Jamie Zakian - Serpents and Saviors

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author makes no claims to, but instead acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.

Copyright 2018 by Jamie Zakian

PROJECT EMERGENCE 2: SERPENTS AND SAVIORS by Jamie Zakian

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by Month9Books, LLC.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

EPub ISBN: 978-1-946700-84-1

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-946700-85-8

Published by Month9Books, Raleigh, NC 27609

Cover Design by James, GoOnWrite.com

To my dear friend and biggest fan, Tracey.

The sun had drifted below the mountain ridge long ago. A chill mingled with the sweet-smelling air, and strange noises echoed from all sides. Joey could feel life buzzing around her. Over the rustle of leaves and croak of night critters, she could hear voices, a crackle of fire, and Kamis loud mouth barking orders. She would have glanced over her shoulder, taken a peek at what was going on, but Jesse. His pod could arrive any moment.

All the bones in Joeys back cracked as she squirmed against the rock behind her, which had somehow become sharper, harder, and much colder than it had been when she sat against it hours ago.

Hours. Shed been sitting on a rocky slope, staring up at the sky for hours. Darkness had consumed the land around her, and no other pods broke through the atmosphere of Mars. He wasnt coming. Shed never see her brother again, never feel the warmth of his smile shining down on her.

Joey!

A yelp flew from Joeys mouth at the sound of Kamis shout, which blasted directly in her ear. She hadnt even seen Kami kneel beside her.

This has gone on long enough, Kami said, seizing Joey by the arm. Oh, my God. Youre freezing. Come sit by the fire.

Dont. Joey yanked herself from Kamis clutch. All she could feel was Chucks fingers squeezing her skin, even though she saw her friends hand on her arm.

Im sorry, Joey said, but her apology didnt clear the leery expression on Kamis face. She should think up an excuse to explain her mini freak-out, but all her thoughts revolved around Jesse.

She returned her stare to the sliver of moon lighting the dark sky, resuming her pod-watching duty. Kami sat down and nudged Joey aside, leaning against the rock Joey had clearly called dibs on long ago.

Ive always had this fuzzy tingle, Kami said, gazing up at the star-speckled sky, in my chest, beneath my skin. It comes from Rai. Id be an icy shell if he were gone. Thats how I know hes okay.

Heat did sear Joeys chest. Shed thought it was anger for not sticking to Jesse like glue, but it could be his essence. There was no ache of heart-wrenching proportions, no empty void cleaving her chest, which had to mean her brother was safe. They were twins, one soul split into two bodies. Shed know if he were hurt, if he were gone from her world.

Joey nodded, hoping it would knock the doom and gloom from her brain. I just wanna wait a little longer. The other pods should be here any minute.

Kami crawled in front of Joey and rose to her knees. You do know our pod came from that direction, right?

Joey followed Kamis pointed finger to the curved mountain wall behind her. She did a double take when she spotted a second, fuller moon beyond the pointed tree line of the gentle cliff. The sight of two moons, opposite each other amid endless sparkles of stars, was incredible, although not enough to distract her from the irritation brewing in her stomach.

You saw me sitting here, staring this way. Joey rose from the hard ground. She ignored the creak of her stiff bones and the burn of thirst in her throat. Nothing would deter her from glowering at Kami. Why didnt you tell me I was looking in the wrong direction?

A shrug and a snicker. Thats what Joey got, right before Kami hopped to her feet.

I thought you knew what you were doing.

Obviously not. Joeys shout amplified to a rumble as it bounced off the large rocks around her. The chatter in the distance died out, letting a symphony of crickets fill the air.

Joey looked beyond Kami, at the people shed forgotten to socialize with. They were all huddled around a small fire outside the pod, gawking at her. Scratches and bruises peeked from beneath their torn clothes and fright gripped their expressions, but they stayed together. She was the only one out in the dark, alone, like a weirdo, which made her want to stay by her cozy rock.

The fire looks nice, doesnt it? Kami jabbed Joey with her elbow, gesturing at the little circle of orange flames. Betcha never seen one in real life before. Wanna poke it with a stick? The embers crackle.

Nah. Joeys words felt like a betrayal to her own body, which so wanted to snuggle with Kami beside the fire, but she couldnt leave this spot. To walk away now would shatter the last shred of hope she held of ever seeing her brother again. Im gonna hang here for a bit longer.

The second Kami turned her back, guilt wormed its way into Joeys gut. She hadnt seen Mr. Reyes or Sabrina once since stepping from the pod. Sabrina had looked half-dead the last time she saw the woman, and Mr. Reyes seemed completely flustered. They probably needed her help, yet her feet wouldnt move from their spot.

Hows Sabrina? Joey yelled, which stopped Kami short.

Now you care? Kami turned to face Joey, planting her hands on her hips. If you wanna know what happened to Sabrina, youll have to come over here and find out.

A cocky smile spread across Kamis lips as she slowly backed away. Oh, and there are giant wolves out here. They love to eat human flesh. She stopped her backward stroll toward the pod and lifted her finger. Girl human flesh.

Joey crossed her arms, turning her back on Kami. That wasnt true. The scientists wouldnt put man-eating animals on a supposed utopia. There was no need for giant wolves, aside from the warm fur of their pelts to make jackets and enough meat to feed an entire family.

Im serious about the wolves, Kami shouted in the distance.

Branches snapped beside Joey, and leaves rustled within the woods. Shed never noticed how spooky it was on Mars at night, when all alone, surrounded by shadows that inched closer by the second.

Wait up, she called out, hurrying after Kami.