The Rain: The End by Marietta Standlee (good summer reads TXT) 📕

sweet. Of course, there is the never abiding anger towards the Gorongiaths who brought this scourge down on us. Just too many emotions to sort through.

My wrist tablet vibrates and rips me out of my dark thoughts. I look at it and freeze before pulling it out and extending it in size.

"What is it?" Martin asks.

"I got a message from Claire, sending me pictures of Gorongiaths unloading a ton of dinosaurs. Large ones, small ones, all different kinds." I explain.

"Where?" Martin asks in an ice-cold voice.

Unfortunately, I can't help him there, "She doesn't know, but from what she could gather, it is happening all over the world."

"Damn it!" Martin curses.

"That explains those flying bastards. The Gorongiaths haven't stopped; they ramped it up a notch." I cry, outraged.

"When will those Council members start their accusations?" Martin inquires.

I scroll through Claire's and my messages. "I don't know; she isn't saying anything about that."

Martin curses again. "What's up?" Colin asks sleepily. He must have dozed off.

I push his short, black hair back. "I'll tell you later. Just rest for now."

"I love you," he grins sweetly. So un-Colin-like, a smile forms around my lips, despite the bad news. I give him a kiss.

"I could get used to that. Do you think Dr. Pheng would give me some more morphine to keep him doped up?" I ask Martin honestly.

He laughs. "I doubt that," before turning serious again. "If Claire and the Council members won't come through, we might have to move our timeline up."

"I know." I agree, not minding the prospect at all. I'm ready to fight those bastards head-on.

Martinleaves an hour before it's time to take Colin home, but not before making sure I will be okay with Colin alone. I assure him I'll be and turn the morphine drip off. In about an hour, Colin will be himself again.

Martin assured us that Blake sent his love but couldn't come, one because he was leading the search for Caren, and two we're still trying to show a deepening rift between the brothers so we can leave. Assuring Martin and Blake can pretend ignorance in all the havoc we're planning to create soon.

On our way to our room, I stop a militiaman and order him to bring us some food. I'm not really in the mood to stand in line at the cafeteria, with Colin injured and his arm in a cast. Every once in a while, being a Commander has its perks, I think happily, justifying my demand by reasoning that both Colin and I need something to eat.

Both of us were injured, after all. It's not like we can just pick up the phone and order room service. Although come to think of it, we are in a hospital. I have to give that a try later on, I muse happily.

I notice Colin is getting tired, despite the walk from one room to the other not being that long, but a fracture is no picnic. Thank God I never had to deal with a broken bone. I yearn for our bed and wonder how we'll sleep on it, with both of us injured.

When we reach our room, the glass doors slide to the side automatically, giving us entry. The curtains are halfway drawn, as usual, so nobody can see into the room.

It happens so fast I don't even have time to think, let alone react. The moment we enter, I see Ryan sitting on our bed and Jason across, in the chair by the window. Before either Colin or I can pull out our guns, a shot rings out.

Everything seems to slow down. Impotently I stare at Jason, holding the gun with which he just shot Colin. In utter terror, I watch an ever-growing red spot appear right on Colin's chest, his eyes grow wide, and the impact catapults him back.

I scream his name, but before I can even finish, a jolt of electricity hits me, throwing me to the ground and making me writhe in pain. I can feel the stitches on my shoulder pop. But that pain is nothing compared to the pain from the electricity and the pain in my heart.

Just when I think the pain in my body is getting a little better, another jolt rips through me. Faintly I realize Ryan tazered me. He has done it before, but, just like before, there is nothing I can do about it. Nothing. Impotently I become a bystander to my own body spasming. Another jolt surges through me and another, and then it's lights out for me.

Chapter 12

My head pounds as if somebody is repeatedly hitting me with a sledgehammer. Every single muscle in my body hurts with an intensity that makes me nauseous. I can't move any part of my body, and I feel a weight on top of me, making it hard to breathe. Slowly I start to remember.

I remember walking with Colin into our hospital room. Colin! My eyes open abruptly as the pain in my heart becomes unbearable.

It takes a second or two for my vision to come into focus, but when it does, adrenaline spikes through me, and I buck as I realize the weight on top of me is Ryan. In his hand, he is holding a knife, about to slice my shirt open.

With an evil grin on his face, he says, "Ah, she's awake."

"Finally." I hear another voice belonging to the ever-present Jason.

I can't turn my head. I'm tied to a hard surface, while metallic straps hold me down. My upper and lower arms, as well as my legs, my waist, and even my neck, are held in place by the restraints. There is literally no part of my body I can move. I'm completely helpless.

With growing horror, I watch Ryan's knife getting closer to my shirt. He wiggles it underneath it and is ready to slice it open when suddenly his head explodes in a mess of blood and gore, simultaneously with a shot ringing out. My face and upper