New Gods: Rise of the Fallen

Fall into Chaos

The riots started after the news on Friday morning. Mobs of angry Americans massacred each other in a torrent of savagery. Other groups looted and destroyed homes and businesses. The media fueled the bloodshed for ratings. The onslaught climaxed at a rate that the police and National Guard could not control. Emergency services ceased to function. Hospitals were on lockdown.  

Mindless violence endured for days and the news prolonged the horror for the masses. No one stopped to question why everything turned for the worse. The doomsday scares fit their purpose. The brainwashing permeated through the decades. Hand-crafted stories cultivated the darkness that settled over the country. Everyone feared the possibility of zombies. They never realized that they became the object of an unwarranted fear.  

A suburban family was asleep when the first fires broke out in the cities. Living in their bubble they didn’t pay much attention. Not like anyone ever expected Hell to consume their neighborhoods. They had no clue what was happening around the country at that time. The tension erupted in terrifying fashion. The world was on fire around them.

At breakfast, there were calls for canceled school and no work. The news spoke of riots making different areas unsafe. All groups involved were being blamed by each other increasing the fury. It was best to stay home until further notice.  The National Guard marched into the worst areas to help fix the problem. The local police received instructions to keep the roads clear. The military aimed for one objective, elimination of those responsible for the outbreak.

They heard the explosions not long after the first trucks of the Guard drove by their home. The development startled their reality, but why hadn’t anyone started an evacuation? Why didn’t anyone tell them to leave?

The father noticed SWAT members traveling the street. They forced the family's neighbors back into their homes. The cops were pointing guns at people’s faces. He almost tore the curtains down when he tried to close them.

The kids grew nervous, so mom took them upstairs. Dad began to lock the doors and windows. He closed the curtains then went to load the handgun he kept. He took a chance of going into the backyard. Black smoke rose in the distance. Sirens roared as the ground shook. Air Force jets flew toward the city and more explosions followed.

He ran back into the house, to his family.

They sat in the large closet upstairs holding each other. Fear embraced their hearts as the noise grew louder. The house shook around them. The windows imploded and a door burst open downstairs. Shouts filled the house.

The people who came in to check on them heard four loud pops and ran to find the source. The family was in the large closet holding each other. A puddle of blood grew under them. The splatter on the walls caused a few to vomit as smoke rolled from the gun.

Someone began to scream as everything went white. No one heard the end of that scream as the neighborhood disappeared. The entire area faded to memory in a flash. The news helicopter circled around when it was cleared. A tattered flag waved with the wind and refused to relinquish its last grip on the pole.

The media managed to capture most of the footage. The newscast played their parts to perfection. They reflected the necessary emotions to instill the same feelings in their audience. The survivors with power stared at their television screens. The drama fed the vicarious desires for real horror. It was something to numb the dissatisfaction of their lives.

Thoughtless zombies devoured the destruction they watched. They judged the groups behind all the action. Some supported the motives while others issued verbal condemnations with empty words. The ratings for the news channels were the highest in history.

A Breaking News bulletin interrupted the current carnage. The anchor discussed the horrific deaths and rapes of a famous actor and his family. Now it’s back to the military story. Missiles rained from the sky. Two more medium-sized cities demolished by the Air Force. Ground troops continued the use of deadly force on anyone who showed resistance.

Another channel blamed the government for the excessive force. It failed to admit the damage done around the country. The news anchor claimed the President had created false events. He hoped to use this as an excuse to take over the country. It was a coup d’état to establish his dictatorship.

The White House issued a statement. ‘The President had no control over the current crisis. There was a continued joint effort between the federal and local government. He thanked the authorities who worked together to restore calm. It was a sad day in American histor...’

The television went black. Michael surfed through the channels; even the local stations were out of order. He passed through them a second time without any change or messages. Michael sighed and pressed the off button. The remote dropped on the coffee table. He leaned back against his folded hands.

Sam floated into the room. He leaned against the wall with his eyes locked on the sunlit window. His lack of patience was evident, but he wanted his son awake.

Michael looked over his shoulder, The television stopped working, every channel. Do you wonder when everyone will start losing power?

Not everyone. We don’t operate on their electric grid. They could have already lost power.

How’s he doing?

Same. I’m going back in to see him soon. She hasn’t left his side. I’m glad he has someone like that.

She has the same name as his mom.

Do not bring up such things, Michael. What do you want me to say?

Has there been any other news?

I have not received much. We are to stay in place until their plan becomes evident. We are to wait and make sure that Sullivan is awake and ready. If that changes, you shall be the first to know.

Very well. How much longer will it be until Gabriel arrives?

He’ll be here in another week. He should have more answers for you then.

Okay.

His shadow slipped back across the room. Michael watched him turn down the hall toward Sullivan’s room. He sighed again. He hoped the boy recovered soon.

Sam peeked through the glass in the door. His son lay on the bed, unconscious. Jessica remained at his side. She held his hand. She glanced up to see Sam and waved him to come inside. He nodded and with a large breath, he entered.

He took his usual spot against the wall. He leaned with his back against it and watched Sullivan breathe. He thought about how much Raphael had attempted to heal him. Azrael made him stop and stated it wasn’t a physical illness.

I thought his fingers flinched earlier but I realized it was my own hand moving. I was half asleep.

Sam turned his attention to Jessica, I hate waiting too. I have faith he will wake up soon. You should get some rest.

Jessica shook her head, I’ll be alright. I’m staying right here.

Very well then, I will stay with you. I apologize. I’m not the best of company.

I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you found each other again. The story is heartbreaking. I can’t imagine the things that happened to Sullivan since they abducted him. It makes me sad.

No sadness now, please, you must stay strong for his sake. We all must.

Jessica turned back to Sullivan. Sam watched her squeeze his hand with tenderness. He smiled despite himself. The girl was strong. She was stronger than even she knew. He directed his attention toward the window. He thought of all the current reports. They told him to wait until the full plan had developed. It was undeniable what they were doing.

Sam heard Jessica gasp. His head swung back to the bed and his heart leaped. Sullivan was blinking. His eyes settled on Jessica. Sam came to his other side and sat. Sullivan looked at him. The question was in his glare.

Don’t worry, you’re safe here.

Sullivan

Sullivan locked his eyes on the man. There was something about him. He never finished his thought process when he spoke to Jessica.

I’ll go let the others know he is awake.

Okay, she nodded.

The man slipped out the door. Jessica touched his face, You came back to me.

Where are we? Who was that? he croaked.

All in good time, you’ve been out for a while.

You’ve been here? I thought they took you from me.

No, the bullet hit me in the shoulder. I suffered a concussion when I hit my head. The ones who brought us here healed me and kept us safe.

Who are they?

Umm, it is better they introduce themselves.

Okay, he tried to reach up to embrace her. He struggled to reach her but she was already wrapping her arms around him. They kissed with desperate intensity. Neither wanted the moment to end as the knock shoved them back to the present.

The intruders waited for an invitation to enter. Sullivan made them wait until he had moved over in the bed. Jessica curled up beside him. He held her close as she nuzzled her head into his chest.

Come in.

Four men came into the room. The man who was there when he woke up stood against the wall behind the others. His hair covered his face. The man wearing a blue shirt came closer. His thick blond hair reminded Sullivan of a lion’s mane. He placed his hand on Sullivan’s shoulder, We’re so glad to see that you’re awake. You gave us a start.

Who are you?

My name is Michael. The one in green is Raphael. The gentleman next to him is Azrael. And the antisocial one against the wall is Sam.

Sam mumbled something that Sullivan