The City of Dreams (The Phoenix Mountain Series Book 1)

Chapter 1

(Chapter song ‘Hotel California’ by Eagles)

FALCON RIDGE - TWO YEARS AFTER OCCUPATION

The school bell rings, and I slam my locker shut.

The halls of Falcon Ridge High fill quickly as I put my science book in my bag and fight the zipper. Students and teachers weave around me and say nothing.

I like it that way. The more people that see through me, the better. I wonder if the new place will be like this one. I hope not.

“Hey, Omega. Off to shine shoes for the Captain again.”

I eye the letterman leaning on the lockers as I pull my strap on my shoulder. They laugh, clap hands, and I narrow my eyes. He gives me a dirty look and move on. I would have said something, but it would only end in blood… And my therapist is adamant that I need to keep my emotions in check. Just once, I would love to put guys like that down and not get in trouble for it. But I’m in no position to do that, so I let them talk. It’s been a year since my last infraction, and hopefully, by the time I get home today, my life will change.

I shove the doors open to the quad and jog down the stairs. The trees are colorful, and the leaves are falling. As my sneakers crunch on the sidewalk, the cool wind blows my dirty-blonde hair. I feel him stir behind my chest and ignore him. He’s trying to egg me into going back, but I’m not fueling him. My wolf doesn’t control me.

Most days.

I stop at the edge of the road in front of a beat-up Dodge that probably has about 10 miles of life left. I reach into my pocket and fish for my keys. Giggling has me turn to a yellow convertible, two cars down, and bunch of girls looking my way. I squint in the sun as the driver pulls out of the spot and revs the engine beside my car. I follow them as they laugh and drive away. I shake my head and pull out my keys.

One more day.

As I search for my car key, my head is cuffed. I flinch with an ‘oof’ and scowl.

“What’s up, bonehead? You were supposed to wait.”

“I did wait. You’re late.” I mumble as I find my key and walk by Len Duffy. My best friend since I saved him from a bunch of guys when we were 10. Knocking over the entire bike rack was not well received by the seniors. I protected him and he’s been glued to me ever since. I don’t mind him. He can be really fun and likes to do the things I do. He can be annoying and a little stupid, but as far as humans go, he’s okay. For the last year, he’s been juggling school and work because he’s on his own out here. He won’t talk about it and because he’s 17, no one seems to care what’s going on with him. One day he’ll tell me.

I step off the curb and walk around the car as he leans on the other side. “I know, but you know that girl in chem class?”

I stop and think. “You mean Claudia?”

“Yeah.” He grins as I unlock my door. “She smiled at me and I’ve been working up the courage to say hi for the last 15 minutes.”

I eye his brown eyes as he stabs his moppy brown hair. “Did you?”

“No… Ricardo showed up and they left.” His lips shrink as he opens his door and flops in.

I put the key in the ignition and it chugs. “Man. When are you going to stop chasing unattainable girls.”

“She’s not unattainable. I’m a great catch.”

After three tries I flops back and roll my head to him. “She’s dating the basketball captain who has 4 inches, 100 pounds, and a GPA of 93.”

He gives me a stupid grin. “Yes, but I have every Halo expansion, the full discography of My Chemical Romance, and all seven seasons of Buffy on DVD.”

My jaw falls and a blank expression falls over me.

He adjusts in seat and pulls his belt on. “Director’s Cut. No girl can resist that.”

I just need to get home. I lean forward and try my starter. The car engine rumbles to life. “Where’s your bike, anyway?” I check for traffic and pull out.

He reaches into his bag and pulls out a baggie of animal crackers. “At the shop. I wrapped it around a tree.”

“Again?” I furrow my brow and glance. “How did you do that this time?”

He waves me off. “I was taking a short cut around the Unit and was going a little fast. Almost hit a truck. Well, I swerved and caught my balance. The driver started lipping me off, so I called him a pussy. He slams the brakes, gets out, and acts all Alpha and shit.”

“Was it an Alpha?”

“Um… yeah… A council one.”

“Jesus, Len!” I shake my head.

“He pulled a gun and aimed it at my head!” He taps his two fingers to his temple. “The other military jerks had to pull him back. The dude was psycho! I got out of there ASAP.”

“And that’s when you hit the tree?”

“No, that was downtown. This girl was wearing the shortest skirt I had ever seen in my damn life—”

“Len!”

“What? The tree came out of nowhere!” He pinches his brow.

“Oh my God.” I bite my lip and turn down a side street to a small neighborhood in one of the lower areas of town. I pull over in front of a brown, run-down house with a severely sagging roof. I put the car in park and Len undoes his belt. I watch him gather his stuff and get out. “You, uh… You sure you don’t want to come to my place?”

