And soon enough you'll reach the final task.
At that point I shall grant you your wish,
But not before.
Now harvest these kids.”
“As you wish.” Nick's tone pained
As I hear the screams of the children being drained
The agony and screams
Destroy me inside
As I jolt awake
Fuzzy in my eyes
I feel the sweat rolling down my face
As I take in the room
What is this place?
I don't recognize it
Nor the outside
The view from the window
Vacant and dry
It looks almost like Paris
But that can't be right
Many of the buildings are vacant
And an air of depression thrives
This can't be the city of light
And yet there stands the tower
Formerly Eiffel's might
It looks weak now
No life – No power
What the heck happened here?
Suddenly I feel it
I.V.s everywhere
The sound becoming clear
Medical machines abound
Then I look to the ground
A massive beast lays calm and purrs
A snake tail, lion's mane, goat hooves, and fur
“Gorgette?” I say
The chimera looks up
Getting to her feet
“Someone's fed you more than enough.”
I use the bed like a seat
I'm wearing a hospital gown
Nothing more can be said
I rip out the I.V.s and try to stand
The lightness in my head making me feel bland
Nearly crumbling over
As Georgette acts as placement for my hands
She makes a good crutch
Making it easier to stand
Jack mirror rests on a bed side table
I grab it swift
It's cracked, but I'm able
Able to sense her
Jack's mana still looms
Stifled, like a flower unable to bloom
Goergette supporting me
We step out the door
This is HQ
But the O.D.s – There should be more
By a lot
It's almost like a ghost town
Not a soul in sight
If anyone's got answers, Jewl certainly might
Making my way slowly through the halls
On one side of me Georgette
On the other the walls
Both holding me up
This doesn't make sense
How long was I out?
How bad was that dance?
My tango with the basilisk
So much shouldn't have changed
Yet I know it did
It causes me pain
Where the heck's Leigh?
Tom?
Jerome & the others?
So much is different
I feel like I'm being smothered
Finally we make it to Jewl's office
I open the door
And the view of him softens
He looks up at me
“Nate!” He calls
“Finally, you're awake after all.
How do you feel?”
“Like I've been hit by a truck.” I reply
“Well that's good, considering.
You need to thank your luck.
Any other man would've been dead.”
“How long was I out?
I woke up and I was strapped to medical machines and a
bed.”
“Sit down.” He says warmly
“The truth is,” His tone nervous “It's been two years.
The world's been overrun by fear.”
“Two years?” I ask stunned in disbelief
“Leigh and Tom?”
“Alive,” he says “but weak.
In truth we're stretched super thin.
That's how bad it's gotten.
Death has us in a strangle hold.
We're not sure if we can win.
But now that you're here,
Maybe we can turn it around.”
“I need to find Leigh.” I say scrambling to my feet
“She's on a mission on the ground.
There's now no way to meet.
Nate!”
I scramble away
Out the door
Nearly collapsing on the floor
Introductions may be needed
As it's been quite awhile
Certain for me now, questions seeded
I can't really bring myself to smile
My eyes feel strained and weak
What all have I missed & where is Leigh?
Are the only answers that I seek
Where do we now stand against Death?
Who's carried on the fight?
Pain coursing through my sternum
My chest becoming tight
Taking a breath, I lift my legs
Starting into a run
My eyes now more crucial than ever
Not a single thought of fun
The world is far darker
Time to catch up
My name is Nathan Masterson
Sneak peek
Here's what's next
A sample excerpt from:
Book Three of the
Death-Bringer Chronicles
My upcoming Verse Thriller
Trial 1: Organized Chaos
Muscles working overtime
Giving chase to make him fry
Fleeing on a unicorn
His tubby little frame – It doesn't work
He's struggling just to even hang on
Since that day every thing's gone wrong
Two years - That's what I lost
This among others is what it costs
“Vito!” I call running in pursuit
Every few seconds a blast of mana giving me a boost
“Vito!” I call “You won't get away!”
In all seriousness
It's 50-50 if he'll escape
The goblin holds answers that I need
About Death and his most recent deeds
“I never thought you'd sink so low!”
The damage he's caused is irreparable
Quite the blow
“I had nothing to do with that!” He wobbles around like
a kid
On the back of the horse “And I don't know who did!”
“Then why are you running?!” I ask making my way up
a tree
From branch to branch I bound
With even more speed
“Because I know how it looks!” He cries
“And there's no way you'll believe me!
Not with my history of lies!”
“Fair enough.” I call “You're probably right.
At least I'm willing to hear your side!”
“You, maybe, but the rest of the organization?
I'll be tortured for life with no vacation!”
“Vito!” I shout “If this continues
It'll only end bad.
There's a chance I'll believe you!
But you have to talk to me!”
“No chance, Kid!
I doesn't matter what I didn't or what I did,
My life's over!”
Suddenly, the horse abruptly halts
Followed by me
As a circle of blue flames appears like a ghost
“Don Vito Goblione!
Your crimes end here!”
That voice is Leighs'
That's clear.
Stepping from the tree line
Followed by her team
