Eternal Entity: A Dark Supernatural Thriller (The Celestial Rose Book 1) Read online

  Eternal Entity

  The Celestial Rose, Volume 1

  Annalee Adams

  Published by Annalee Adams, 2018.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  ETERNAL ENTITY

  First edition. February 2, 2018.

  Copyright © 2018 Annalee Adams.

  Written by Annalee Adams.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Eternal Entity (The Celestial Rose, #1)

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  About the Author

  For Mark, Jak, and Sophia, who inspire me each and every day. I love you.

  Chapter 1

  The carriage veered around the corner as I sat staring down at the light of a lone candle. The flame flickered, warming my face. I smiled at the anticipation that caressed each person around me.

  The sweet scent of strawberry filtered through the air.

  “Go on honey, make a wish!” She grinned, pulling me in close.

  Cheers erupted through the dank carriage as I blew out the candle; a moment which would always remain at the forefront of my memory as maturity became me and childhood disowned me.

  The desolate nature of the subway always scared me, with the shadows and darkness grinning with excitement. It wasn’t often we took this trip, but today I’d made an exception. Today I needed to act like an adult. Only kids were afraid of the dark.

  The dim-lit carriage smelt of urine and vomit as the subway railed forward in despair. With the wheels gritting the tracks, we bared around the next corner.

  “NEXT STOP: EMBANKMENT,” a robotic voice boomed through the speakers.

  “Sweet sixteen, Taylor! I’m so proud of you!” She smiled, offering me the cupcake, a family tradition.

  Every birthday at 18:13, Mum would start singing as I blew out the candle on another strawberry cupcake. I remember one year we were mid-flight to America, another year horseback riding through the peaks, and this year we happened to be caught in the chaos of rush hour on the London underground.

  We’d spent the day trailing the shops, dragging my kid brother Caleb along. He was fine once we went to Hamleys, but boy could he moan! Mum had closed her gallery for the day and taken the time off for an autumn picnic at St. James Park. It was the perfect backdrop for the cheeky glass of vino she promised me. After all, I was getting older now. It had been fun. I’m sure Dad would love his new shirt, not that he ever got out of his uniform. He ran the fire department down in Broadgate and had done so for years.

  You may be surprised to hear, considering the state of our current ride, that my parents owned a black Mercedes, with our own chauffeur. But Mum insisted that we take the subway. We needed the culture shock, she said. It was inspirational, the world with no frills.

  The doors opened as a few more passengers got on. I’d gained a few of the same traits as she had. I loved watching people, taking in their merits and flaws. Like the tired young mother, cuddling her toddler as she slept holding her well-loved teddy bear, and the older man who relinquished his seat for a pregnant lady. People were kind at heart, even the ‘different types’ with loopy ears and metal noses. Or the character in the corner with the black trench coat, hood up, face covered over. I could see he’d have a few stories to tell.

  Hanging onto the metal bar I stood watching, drifting into oblivion, as I took in the darkness of the tunnels outside. Juddering along, we came to a halt. Lights flickered as the robotic voice chimed “WESTMINISTER,” our stop and time to depart. Time to say goodbye to fifteen and hello to a whole new me, Little Miss Sixteen. Head held high, smiling for her fans like Opera at a bake sale, today was my day.

  The train pushed on its brakes as the white-washed walls of Westminster merged together. The platform was teeming with a horde of citizens, people from all walks of life; rushing from work, school or perhaps a social trip, taking in the attractions. A couple of young girls looked familiar from the junior school nearby, dressed in their classic black minis with knee-high socks and pristine white shirts. Even with its pale walls, the platform appeared dark and creepy. The lights were barely functioning, and I swear I saw the shadows dancing in delight. The world was a mass of magic and mystery, so my mother said. Then again, she loved the old black and white horrors. It was no wonder her art stirred fear within me. It was deep, dark and devastatingly beautiful. Her eyes saw a universe of beauty when ours only saw in Technicolor.

  “Come on!” a man in a business suit yelled, snapping me from a delirium of thoughts. “Are you pushing the button?” He pushed his way past me to the front of the queue.

  “Of course, I’m pushing it,” the tired young mother snapped back.

  “Here.” He pushed her hand away.

  “See, it doesn’t work!” she huffed.

  “WE APOLOGISE FOR THE DELAY. WE ARE EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES,” the tannoy boomed.

  “Great, just great!” the businessman moaned, looking at his watch.

  In amongst the commotion, the pregnant lady sat rubbing her tummy, the businessman whined to all who would listen, and the older lady had fallen asleep on her handbag in the corner of the train. However, the hooded guy stood tall and poised for action.

  “Taylor, are you okay?” Mum asked.

  “Yeah, just feel a bit strange.”

  “No more wine for the birthday girl!” She laughed, ruffling my hair.

  “How long is this going to take?” the businessman boomed.

  “Quiet, man, they’re doing their best!” a loopy eared youth yelled.

  Phasing out of the rest of the argument, I stood watching the angry commuters outside. It wasn’t like banging on the door would open the damn thing! People lose themselves in chaos, it’s just best to stand and watch, take it all in. I turned to see Mum doing just the same. People are an inspiration, she’d said.

