Page 2 of Camriel
The light became too bright to look at, so no one witnessed the meteors landing in the East River.Those closest to the river heard the cacophony of dozens of projectiles splashing into the water.Then the light vanished and the survivors of the apocalypse let out a collective breath.
“I guess we dodged a bullet,” Victoria said, but the swelling sense of doom that had become lodged in her gut said otherwise.Her instincts were telling her to get the hell out of Manhattan.
Curiosity was a powerful force that she couldn’t resist.She took off running, speeding through the streets that were clogged with unmoving vehicles.What was left of the authorities had abandoned their jobs, leaving the war zone of a city to rot.This was her home, so Victoria hadn’t tried to leave yet.Now, she had a feeling this was the last place she should be, but she kept running anyway.
Within minutes, the wrestler reached the East River.She climbed up the fire escape of one of the apartment buildings and peered towards the water.
“What the fudge?”Victoria murmured, eyeing the dozens of naked men who stood on the boardwalk right next to the river.They were all tall and muscular, but the mere sight of them gave her a sense of foreboding.One of them turned his head as if he sensed he was being watched.She instinctively ducked out of sight, pressing her back against the brick building.
Something tried to probe her mind, seeking entrance to her thoughts.Revulsion made her slam a mental door shut that she didn’t even know existed.Her feet went on the move as she listened to her instincts this time.She raced down the stairs and leaped to the ground rather than using the ladder.The presence in her head faded as she sprinted as fast as she could.
“It’s time to leave Manhattan, Vic,” she told herself.“I don’t know who those guys are, but it’s obvious those mother fudgers are bad news.”
Her apartment was in Chelsea, which was on the West Side of Manhattan.Victoria pushed herself to her limits and made it home in record time.Racing up the stairs, she let herself into her luxurious home and hurried to her bedroom to get changed.“Looking good,” she said to her reflection as she studied herself.She’d dressed in winter gear, since she would be on foot.The black pants and jacket were expensive and had a thermal lining.They would keep her warm, just like the others she would be taking with her.
Flicking her bangs out of her eyes, she was glad she kept her black hair short.She’d been told she was pretty, but would be beautiful if she wasn’t so huge.Appearance didn’t matter to her.It was what was inside that counted.“Fudge anyone who thinks I’m too masculine,” she muttered.One day, she’d hoped to meet a decent guy who wasn’t intimidated by her height and muscles.That had become highly unlikely now that only shizbags seemed to be left.
Victoria stuffed clothes into a huge backpack and headed to the kitchen with a duffle bag.She put it on the white marble kitchen counter and filled it with food and water.
“I hope it’ll be enough to last until I reach a safe place,” she said.“If such a thing even exists anymore,” she added mournfully.She stepped out into the hallway and closed the door, sensing she’d never return to her home.
Chapter Two
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RAHAB SENSED SOMETHINGwas wrong after he and his men hauled themselves out of the water and climbed up onto dry land.Naked and dripping wet, his soldiers shook off their daze from the fall.They’d all landed together this time, which meant he wouldn’t need to waste time hunting for them.
“I have news,” Rahab said to his unit.They immediately stopped gawking at the towering buildings and turned to face their commander.“Anarchy spoke to me before sending us back to Earth,” he told them.Anarchy was Chaos’ right hand and Fate’s nemesis.“Our eons of service will be rewarded if we’re successful in our war against the Knights of Order this time,” he said.His gaze swept over his crew, seeing the same red tint that was the mark of Chaos that tinged his own eyes.
“What will our reward be, Lord?”Phul, his second in command asked, using the title Chaos had bestowed on their commander.All of the Soldiers of Chaos were over six feet tall and were heavily muscled, just like their enemies.Phul was cruelly handsome, with black hair, dark brown eyes and dark olive skin.
“We won’t return to the Void this time,” Rahab said.“We’ll remain here and rule this planet however we see fit.”
Low murmurs of surprise came from the team.They were too disciplined to cheer loudly.Deep down, they found the prospect hard to believe.Anarchy had promised them many things during their long existence.This was just the latest lure to incentivize them to comply with his orders.Not that they had a choice.
Phul’s head turned towards one of the gigantic buildings that loomed nearby.The city was dark and the shadows were heavy.He knew someone was watching them and he reached out with his mind.
