by Hayden James
Forge Faith
A Post-Apocalypse Survival Thriller
Hayden James
Forge Faith
What would happen if the power grid failed? Would you be ready?
Family is everything for the Conner, and they have finally reunited at Dwight's compound. Little do they know that Sheriff Murphy is after their resources. The Sheriff and the new Mayor want to pillage Dwight's homestead and distribute Dwight's hard-earned and expensive stockpile to the townspeople.
Meanwhile, the Conner's eldest son is helping Prue with bringing her parents back to Dwight's compound.
The Conners are learning the hard way, the best way to rely on anything is to create it yourself.
What is worse is when all you have worked for, for this very situation, is at risk. What cost would you defend it?
When our nation is attacked, will you survive?
The Conner family has finally reunited, but they are in for a worse fight then they had got to Dwight's compound. Now the real fight begins. They must protect and defend what is theirs.
The apocalypse brings out the best and the worst in all of us. It is survival of the fittest at its finest.
When anarchy and chaos descend upon Dwight's compound, the Conners find themselves in the fight for their lives. The world as they once knew it completely gone in a blink of an eye. Can the Conners defend Dwight's compound? Will Liam help Prue bring her parents to safety?
The Pulse is only the beginning. Forge Faith is the final installment in the post-apocalyptic thriller series by following ordinary people doing extraordinary things after the United States experiences a disaster, destroying their entire infrastructure.
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Day Fifteen
Chapter One
Prue Dint
Blue Ridge Campgrounds
Cherokee, North Carolina
8:24 AM
“Ugh! It’s raining again!” Liam announced as he emerged from the tent in the early morning. “At this rate, we will never get there!”
“Rain, again?” Prue stated, looking discouraged and defeated as she came out from the tent behind Liam. “I thought we would have made it to Spartanburg by now. This is so frustrating! I have to get into town and make sure my parents are all right.”
“I know, I know. We’re going as fast as we can. I know this must be so frustrating, I can only imagine,” empathized Liam, embracing her as they stood outside of the tent.
Then Prue picked up Chewy, her fearless chihuahua, and placed him in the backpack on her back. Liam and Prue cleaned up the campsite where they settled for the night. Another day that they only traveled ten miles on their motorcycles in the freezing rain that pelted their foreheads as they road, only able to travel short distances before stopping.
“Should we try it again today?” Prue asked.
“Yes, we must push on. Even if we get ten to fifteen miles, that’s ten to fifteen miles we didn’t have before. We need to get to your parents as soon as possible. I realize you must be worried about them, and I am too. It’s been two weeks since the pulse hit. From what you said, they would not have been prepared for something like this,” Liam explained. Liam as he apparently noticed that Prue looked discouraged as her eyes fell to the ground while she tied the tent and sleeping bags to the motorcycles. He continued, “This will get easier. I promise, we will forge through this. Have faith.” Prue acknowledged his attempts to comfort her with a nod, not making eye contact with him. This entire situation was too much for Prue to handle. As they got closer to Spartanburg, the ramifications of the pulse were becoming more real for Prue. As they neared, she realized that whatever the outcome of getting to Spartanburg would be, she would soon have to deal with.
“Liam, we can’t push it. Despite my wanting to get to my parents, we cannot go faster than what we can handle, and you’re not that comfortable on the motorcycle yet,” countered Prue.
“Hey! I’ve improved a lot,” defended Liam in jest to lighten the mood.
“I’m being serious, Liam. I saw you riding carelessly before we pulled into the campsite. You were taking those turns much too fast. If you do that again, you may not be so lucky,” warned Prue.
“In any case, let’s get back on the road. As long as we are moving, I promise to take it easy,” bargained Liam.
“Deal,” replied Prue as she put her hand out to seal the deal in a shake. The pair shook hands before starting up their motorcycles, the thundering engines vibrating. The long drive had made both motorcycles’ engines run even more rough than before as their timings wore off from the poor maintenance the Bubba Brothers did on them.
Before they entered the highway, Prue reminded, “Don’t go faster than you should! These roads are wet and slick.”
Liam nodded as he pulled out onto the open highway, throttling and shifting gears as if the street was dry and full of traction. Prue followed, shaking her head at the speed at which Liam was traveling, she had reminded him to slow down. These roads were not made for these speeds in these conditions.
Liam led the charge as they came through the Smoky Mountain’s winding curves. Prue did her best to keep up with Liam, despite her being the better rider of the two. Liam did not seem to heed Prue’s cautions of how dangerous the conditions of the road were, coupled with the bald tires of the poorly maintained motorcycles.
Prue neared Liam, closing the gap between them as they were nearing a hairpin turn down the mountain side. Why did he have to go so fast? Prue knew that he wanted to get to her parents, and she did too, however, at what expense?
