The Ridge (Book 1): After the Static

by Mark Mihalko

  With every step I take, you are here. Your warm tears call me to the passion burning deep within your loins. I can tell that you are waiting for my touch to soothe your every pain and wipe the sorrow from your pale beauty. I can feel it with every step and taste it with every breath. Over the horizon, I can see you still. Are you still searching for a savior? Let me be the one, crucify me with your anguish.

  Damn it, what’s that; it has to be, the other is near. I can smell her. That scent, with every step that musky aroma haunts me. Ever since my affair with that street walking whore earlier tonight, that fragrance has overtaken my senses when we are near. I must have her as well. Where is she? Is she as delicious? Hmmm, that thought alone moistens my lips; I can almost taste her.

  If she is anything like her friend, I know she will taste divine. She has to. Her thighs, her mouth, her brains; it will be a feast set for a king. Now, I just have to find her.

  Where is she hiding? I must have her, taste her. I must satisfy her! (Click)

  IV

  Sorry that I cut that one off so abruptly, I can’t stop crying. Why am I crying? Those words, those feelings. Yeah, I remember when I had feelings like that. It has been a long time. Especially now, with the way society has spiraled out of control. Things were supposed to get better once that dunce Scotereo started to transition out of office, but in many ways, they got worse. Sure, the globalist agenda was stopped, but the damage was already done. It seems like everyone was radicalized. Brother against brother, friend against friend, no one was safe.

  As I have mentioned many times in this manuscript (probably too many), that is why I am fighting through this project and ensuring these accounts get out. Citizens of the world must hear these accounts, and they must realize that none of us are safe in this world. Those bastard global elites will stop at nothing to have their planned world domination agenda forced on the population.

  I know, I know, these are, but words on paper and many will call it a work of fiction instead of the truth. However, if just one person reads this, believes it and passes it on, maybe, just maybe it can start waking some of the blind to the reality that we all face. After all, it may have taken decades, but Orwell’s classic 1984 again became a best seller (much deserved and a must read book).

  All right, back to the script. Where should we go? Maybe this would be a good time to see where “the other one” mentioned above is at. Our man believes she is close. Is he right?

  Damn it, Esther I need you. I will always need you. Please, help lead me through this abyss, help me escape this misery. Look, over there, is that the bastard that ripped my heart out and stole you from my grasp? It damn sure looks like him! I swear I want nothing more than to bring vengeance and to erase every sign of his existence. I wish I, fuck, what is that?

  I have to keep moving. I cannot afford to do battle right now. Plus, I have this strange sensation, this weird feeling inside of me. Something, or yes, someone is calling me. They need my help. Looking around this now desolate town, I think I am the only other one alive out here. I know that can’t be true, there are too many of us for no one else to survive, but right here, right now that feels like the case. Why here, though, a cemetery, damn I hate cemeteries; they always gave me the creeps.

  Well, until the next time I can talk to you, please remember that black bird on the tombstone. The one you chased around for three hours in the snow in zero degree weather, and for what, just a damn picture. Yes, it would have been beautiful. But the security I felt in your arms that day was beauty enough for me. I never felt scared in our arms, and I always felt alive. Where are you, baby? I need you now more than ever. I could use some of your light right now.

  Shit, what, who the BANG! Damn, where did that thing come from? Why didn’t I see it? Damn it; used another bullet. It worked, though; he fell just like the others. Their heads shoot them in the fucking head. I so wish I had more ammunition or maybe even an automatic rifle. What I wouldn’t do for a machine gun right now. Gun shops, where is the closest gun store? That’s right, no service. Those bastards took down all the cell towers in the area to cut us off from the rest of society. Maybe I can find a phone book when I find shelter, and I have to find some shelter soon. I feel those beasts closing in.

  V

  Those two must be close, and ironically, they seem to sense each other. I am sure that it won’t be long until they finally meet again. I wonder who will survive that encounter? My money is on the shotgun, that chick seems to know exactly what she is doing. I just hope that she has enough ammo to keep her safe.

