“Anyone in there?” a strangely accented male voice called. “Come now. Let me in.” The words slurred together with an icy chill. Marie started to tremble. Her right foot tapped so hard the noise echoed through the room. Sam put her finger to her lips, appealing for silence. Marie tried to do as she was…
“Once we get there. I want to talk to you about coming with us.” “I told you before I’m going to stay here.” Sam started the car. Two others joined the first two figures. They all leaned over Mark’s body.. Sam pulled away from the curb. By the time she turned the car down the…
A soft rustling of branches overhead preceded a downpour of soggy leaves. Sam ignored them. “Get over here and help me.” She waited until Marie bent to lift Mark’s feet. “That’s good. Now, easy does it.” They inched toward the car. Another soggy batch of leaves landed on Marie. She shook them off. Together they…
As if in response to the fear that raced through Marie’s body, branches pounded against the car. One smashed against the back window. The glass shattered leaving a web that reminded her of the spiders Sam had warned of. Just one more thing she used to fear. “Get down.” Sam called out just as a…
Even though there was no use arguing, Sam tried to convince Marie, as Mark drove them back. I’m finding that this story is taking on a life of it’s own. Remember the b series is what I have built fromt the original story. Hope you enjoy. Thx, Jodi
Bodies pressed against her. But there was no warmth, only the chill of fear. “Why can’t we stay here?” a frail white haired woman asked. “I don’t think anything’s going to happen anyway.” She shuffled to the side, ready to leave the group. “You’ve seen some of the results already.” Sam spoke up, trying…
“Why do you think Frank gave up on maintaining the generators around town?” Sam drank half the remaining coffee. “I mean, I know he lost his helpers, but he could have recruited others.” “Could he?” Marie pouted. “It’s just like that coffee. When it’s gone, nothing else will taste quite like it. Frank and his…
Marie Wiktran woke to the fragrance of coffee brewing. She couldn’t remember it ever smelling so good. Maybe Bill had made it his special way this time. “Bill? Where are you?” She reached for the comfort he would give her. But his side of the bed was cold. “Bill?” No answer. She forced her eyes…
Joy at their return replaced agony. With the music, strength that had faded grew. Knowing it would not last, she had to react now. I have to defeat him completely. She straightened and turned to face Skad. He was not there. “We’re not finished. In the end, you won’t win.” The words faded. Bitterness of defeat was…
“No.” Colli straightened and ran for the entry hall. Hail joined rain to beat against her. At the doorway she stopped and raised the ring to a metal knob. A brilliant glow grew from the connection. “You can’t…” The words grated with bitter anger. Skad’s hot breath burned into her neck. Agony cut through her. …
“I know.” Colli smiled. “I’m glad you can do it. We’re here.” The engine softened, then hummed to silence. As Colli knew it would be, the strong spires of the metal fence were securely fastened. When she touched them, a surge of power knocked her back. she fought against her body to keep her breathing…
Keleon and Mary ran into the room. “What’s going on?” they asked in unison. Colli looked from one to the other. “I know why he did this.” The words came out in a harsh whisper. She leaned over and righted the chair, then stood to face the others. “Who?” Mary asked. “It’s Skad, Skad Elig,”…
Colli pulled her trembling hand from Keleon’s grasp. “We did it.” His smile held no reassurance. “We stopped the fire, but that’s not the battle, let alone the war.” She brushed long silver-white hair from her face. “Then what?” he asked. “I’m not sure.” A word with no meaning formed in her mind. “Skad.” She…
“Can you see?” “Enough.” Keleon moved his hand down her arm to grab her hand. “”Stay close.” His raspy voice carried the calm of reassurance. Colli wasn’t sure how they made it out. The pop and crackle of the fire, consuming what little was left, added to the heat that grew in this forsaken dungeon. …
“I’m sorry,” even without the voices, Colli knew she’d done the wrong thing. Still she didn’t dare stop to investigate. Sliding against hot twisted metal and fiery chunks of wood her legs and arms bruised, but didn’t burn as they should have. Sung’s shield protected her. Her throat grew raw from acrid smoke. Her eyes…
“Get in,” he commanded. “We don’t have time to argue.” After he pushed her into the passenger seat, he slammed the door closed. The whole car rattled. Once he took his place, the engine coughed to life, with the usual disgusting odor. “Wh…where are we going?” Collie chewed on her lower lip. “Where we first…
The shadows moved forward, threatening to overpower the brightness that had grown. Use it. Trevan’s energy gathered in her. We’re here. Mary and Keleon added. We’re all here. The voices brought their own strength. The brightness she thought would disappear behind the door with Trevan grew stronger. The shadows that had tried to trip her…
Before she could finish, dark once more descended. The wind grew stronger. Even though it warmed the air around them, it brought no comfort. A violent blast knocked Colli to the ground. She stood, but remained hunched over. “Stay low,” Colli commanded. She felt the others beside her, all but Mary. She floated up. The…
“You are never alone,” a squeaky voice chimed in. “Are you going to just stand there?” Chernbog leaned toward Colli. “Your voices can’t help you now,” he jeered . It’s not us he’s afraid of. Afraid? Of me? Colli hesitated. Why would anyone fear me? The answer is in you. Look inside and join with…
Once more lightning struck. A charge pulsed through her body. No longer covered with a soft blanket of snow, the hard ground beat into Colli when another bolt, this time shaped like a ball, bounced at her feet. It passed from the ground sending shock waves through her body. Colli couldn’t stop shaking. She lay flat. …
“What.” She turned to face him. “You have more than voices to help us. Draw from inside. Stop Them.” “Stop them.” A cackle sent a shiver through her. “Chernbog, I will stop you,” Colli hissed. “We’ll stop him.” Mary’s voice came from the right. “Together,” Keleon added from her left. Heat built and spread from…
“We’ll get back.” The words ground out between Keleon’s clinched teeth. “Tell them we’re on our way.” He winced when Colli dug her fingers into his arm. Before she could complete the communication, they descended from the clouds. Wind shook the craft. Driving snow pelted the hull. Numbing fear spread through her. “But—“ “Tell them,” he…
“They’re here.” “Can we make it?” The tremor in Mary’s voice added terror to Sung’s words. “Yes.” Sung cleared his throat, determination once again obvious. “Straight to McAllister. Don’t try to make it back to the command station,” he ordered. Amazed, Colli sat watching as Keleon manipulated the controls of his precious vehicle. A flip…
“So you see,” Jovan took over the conversation, “we need you.” “Trevan needs you.” Illianna floated down from her perch. “Will you accept the training of our son?” she asked. Half forgotten, Trevan’s holographic figure picked up a block and threw it with such force that it bounced out of the surrounding area. Colli heard…
A swirl of light at the far end of the cavern descended from the highest of the stone carvings. It melted into the floor, spreading first green, then gold, and finally royal purple toward the pedestal where Colli had taken the seat. Lights dimmed, but below Colli’s feet colors continued to glow and change, forming…