After Time: Echoes Of Humankind

Both Peter and Nikki listened to Jake's recount of how he survived and his travels in the intervening time. Peter saw the relieved face on Nikki as she looked at him. He smiled back at her.

He saw Nikki look at him and voice her support for the idea of Jake's for the intervening night to come.

Peter looked at Nikki and then Jake and then up at the darkening sky and the thick rolling rain clouds. He finally nodded agreement.

"I think that's the best idea. I suggest that we get a hotel on the outskirts of LA."

"Come on over and let me introduce you both to Kate," said Jake.

Both Nikki and Peter walked with Jake over to the armoured vehicle to be introduced to Kate.

And as they walked over to the vehicle Peter answered Jake's prior question. Peter shook his head and replied. "I raided a open gun shop earlier have four rifles with ammo, one semi automatic and the handgun with boxes of ammo. Thankyou anyway. I believe it would be a wise idea that he pool our resources at the hotel."

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Peter watched as Jake in a gentlemanly gesture spoke to the scared woman in the car and offered his hand, calming her. She slid across the passengers seat and out of the car.

He smiled at her and shook her extended hand. He felt her shaking out of fear that they all had felt at some time or another.

"Hello Kate, nice to meet you and my partner is Nikki."

"Does anyone know what happened? Where the world went?" Kate asked in soft almost whisper.

"How about we find a hotel and I will tell you all what I found out at the library. Lets go before it gets too dark?"

And at that moment, a rumbling noise tore through the air, getting closer but high up in the air. In the dimming light, Peter looked up and saw it was a American jet fighter. It screamed through the sky and banked north, away from LA. But it was the sight of something manmade still functioning that showed Peter that not all hope was lost.....

"Yes! You beauty! We're still kicking." Peter exclaimed.

Looking up at the diminishing form of the jet fighter and listening to Peter's exclamation Jake added, "Well at least someone knows how to fly a jet fighter. Now, I wonder, just who and for what reason. If I could do that I think I'd have chosen a recon plane of some type to see if I could locate other people rather than a fighter jet with it's guns and missles, but limited recon capabilities."

All four of them watched the shape of the jet fighter diminish into the darkening distance. He heard Jake's comment and Nikki's own exclaimations. With the disappearing of the jet from view and senses he turned his eyes away from the heavens.

Jake stated he knew of a good hotel and they all agreed. Peter finished off the own gas bottle filling as the woman talked consoling each other and Jake drove the vehicle to the station filled his own armoured vehicle up.

Once finished Peter and Nikki got into their own car they followed Jake's lead. He entered the parking area following Jake in and parking next to his car.

"Go to the others Nikki, I will unload some gear," Peter smiled at her. He watched her walk away and looked at her form then took out the package of food and water and also the gun and ammo box. Placing them in his arms he walked over to the waiting people.

Peter watched Jake as he gave the two women guns for protection and showing them how they worked and operated. Next Jake gave Peter a magnum shotgun and he placed it on top of the boxes he was carrying.

He watched the women handle the gun silently and felt that they would be able to manage in any circumstance.

"Okay, lets go. I have my penthouse key so we'll avoid the lobby until later and go right up. Get a bit settled and talk then come down for a bite to eat in the restaurant later on," said Jake.

Peter followed behind the two women, following Jake's lead. They came to a elevator which was on the ground floor. Jake turned the slot and the elevator went up, the music still playing through the loudspeaker.

The door opened and they followed Jake to the entrance of his penthouse which he opened and they walked in. Peter dropped the two bags and his guns on the floor in a corner near the door.

"Very nice place Jake," said Peter. He smiled at Nikki.

As Jake went about describing the ins and outs of his penthouse, Peter's eyes wandered, looking around. He had never known this much luxury in his life and was content and missed his small two bedroom apartment back in his town. He was glad to have met people, allaying fears that he was alone, but at the same time he wondered and hoped that nothing bad was happening to his place.

