Rise of the Phoenix (The Phoenix Trilogy Book 1)

by M. R. Ferguson

  “Once we learned of the mutation, action was required. We had to insure people didn’t become monsters. The survivors were not something we expected.”

  “Where’s Adam and what are you doing with him?”

  “He shouldn’t be of any concern to you.”

  “You can’t mean that. I need to see him.”

  An evil grin spread across Decklin’s face. “Not sure that’s a good idea. I do need to keep your safety in mind.”

  “Adam wouldn’t hurt me.”

  His eyes bored into hers for several minutes of silence. “I’ve ordered some more blood for you. I suggest you keep yourself healthy.” He stood and buttoned his suite jacket. “We will meet again soon Ms. Williams.”

  He motioned for her to exit. Her anger should have been at its peak, but it was stifled. She walked quietly down the steps and saw Cloud speaking with one of the secretaries.

  “I just admire Dr. Lachance’s work so much. I would love to read more about him.” She was sitting across from one of the older women.

  “I will have the internet programed in the library for you. Here is your pass for the day. You will only be able to search Dr. Lachance.”

  “Thank you so much,” Cloud squealed in fake delight.”

  Phoenix smiled as she walked passed her roommate and into the hall. She kept her pace slow waiting for Cloud to catch up.

  “Did you see that?” Cloud quipped beside her. “Putty in my hands.”

  “You’re brilliant, you know that?”

  “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  When they intersected another hall Cloud toward the library and Phoenix went in the opposite direction knowing she would soon have her answers.

  ADAM SAT CURLED up on the floor of the cell. Perspiration dripped from his forehead and his hands were clinched in tight fists causing his hands to bleed. It had been days since he was supplied blood. His skin had been picked down to the muscle in places and chunks of his hair lay on the floor. His body itched from the inside out and he no longer had dreams, but constant nightmares.

  The light was dim, casting dementing shadows along the walls. As he sat there focusing on one it began to move toward him. His breathing became heaving gulps of fear as he pressed himself further into the corner. His hands gripped the bars just above his head as the shadow slipped into the cell.

  “No. No,” he said in a panic.

  He closed his eyes tight. “It’s not real. It’s not real.”

  The sound of footsteps caused his eyes to fly open. The shadow was gone, replaced by a guard. Another guard stood at the entrance looking up, watching.”

  “Adam?”

  He didn’t answer. His nose was filled with the smell of blood; mutated blood. Adam cocked his head and watched the guard approach, waiting for the right time. Waiting for him to get close enough.

  Closer. Just a little bit closer.

  “Are you Adam?” the guard asked crouching down.

  And Adam had him. Before the guard knew what happened he was pulled and locked up against the bars and Adam had his teeth sunk deep into his neck. He savored the taste, the flavor, but not in a placid way. He was pure animal now. The guard had walked up on a starving tiger.

  The butt of a gun slammed into Adam’s skull breaking his grip. He sat back and watched the second guard help the first to his feet. Adam’s breath had turned into full-blown growls. His eyes glowed bright emerald. Just as he pounced again the guards hopped back. Adam’s body slammed into the cage with a loud echoing thud.

  “We need to get the hell out of here. Are you okay to walk, man?”

  “What the fuck is this?” the guard said holding his neck where Adam had bit down on him.

  “Fucked up is right. Let’s go.”

  Both men scurried out leaving Adam with insatiable hunger and extreme anger. His fingers dug deep into his chest and his scream filled the empty cavern.

  PHOENIX’S SMILE AT Clouds triumph quickly faded as she looked down the hall. Another guard was helping hell Raiser whose face was full of anguish and his hand held his neck.

  “What the hell happened to you?” she asked shocked.

  “I need your bathroom,” he gurgled.

  Quickly she ushered him inside.

  “I’ll come back and check on you. I need to get back to my post before someone notices I’m gone,” the other guard said before stepping out.

  Phoenix could see that his shirt was drenched with blood. “Let me get a towel.”

