The Ridge (Book 1): After the Static

by Mihalko, Mark

  Where were we? Ahhh yes, we were just leaving our tainted lover, who seems to be embracing his new found craving for flesh. “Savor the bitterness in your neck,” I appreciate his thoughts, but I could think of many other things that I desire. Oh well, I guess it is time to get back to the swine that started this mess, those clueless scientists. One can only hope that they meet their demise at some point.

  (Play) I can’t believe how empty the tunnel is right now, where did they all go? I know we aren’t alone, I can hear those beasts behind us. At least they are not surrounding us and hampering our escape. At this pace, we should make it to the cottage by dusk. Good thing too, I need a break; I need to scour these notes for answers. I know the secret has to be inside. These records will tell me where I went wrong.

  Come, we must hurry; the opening at the end is becoming more visible with every step. We do not have much further in here-15, 20 minutes maximum. Thank God, part of the nightmare is almost over. Mark, John, please keep moving. Whatever you do, do not look back; we must focus all of our attention on the light at the end of the tunnel.

  Wait hang on a minute. Look up there at the mouth of the tunnel, is that? Yes, it has to be, there’s a man, but no, it can’t be. He looks like one of those vile beasts, yet he is alone. So far, I have only seen them amass, and hunt in packs. Could they be mutating already? Could the virus be smarter than I ever expected? I wonder. No, it can’t be, I must be over tired and hallucinating. He couldn’t be. (Stop)

  Chapter Eleven

  “And the Earth has been made drunk with the wine of her fornication…”

  October 25

  Can you just go away, please, just shut up and leave me alone! My fractured sanity cannot handle much more, and I just want the screams and shrieks to stop. I swear I am doing all I can to help bring down the shadow establishment that destroyed our city and our lives. I may be struggling to focus on this project, but I am trying my best to tell your story. I want nothing more than to expose the dark truth of what happened here for the entire world to see. I want everyone to understand the way they treated you and how all of you suffered at their hands, I am revealing the important details so these globalist bastards can’t get away with it again.

  I need Natalie to visit me right now and drive away these voices. She is the only person that has been able to silence them when they appear. I hate the fact that having any lasting relationship with Natalie is only a dream. I have flirted with her, and she continually laughs it off. There is no way someone as beautiful and smart as Natalie would ever want to spend quality time with someone as damaged as I. She’s perfect, and I am nowhere near the type of man she would want in her life.

  Look at the time; there is no way I am going to finish anything tonight. I wanted to dive back into our journeys and see what our different characters were up to, but your persistent cries have ruined that goal. What I need to do is try to get some sleep. All I know is that something has to give; your screams have been tormenting me for the past week, and I cannot take much more of them. I’m exhausted, and if I don’t get some quality rest soon, I will collapse.

  Renae that can’t be you, that fervent moan echoing through the brisk night sky sounds exactly as I remember. I swear I can hear your scream drowning out the others inside my head, but I know there is no way that can be you; those murderous bastards stole you from me. I’m so sorry for not protecting you. I love you, and I still can’t forgive myself for letting them take you and feast upon your flesh. I should have been here watching over you.

  Dammit, maybe I should break down and just ask Natalie to dinner. Honestly, what do I have to lose? I lost everything I ever cared about when I lost you, Renae. Now, I am left with only a few pictures of your beauty and the lingering nightmares of those beasts overwhelming your soul. I bet your intestines tasted so sweet upon their lips, almost as mouthwatering as the memories of your inner thighs.

  Oh God! What am I saying; what have I become?

  Chapter Twelve

  “When I Saw Her I Was Completely Amazed…”

  October 27

  I’m so sorry for not being around over the past few days to continue documenting this tragedy. Those screams and voices in my head wouldn’t stop, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided to head to the clinic to see if there was anything they could do. They gave me some new (most likely experimental) drug designed specifically for this type anguish. Yes, it worked; the voices are gone. But, unfortunately, it made me so lethargic that I don’t want to do anything except lay here and stare at the television.

  I had to force myself off the couch and head over to the desk to try to get some work accomplished on this project. This story must be told, and I must be the messenger. It has been far too long in this country since the media outlets served the interests of the population. That damn elect in 2016 proved that. Mainstream media is nothing but a political arm for the unrighteous and corrupt politicians that pimped our country out to the highest bidder. Fucking United Nation globalist pigs.

  Yeah, “America Will Lead Again,” fuck that. We would still be great if these degenerates hadn’t sold us into one-world slavery under the guise of safety. Caliphate, my ass; that piece of shit Scotereo spawned ISIS with his Muslim Brotherhood cronies and the funding of Spoos, Gales, and the Crentin Foundation. Fuck them all. I hope the plagued hosts violated them inside their secure bunker (none of them have been seen since the outbreak); I am sure that their brains would have tasted like sweeter than the spiritual fruit upon the tree of knowledge.

  Damn, what am I saying, where did those words come from? Maybe this project is destroying me. That is what the doctor said before he gave me the prescription, “Son, stop torturing yourself, this will do nothing except for keeping you psychological wounds fresh and open.”

