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

Chapter fifteen

“So, what’s next?” I asked as the three of us stood on the riverbank and stared out over a vastness of ocean. We’d found the exact spot where the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers met and flowed into Shatt al-Arab. Honestly, I figured we’d vamoose the moment Aeriel confirmed this wasn’t the original Garden of Eden location.

But for some insane reason, the two of them had a quick mental conversation and decided to poke around a bit before heading off to our next possible locale.

“There’s a channel further to the west,” Daniel mused and turned in that direction. “These two rivers once emptied directly into the Persian Gulf via that path, this one is too recently formed.”

“So?” I asked and cringed when both angels turned to glare at me. “I mean, we’ve already established we’re in the wrong place, what difference does it make?” I amended and tried my damndest not to fidget under their scrutinizing gazes.

Aeriel huffed and threw her hands up. To be honest, these little gestures of hers were getting on my freaking nerves. She acted like I was some dumb child that she and Golden Boy had to babysit. I wasn’t dumb enough to believe I should be treated as an equal, but a little respect would go a long way.

“Why do you ask such stupid questions?” Aeriel demanded and folded her arms across that amble bosom, her golden greaves almost blinding me when they refracted the bright sunlight directly into my eyes.

“Why do you have to be such a bitch?” I countered. “This would go a lot smoother if the two of you would just stop keeping secrets and let me in on the plan,” I demanded and crossed my own arms across my small chest. It wasn’t the effect I was going for, but I’d made my point. “I’m not just some dumbass kid, I’ve survived in this hell on earth for three years now and I did it on my own.”

And even though I’d essentially poked the bitchy bear with a stick, her shoulders slumped and she dropped her arms, her stance relaxing more than I’d seen so far.

“You’re right,” she conceded softly. “We’ve underestimated you.” She shared a mutually knowing look with Daniel and they turned back to me in unison, which was a little creepy.

“Angels aren’t privy to the knowledge humans believe we are,” Daniel said. “Our society works much like yours in terms of rumors, prophecies and legends. Jophiel is our commanding officer, but he’s also one of the few Generals who has worked in the archives --”

“Wait, let me guess,” I interrupted. “He gave you some insider information and told you to keep it between the two of you?”

And, again, they looked at each other before looking back at me.

“And for the love of all that’s crispy, stop doing that!” I shrieked. “I understand that you’re creatures of mystical origins, but do you have to make it so frakking obvious?”

Again, they gave each other a knowing glance.

I threw my hands up in defeat. Apparently, it was necessary for them to communicate like that and I wasn’t the type of person to ask a skunk to change its stripe.

“Fine, whatever,” I muttered and flapped my hand impatiently at the two of them. “Get on with your explanation.”

This time Aeriel picked up the tale.

“In order to keep humans from locating the genuine Garden, our Master charged soldier angels to stand guard at each location. They were given journals to record the comings and goings all who searched the location. Those journals were said to be buried at each location,” she recanted and I frowned.

“So, what good would the journal do? It’s not like it has any important information in it, right?” I asked.

“Wrong,” Daniel answered succinctly. “It’s also rumored that the actual locations were recorded in the front of each book. If we can find the journal for this site, then we’ll know more about the other locations, possibly even cut down on search time if we know specifically where to look.”

“How many ‘possible’ locations are we talking about here?” I asked. I had a bad feeling where this conversation was headed.

“Thousands,” Daniel confessed and my stomach sank to my feet.

“Possibly more,” Aeriel corrected and I sank to the ground, my butt hitting the soft sand and sending little plumes of dust everywhere.

“Well, don’t just sit there,” Daniel scolded me and offered his hand. “We need to find that journal. As you like to point out, we’re immortal – you’re not.”

AUTHOR'S NOTE : Please don't forget to vote!