“Naw. I got a ton of homework to do and you’ll distract me with Call of Duty.” He slips on the wet, uncut grass and shuts the door as I drop the window.

“You don’t do homework.” I call bullshit.

“I do.” He starts to walk backward. “Just… not consistently. See you tomorrow!”

“Yeah.” I start the car and watch him run around the side of the house, open a window, throw him bag in and climb in after it. I hope I can get him out of here too; I sigh as I pull away.

The trees shed leaves in the wind as I turn onto the street where I was born. Halfway down sits a red brick two-story. It’s more than enough room for me and my grandfather. There would even be a room for Len if he took my offer. Even though I lived here my whole life, the last place I want to be is here. It’s different and the farther I get away from it the better.

As I turn into the black-top driveway, I lean over the steering wheel. “Son of a bitch.” I whisper as I throw it in park and push open the door.

I sling my bag on my back and stride around the car. “Grandpa!” I walk onto the garden path leading to the back where my 76 year old grandfather is on his knees, pulling weeds. “Grandpa! What are you doing? I told you I was going to do that after school.”

He coughs, then dumps some weed in his bucket. “I’m fine, Jakey.”

“No. You’re going to get sick. It’s wet, cold…” I pick up one of my energy drink cans off the grass and tip it over. I push it to him. “Did you drink my Bull Blaster?”

He adjusts his glasses and looks at the can. “Let’s see. Um, yep! That’s what it looks like.” He goes back to his garden. “Good stuff.”

“Good stuff? Do you know how much caffeine—You know, never mind. Get up.” I drop the can and wave him up.

“I’m fine! I’m trying to work—”

I grab him arm and start to lift him to his feet, with him groaning and grumbling. “No, you’re trying to spike my blood pressure. Inside!”

He stumbles to his feet as I steady him and he fixes his red sweater. “Alright, Jakey. Alright.” He scowls as I guide him to the house. “You know it wasn’t too long ago that I was chasing you into the street. I can still to that, you know.”

I climb the porch steps, making sure he doesn’t trip. “I know, Grandpa. You can kick my ass, but pneumonia can kick yours. Get inside, change your damp sweater, and dinner will be in an hour.”

He turns and wags a finger in my face. “Fine, but you better have those weeds pulled. I won’t let you half-ass it like your father use to.”

“I won’t. I promise.” I lead him inside, and he walks to the stairs.

“Can’t have any fun around here!” he yells. “Might as well be in a home!”

I chuckle as I drop my bag and pick up the mail. As I sift through medical insurance, light bills, my car note, a yellow envelope catches my attention, and I drop the rest. I flip it over and read it.

From the Falcon Ridge Security Unit

C/o Office of Head Alpha

My heart thumps as I tear it open and pull out the tri-folded letter. I wander the floor as I read.

’Dear, Mr. Wallace.

As you know we have been taking many applications for the civilian migration to the newly acquired territory of Phoenix Mountain City. The requirements for this migration was based on potential, skill, and contribution to better the city’s future.

Upon reviewing your application, I’m please to tell you that your application for you and four family members has been accepted, and we invite you to join us in Phoenix mountain.’

I freeze, re-read it, and grip the paper. “Buses will leave Falcon Ridge Terminal at 9 am. Only bring travel bags, as everything will be provided.” I look up. “Good luck. Bastian Cole… Head Alpha.” My mouth falls slack, my mind spins and I can’t contain it. “WHOO!!!”

I jump, spin, and do a backward shuffle; I twirl and dance around the kitchen.

“What?! What’s wrong?! What’s with the yelling?”

As my Grandfather walks into the kitchen, I rush him and shove the letter in his hands. “We’re in! We got in!”

“In where?” He lowers his glasses and reads.

“Phoenix! We’re going to a new life!” I laugh, kiss his cheek, and rush into the living room while pulling out my phone. I dial as I shoot up the stairs. “Len!… “No, shut up! Listen, pack your bags, bud… “I got the letter!… “Yeah!” I push open my bedroom door. “No, you’re coming, too. You and me, man. The best life… “Okay. I’ll call you later.” I hang up and toss my phone on my bed.

I look around and walk to my dresser. I open it and grab some clothes. My smile fades as I pull out an upside-down photo and turn it over. The faded photo shows a time when things were last good. My Grandpa, me and my father. I back up and flop on my bed. My eyes land on my dad’s smiling face and my chest tightens.

