ZERO
by
Justus Roux
(C) Copyright by Justus Roux, February 2010
Cover Art by Alex DeShanks, February 2010
Published by New Concepts Publishing
Smashwords Edition
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
Chapter One
“I feel beauty,” Zero softly said. He closed his eyes and focused on the soul that called for him. Soul after soul called out to be released. He wanted her soul.
“No Zero,” an ethereal female voice called out. “It is forbidden.”
Nothing would stop him as he focused on the one soul … her soul.
“Zero ….” The female voice grew louder.
Zero stopped and turned toward the energy he felt coming up from behind him. It was that female again. Why wouldn’t she just leave him alone ?
“Release the souls you have captive,” she said in a stern voice.
“You have no authority over me, female.”
“Her soul belongs to me. And my name is Soma, not female.”
Zero said nothing. He turned his back to Soma and focused on the soul he wanted. He picked up its scent again and he started to move.
Soma quickly placed herself in front of Zero blocking his way. “Her soul is a pure soul. I must go collect it. You know what I say is true.”
“I care not what you say. Now move, female.”
“I will tell the Creator what you are doing.”
“The Creator is in the time of Creclo and must not be disturbed.”
“Then I will inform Cinray. He will not let you continue to collect good souls.”
“Inform Cinray, I don’t care. Now move, female or I will hurt you.”
“Then hurt me. I will not let you have her soul.”
Zero slammed into Soma with such force it almost made her lose consciousness. He pinned her to the ground and began to drain her energy.
“Stop Zero … if you destroy me the Creator .…”
“Will do nothing. I have no wish to destroy such a thing of beauty, so I will only take your strength.”
Soma was powerless to stop Zero. Male soul collectors were far more powerful than female soul collectors. They had to be to contain the corrupt souls they carry. She felt Zero’s lips touch hers and her energy drained faster. She couldn’t call out for help. She couldn’t move.
“Zero, her soul is good, she doesn’t deserve to be punished,” Soma said weakly.
“Her soul is mine … I can feel her love, her pureness … I want her love.”
“Zero, I beg of you not to take her soul. If you love her … don’t do this.”
“Is it wrong to want to be surrounded by love?”
“No … but it is wrong to defy the Creator.” She felt the last of her strength leave her body. She gazed up at Zero as he slowly stood. His very long golden hair danced in the breeze. Soma could see glimpses of the souls he carried dancing over his long mane. So many souls he had trapped. How many of those souls didn’t deserve the punishment that male soul collectors were able to inflict on them ?
Soma reached out to grab Zero’s long hair when she saw the face of a child twisted in agony.
“Let them go, Zero.”
Her heart froze seeing the vacant look in his beautiful light blue eyes.
“I will never let them go. They love me and I love them.”
She rolled to the side watching him walk away. His long hair seeming to dance behind him and in the strands of his hairs the faces of the souls he torments.
She started to cry. She was powerless to save them. She spoke to other male soul collectors and though they felt pity for the poor souls who were trapped in Zero’s hell, they couldn’t interfere. Only the Creator or Cinray had the power to stop Zero.
Soma felt a warm hand on her hair. She rolled onto her back and saw Bakre kneeling beside her. His long dark hair flowed like Zero’s did. The faces of the souls he punished could be seen in the strands of his hair.
“I will help you.” His voice was ominous unlike Zero’s which was hauntingly beautiful.
She felt strength return to her body. She knew the toll it was taking on Bakre and made him stop before he drained too much of his own power.
“Thank you,” she said as he helped her up.
“Only the Creator or Cinray can stop Zero. Stop trying or next time he may destroy you.”
“We must do something.”
“When the Creator’s Creclo is over I will speak to her about Zero.”
“But that may take hundreds of years. Can you speak to Cinray ? I have tried but he will not listen to a female soul collector.”
“I have spoken to Cinray. He refuses to believe a male soul collector is flawed.” Bakre sat down. He had to. Giving Soma some of his strength had taken a lot out of him. The souls he punished were trying to break free.
“You have given me too much of your strength.” She gently touched him and transferred some of his power back to him.
“You don’t need to do that.” He felt his control return. The souls he carried were subdued. “Soma, don’t challenge Zero again.”
“I have to do something. I can’t just .…”
He grabbed her hand gently. “Please don’t. I will be saddened if you no longer existed.”
“I won’t challenge him again.”
Bakre stood and gently caressed her hair. “I must go. Souls are calling and I must heed their call.”