  It’s hard to believe that I am still moving forward tonight. Usually, by this time, both my medication has kicked in, and I am about to pass out. Or the accounts I am documenting have taken such an emotional toll on me that the voices and screams become real. Maybe this new stuff from the clinic is working, and it is finally allowing me to operate in a normal capacity. That would be such a nice change; it has been some time since I have been able to function in a normal capacity. It has been since I left Kuwait all those years ago. But, that was another time and place. Not to mention so much has happened to me in those years.

  To finish up for the night, I figured it was time to check in with our damsel who is making her way into the house. Now, if I could only find her journal. Where is it? I can’t believe that I have misplaced it. Honestly, it is one of my favorites. There it is. Now, where did we leave off?

  February 14 (continued),

  Hello, anyone there? That’s what I said when I got inside. Look, baby, the house at last. I called again, hello… But, no one answered. It is so quiet and peaceful in here honey and best of all; we appear to be alone. We should be safe; I haven’t seen any of those monsters in what seems like hours.

  As I walked around the outside, I continued to call: hello… No one answered. It took me a while to climb those damn stairs out front, as I hoped that the house was unlocked. Everything looked to be in place, and the doors, windows, everything looked the same as I remembered it. Plus, luckily, I knew that there was an extra key hidden by the window under the small evergreen tree on the porch. From the look of it, I don’t think any of those beasts have been here.

  We should be safe now that we made it inside. Hold on baby, momma knows. I can feel your restlessness from all of the walking. We both need a rest. I promise, as soon as I finish this passage, I will sing you that lullaby, or one of those nursery rhymes that you love so much. I can feel you kick every time I go into one of them.

  Luckily, we are alone baby, no one answered. I didn’t even see signs of life as I walked the first floor. We have the whole house to ourselves. Once I find the tv, I will get to that nursery rhyme. I know you don’t understand, but maybe the television or even the radio will have an idea of what is taking place out there. I know you are too young to comprehend, and you don’t even know what I am writing about, but someday you will. It will only be a second honey; I found it. Oh my God, oh God, baby! Noooo! This can’t be. I am going to write the message from the screen, so you know what we are up against.

  “… This is a special bulletin from the emergency broadcast agency. All citizens of western Pennsylvania are encouraged to stay inside. Large unexplained outbreaks of bloodthirsty terrorists are on the loose. These vile predators are feasting on the flesh of every human walking. The governor has declared a state of emergency throughout parts of the Keystone State. Neither the CDC nor NSA has a comment on the strange attacks.

  All people are encouraged to stay within the confines of their homes or head directly to shelter. These creatures are extremely dangerous and appear invulnerable… “

  Chapter Fourteen

  “What Are These Which Are Arrayed In White Robes?”

  October 29

  Shut up! Please, just give me some damn quiet in here. I can’t take much more. These cries, these screams, are killing me! Give me some love, some laughter, anything but these cries. I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t let these personal demons interfere with thi
s project, but I can’t help mentioning it. Everywhere I go, no matter what I do the screams and cries follow.

  Nothing could be worse than yesterday at the clinic. I swear these screams were deafening. Maybe it’s the season; maybe I have developed a hypersensitivity to the ghastly abominations on display throughout the town. This has to be the worst time of the year. Everyone is in a frenzy, and it seems even more than in years past, everyone is somewhat on edge this year. Maybe I should just barricade myself in here; it is quieter than outside. Shut the fuck up! Please, I beg you, stop it. No, my pills, I have to grab some pills.

  All right, but before I do that and find something to sooth, these unwanted voices, let me dive back into what is important: the search for lovely Gabrielle. Will her lover find her? Can she save him? I can’t wait to see where we are!

