The Awakened Dead ( Book 1, Secrets of Far Cry series)

The Awakening

Darkness; complete and total darkness. No light, no happiness, no warmth, no memories, there was only the cold seclusion of darkness. Where am I... Who am I... The thoughts lingered in dark empty space. A burning sensation wrapped around my chest. Something is missing, something important. I need... I need... I NEED AIR! My hands groped around and fabric scratched my skin. I pushed up on the walls restricting me. All the while my lungs continued sear with pain. I felt like a knife was stabbed into my temple. My mind began to go foggy. Frantically, I gather all my strength and forced up on the hard barrier above me.

A loud popping sound erupted, a flood of light blinded me. I gasped for breath. Sweet oxygen poured into my lungs like soothing waters. I sat up, blinking my eyes adjusting to the bright lights. Squinting my strained eyes scanned the surroundings.

Four olive green walls stood around me. The room was lined with chairs all facing me. Rounds of bright colored flowers lined the sides of the room. Curiosity made my eyes glance down to were I was sitting. Satin sheets lined the rectangular box I was lying in. A gasp clutched my throat as I realized that had been lying in a darkly stained, wooden coffin. I began to feel a numb tingling rush from my mind through my limbs. My hands shook from the utter shock and fear that ran through me.

It was then that I noticed that I was wearing one of my mother's beautiful dresses. My eyes ached as tears blurred my vision. I ran my shaking fingers over the coarse, sunshine yellow material. Am I dead... Is this my funeral? But I'm still breathing... Before I realized I was doing it, I began slowly climbing out of the coffin. Hesitantly, I placed my weight on my unsteady legs. My gaze fell to the floor, curious as to why my feet were bare. Then, in grim humor, realized no one would have thought a dead girl would need shoes. The chuckle I felt escaped from my mouth sounded more like a sob as it rang back to my ears.

"You're awake..." A neutral voice resounded from the archway entrance of the room. My eyes shot to the direction of the voice. A tall, well dressed man stood peering at me with a sober expression. "I had hoped to be here when you woke, however I had some other business to attend too. I imagine you are quite confused. To be honest, I do not remember much of my day of Awakening. Of course, that was over two centuries ago."

As I stared at the ageless, smooth, and well tanned features of the youthful man, I found it hard to believe he was a day over 30 let alone 200. This guy must be insane...

"Insane? Open minded, yes, but not insane."

"How did you...never-mind. D-Do you know what I am doing here?"

A thin smile cracked the statue-like features of the man, "I thought that would have been obvious, young one. You're here, miss, because you are not living. In other words, you're dead..." I took a step back bumping up against the hard wood coffin. A tight band enclosed my lungs squeezing the air from them. How can I be dead... I can feel...I'm still breathing...My heart is still beating...

"You might want to double check that last one..." The man sighed placing his hands in his suit pants pockets. Gulping down the knot in my throat I put my shaking fingers to my neck. I felt nothing but my chilled skin under my fingers. My hand dropped slowly, with wide eyes I stared at the man.

"A-Am I a ghost?" The man shook his head. "Then...what am I? How did this happen?"

"Well those, young one, are very good questions. Though, as you know, good questions take long to answer. Unfortunately we do not have the luxury of time at the moment. Now come, we must hurry." He turned promptly on his heels, began to step out of the room.

"Hey," I walked hurriedly to him, "Who are you?" He stopped abruptly. The man turned to me with an almost dumbfounded look. "Oh dear, pardon my manners," bowing deeply he continued, "My name is Christopher Paul Andrews." He grinned sweetly with a twinkle in his emerald eyes. Mr. Andrews offered his hand to me.