  People, perhaps, but then what were those things up there on the steel girders? Perhaps the security crew was trying to work out the problem. There did appear to be wiring up there, as sparks fell to the ground. That couldn't be a good sign. It was hard to make them out, the ceiling was clammed up in darkness. They didn’t look like people; the perspective was all wrong. They must have only been two feet high.

  What the hell is it? Is that a tail? It was swinging from the girders. Did the zoo lose a few monkeys?

  “Mum! Do you see them?”

  “What? Where are you pointing, Taylor?”

  “Up there.”

  “Yeah, it’s sparking. That’s not good honey, they must be going up to fix it.”

  “So, you see them?”

  “See what?”

  “The creatures.”

  “What creatures?”

  “Creatures? Where are the creatures?” the tired young mother asked, eavesdropping.

  “Up there. I saw
about five of them playing with the electrics.”

  “I can’t see up there, Taylor.”

  “It’s your mind playing tricks on you,” the tired young mum smiled.

  “It’s okay, Taylor, there’s nothing there, honey. Don’t worry, we'll be out soon.”

  Why couldn’t she see them? They were as plain as day, not that you could see it was day outside. I’d say it was too much wine, but surely one small glass of the red stuff doesn’t make you hallucinate. They were still there, scampering along. I thought of monkeys earlier, but they weren’t monkeys. They bore no resemblance to anything in the animal kingdom, and nothing I’ve seen on the Discovery Channel either. If people could have heard my thoughts they would have laughed, but they did look like Gremlins. Seriously, they did. I know, it was a film, one which I hasten to add, was quite the experience. But also, a classic I hadn’t seen in years. You know the evil looking one that destroys everything? Yeah, him... they looked like him. Him and his kid brothers, the freaky looking things.

  Damn, the world went dark. Where were they? I couldn't see a damn thing.

  “Mum?”

  “I’m here. Stay where you are.”

  A child’s scream shrilled through the air.

  “Shush, Kenny, it’s just a power cut.”

  “That’s the lights gone then!” the business man’s voice trailed through the carriage.

  “Mum!” Caleb whined.

  “It’s okay, Caleb. Stay where you are. The lights will be back on it a minute.” Mum attempted to soothe him.

  Okay, don’t panic. Don’t think about the Gremlins or the freakish wires they’re playing with. It was like something out of The Twilight Zone, with the creatures on the wings of the plane. You know they’re there, you can see them breaking the safety net around you, but not one person believes you. No matter what you say, they will just think you’re hysterical, you’re afraid of the dark. Or it’ll be the wine. "Too much vino," she’ll say. "No more wine for you, birthday girl." It was one damn glass! It wasn’t the wine, it wasn’t the dark, well, not completely. It was something more, something deeper. A dreadful sickness brewing in the pit of your stomach, and ghostly shivers running up your spine. You shudder, clam up, eyes wide, breathing heavy. If I can see the creatures, can they see me too?

  Static hissed over the tannoy, emergency lights spark on, and a sigh of relief filtered through the carriage. The guy in the black trench coat gripped two silvered blades. With his face shrouded in darkness, he kicked open the back door with such a force it barely remained on its hinges. Abruptly closing it, he broke the handle, preventing us from escaping the clutches of our darkened cage.

  “Oh my god! Martha did you see that?”

  “Shit, man! What was he carrying?”

  “The door won’t budge,” the businessman yelled as he hammered on the broken back door.

  “What’s happening, Mum?” I asked.

  “I... I don’t know honey. We're safer in here now that he’s gone.” She shuddered.

  Yeah but out there, there were those weird looking creatures. Where were they? Where did that guy go and what’s with all the screaming outside?

  “Kids, stay back away from the windows,” Mum yelled.

  “What’s he doing?”

  “It’s not just him, there’s a group of people attacking something!”

  “Attacking what?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t see it, it’s too dark out there.”

  Heading over to the window, I looked out. The black trench coat guy was fighting a humongous monster. No, I’m not joking. Even my mind couldn't cope with it. The ground was seriously rumbled, opened, and a beast with the likes of the Devil's nightmares was attacking the platform's commuters. But no one could see it. No one was bothered by it. They were more concerned with the black trench coat guy and his band of merry men. They saw him as a villain, thinking he was causing the raucous. If only they could see the hellish creature before them, they would see he was trying to end its miserable life, save our lives, and perhaps even scarper with his own.

  Blood drained from my face. I must be hallucinating, this can’t be happening. I cocooned myself, leaving clammy prints on the window. Gripping my knees, my body tensed. No one could see it. I daren’t look, daren’t open my eyes. My heart thumped. Breath faltered. Hairs stood on end. The cold shrill of their screams warped through me. This can’t be real, can’t be happening. Mum, where’s Mum? I must get up. Must find my family. What’s happening?

  “Taylor! Taylor!! STOP!” Mum yelled, shaking me.

  Swallowing back the tears, I opened my eyes.

  “It’s okay honey, you’re panicking. Calm your breathing, count to ten, remember?”

