My Atlantian

by Alysia S Knight

  The explosion knocked Lysias to the ground, a shout of fear escaping him.

  Jerreon raised an arm to protect his face until the flames died down. He rushed forward catching hold of Lysias’s shirt, hauling him up to slam his fist into his face.

  Lysias dropped, but Jerreon lifted him up ready to send another blow.

  “No!” Jerreon heard Kallie scream and jerked around in time to see Kallie hit into one of the government men. She knocked his hand holding a gun up just as a roar escaped it. A bullet ripped into a palm tree behind Jerreon, a couple feet above his head.

  “That’s my husband, you idiot,” she shouted. “It’s the other one you want.”

  Jerreon turned his attention back to Lysias, but the distraction cost him. Lysias locked a hand on his wrist and twisted to the side, clipping Jerreon’s legs, taking them out from under him. Jerreon hit the ground beside Lysias, and the man rolled over on him, wrapping his hands around Jerreon’s neck, squeezing down.

  Jerreon thrust his hands up, breaking Lysias’s hold, then slammed his palm into his chest, knocking Lysias away. Jerreon rolled to the side. They both gained their feet and attacked.

  Lysias struck. Jerreon blocked and countered. Lysias blocked and kicked out. Jerreon turned away and continued the motion bringing his foot up in a sweeping arch that connected with Lysias’s shoulder, knocking him back, but he didn’t go down.

  They circled each other, trading blows that didn’t do any damage, just meant to wear their opponent down. Jerreon landed a hard blow that staggered Lysias. Lysias pulled back and glared. Jerreon felt the draw of energy and readied for the burst of power, but instead of being directed at him, Lysias again directed it to where the crowd had gathered across the street.

  Jerreon leapt, covering the space to intersect the crackling ball of energy. The blast hit him in the chest throwing him back to land in the road. Pain burned through him as he tried to breathe. He thought he heard Kallie crying his name over the ringing in his ears.

  Pain hit again as something touched his chest. Then, through the agony, he felt a gentle caress on his face. Stunned, he knew who it was, knew the touch and tried to cling to it.

  He fought to clear his vision. He needed to sit up, move, but nothing in his body responded to the commands of his mind. Still, he managed to open his eyes and the glorious sight of Kallie filled his vision. He wanted to warn her away but couldn’t move as energy continued to ricochet through his body.

  The sound of a shot pierced his mind. Kallie jerked. Fear for her gave him enough strength to turn his head. He followed her gaze to see Lysias slash his hand against the air. The government man who had been in the car with Kallie and shot at him, fell back against the car. The gun in his hand ripped free to land a distance away as the man dropped to the ground.

  Lysias’s attention came back to them.

  “Go,” Jerreon choked on the word, but got it past his lips.

  Kallie shifted, but didn’t leave him. Kneeling by him, she held her head high as Lysias walked toward them.

  Stopping, Lysias looked down. “As I said, your humanity is your downfall. I would have liked to have had you join me here, but I never could have trusted you. Besides, there should only be one god.” He smirked.

  “You are no god,” Kallie snapped the words Jerreon wanted to say.

  “Do you think you can withstand my power?” Lysias extended this hand out toward her.

  “No!” Jerreon pulled himself up to a sitting position, placing himself in front of her.

  “She does mean something to you.” Lysias quirked up a brow. “It’s not just the crystal that draws you to her.”

  “You want the crystal.” Kallie reached for the fastener. “Take it and leave.”

  Before she could release the clasp, Lysias reached over Jerreon, caught her arm and jerked her up. “I want to know what makes you so special to him.”

  “No,” Jerreon’s cry echoed Kallie’s as she fought to break Lysias’s hold. Her protests were drowned out by the wail of approaching sirens.

  “Stop,” Lysias ordered pushing out his will, but it had no effect on her.

  Jerreon saw the blow coming a split second before it contacted to her chin. Kallie went limp before his protest even made it out.

  Lysias looked down the street at the cars with lights flashing on top, and hoisted Kallie over his shoulder.

