by Candis Vargo
ETERNAL
REVELATIONS
By
Candis Vargo
-Book One-
Eternal Series
Copyright © 2015 Candis Vargo
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of Candis Vargo.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Any questions or comments please contact Candis at [email protected]
Chapter 1
Smithton, Virginia
“At least a dozen people vanished in the local Smithton Church this morning. The cause is unknown but there were several eye witnesses who reported a blinding light right before the disappearances. Some believe this is a small town hoax, but other wonder if it is something more. This is Action News 16 bringing you the latest information in the mysterious disappearances that are stretching all across our nation. These mysterious vanishings occurred across the globe today at approximately the same time, but we are told to inform you not to panic. The government is doing everything they can to solve these cases and find out who, or what, is behind this elaborate hoax.”
“We interrupt this program for an important message from our President.”
The screen turned black before it flicked to images of President Obama giving a speech.
“We understand that everyone is extremely worried about these disappearances. Thousands of people have vanished right in front of our own eyes. However, there is no need to panic. This is not some Alien invasion like the UFO enthusiasts would lead you to believe. This is not some act of God. There is no other explanation except for a well-organized, elaborate hoax set upon us.
“We realize there were as many witnesses as there were disappearances, but we must stress the fact that with the ‘blinding light’ people have reported seeing when the missing vanished, gave more than enough time for them to run out and go into hiding. Right now our main focus is to find where they are hiding to put their families and friends at ease. With the majority of the missing being children under the age of 15, it is our main priority to return those children to their families. As hard as it is to believe, this is one horrible joke being played upon all mankind. And we must stay calm and join together in the search for the missing. Please, remember to stay calm and do no unnecessary traveling, so we may search for the missing without any interference. Thank you.”
The TV flicked back to the local news. “The beliefs of Alien abductions rise as more and more people report missing family members. The numbers of missing children are climbing, and right now it seems as though every child there is has disappeared. Panic is rising across the nation as small riots are breaking out in New York City, Cleveland, and Houston as of right now. We will bring you further information after your local weather.”
Evelyn began flicking through the channels to see if there was any more coverage about these disappearances. Every channel she flicked through seemed to be covering it. She stopped switching the channels when she saw one reporter interviewing a police officer.
“Officer! Officer! Do you have any more information regarding these mysterious disappearances striking across not only our county, but the entire world?”
“As of right now, the best thing to do is stay calm. Our offices are over run with citizens in panic over this. If a child is missing, please call 9-1-1 and they are set up to take full reports there to hand over to us so we can continue on investigating. Adults aren’t considered ‘missing’ until 48 hours have passed. I understand many of you are worried, but give us at least these next 48 hours to take the missing children, and if your loved ones are still gone, call and do a report. I’m sorry, but as you can imagine, we are over run. We don’t have nearly enough staff to handle all of the cases that are coming in but we are doing everything we can to keep the investigations active while taking reports, and keeping everything civil. This has affected the whole globe and it is improbable that the federals will get to step in and assist. As you can imagine, with these so called disappearances, there have been many traffic accidents, plane crashes, train wrecks, several ships are stranded out to sea with only a few civilians on board. This is everywhere and we are doing everything we can here. Thank you.”
As the officer turned to walk away, lights began to flash all around him like he was a celebrity posing on the Red Carpet. Several reporters began asking questions, but their voices trampled over one another. They all began shouting as the police officer walked back toward the station and the crowd of reporters grew louder.
Officer! Officer-officer-officerofficerofficer!
Fucking great, Evelyn thought.
She had no idea what was going on but she knew she didn’t want to be part of it. It took a mere moment before Evelyn grasped the reality of what was happening and ran for her cell phone and began dialing numbers. Several numbers were dialed…with no answer.
She began with her family and friends, un-able to get through to but a handful of coworkers. She clasped the phone in both of her hands as she sat down back in front of the TV. Her heart sank as she began to wonder what exactly was happening. She believed in a lot of things, but alien abductions weren’t one of them. Why couldn’t she get through to her family? Where were they? Were they among the missing?
When her phone vibrated in her hands as it rang she was snapped back to reality. She didn’t bother to look at the caller ID before she hastily flipped it open and said ‘hello.’ Relief flooded over her when she heard the sound of her brother’s voice.
“Ev! Ev, holy shit! I’m glad you answered. My god. I don’t know what the hell is going on but…but just tell me where you are and stay there!”
“I’m at home. Jase, I haven’t been able to get a hold of mom or dad or anyone really. Wha-”
“Alright. I should be there in about ten minutes. Stay. There.” Jason hung up before Evelyn got a chance to say anything else. Neither Jason nor Evelyn were ones to scare easily, but surrounded by the darkness of the unknown is everyone’s worst fear. Even if they don’t know it. Not knowing what was happening, what was going to happen, where everyone went…everything was being controlled by the unknown.