“I must go as well.” She lightly kissed his hand then watched him leave. She has known Bakre since she was created. She had loved him for nearly that long. She believed all male soul collectors were as gentle as he was. But she was wrong, it seems Bakre was the exception, not the norm, when it came to male soul collectors. Most of them were cold, distant … yet, she understood why they were. They were the ones who made the corrupt souls do penance for their sins. They had to carry these souls inside themselves until the souls paid for their sins. They had to destroy the ones who could never make atonement for the heinous crimes they had committed, after they made that soul suffer first. This is why a male soul collector was so powerful. A female soul collector took only the souls who were worthy enough to go on to the next step in their journey.
Soma heard a child’s soul calling out to her. She had no choice but to go to him. She went on her way to collect the boy’s soul. Yet, her mind was on stopping Zero. If Bakre couldn’t help her then no soul collector would. She had to find another way.
* * * *
Laura felt so tired. She has felt this way for some time now. The doctors told her that her heart was weak and that she shouldn’t push herself too much. She was getting weaker with each passing year. Her doctor put her on the list to receive a heart transplant. He told her to pray that a donor would be found. Yet, how could someone wish for something like that. If she received a new heart that means someone else would have to die. No, she won’t pray for such a thing. If her time to die was rapidly approaching then it was.
Despite her doctor warning her to take it easy, Laura did all she could. She loved volunteering at the various children charities. Not having her own children was her biggest regret. Her frail body wasn’t able to produce children and besides, she never met the man she wanted to have a family with.
“You should go home, Laura. You don’t look so good,” Jamie, the program director, said.
“Perhaps I should.” Laura hugged each child before she left. All the children at the center loved her. She was very patient and always found time to listen to each and every one of them. All the children at the center were in trouble with the law at one time or another. Their crimes weren’t heinous enough to land them in juvenile detention, but they were heading that way if someone didn’t step in and help them.
“Laura, let me walk you home. I can leave the center with permission.”
“Tyler, that is so sweet of you, but I think it’s best if you stay. Your counselor will be here soon.”
“I know, it’s just that, well, you look like you don’t feel too good .…”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m just really tired. What I want is for you to speak with your counselor. You are making some good progress. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”
Laura walked out to her car. She sat inside it trying to catch her breath. She felt so weak. After a couple of moments she felt her strength return. She better get home and just crash. A good night's sleep will make her feel better.
She drove to her apartment and went inside. The short walk from the car to the apartment took a lot out of her. This wasn’t good. She sat on the chair in the living room and tried to muster up enough strength to get to her bedroom.
“Laura.”
Her gaze darted around the room trying to see who just called her name. “Oh great, I’m hearing things now.”
“Laura let go, it’s time.” The male voice was hauntingly beautiful.
Her eyes opened wide when an image of a most beautiful man began to appear. His long golden hair sparkled in an eerie mist. Fear began to grip her.
“Are you an angel?”
His smile made him appear even more beautiful.
Her body felt light. The tiredness faded. A wave of peace engulfed her.
“Am I dying?”
“Yes, but only your body.”
She let go. A wonderful sense of relief filled her. She felt his soft hands caressing her face. He tilted his head down and captured her lips. His ambrosial taste and scent enraptured her.
“I can feel your love,” he whispered against her lips.
She was helpless to stop him, nor did she want to. His embrace was warm, welcoming, his kisses were sweet, and his soft words soothed her.
“You will be with me forever.”
She felt his long hair caress her body. She closed her eyes, she had to, she couldn’t keep them open any longer.
She felt a violent tug and the sensation of falling. The warmth of his embrace was leaving and soon it was replaced by a chilling coldness.
Her body hit the ground with a violent thump. She lay on the cold ground for a moment. She opened her eyes and then quickly sat up.
“Where am I?”
The room she was in was grayish white. She looked around the room. Everything was this grayish white.
“Where am I!” she screamed.
“You are with me. You will always be with me.”
“I don’t want to be here.” She quickly got up and ran to the other side of the room. There were no doors or windows. She began to pound on the walls.
“Let me out of here!” she cried over and over.
“You will never leave.”
She turned around quickly when she felt his warmth. He was standing in the middle of the room. Even he was awash in the grayish white color.
“I will show you such wonders. However, you must remain here until I have created your next paradise.”
“Paradise?” She looked around the room. “Am I dead?”
“Your body is dead. Your soul will live forever.” He waved his hand over one of the walls.
