by Chris Pike
To her horror, she saw a young woman’s face. Eyes were closed, lips slightly parted. There was no movement. To the side she saw a few drops of blood on the floor.
“Tom! There’s a body here.”
“What?”
“Come here,” Jordie said. “I knew something wasn’t right. Watch where you step. There’s some blood on the floor.”
Tom looked at the body. “What should we do?” he asked.
“I guess there’s not much we can do. I’ll check her pockets on the off chance she has some identification. At least she’ll have a name so I can notify her relatives. Someone must have cared for her to make her a bed for her last moments.”
“I wonder what she died of?” Tom asked. “It doesn’t appear she’s been dead long. She still has a bit of color in her face.”
Jordie pulled back the curtain that doubled as a blanket to reveal a slender young woman. She had a wound that had seeped blood through her clothes and a folded scarf that had been used to staunch the bleeding. “I guess it was a stab wound or a gun shot. Too bad. So young.”
As Jordie reached into the woman’s pocket, a clammy hand grabbed her arm and latched onto it. Jordie screamed, jerked her arm away, and stumbled back from sheer surprise. She landed flat on her butt.
“I’m not dead,” the woman on the floor whispered.
“What?” Jordie gasped. “Oh God! I’m so sorry. You scared me. I thought you were…” Jordie couldn’t bring herself to say the word ‘dead’. “Stay with me, okay? We’re going to get you help and take you to the hospital. What’s your name?”
“Hannah.”
“Can you tell us what happened?” Jordie asked. After the shock wore off, Jordie leapt into doctor mode. She lifted Hannah’s shirt to inspect her wound. “I’m Jordan Hunt. I’m a doctor, or about to officially become one.”
Hannah opened her eyes a slit and focused on Jordie. “They’re in danger.”
“Who’s in danger?”
“I was afraid to say anything. You have to tell them,” Hannah pleaded.
“Tell them what?” Jordie asked.
“I know what happened.” Hannah coughed. “And since they know me, their life is in danger too.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This. All this.” Hannah feebly raised her hand, her fingers splayed, pointing upwards.
Jordie exchanged confused glances with Tom, who mouthed, She’s delirious.
“Tell them I know who is responsible. It was…” Hannah’s hand fell to her midsection. Her eyes fluttered and rolled back into her head. She let out a long breath, unable to finish her thought.
“We have to get her to the hospital,” Jordie said.
The door to the convention center opened, and a rush of cold air followed. A young man, late twenties, unshaven, wearing old clothes said, “I saw you running in here. Do you need help?”
Jordie eyed over the man, giving him an appraising glance. “We do. Thank you,” she replied.
“My name’s Eli.” He glanced at where Hannah was laying, clinging to life. She looked small. So fragile and helpless. Not the spitfire he had come to know and secretly admire her for, though he couldn’t let his admiration towards her get in the way of his mission. He had a job to do, and he wasn’t about to quit now.
The knowledge Hannah had was worth people killing her for, and worth more than any one person’s life. The random act of violence that was Hannah’s shooting had not been random at all. In fact, Hannah had been specifically targeted. If Hannah was lucky, and if she lived, she’d be able to tell the world about an insidious plot, hatched by an equally insidious group – that was, if Jordie and Tom could save her.
The End
Behind the Scenes
A Note from the Author
Hi readers, this is Chris. Well, I hope you enjoyed the first book in the World on Edge EMP Thriller Survivor Series. The new set of characters have great chemistry together and they have a lot of living to do, so I’m really keen on writing their story.
I’ve kept the series in Texas due to my familiarity of the state and locations that would be of interest.
If you have a comment or you’d like to be put on the mailing list for notification of future books, email me at [email protected] to let me know.
For those of you who haven’t read my books in the EMP Survivor Series, click on the link below. Here are the books in order by publication.
Books in the EMP Survivor Series:
Unexpected World – Book 1
Uncertain World – Book 2
Unknown World – Book 3
Unwanted World – Book 4
Undefeated World – Book 5
Escape – An EMP Survivor Series novel spinoff
American Strong Series
Stand Your Ground – Book 1
Don’t Look Back – Book 2 – coming 2021
World on Edge Series
World on Edge – Book 1
World of Suspicion – Book 2 – coming 2021
The books are available on Amazon here:
Chris Pike books
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Before You Go
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One last thing. Thank you, thank you, thank you for downloading this book. Without the support of readers like yourself, Indie publishing would not be possible.
I’ve received a lot of emails from my readers, and for those who have written me, you know I always answer your emails, and I don’t spam either.
An easy way to show your support of an Indie author is to write an honest review on Amazon. It does several things: It helps other readers make a decision to download the book, and it also allows the author to understand what the readers want. For example, my readers asked for no F-bombs or adult situations. I listened and followed through with the requests. I’ve learned good writing, editing, and proofreading is extremely appreciated and I will always strive for that. If there are any mistakes in the book, then those are all mine. If you find any, please take a moment to email me and let me know. I will immediately correct it.
Please consider writing a review. I will be forever grateful. A few words or one sentence is all it takes.
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I’ve had a lot of help along the way from some special people, first and foremost my husband, Alan. He was the brains behind the expert firearm and knife content in the book, and was my consultant on shootouts.
Writing a book is not a solitary undertaking, and many people have helped me. Special thanks go to those who have inspired, cheered, edited, proofed, provided cover art, legal advice, formatted, narrated, or were sounding boards: daughters Michelle and Courtney, son-in-law Cody, son-in-law Michow, editor Felicia, proofer Mick. B, cover artist Hristo, friends Anne, Mikki, and Mary, special reader Jimmy, and formatter Kody. A special thanks goes to you ladies and gents.
For my readers who have written me and have connected with me on Facebook, y’all are the best! You’ve encouraged me and have allowed me a glimpse into your lives. I am truly honored. Thank you. For anyone else who would like to connect with me, email me at [email protected].
I’m on Facebook at Author Chris Pike.
Until next time, remember to read, enjoy, learn, and save some more food.
All the best,
Chris
