Adaliah Battle for the Covenant

BOOK ONE - PART ONE: Too much water not enough earth

As I look down at my feet and observe through the crystal-clear water, the soft white sand intermingling with my toes, I can't help but feel the serenity and calmness of the ocean. I'm sitting on Coppers Cove beach at the edge of the Atlantic. The temperature is a crisp 67 degrees, with just a slight enough breeze to raise the goose pimples on my bare arms and legs. I advert my gaze from the sunset and focus in on my arm and the hairs as they stand up; I'm in amazement at how the body reacts to differences in temperature. It's the tail end of March and we're closing in on Spring. The shorts I put on may not have been the best choice with the breeze, but the sun was shining so brightly I couldn't resist. The long sleeve shirt I had on with the sleeves rolled up provided me the warmth I needed from the cool breeze.

At 6:47pm dusk is slowly creeping in on the opposite side of the horizon from the sunset. The orange sun, that appeared to be only miles away, is concealed about halfway by the ocean. Soft orange and yellow light rays were illuminating some nearby clouds, and also caused the surrounding skyline to give off the soft warm pink and fuchsia colors. I continued to sit, with my feet buried in the sand at the edge of the shore; my knees bent close to my chest so that I can rest my head atop my knees so that I can watch the sunset and bask in the remaining sun's rays.

A long low, but sharp whistle coming from behind me suddenly startled me out of my moment of transcendence. I snapped my eyes open and whipped my head around to see where it was coming from. I wasn't sure if it is a human or an animal that made the noise; it almost sounded as if it could have come from a bird. As I scan the area behind me, I realize even though there is a sliver of sun still setting in front of me, behind me had become eerily dark, and I could only see about fifty feet behind me. My body stiffened as I saw a shadowy figure near the stairs that lead up to the pier. I began straining my neck and squinting as I was not sure if it is an actual body or maybe just a tall umbrella or some other tall figure. I uncross my hands from in front of my knees and slowly began to turn to face the figure, never allowing my eyes to leave the shape, nor did I dare to blink to miss any movement. The hairs on my arms and legs were standing again, and this time not from the cool breeze. My breathing became shallower, yet jagged as I realize fear is starting to creep into my psyche.

Whoosh!!! Suddenly a strong breeze blows by and the figure has still not moved an inch.

If it is a someone, can it see me? Is it just staring at me? How long has it been there? I don't recall seeing anyone when I first looked behind me. Shit! What's my next move?

I'm about half a mile from my car.

Should I take it head on or take flight if this thing starts coming towards me?

My mind is moving a mile a minute, while my body's still in mid turn to face the figure so that I did not have my back to it. As I softly place my left knee and hand on the ground so that I can stand, a firm and ice-cold hand grips my right shoulder! I yelp out from the surprise and the feel of the coldness; I sound like a small chihuahua that has just been stepped on. I'm on my feet and turn toward the hand that gripped me in a split second.

"Oh, no. I deeply apologize. I didn't mean to startle you." All I see is the silhouette of a man about 6'0, 175lbs, broad shoulders, biceps and arms that seems to match the size of my legs, forearms that look like he can pick up a refrigerator and toss it with ease; his chest seems to be as wide as my shoulders in width. As my eyes continue to trail down his body, his abs tighten and contract as he takes long slow breaths, and his long locs that hung down to his waistline were slightly swaying back and forth from the weight of the water; he is only wearing black swimming shorts and his entire body down to his muscular girthy legs are glistening from water droplets as if he just came from swimming. His voice is soft but baritone, and when he spoke it is as if silk is being wrapped around my entire body. I can't entirely make out his face because his back is to what little of the sun is left.