The Last World (22 page)

A nearby nurse hurried over to her and helped Doug move her to one of the chairs. “I’m sorry
, Mrs. Drake. His implant failed; there was nothing we could do.” She grabbed hold of his white lab coat and cried into his shoulder. He knew she’d leave marks on his coat, but he didn’t care. They could always be washed off. What mattered was a human life was over; the fact the man disgusted him while alive wasn’t the point. That was the moment the power loss reached the hospital.

*****

From where he stood, Franklin could see everything happening across the world. Planes, ships of every size, cars, even submarines shut off with everything else. In minutes, the teeming billions inhabiting the world he called home were without power of any kind. Anything that held an electrical circuit, no matter how primitive, wouldn’t work until the Orion IV ceased to function. Thanks to the brilliant scientific mind that developed the technology that wouldn’t happen for millennia. The Earth would be spared the fate of the rest of humanity by never advancing beyond nineteenth century technology. Only basic machines not relying on a circuit would function. Things would be different, of that Franklin was already aware.

“You have done well.
”

Tanok, or what remained of him
, stood next to Franklin as they watched what was happening below them. The Earth looked like the worlds he’d been shown shortly after his induction in the field. “What do I do now?”

“You live
. We live on as a race.”

“So much death…”

“Millions must die so billions live. Is that such a horrible trade?”

Franklin could only shake his head. After a brief pause
, he looked over at Tanok. This day was the first and only time he was ever able to see through anybody. He thought that maybe here, in this place, Tanok would be as he used to be. “I thought you were gone.”

Tanok shook his head and his ghostly image became solid before disappearing completely.
“I am nothing more than a dream. Farewell, my friend.”

Franklin remained alone for several minutes
, unsure of what happened. In many ways, Tanok betrayed him, betrayed his world, but how could he be held responsible after seeing what the disease was capable of? In the end, Franklin was betrayed by only one thing: Himself. Tanok never intended to allow them to become one, such an ability in even one person could lead to the deactivation of the Orion IV. Franklin allowed himself to remain blind to that, but not to the people dying below him. They were real and his visions were what? Visions, dreams? Whatever they were, they showed him something he would never be able to apologize for. Even now, as the whiteness surrounding him began to turn darker, he knew he would forever be responsible for his actions. It was a secret Franklin would carry to his grave.

The vision in his mind faded to complete darkness. He could feel his arm draped over someone’s shoulders. After a few steps
, he realized it was his father’s and he tried to help, but his efforts were weak at best.

“Easy
, son, I‘ve got you.” Franklin heard other sounds coming from others as they stumbled through the darkness. Only when a door opened before them and the bright sunlight of early afternoon poured in, did he understand. Because of him, the human race would always be condemned to seek the light by stumbling through the darkness.

About the Author

Ed White
, AKA
 
CP Bialois,
 
is a former retail manager and jack of all trades turned author. One of the original members of the Writer’s Club, Ed currently has five books published and is part of an anthology under his pen name CP Bialois. His first novel, Call of Poseidon, is available in the Broward County Library system. Always willing to help, Ed offers his time to edit his fellow Writer’s Club members’ books as well as help his fellow authors in their endeavors. When not in the library writing, Ed can be found on twitter @cpbialois, Facebook CP Bialois, and his blog cpbialois.wordpress.com

Other works by CP Bialois:

Call of Poseidon

Before Atlantis disappeared beneath the waves it was a thriving city populated by the descendants of Poseidon. To protect his children the Greek God of the Sea gave them a conch shell from his necklace. According to legend whoever held the conch could summon the power of Poseidon to do their bidding. With their island nation gone the remaining survivors went underground as they worked to build their nation back to the power it once was.

A secret society wants what was once their property and they’re willing to kill for it. Their top assassin is sent to steal the Conch of Poseidon from the Museum of Natural History in New York. With two dead security guards left in her wake the Raven leads her pursuers through the streets of New York. As he is forced to face demons from his past police detective Floyd Reese is forced to deal with his own demons as he’s forced to work with a rookie FBI agent to solve the case.

While he struggles to find a common ground with his new partner it quickly becomes apparent that there’s more to the case than the F.B.I. let on. The race to find the legendary artifact from Atlantis becomes a race to save the world from a madman. With forces beyond their imagining controlling the outcome one question is asked:
 

Can the powers of an ancient Greek God influence the modern world? Find out in the Call of Poseidon.

The Sword and the Flame: The Forging

In a world where magic and the sword rule and dragons are forgotten, a band of friends find each other but can they overcome their own fears and trials in time to fulfill their destiny? Their adventure begins in The Sword and the Flame: The Forging. Before a weapon can be used, it must be forged in the fires of life.

The Sword and the Flame: The Purging

From the dawn of their world, dragons have fought to control all those they deemed beneath them. With Pyrain on the brink of destruction, peace was found and the dragons returned to their hidden burrows to sleep until the world was ready for them to return. One, a giant red dragon, has planned for his own release for hundreds of years. Will Berek and his friends prevent the end of their world or will the great Fyrelynx rise to rule the land?

Skeleton Key

From the imagination of CP Bialois, author of Call of Poseidon and the Sword and the Flame series, comes a collection of short stories filled horror and suspense. Nothing is as it seems in the world around us. Join us as we step through the doorway and into the unseen workings of our world. With each story, Skeleton Key will warm your heart with a brother’s love, break it with the ultimate betrayal, and bring the shadows around you to life.

Keep telling yourself it’s only a book, and maybe that sound you heard will be just a tree limb scratching against the window. Be sure to read the paper in the morning, as it may save your life. And never, go into a room without something to defend yourself with. Most important of all, relax and have fun.

Stranger Passing

Eron Lightheart has always been a dreamer. While thievery is the preferred and respected way of life for a Halfling to embark on, Eron has other plans. Facing a determined sister and mother wishing him to follow the path of his people, the young boy is determined to become a brave warrior.

Reinhart, a warrior with a painful past, is embarrassed to have been caught unaware by a young boy while napping. He takes it upon himself to see the child gets home safely, having no idea he’s about to enter a town inhabited by Halflings.

Will this stranger be able to help Eron fulfill his dream?

Lyrical Muse

Lyrical Muse is a collection of stories that reflects life's rhythms through everyday people.