The rhythmic tapping of rain against the kitchen window was oddly soothing as Ben Carter rinsed the last plate from his dinner. Life had been strange since the train explosion—a disaster he still couldn’t fully wrap his head around.
How he survived such a ghastly accident still didn't make sense to him. A miracle, one would say, but that ' miracle' had come with consequences - more weird things he could not understand. His hearing had become unnaturally sharp. Sometimes, if he focused too hard, he’d hear strange vibrations in the air, almost like a pulse only he could feel. Ben set the plate on the drying rack and leaned against the counter, wiping his damp hands on a dish towel. The rain outside intensified, thunder rumbling faintly in the distance. He reached for his coffee mug when something caught his attention—a faint noise from upstairs. It wasn’t the normal creaks of an aging house settling. No, this sound was deliberate, almost rhythmic. Like footsteps. He froze, the mug halfway to his lips, straining his ears. Nothing. Maybe it was his imagination. Or maybe not. Ben gently set the mug down and grabbed a flashlight from a drawer. He switched it on. The beam of light cut through the dimly lit house as he made his way toward the stairs. Each step creaked under his weight, the sound amplified in the otherwise silent home. At the top of the stairs, he paused, his heart beginning to race. The hallway stretched before him, lined with doors leading to the bedroom, bathroom, and storage closet. The noise came again, this time from his bedroom. A low, scraping sound, like nails dragging against wood. “Hello?” he called, his voice tentative. There was no answer. Ben’s grip tightened on the flashlight as he approached the door. It was slightly ajar, swaying gently as if disturbed by a draft. “Who’s there?” he asked, his voice firmer now, though fear crept into his tone. He pushed the door open with his foot, the hinges groaning. The flashlight beam swept across the room, illuminating the bed, the dresser, and the closet. Everything seemed in place, but the sense of wrongness lingered, settling over him like a heavy fog. Then he heard it—a guttural growl, low and menacing. Ben's heart skipped a beat. He turned sharply toward the corner of the room with the flashlight trembling in his hand. Something moved in the shadows, its outline barely visible. At first, he thought it might be a dog, but as it shifted closer, he realized how wrong he was. The thing was crouched low, its elongated limbs ending in jagged claws that glinted in the light. Its body was a grotesque combination of muscle and sinew, and its eyes burned a sickly yellow, locking onto him with an unnatural intensity. Ben stumbled back, his breath catching in his throat. “What the hell…” The creature lunged forward without warning, moving faster than anything he’d ever seen. Its claws raked across his arm as he threw himself to the side, crashing into the dresser. Pain shot through him, hot and sharp, as blood began to seep from the gash. The flashlight clattered to the floor, its beam casting wild, disorienting shadows. Ben scrambled to his feet, clutching his injured arm. The creature turned, its movements unnaturally fluid, and let out a snarl that rattled in his chest. It charged again, and he barely dodged, it's claws narrowly missing his face. The ringing in his ears started, louder and more intense than ever before. His vision blurred slightly as the sound grew, resonating through his skull. He clutched his head, trying to drown it out, but the vibrations began to ripple outward, distorting the air around him. The creature hesitated, its glowing eyes narrowing as it tilted its head, confused by the strange phenomenon. Ben didn’t understand it either, but he seized the moment, raising his uninjured hand instinctively. A wave of sound burst from him, a force so powerful that it knocked the creature back into the wall. The drywall cracked under the impact, and the creature let out a piercing shriek. Ben stared at his trembling hand, disbelief washing over him. He didn’t have time to process what had happened before the creature recovered, its snarl deeper and more guttural. It lunged at him again, faster this time, and Ben’s second blast of sonic energy was weaker, unfocused. The creature shrugged it off and slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. The air left his lungs as the weight of the monster pinned him down. He struggled, thrashing beneath the creature as its claws tore into his shoulder. The pain was excruciating, white-hot and unrelenting. His hands trembled, trying to summon another burst of power, but his strength was fading fast. Ben kicked out with his legs, managing to knock the creature off balance for a split second. He rolled away, grabbing the overturned flashlight. The beam illuminated the creature’s grotesque face, its yellow eyes glaring with primal fury. Ben swung the flashlight with all his might, striking the creature’s head. The impact stunned it briefly, and Ben scrambled to his feet, clutching his bleeding arm. He backed toward the door, his breathing ragged, his mind racing. The vibrations in his head grew stronger again with the sound building to an almost unbearable crescendo. Desperation took over. He closed his eyes and focused, channeling all his energy into one final blast. The sonic wave erupted from him, shaking the walls and shattering the bedroom window. The creature was thrown backward, crashing into the closet door. For a moment, it lay still, and Ben dared to hope it was over. But the creature stirred, its movements slow and deliberate. It rose to its feet, its claws scraping against the floor as it let out a guttural growl. Ben’s legs gave out, and he collapsed against the doorframe, his vision swimming. The creature stalked toward him with its eyes glowing brighter, and its movements predatory. Ben’s strength was gone, his powers drained. He tried to crawl away, but his limbs refused to cooperate. Blood pooled beneath him, his breaths shallow and labored. The creature loomed over him, its jagged claws raised for the final blow. Ben’s vision blurred, as the world around him faded away.
