The Rising

[xGrim]

The Rising​

Prologue

Living day by day. Month by month scavenging scraps of food left by the remnants of humanity. Ren found himself running and hiding from creatures every night. Creatures that hunt using the smell of blood. They are hunters that act like sharks but mimic humans to lure them out of hiding. Imagine hearing a voice calling out only to find a mouthful of teeth waiting to devour you.

It was April of 2005 when they rose from the sea and started attacking everything in sight that moved. Once there was blood in the air it turned into a feeding frenzy. Ren was at his mothers when they rose. First seeing it on the tv as the news anchor shakily tried to explain what was happening all over the world. He turned to his mother and asked, "what do we do? "

His mother starts yelling to start boarding up the windows and doors. Ren then asks, "well what if we need food?" His mother Ella, looks at him with tears in her eyes and says "we will have to forage and scavenge. It wont be easy and things are going to get a lot worse. We have to stick together to get through this." With tears in her eyes his mother walks over to the window to continue nailing boards across it. Meanwhile outside you can hear nothing but screaming, explosions and the roaring of creatures. These roars sound like a low guttural bellow that fill the air with terror. Surprisingly the news anchor on the television continues to broadcast on the situation.

Ren and his mother were living in New York when the rising started. Living in such a densely populated area made it easy for these creatures to pick people off. On the television the news Anchor starts talking about a scientist named Dr. Saritoga from Japan who has made some significant discoveries in regards to the Rising. The creatures are coming from a rift that has opened on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Someone, or something is sending these creatures to annihilate humanity. The creatures have been named the Rykeros. Using CCTV camera footage and footage submitted by people surviving on their own. Dr. Saritoga has made some observations about the Rykeros, for example their skin is a dark greyish blue with azure stripes down their back. Their heads are shaped like a sharks head but more humanoid, instead of a snout there's a nose with slits instead of nostrils. Shark eyes but located where a humans eyes would be. A mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth curved backwards and serrated. The worst part about the Rykeros is that they're sentient. With intellect rivaling humanities elites. They know what they are doing when they tear you apart and enjoying it. What is their goal? Why did they rise now?

 

[xGrim]

Chapter One

A month has passed since the creatures known as the Rykeros rose. Somehow the news station that Ren and his mother have been watching is still airing news about the creatures and the current situation. Currently the Rykeros are focusing on thinning the population, taking out the weak and the young first. The carnage has spread across globe as the Rykeros rip and tear their way to the top of the food chain. Ren has gone out on runs for food and water many times since the rising began, but now things are getting worse.. The creatures have been using their mimic ability to confuse adults into thinking kids are in danger. Just to lure them to a gruesome death.

It was time for Ren to do another run as their food was getting low. He started by checking apartments that have been broken into and destroyed by the Rykeros. Ren looked in the cabinets in the kitchen first for canned food and other useful stuff to help survive. Things like toothpaste or toilet paper are like gold now. A hot shower seems like a dream at this point for Ren. Opening the cabinets Ren noticed that there was a few cans of peaches and peas along with a few other types of fruit and vegetables. As he started to pack away the cans of food into his backpack he heard a low bang coming from one of the bedrooms. One of the creatures must have climbed in through the broken window. Ren ducks his head down below the edge of the counter and tries to get control of his shaky breathing. These creatures have amazing hearing and one move and it's over for Ren.