  I

  (Click) I am lost. Where are you my beauty? I can’t seem to feel you anymore. Did you survive? My mind is clouded, what is happening to me? Everywhere I look, I see your eyes, those stunning eyes staring back at me. Pale, vibrant, enduring, they peer into my soul like nothing else. Are you still there waiting for me? At the crossroad, which way do I go? How can I find you? I have to; I will never be the same if I can’t hold you again. I lost you once, and the depths of that misery left an everlasting void inside my heart.

  What’s that smell? It’s not you, my dear, but from somewhere the pungent aroma of bliss saturates this frozen expanse; it has to be the splendor of a moist fount of redemption. Someone is near, why can’t it be you darling? Why do I have to wait for your embrace? Am I truly that hideous now; is it my eyes-my hands? Don’t fear, I promise when we meet again, the ecstasy will overtake your pain, and the anguish will satisfy every nerve in your body.

  There it is again, where are you? Maybe you are behind that door, or in that building? I know someone is here. Anger, I can sense anger. I know you want to kill me, but I can’t help what I’ve become; I can’t stop these cravings. Please, don’t punish me; there is nothing I can do. Punish those bastards that made me this way. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I know you are here. I can feel you watching me. Now, I will have to find you. (Click)

  II

  Sorry about that last outburst, I am trying my best to push through. You know, I am honestly amazed that I have maintained motivation through the constant barrage of darkness. Yes, I did survive this outbreak and did have first-hand knowledge of what transpired, but I in no way endured the despair experienced by those who I am documenting. For me, it was like a flashback, or dream, from when I was in Bagdad, watching the innocent civilians fall to the repressive globalists’ agenda.

  That in itself is something you will never hear the truth about. Chelsea Manning attempted to bring this to light via WikiLeaks but quietly fell victim to the authoritarian government machine, set on persecuting whistleblowers instead of embracing them. In fact, the entire narrative of Operation Desert Storm was a lie. It was not about weapons of mass destruction, not about oil, not even about the invasion of Kuwait as many in the media speculated; plain and simple, it was about control. Look it up; the documents reveal that Saddam Hussein started to stand up to the United Nations establishment about the longstanding sanctions against his nation. For that act of disobedience, the United Nations/New World Order reigned down sentencing the Iraqi people with decades of strife. Ask yourself, who is the real enemy.

  If you dig deeper into the anti-establishment nations or specifically Agenda 21/Agenda 2030, you will find a trend that will lead you back to the United Nations and their puppet masters: the Rothschild family. There you will find a small fact that those in the mainstream media or the government don’t want you to know, the Middle Eastern nations that have fallen victim to oppression and a rise of Islamic terrorism at one time early in the century all lacked one thing: a Rothschild bank.

  With these nations holding out, the United Nations could not completely manipulate the currency and global economy; therefore, their plan for world domination had to be put in abeyance. Why do I mention this? Easy, I want you to know about the ones responsible for this ghastly outbreak. It was our government, in the name of the United Nations, which led the charge for regime change in all these nations. Look at it for yourself, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Syria, what do they look like today?

  Looking back today, it is easy to see how weak over the last eight years. He was truly a puppet for these demonic bastards, and he sold out our freedom. Don’t believe me? Look at how his decisions left a negative impact on society, not only here in America but across the globe. The highways of America are ravaged, Europe is in shambles, and people are suffering. Believe me yet? If not, look at how he created and armed ISIS and funded the rise of radical Islam. Lie after lie, yet the sheep continue to believe it, even though it has long been proven to be a reality.

  This is another one of the myriads of reasons that I must push forth with thee accounts. Because many of these happenings were isolated to our little piece of Pennsylvania, countless Americans and a majority of the world’s populace have no idea what transpired? They must see and hear what we endured at the hands of these beasts and the collective of degenerates that shroud themselves under that blue and white flag of injustice.

  Speaking of crime, I believe that our lowly scientists have finally found shelter outside of the city. Of all of our players, these bastards deserve no sanctuary; I think they should have already passed on. They should have suffered the same fate of the others in the face of this plague. To me, their only chance at redemption will come if they discover a cure for this disease and find a way to save humanity.

