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Chapter 521
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Leesa's Advent Chapter 522
Nothing unexpected happen, so the next morning we’re back on our way, same as every day. As Santa Cruz falls behind us, the highway starts to become much more like it was during the first part of our trip, though not so high above the ocean, which is frequently visible through gaps in the trees and hillocks to the west.We can also see a wall of heavy gray clouds looming on the horizon. The dark clouds look like the front edge of an approaching storm. The wind has freshened from the northwest as well, another sign that the good weather we’ve enjoyed so far may be about to change. Other than to make sure our plastic rain ponchos are near the top of our packs for quick availability, there’s nothing we can do about it, so we trudge resolutely northward.If we continue at our present pace, Dad says we’ll arrive in San Francisco in three more days. That will give us two days to spare, which is just about ideal. We’ll have time to scout the area
Leesa's Advent Chapter 523
The storm lasts for the better part of two days—two very wet, cold and miserable days. Walking twenty miles a day into a driving rainstorm is not something I’d recommend to anybody. They’re safe days, though, as Kai had predicted. We see no sign of any enemies—unlike us, the hunters seem to be smart enough to stay out of the rain. The closer we get to San Francisco, the more evidence we see of past Anomalies, until we’re passing a damaged area almost every hour or so. Radar tells us that most of them are pretty old, but a couple opened up in the past few weeks, and one occurred just two days before we come upon it. There’s no way to know what came through that most recent portal. The pounding rain has washed away all traces, and Radar’s Power doesn’t tell her what passed through, only if something entered our world when the Anomaly opened. Radar confirms that something did indeed come through. Even Kai can’t tell anything because of the storm. We keep an even sharper
Leesa's Advent Chapter 524
As we get on our way the next morning, thoughts of champagne and junk food are far behind us. Everyone is all business, knowing that today—barring any unforeseen delay—is the day we should finally reach our destination and get our first sight of the fabled island of Alcatraz. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. I’m glad our long, difficult journey is nearing its end, but I’m anxious about what we’ll find and what we’ll have to do when we get there. Whatever it is, it’ll be dangerous, for sure, and I’ve still had no indication that I possess any kind of Power. Without a Power of my own, I’m just an eighteen-year-old kid possessed of some moderate skill with a machete, easily the weakest and least accomplished member of our company. I’m also worried that Dad and Kai will be overly watchful of me, and so won’t be able to do whatever needs to be done at their full effectiveness. There’s nothing I can do about it now, though. I had hoped our dangerous journey mig
Leesa's Advent Chapter 525
My first view of our destination is nothing like I expected, nothing like the pictures I’d seen in all the books we studied prior to beginning our journey. The Rock itself, as it was often affectionately called, looks as solid as ever. But gone is the stark, solid block building made even more ominous-looking by the knowledge that it served as a maximum-security prison housing the worst of the worst. In its place stands nothing more than a skeleton of the old structure, pieces of exterior wall reaching up to varying heights before crumbling away. In some places the jagged concrete sections seem no more than eight or ten feet tall, while other parts rear up almost three times that. The various outbuildings that surrounded the main prison are now little more than piles of rubble, and the distinctive lighthouse tower has completely crumbled as well. Whether the destruction resulted simply from The Incident or occurred over the years there’s no way of telling. I study th
Leesa's Advent Chapter 526
We can’t help smiling at him. I can see Radar trying hard to stifle a laugh.Seeing our grins, Sneak suddenly disappears. Kai’s hand flashes out to the spot where Sneak vanished. From the claw-like position of Kai’s hand, I think he’s got Sneak by the arm. Kai’s reaction was so swift Sneak didn’t have a chance to move.“Just a minute,” Kai says. “I almost forgot.”He reaches out with his other hand and tips Dad’s canteen upside down. The water splashes over Sneaks head, outlining his invisible form as the liquid runs over his head and shoulders. Sneak sputters and reappears.“What the...?” he stammers as we Miracles enjoy a laugh. It’s not often the tables get turned on Sneak.“It’s seawater,” Kai tells him. “Like I said, the more you smell like the water, the safer you’ll be.”“Yeah, well, next time warn a guy, huh?&
Leesa's Advent Chapter 527
When darkness descends, Kai gets ready to leave. I wish I could go down to the bay with him. I’d love to see Selene, Tamika and Colella and thank them for saving my life. Dad is having none of it, though. He’s taking no chances, keeping everyone inside the building, away from any spying eyes. He’s not going to risk divulging our presence until he absolutely has to. My expression of gratitude to my mermaid friends will have to wait one more day.“Be careful,” I tell Kai. “Like my dad said, don’t take any chances over there.”“I won’t,” Kai says, smiling. “I want to make sure I’m around for your birthday.” He leans forward and kisses the top of my forehead. “I think it’s likely to be quite a party.”The touch of his lips against my skin sends a shiver of delight through me. I have no idea what to make of the kiss. Was it just a friendly birthday peck in advance, o
Leesa's Advent Chapter 528
Happy birthday to me.The long awaited day is here—December 21st. I’m finally eighteen. Unfortunately, I don’t feel any different today than I did yesterday. There was no midnight magic; no Power that miraculously appeared when the clock struck twelve.Yesterday was a completely uneventful day. We all stayed inside, hidden away while we waited. Pairs of Marines took turns watching Alcatraz, replaced every half hour so eyes and attention stayed fresh. No one reported seeing anything move on the island.I can think of at least a thousand things I’d rather be doing here in the early morning hours of my birthday than getting ready to venture across the bay to Alcatraz. But that’s what we’re doing. Everyone has returned their gear to their packs and readied their weapons. The entire company is now gathered in the lobby of the building that has been our home for the past two nights. At least I’ll get to see and thank Selene an
Leesa's Advent Chapter 529
The force of the flames washes across me like a gale force wind. Surprisingly, I feel very little heat, no more than when the hot Santa Ana winds blow into San Diego from the desert. Wrapped in the plume of fire, I see the world as if looking through orange-tinted glasses. Somehow, without understanding why, I know what I need to do. The feeling is completely new to me, completely foreign to anything in my life before. Knowing without truly knowing is the best I can describe it. It’s as if a voice inside my head is whispering to me, telling me what I must do an instant before I do it. It’s not really a voice, though—it’s more like a feeling that guides me.At last, I’m beginning to understand what it’s like to have a Power.I quickly turn my head toward Kai, who is still clutching my upper arm. He’s staring at me wide-eyed, his face glowing bright orange in the fire.“Don’t let go of me,” I shout, trying to make sure he hears me above the roaring flames. “Whatever you do, DO NOT LET G
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