  She removed his hand and pressed the warm water drenched towel against the wound. Hell Raiser flinched and hissed as she did so. After wiping the excess blood away she took a closer look. “Holy hell. Who did this?”

  “Adam did this.”

  “You saw Adam?”

  “Yeah, but he’s not Adam anymore. The guy full on attacked me; unprovoked.”

  Phoenix’s head wrinkled. “I don’t understand. This is a massive chunk out of your neck. Adam wouldn’t do this.”

  “Whatever is happening to him down there isn’t good.”

  She bit back her tears. “Why isn’t this healing?”

  “Because my entire neck is in his mouth.”

  “I can’t get the bleeding to stop either.”

  As she spoke Hell Raiser’s face became more and more pale. His normally olive skin was now ash grey. He began to sway and his eyes closed.

  “Oh no. No. You can’t die on me.” She bit down on her own wrist and put it to his mouth. “Drink.”

  He did, but it was feeble.

  Cloud walked in carrying a stack of papers she had printed. “What the hell?”

  “We need to stitch him. Go to the store and get me a needle and thread.”

  “You can’t just stitch someone with sewing materials.”

  “Do it! Nobody can know about this.”

  Cloud dropped the papers and nodded. As she dashed back out of the room Hell Raiser opened his eyes.

  “Stay with me,” she prompted him. “Here drink some more.” This time his lips firmly locked onto her wrist and he swallowed deep.

  Cloud skidded to a halt just inside the door and tore open the package of needles.

  “I’m going to get some hot water to wash you up,” Phoenix said standing.

  As she walked into the bathroom a knot formed in her throat. Adam was in trouble and she needed to get to him.

  “Can you take off your uniform shirt?” she asked crouching next to Hell Raiser.

  As he tossed the clothing on the floor Cloud said, “Holy, steroid much?”

  He chuckled deep in his chest. “I am an ex football pro. It’s not steroids, I’m just a big boy.”

  Phoenix took the needle and thread. “This is going to hurt like hell and I don’t even know if this will work.”

  “Let’s do it.” He took the pillows from the bed and tightened his grip on them.

  Phoenix pinched the gap in his neck together and pushed the needle through. Hell Raiser flinched, but kept quiet. She worked the needle back and forth making X’s along the gash. Making sure not to pull the thread too tight; she made sure it didn’t break. When she was done Cloud handed her a tube of super glue. “I thought we should use this too; just in case.”

  “Good thinking.” Phoenix looked into Hell Raiser’s eyes. “What happened down there?”

  He shook his head back and forth and sighed. “He wasn’t even human anymore. He was on me before I could see him move. Dude pinned me up against the cage and bit down. If it hadn’t been for Mustang hitting him with his gun I’d be dead.”

  Phoenix’s hands went to her mouth. “Adam would never do something like that.”

  “Mustang said Lachance has been giving him nothing but vamp blood. He has some sort of plan for Adam becoming the ultimate soldier.”

  “Oh shit.” Phoenix hung her head.

  “What does that mean?” Cloud asked.

  “The night I came here I bit into a guard and the blood gave me extraordinary strength. If Adam is onl
y drinking vamp blood it’s bad. That’s all he’s going to crave. Lachance will use him to kill us if we get out of line.”

  Phoenix sat there quiet.

  “What are you thinking?” Hell Raiser asked.

  “I need to get him out.”

  “There isn’t any way to do that, this place is a fortress.”

  “On top of that I learned some things in the library,” Cloud said. “Your theory is right. Lachance developed mood inhibitors and dopamine blockers a few years ago. That has to be what he’s putting in the blood.”

  “That son of a bitch; I knew it. What a damn coward.” Phoenix began to pace and her hands balled into fists at her side.

  “That means you will have no help with a revolt. This can’t be done without outside help,” Hell Raiser offered.

  “Lachance has only given me a small dose of blood. So that means you need to find me a way out of here.” She looked at the guard with pleading eyes.

  “This place is heavily guarded, but Mustang said that underground cave Adam’s in goes pretty far. I’m not sure if it’s passable all the way though.”

