Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror

Chapter Forty

"She started it," I mumble and jerk my arm from his grasp. I turn toward Daniel and he spreads his arms. I hurry to him, burying myself in his embrace. I don't know what's happening to me, what Ember is doing to me; and a small part of me loves it, while another is terrified. I remember all the things I've done while wielding the magical sword and I shudder. Daniel tightens his arms around me.

"All will be well, Andrea," he says, his breath warm against my ear. "Trust your instincts."

"What if my instincts gets us all killed?" I whisper against his chest. "What if I'm becoming a monster?"

"Nonsense," he argues. "You've endured much lately, your mind is trying to adjust to all this, give yourself a break, you just need time."

"We don't have time—" I sniffle, hoping I didn't leave snot all over Daniel's shirt. "We need to find the tree." Suddenly I remembered the book Daniel found in the cave. "Where's the book?"

"I have it," Joe says and I turn to face him.

"What does it say?" I'd only received images from it, I hadn't touched it, so my curiosity peaked.

"Well, it tells us the location of the next possible location of the Tree, it seems that it was left by Noah after the Ark landed here. He kept a journal of his family's everyday life, as well as things from his dreams. It seems he was guided by an angel—Indriel was his name. The Garden was here for a time, but then it moved when its location was learned."

"Where are we headed?" Daniel asks.

"The Mojave Desert," Joe answers.

"California?" I ask.

"More precisely, the exact spot where California, Nevada, and Arizona meet, it's supported to be a divine land."

"But they call that Death Valley," I argue, confused as to why the Tree would be in such a place. It makes no sense. I understand the reason for moving it around, but I can't comprehend this.

Joe shrugs his beefy shoulders and tucks the journal into some inner pocket of his tunic.

"We have to try." He smiles, but Ariel throws her arms wide and frowns.

"This is ridiculous. We're chasing this selfish little girl all over hell and a half acre—and for what? She has no clue what's she's gotten herself into and dragged us along behind her. The eruption of scorpions was only the beginning! Don't you get that?" she screamed at me. "Don't you get what you've unleashed? Now, in addition to the Walkers, we now have some of the worse creatures known to man to contend with, you opened a door, one that can not be closed. Yes, you and your special stick took care of them this time, but what about next time? That sword will betray you, it wasn't meant for human hands to wield it." She whirled on Joe and dug her finger into his chest. "Why did you give it to her? Why? Are you trying to get us killed?"

"Calm yourself, Ariel," Joe says and reaches down to flick her finger away. "It is her destiny, and that is something no one can interfere with, not even me. Now, if you're done with your fit, can we get started? California is a long ways away." 

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Author's Note: Sorry this chapter is short, I'm just getting back into writing this story and was lost for a bit. I'll catch up, in the meantime, let me know what you think, and don't forget to vote!

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