Chapter 10: The Soul

She was floating on a soft raft in the middle of the ocean. The gentle waves lifted her up and let her down. It was a soothing rhythmic motion. This is how Rachael felt as she died.

The soul is a tenuous string that vibrates with fierce intensity. This creates a brilliant glow that is delicious and powerful. Every soul has a unique vibration, some brighter than others. It's energy trickles in all directions, expanding, touching, and mingling with everything in its path. Sometimes, when it encounters a compatible vibration, the two momentarily combine and become exponentially radiant.

Rachael's soul was alone in the black. Its vibration slowed down and grew dark.

Somewhere in the void, there was a flutter. A glow. A speck of radiance that danced like a firefly who just found its way home.

The glow fluttered to Rachael's soul. Its energy reached out and joined with Rachael's, massaging it and feeding it. There was a gentle hum. "Rachael..." it whispered. "Rachael..."

Rachael's soul string buzzed. It was only enough to emit a dull light.

"Rachael... don't go yet..."

Her soul began to pulse.

"Don't go yet... there's still much to do..."

"...much... to... do...?" Rachael felt a warm rush flow through her. It was electrifying.

"They found us... they'll be coming for us... they won't stop until we're dead..."

"...they... oh no..."

"There's still much to do... we have to run... and to warn the others..."

"...the... others... warn the others..."

Then there was a harsh crack. A bite. A bloody tearing of muscle. Screams. The pain of a thousand cuts over every major nerve.

Rachael screamed. She jerked her head up. Blood, saliva, and poison dripped from her numb lips. A silver metal ball fell between her legs.

The ground was shaking. There was dust. Screaming. Someone upstairs was screaming, shouting. POW POW POW! Gunshots.

Something bubbled from Rachael's mind. The air rippled around her. She stood up. The ropes were lying lifelessly on the ground. She quickly surveyed the basement. There was a window behind her. The air rippled again and the glass broke. She crawled out and started running.

It all happened so fast. She heard another explosion and was halfway through a field when she finally turned around. The large, decrepit house behind her looked to be held together with duct tape and glue; it was a wonder it hadn't collapsed yet. There was an orange glow and smoke from one side. A motorcycle was parked in the driveway.

POW POW POW! She turned around and ran into the woods.