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Chapter 513
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The 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
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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
Leesa's Advent Chapter 515
The soldiers have let go of their guns. Those who have swords are gripping them at their sides; the rest are holding their spears flat along the ground. For one of the few times in my life, I wish I had a sword instead of a machete. My blade’s lack of a point renders it useless for this particular defense, so I leave it sheathed on my back. Instead, I grip my new spear tightly.Kai is lying next to me, holding his sword in his right hand. His bow and several arrows lay on the ground beside him, ready for quick use if needed. His left hand rests reassuringly on my shoulder. If it wasn’t for the rapidly approaching flying monsters that want to make us their dinner, lying like this with Kai would quite enjoyable. My Dad is stretched out behind me, guarding me from that side.“Don’t worry, Leah,” Kai says softly into my ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”Despite the imminent threat, somehow I believe him. His q
Leesa's Advent Chapter 516
Doc's miraculous healing power allows us to be back on our way as soon as the Marines have finished burying their fallen comrades. Thanks to Doc, the wounded men are now as fit and healthy as they were prior to the attack. Before we leave, Dad says a few poignant words over the makeshift graves of the fallen soldiers, praising their service and their sacrifice. After a chorus of “amen’s” and “semper fi’s” we set out north along the highway again. I think every one of us is anxious to leave this place of death behind.In addition to the scattered houses we pass, another clue that we’re approaching civilization—if there’s any civilization left up here—is the increasing number of highway signs and even a few billboards that we see. Most of the signs are rusted, bent and twisted, if not knocked down completely, and the billboards are in tatters from the years of weather and neglect. Two of the signs were damaged by Anoma
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The floor of the store is much harder than the leaves and ground we’ve been sleeping on, but I don’t really mind. I’m tired enough to fall asleep anywhere, and it’s kind of nice to have a roof over our heads and solid walls around us for a change.A moment after I lay down, Kai squats beside me.“I’m going outside,” he tells me in a soft voice. “I’ll feel better keeping watch out there instead of in here. I’ve already told your father.”“Okay,” I say, understanding his unease. I’m glad he let me know he was going out, though. “I’ll sleep better knowing you’ll be watching over us.”Kai rests his hand lightly on my shoulder. “Sleep well, Leah. I won’t let anything in.”With that, he vanishes into the darkness, moving as silently as a wraith.I wake up with a shudder, opening my eyes to blackness. I know ex
Leesa's Advent Chapter 518
After a quick breakfast inside the store, we’re on our way north again. The highway remains pretty much the same as the day before—flanked by lots of commercial buildings in various states of disrepair. Only a few show the distinctive destruction caused by a portal opening up. The rest appear to simply be victims of neglect. I find myself wondering what happened to all the people who lived in this area. It clearly had once been home to a fairly large population. Not city large, but large enough. There’s no trace of them now, though. Either they’re all dead or have long ago fled this place, or they avoid the main roadways and remain in hiding elsewhere in the area.It’s the middle of another beautiful sunny afternoon when Kai returns from one of his frequent scouting forays. He walks with a rapid, determined-looking stride directly up to my dad. Since I’m just a little bit behind, I hurry forward to see what Kai has to report.“
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Late the next day, we come to a literal fork in the road. We’ve pretty much left the developed area around Monterey and the surrounding towns behind. The landscape is once again more rustic, covered with long grasses, bushy shrubs and scattered trees. For a little while we were along the ocean again, before curving more inland.We’re on the outskirts of a small town a road sign tells us is called Castroville. Route 1, which we’ve followed for almost all our trip, heads to the left. Highway 156 veers off to the right.Dad and Lieutenant Gregerson are squatting over an old road map. I’m peering over Dad’s shoulder, curious as usual. Kai is apparently not interested in maps, because he’s standing off to the side. He’ll go along with whatever Dad decides.From Dad and the lieutenant’s discussion, I know the choice comes down to staying on Route 1, which will return to the coast and be somewhat winding as it follows the shore, or to head inland to Highway 101, which seems to be much more o
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I head back inside and join my friends for a quick meal of energy bars, nuts and dried fruit. It’s actually pretty tasty, though a bit boring. It beats going hungry, that’s for sure.Less than half an hour after I opened my eyes, we’re on our way north again. The powder blue sky is striped with high, wispy cirrus clouds and the temperature is cool but pleasant. It’s another fine day for a long walk.We’ve been walking for several uneventful hours when Radar suddenly stops. From the look on her face, I know what’s coming.“Anomaly!” she shouts, pointing to a spot just to the right of the road.There’s no need for her to wave her orange cap here. The Marines are well-trained for this. Dealing with Anomalies—and the things that come through them—is their primary responsibility back in San Diego. Two dozen of them quickly form a semi-circle in front of the spot Radar indicated. The two guys carrying flamethrowers take up stations at either end of the curved line of soldiers.The rest of t
Leesa's Advent Chapter 521
We reach the southern outskirts of Santa Cruz shortly before noon the following day. It’s a pretty big town—at least it was back before The Incident. Not San Diego or San Francisco big, but a decent sized place nonetheless. I know from our cram course about the California coast that Santa Cruz was home to a large university and was considered a very progressive city.Now, however, it looks deserted. A long section of the highway we’re following is elevated, allowing us to see a good distance in all directions. To our right, green hills covered with houses rise to a height of several hundred feet, while to our left the downtown section of the city stretches off to the ocean. From our raised vantage point, I can see a large number of destroyed buildings—far more than would be found in a similar-sized section of San Diego. I guess that comes from being so much closer to where The Incident occurred. Some of the destruction looks like it resulted from battles being fought, but a big propor
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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
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
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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
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