  “No.” Jerreon tried to pull up, only to fall back as Lysias turned away. Pain threatened to shut him down and give his body the much needed healing time. Jerreon clung to the image of Lysias striding away with Kallie draped over his shoulder.

  He rolled over and forced himself up to his hands and knees. The world swam around him. He let his head hang as he pulled air in his lungs to clear his mind before he forced his way to his feet. He staggered and almost went down again.

  “You all right?”

  He pulled his head up as several people dressed in some-kind of a uniform approached him, while others headed toward the government car. “Kallie, My one,” he muttered. “My wife,” he said more firmly, straightening.

  “We’ll see to her. Let’s just get you sitting down first.”

  Another man moved to the car.

  Jerreon ignored them forcing himself to take a step, then another. He staggered.

  “Hey!” The man reached for him.

  Jerreon heard the yell as he pushed himself into a run, taking off after Lysias. With each step, his systems leveled out. He pulled on the power, fueling his need to reach Kallie. He lengthened his stride. It took no effort to follow the trail.

  He reached where the road crossed another larger street. The other side opened to the beach with the ocean stretching out. Jerreon barely glanced at the cars as he ran across the road amidst the blaring of horns. One car cut into his path and he hurtled it without slowing. People parted as he raced down the walk. He ignored their stares and shouts. His mind locked only on one thing – Kallie.

  ***

  The jarring motion jerked Kallie back to consciousness. The world refused to right itself, and it took her a moment to realize her head was hanging down. Her hair almost skimmed the ground. A pathway and sand passed below her. She heard cars and waves. Under the noise, she made out the subtle sound of the ocean.

  Lysias! Reality hit her and she started to fight. Striking his back, her hand stung. She kicked and squirmed trying to dislodge herself, but it only resulted in the arm clamped over her legs tightening down.

  Pulling her head up, she caught an aghast expression on the face of an older aged couple, and the delighted expression on some young, teen-aged girls that obviously thought something romantic was happening. The thought freed her voice.

  “Help! Please, call the police,” she yelled. Kallie didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but she also refused to go quietly. “Help!” She pushed up, then changed tactics and grabbed one of his legs.

  Lysias went to step and she locked down on it hampering the motion. He staggered and his strength ripped the leg free from her, but she caught the other, impeding it so he stumbled. Kallie kicked and started to slide off his shoulder. He recovered, hoisted her back up then shook her, digging his shoulder into her stomach.

  Kallie cried out.

  “Hey!” a man called from behind them.

  Kallie arched enough to see a couple guys in swim trunks heading their way.

  “What’s going on?” A sandy-haired guy demanded.

  “Stay back or die.” Contempt rang in Lysias’s words.

  Instead of halting, the men bristled.

  It hit Kallie if she didn’t do something, Lysias would kill them. She reached down, gripped his leg below the calf while she kicked up and arched her back, pulling with her arms. Half-turned, the action unbalanced them. Lysias dropped to the sand as she flipped over him to land flat on her back.

  The sand took most of the impact, but she was lightheaded as she struggled to stand, only to fall again.

  Fingers caught and locked around her w
rist like steel-bands, dragging her to her feet. “Up.” Lysias jerked her upright without giving her any option.

  The guys rushed forward.

  Lysias thrust out his free hand. Kallie slammed herself into him, knocking the hand away as a familiar blue-bolt burst from it. Energy hit the sand sending a spray of crystallized shards made from molten sand into the air.

  Though the main force missed her, Kallie was so close tendrils of energy singed her. Lights flashed through her mind and vision and, for a moment, consciousness threatened to slip from her again.

  Her mind cleared as she was dragged along, her legs barely able to keep her upright as they crossed the uneven sand, heading toward a small speed boat beached ahead. Kallie dug in, only to be yanked forward.

  “Do not defy me again.” Fury burned in his words.

  She started to pull back only to be lifted up once more. A second later, Lysias waded into the water and dropped her into the boat.

  Kallie landed, still stunned. The boat rocked, then a throaty roar rose from the engine. Over the sound, she thought she heard another roar.

