by A. R. Shaw
“Not too high,” came the words of a familiar gravelly voice. Davis could pick the man out of a crowd blindfolded just from hearing him.
“Please.”
That voice! That voice stopped him in his tracks. Both his hands braced the walls on either side of him. His breath rapidly increased.
On the small of his back he felt Sloane’s hand again. Her gentle voice said, “Yes. It’s him.”
85
Sloane
She had to see it for herself. Though when she did, she couldn’t believe how massive it was. They wouldn’t stay long. Nearly winter and they still had a lot of work to do, but this was important. As it was, the wind whipped at them, tearing at their clothes and threatening to send them over the side into the wild waves below. No one said a word for fear of losing their breath. Gulls struggled on violent currents as Sloane stood there, her hair whipping across her face. The gate was a cold reminder of where they were and how far they’d come.
When they talked about the conflict, they now called it the Battle of Astoria. It was sort of the battle for Astoria because it was the gateway to the north. That gateway had to end until humanity settled down. It was for the protection of all the small communities trying to pull together to survive.
The Young’s Bay Bridge was utterly demolished, which presented the old man near the entrance with an opportunity. He was now a ferry boat captain. Kent had set that up over time. It turned out that he and his wife were very enterprising and several pounds healthier.
They now accepted food and supplies in exchange for passage on their ferry boat during good weather. Sloane and the others were a bit nervous on their first trip across, seeing where many of them nearly died. A place holds memories for a time and none of them were quite ready to face them; their voices and torment still reached for them from the past.
But now Sloane stood, over a year later, at the foot of a new gate, this one similar to the one at home protecting her community, only much larger, barring the entrance to their side of the Columbia River on the Astoria-Megler Bridge. No one was going to get through there. Not for generations and it would take that long, Sloane suspected, for the world to straighten out. In the meantime, they would learn to live again.
Acknowledgments
The third book in the Dawn of Deception series, Unbeaten, was a cathartic write. Without intention, I see how some of my writing mirrors what’s going on in my personal life.
No work of fiction completes itself without several helpful hands…besides the author’s.
For this novel I’d like to thank my editor, Dr. Vonda for her clear and concise editing, Cheryl Deariso and Dena Virago my proofreaders, and my trusty BETA reader Michael Havelka.
Personally, I’d like to thank my son Adam for his inspiration for Jason’s Northwest music taste, and my cat Henry (we rescued each other).
Each song is linked, if you read this electronically, to the source on Amazon where you may purchase to listen. If you’re on an audio or paperback, please reference the songs to a retailer near you.
Also, many thanks to Sun Tzu, and The Art of War. Though I was searching for something else entirely, you inspired strength where I thought I had none.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author, A. R. Shaw, served in the United States Air Force Reserves as a Communications Radio Operator. She began publishing her works in the fall of 2013 with her debut novel, The China Pandemic. With over 15 titles to her name, she continues the journey from her home in the Pacific Northwest alongside her loyal tabby cats, Henry and Hazel and a house full of books.
Also by A. R. Shaw
The Graham’s Resolution
The China Pandemic
The Cascade Preppers
The Last Infidels
The Malefic Nation
The Bitter Earth
Graham’s Resolution Boxset, Books 1-4
* * *
Surrender the Sun
Bishop’s Honor
Sanctuary
Point of No Return
Surrender the Sun Boxset, Books 1-3
* * *
Dawn of Deception
Unbound
Undone
Unbeaten
* * *
Remember the Ruin
Rebel Blaze
Wayward State
* * *
The French Wardrobe
