Pulse: When Gravity Fails (Pulse Science Fiction Series Book 1) by John Freitas Read Free Book Online

really was.
    As he emerged on the first tilt of flat ground, he spotted the remains of a tower. A couple of the metal legs stabbed up at the sky as the rest of the structure settled in a pile of debris in front of him. The remains of the metal ladder twisted around the outside of the whole thing like an angry snake. He couldn’t tell how long ago it had collapsed, but the rust spots and stress points on the metal led him to believe the tower had been abandoned and forgotten long ago.
    He turned and looked out over the land. He saw a river to the north and a spark of light beyond it that gave a hint that something might lie beyond. Michael might not have any choice in the end, but for now he would avoid people, so north and its hint were out.
    The rest of the land spread empty as far as he could see in every other direction. He felt alone, isolated, and vulnerable. Large swatches of fallen trees scarred the land in broad stripes, but only served to mark the vast distances for him. The piles of lumber with the tops still on and green made him think this was not result of purposeful cutting.
    The smell of fresh, split pine drifted thick on the wind to his nostrils and unnerved him a little. He thought of live trees at Christmas time back home with his brother and his parents back when they were strong, alive, and whole in mind. Here with the smell this strong and fresh, he didn’t know what it meant and he didn’t much like not knowing.
    He heard a voice behind him and Michael spun around. His hand went to his side and he realized he had not retrieved a sidearm before bailing from the craft and destroying it. It hadn’t been anywhere near him at the time.
    The voice moaned and babbled in Russian again and Michael honed in on it echoing out from the debris of the tower. “Not so abandoned after all.”
    “Hello? Is someone there? I’m trapped and hurt.”
    Michael swallowed. He needed to go. He did not have the tools or strength for a rescue. And he certainly did not have the authority to take one on in the midst of the Russian wilderness after scuttling his top secret aircraft. The right move was to leave and keep going. Yet, he was still standing and facing the voice trapped under the broken metal. It was another man down even if it wasn’t his man.
    “Do you understand me?” Michael said. He heard his voice shake. Even his words were unsure of this decision.
    “Yes, please, help me. I can’t move, but I can see light. I just need my legs freed.”
    Michael took a step forward, but stopped short of the angry snake ladder. “Are you bleeding? Is the metal cutting into your legs at all? I don’t want to pull it off and have you bleed to death.”
    “I don’t understand what you … no, I’m not bleeding. Just trapped. I can move my toes. No breaks. Just trapped. Help me, please.”
    Michael ducked under the bent ladder and walked up the slope of the sheet metal. “Keep talking. I don’t want to step on you and make it worse.”
    It’s a little late to not make it worse , Michael thought.
    “I just saw your shadow pass, man. I can’t reach the opening with my hand, but it is right there now.”
    Michael knelt down and grabbed the edge of the sheet metal. “Hold on.”
    “There. I see your hands.”
    Michael lifted the first piece and rolled it off the pile with ease. He saw the Russian’s hands and his face. His nose and cheek were bloodied. Michael didn’t know how hurt the man was. He was wearing a greenish uniform that could have been army. “Are you Russian army?”
    “No, I’m a … tree … I watch … A ranger … forest ranger? I watch the trees and they forget I exist.”
    Michael nodded. He pulled up on the metal folded over the top of the man. It groaned and gave a little, but would not lift. “Am I hurting you?”
    “No, it is lifting off, but not enough. I can pull myself out, but I need more lift, man.”
    “Hold on.” Michael climbed off the side and walked around the