Using it's voice it let's out a cry that sounds exactly like a baby in pain. The Rykeros snarls as it walks around the corner on all fours before stopping and standing upright like a human would. Using it's voice it let's out a cry that sounds exactly like a baby in pain. Their legs bent backwards at the knee with arms that have razor sharp bone-like spikes coming out of their elbows. With four inch claws on each finger, all it would take is one swipe from this creatures powerful clawed hand to tear someone in half. Their ears look almost pointed like an elf but in a sinister curve backwards at the tip of each ear. Using it's unique nose that has 3 slits on each side of the bridge the Rykeros lowered it's head back to the ground and sniffs picking up a scent. Suddenly the creature jumps onto the kitchen counter lifting it's head and letting out a loud roar before looking around the kitchen for it's prey. Ren's heart jumps into his throat as he realizes he needs to run as fast he can and try to lose the creature. Ren's mind races as he thinks to himself "Where do I go and how do I get away without being caught?". As he quickly looks around the room he realizes that the way the Rykeros got into the apartment was through the fire escape. With his adrenaline pumping he slowly starts to make his way to the bedroom before the Rykeros can realize what he's doing.

Halfway to the room Ren looks around just as the Rykeros realizes where he is. Using all of his might and adrenaline Ren runs to the fire escape in the bedroom and hurries out the window and down the ladder. As he makes it to the bottom of the stairs he could hear the Rykeros roaring in anger as it runs out the window and slams into the railing of the stairs. The railing being old and rusty enough to break with enough force gives way as the creature slams into it causing it to fall three stories to the ground landing on a pipe sticking up from the concrete. The creature lands hard and with a sudden cry the creature squirms and tries to move. Ren realizes that the creature was impaled through the skull but somehow still alive. Thinking of it as an act of kindness Ren picks up a large piece of concrete and bashes in the head of the Rykeros. Ren then picks up his bag, his clothes now stained with blood and heads home. Todays run is over.

Walking in the door of the small apartment he shares with his mother, Ren looks around for his mother. Ella, his mother walks towards him from the kitchen noticing all the blood covering her sons clothes she looks at him with worry and sadness in her eyes. All Ella ever wanted for her son was for to have a great future doing what he loves, instead he goes out and risks his life to make sure they both survive. How long before he finds a gun and starts fighting these creatures? Is that what it's going to come to? Ella's eyes start to fill with tears as she thinks about these things. Ren walks towards her and says "Mom, it was close today but I'm alright. I may need a weapon for future runs as these creatures are deadly and cunning." Ella turns to him and nods her head, not knowing what to say. Despite the blood all over her son, Ella walks over and take Ren into her arms embracing him. Ella says to Ren "I love you my boy, I just want you to be careful out there. One wrong move and I don't ever get to embrace you again." Thinking to himself Ren turns to his mother and asks, "What if we leave the city and try to move more inland? It might be safer the farther we are from the water. It will also give us time to find weapons and more food on the way after we decide on a place to go. There has to be somewhere that's safe from these monsters."

 

[xGrim]

Chapter Two

Ren is suddenly woken up from a deep sleep filled with dreams of terror. Lightning cracks across the sky outside as thunder booms loud enough to shake the apartment. Storms are when the Rykeros are most active and violent. The rain hitting their skin somehow makes these creatures stronger and faster. Going when it's storming is almost impossible, it's best to hunker down and hide. Outside all that could be heard is roars and voices in the street. The mimic ability of the Rykeros has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, using the eerie voices to trick people into thinking their loved ones are hurt and require aid.

As he looks around to his mother, Ren looks at her and quietly says "I hope this storm is over soon, once it's over we need to pack our stuff and think of where to go." Ella, look terrified says to her son " what about the colder areas of Canada? We aren't far from the border." Looking at his mother Ren stands up and says "It's decided then, as long as we stick to the middle area of Canada away from the coastlines we should be safe. We just need to wait out this storm"