The pair entered the turn, Prue right behind Liam. Liam leaned into the curve, opposing the torque and gravitational forces. Prue followed suit, leaning into the curve to maintain the balance of the torque. As she came out of the curve, adjusting the position of her bodyweight, she lost control of her bike. Prue’s rear tire slipped out from under her and skidding on its side, her leg beneath the bike. Dragging her down the pavement, Prue did the best she could to soften the blow to both her and Chewy, the slick concrete allowing the motorcycle to skid for several meters. The only thing on Prue’s mind was to ensure that Chewy was all right. As the moved down the pavement with her still straddling it, she made certain to hold the backpack that contained her precious dog tightly to her chest, anchoring the straps as she moved down the pavement, keeping Chewy in his backpack carrier so he did not fly off. His body would never survive a collision with the ground.
“Prue!” Liam shouted, he must have heard the commotion and the skidding sound on the wet concrete. He turned his head, and his jaw dropped at the sight. Prue looked at him as she laid on the street, her leg still under the bike. He maneuvered his motorcycle to make a U-turn as he went back for Prue.
Prue was barely conscious as she laid, sprawled out on the pavement, her leg pinned beneath the bike. Liam dismounted his bike, laying it on the ground, not taking the time to engage the kickstand. He rushed over to Prue, getting her bike off of her.
“Prue! Prue!” Liam shouted. “Are you all right?”
Prue was uncertain what had happened as she looked at Liam standing over her. When she focused on him through her squinted, opened eyes, he appeared to calm down some. “Prue!” Liam continued. “Say something.”
“What happened?” Prue asked, attempting to figure out the error she made. “Where’s Chewy?” Prue gasped, frantically looking around.
“He’s right here, you made sure he was safe,” answered Liam. Prue lifted her head to see the scared chihuahua cowering from the ordeal, but he was safe in his carrier which was miraculously still on her back.
“That is such a relief,”
she muttered, laying her head back down after confirming that Chewy was intact and all right. “I don’t know what I would do without him.”
“It was my fault,” relented Liam. “I should have listened to you and not gone so fast. Your tire must have slipped,” explained Liam. He looked at the tires, “These things barely have any tread on them, they’re near bald.” Liam looked back at Prue who was still laying on the ground. “Are you able to get up?” he asked.
Prue took a moment to look at her surroundings and answered, “Yeah, I think I’m able.”
Liam helped Prue up as she pulled on his arms for leverage, “Oh wow!” shouted Liam.
“What?” Prue asked, not knowing what he was referring to.
“You’re all cut up,” he answered. Prue looked at her now tattered jeans that were became red, soaked in blood.
“Oh my word!” Prue exclaimed, looking at the lacerations, her flesh torn from being dragged by the motorcycle. Prue felt nauseated and numb as the overpowering condition of shock came over her body. The body’s way to cope with a trauma. Prue felt lightheaded and unable to stand after she saw her blood-soaked jeans that she collapsed to the ground.
Liam must have realized the duress that Prue was under as he quickly came to her aid, helping her back up to her feet, holding her as she stood. “Obviously, you can’t drive,” he concluded.
Prue did not respond, but only nodded in silence. “You’ll get on the back of my bike,” said Liam as he led her over to his bike. He picked up the bike from the ground where he laid it, appearing to be flustered by the sight of what had just transpired, but also trying to stay strong for Prue.
“Ready?” Liam asked after mounting his bike. Prue unable to speak, nodded and got onto the bike, behind him. She held onto him tightly around his waist, knowing that she was safe with him.
Liam continued down the road, passing the part where he backtracked and riding much slower.
“Not much farther before we get into the next town,” announced Liam over his shoulder to Prue who held on, still in shock as she stared off into space. The single motorcycle continued down Highway 541, arriving in Maggie Valley.
“Where are we?” Prue asked, the first instance of her being cognizant.
“We just got into Maggie Valley,” answered Liam. “I’m looking for a hospital now.” Liam rode down the streets of Maggie Valley and stumbled upon a hospital.
“I don’t need a hospital, but we should get Chewy checked out. I’m worried about him,” countered Prue.
“You need to see a doctor. You may need stitches,” argued Liam. “Once we get you taken care of, then we’ll find a vet for Chewy.” Prue did not argue, if that meant that Chewy got care as well, that was all that mattered to her.
Stopping the bike and turning it off, Liam helped Prue off of the motorcycle. “Take it easy. I’ll carry Chewy,” he suggested, helping her walk into the emergency room. “Guess we’ll find out how medical care has changed since the power went out,” Liam said with a laugh attempting to lighten the mood.
The two walked into the emergency room to find a crowd of people piled into the waiting room of the emergency area of the hospital. “There must be at least a hundred people in here,” exclaimed Prue as she noticeably felt the temperature increase from the body heat of the people. Hopeful patients sat in the seats, most had to stand, leaning against the walls. The most injured sat in the seats. Those who did sit in seats appeared as though they could barely sit up, their bodies riddled with disease. Children played on the floor while their injured guardians had no choice but to wait for care. The room appeared as though people were piled on top of each other.
Even more out of place as they entered the emergency waiting room was that all the patients had with them a wide variety of items. Some held sleeping bags, lanterns, tools, shovels, axes, and other assortments of hardware items. Other patients held livestock. One had a caged rabbit, two had ducks that sat on their laps. Prue and Liam gave each other a strange look as they walked through the waiting area.