  Well sir, I totally disagree. If I don’t document these events, who will? The majority of society has been brainwashed into the collective. They are convinced nothing happened. It’s like 9-11. No one remembers that WTC Building 7 was not hit by a plane, and was nowhere near the fires (not to mention the BBC report that they were going to destroy the building for ‘security” reasons). No, it is just part of the myth that was created to push the globalist agenda that had been searching for an enemy since the end of the Cold War.

  Oh, sorry, sorry, I don’t mean to be babbling to you. 9-11 is just one of those topics that grate on me. I still can’t believe no one has ever sent in a request for the Emergency Locator Transmitter Data (ELT Data) from the planes, which could be a smoking gun. Of course, not as big as the 28 redacted pages from the 9-11 Commission report, but I digress. Damn, there I go ranting again, I should be working on the manuscript. Telling the stories that must be told. Now, where was I? Yes, that’s it; I was with our mother-to-be and her child. I wonder how she is holding up?

  I

  February 14 (continued),

  Baby, please hold on. I know this entire ordeal; the anguish has to be taking a toll on you. I can feel your kicks and your jabs, but honey, I can’t stop running. We have come so far on this horrific journey, but still, we must push forward, we must survive.

  Now that we are here wandering through this plain of the surreal, we must remain vigilant. There are so many unknowns around every corner; we have to make it through this cemetery.

  So much has happened to us during this ordeal, I feel we are beyond words now, beyond actions. It is strange; it’s not your hands that hold me. It’s your soul, your mind. Even inside my womb, I can sense them calling out to me, keeping me here, focused on keeping you safe. You are as much a part of me as I am; you are inside me as no other has been before; as no other ever could before. I need your presence, I need to keep you safe and continue feeling you inside me.

  With every step, my heart, and my passion—Every fervent desire is to survive. And, you drive all of these feelings, the feelings you have found, and the thoughts, which expose my darkest fears. Everything leaves little room for actions or words. I need neither becau
se I can feel you. I feel the breadth of you inside me where you fill me with love. I feel your life echoing through my bounds where you can empty my every thought.

  Sorry, we must stay focused here in the place where nothing is, as it seems. We must be resilient; one of those bastards may lay behind any stone or any tree. Their vile make-up is wanting nothing more than to tear you away from me and to devour your virgin flesh. With every step, I must protect you; we must make it to that house. I am sure we will find help there.

  If only your father were here, I am positive he would take care of us. He always knew exactly what to do when things got rough. I know he would lead us to paradise where our lives would be too good to be true, much different from this dominion where Lucifer reigns at the edge of reality, where words mean nothing and actions less.

  Incredibly, we seem to be the only ones out here. Are we the only survivors of this plague? Were we the only ones to escape the city and get away from these monsters?

  I sure hope we find others out here surviving to see the dawn. I love you, baby, please hold on.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “The First Heaven and First Earth Disappeared…”

  October 28

  Damn, it feels like forever since I sat at this computer to get back into documenting the apocalyptic nightmare that almost destroyed the Republic. It’s hard to believe that last night I sat in this exact seat and went through an account of our pregnant maiden. Honestly, it feels like it has been weeks, maybe months since I sat here. It has to be that fucking medication from the clinic. Those bastards wanted me to give this up. Well, I have a surprise for them (and the globalist assholes that are funding them that is not going to happen. I won’t stop! I can’t stop!

  Where was I? The maiden. Hmmm, where should I go from there? I have so much more to get to, the stacks of information, the words, the voices, haunt me like a forgotten tattoo carved into my flesh and sealed by the tainted blood of the lost souls that were destroyed by this plague.

  Speaking of diseases, maybe that is the place to start tonight. Our religious leader, he always has some prophetic and inspiration words in his sermons. Maybe we should focus on finding leaders such as him to lead our nation instead of the crap the election brought us in 2016. Crentin and Alexander, what the fuck is that? And to think that Trump is the lesser of two evils, unbelievable, truly unbelievable!

  I

  …And the Father spoke to the prophet

  Beyond the crossroad of life lies a dominion lined with markers of antiquity

  Pass forth through the lost generations to the derelict manger

  Your arrival has been foretold

  (The Revelation of Moloch 7.9)

  Indeed, behold, the sinners persist; they continue to infect the corridors with their sinful behaviors. Their bodies reflect not the purity our father created in his image, but decadence sated with sin. The time is now, branch out and seize the infidels; feast upon their raw flesh, and harvest their viscera to fill our chalices with the bitter wine from their veins. Forgive them in the name of our Father, our most holy and everlasting Creator, for they were born into evil and knew nothing about the sanctity of thy Fathers’ fruit.

  For this, and for our salvation, we must give these degenerates their penitence. I know that they have forsaken his glory-forsaken us, but we must make them understand that he is the way of light and the holiest angel in the universe. With every bite, bless them; purify our host before cleansing their sins.

  I forewarn you; this will not be easy. Many of your brothers will fall at the hands of these sinners, their armor is strong, and their faith will not waver. Stay resilient in the face of their deceit, as they will not fall willingly. Prey on their weakness, their guilt; let the power of the almighty guide you. Transform these creatures to our divine path and open their hearts in time to receive absolution.