Loudly the Rykeros outside crashed into apartments and houses through the windows and doors looking for their next prey. All of a sudden a loud scream splits the air, one of the Rykeros has found someone. Ren looked through a crack in their boarded up window to see what was going on. Outside the Rykeros pounced using their powerful back legs to jump at least ten feet to close the distance between it and the prey. Landing on the girls back using the claws on it's right hand to slash into the right shoulder of the girl which had to be no more than twenty one years old. Slicing deeply into the muscle in the shoulder severing tendons and breaking bones as it's slashes downwards. The girl falls forward onto her knees before landing face first on the ground. The creature let's out a triumphant roar as it starts slashing the girls back with each clawed hand over and over again until the girl stopped convulsing and breathing. It was over for her, all she is now is a meal for this monster. The Rykeros leans down towards her back and sticks it's tongue out and slurps up a big gulp of blood. Spewing some of it out of the slits in the nostril on each side. As if to laugh at it's prey before starting to devour the girl. Taking huge bites out of the girls torso, the creature didn't care if it was flesh or bone it was eating as it's deadly teeth crunches through anything.

Ren looked at his mother with a terrified expression as he starts to whisper to her. "Pack your things and food.. Now mom. We have to leave." In a hurry Ella races through the apartment looking for anything they might need and is light enough for them to carry. Outside they have a car but there has been so much creature activity around it that it might be difficult to get to it safely. Ren starts looking for anything that might make a loud noise or bang outside. Something they can use as a distraction, suddenly he remembers. His father gave him a slingshot for his thirteenth birthday. Maybe, just maybe he can use the slingshot to break a window outside to distract the creatures and give them enough time to get in the car.

It was almost morning when Ren and his mother finished packing up their stuff, they fit as much canned food into their bags as they could along with a few medical supplies like the bottle of penicillin, alcohol and gauze. In just an hour or two their plan will be put in to motion. One last time they turned on the television hoping the news station is still on the air. Luckily enough it was and even though the news anchor looked disheveled and thin he was still trying to get information to people. As the news anchor continues to talk suddenly he brings up a place up north in Canada called Alberta. The news anchor announces that "Alberta has safe areas away from water. Survivors should make their way across the border and make the trek to Alberta. The Rykeros have taken over most of New York and the world it's now up to survivors to stick together and fight to get through this. We will win in the end. Our government is still currently running and looking for a resolution to this chaos. There is still one big question on scientists minds though. Where are these creatures coming from? Why did they attack now? Doctor Saritoga has devoted every waking hour to researching these creatures. Doctor Saritoga is already living at the institute that was setup in Alberta. This is an an institute that captures and studies Rykeros. Living or dead these creatures are interesting but terrifying. The institute is located on the outside of the wall that's setup around the safe zone. It would be too risky to have live specimens around civilians.

Ren and his mother are ready to set their plan in motion at noon. As, noon rolls around Ren looks to his mother and says "It's time to go mom, I'm going to miss this place." Ella looks at him and silently nods with tears rolling down her cheeks. Ren opens the door and starts to head down the hallway to the stairs. As they start down the stairs they hear an eerie voice call out saying "Hello? Is anybody there? I need help." Ella and Ren look at each with horror. Is this real? They can't afford to wait as they need to move as far away from this place as they can while they have daylight. Time to go. Heading down the stairs to the bottom floor they open the door to the apartment buildings lobby. They run to the door and as they open it they hear the voice behind them repeating the same eerie words before leaving the building. Outside roars could be heard from down the street. Quietly peeking over a the hood of the car they were hiding behind, Ren sees a Rykeros near their car. Raising his slingshot and aiming it at a first floor apartment building window across the street. As Ren picks up a nice sized stone to use. He pulls back the rubber band on the slingshot until it was fully extended. Ren fires a rock at the window, it doesn't break. Nearby the Rykeros let out a roar of anger, in a hurry Ren fires another shot with a bigger rock and on the second shot the window breaks. Ren and Ella give it a few minutes waiting for the Rykeros to climb the building. As soon as the Rykeros was at the first floor window and started entering, it was time to run. That's what Ren and his mother did, they ran for their lives to their car, quickly they open the doors but try to be quiet at the same time as they get in the car with their stuff.