  My breathing eased as I stared into her eyes counting.

  “It’s okay, it’ll be okay,” she said, hugging me and Caleb. “Those youths are just playing a Halloween prank. Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon, and we can enjoy the rest of your special day.” She smiled as the whole carriage illuminated.

  A blinding light filled the space between us; crimson reds, burnt orange, and crispy yellow flooded the carriage. The train shone with an intense heat as the walls of the station blistered. A powerful bolt of fire shrieked across the walls, hues of red, yellow, and orange intertwined as it scorched the air in such an angry, yet triumphant, way. The face of fire screamed, leaping across each person on the platform. It showed no mercy. The station turned into a scene from an old zombie film, half scorched corpses scratching around trying to get into the carriage, to escape the blazing inferno.

  Paralysis is something that happens amidst all the panic. Frantic mothers screaming for their children, fearful children screeching in anxiety, and me. I stood there frozen in the moment, petrified to the spot. My heart beating out of my chest as salty tears streamed down my face. Fingernails cut into my palms and I couldn’t hear my own breath as it leaped out of me.

  If I had needed the toilet, I would have wet myself. Caleb did. He was frozen to the spot, gut-wrenching howls fled through the station. We both stood unmoving as their screams blared out in anguish. Our frantic mother stood shaking us both, pulling us down to the floor for cover.

  The carriage blistered in the heat. Outside the screams began to die out. Low to the ground, hazed by smoke, gasping for breath, the inevitable happened. Our safe cocoon died around us. The station's ceiling had begun to collapse. Gripping my chest, I wheezed for air, body tense and braced for impact.

  “TAYLOR!” my mum screamed out, grasping my hand to pull me close.

  Head down, eyes sealed shut, I couldn’t move. The metal carriage reformed into my coffin as I lay. The train began to compact, crushed as if by a godly vice. Mum flew across the floor as the metal folded and squeezed, embracing her body like a stalker embraces its latest victim. I held on for dear life, gripping one of the train's metal poles as the ground began to swallow us up. The ceiling drew closer, darkness fell, and I braced my body for its crushing finale.

  I must have passed out. The next thing I remember is the ringing in my ears, head heavy, and blood pooling around me. I couldn’t feel the pain, but my arm spurted blood as tears wept from my eyes. Ripping my shirt, I copied what I’d seen in the movies and wrapped the cloth over the wound. Pulling on the knot, I managed to stop the spurting as I checked the rest of my body over. I knew I’d hit my head. I couldn’t see how hard, but the mass of blood in my hand was a dead giveaway.

  Where in the hell was I? Was this even the carriage? I lay amongst crushed metal, rocks, and girders. It was a miracle I’d survived. But if it was a miracle I’d survived, then where were Mum and Caleb? I’ve got to get up! I tested my feet and they moved. I got up, stumbling across the dirt and rubble. Pieces of humanity were scattered amongst the ashes. The first person I saw alive was a grubby girl of two, maybe three, a toddler screaming for her mummy. In her hand she gripped the teddy from earlier, as her tired dead mother lay but six feet away. I held her close, soothing the tears away.


  That’s when I heard it, a tender young voice familiar to my ear. I sat the girl down and started to dig. It was Caleb. He’d been protected under the seat my mother had hurtled him towards. I dug deeper. He was weary but alive. His foot was trapped under the rubble and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t free him.

  “It’s okay, Caleb, I won’t leave you,” I hushed, as he cried ashen tears.

  I sat there next to him, broken and cold. The smoke began to dissipate, like the fog lifting off the York moors, and as it did I could see the guy in the black trench coat, dancing with silvered blades. The beast was still there, teetering above him like George and the Dragon.

  “HELP!” I screamed, knocking the guy off balance.

  The beast got a swipe in as four others took over taking it down. There was a girl amongst them, and with her, the scent of roses swept through the ruins. My eyes were damaged, hazed by smoke, but I swear I could see a lion beside her, or was it a bear, maybe a wolf. I couldn't be sure, its movements blurred as it shed its skin-changing shape. A flurry of ice shot through the station, tornado’s of snow swept over the ashen corpses, settling beside me as another boy threw ice bolts towards the fiery beast, attempting to bring it to its knees. I must be mad! I must have taken a bang to the head!

  Caleb let out a gut-wrenching howl.

  “What’s happening?” he yelled.

  “I don’t know Caleb!”

  “Where’s Mum?”

  “I don’t know, I can’t find her,” I said as the sound of falling rocks scattered across the ground. “Wait, do you hear that?”

  “What?”

  “I’m not sure. Something's moving over there.”

  The toddler screamed. What was it? It must be real, she could see it. Ashen grey, ghastly and rotten, it slinked its way over to the lifeless corpses. I watched as more of the shadows formed. Swarming over the horror of the mutilated. They rose in a lifelike manner; creeping amongst the bodies of the dead, devouring all remaining energy with a slippery, snake-like nature. It was a creature like no other. Its glare caught my own as I watched it destroy the innocence of humanity. It hollered over to its pack, all eyes on me.