GENESIS RESET: A Family Survival Novel

by Karen Brady

Genres: Women's Fiction; Thrillers; Psychological Thrillers

Synopsis

How does one woman keep a devastating secret hidden for ten years?

For a decade, Sienna has harboured a secret so profound, it could alter the course of humanity. On the night of her wedding anniversary, surrounded by her husband Tyson and their loving family, it's time to unveil the truth.

As the celebration unfolds, shock and disbelief surge through the room. Sienna's revelation stuns everyone: a terrifying world event is imminent, one that will shatter their reality and change their lives forever.

Sienna’s family must confront their deepest fears, unravel the truth, and brace for an uncertain future. Every bond is tested, every emotion laid bare.

Will they survive against the odds in a new world, or will chaos tear them apart?

Dive into Sienna’s harrowing journey — a heart-wrenching tale of love, courage, and the unbreakable spirit of a family facing the end of the world as they know it.

 

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Release date: July 29, 2024

Publisher: K B Publishing

Print pages: 220

Sample

                         PROLOGUE

A Poem by the legendary 16^th Century English prophetess Mother Shipton

A fiery dragon will cross the sky 
Six times before this earth shall die 
Mankind will tremble and frightened be 
For the sixth heralds in this prophecy.

For seven days and seven nights 
Man will watch this awesome sight. 
The tides will rise beyond their ken 
To bite away the shores and then 
The mountains will begin to roar 
And earthquakes split the plain to shore.

And flooding waters, rushing in 
Will flood the lands with such a din 
That mankind cowers in muddy fen 
And snarls about his fellow men.

He bares his teeth and fights and kills 
And secrets food in secret hills 
And ugly in his fear, he lies 
To kill marauders, thieves, and spies.

Man flees in terror from the floods 
And kills, and rapes, and lies in blood 
And spilling blood by mankind's hands 
Will stain and bitter many lands.

And when the dragon's tail is gone, 
Man forgets, and smiles, and carries on 
To apply himself too late, too late 
For mankind has earned deserved fate.

His masked smile his false grandeur, 
Will serve the Gods their anger stir. 
And they will send the Dragon back 
To light the sky his tail will crack 
Upon the earth and rend the earth 
And man shall flee, King, Lord, and serf.

But slowly they are routed out 
To seek diminishing waterspout 
And men will die of thirst before 
The oceans rise to mount the shore.

And lands will crack and rend anew 
You think it strange. It will come true.

And in some far-off distant land 
Some men oh such a tiny band 
Will have to leave their solid mount 
And span the earth, those few to count, 
Who survive this cataclysm and then 
Begin the human race again.

But not on land already there 
But on ocean beds, stark, dry, and bare 
Not every soul on Earth will die 
As the Dragon's tail goes sweeping by.

Not every land on earth will sink 
But these will wallow in stench and stink 
Of rotting bodies of beast and man 
Of vegetation crisped on land.

But the land that rises from the sea 
Will be dry and clean and soft and free 
Of mankind's dirt and therefore be 
The source of man's new dynasty.

And those that live will ever fear 
The Dragon's tail for many a year 
But time erases memory 
You think it strange. But it will be.

       **************************************

       

Chapter One

Saturday 27^th October 2046 AD

Anniversary Dinner

After shopping in Edinburgh for her wedding anniversary dinner, Sienna Loughty, a retired history professor, makes a detour to the gardening and hardware shops once again to buy more fishing hooks and plant seeds. We can never have enough for our survival.

Meanwhile, her husband Tyson, a retired surgeon, is driving to the airport to collect their son Ronan, his wife Olivia, and their two children Conner and Ella, who are flying in from Dublin.

Their daughters Tilda and Maisie are driving up to Scotland from London with their boyfriends Billie and Lorenzo to celebrate their parents' and grandparents' wedding anniversary together.

Sienna packs up her car and drives home cautiously through traffic, staying under the speed limits. Her journey to their family's home nestled in the Scottish mountains feels significant.

Behind the wheel, she navigates the winding roads that weave through the rugged landscape, leaving the urban chaos of the city she loves in the rear-view mirror.

The familiar sights and sounds of the city life she grew up in, where she studied history and later became Senior History Professor at Edinburgh University, fill her mind as she manoeuvres. Memories flicker like fleeting shadows of the loved ones she knows and will leave behind. With each passing mile, she feels herself drawing closer to the protection of the mountains, where she intends to find ultimate security for her family.