Ren is in the driver seat and puts the key in the ignition and starts the car, as soon as it's engine turns on he puts his foot on the gas and takes off. Trying to avoid other destroyed cars on the road, Ren and his mother are finally on their way to Alberta. Their first stop is to get supplies and then the border. Ren thinks to himself, "Alberta here we come, I hope the promise of safety is true."

 

[xGrim]

Chapter Three

It was early in the morning when Ren and Ella made it to Chicago, there first stop was for gas. Driving down Main Street, Ren notices a gas station far down the street on the right. The only problem is, there are at least two Rykeros near there. Ren needed to think of a distraction to lure the Rykeros away while he fills the gas can from the trunk of the car. Parking the car far enough away around the block, Ren steps out and stretches extending his arms above his head and arching his back. It was a long drive to Buffalo while trying to avoid the creatures lurking around every corner.

Ren looks in the front seat of the car for his slingshot before finding it and putting the slingshot in the front pocket of his sweater. He turns to his mother once again and says "Wish me luck". Crouching below the rooves of the cars he makes his way around the back of the car to get the gas can. Ren starts to move around the block as silently as he can. Rounding the corner he could hear shuffling and snorting as a nearby Rykeros sniffed the ground. Ren looks for nearest car in the vicinity to use as a distraction. Hoping that the battery still has some juice for the alarm.

Sitting on the left side of the street was a new looking Subaru, aiming his slingshot and pulling back the rubber band. Ren let's loose a large rock hoping it hits the front windshield. As he watches the rock shoot through the air you could hear a loud shattering noise when the windshield cracked. The next rock will surely cause the windshield to break. With a loud cracking sound the windshield gives way as Ren launches another rock at it. Every Rykeros in the area was hunting for what made that sound, as long as they go towards the car it should be safe. As the Rykeros investigate the car Ren starts to make his way towards the gas station, crouching low but still able to move quickly.

At the gas station Ren tries the first pump, as he squeezes the handle all that came out was air. The gas station must be dry. Ren will need to siphon gas from cars until they can reach the next gas station. Looking around for a car that might have gas. Ren chooses one and thankfully he brought some tubing to siphon. The car Ren chose was an old Chevy Cavalier, sitting virtually untouched. Unscrewing the cap for the gas tank Ren puts one end of the hose in the gas tank while putting his lips to the other end of the hose. Now Ren has to do the gross part, sucking the gas out of the tank just enough for it to start pouring into the gas can he brought. As Ren sucks the gas out of the tank to start the siphoning, He chokes a bit on the fumes and taste of the gas. At least there was gas in the tank, "Maybe it's enough to get to the next gas station" Ren wonders.

After filling the gas tank, Ren crouches down and starts to make his way back to the car. With the Rykeros prowling for their prey nearby, Ren must be careful not to make any wrong moves. Moving past each car as quietly as he could it was starting to look like he was in the clear until he heard the voice that made his blood run cold. "Can you help me mister? I'm lost". Ren looks around for whoever said that, only to find a Rykeros just sitting on it's haunches with it's arms stretched forward leaning on it's knuckles. The Rykeros stared at Ren for a moment and then repeated the same chilling words. "Can you help me? Mister I'm lost". It was toying with him, trying to terrify him before pouncing. Ren turns around as fast as he can towards where the car is parked and starts to run. Using all of his might and willpower, Ren turns the corner towards the silver Honda Civic his mother was sitting in. Nearing the car, Ren's adrenaline is going wild and his heart is beating out of chest as he gets to the car and gets into the drivers seat.

Starting the car Ren once again has to have a lead foot and drive away as fast as they can. With no time to say anything to his mother, Ren speeds away. Behind them you could see two Rykeros on all fours chasing the car. They might not catch up but they will surely try. It wasn't until they left Buffalo that the Rykeros finally stopped giving chase. It seems like they are in the clear for now, as their gas will only last for so long. Ren finally turns to his mother and says "Another close call but I managed to fill our gas can." Ella looks out the front window peering up at the sky. Muttering out loud "it looks like rain". Turning to Ren, "I'm proud of you, you did well and got us out of there safely".

