Phoenix Falling (Phoenix Series Book 1) Read online

  “I have utter belief in mankind. That’s why I don’t lead with a heavy hand and why there is such a thing as free will,” Josiah said calmly.

  “You call it free will, but is it really that, indeed? You still protect them. You still won’t let them make up their minds. Each time I’ve stepped in, you’re right there to block me. How is that free will?” Vyco objected.

  Josiah thought about his enemy’s words. The man was the epitome of evil, but he hadn’t always been that way. They’d once been closer than any other two beings. They’d battled — neither of them backing down from their beliefs. That’s when they’d fallen on opposite sides. Josiah had chosen light, while Vyco had chosen darkness. Vyco liked having the freedom to do whatever pleased him. Josiah chose to be held accountable to a higher power than himself.

  They had unspeakable power that would terrify the average mortal if they were aware of what went bump in the night, but where Vyco flaunted his, Josiah used more restraint. The country had fallen into a civil war over the past few years, and Josiah had watched in horror.

  One man would turn on another for reasons that made no sense. A sense of pride and love for one’s neighbors seemed to be long gone. It was making America weak, and its enemies were sitting back watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It was what Josiah feared more than anything. But he’d sworn to not interfere in their choices. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could uphold that vow.

  “I don’t interfere where I shouldn’t. All men have free will,” Josiah said. He wasn’t going to stoop to Vyco’s level.

  “To truly give them free will, you can’t interfere. You must let them choose their own path, even if that path takes them down a road you don’t approve of,” Vyco said. Josiah knew where the conversation was leading. He could’ve stopped it, but he realized Vyco had a valid point.

  Planet Earth had been created over a long period of time, giving it exactly what it needed in order to thrive. Then different creatures from many worlds had been placed on that one planet. No one knew for sure who’d brought it all to pass; no one knew where the magic came from. But the magic world knew they could choose to follow the path of light or the path of darkness.

  There was power in the dark, but was it worth it when it sucked away your very soul? Josiah didn’t see the worth in losing yourself. But then again, mankind threw away its light — its good — on a daily basis. All for pleasure with no reward. That was how a person could kill without remorse and torment someone weaker than they were.

  Even in the midst of all that darkness, Josiah still saw far more good than bad when he looked around him. He believed that the country, the earth, and the universe in general could come together as one cohesive unit. He hoped to not be proven wrong. He’d been disappointed many times over, but he still hadn’t given up.

  Josiah came back to the present and looked at Vyco, who’d been watching Josiah as he struggled with his internal thoughts. He didn’t want to admit to any weakness around Vyco. He knew the man would pounce in an instant.

  “You sadden me, Vyco. You’ve turned into something unimaginable. Why not leave and let us both get on with our existences?” Josiah asked.

  “I’ll make a deal with you, Josiah,” Vyco bargained. “We bet on which way the people in this country will choose. If it’s darkness, then I rule this land. If it’s light I disappear forever and you go on in your version of utopia.”

  “There’s no deal I’d ever make with you,” Josiah said.

  Vyco went on as if Josiah hadn’t spoken. “If you stop interfering, stop saving people, then I’ll do the same. Let’s see what they choose when you or I aren’t whispering in their susceptible ears,” Vyco said temptingly. “I think they’ll choose the dark path every single time. I know that was my choice.”

  “Vyco, you have little faith. You imply all people will take the easy way out. You believe they’ll steal instead of pay, gorge instead of preserve, envy instead of share, hate instead of love. You’re wrong. If they have the choice to love or hate, they’ll embrace love. They’ll turn away from sin, and choose the right path.”

  “I disagree, Josiah, but if you’re so convinced, let’s make this deal,” Vyco said eagerly, pulling out the golden rope the magic world used to solidify a vow. If they bound the agreement, it was done, and neither could break the indenture or else a spiritual death would occur; they’d cease to exist.

  “I see you’re hesitating,” Vyco said with wicked pleasure. Josiah did have faith in people, but to hear their heartfelt cries while he was fully restrained would all but shatter his soul. On the other hand, to have Vyco out of their lives for good would mean a whole new world.

  “We must have a time commitment, Vyco. Should there be a draw at the end, you’ll still depart,” Josiah said. He wouldn’t bend from that condition. Vyco hesitated. He knew the stipulation of time could end up winning Josiah everything, but then again, he really had nothing to lose. He’d seen what was in the mortal heart. There was far more evil than good.

  “Ten years, Josiah, and you’ll watch the fall of America — though I’m sure it’ll take far less time,” Vyco said viciously. Josiah again hesitated. He closed his eyes, praying for wisdom. Would it be the right thing to do? Would he be damning this country or setting it free? He felt warmth spread through his entire body and knew he had his answer.

  When Josiah’s eyes opened, Vyco took a step back from the light shining through him. Josiah knew Vyco was rethinking his plan in the face of Josiah’s power. He also knew Vyco would never back down for fear of seeming cowardly.

  Josiah extended his arm and waited. The decision was now up to Vyco. He could back down and shy away or step up and bind their agreement. Josiah withdrew his own binding rope, the cords shining brighter than any light a mere mortal could comprehend.

