessing we’ve got somewhere around two hundred miles to San Francisco. It’s a long walk, but we’ve got almost three weeks to get there.” He focuses his attention on us Miracles. “I think you kids can make it.”We all nod. Two hundred miles does seem like
Leesa's Advent Chapter 513
The next morning , I’m awakened by something dripping onto my cheek. I open my eyes to a world shrouded by thick, gray mist. Overnight, a dense fog bank has rolled in off the Pacific. I’ve seen plenty of morning fogs back in San Diego, but nothing to match this one. The damp curtain has reduced my world to a circle of fifteen to twenty feet. On one side of me, I can see Plush and Lights sleeping close beside each other, on the other I can make out Radar and Doc. The rest of my friends, a bit farther away, are just dark forms, almost unrecognizable. The nearest trees are shadowy columns whose upper reaches have been swallowed by the fog. I know we’re surrounded by Marines, but I can’t see any of them. Kai is nowhere in sight, either.Another drop hits my face, splattering against my forehead this time. It’s condensation, dripping from an invisible leaf or branch above me. I wipe it off with the back of my hand and sit up.It’s not dar
Leesa's Advent Chapter 514
Heavy fog greets us again the next morning. No water drips onto my face today, so I’m able to sleep a little later. After that, the drill is pretty much the same: wait quietly for the fog to burn off, which it does a bit earlier today. Then it’s back on our way north.Today brings us a couple of changes in the landscape through which we’ve been travelling. The highway has curved inland a bit, so for the first time since I was beached, the ocean is out of sight and sound. Also, the woods have begun to thin out, until I can no longer really call them woods. I don’t know if it’s because we’ve moved away from the sea or because we’re getting further north, but the land is now rolling hillsides dotted with trees and shrubs. Most of the soil is covered by foot-high grasses rather than forest. At the crest of some of the hills, the ocean is visible as a thin strip of blue-gray off in the distance. Also visible now and then in the dista
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