On the road through Philadelphia there was carnage strewn across the streets and sidewalks. It looks like there was an encampment here for survivors. The Rykeros have mutilated these corpses as if to send a message to humanity saying you're nothing more than our prey to play with. It just happens that their version of playing is to shred the torsos of their victims spreading their rib cage apart showing what organs were left uneaten. Blood sprays can be seen near each corpse showing how barbaric these attacks were. Before long Humanity needs a way to fight these monsters.

Suddenly there was a large bang on the roof of the car. A Rykeros has jumped on top of the car and is trying to get in by using its four inch long claws to pry the metal off the roof. Ren using his quick instincts immediately starts to swerve left and right as he picks up speed. Without realizing how fast he is now going, Ren keeps swerving to try and make the Rykeros fall off the roof. Ella looks at Ren with terror thinking to herself, "Find a knife for Ren to use". Searching through the console and anywhere else Ren might have stashed a knife. Finally finding one in the bags Ren brought. She needed to let Ren focus on the road, mustering all of her courage she opens her window and sticks her head out enough to see where the Rykeros had it's hand. Letting out a courageous yell Ella up and slashes 4 of the fingers off of the creatures hand. Blood started pouring down the side of the car as the creature tried to hold on. Finally with a tumble down the back of the car the Rykeros fell down and onto the road. Rolling backwards onto it's hind legs the Rykeros starts to skid. Letting out a defeated roar the Rykeros finally gives up and runs away to nurse it's wound.

Ren looks at his mother baffled at how she just saved both of them. "You're amazing mom, you just saved our lives!". Ella looks at Ren clearly upset and says "Thank you, that was terrifying.. we need to find a safe place to park for the night". Ren nods and keeps driving, looking for anywhere that might be safe. After driving for over an hour Ren finally finds a large forest with enough space for the car to fit between the trees. Ren slowly drives the car into the forest being very careful not to get stuck, stopping between some short trees that give good cover. Ren and Ella get out to find some branches to cover the car for more safety. Once the car was covered it was time to eat and sleep. Ren and his mother both need rest after the day they've had. After finishing a can of peaches each, they both lean their seats back. Ren was first watch.

 

[xGrim]

Chapter Four

It was early morning when Ren was woken by rustling outside of the car. They had parked for the night and covered the car up with brush as best as they could before trying to rest their eyes. Ella was on watch when Ren was woken by the commotion outside. She turned to Ren and put a finger to her lips as if to make a shushing motion to him. They both lowered their heads slowly to try and hide from whatever is outside. Suddenly an eerie voice breaks the silence saying "No food, let's go". Ren thought to himself, "Was that a Rykeros and did it just speak in a way that wasn't mimicking? Can they speak to each other like we can? it turns out they are more intelligent than we thought."

Finally Ren could hear footsteps receding outside, it sounded like there was two of them. "That was intense" Ren thought to himself as he turned to his mother to check on her. Ella was clearly shaken up by the ordeal, the fact that the Rykeros can communicate to this level was a terrifying discovery for both of them. Ren and Ella decided to wait another hour before going outside and uncovering the car. The Rykeros have been known to set traps and it's better to play it safe against such mischievous creatures. Ren opens his door and exits the car, he takes the brush off the car and gets it ready for travel as his mother gets their food for the morning ready. This morning they have canned pears to look forward to. Once they arrive at the next town or city they must gather food again.

After hours of driving they need to stop for to fill the gas tank. Ren turns to his mother and says " keep an eye out for a car that isn't destroyed or a gas station. We also need to find some weapons." Once Ren and Ella arrive in Pittsburg one of their goals is focus on arming themselves better if this is the world they now live in. Another thirty minutes passed before Ella excitedly says to Ren "Look, Look! There's a bunch of cars of there that look untouched in that parking lot!" Ren turns to his mother and nods as he takes a right turn into the parking lot to have a look. Parking the the car he looks around checking out the environment to see if there was any creatures around. Ren thinks to himself "I've got this" as he exits the car and walks around the back to get his gas can out of the trunk.