The road twists and climbs higher into the hills, the landscape changes from bustling streets to rolling countryside, from quaint villages to rugged mountain peaks. Immersed in the splendour of her surroundings, Sienna finds comfort and healing in nature's embrace.

Driving by their small loch icing over in the coldness of October, she glances at the serene yet stark landscape. A wave of conflicting emotions washes over her, from the beauty of the ice-covered expanse to the stark reminder of the harsh reality she faces. For a moment she feels a sense of calm and gratitude to have found their sturdy home within its acres of greenery.

As she tore her eyes away from the loch and refocused on the road, the lingering sadness and apprehension stayed with her. The stark, icy landscape was a poignant reminder of the harsh reality she faced.

Finally, Sienna arrives at Bonnie Bungalow nestled among the peaks. She gazes at its marvel, with strong stone walls built in the thirteenth century and renovated to its glory by skilled Scottish construction workers. It's the home where they will all be together on the eventful day that she fears.

Her mind races as she reminds herself that she's not brave like her father, who died trying to save their neighbours in a house fire when she was seven. Witnessing that event made her avoid bravery, but now she must be brave to save her family from what's coming.

She enters the bungalow with its luxurious interior, met by their fawn Pit Bull Barney’s welcoming wagging tail, her belly rumbles with anxiety as she lays down the shopping and moves through their beautiful four bedroomed safe haven down into the cellar towards the secure bunker, which has taken their life savings to construct and stock with necessities. She places the fishing hooks and seeds into their detailed compartments. “Please God I hope we won’t need them,” she whispers.

Back upstairs, Sienna unpacks the shopping in the kitchen and starts preparing the elaborate dinner, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. With palpable tension in the air, she navigates the kitchen with determination, her hands moving automatically as she feeds Barney.

With deft movements, she chops, stirs and seasons, her actions a façade of routine masking the turmoil raging within her. She tries to focus on the task at hand, on the practicalities of preparing a feast for her family, but her thoughts keep drifting back to the announcement she must make, the words she must speak and shatter the illusion of life as they know it.

Mixed with the aroma of roasting food is a sense of apprehension, a gnawing unease that gnarls at the edges of her mind. She can’t shake the feeling of impending doom, the knowledge that everything she’s known and loved is on the brink of collapse. Yet, beneath the surface of her anxiety, there’s a flicker of optimism, a glimmer of perseverance that refuses to be extinguished.

In the dining room, she sets the table for ten with care and wonders what lies ahead. In the midst of chaos, she remembers the darkest day ten years ago when she discovered what was to come and began preparing with her husband to save their family.

 

Chapter Two

Family Arrival

Barney with his high-pitched bark runs to the front door as a car engine roars onto the driveway. Sienna opens the sturdy door and Barney rushes outside to their daughters’ arrival. Tilda and Maisie step out from the back seat smiling as he wags his tail, licks their hands in delight and they hug him fondly.

“Hello Barney,” they echo.

Lorenzo and Billie greet Barney with familiar smiles and hello’s as they collect their belongings from the boot of the car and enter the warm bungalow.

After long embraces and kisses, Sienna shows them to their luxurious respective rooms, each with its own en suite and decorated to high standards of comfort with king size beds.

“Wow! I love how you’ve redecorated the rooms mum.”  Tilda and Maisie echoed as they placed their luggage down and moved around to check out all four rooms leading from the expansive hallway, noticing the carefully planned out sizes and number of beds in their brother Ronan’s family room.

“I’ve not much else to do since my retirement and it gives me pleasure to see you all up here as often as possible. How else can I entice you up in the middle of nowhere to stay with your ole parents and Barney.” Sienna smiled.

“I love coming up mum and I come up as often as I can, but you know my work and strenuous travel schedules get in the way.” Tilda reminded her as she hugged her again, missing her mum.

“Yes, I know that love, let’s go settle in the living room and open your favourite wine to relax and wait for your dad to get back with Ronan from the airport.” Sienna suggested as she walked down the hallway into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

The four guests sat comfortably in the luxury large living space, fussing over Barney, as Sienna prepared drinks and brought them through on a tray.

“Chablis for me and you Tilda. Lager for the lads and a lemonade for you Maisie.” Sienna handed them drinks and sat down to rest, trying not to think about her dreaded evening announcement that she’d gone over in her mind hundreds of times.

“What’s the new fashion for Spring and Summer going to be? Sienna asked Tilda, knowing she had already consulted designers on their advanced collections.

“Back to flares mainly but pretty much anything goes these days. Fashion isn’t what it used to be in your day mum.”  Tilda replied sipping her delicious chilled wine, smiling at mum, who no longer took notice of fashion trends, being too preoccupied with keeping a huge secret, whilst painstakingly preparing for it arrive.