  We must be precise with our message. The Sands of Jericho continue to fall freely, and the fruit of our pilgrimage awaits our greeting. I can feel his heartbeat quicken with every step, with every breath. Our redemption is near; for the prophesized birth of Fathers’ reincarnate is near.

  Let us pray

  Lord of Light

  Provide us with the wisdom to remain steadfast in our hour of need

  To maintain focus on your mission

  Our enemy is strong

  But, the light from your darkness encompasses all

  Provide them with the warmth of your breath

  And the eternal salvation of your Kingdom

  In your name, we pray

  Amen

  II

  I still can’t believe how powerful those verses are. For some reason, his words seem to touch me in the same way that some of the great speeches from history continue to resonate in my soul. Powerful, thought provoking, meaningful, this man in his blue and white robe makes me wonder if there is a right or wrong side. I know that may sound crazy considering who he was, and the atrocities he called for, but it is the truth, and that is why we are here, to outline the truth.

  Of course, we can’t discuss the truth unless we revisit the man who may be guilty of creating these beasts (at least in his eyes), our scientist, and his friends. Honestly, the further I dive into these accounts, it is hard for me to hold this many solely responsible. If fact, the deeper I go, the more I see that our government and the legion of globalists that control them are the real enemies. Just look at the way they fought back when the truth started to funnel out. Hell, the election protests, the women’s marches, everything was funded by the global dictatorship because society began to break from their spell.

  Where were we, oh yes, the scientist? It’s truly difficult sometimes to remember where exactly I was at with this project, between the medication, the nightmares, and the screams, I lose track. Oh yeah, they were in the tunnel.

  (Play) Oh God, the army of undead approach. What have I done? Come on guys, run! If we don’t, there is no hope for us. No, fuck, John, what are you doing! Stop, what the, stop, hurry up, you cannot defeat them. There are too many of them out here. Our only hope is to run. We must continue, we must find shelter. There, if we are lucky, I may be able to find some hint to what is causing this crazy infestation. Maybe we can discover an antidote for this festering rot. Please, we must find our, I mean, my mistake.

  Stop, come on guys, haven’t we lost enough already? Hasn’t enough blood been shed? Hurry up! Mark, grab that rock, and aim for their fucking heads; I will act as a decoy. Hey, dumbass, over here you pieces of shit, it’s me want. I am the one; I did this-I created you. Get away from him; he’s innocent. John, fuck! Mark; hurry, oh God, no. Look at the pain, look at his suffering. They are, no; they can’t be, they are tearing through his flesh. Look what they are doing to his skull; they are shredding it like paper. Wait, what, they seem to be sharing him, no, they can’t be.

  Oh God, what have I done? These vile beasts are sharing him. It looks like a mass. Look at the way they’ve surrounded him. They embraced him, all the while gashing his flesh and feasting on his bloodied corpse. Fuck! Are those creatures drinking his blood? It can’t be. These maggot lovers are fucking devouring him. Stop! Enough already, you want me!

  Damn it to Hell, these fiends must be destroyed, and all of these deaths must be avenged. Mark, Mark, we have to press on through the tunnel. We must survive this ordeal. I believe that the cemetery gates are just ahead once we exit this deathtrap; once there, we should be home free. Mark, are you listening to me? Promise me you will listen; promise me you will survive with me to find a cure. Mark, please, help locate the mistake. You are all that I have left on this Earth; you are my only family now.

  I know this may be hard; after all, everything I have touched has been poisoned or destroyed. I’m not evil. I am sure there is an explanation. All I know is that I have nothing. I have nobody. All I have left is my work. Honestly, there is nothing more to drive me. How good is that? Its pathetic isn’t it? I deserve this fate. I do, I am a monster. I am just lik
e those abominations, I stand here lost and alone feasting on the meek. I’m sorry Mark, but, this scene speaks volumes; I am a murderer! (Stop)

  III

  Wow, still in the tunnel, I was sure they would have made it through by now. I have been through those tubes many times in my car, but never on foot. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like in the darkness fighting for your life. It has to feel like an eternity inside. I am sure that we will hear more from these scientists again sooner rather than later.

  While these men are busy attempting to escape the city to find solitude somewhere, one of the others is still searching for his distant lover. Looking back now, it is interesting that the virus that ravaged his flesh allowed him to think, and maintain the memories he held dear. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the results of many of the pharmaceuticals today, many not only ravage the body; they devastate the mind. I know that the shit they have me on makes me feel dead inside, and the pain from the side effects is unbearable. At least, I am alive (that is one of the harsher ones).

  Enough about that, though, it is just a relief that the VA doctors moved on from Motrin. Now, where were we? Yes, we were with our man searching for Gabrielle. I wonder how close they are. He did say he could sense her.

  (Click) Gabrielle, darling Gabrielle, where are you dear? Why aren’t you here in my arms? My heart races at the mere thought of holding you and finally completing the unholy bond we share. You do realize that we are meant to be. We are destined to share one soul and have our pulse echoing through the night. Our one love spanning eternity