  “I have a pretty good idea where it will end. Adam had a hideaway in a cave and we had been exploring it. That was the first time I discovered the sun in years. I think we were looking up at this complex.”

  “Are you sure? I think Lachance would notice if there were vamps living close by.”

  “It took us hours and miles to find that little spot of sun. That cave is deep as hell,” Phoenix said tossing the bloody rag in the trash along with the needles and thread. “Can you get me down there?”

  “You’re going to need help,” Cloud said.

  “She’s right.”

  Phoenix pondered their offer. “We’re all going to need to avoid the blood for a few weeks no matter how weak we get. What I’m talking about is dangerous and we might not make it, but it’s the only way to help Adam and everyone in this place.”

  “Let’s do it,” Hell Raiser said giving her knuckles.

  Over the next few days they developed a consistent way to avoid drinking their daily dose of blood. Phoenix followed Cloud to what looked like a nurse’s station in a hospital. A long line of vamps were waiting patiently for the sustenance they craved.

  “Why didn’t I know this was here?” Phoenix asked looking around.

  “Lachance will withhold blood from you until he makes sure you are compliant. Once you are, well you go here everyday.”

  “I’m not sure why he thinks I’m compliant now. Our meeting wouldn’t have given him that impression.”

  “If you want my guess—he’s buying you.”

  One by one the people got their glass of blood and the line inched forward. Everyone around them mingled, laughed and talked as if they were in an hour-long line at Six Flags for the latest and greatest in roller coaster experiences.

  Cloud took her glass and Phoenix was shocked to see that she had a full serving just like the others.

  “Buying me is right.” Phoenix slightly rolled her eyes in disgust.

  They stepped away from the mingling crowd and dumped the glass of crimson liquid down the ventilation system.

  “That’s gonna stink after a while,” Cloud said snickering.

  Every afternoon they did the same thing, but decided to play nice and flush the blood down the toilet in their room.

  They went through their daily routines and made sure to eat plenty of food. And with every trip to the cafeteria they would smuggle a bottle of water out and hide them in their closet.

  Two weeks later they were tired, grumpy, and hungry but, ready to make their escape.

  “You’re gonna have to keep walking when we get down there. You can’t stop no matter how much you want to talk to him. The guy isn’t stable and he’ll make one hell of a noise.”

  Phoenix took a deep breath and fought back her emotions. “Leaving him here is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

  “Are we ready?” Cloud said beaming.

  “You can’t take that,” Phoenix said pointing at the backpack she had.

  “Why?”

  “If we walk down the hall with bags it will alert everyone to what we’re doing. We’ll pick up supplies when we get the hell out of here,” Phoenix said taking the bag and stuffing it in the closet.

  The clock on the nightstand turned to 3:00 am. “Let’s go.” Hell Raiser opened the door to the room and stepped into the hall.

  Each carried one bottle of water with them, and only the clothes on their back. Phoenix was happy to have her all black attire and boots. Though they were only clothes they brought her a sense of strength.

  The lights were dim and all was silent and still. Each walked with slow and silent footsteps.

  They walked through the cafeteria and through a door. A set of metal stairs led down to the cave and their foot falls echoed in the narrow confines.

  “You two wait here.” Hell Raiser pointed to a utility closet at the bottom of the stairs.

  In the darkness all they heard was a moan and a thud.

  “Please tell me that wasn’t Hell Raiser,” Cloud whispered.

  Just as the words escaped her lips the door flew open and both of them gasp and jumped back.

  “Nice to see you to,” Hell Raiser said grinning. “Let’s go.”

  As they reached the bottom of the stairs a tight knot formed in Phoenix’s chest. She hadn’t felt Adam in a while, but now that she was so close his essence hit her like a sledgehammer. She stopped and took a couple of breaths and braced herself for what she was going to see.

  Hell Raiser opened a sliding iron clad door and Phoenix stepped into the cavern. The lights were dim, but it was enough for her to see Adam crouched in the corner of a cell. Her heart ached and burned. Tears filled her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. She was frozen in place. Her legs wouldn’t carry her forward and her mind wouldn’t let her leave.

