Rise of the River Man: Chimera Chronicles, #1

Imagine a world filled with human-animal hybrids.

They're stronger than us. Faster. More deadly and hungry. Always hungry.

Now, step inside the laboratory and witness their creation.

Created as weapons. Designed to obey.

No one expected them to want revenge.

This is Mutter's story.

For the first time in his life he's afraid.

Afraid of the shots his new master is giving him.

Afraid that if he doesn’t escape, he’ll become food for one of the creatures in the nearby cages or worse...

He'll become one of them.

Book one in the Chimera Chronicles is a stand-alone dystopian, genetic engineering story about human-animal hybrids. It’s urban fantasy/science fiction that’ll make you question who the real monsters are. Whether you’re an animal rights activist or just love your pets, this book will make you root for those in the laboratory.

Copyright © 2015 L. S. O’Dea

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:978-1-942706-04-5 (LSODea)

––––––––

All rights reserved.  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

For film and TV rights inquiries: AuthorLSODea@lsodea.com

This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover Design by Damonza

I love hearing from readers. 

Please contact or follow me.

https://www.lsodea.com/

If you want to read the stories before they are published, follow me on Ream. You'll get access to my work(s) in progress as I write them. www.ReamStories.com/AuthorLSODea

https://www.facebook.com/LSODeaAuthor/

Closed Lake of Sins FB Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137774923650964/

https://twitter.com/lsodea

Or email at AuthorLSODea@lsodea.com

Get a free book when you sign up for my newsletter

http://lsodea.com/join-the-lake-of-sins-readers-group//

––––––––

Here are some of the perks of being a member of the Lake of Sins Readers’ Group

Group Only Giveaways

Sneak Peeks of illustrations, book covers and stories

You can also join the closed FB group for all things Lake of Sins.

Go here to join

http://lsodea.com/join-the-lake-of-sins-readers-group/

If you want to read the stories before they are published, follow me on Ream. You'll get access to my work(s) in progress as I write them. www.ReamStories.com/AuthorLSODea

To My family: 

The older I get, the more I realize how lucky I am to have all of you in my life.

The world of the Lake of Sins

––––––––

This story takes place hundreds of years after the Great Death visited the earth, killing most humans, all domestic animals and all wild animals larger than a turkey.  Those who survived were left with the task of rebuilding society. 

The new social structure is based on a class system.  The classes important to this story are the Almightys, Guards and House Servants.

Almightys, the only direct descendants of the human race, rule the other classes.  They are generally between five and six feet tall with pale, alabaster skin. 

Guards belong to the Almightys and are used for hunting or protection.  They are between four and six feet tall and their hair color varies.  Their eyes are usually brown and they have a light coating of hair on their bodies.  Most males wear facial hair.  They have large canine teeth used for biting and tearing.  They are strong, fast and heal quickly.  Their senses of hearing, smell and night vision are superior to Almightys. 

House Servants also belong to the Almightys but their role in this society is to manage the households and businesses of the Almightys.  They are slender in build and between four and five feet tall.  They have a light coating of hair covering their bodies.  The males are usually clean shaven.  They are born with fangs and claws, although their claws are often removed by their masters.  Their eyes are usually a vibrant hue and their senses of night vision, hearing and smell are superior to the Guards’. 

Unwanted Guards and House Servants are taken to the local shelters and executed if not purchased.

Mutter is a Guard who is no longer wanted.  This is his story.

CHAPTER 1

MUTTER WAS IN TROUBLE.  No one wanted a Guard like him.  He was too big, too strong and too ugly.  He stretched out on the concrete floor and winced.  His ribs were definitely broken, but he’d fought and won with broken bones in the past.  He started coughing.  It was this sickness that had cost him the match.  He sat up; the coughing subsided.  He’d pleaded with Vickers, his Almighty master, not to make him fight but the money had already switched hands.  He leaned his head against the bars of the cage.  He’d lost the fight and now he’d lose his life.

The door opened and a male Almighty around thirty years old with blond hair entered the room followed by Satcha, the House Servant who ran this establishment.  The Guards’ Shelter didn’t allow visiting at this hour but Almightys did whatever they wanted.  Mutter didn’t bother to stand up.  He’d learned his lesson.  Right after he’d arrived, he’d trimmed his beard and had tried to look pleasant, but it had done no good.  Every time that he’d run to the front of the cage and had smiled at the Almightys, he’d smelled the fear on them.  Most had tried not to look at him, but he was big and scarred and hard to ignore.

They stopped in front of his cage.

Ableson, this is the one I told you about, said Satcha.  Looks like he was a fighter.  So, he should be used to obeying.  I thought he might work for you, but he does have a bad cough.

Just a little tickle in my throat from this damp, rotten place.  He hated Servants.  They didn’t know when to keep their big mouths shut.

The Almighty remained quiet, his blue eyes never leaving Mutter.

Come here, said Satcha.

Mutter wanted to stay where he was to annoy the Servant but Guards like him didn’t get many chances for a home.  He stood slowly, letting the Almighty get used to his size and appearance.

How old are you? asked Ableson.

Not sure.  Been around for a while but not too old.  That was the safe answer.  He had counted nineteen winters but that might be too old or too young.  He never could tell what an Almighty wanted.

By his teeth and body we estimate around twenty-five to thirty years, said Satcha.

Ableson twirled his finger.  Mutter understood that signal.  Before the fights had started, when the betting happened, he was often sized up by the gamblers.  He turned in a circle, giving the Almighty time to study him. 

I’m strong and healthy.  That was a lie but he would be healthy again.  He just needed a little time and some food.

I need an obedient Guard.  The Almighty’s eyes roamed up and down his frame. 

Won’t find one more obedient than me.

Let’s see if that’s true.  Ableson walked down the aisle.  Is there another Guard who he’s close to?

Him?  Satcha laughed, following the Almighty.  He’s so big and ugly even the other Guards stay away from him.

Ableson stopped in the hallway.  Take this one out.

The Servant opened the cage and slipped a rope over a young Guard’s neck.  Mutter’s chest pinched.  Typical.  The Almighty’s always chose the young ones.  His only chance was gone.  They would walk out and soon he’d be executed.  He started to sit back down, when the three of them stopped in front of his cage. 

Put her in with him, said Ableson.

Ah, we keep the younger ones separated from the older ones, especially the older males, said Satcha.

The Almighty didn’t say a word, but his look was enough.  The Servant muttered an apology and opened the door, shoving the young Guard into Mutter’s cage. 

He glanced at the little Guard who stood as far away from him as possible.  She couldn’t have been older than nine.  She had russet hair and large, frightened, brown eyes.

Hit her, said Ableson, his tone conversational.

Wait, said Satcha.  That one’s young and attractive.  I can find a home for her.  Let me get—

I’ll pay for both.  The Almighty’s eyes never left Mutter. 

Mutter kept his face a mask but his stomach clenched.  He didn’t want to do this.  He’d fought females before but they’d all been experienced fighters. 

I need an obedient Guard, repeated Ableson.

The girl trembled in the corner, tears running down her soft, round cheeks.  Please, don’t hurt me.

Pleading never changed anyone’s mind.  He knew the game and it would be her or him.  He stared into the girl’s scared brown eyes.  Bruised, broken or dead? 

Just hit her.  I’ll tell you when to stop.

Mutter stepped forward.  The girl curled in a ball on the floor, pleading and crying.  He grabbed her by the shirt.  She weighed next to nothing, all skin and bones.  He punched her in the gut, making the blow look harder than it was, but the girl