She gasped seeing her lifeless body lying on the floor of her apartment.
“See, your body is dead. But, you shouldn’t fear, your soul will live on.”
“I’m in Hell?” she said slowly.
“No, you are in my consciousness.”
“Who are you?” She turned around. She couldn’t bear to see her dead body anymore.
“I’m called Zero.”
“Zero?”
“That is the name the Creator has given me.”
“Are you an angel?”
“Phfff.” He rolled his eyes. “Angels are nothing but the Creator’s messengers.”
“Then what are you?”
“I’m a soul collector, the most noble of all of the Creator’s creations.”
“What is going to happen to me?”
“I have told you. You will be with me forever. Now I must prepare your next paradise.” In an instant he was gone.
She sank down to her knees and started to cry. This cold, dank room is not what she pictured the afterlife to be. Loneliness and fear overtook her as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Chapter Two
“I will protect you, Anu,” Ambrosia whispered as she held Anu closer.
“No … don’t go ....” Anu gently caressed her face.
“This is not goodbye, my love.”
“I can’t live without you.”
“Gabriel will ease your pain. It is not your fault, remember this. Please remember this.”
“It is my fault. I’m the one who allowed ....”
“Shh, no more, it is not your fault. I’m gladly giving my life so that you may live.”
“I didn’t ask you to do this.”
“I know. But you are far too important to die, my love.”
“Ambrosia ....” Anu watched the light leave her eyes.
“We must go now, Anu.”
“Gabriel ... I can’t leave her here.”
Ambrosia’s body started to fade.
“I will make you forget, my brother,” Gabriel said.
Anu jerked awake. He couldn’t catch his breath. His heart pounded in his chest as the profound feeling of loss shook him.
He climbed out of his bed and hurried over to the balcony.
“What’s wrong with you?” Elle said as she leisurely stretched in the bed.
“I must have had a bad dream or something.”
“Angels are not supposed to have bad dreams.” She climbed out of bed and put a silk robe on. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled her face against his back.
“I wish the Creator would return from Creclo,” he said.
“We all wish that. You have witness the Creator go on Creclo before. Do you always act like this?”
“No.”
“Anyways, I’m going to get some food. Do you want some?”
“No.”
She released him and then left the room.
Something wasn’t right. He could feel a strange heaviness to the air. It was more than just the Creator not being here.
He got dressed. He willed himself to the gathering place.
All angels had the anate ability to teleport themselves anywhere. It was a gift from the Creator.
“I see you felt the disturbance too,” Elijah said.
“What’s going on?”
“It seems like the soul collectors are having some troubles.”
“Troubles?”
“I don’t know the details. But it looks like one of the males attacked a female. Cinray, of course, denies this. He insists that the male and female were only making love.”
“Can soul collectors make love?” Anu was still a bit out of it from that strange dream.
“Of course they can. Come on, don’t tell me you have never heard of angels going to watch soul collectors make love ? It’s a shame they only make love with each other, some of the female soul collectors are really beautiful.”
“And female angels are not?”
“Well, of course they are. What angel isn’t beautiful. A bit a variety would be nice though.”
“Then seek out a human.”
“Eew, those lowly creatures, it would be beneath a celestial being to lay with one of them.”
“Why would it be?”
“Their souls can be renewed. Can you imagine being recycled like that?”
“We are all the Creator’s creations.”
“That may be, but my standards are a little higher than bedding some human. I would sooner bed a demon than a human.”
“You better not let Romal hear you say that.”
“He would kick my butt all the way to Earth if he heard me talking about bedding a demon.” Elijah chuckled.
Anu came to attention.
“What’s wrong?”
Anu pointed out to the distance. Something was hurling toward them from Earth.
“Oh shit, don’t tell me some demon heard me joking about fucking one of them.”
“I don’t think it’s a demon,” Anu said as a sword formed in his hand.
Elijah quickly formed his weapon and readied himself too.
“What the hell is it?” Elijah asked.
“Stand down.”
Both of them quickly made their weapons disappear upon hearing Romal’s voice.
“It is a soul collector.”
“Male?” Elijah said. He was getting a little nervous. No angel wanted to mess with a male soul collector.
“No, it’s female.”
Soma materialized then came to her knees before Romal.
“What are you doing in Heaven?” Romal said sternly. “You know it’s forbidden for a soul collector to be here unless Cinray has sent you.”
“Please great Romal listen to me.”