  “Jerreon,” Kallie tried to pull herself up only to fall back as the boat lurched. Lysias spun the wheel nearly tipping the boat over when he goosed the engine at the same time. Kallie slid across the bottom of the boat to hit against the other side when he over corrected. Again, the world swam around her.

  “My one!” Jerreon’s call reached her and she clung to it, using it to hold her consciousness.

  ***

  Jerreon saw the flash of energy at the same time he felt the pull from the earth. Racing across the sand toward the area, he saw Lysias drop Kallie in a boat then vault in. The engine came to life, and he knew again he wasn’t going to reach her in time to stop Lysias. His heart pounded. Energy still hummed in his system, but he couldn’t pull on it to stop the boat, not with Kallie in it.

  Two smaller crafts bobbed on the water not far away. He changed course heading for them. A man stood under an umbrella by a chair and a for rent sign.

  “I need one of your crafts,” Jerreon yelled as he approached. “My wife is being taken. How do I run this?”

  “You don’t know?” The man stepped in front of him.

  Jerreon was already reaching out his mind for the information and caught the man’s fear for his machine. He pulled out his wallet and tossed it to the man. “Hold this for my collateral and I will pay for it when I return it. There is a card in it. You can call to a man, if I do not return. He will pay for the machine. Now, how do I work it?”

  Images flashed in the man’s mind before the words made it out. Jerreon took them in. “Thank you.” Jerreon freed the watercraft, pushing it out into the waves, igniting it in the same action as climbing on. Mashing down on the gas, it shot forward in an angle to cut Lysias off.

  He reached his mind out for Kallie to assure himself she was all right. He felt her touch, but it didn’t calm him. Still, he was gaining rapidly on Lysias as the man struggled to control the boat.

  Lysias twisted around, picking up his presence, and spun the boat sharply, cutting back toward him.

  Jerreon let him come, meeting the challenge though the boat was twice the size of his own craft. Lysias arrowed in on him. Jerreon turned heading back to the beach. Lysias followed, gaining on him, aiming at running him over.

  ***

  Kallie gripped the side of the boat and pulled herself up. Stumbling when the boat hit a rough patch, she almost went down, and then she saw Jerreon. The sun gleamed off his now sandy hair so the white of it appeared to shine through. He stood, letting his legs take the pounding of the waves as he sped across the water.

  Lysias turned the wheel sharply, almost knocking her over as he headed right for Jerreon, in a clear attempt to run him down.

  Kallie dove forward, grabbing for the handle that controlled the gas. She yanked it back to stop position as she reached for the wheel. The boat hit a wave just as the engine cut off and she whipped the wheel around. The boat spun and nosed down in the water in a violent action. The momentum ripped Kallie’s hand from the wheel at the same time Lysias struck her, sending her flying over the side into the water, landing a good ten feet away.

  The impact felt like she hit into a brick wall, then she was sinking into the fluid depths. Panic jarred her stunned mind back to alertness. She struggled and fought as the water closed over her. In her panic, it took a second to right herself and determine which way was up.

  Straightening out her body, she pulled the water with her arms as she kicked her way to the surface. She broke through gasping in air and choking out salt water. The roar of a motor had her turning in time to see Jerreon bring the personal watercraft in close to the boat, and leap onboard. She could only tread water and watch as the two men locked on each other in death grips.

  Kallie was so absorbed in the struggle, she almost missed the gray fin that cut through the surface in front of her, until it dipped and disappeared back in the water. Fear filled her so fast she couldn’t scream or react.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Something bumped her side. Kallie shrieked. In answer, a smooth gray head with a long nose broke the surface and chattered back to her.

  Kallie sagged in relief, dipping in the water. The dolphin moved into her, not shying back when she slipped her arm over it. She tried to shift to watch Jerreon, but the dolphin turned, dragging her toward shore. Kallie slipped off only to have another brush along her. Out of instinct, she caught hold of the fin as she’d seen the trainers in the park do.