“I’ll make you proud of me again. I promise.” The frame falls between my knees, and I chew my lip as all the dreams I have for the future play in my head.

The bus ride was a long one, but Grandpa got some good naps in. They weren’t kidding when they said everything was being paid for. I haven’t had to worry about a thing the whole trip. Which is good because I don’t know if I could handle paying for this and babysitting Len at the same time.

As I watch the red desert pass by, I don’t know how I feel about leaving the trees behind. I scan the mountains on the horizon and the blazing sun. I watch my Grandfather snore with a book on his chest. I look down at my phone and finish filling out his medical records and our insurance.

I hope I’m doing the right thing.

“Hey.” Len hits my seat as he walks up the aisle and shoves a bottle in my face. “Tell me if this is good enough for the surface of the sun.”

I pick the bottle off my chest and read it. “It’s SPF 150. What do you think?” I toss it back and go back to my phone.

“Uh, I think we’re going to live in the desert and I have sensitive skin.” He furrows his brow as he slips into his seat. “I want to be protected.”

“I’m sure your fine,” I mumble.

The airbrakes release and I feel the bus start to slow.

‘Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now approaching Phoenix Mountain City. Please remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.’

Muttering starts to fill the bus as we all try to see out the front windows. The buses in front turn off the highway and start to drive up a less serviced road. Red dust clouds rise as we follow them, and the mountain wall stands in front of us.

“Whoa,” Len breathes as we both lean out into the aisle.

The road turns and the mountain splits. A pass opens up and the lead busses drive into it. It’s like a massive city just grows out of the sand. We lean down to see the tall skyscrapers and the sun gleaming off them.

“Holy shit!” I try to see out the side window and see the twisted metal skeleton of the dome and a bunch of construction equipment around it.

Len leans on my seat. “Is that the death pool?”

“Pretty sure it is.”

“Wicked.” He grins.

‘Once you’re settled, you will have an opportunity to sign up for guided tours. Please see your representative for details.’

The bus turns onto a street that leads up a hill. I watch hundreds of people walk up and down the sidewalks and go into shops located at the bottoms of the buildings. This place feels too big for what it is. Billboards flash messages, “Welcome to Phoenix. Drones fly from the top of the valley and zip across the city, between the buildings.

Up ahead, the Phoenix Mountain Security Unit stands at the top of the hill. The large gate opens and the busses drive in.

I watch soldiers on fields and in the lots. I suck in my top lip. This is a new life. Things will be different. They have to be different.

The mumbling grows as the mountain wall behind the Unit starts to open. A large camouflaged door lifts and the busses are swallowed into a grey metal tunnel with rows of lights. The road dips down and the lights on the busses come on.

‘Please remain seated. I assure you, this is only for your safety.’

“What did he mean, our safety?” Len scowls.

“Not sure,” I say low. The tunnel fills with hollow echoes as the busses travel farther down. They level out, and the place opens up to a wide underground area with military trucks and what looks like military tents. The buses pull into parking lots, and the drivers open their doors. I gently wake my Grandfather and grab my bag.

My eyes are everywhere as I help grandpa down and Len jumps down beside me. As we leave the busses a row of men in black military uniforms stands a distance away.

One with red hair steps forward and waves in. “Gather here! Come on! We won’t bite!” He places his hands on his hips as families and single travelers gather around them. “Thank you!” His eyes drift around us. “I hope the ride was okay and we are grateful that you decided to join this city. We will try to make the migration as painless as possible, but there will be a process. First, is anyone here for the science and R&D program?”

Several put up their hands.

“Good. You can gather and follow these gentlemen out; they’re waiting for you in the Unit.”

I look around me as random people leave and join other military guys who show them to the elevators on the wall behind our speaker.

“Civilians! I’m sure you’ve been told that everything will be provided to you. If you need any special treatment, please let us know. You will be given shelter, but it will take time as construction from hostels is still on-going.

Len leans to my ear. “Hostels? Did he say hostels?”

“Shush.” I scowl.

“We ask that you stay inside unless with a military escort. And I will also remind you that you will not be permitted to leave the city. What you see and hear is classified. You will be allowed phones, but they will be monitored for security purposes. Around the room are bunk houses where you will stay until housing is established. Please see your bunk leaders if you have any questions. Thank you.”

“Anderson!”

“Yeah!”

“Bunk house 2!”

“Aberney!”

“Here!”

“Bunk 3”

“Acosta!”

We stroll through the group with caution as people are taken to the tents with their stuff.

“You can check out…”

“But can never leave.” I finish with concern.

“Welcome to Hotel California.”