The world had changed and changed in a big way. What had been for sure, was no longer a sure thing and everything had become shifty and inprobable. His reverie was broken by Jake asking him what he wanted to drink. Moving over to the mini bar to Jake that they fix the drinks for the ladies.

Peter has a rum and cola. It is then that Nikki called for Jake in the bathroom leaving Peter alone. He moved back to the curtains and peeked out of a crack to watch the skyline of the city of LA.

He hears the laughter from the bathroom but is lost looking at the skyline.....what was to become of Earth?

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St. Marks Church - LA City District...

As the sun was setting, hanging low on the horizon, the shadows now reached out darkening the landscape between the skyscrapers of LA City. It was a frightening scene almost as surreal as a horror or sci-fic movie scene.

The shadows reached to the closed doors of the church of St. Marks and seemed to hesitate. Within the church it was dark and silent. Nothing moved and nothing seemed to be there. But perceptions were devious. For the time of Epoch was just beginning.

At that very moment that the shadows touched and licked the closed doors of the church, the lights of the church at that moment came on in all its blazing glory. And the sight was unbelievable. For the rows were now full of hooded and cloaked figures sitting shoulder to shoulder and all were looking at the podium.

Loud footsteps were heard followed by a cloaked figure that came out of the pulpit. In one hand the figure had a knife and in its other hand was a rock pitted with fissures and searing hot.

"Welcome children. Come see Epoch."

The figure raised the knife and stabbed it into the rock. For it was not a rock but part of the comet that had recently passed. The blade of the knife stabbed into the comet piece and through the hand of the bony figure. He threw his head back and it was a man...or what had been a man. For only half a race remained the rest was a blood-curdling piece of tight blue skin and thick red blood.

And from the comet piece a light shun out, and covered the cross that had Jesus hanging from it. The figure of Jesus vanished replaced with a picture that was neither heavenly or human. The beings in the rows and the leader on the podium all turned and bowed to the being on the cross - shining brilliantly only a face....

"Go forth and let us make this city ours. Once we secure the city, I will direct the building of a gateway. Until then clear the city by any means. You have two luna weeks."

PART THREE: Survival

She has been running for days, driving car after car after car. She didn't remember the last time she had slept, too afraid to close her eyes. To afraid of the what the nights had brought her. She had seen them a few days ago, and had been running from them ever since.

Erin Parker found herself in what she thought was LA, roaming the streets, bruised and worn down from lack of sleep and food. Somehow she had managed to find her way into a church and curled up in a corner where she felt some-what safe. Not even realizing she had fallen asleep, she didn't know how long she has been sleeping. Her clothes were torn, making it clear that she has been running for sometime, her hair was lazily pulled back into a pony tail. Fear ran through her eyes when she woke.

They hadn't seen her at first, no, they were busy obeying their Master, or whatever he or it was to them. He scared her the most, this was the first time she had seen him, but not the first she has seen of the others. They had seen her once before, the cloaked figures chasing her till dawn rose. During the days she ran even further and faster, harder to get away. Here they are now, in this church, a place where she was suppose to be safe against all evil and yet evil had permeated the most sanctified of all places on this new Earth.

After sometime Erin ended up barefoot, wearing through her shoes till they were no longer considered shoes, her shirt was ripped in a few places, her pants looked like she had been falling or sliding on gravel. Despite the way she looked, she was quite beautiful if cleaned up. But from a distance one would have taken her as a runaway who live on the streets. Which, well, she was right now.

After the cloaked figures had left the church, very cautiously and slowly with as little sound as possible, Erin crawled out of the church. Not knowing that one of them had seen her, it did not matter, she took off running blindly through the streets again. Wanting to scream for help, at the same knowing no one would respond or care to respond. No one lived any more, there wasn't a soul, she hadn't seen a soul for days now. Or had it been weeks? She did not know, time in this new Earth ceased to matter.

More and more, harder and harder she ran through the city of LA. Hiding in a few places just long enough to catch her breathe, then took off again when they were not around. She was hurting, hungry, tired, but feared to stop for she knew her life was in danger if she dared to stop for long periods of time.