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ARMAGEDDON Chapter 8
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ARMAGEDDON Chapter 9
Dan wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped back from his makeshift targets. His breathing was heavy, his shirt damp from hours of exertion. He had just finished his third part-time job for the day—unloading shipments at a dingy warehouse—and had come straight to this abandoned lot. The sun had long since gone down , leaving the place covered in dim orange from a nearby streetlamp.He looked down at his trembling hands. Ever since the accident, he had not been the same - who would after witnessing such a chaotic train of events in a short space of time. A subtly warm sensation lingered just under his skin, invisible, but constant, like an engine running at low power.Dan sighed and squared his shoulders. He had to focus. He couldn’t let his powers stay raw and untamed, not after what happened with Lauren.A few feet away, he had set up trash cans and broken wooden pallets he’d found scattered around the lot. They weren’t great targets, but they’d do. Dan clenched his fists, le
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 10
Felix walked the backstreets of Seal City with his hood pulled low over his head, eyes flicking from shadowed alleyways to suspicious faces lurking in the dark. The underbelly of the city reeked of dampness, rot, and desperation—places where law and order barely reached, and where favors were bought with blood and desperation.He didn’t belong here. Never had. Felix was a tinkerer, a man who spent his days hunched over gadgets and tools, working his fingers to the bone in whatever odd job he could find to keep the bills paid. He wasn’t tough, wasn’t ruthless. But today, desperation overpowered common sense.He had spent days scouring the darkest corners of the city, chasing a rumor that had cropped up among the city’s whispers. The kind of rumor that felt too thin to be real but too persistent to ignore.Someone out there could bypass high-security systems. Someone who could do the impossible.Felix clung to that faint glimmer of hope like a man c
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Riley’s eyes widened at the sound of footsteps and low, gruff voices echoing through the darkened warehouse. She spun around, her gaze locking onto Felix, who was crouched behind a stack of rusted crates.“Great. Just great,” Riley muttered.Felix glanced at her, his own nerves rattled but his expression stubborn. “You’re the one who broke into this place. I just followed.”“Yeah, well, you’re still an idiot.”They were tucked behind a metal shelf cluttered with broken tools and rotting wood. The room stretched far, with shadows deepening toward the corners. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed only by their hurried movements.The men were moving quickly, flashlights sweeping across the room. One of them kicked over a metal can, the clatter making Felix flinch.“They’re tearing the place apart,” Felix whispered.“No kidding.” Riley’s fingers danced along a small, rectangular device she had pocketed moments before—some kind
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 12
The cell door slammed shut behind Dan with a metallic clang. The place was cramped and smelled of sweat and mildew. Light seeped in through a small, barred window, cutting through the dimness. Dan stared at the wall, his fists clenched.Dr. Sanders had played his cards well. Accusing him of trying to kill Lauren was a stretch, but the Doctor had money, lawyers, and enough connections to make things stick. Dan had barely spoken to his court-appointed lawyer—an overworked man who seemed more interested in clearing his schedule than fighting for him. It was obvious doctor Sanders had it all wrapped up. He was doneDan tried not to believe it, but doubt gnawed at him. Lauren’s father had made it clear he didn’t want Dan around his daughter. But to go this far? It felt personal.Prison life was rough, and Dan did his best to avoid trouble. Most days, he kept his head down, only speaking when necessary. But staying out of sight didn’t stop the rumors o
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ARMAGEDDON Chapter 14
Dan’s body screamed in protest as he dragged himself through the shattered window. His palms sliced on jagged glass, knees scraping asphalt. Behind him, Felix groaned, wedged between the deflated airbag and the twisted steering column."Felix!" Dan coughed, grabbing his friend by the collar and yanking. The smell of leaking fuel filled the air, sharp and dangerous.Riley crawled out of the backseat, clutching her ribs and wincing. Her laptop was smashed, wires and fragments trailing from her backpack. “I’m okay,” she rasped, eyes wide as she scanned the wreckage. “Dan, they’re coming.”He turned.The men moved with ruthless efficiency, dressed in tactical black, no insignias—just cold purpose. One held a compact rifle low, sweeping it across the wreck like he was clearing a room. Another moved toward Dan, his boots crunching glass underfoot.Dan barely got to his feet, shielding Felix. “We don’t have anything you want,” he shouted.