Anu looked at the ethereal woman kneeling before Romal. He had never seen a soul collector in person before. This female was beyond beautiful and had such peace around her.
“I need your help.”
“Why would a soul collector need an angel’s help ? Speak to Cinray about any grievance you may have.”
“I have spoken to Cinray. He refuses to listen to a mere female.”
“Cinray has always been a sexist. Alright, I will permit you to speak.”
Anu felt it was wrong for a noble creature like a soul collector to be on her knees like this.
“A male soul collector is collecting the souls of the good and is keeping them in his purgatory. He refuses to let any of the souls he has collected free.”
“Surely, Cinray wouldn’t allow such a thing.”
“Cinray refuses to see that Zero is flawed.”
“Zero?”
“That is the name of the male soul collector. Please, I implore you to help me. I can’t allow innocent, good souls to be in Zero’s hell like that.”
“This is not a matter for an angel, go speak with Cinray.” Romal disappeared.
Soma began to cry.
Anu rushed over and helped her to her feet. He felt a strange feeling start to engulf him the moment he touched her.
“Anu, you shouldn’t touch her,” Elijah said.
“Anu, leave her be.” Romal’s voice resonated through the area.
“I will show the soul collector the respect she deserves,” Anu said.
“Anu ....” Elijah looked around nervously then disappeared.
“No one will help me. Those souls don’t deserve to be imprisoned like that. That woman’s soul … I couldn’t save her. I tried so hard to … but ....”
“It’s alright.”
“Laura doesn’t deserve what Zero is going to do to her. Just now, I felt a child’s soul being destroyed by Zero. A child! He destroyed an innocent child’s soul.” Soma started to really cry.
“I always thought female soul collectors gather the souls of the good and innocent. How is it possible for a male to even take a good soul?”
“I don’t know how it is possible. Tell me, how is it possible for an angel to fall from the heavens and breed a new race of beings?”
“I ....”
“You don’t have an answer for that. Some things go against nature. I fear Zero will never stop. How many innocent souls will be destroyed?”
“Why does he take these souls in the first place?”
“He wants love. He somehow thinks these souls love him … I just know I have to stop him. Now Romal, the grand angel, wouldn’t even help me. I will not go to a demon or human, and I can’t go to the Creator.”
“I will help you.”
Soma looked into his handsome face. “How?”
“I don’t know yet, but I will try to help you.” He felt the awful feeling he had earlier begin to ease. He knew now he was meant to help Soma.
“Thank you.” She laid her head on his chest. “Can you teleport to my realm?”
“I can teleport anywhere.”
“Meet me at the plateau tomorrow.”
“I will be there.”
She slowly vaporized leaving him standing there alone.
“What you do is a foolish thing, Anu.”
“Romal, please allow me to do this.”
“I can’t stop you. The Creator gave you free will. Know this before you start, I can’t protect your soul. I will not send you help. However, I won’t punish you for what you feel you must do.”
“I understand Romal.”
* * * *
“Bakre,” Soma said as she hurried to him. She embraced him tightly then stepped back. “Why are you here?”
“I sense a male angel approaching.” He scanned the sky around the plateau.
“Angels can go anywhere they please.”
“Why is a male angel coming here ? I know you went to Heaven yesterday. Do you have any idea how dangerous that was ? Romal could have destroyed you if he so chose to. You know how powerful an angel is in Heaven.”
“I know all of this, Bakre.”
“Then why did you risk yourself?”
“I have to stop Zero.”
“You think some male angel can stop a male soul collector?”
“He is more than just an angel.”
Bakre looked at her strangely.
“I sensed something when he was near me. I read his soul.”
“You did what?” Bakre growled.
“His soul is pure.”
“Of course, he is an angel.”
“Not all angels’ souls are pure. You of all people should know this. Yet, it was more than his soul being pure. One of those souls in Zero is that angel’s soul mate.”
“Soul mates are rare.”
“I know.”
“Zero doesn’t hold an angel’s soul. Romal wouldn’t allow it.”
“It’s the human female soul that angel is seeking.”
“Human and angels can’t be soul mates. Soma ....” Bakre gently stroked her hair. “I think you read that angel’s soul wrong.”
“I know I didn’t. I have seen soul mates before. I have led soul mates to the next plain of existence. There is no other feeling like it, twin souls are the rarest of all of the Creator’s creations.”
“Still, an angel can’t be a mate to a human.”
“Maybe he was human once or she was an angel.”