The last alley she had stopped in she had noticed the Regent Royale hotel. At first she looked around the alley to see if there was another place to run to. There wasn't. This hotel was huge with many rooms for her to hide in. She knew they were following her, they always did like a pack of wolves. Erin hesitated towards the front of the alley, peeking her head out. That was her mistake.

Four of them had seen her, making a blood curdling sound to alarm the others that they have found life, with that she ran straight towards the hotel. Praying that she will make it inside before they get her.

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Jake parted the drapes, opening one of the french doors and went out onto the balcony to listen and look around. He ignored the view of the street lit by bright street lights and empty city spread out between the hotel and the ocean. Instead he looked down at the street and saw a figure running screaming toward the hotel chased by four others a bit away and behind her.

He didn't hesitate when he realizes it's a female being chased by the sound of the a weak scream and beastial howls from those behind her. He runs down the balcony and into his bedroom by other french doors.

In a few steps he's across it, opening the gun cabinet and a drawer under it. He pulled out a military sniper rifle and a round magazine from the drawer. As he ran back to the open door to the balcony he slams in the magazine, smacks it to be sure that it's seated and works the operating handle to load a round into the chamber.

As the bolt slams closed again he's back on the balcony and looking down where he last saw the woman running. Her pursuers are closer now as he shoulders the rifle, rests the back of his hand on the balcony railing and looks through the low light enhancing scope mounted on it.

The first one he sees in it is the one being chased, definitely a woman. As he tracks backward from her he finally spots a robed figure chasing her and reverses the direction he'd been moving the rifle to lead his target. He unconsciously takes a full breath and exhales then another and exhales half of it as his finger begins to squeeze the match trigger assembly.

The rifle's flash supressor limits the muzzle flash as the rifle fires with a thunderous *CRACK!* that echos through the streets where the only sound had been her weak scream of apparent panic and fear and the howls from her pursuers.

The scope returns to the target in time to see it drop to the pavement. Jake swings back from that one to the next closest and repeats what had just happened.

*CRACK!* The second pursuer drops to join the first on the street.

Again a new target is acquired, this one staring up toward the balcony it's pale white face making a good target as he stands staring open mouthed.

*CRACK!* And number three drops like a sack of rags to the street.

Remembering his grandfather's advice about never leaving a live enemy to come back to haunt you, Jake finds number four as it's spinning to run off, having overcome it's shock at what's happened he guessed.

He waits to establish a lead on the running, retreating figure then *CRACK!* and number four crumples to the sidewalk at the mouth of an alley.

Looking down at the woman he hollers, "INTO THE LOBBY. WAIT BY THE ELEVATORS. I'LL BE RIGHT DOWN TO BRING YOU UP HERE WHERE IT'S SAFE."

The gunfire had brought out Peter and Nikki and then Kate naked from the bathroom to stare out through the bedroom window at him.

"Peter, Nikki inside and get your shotguns," Jake calls to them as he heads into the bedroom again.

"Kate," he says in passing, "put on a robe and get your shotgun too then into the living room. I'll be right back, I hope."

The rifle's safety is engaged then it's dropped on the bed as he runs into the living room.

Once there he grabs his pistol belt from the couch and puts it on, grabbing his long gun and says to Peter and Nikki as he heads for the door, "You two stay up here and guard the elevator. If a woman or I don't get out of it when it comes back don't hesitate, either of you, shoot them. It means we're most likely dead and you're on your own."

In the hallway he runs to the open elevator and releases the Stop button that had held it there and presses the Lobby button. As it goes down he checks his weapons then stands in a corner with the long gun pointed at the doors.

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Erin Parker was getting closer to the hotel, growing weaker with each step forcing herself to keep moving. She was sure that one of them almost grabbed her he was so close. This caused her scream, another scream was blocked by the sound of a gun. So close, so close to the doors and now they had guns? When and where did they guns?

Another shot rang through the air and dropped to her knees curling into fearful ball. Tears broke free as two more shots hit the air, didn't even notice that they were not aimed at her, nor did she notice that the ones that had been following her were gone.

