The Second Rising

by Kevin Douglas

  Leo and Sarafina began walking with haste as a series of explosions thudded above, shaking the tunnel and silencing the beast’s screams above. They hesitated for a moment hearing silence, then plodded on.

  Sarafina’s voice echoed down the corridor as she called ahead to Leo. “What is going on up there? It sounds like explosions. Why would the Sullivan’s go through the hassle to find you, then just try to kill you?”

  They rounded the corner and fifty feet away was another ladder leading up out of the tunnel.

  “That wasn’t them setting off the explosions. It was my father. The lab must be rigged to destroy itself if it detects unauthorized entry or access. He wanted to make sure the Sullivan’s and others weren’t able to use the information he hid down here.”

  They reached the ladder. Where does this lead? To freedom? Or just more secrets? Perhaps his father’s lab wasn’t completely destroyed. Maybe he still had a chance to hear his father’s last instructions for the Intervallum.

  “Stay down here for a minute, I’ll pop the hatch to see if everything is okay and the beasts gone.”

  Sarafina waited patiently in the tunnel as he unlatched the hatch and eased open the lid. Smoke drifted in through the opening mixed with daylight. Leo remained silent. He rose several steps to make out the hazy scene before him. Squinting, he was able to make out his surroundings. They were outside the home on the grounds near where they had parked.

  His eyes adjusted, and he leaned back from waves of heat beating on this face, looking on in horror as his childhood home, the last remnant of his father, burned bright. Tendrils of fire whipped and spread over the home, climbing up the sides and igniting the floors above.

  “Leo…what is it? Is it safe?”

  Still in shock, he was unable to respond. His heart sank as the grand home burnt before his eyes, sending him into despair. A stab of sorrow darted through his core.

  “Leo! Is everything okay? You’re scaring me. Say something!”

  “It’s gone…all gone.”

  “What is?” said Sarafina as she began to climb the ladder below him.

  “The house. The flames are everywhere…it’s destroyed,” said Leo solemnly.

  He climbed the last few rungs and stepped into the forest, his eyes fixated on the home. No beasts seemed to be present and the hatch wasn’t far from where they had parked. Leo turned around, as Sara rose from the hole and took sight of the burring inferno in front of them. The heat was building and becoming intolerable. Chills of dread swept down Leo’s body as sweat poured down his face. Sarafina hugging him from behind to comfort him.

  “We still have hope Leo. All isn’t lost.” Sarafina winced at the heat. “Let’s go Leo, before it engulfs your car too.”

  Leo walked slowly to his car, with the unsatisfied feeling he didn’t have enough time to say goodbye to the home, the memories, and his father. As they neared the car, Sarafina sheltered her face from the heat, while Leo looked on un-phased.

  His feelings of dread, sorrow, despair, sadness, and mourning were melting away with each step. He was now angry. Another explosion thundered, and a beast screamed out as it launched out a nearby window. The disoriented gargoyle-like creature smacked the ground and skidded to a stop. Engulfed in flame it stumbled to its feet.

  Leo heard Sarafina get into the Corvette and shut the door; with his back to the car, he stood strong, arms to his sides, facing the flaming beast that stared in his direction. Before it could strike, timbers from the upper floors of the home crumbled down on top of its hindquarters.

  The beast struggled to shake off the rubble when several large blasts tore through the home, collapsing the entire structure onto itself and destroying the beast. Leo shielded his face from debris that smacked against his legs, chest, and arms.

  There was nothing left for him here now. The loud clink of rocks hitting his vehicle, caused him to turn around.

  Sarafina popped the car door and shouted, “Leo come on! You’re going to get burnt!”

  Leo took a few steps toward the vehicle and realized his pants were smoldering, a flame rising up his leg. He smacked at his pants, extinguishing the flames

  “I’m coming Sara. There’s nothing left for me here.”

  Leo stabbed at the door handle nearly burning his hand, then sat down in the vehicle and shut himself in. He started the car and began to roll away, looking at the sight in the rearview mirror of the mansion that once was, now all that remained was a flaming pile of wood.