“What’s new in the beauty business?” Sienna asks Maisie.

“Back to extended lashes for Spring and Summer with more natural looks” Maisie replied, fluttering her blue eyes to flaunt her newly curled, dark lashes.

“How’s your screenwriting going?” Lorenzo asked Billie in his Californian accent.

“Great thanks, I’ve just been accepted again by the Brothers in New York to produce another independent film.” Billie answered humbly in his Birmingham accent.

“That’s fabulous bud, well done. If they need any music produced, you know where to come” Lorenzo replied with a wink, knowing that Billie always recommends his services to his clients and vice versa.

Barney barked and ran back to the door to greet the rest of the family arriving. Tyson opened the front door as calm as ever and carried the luggage with Ronan as they entered.

After more loving and welcoming embraces, Sienna showed Ronan and Olivia to their larger room with a double bed and a neat set of bunk beds for Conner and Ella nestled into the corner next to the en suite.

“This is lovely mum, thanks” Ronan said as he hugged her, smiling with pleasure at its glamorous, comfortable and spacious interior.

“Can I go on the top bunk please?” Conner pleaded.

“I’m not climbing up there I’ll go on the bottom.” Ella replied rolling her eyes and sounding like a princess.

“Come on let’s get you lot settled in with a drink,” Sienna suggested as she lead them back to the living room to sit with the others and entered the kitchen to prepare more drinks.

“Let me help you?” Olivia suggested in her Norwegian accent.

“No need love, you get settled in with the others. Are you still drinking Vodka Coke?

“You know me too well Sienna.” Olivia smiled and entered the living room.

Sienna arrived with another tray full of drinks. Lemonade for the kids and a large coke for Tyson. Vodka coke for Olivia and Irish cider for Ronan.

They all nestled into the large couches as the kids sat on velvet bean bags on the floor.  Sienna marvelled with the presence of her gorgeous family. She felt the wonderous embrace of her living room, her heart swelling with warmth and contentment as she gazes at her happy family.

The soft glow of the dimmed light casts a golden hue on their smiling faces, highlighting the love and connection they share. Her husband Tyson’s gentle smile, her children’s and her grandchildren’s, laughter, and the sense of togetherness fill her with a profound sense of gratitude and pride.

She wants this moment to last forever, feelings of a deep, serene happiness, cherishing the harmony of her family. Every shared glance and tender touch amplifies her affection, making her feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by so much love, but will she be able to save them all? 

“How’s the stock market these days Ronan?” Sienna asks.

“Ripping people off as usual” Tyson laughs with a hint of sarcasm.

“Ha-ha dad, I don’t do that. I take care of my clients, who rely on me, unlike you and mum ever did for investments.” Ronan replies with induced sarcasm towards his dad.

“Me and your mum have more important things to worry about than gambling our life savings on stocks.” Tyson replied as Sienna gave him a nervous look to shut up, before anyone asked what their life savings had been spent on.

“How’s your job going in that accountancy firm Olivia?” Sienna chimes in with  interest, quickly changing the subject. 

“I’m getting another promotion next month and this time with a pay rise” Olivia smiles proudly, sitting with her long her legs folded over in her smart suit.

“That’s fabulous news, well done you.” Sienna holds Olivia on the verge of tears and swallows, to stop her eyes from welling with water, knowing that Olivia nor anyone else will never experience career aspirations or life as they know it soon.

After a couple of drinks later and a rested atmosphere, Sienna suggests that everyone freshen up for dinner which will be served at eight.

As she walks into her bedroom to change, a heavy weight of oppression hits over her. The anticipation of announcing her disclosure looms, casting a shadow over her thoughts. She feels a tumultuous mix of anxiety and dread, her heart pounding with the gravity of the revelation she is about to share. Each step feels heavier and the familiar comfort of her bedroom solitude, offers little solace.

The urgency and importance of her message make her hands tremble slightly as she reaches for her clothes. A sense of responsibility and fear intertwine within her, knowing that her words will forever alter the lives of her loved ones. Despite the impending dread, Sienna steels herself, understanding that she must confront this moment with courage and clarity. She must be brave for once in her life, like her father was when he saved a burning family.

Casual and forever laid back, Tyson, his son Ronan and daughter Maisie, along with boyfriends’ Lorenzo and Billie go outside, before getting ready, to smoke Tyson’s home grown, marijuana. Tyson has been growing it, with pride since his retirement, after it became legal for medicinal purposes, in Scotland. He hasn’t flinched at the idea of the announcement. Remaining relaxed and keen to get it done.