A voice? A human voice? She couldn't make out the words as the ringing of the gun, added to her heart rate rang in her ears and head. After a few moments of no activity around her, she still heard the sounds that the creatures made, luckily they were in the distance. When she looked up all she could see was the Royale in front of her, she never looked back, it was dangerous to look back. Her mind was screaming at her legs to move but they wouldn't for the longest time, somehow she forced them them to move. It hurt to stand, let alone alone walk, her hunger and weakness was getting the best of her.

Managing to get inside the doors, Erin locking them and fell to her knees facing the door as she began to cry. Now they had guns, there wasn't anyone alive to help her, that voice could have just been her thoughts and nothing more.

Sliding the rest of the way to the floor, wishing she knew what that voice had said, if anything at all. She was safe for now, least it felt safe as she closed her eyes, silently crying while laying down feeling the weakness of sleep creeping closer.

She didn't respond when she heard the elevator stop and the door open, too weak to run anymore. If they were going to kill her, this would be that moment. As the stranger got closer to her, he can see the bruises and scraps in various spots along her body. It was hard to tell how long she had been traveling.

Curled up into a tighter ball on the floor as he got closer, she could feel him getting closer. Hear his breath as she held hers, Her back was towards him, mid back, raven black hair was matted into a pony a tail. Looked liked she would have to cut the hair tie out to free her hair. It was clear that she had been without shoes and running on bare ground for sometime, her fear was extremly high, her weakness even higher.

Without looking at the stranger that she felt was there, even felt his gun.

"Please.... D- d-on't.."

Her voice was hoarse and dry, the screams she let out moments ago practically killed her throat. Waited for him to hurt her even more, or kill her.

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When the doors opened it was to an empty lobby, or so it seemed at first. Cautiously Jake scanned one side then the other as he moved across the door quickly. No one was visible.

He exited the elevator and moved into the lobby proper. He was several steps long before he noticed the figure in the ragged clothes laying curled up on the floor not far from the glass doors.

Still scanning the lobby, but now also watching the figure he crossed until he was looking down at her, now it was obviously a woman. The flesh visible through the tattered clothing made that obvious

At the hoarse plea, "Please.... D- d-on't.." Jake squatted and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder as he said, "No one'll hurt you now miss. It's okay. I took care of those whatever they were that were chasing you. Didn't you hear me yell down to meet me at the elevator so I could get you to where it's safe miss?"

As he spoke to her he alternated between looking outside for more of 'them' and down at her as she shivered under his hand.

"It's okay I promise miss. My name's Jake."

Erin flinched at the touch of his hand, expecting the worse, shivers started to course through her from both fear and as her calmed down from the running.

"I...I heard a voice.... But.."

Swallowed hard, it has been while since she spoke out aloud, her own voice didn't sound the same to herself. Almost embarassed to be like this, but at the same time thankful that someone was alive.

"I couldn't make out the words.... It happened so fast... I wasn't.. even sure if the voice was real.."

Erin thought about for a second as she slowly, painfully turned around to see him. Her bright blue eyes filled with weaken fear, reached a hand out to touch him. Felt real, his face warm against her hand. She looked up into his just has fresh tears fell from hers, he was real. And so far didn't seem to be like Them, after a few seconds longer she buried her face against his chest. Clutching at his shirt as if afraid to let him go. He was first person she has seen in what seemed like forever.

A moment later after she gained some focus, pulled back apologizing to him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.. Just your the first person I've seen in so long. I've been running since Texas, running from them."

Closed her eyes acting as if she wanted to look back, but refrained herself from doing so.

Jake helped her to sit up and hugged her gently when she moved and pressed the side of her face against his chest. As Erin pulled back he kept his arm loosely around her to support her.

"It's okay now. You're safe miss. I'm Jake, remember. I took care of the four chasing you. They won't chase anyone ever again. Why don't you come with me. I'll get you something to drink and we can go upstairs and join my other new friends. You all, there are two other women and a man upstairs, are the only ones I've found so far."