Jason knew his little sister well. He knew that she was prepared for a lot of things and nothing could really scare her anymore. He tried several times growing up to make her scream in freight, and failed every time. When he realized how often she watched Friday the 13th movies and Nightmare on Elm Street without flinching, he knew she was what one would consider fearless. By the time they were teenagers he asked her why she wasn’t afraid of anything. “There is plenty to be afraid of,” she replied. “I’m not scared of ghosts, murderers, or demons. Why should I be?
“Why be scared of something you can understand and control your destiny with them? You chose how you fight back, you learn how they work, and there are plenty of mythological elements that date back centuries that have to hold some sort of truth to them. I learn everything I can about the impossible, mythical, and paranormal. What I’m truly afraid of is the lack of control. Not knowing how to handle myself or to be prepared for the worst, even if the worst seems impossible. My biggest fear is my family. I would kill for you all, and if something ever happened to you because you weren’t prepared, I wouldn’t know what to do. And that’s the only time you
have to be scared. When you don’t know what to do,” Evelyn had said.
He didn’t know how he was going to tell her. Evelyn’s worst fear was for something from the unknown to happen, especially to her family. How in the hell was Jason going to tell his little sister that her one fear she had, had happened. That their mom and dad were among the missing?
Chapter 2
The Pentagon
Basement Level, 2
Lieutenant General Adams never has a ‘typical’ day. His days were usually full of planning hunts for criminals or hackers of the U.S. Government systems. Not today. Today was far from something anyone would call ‘typical.’
“What the hell is happening, Corporal?” Adams said. “Please tell me you have something on this and you aren’t just wasting my time.” Adams entered a conference room which was small enough for a mere fifteen people, max. Lit by a few scones on the wall, Adams saw that there were only five people in there. One thing he learned in his short time working under the president was that the less people there were in a room, the more serious the situation was.
“Lieutenant General, sir,” Corporal Johnson said. “We have some video feed of the disappearances, sir. Several feeds from all over the U.S. sir, but I think you’ll want to see this one first.”
Adams followed him over to a large monitor mounted on a wall. Corporal Johnson nodded at the man in suite behind a computer. “Load it Thompson.”
“Yes sir,” Thompson obeyed as he began typing keys on his laptop to feed the video to the large monitor. As Adams stood there, waiting for the feed to load up he noticed that the only other person standing next to him was Johnson. Corporal Smith and Decker stood back toward Thompson.
“Ready, sir,” Thompson said.
With a nod Thompson played the video and Lieutenant General Adams watched in awe at the scene that unfolded before him. The first thing he realized was that the feed was video from right there, inside of the Pentagon. It showed several people passing by one another, as they were busy to get to their offices or meetings. Within less than a second, people were gone. Coffee cups were spilt on the floor as papers slowly followed, dancing on their way down.
“Play back. Slower,” Adams said. He squinted his eyes as he watched closely to the slow playback of the feed. One brief moment they were there, all of them. The next, a bright light covered the screen.
It never faded in or out.
It was just there.
When the light vanished, so did the people.
“Who are they? I want a list of every missing person from this building and cases they were working on in the past year. If they have anything in common, I want to know. Stat!
“I’m already working on that for you Lieutenant General,” Corporal Decker said. For a woman as feminine as she is, she had a stern voice when on the job.
“Thank you Corporal,” Adams said with a nod.
“Sir, there is something else you need to see, sir,” Corporal Johnson spoke up.
“What is that Johnson?”
“Well first I should start off by saying I have been assigned to run you through every aspect of this and everything I have to show you comes straight from the top.”
“Get on with it Corporal,” Adams said. Adams wasn’t one for the run around or procrastination. He liked to get in and get the job finished, which was the only reason he had made it as far in his career as he had.
“Let’s go then, sir,” Johnson replied.
As they walked down hollow halls, listening to their every step echo off of the walls, Adams realized this was one place he hasn’t been before. Even if Corporal Johnson was underneath him, if he worked for someone else who ran this area, of course he would know about it before Adams.
When they stopped in front of a door that Adams could only assume was their destination, Johnson turned to him and said, “Keep an open mind sir. Everything in here…is real. This is in the Pentagon, and even if we never tell citizens everything they think they need to know, we certainly do not lie to officials who are here, especially on a case as serious as this one.”
After another nod from Adams, Johnson opened the door. They walked side by side through another narrow hallway as they entered an observation room. As they stood behind the one way mirror Adams assumed he was looking at a civilian man in his late 50’s. He wore a blue button up shirt with a pair of carpenter jeans and a look-a-like Timberland boots. His hair was thinning but most of it was hidden underneath a hunter’s hat. The civilian was in an interrogation room of some sort, and was accompanied by a Lieutenant General in his uniform.
