Read Rising: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction for Free Online Page A

appreciate their support for this, and hope in the future that we will be able to help in a manner that is beneficial to both our countries.”
     
    King William paused for a moment to clear his throat.  “Allow me to be very direct for just a moment.  I hope that you don’t take this in other than the spirit it is intended.  It is not my intention to offer moral support to you or your country regarding this matter.  My intention is to inform you that if this trade agreement doesn’t take place, then those in power in this country will take whatever measures necessary to give England the same advantages the Americas have.  The manner in which they choose to do that has not been shared with me, but I suspect it would be rather one-sided.”
    The regent sat back in her chair, rubbing both her tired eyes, and paused for just a brief moment.  “You’ll have to excuse my directness now, Your Majesty, as my mind may not be functioning one hundred percent at this hour, but did England just threaten war against the Americas?”
    King William shifted uncomfortably.  “As I said before, Regent, I’m not the prime minister of England, and I have no desire to declare war on any country.  My only intention was to offer you a little kingly advice.  Nothing more.  Once again, I must apologize for the hour, I just thought you should know before anyone else.  Good day, Regent.”
     
    The video call ended, and the regent was left alone.  “Well,” she said aloud.  “Why do I have a feeling that this already bad day is about to get a whole lot worse?”

 
     
    Nightmare Voices
    Leekasha’s sleep had been restless ever since her meeting with Patzy.  She tossed and turned most nights with nightmares.  Often she woke and paced the halls around her quarters to calm herself.  Try as she might, she couldn’t remember what the nightmares were about.  She began to wonder if there were even any nightmares at all.  Maybe there was something physically wrong with her?  Tonight was apparently going to be another one of those nights.  All her sheets were thrown off, and her pillows were on the ground.  Her mind tried to race away from the disturbing images.  Images of zombies burning in incinerators.  Images of Christa being locked in a vault somewhere.  Images of Patzy in her tanks with the surround liquid boiling.  The worst scene of all was her in the middle of a city surrounded by thousands of zombies all screaming at her.  Not just in her head, but physically screaming at her.  The screaming grew so loud it felt like her eardrums would pop.  It got louder and louder, until finally Leekasha woke up screaming in a cold sweat.
     
    She pulled her knees up into her chest and rocked back and forth.  She was sure the noise must have woken half the people on her floor.  She sat there rocking and waiting for the knock at the door.  Five minutes passed, then ten.  No one came.  How could they not have heard that?  Someone will come, I’m sure.  They wouldn’t just leave me here all alone.  Another ten minutes passed but still no knock at the door.  Leekasha stopped rocking and got out of her bed.  She opened her door and looked outside.  The halls were empty, the lights dimmed for night time.  She went back to her room.  The clock by her bed said 2:17.  Then, she heard voices.  She went back to the door and looked down the hall again.  Still, no one was there.  She poured herself a cup of water from the tap, and sat in her soft chair. Then, the voices got a little louder.  She strained to hear where they came from, but it seemed to be all around her.
     
    “It’s time,” the voice said.  “My time long gone.  Time for new. Must try outside.  Time outside go.”
    Leekasha whispered, “Get out of my head.  Leave me alone.”
    “Nowhere to go,” the voice answered.  “They’re coming for us.  Us all.  They’re coming. Go now.”
    “Patzy?” said Leekasha, pulling her feet up into the