  The dolphin carried her toward shore with three others forming a protective ring around her. They were in only about two and a half feet of water when they pulled up and flipped around, leaving her kneeling on the sandy bottom as waves rocked her. Kallie remained there, drawing in air, watching the fight a couple hundred feet away.

  “No,” a scream burst from her as something touch her. She swung her arm out only to have it caught. A lifeguard and another man pulled her to her feet and dragged her in the final feet to shore.

  “That was amazing,” the man exclaimed.

  “Something I’ve never seen before. You’re all right?” the lifeguard asked trying to draw her attention.

  Kallie ignored him focusing on the fight as the sound of blows crashed over the water. She could only watch helplessly as Jerreon and Lysias locked together. She knew only one would make it to shore alive − maybe neither.

  ***

  Jerreon kept his focus on Lysias, but it was hard knowing Kallie was in the water, possibly hurt. Even though he had the assurance from the dolphins that had answered his call, he wanted to reach out to Kallie, but couldn’t risk the distraction.

  Lysias swung at him. Jerreon blocked, ramming his fist in Lysias’s side. The boat rocked hampering the strength behind the blow, but still Lysias staggered before coming in.

  Lysias struck, feinting to the side in an attempt to draw him off. Jerreon caught the movement and countered in time to take the blow with his shoulder. Pain seared up his arm as Lysias connected where the bullet from the police officer’s gun had grazed him.

  Jerreon gasped and faltered in his blow, leaving him open for Lysias to land another hit to his ribs. Air exploded from his body, followed by the flare of pain from the rib cracking. Still, Jerreon continued his counter strike, clipping Lysias in the face with enough force to snap Lysias’s head back. Jerreon was rewarded with the sound of cartilage popping. Blood spurt from Lysias’s nose.

  Lysias roared, diving in, throwing fists wildly, all done to get close enough to wrap his hands around Jerreon’s neck. Jerreon drove his fist up, breaking the hold, knocking Lysias back against the front of the boat. Again, the boat rocked wildly.

  Jerreon, his feet spread wide, rode out the motion.

  Lysias fell against the side of the boat, gripping the edge to keep from going over.

  Jerreon reached to pull him up.

  Lysias sprang, slashing out his hand. Light flashed off a knife blade.<
br />
  Jerreon pulled back an instant too late. The blade meant for his heart hit one of his ribs then sunk in where the rib had broken a moment before. Agony dropped him to his knees. He gripped his side and struggled to stand, teetering at the back of the boat.

  “I will be god here,” Lysias shouted in exaltation, bringing both hands in front of him. Energy balled and crackled from his hands. Lysias roared again. Power burst out.

  Jerreon thrust up his hands, willing his own energy out. The two bursts collided in an explosion of hot, blue-white energy, scorching through Jerreon as he was thrown backward into the water.

  ***

  Kallie ducked and shaded her eyes at the flash of light. “Jerreon!” she screamed, then cried again as the boat exploded. Helpless she watched Jerreon’s body be thrown back. It landed in the water, sinking below the waves. “Jerreon!”

  She ran into the water only to be stopped by one of the men who helped pull her to shore a moment earlier. “Please let me go. I have to get to him.” She fought to get free, but he held her arms trapped against her body and dragged her back out of the surf. Another person joined him and pulled her up on the shore.

  “Help’s on the way.”

  The lifeguard who pulled her out and another ran past her into the water.

  “The dolphins!” someone shouted.

  Kallie saw several fins rise to the surface. In the midst of them was a form.

  “Jerreon.” Her mind went out to him, but all she met with was quiet. Terror filled her like it never had before. “No, Jerreon!” She put more will into her effort and reached again to touch his mind.

  A second passed, then a slight stirring. He was alive. Jerreon didn’t answer, but she knew.

  Tears burned her eyes as she watched. In tandem, one on either side of Jerreon, the dolphins nudged him toward the beach. The lifeguards stopped, standing in waist deep water as the dolphins brought Jerreon into them, releasing him once they reached the humans. This time, the dolphins didn’t pull back from the shore. They circled in the shallows letting out volleys of high-pitched whistles.