  Vyco finally stepped forward and grasped Josiah’s hand. He withered a bit from the pure power of Josiah. He couldn’t pull free now, as the binding had begun. They both wrapped the cords around their joined hands.

  “It is bound,” Josiah said with all the authority of the heavens. Vyco nodded his acknowledgment. The ropes tightened, shooting off gleaming rays of light before they fell slack once more. Vyco gave one more spiteful roar before he disappeared in a ring of fire and smoke.

  Josiah called his most trusted protégé, Cassidy, and told her what he’d done. She asked him how he could make an agreement with such severe consequences.

  “America has been failing for a very long time. There are brothers against brothers — family meaning nothing to each other. They watch as a stranger dies on the street from cold or hunger, or a child withers away. They give into their addictions and only care about pleasure. They’ve been tested in many ways and yet they reject good. Why should I take that burden on my own shoulders? I want to help them, but they have to first help themselves. I’ll see what becomes of this country. I won’t step in and stop the fighting any longer,” Josiah told her.

  She knelt before him, tears welling in her eyes. She knew it was going to be a challenge like America had ever seen before, but she also believed it had to be done.

  “You can’t help them, but can I?” she pleaded. She didn’t have close to the amount of power Josiah had, but she was strong enough to save some.

  “If you choose this for yourself, you’ll be on your own. I vowed not to step in, and I cannot send others to help,” he told her.

  “I understand, and I know the choice I’m making,” she said. It caused her great sorrow to walk away from the safety of her group, but she couldn’t stand by and watch Americans get slaughtered. She knew if Josiah wasn’t stepping in, Vyco would create all manner of chaos. He’d be smart enough not to break the binding, but he’d be clever in how to get around it.

  “I’ll do what I can,” she said.

  “Go safely then. Please don’t lose sight of what you’re doing. Come back with honor when it’s done,” he said.

  Josiah watched Cassidy leave, heaviness weighing on his heart. He hoped she was strong enough to withstand the power that would be thrown at her. He turned and walked from the forest.

  He’d either damned America to an apocalypse they wouldn’t recover from, or he’d set them free. Only time would tell which way it would end.

  Chapter Two

  I was thirteen years old when it began. I remember thinking the world would end in a huge explosion from a meteor or possibly from the sun shooting its beams in a super nova, or maybe even in a series of unstoppable natural disasters. I’d been told in church the Messiah was going to come and strike all the sinners down, and only those who were good wouldn’t die.

  When I was younger, I stole a piece of bubblegum from the store and was terrified I’d be struck by lightning or a ray from the sun. I must not have been too scared, though, because I stole it anyway and then enjoyed the burst of flavor as I bit down on the soft piece of what I considered heaven.

  My parents never allowed us to have candy, gum, or soda. They said it would rot our teeth. Little did they know that John and I snuck it every chance we got. Our father being a doctor and our mom a vet, they were all about the healthy crap.

  I guess I’m getting off track a bit. Like I was saying, I always thought the world would end with a big bang and it would come from the heavens. I was wrong — so very wrong — along with so many other people. The world didn’t end that way at all. It ended with a lot of small explosions. They were far deadlier than any meteor could’ve ever been.

  There was all this hype about the end of the world happening in the year 2012, which my parents said was a joke even though they are pretty religious. Many people said it was a joke, but what those people didn’t realize was where there’s a prophecy, there are many fanatics determined to make that prophecy come true.

  I remember those days and how my parents started leaving the house often. At first they’d be gone for a weekend and then a week. They hired a nanny for the first time in our lives, which was absurd, considering I was thirteen and my brother was sixteen. John had a real fit about it, but my parents said there were bad people in the world and they didn’t want us home alone.

  The nanny pretty much just cooked for us and cleaned the house. She didn’t really tell us what to do. We were good kids — well, as good as could be expected when we had the run of the house. We would tend to leave wrappers about and watch too much television, but we went to school, did our homework, and always came straight home. We didn’t even notice the nanny much.

  John got in a huge fight with our dad one night. I was scared to death, listening to them scream at each other in dad’s office. I’d never heard my father raise his voice before, but they were really going at it. John told Dad he was a terrible parent, always leaving us behind. I certainly missed them, but would’ve never confronted them about it.

  Dad yelled back at John that he was doing important work and all would be revealed in time. John ended up stomping out of the office, not noticing me as he slammed from the house. My dad found me crying in the hallway and scooped me into his arms.

  He told me he was doing what had to be done to make sure we’d be safe. I trusted him, of course. He was my dad and he’d never lied to me before, so why would he start? I fell asleep that night with tears still wet on my cheeks.

  Something I found odd in those years was that my parents were always glued to the television when they were home. It had rarely been turned on when I was little, but all of a sudden it was on all hours of the day and night. I hated what they’d watch. It was so depressing, with buildings burning and people lying dead on the streets. Dad said it was the news, which I decided to never watch when I grew up. I thought there was no way any of it could happen in real life.