Making their way through the waiting room to the front desk, Prue and Liam were greeted by a nurse. “How can I help you?” the intake nurse asked.
“She would like to see a doctor; she has some wounds that she would like to have looked at. She was in a motorcycle accident earlier this morning,” explained Liam as he put his hands onto Prue’s shoulders as he stood behind her.
“All right fill out the information on this line,” replied the intake nurse, pointing to a blank line on the sign-in sheet.
“How long is the wait?” Prue asked.
“Looks like the first we’ll be able to see you is two days after tomorrow,” answered the intake nurse.
“What in the world?” Prue exclaimed, not believing what she was hearing.
“That’s the best we can do,” explained the nurse. “Only one doctor agreed to stay and help, all the others went back to their families. As he tends to you, he’ll let you know what the going rate will be.”
“What are the rates?” Liam asked, discouragement coming across his face.
“Well, he will estimate the rate on how the amount of supplies he’ll need to use and the care required. Plus how much manpower the appointment will take. For a few scrapes, and a decent size laceration,” the nurse began, looking at Prue’s legs, “that will cost at least three chickens.”
“Three chickens?” Prue shouted. “Where am I going to get chickens from?”
“Well, to bandage all of those wounds up, it will take a lot of supplies. That long laceration looks like it’s going to need stitches. A few other of those wounds may need stitches too. Then the labor for the doctor and nurses… they need to be compensated for their time,” explained the nurse.
Appearing to be discouraged, Prue reluctantly replied, “Thank you.”
“Remember, two days after tomorrow, you’ll be seen. We can’t give you a time, so be prepared to be here all day,” reminded the nurse. With that Liam and Prue turned around and went back to their bike.
“That makes no sense,” countered Liam as the two approached their motorcycle.
“I suppose this is what the world has come to now, we are a barter society,” said Prue, limping along with Liam helping her, Chewy in his backpack carrier strapped to Liam’s back.
“Clearly, we are not waiting three days before you can go see a doctor,” emphasized Liam. “I think we already waited long enough. One of those wound is particularly gruesome,” added Liam. Prue knew which of the wounds he was referring to but tried not to think about it as it felt as though it was burning.
“Want to head to the next town? Maybe we’ll have better luck there,” suggested Prue.
Liam nodded, “Yeah, that’s probably our best bet,” confirmed Liam. “Here, take Chewy,” he asked as he took off the carrier and handed it over to Prue who strapped the fierce chihuahua on her back before mounting the motorcycle behind Liam.
Liam started the motorcycle, and the two headed down Highway 541 to the next town, West Campbell.
“Liam, my wounds are getting worse,” Prue said while she sat behind Liam on the motorcycle. “I feel strange, like really rundown and tired all of a sudden,” she yelled over the thunderous motorcycle engine.
“You might still be in shock,” replied Liam, yelling as he drove down the highway, the raindrops pelted each of their foreheads. “Can’t believe it is raining again.” He went as fast as he could on the slick road, trying to get to the next town, but also trying to be safe.
As the highway came to the town, West Campbell, Liam shifted to the lower gear. The highway went right through the downtown of West Campbell, where there were several cafes, banks shopping areas that had been vacant for nearly two weeks since the pulse struck. The small town had few people walking in the streets, but mostly, the town was desolate.
“I don’t see a hospital, I don’t think this town is large enough to have one,” stated Liam over his shoulder barely audible from the deafening noise of the
motorcycle which both of their eardrums had grown accustomed.
“A doctor’s office perhaps,” suggested Prue. “This town seems to be sparser than Maggie Valley, I think our odds are much better here for getting seen by a doctor, if we can find one,” she added.
Liam continued the slow speed with the motorcycle, turning the corner off of the Charleston Street, the main drag of town, and onto one of the side streets. “Another bank, gift store, boutique,” listed Liam as he read the signs as they passed by the store fronts. “… A vet,” he added.
“A vet!” Prue exclaimed. “Let’s stop and see if it’s open.”
“All right,” Liam said as he made U-turn and parked the bike outside the small veterinarian clinic. Liam jumped off the bike to help Prue get her legs around the motorcycle and he helped her take up Chewy’s carrier and strapped him to his back.
“I hope it’s open,” muttered Liam as he looked at the brown closed door.
“I think I can see people through the windows,” stated Prue. “We might be in luck. At least we can get Chewy looked at. Make sure he has no broken bones,” she answered as the two walked to the front door.
Liam said, “Hopefully they’ll look at your wounds too.”
Liam grasped the handle and relief fell over Prue as she saw the door unlatch. Prue was relieved that Chewy would at least get the care he needed. She felt so guilty for putting him through that. Ever since the accident, she had been worried for him and his little body having to endure such a horrific accident. She had been more worried about him than her own wounds.
Holding the door open for Prue, Liam made sure Prue was safe inside. “How can I help you,” a male voice came from the front desk. Prue first looked around, and saw no one waiting in the waiting area, a sharp contrast to the emergency room in Maggie Valley. However, there were cats in the waiting area, at least nine of them. Two of the cats laid near the window, a few of them curled up in the waiting area seats, and one sat on the counter.