ARMAGEDDON Chapter 1
Dan was a man caught between frustration and resignation. His reflection stared back at him, hollow-eyed and tight-jawed, as he sat with his head leaning against the glass window, watching the blur of passengers filing into the train as their voices formed a distant hum in his ears. He’d spent the last year juggling nearly five part-time jobs, scraping together every bit of dignity and ambition he could muster to prove himself. All of it—every sleepless night, every penny saved—had been for her.But none of it had mattered.The memory of Lauren's parents was still fresh, like a bruise that wouldn’t fade. Just days ago, he’d stood awkwardly in their pristine living room, wearing the one decent shirt he owned, hoping this time would be different.But the polite smiles had quickly turned into thinly veiled contempt, and before he could even defend himself, her father’s words had cut deeper than any blade,"You’ll never be good enough for our daughter, Dan. Stay away from her."And then,
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Dan’s body screamed in protest as he dragged himself through the shattered window. His palms sliced on jagged glass, knees scraping asphalt. Behind him, Felix groaned, wedged between the deflated airbag and the twisted steering column."Felix!" Dan coughed, grabbing his friend by the collar and yanking. The smell of leaking fuel filled the air, sharp and dangerous.Riley crawled out of the backseat, clutching her ribs and wincing. Her laptop was smashed, wires and fragments trailing from her backpack. “I’m okay,” she rasped, eyes wide as she scanned the wreckage. “Dan, they’re coming.”He turned.The men moved with ruthless efficiency, dressed in tactical black, no insignias—just cold purpose. One held a compact rifle low, sweeping it across the wreck like he was clearing a room. Another moved toward Dan, his boots crunching glass underfoot.Dan barely got to his feet, shielding Felix. “We don’t have anything you want,” he shouted.
Chapter 13
It was a cool evening and Dan sat cross-legged on the stiff mattress, his gaze fixed on the metal bars of his cell. They stood there like prison guards, cold, unyielding, taunting him with their permanence. The urge to lash out, to burn them down until nothing remained but smoldering ash, had been clawing at him since he was thrown in here.But he couldn’t afford to lose control. Not with eyes always watching, waiting for him to slip up.Instead, he trained. Not his muscles—though prison life forced him to stay in shape—but his power. His fire.He reached out, his fingers curling around one of the thick, iron bars. The coolness of the metal seeped into his skin. Dan closed his eyes, inhaling slowly, trying to channel the rage and frustration coiled inside him.Heat gathered in his palm, a prickling warmth that intensified the longer he focused. His hand trembled with the effort, sweat beading along his forehead. He imagined the metal glo
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The cell door slammed shut behind Dan with a metallic clang. The place was cramped and smelled of sweat and mildew. Light seeped in through a small, barred window, cutting through the dimness. Dan stared at the wall, his fists clenched.Dr. Sanders had played his cards well. Accusing him of trying to kill Lauren was a stretch, but the Doctor had money, lawyers, and enough connections to make things stick. Dan had barely spoken to his court-appointed lawyer—an overworked man who seemed more interested in clearing his schedule than fighting for him. It was obvious doctor Sanders had it all wrapped up. He was doneDan tried not to believe it, but doubt gnawed at him. Lauren’s father had made it clear he didn’t want Dan around his daughter. But to go this far? It felt personal.Prison life was rough, and Dan did his best to avoid trouble. Most days, he kept his head down, only speaking when necessary. But staying out of sight didn’t stop the rumors o
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Riley’s eyes widened at the sound of footsteps and low, gruff voices echoing through the darkened warehouse. She spun around, her gaze locking onto Felix, who was crouched behind a stack of rusted crates.“Great. Just great,” Riley muttered.Felix glanced at her, his own nerves rattled but his expression stubborn. “You’re the one who broke into this place. I just followed.”“Yeah, well, you’re still an idiot.”They were tucked behind a metal shelf cluttered with broken tools and rotting wood. The room stretched far, with shadows deepening toward the corners. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed only by their hurried movements.The men were moving quickly, flashlights sweeping across the room. One of them kicked over a metal can, the clatter making Felix flinch.“They’re tearing the place apart,” Felix whispered.“No kidding.” Riley’s fingers danced along a small, rectangular device she had pocketed moments before—some kind