  Memories were gone, his time cut short, messages from his father lost forever. The Sullivan’s had caused all of this, first his father’s disappearance, and second, his father’s escape from this life to another time. Now they had burnt the last piece he had left of his dad to the ground. Leo’s hatred for the Sullivan’s seethed.

  With blood racing through his veins, he turned to Sarafina,“I’m tired of running, hiding, and playing defense. It’s time to fight fire with fire! I have something for the Sullivan’s that they haven’t seen. I’m going to use their weapons against them to destroy them, and when I’m done, I’ll find my father!”

  Leo accelerated down the dirt road, coming upon several squirrels standing frozen in the middle like a blockade.

  “Let’s start with you!” said Leo as he stomped on the accelerator, the wheels spinning until they gripped the dirt, launching the car forward, the roar of the engine filling the interior. The car struck the squirrel BOTS, scattering metallic limbs onto the windshield, the rest tinkling on the undercarriage of the car as it passed by.

  Fluids spattered onto the window, mixed with the head of one BOT, the eyes still gazing through the glass at Leo. Leo turned on the windshield wipers, smacking the head off into the forest, smearing its lubricants. Several swipes of the wipers cleaned off the window enough for Leo to see and he pressed on.

  Sarafina pressed her hand into his and looked into his eyes. “I’m here to fight. Where do we start?”

  “I’ll get hold of Stratus, something tells me he can help. Next is Marty, and lastly, we go to New Wave for the prototype I have been coding. Then we hit them with everything we’ve got, bring them to their knees. When it’s all done, even if it kills me, I’m going try use the Intervallum to try and find my father and bring him back home.”

  “My knight,” said Sarafina as she kissed Leo on the cheek, causing him to turn to her. He slowed the car, smiled, and planted a soft kiss on her supple lips. He returned his attention to the road and corrected his drift, before turning on the radio.

  “I’m so glad you’re here Sara ”

  Leo’s voice was cut off by the blaring tones of the emergency broadcast system. He slammed on the brakes, the car skidding to a stop as they both listened to its message in shock.

  This is a message from the emergency alert system. It is advised all citizens on the northeastern seaboard stay in their homes and stay calm. No travel for any reason is recommended. If you should be approached by any soldiers of the National Guard, ask for identification before accepting help. Attacks of chemical warfare have been reported and may engulf your neighborhood or city. Cover any openings you may have and keep wet towels to cover your nose and mouth. Stay tuned for further instructions.

  The broadcast ended and beeped off. Leo looked to Sarafina, seeing a worried, shocked look on her face.

  “Holy shit! It’s all happening so fast,” said Leo.

  “Way too fast. This changes nothing though. Stick to your plan.”

  “I’ve been lied to, manipulated, stolen from, and used. You’re right. I’m tired of being their defenseless pawn. Let’s get to work and end their second rising.

  It’s time to kill some BOTS!”

  Acknowledgement

  Mom, being there from start to finish with edits, suggestions, critiques, praises, and support.

  Cherry, for being an awesome sounding board, having awesome detailed feedback, for being an insatiable reader, and always a willingness to help.

  Stephanie, for
all your enthusiasm, and support. Being an excellent advocate and infecting everyone with your bubbly personality.

  Jackie, my long-distance reader, who loves to hear any news on my books and is there to offer a calculated opinion.

  Tarissa, for allowing me to bounce ideas off her, for insightful critiques and lending an ear to my new chapter or scene that I just couldn’t wait for someone to hear. And for being my resident expert on all things Sarafina.

  Carol, for being there to help, and making sure this second book is just perfect.

  Karen, my editor for which I owe a lot, although we don’t always see eye to eye on everything, you worked to make this a stronger book.

  Heather, my big Sis who went to events with me, and always offered up an option on anything book related.

  Talon, Big T, there with me for all my shows, excited, happy, and for really good feedback on the cover and the story. Plus, he’s super cool.