“Angels are not reincarnated.”
“But humans are. What if his soul’s next plain of existence was to be an angel. We don’t know what happens to the human souls we send onwards.”
Bakre quickly came on alert. He placed Soma behind him. His hair began to dance and float in the wind.
Anu opened his eyes when he reached the plateau. This is where celestial beings made the journey to the human world. The soul collectors used this area the most. Angels could teleport to the human world without stopping at the plateau if they wanted to. However, it made for a smoother journey if they stopped here first.
Anu jumped back and quickly made a sword appear when he spotted the large male soul collector. The soul collector’s very long dark hair danced in a very ominous way. This was a clear signal that this male wasn’t happy to see Anu.
“Bakre, it’s alright this is the angel I told you about. His name is Anu.”
“Why are you here, angel ? What do you want with Soma?”
“I mean your female no harm.” Anu let his weapon disappear. “She wanted my help.”
“Why would an angel help a soul collector?”
“I feel I must.”
Soma stepped out from behind Bakre. Anu saw just how much Bakre cared for Soma, any fool could see that. He also knew one false move and that damn male soul collector would take his soul into his purgatory. Male soul collectors were one of the Creator’s most dangerous beings.
“Tell me why hasn’t Cinray stopped this Zero?” Anu said as he kept his eyes on Bakre.
“Zero is one of the oldest soul collectors,” Bakre said.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“He is like your archangels. Don’t tell me that Romal doesn’t favor those archangels above all other angels.”
“I’m starting to understand why Cinray wouldn’t stop him. Perhaps, if I spoke with Cinray ....”
“He wouldn’t waste his time on an ordinary angel. He might speak with an archangel.”
“Tell me, Anu, does your soul feel a sense of loss?” Soma asked.
Anu was surprised she would ask such a thing. “I do feel like something has been taken from me. I had this feeling yesterday when I woke up.”
“About the time Zero took Laura’s soul,” Soma said as she gazed up at Bakre.
“What ...?"
“Anu, I think you will be able to help me. But, I warn you, Zero is one of the most powerful soul collectors. If he drags your soul into his purgatory you may not be able to escape him.”
Anu wanted to run back to Heaven. The very thought of pissing off a male soul collector was frightening. Yet, he was compelled to stop Zero. This compulsion confused Anu.
“I see you are bewildered,” Soma said. “You need to save her soul don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Anu felt as though something was probing his most inner thoughts. He looked at Bakre and became afraid. That damn soul collector was reading his very soul. He didn’t know what to do. If he transported Bakre might be able to steal his soul.
“You have no need to fear me, angel,” Bakre said. He turned to Soma. “I believe you are right.” He smiled at her then turned back to Anu. “I’m unable to take your soul even if I wanted to. Your soul is pure.”
“Zero is taking pure souls.”
“He is the exception. I don’t know how he is stealing those pure souls, but I will find out. He is like your Lucifer, an angel who spawned demons. Creation isn’t possible for an angel and yet Lucifer creates.”
“He was banished from Heaven. And we are not talking about angel defects. We are talking about your race’s defects.”
“Why is it that you angels always get so angry when anyone mentions that devil’s name?”
“He spurned the Creator and the gifts the Creator bestowed on him. That beast was an archangel and still it wasn’t enough for his selfish soul.”
“Selfish soul, I like that term for him.”
“Anu, I will take you to Zero. Are you sure you are willing to risk your soul to help me?” Soma said.
“I’m compelled to do so.”
“Bakre, please stay here. I don’t want Zero to harm you.”
“I don’t want him to harm you either.”
“He has had several opportunities to do so. If he hasn’t harmed me by now I don’t think he wants to. Anu, teleport to the inner plain, this is where Zero is. Can you teleport to where the soul collectors walk?”
“I can go anywhere.”
“Be there in ten minutes. I will guide you to where I am.” Soma hugged Bakre then seemed to dissolve.
“If any harm comes to her. I will rip your soul from your body,” Bakre said.
“I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Anu closed his eyes and waited for Soma’s signal.
Chapter Three
Laura felt the strange grayish-white room began to dissolve. She closed her eyes to balance herself and to avoid seeing the nothingness. She felt her body begin to fall. She was terrified. What was happening ? She crashed down with a thud, yet, she felt no pain from the impact.
She could feel sand under her. She moved her hands around still keeping her eyes closed. The warm sand sifting through her fingers felt good. The briny smell of the ocean filled her nostrils. She slowly opened her eyes then quickly came up to a seated position.