With the gas and hose in hand Ren moves towards the closest car. With his head down, he hesitantly moves as quietly as he can but he can't help but feel like something was wrong. With his gut in a knot he starts to unscrew the cap for the cars gas tank to be able to start siphoning with the hose. Using the hose he starts to suck the gas out before putting the hose in the gas can. There was only enough gas in that car left to fill a quarter of the gas can, so it's on to the next car. As he crouches and moves towards the next car, Ren accidently kicks a rock and it hits the side of one of the nearby cars. Suddenly a roar splits the sky as a Rykeros jumps onto the roof of the blue Kia near Ren. Standing there for a minute just staring at Ren before it jumps down to the ground closer to him. In a hurry Ren looks around for something to use as a weapon as he realizes that he forgot his slingshot in the car. To his right is a pile of rebar from a construction site beside the parking lot, with some of it being broken. With his heart racing so hard it felt like it was going burst from his chest, Ren runs over to the pile of rebar and grabs the first piece he could.

Turning to the Rykeros, Ren musters all his courage to stand his ground. Holding the piece of rebar as a spear, he knows at any second the Rykeros will attack. Still, the creature stood there looking at Ren as if toying with him. It seemed like the creature was trying to gauge what Ren was going to do. With a creepy smile on it's face you could tell the creature was enjoying the game it's made with it's prey. Opening it's mouth it utters the words "It's time to play." The creepy smile now showing it's sharp teeth as it lunged at Ren slashing it's strong claws at him. With all his might Ren used the rebar he found and tried to block the slash. The Rykeros possess physical strength at least ten times that of a humans. With the force of the slash hitting the rebar, Ren was sent flying into the car behind him. His back being slammed into the car door that it broke the window. Stumbling to his feet Ren looks at the Rykeros and screams in defiance at it. When he was slammed against the car Ren dropped the rebar, as he went to pick it up he could hear the Rykeros scoff at him.

This creature wanted to make this game last. It want's to make it hurt before it gets it's prey. With the rebar now in hand, Ren thinks to himself "you won't get me, this isn't how I die." The Rykeros now on all fours starts to act in a more feral way as if it's ready to start attacking more seriously. It lunges again, swiping it's right hand at Ren, somehow managing to dodge. Ren takes the opportunity to lunge at the creature with the rebar, using it as it spear. Using all his might he stabs at the creature managing to stab it in the back under the rib area. The rebar went deep under the ribs as Ren rips it out and goes to stab again. Blood is spraying from the wound in the creatures back as it turns around and backhands Ren sending him flying again. This time Ren recovers his footing and runs at the creature ready to stab again. Jumping on to the creatures back as it was getting sluggish from losing blood, Ren takes the rebar and stabs with all his might into the back of the skull. The creature let's out an otherworldly scream as it falls forward to its knees. Ren is now standing behind the creature as he takes the rebar and drives it straight through the top of its skull. The creature, now with it's head now bloody and barely recognizable falls forward lifeless. Ren falls to his knees, struggling to catch his breath. Thinking to himself "Did I really just survive that.." Slowly he stands up and tries to gather himself before heading back to the car with the gas can. He decides to keep the piece of rebar as proof he survived and for a weapon in the future. Back at the car, his mother looks at him with bewilderment in her eyes. She asks "what happened? I could hear you yelling but I couldn't see it." Ren was too tired to explain as he looks to his mother and says, "What matters is I'm okay, just a bit bruised and sore. I survived." It was time for them to move on, as Ren puts the quarter can of gas in the car. They were ready to head to the next stop. Ren thinks to himself, "we need to find a place I can wash up and clean my wounds. Even if it's a freshwater stream."