What if the first man reborn of an evolutionary leap doesn't like his new life? Is escape even possible? The time is right for introducing the world to the marvels of techno-medical advancements. An influential man, one loved and adored, is needed for the job, and who better than celebrity Chase Sterling? After suffering injuries no one could survive Chase is rebuilt like no one has ever seen before. In the not-too-distant future a man—if he can still be called a man—breaks away from the forces taking over his life and finds new purpose in the secret world of hiding believers. Victoria Buck is a lifelong resident of Central Florida. She clings to the Gospel, serves in the local church, relishes time spent writing, and curiously contemplates the future. Her first novel, Wake the Dead , is available on July 25th. Wake the Dead By Victoria Buck Pelican Ventures, LLC Copyright © 2014 Victoria Buck All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-61116-336-0 CHAPTER 1 In the near future ... Chase Sterling, with great pride and sentiment, announced the unmatched prizes awarded by his primetime unreality program, Change Your Life. "A hundred million in a world exchange account and a ninety-foot yacht to take you to the Caribbean island mansion built for you and your family, Judy Bamber." The five thousand fans lucky enough to hold tickets to the show that night applauded in wild astonishment. Chase lifted his hand, and the cheers fell to a low roar. "That's not all, Judy. You'll have the best surgeons we can find to turn you into a goddess, and you're the new owner of a WR Selfdrive dealership sure to gross millions every year." The cries of the throng rose louder. But without the glint of a tear or a single word of gratitude, Judy Bamber dropped to her knees and her portly middle-aged mug slapped the golden stage. Chase pored over his shocked and simmering congregation. He had to sustain the momentum. The fans had just witnessed the biggest win in the show's history. And the most dramatic reaction — Judy's face hit hard. Not that a broken nose mattered now. She'd soon have a new one. Electric blue beams coursed through the auditorium and the music reached its peak, but the crowd hushed. Along with them, millions, maybe a billion, likely held a collective gasp in front of their GrapheVisions. Chase had to deliver, to pull yet another miserable soul from the ranks of the poor, the sick, and the unattractive. His mission, his destiny, was to make winners out of losers. That's what he planned to do for the rest of his life. No one could stop him. The glorious anthem that accompanied every win ebbed to the melodic equivalent of bated breath. Nice touch. The director played the situation well. But he'd better not flood the stage with medics. Chase could get this dumpling off the floor. He knelt on one knee next to the show's newest chosen one and turned to the crowd. "People, help me out. Judy is missing the moment." He hoped it worked. "Scream loud enough to wake the dead!" The hum escalated to a roar and the walls seemed to shake. Within seconds, Judy rose to her feet as though a hand had come through the stage to thrust her upright. Or else, from somewhere among the brilliant lights overhead, a puppeteer had tugged a string and lifted her. Chase stood and clasped her hand. She smiled, having survived the greatest moment of her life with no visible damage. No broken teeth. No swollen nose. A reverberation of awe, decibels lower than the dead-awakening shriek, swept through the assembly. Chase kept his eyes on the risen Judy Bamber, but he knew from where he stood that some in the audience dropped to their seats or to the floor of the narrow aisles. No one seemed concerned about this contagion of fainting. Those still on their feet held their stare on the newest victor. Chase swallowed hard. It felt like the first time he'd announced a big win. What a privilege to bestow such a blessing. The network supplied the goods — by means of the advertisers, of course — but Chase bestowed the bounty on this floating, glowing gazillionaire. He was Judy Bamber's savior. She was the star, at least for the moment. He was the endless sky. "Judy, are you all right? You gave us a scare hitting the floor like that." She scarcely giggled as she nodded. "Forgive me." "You are our biggest winner ever. How does it feel?" She lifted her hands to the lights. "It feels like air, Chase. Like I couldn't