Johnson took a deep breath. “That’s Lieutenant General Grant. He works on another special unit, obviously different than yours. And that’s Frank Northrop. He’s a psychic that has helped with several different cases in the past. He’s been right every damn time. He refers to his ability as a ‘gift’ and swears he finally knows what’s going on. Here, listen.”
Adams paid close attention as Frank began to talk. “It’s all connected. The disappearance began slowly several years ago. The Mary Celeste, the ship was found in perfect shape. Perfect! But not a soul on it. Not a damn person. The lost colony of Roanoke Island. Over a hundred people vanished. The Eskimo Fishing Village, 2,000 people. Gone. Even the graves, the dead weren’t there. No foot prints. Nothing. It just happened.”
Grant shifted in his seat. “So what’s this have to do with now?”
“They’re the people He wanted to make sure weren’t Reanimated. The few chosen ones. The ones that never doubted Him. The ancient ones don’t have to worry about coming back, and the ones from today…well, they don’t have to worry about even living through it, let alone coming back.”
“Please, Frank, please clarify.”
Frank began pulling at his hair, obviously frustrated. “What other ways can you put it? God took them so they wouldn’t have to suffer. He took the true believers. We’ve been fucking around with technology and science so much that we’re now playing God, even though we aren’t. He’s pissed right off and has been giving us warnings through the centuries. He’s been taking people so they don’t have to suffer through it. Obviously you and I didn’t make the cut. Soon, we’ll have the Reanimated walking around trying to take our asses down, until they wipe us out and starve to death.” He was unable to hold still. His legs were shaking up and down as he sat in his chair. He only stayed seated for a few moments before he stood up again and began walking back and forth, fidgeting with his hands as he wore a look of concern.
A smirk slid across Grant’s face. “What exactly do you mean, Reanimated?”
“What exactly are you, fucking special? Let’s see, Zombies, The Walking Dead, The Living Dead, Vampires, whatever you want to call them.”
“First, lets say I do believe you. I thought vampires were different than zombies.”
Frank snickered, “Think about it. Vampires want to bite you, to eat you, to kill you. You are their only way of survival. They are as dead as the people buried, and that’s exactly what a zombie is like. There ain’t anything romantic about it. This isn’t True Blood, this is the real shit. And trust me, it ain’t gonna sparkle or kiss you. It’s going to go after you.” Frank finally seemed like he calmed down. He walked over to the cold, metal table that Lieutenant Grant was sitting at. He placed his hands on the table as he leaned in. “They’re going to crave your flesh and blood because they will have an eternal need to replace the blood and flesh they lost. And they’re going to be millions of them.
“From the time mankind was first set upon this planet until the day they become Reanimated. Humans have always had a fear of this, they just never realized it. When a body is removed from a house or wherever, they are removed feet first. Humans were always scared that the spirit would havoc vengeance on them for something if not done properly. If they removed the bodies’ feet first, they wouldn’t find their way back. Why do you think we ever began to use vaults over top of a casket that is sealed air tight and bolted to
gether? Pure fear. If the body somehow manages to get out of a bolted casket when it reanimates, the chances of it getting out of the vault is next to impossible. Those ones won’t be much of a problem, but think about the centuries we’ve been on this planet. From that very first day, until now, there are going to be corpses spanning the entire time. Every dead body that has enough muscle tissue left in it to move is going to come back. The ancient’s were much better at preserving their bodies. And a little bit of information,” Frank leaned in even closer to Grant as he said his last words. “There are far more dead on this planet than there are living. The first one just came back and the fuck if I’m staying here and living through it.”
Frank leaped over the table and knocked Grant on his back. With his legs wrapped around Grant, Frank reached down and grabbed the pistol out of Grant’s holster and in one swift motion he aimed the gun at the side of his neck, perfectly aligned with his carotid artery and pointing up into his head, as he fired.
Blood spattered across the ceiling and brain matter spilled onto the table as his head fell down.
One thing was for certain. Frank Northrop definitely did not want to live through whatever he believed was going to happen. He made sure he hit his artery and his brain. He wasn’t going to risk the slightest chance that he would survive.
Chapter 3
He sat back as he watched and waited. Those worthless fools, he thought to himself, they’ll blame it on everything except themselves. Global warming, creating nuclear weapons…even technology.
He had been waiting for this moment for years, waiting for his time to come and he finally had it. Everything he wanted was nearly at his grasp.
Only a little bit longer, he thought. A little bit longer until he watched the greedy species slowly decay until there would be nothing left of them. A little bit longer until he would be where he rightfully belonged. He would show them. He would show all of them. He would tip the scale and set everything the way he thought it should be.