CHAPTER TWELVE: Banishment Stalking, turning, stalking, circling, as if caged, I found my weapons, checked their loads, and strapped them on. Stuffing food rations and water into my pack, I prepared to leave. With the threat of Kyle Walters, out... [More]

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Any last requests? The dark hung heavy in the concrete hold and I thought I heard footsteps quietly tread down the tunnel. Then there was the quick pad of feet as someone else rushed forward. It was Mack, and he had my sword. ... [More]

CHAPTER TEN: Elementary, my dear Watson As the days past, I watched both families avoid me like the plague. The only one who would still talk was Mack and that was just briefly—or before his father could catch him. “What will you do next?” he aske... [More]

CHAPTER NINE: But, Mr. Holmes…. “This guy’s been feeding us a line of crap since he got here,” Kyle said, spreading his venom. “And all of you fell for it…especially Katie, and now look where its gotten her.” “That’s not fair, Dad,” Mack said d... [More]

CHAPTER EIGHT: The finger pointing begins… “Glad to see you’re finally awake, Ray. Mel and I have been worried sick about our Katie.” “Please, Mr. Daniels,” Melissa begged, “tell us what happened. Did you see her.” I looked her in the eye... [More]

CHAPTER SEVEN: They say total paranoia is perfect awareness… I knocked on the steel door with the butt of my shotgun, after a couple of minutes the red light turned green and the door opened. My shoulder pounded to the beat of my heart—the pain... [More]

CHAPTER SIX: Does someone have to DIE to get some peace and quiet? As I stepped out into the parking garage, I heard the shelter door slam home behind me. The air was thick with dense fog and I smiled at my luck. The fog would give me the cover... [More]

CHAPTER FIVE: Please, sir may I have some more… nuts and rebels? “Does she go outside often?” I asked checking my weapons and preparing to search for her. “She thinks we should help those people out there,” Mrs. Travis said. “Oh, God, why wo... [More]

CHAPTER FOUR: The Donner Party had it good! I think Katie’s got it bad for you,” Mack said. “She never looked at me like that.” “Don’t worry, Mack, I won’t be around long enough to move in on your girl.” “My girl?” “Yeah, you two are ro... [More]

CHAPTER THREE: Divide and Conquer Mrs. Travis brought me over some beef soup and homemade bread. It was as if I had died and gone to heaven—I never tasted anything so good in all my life. When I had finished, I took my bowl back to the kitchen a... [More]

CHAPTER TWO: Conflicts Arise We crossed through an alleyway and came out at the garage entrance to Macy’s. She led me down to the lower parking floor where she stopped to look around. Satisfied that no one was about, she pointed to the old rusted ... [More]

CHAPTER ONE: The War Begins The heavens were burnt black and orange - ocher and marigold flaring up against a sunless sky. The world was on fire, and the thick rolling smoke rose up into the heavens. I moved in behind a grotesque oak without ma... [More]