  III

  (Play) Look, Mark, there it is. I knew we would make it out of that damn tunnel. Quick, over there, head into that cemetery before another one of those creatures sense our presence. I know we can find a tomb or crypt in there that we can use as a shelter, to get some rest. At this point, it appears that we escaped the confines of the city undetected. Most importantly, we made it unharmed, with hope to find some cure for this misery. But we both need a breather before that can happen, we must get some sleep.

  I can’t believe we are the only survivors. There had to be others that made out alive, that made it this far from the city. John put up a fight, but we both witnessed what can happen if you aren’t prepared. All he had to do was listen to us, and I know he could be standing here with us tonight. I just hope that he wasn’t forced to join them, and now he too is hunting us down.

  There, in there, finally, an open crypt. Hurry, get inside, and help me bar the door. Mark, this may sound insane, but this may be the safest place for us right now. The lingering smell of decay that saturates the night sky should mask our scent; it should keep us safe (at least for the evening). Although, I can’t be sure since I have no clue how these creatures think, or what caused the outbreak. Trust me; I wish I knew what caused this epidemic; everything would be easier as we move forward.

  That’s it, that steel door should keep us safe inside here. I just hope that the elders trapped in this tomb don’t decide to stir. From what I have seen, that shouldn’t be a problem; the disease does not appear to be airborne. Don’t look at me like that. I know that is what I said about Ebola a few years ago, but this time I am positive that I am right. Plus, none of these bodies in here except us can breathe.

  I still can’t comprehend what went wrong. All I know is that there has to be a trigger. I just hope as I dissect my notes I can find something to help us break this genetic code and find a cure. Mark, go ahead, and take the first nap, I will watch over you. Trust me; nothing will happen to you! (Stop)

  IV

  I almost feel sorry for that man; the cross he carries must feel unbearable, the weight of humanity, the realization of creating a monster, a horde of monsters. At least Jesus bore his cross to save all human civilizations, not destroy it. Hearing him, I am sure his sins run deep. CIA, DARPA, WHO, UN, all torch bearers for the globalist hierarchy out to destroy us all. Fuck the UN; I never pledged my
allegiance to that faggot white and blue flag. How dare they infect our shores with their genetic mutations?

  You know, it’s been that bastard Scotereo s’ fault. Yes, Crentin and Prescott were sick and weak pledges in the international fraternity, but at least they did not apologize for our actions. Dare I say they loved America, something that for all intensive purposes can’t be said about Scotereo? He was nothing more than a whipping boy for the globalists; a man more concerned with his image and his legacy than the country. He caved to the UN at every turn. You solely can’t blame him, though. Dorner, Ayerson, Wrightman, Davids, fucking communist propagandists that radicalized him against America and the media and liberal snowflakes anointed him their savior.

  We were doomed from the start, as this brainwashed fucking community organizer set out to destroy our nation with his spineless actions and apologetic agenda. Fuck, he created fucking ISIS in the name of oil and allowed their hijacked interpretation of Islam to rise and spread across the societies, to those bastards I say bring it. I will stand steadfast against you and impale you upon the upside-down cross you worship. You will never take our lands or change our beliefs; your caliphate will die here.

  Although things have not improved significantly during this run up to the election, at least there is a chance that we can dodge that criminal globalist Heather Crentin, her rapist husband, and her spirit cooking administration. No matter how unhinged Alexander appears to be, it has to be better than four more years of Scotereos’ treasonous policies. There is absolutely no way we could survive the open hemisphere ideology of the extreme left. I ask you, what is wrong with valuing Americans more that immigrants that want to change our society? My ancestors were immigrants, but unlike those of today, they loved the idea of a new culture inside the melting pot. Fortunately, they decided to adhere to the laws and raised their children to love the country.