 

Chapter Three

The Announcement

Sienna and Tyson wait until the dinner was over to begin their announcement. They choose a moment when all eyes are on them, after the toast to celebrate their anniversary.

“Thanks so much to everyone for being here today, helping us celebrate our forty years of happiness.” Tyson raises his glass as everyone congratulates them in turn.

By now the kids are becoming restless and Sienna uses this encounter to remove them from the table.

“Why don’t you kids go and find the board game your grandpa has hidden in your bedroom and set it out on your parent’s bed to play it, while us grown-ups carry on dinking and chatting the night away” She instructs Conner and Ella, who gladly jump up and move swiftly towards their bedroom.

“We have something important to discuss.” Tyson stands and begins the announcement after noticing Sienna’s shaking hands and her eyes well up in the tears that she didn’t want anyone to see.

“What’s up mum?” Tilda and Maisie echo immediately feeling distressed upon seeing their mother attempting to hold back her tears.

“There’s no other way to tell you but to come right out with it.” Sienna stands up taking a deep breath her hands trembled as she gripped the stem of her wine glass, her eyes sweeping over the faces of her loved ones and continues.

“You all know that I’ve been studying our real history for the last ten years by reading ancient books and following various historians, bibliographers and chronologists. One man in particular has spent thirty years, researching thousands of ancient books and writings of prominent people over the centuries and he’s put together a sequence of ancestral Earth pole shifts in his published works and chronologies.

 Although…” she paused to compose herself.  

“I didn’t want to believe it until the last phoenix pole shift happened, without any warning from the authorities on May 15^th 2040 which as you all know destroyed the whole of Central Asia, parts of London, New York and Rome.” She paused again and sipped her Chablis, astonished to evoke emotions of relief that she has held from ten years of researched data and finally unveiling a secret she’s been hiding.

A hush fell over the room, the weight of her words sinking in. Everyone stared in concentration awaiting her full announcement in anticipation of bad news. They all remembered the twenty five percent loss of world’s population during that horrific disaster and had already learned how, without any conscience the authorities had prepared in advance for their own safety, leaving everyone else in its wrath to perish.

“This isn’t conjecture because a chronologist has evidenced them all, using information studies going back to 5239 BCE with a detailed historical account of over two hundred thousand data sets of information, observation, measurement, calendar study and analysis spanning significant events and timelines.

His published chronicon shows the first appearance of this celestial object known as the phoenix phenomenon in the historical record and admitted by mainstream was in 4309 BCE.” Sienna paused before continuing.

“And another catastrophic pole shift of thirty degrees is coming, this time destroying the Western Hemisphere.” She carried on with a mix of solemnity and resolve before taking a deep breath and sitting down to gulp on her Chablis as she awaits her family’s response.

“When?” Ronan asks breaking the silence, in disbelief.

Sienna swallowed hard. "On Halloween."

“This isn’t happening again,” Lorenzo replies with a hint of scepticism, swaying his head in disbelief.  

“It will happen Lorenzo, I know it seems impossible to believe," Tyson interjected, his calm demeaner a stark contrast to Sienna's visible distress. "But Sienna’s research is sound and I’ve personally examined it thoroughly. We've been preparing for this."

Tilda's eyes widened. "That's just days away and I’m flying to Milan on Tuesday!"

“Why Halloween?” Billie chimes in disbelief.

“Now you know why we celebrate Halloween, the date of the last great reset 792 years to the day. When the sun darkens.” Sienna replies.

“We’re flying back on Tuesday after the bank holiday and the kids have prepared costumes for Halloween trick or treats.” Olivia said in a daze as everyone digested the devasting disclosure. 

“You say it’s the Western Hemisphere? What about my family in California? Lorenzo asked.

“Nobody in North America will survive on low ground. They need to make their way towards the Appalachian, mountains.” Sienna replied choked with concern.

“I don’t believe you. After the last phoenix pole shift in 2040, the experts have been monitoring everything and they’d know if this is happening again ONLY six years later in 2046.” Lorenzo replied in frustration, standing up from his chair in disbelief.

“You already know that they knew in advance about the last one and why they all disappeared a few weeks beforehand into their subterranean safety zones. Do you really believe they have a conscience this time?” Tyson firmly asked Lorenzo.

“No” he replied, sitting back down quietly holding his head in his hands.