Chapter 10
Felix walked the backstreets of Seal City with his hood pulled low over his head, eyes flicking from shadowed alleyways to suspicious faces lurking in the dark. The underbelly of the city reeked of dampness, rot, and desperation—places where law and order barely reached, and where favors were bought with blood and desperation.He didn’t belong here. Never had. Felix was a tinkerer, a man who spent his days hunched over gadgets and tools, working his fingers to the bone in whatever odd job he could find to keep the bills paid. He wasn’t tough, wasn’t ruthless. But today, desperation overpowered common sense.He had spent days scouring the darkest corners of the city, chasing a rumor that had cropped up among the city’s whispers. The kind of rumor that felt too thin to be real but too persistent to ignore.Someone out there could bypass high-security systems. Someone who could do the impossible.Felix clung to that faint glimmer of hope like a man c
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Dan wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped back from his makeshift targets. His breathing was heavy, his shirt damp from hours of exertion. He had just finished his third part-time job for the day—unloading shipments at a dingy warehouse—and had come straight to this abandoned lot. The sun had long since gone down , leaving the place covered in dim orange from a nearby streetlamp.He looked down at his trembling hands. Ever since the accident, he had not been the same - who would after witnessing such a chaotic train of events in a short space of time. A subtly warm sensation lingered just under his skin, invisible, but constant, like an engine running at low power.Dan sighed and squared his shoulders. He had to focus. He couldn’t let his powers stay raw and untamed, not after what happened with Lauren.A few feet away, he had set up trash cans and broken wooden pallets he’d found scattered around the lot. They weren’t great targets, but they’d do. Dan clenched his fists, le
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Chapter 7
The rhythmic tapping of rain against the kitchen window was oddly soothing as Ben Carter rinsed the last plate from his dinner. Life had been strange since the train explosion—a disaster he still couldn’t fully wrap his head around. How he survived such a ghastly accident still didn't make sense to him. A miracle, one would say, but that ' miracle' had come with consequences - more weird things he could not understand. His hearing had become unnaturally sharp. Sometimes, if he focused too hard, he’d hear strange vibrations in the air, almost like a pulse only he could feel.Ben set the plate on the drying rack and leaned against the counter, wiping his damp hands on a dish towel. The rain outside intensified, thunder rumbling faintly in the distance. He reached for his coffee mug when something caught his attention—a faint noise from upstairs.It wasn’t the normal creaks of an aging house settling. No, this sound was deliberate, almost rhythmic. Like footsteps.He froze, the mug ha
Chapter 6
Dan's apartment.Felix paced back and forth in Dan’s small apartment, the place felt eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath his steps.“Dan,” Felix said, breaking the silence. “You have to talk to me. You're saying you just set something on fire with your hands. Your hands, dude! How is that not the first thing we’re freaking out about?”Dan sat slouched on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers laced together tightly. He wasn’t looking at Felix; his eyes were glued to the floor. Inside, his mind was a whirlwind of fear, guilt, and confusion.“I don’t know, Felix,” Dan finally muttered.“ All that matters now is that Lauren is dying…and I couldn't save her,” he said looking up at him with a grim expression.Felix blinked, caught off guard. The frustration in his face melted into something softer, almost apologetic. He sat down on the armrest of a nearby chair, his face lined with worry.“ Come on man