  My parents were always whispering together as men in suits on the television screen stood at podiums and talked about fixing problems and telling the people not to panic. There were cameras spanning the area showing streets filled with tents of homeless people. A new protest seemed to be a daily event, whether it was for housing, food, services or just because two political sides couldn’t come together.

  Cops were being shot, which really seemed to scare my father and mother. Cities were being held hostage. The thing that shocked my parents the most was that it was here in America. This was something we’d seen on the television from far away places, not in a free society. But maybe that was the point, maybe so much freedom left people not knowing what to do with it. My brother and I were so young then. And it all seemed so far away, so we just went on with our days and tried not to worry much about it.

  I wish I could go back to those times of innocence, those times when the world revolved around me. Back to when the biggest thing I had to worry about was if I would get a new dress for church or the pretty backpack I wanted for school. I wish I could go back to being that spoiled little girl. It would make the endless days and nights of my life now much easier to bear. Dreams seem the only escape for me anymore.

  I’m sure you’re a bit confused right now, but I’m not a writer or anything, so I apologize. My name’s Phoenix Light, and I’m writing all of this down so if I die, maybe someday I’ll be remembered. I have an amazing family, and I’ve known so many people who should never be forgotten. Things have gotten really bad here lately, and I feel it’s all coming to an end.

  The thought of simply disappearing is unacceptable, so whoever finds this, please know there was an extraordinary group of people who survived for years and years against all of the odds. Please don’t give up even when it feels hopeless. I know the world seems bleak. But instead of focusing on the bad, look around you, and I promise you’ll also find a lot of good. There are some really good things in the world.

  There’s something I always remember even when I’m ready to give up all hope, and that is no matter how bad a situation seems to me, there are so many out there who have it worse. So don’t give up. The best of all of us is still to come.

  ***

  “Phoenix, snap out of your daydreaming. We have to get this stuff done and get back inside,” John said.

  “I wasn’t daydreaming. I was writing. And I know,” Phoenix snapped back at her older brother.

  They’d been living in a cave deep in the recesses of a forest for three years, and sometimes the only thing that gave Phoenix a modicum of sanity was reading her books and writing her own story down. Reminiscing about the carefree days when her only worry had been finishing her homework was something she could focus on besides the constant bitter darkness.

  She reluctantly stuffed her notebook into her bag and followed her brother along the trail, kicking small stones out of her way. Their responsibility this morning was to go to the spring to survey the water lines. They were also on harvesting duty and were required to return with fresh fruit from the forest. Another group from the cave was out hunting, which was something she couldn’t stomach at all.

  The forest provided a plethora of fruit, herbs, and other valuable items they needed. Phoenix had a strange ability to find just about anything, so she lucked out, being placed on picking duty more often than many others.

  Phoenix surveyed the area in the distance, her eyes straining as she searched for Brian. She had a ridiculously huge crush on him, but to her grave disappointment, he didn’t seem to realize she was a girl. She guessed he’d always think of her as the awkward thirteen-year-old he’d met when the world had gone to hell. She was also his constant shadow, following him everywhere he went. He was only a year older than she, but now that she was eighteen, she had desires that ran far beyond adolescent fascination.

  All the girls were in love with Brian, and he seemed to eat up the attention. Brian was eighteen, a few inches above six feet tall, with a thick, athletic build that most guys his age couldn’t achieve. His dark brown hair had a natural wave, and his smoky blue eyes completed his look of perfection like the cherry on top of a delicious milkshake. He was devastatingly handsome.

  Phoenix absolutely hated Jessica Smith, who was always so perfect and delicate, not too short, or tall, with curves and a womanhood about her that most teenagers didn’t possess in this new world. She literally hung on Brian like he held the moon in his hands. He seemed to like her doting on him.

  “I found the problem. I need you to stand over there and put your hands on that hose. Try not to let the water escape while I patch this hole,” John instructed. Phoenix did as he said. It didn’t take long for her arms to start aching from the amount of strength it took.

  “Are you almost finished, John? I don’t think I can hang on much longer,” she warned.

  “One more minute,” he replied. She waited, sweat breaking out on her brow. “Okay, I’ve got it,” he told her, quickly coming over and working his magic. He finished the job, then stood to his full six-foot height.

  “Nice job, Mr. Fix-it,” Phoenix praised overdramatically, though she really was proud of her brother’s talents. “We don’t have much time for picking. It looks like you have to stick with me now,” she teased. She knew he’d much rather be hunting. Being that John was a whiz at fixing things, he’d been put on waterline duty and then was stuck picking with her for the rest of his allotted time outdoors.

  “I can think of worse things than relaxing with my favorite sister,” he said as he ruffled her hair. She hated it when he did that. She wasn’t five years old anymore. She sighed to herself because she didn’t think anyone would realize she was no longer a child.

  “That’s because I’m the most amazing person ever and your only sister. I’ll race you to the herb patch,” she challenged before taking off in a sprint, with him quickly trailing behind. He might be much bigger than she was, but she could outrun just about all of the guys. She was lightning on wheels and gloated inwardly about it.

  “You cheated,” he gasped when they reached the designated spot. She was breathing a little heavy, but nothing compared to him. She darted around him and they quickly finished their task, the day slipping away far too soon.