“Is that why you pleaded with us to come up here for your birthday in May 2040? You had an idea that London might be destroyed?” Tilda enquired astonished at the revelation.

“Yes, I needed to get you out of London and after that horror materialised, me and your dad began to plan for this next one.” Sienna answered.

“And there was us thinking we were bloody lucky not to be there when it happened. Thousands died and they haven’t bothered to rush and rebuild. Now I know why.” Tilda replied in disgust.

“They could save millions of us by transporting us into the safe zones, but they’ve never cared about us!” Maisie chimed in with conviction and disgust.

“Is this why you gave us copies of that book last Christmas about prophetess Mother Shipton from Yorkshire?” Tilda attempted a wry smile aware of her mother’s cunning nature to continue her children’s education and awareness of their surroundings.

“Yes” Sienna smiled, “Did you ever read it?” She enquired.

“I did and many of her prophecies are now reality.” Tilda answered.

“I don’t like reading stuff like that mum, I didn’t finish it.” Maisie chimed in.

“Who are you referring to and what did she say that’s come true?” Olivia asked as her watery green eyes locked onto Sienna’s.

 “Mother Shipton, a legendary English prophetess, is attributed with various prophecies. She predicted the great fire of London 1666 which happened and even the mainstream have agreed with that one. Whilst they deliberately dismiss many of her others.” Sienna answered feeling pleased that her research hasn’t relied upon deceptive mainstream sources.

“One such prophecy attributed to her, speaks of significant changes in the Mediterranean region one hundred years after a World War II, which is 2046.” Tilda said with conviction, remembering what she had read.

“According to this prophecy, the Mediterranean area will undergo drastic transformations. The sea, known for its serene beauty and cultural richness, would be plagued by a tumultuous natural event. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, altering coastlines and submerging ancient cities beneath the seas. Coastal regions would face severe flooding and tsunamis, displacing populations and causing widespread devastation of infrastructure.” Sienna chimed in and then paused before completing the prophecy.

“Additionally, political instability and conflict would mar the region, as nations grapple with the fallout from the natural disaster. Economic hardship would follow, as trade routes are disrupted. The prophecy paints a grim picture of the whole region struggling to maintain its identity and stability amidst relentless challenges.”

“What about Norway, where my family are? Asked Olivia, half not believing what she’s just encountered.

“Norway is a safe zone because it won’t disappear under the oceans like Britain,  most of Europe and North America but they need to be prepared for its arrival and the aftermath.” Sienna replied firmly.

“I’m going to call them; will you help me to explain what they need to do?” Olivia asked Sienna in shock, reaching for her phone.

“Yes love, best to call now to give them more time to prepare.” Sienna replied softly.

“What will happen to Birmingham where my family are?” Billie asked, still in shock.

“Birmingham won’t have a chance, because it’s lower to sea level and will flood quickly giving zero chance of any survival.” Sienna replied, with a hug, after seeing his eyes well up.

“What? Oh my God, can my parents and sister come here to be with us in safety?” Billie pleaded.

“If you can convince them that this is reality and there’s high stakes it will happen, they’re welcome to join us.” Tyson calmly chimed in.

“Why didn’t you disclose this information previously?” Ronan asked, thinking about his friends in Scotland and over in Dublin, where his work colleagues have no clue what’s coming this Halloween.

“Your father and I have pondered over this for six years but let me remind you that we are also in denial. We pray this doesn’t happen and didn’t want to disrupt your lives in any way before tonight because it might not happen.” Sienna replied in distressing tones.

“What do you mean it might not happen? You’ve just announced the most devasting news we’ve ever heard you utter and we believe you, especially as we know how thorough your research has always been, and dad is agreeing with it. Why are you in denial?” Maisie asked in astonishment.

“I’m ninety-nine percent certain it will happen, since I have witnessed thousands of pages from the work of a chronologist who has painfully researched and prepared, but I live in hope that it won’t.” She pauses. “I’ve been living with this awful secret, but I have carried on living a normal existence, renovating our home to high standards, because I had to. I can’t deny myself a small amount of sanity or I’d go crazy.” Sienna replied as she held Maisie and Tilda who had now began to fear for the worst.

We’re all in this together and our love and support will help us weather the storm.” Tyson speaks as he notices everyone’s, bleak and shocked facial expressions.

“Despite the grim reality of the situation, as a family we have faced challenges before and have always come through stronger on the other side. We will emerge from this stronger and more united than ever before.” Sienna says with absolute conviction in her voice, as she tightly hugs each one in turn, relieved that her decade kept secret has finally been revealed.