  “We need to keep moving,” Cloud insisted. “Come on; you can do this.” She took Phoenix’s hand and pulled her forward, gently.

  As they walked past the cell Adam sprang to his feet and slammed against the bars. Phoenix stumbled backwards looking into his brightly glowing eyes. Adam didn’t speak; the only things coming from his chest were feral growls. He was dirty and his clothes were long since tattered and torn. His hair was matted and ratty and his facial hair now resembled a mountain man instead of a rock god.

  Phoenix stood five feet away from him, but even in the dim light she could see his nostrils flaring as he smelled them. Her right foot took a step, but not toward the edge of the cavern. As she moved closer to the cage Adam’s eyes bore into her with a pure evil expression. “Adam?” she asked in a soft voice.

  Now she was only a couple feet away and his arm burst from between the bars. She squealed and jumped back causing his fingertips to graze her shirt. His growls became more insistent and angry. The cavern was filled with echoes that bounced around with each sound Adam made. The reverberations sounded like an entire pack of wolves.

  “We need to go,” Hell Raiser said shaking her.

  When Phoenix didn’t move or respond he scooped her up and ran. Her eyes didn’t leave Adam until only darkness was left. Hell Raiser set her down on a boulder in an offshoot of the cavern. As soon as her butt hit the cold stone she began to dry heave and hyperventilate. All she could do was rock back and forth trying to get the shocking sight out of her eyes. “He’s gone,” she said over and over as she rocked.

  “We’ll find a way to help him,” Cloud said stooping in front of her.

  Phoenix looked into her roommate’s eyes and took her hands. Her head shook back and forth as she spoke. “He’s gone.”

  “No. Don’t you talk like that; we’ll find a way to help him.” Cloud’s words were stern, yet gentle.

  Phoenix’s grief switched to rage. “Decklin Lachance will die a torturous death at my hands.”

  “Good. You focus on that. Let’s keep moving and figure out a way to save Adam
and the others,” Cloud gripped her hands tight as she spoke.

  Phoenix nodded and stood.

  As they continued through the cave the passageways became narrow and steep. It didn’t take them long to get to the small cavern where Adam had discovered sunlight. Phoenix stood there looking up at the hole cursing the day they had worshiped in that bright beam. “It will be a long hike from here,” she said between clenched teeth.

  She led them through the cave system to the spot where she and Adam had made camp. A few times along the way they needed to stop and drink some water. All of them were weak from the lack of blood so moving through the cave took twice as long as it should have.

  Once they reached the camp Phoenix instantly went for the cooler Adam had sitting in a cold spring, containing blood. As she tossed a bag to her friends they’re eyes lit up and they tore into them ravenously. The only sound echoing around the cave was slurping.

  “Gosh, I really needed that,” Cloud said wiping her mouth.

  “Want to tell me how you have this?” Hell Raiser lifted the lid of the cooler.

  “Adam stocked it, so I have no idea.” Phoenix found a stash of clothes she left last time she was here. “There’s a pool with a water fall that’s good for bathing. I’m gonna go first.”

  As she walked away she could hear the rumblings of her friends voices. Right now she didn’t care what they were talking about. She needed time alone with her thoughts.

  Her hands began to tremble as she shed her clothes. She jumped in the water and wrapped her arms around her body and broke down crying.

  Adam was being tortured and her plan to get him out could get all of them killed.

  AS EVERYONE WOKE and rubbed the sleep from their eyes Phoenix explained her plan. They packed the supplies that were left in the cave and headed out.

  Phoenix led them across the field to Ben’s village. “This is where we were taken. We can search the place for weapons and get something to eat.”

  She made her way into the crawl space where Vera had stored the moonshine. There were shelves stocked with canned goods, both store bought and home canned. As she moved to the back the wood planks sagged beneath her. Phoenix kicked it with her heal and the space echoed back with hollow sound you would expect to hear from a hidden space. When she pulled the boards up her eyes lit up with the sight of a weapons stash.