She gasped seeing the world around her, being filled in like a child colors a picture. She felt the warmth of the sun on her back. She looked down at her arms, they looked normal. The grayish-white clothes she wore before was being replaced with a vibrant yellow one-piece swimsuit. The familiarity of the scene that was unfolding before her made her come up to her feet.
She had been to this very beach many times when she was eighteen.
“Laura, come on,” a handsome young man said as he raced to the water.
“Billy ? It can’t be.”
“You afraid of the water or are you afraid to get your hair wet?” the young man said as he dove into the water.
She watched him surface.
“Come on, you silly girl. You are afraid aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.” Laura ran to the water. The closer she got to the young man she knew it was in fact Billy. She had such a crush on him. It has been forever since she even thought about him and yet, here he was standing before her now.
His smile made all the memories she had of him resurface. He was her first. He was so scared and yet gentle with her the first time. The summer they spent together was one of the happiest times of her life.
“Come on,” Billy said as he splashed water at her.
She laughed then dove into the water. She swam over to him and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
“I was thinking Laura…” he softly kissed her, “…I want you to stay here with me.”
“But my parents are leaving in a couple of days.” She said these very words to him before.
“I know…but…well…what I’m trying to say is will you marry me?”
He felt so real in her arms. This has to be more than just a dream.
“Don’t leave me hanging.” He chuckled nervously.
“I’ll marry you.”
* * * *
Zero stood on the beach and watched Laura and Billy as they kissed each other.
“Are you going to let that boy take her from you?” a strange voice said.
“Of course not, but tell me something…why do humans always repeat mistakes?”
“They are pathetic creatures. Now, make them stop or do you enjoy watching another male touch your female?”
“You will remember whom you are talking to.”
“Forgive me.”
“I can feel your fear of me. So you know your place already.”
“Of course I do.”
“You can’t read souls, so just sit back and watch what happens next.”
* * * *
Laura enjoyed the few hours with Billy. She forgot everything. She walked onto the beach exhausted. Her hand went up to her chest. That familiar tiredness engulfed her. This was the summer when she found out that she had a heart problem. How could she forget this part ? She lay down on the beach to regain her strength. It didn’t take long for her strength to come back.
She quickly sat up. “Billy!” she cried out as she scanned the ocean. Oh God no! Not again. Her heart pounded harder in her chest. He can’t die again…
“Billy!”
* * * *
“What’s going on, Zero?”
“That boy has drowned. He swam too close to those rocks and got pulled out by a riptide. All because he wanted to show off to her. Humans are so pathetic.”
“You are making her relive this. Oh, how sweet. Your torment methods for these pitiful souls are so devious it makes me excited.”
“I’m not trying to torment her. I want her to see what she has lost so she will appreciate all that I can give.”
* * * *
“Billy!” Laura sobbed. It is happening again. She searched for two hours for him then she went to get help. Billy was taken by a riptide, they guessed, though they didn’t know for sure. They never found the body.
“Do you want to know what happened to him?”
Laura quickly turned around upon hearing Zero’s voice.
“I will show you.”
Laura felt that pulling sensation again, then the feeling of hovering. She opened her eyes and saw Billy swimming over to the large rocks. She felt Zero’s arm around her as he watched with her. Just before Billy got to the rocks he was pulled violently away.
“Help him!” Laura screamed.
“His soul has gone on to its next level.”
“What?” Laura started to cry watching Billy try so hard to stay above water. She screamed when she felt herself plummeting downward. She splashed into the water.
“Fear not, you won’t feel anything,” Zero said as he held onto her.
“Billy…” Laura watched him struggling underwater as he tried to resurface.
“Laura, I can’t leave Laura.” She heard Billy say.
“Help him damn it!”
“His soul has moved on.”
“But he is right here.”
“Laura…”
“Interesting, his last thoughts were of you.”
Laura looked at Billy’s lifeless body sinking to the bottom of the ocean.
“The fish fed off his corpse until there was nothing left. That was why there was no body.”
“Stop it!” she screamed, trying to break free of his hold.
“Would you like to experience his fear, his pain?”
“No! Stop it!”
She lost her breath as they were propelled upward, then she felt the weightlessness of freefall. Zero had let her go, now she was plummeting to the ground. Her body hit the ground hard. She felt several bones snap, her organs being punctured and the blood oozing out of every orifice.