On February 13, 2014, I died. I died and it changed my life. On that day, I decided to take the wheel, rather than being a passenger. I climbed out of the six-by-six beige box of financial security that had been my world for eight years, and stumbled out into the writing world. I have never been so terrified in my life. Writing is not just a thing I do. It is part of who I am. Writing is the air I breathe and the ground beneath my feet.
My words are my heart, and you are holding it in your hands. That, my friends, is the ultimate power and I am sharing it with each of you. Why, you ask? Because if you are here, if you are reading this, then you are part of my tribe…and I owe my tribe everything.
Mom, you are quite simply the most amazing person I have ever known, and I’m not just saying that because you gave me life (though, that is pretty damn impressive). You taught me to embrace my flaws and appreciate the beauty in those imperfections. You gave me the courage to be weird, creative, and bold. For that, I can never thank you enough.
For my boys: Alex, Jacob, Noah, Lucas, Elijah, and Evan, you are my world. No matter where life takes you, I know it will be epic. No distance will ever be great enough to keep me from your hearts. You are my babies and you have all taught me patience, humility, and flexibility. I want you all on my apocalypse team, ALWAYS.
Mark, I kept my training wheels for so long. You pushed me to take them off and see how far I could get. I begged you not to let go until I was ready. I didn’t think I could do it. The thought of crashing scared the hell out of me. I didn’t know that I was strong enough to stay up until I didn’t have a choice. When I looked back, you were smiling. You were proud. Thank you for letting go.
Jordan, you are my best friend. You are the Brutus to my Caesar, and my favorite brand of crazy. There’s no one I’d rather discuss cupcakes and murder with than you. It’d be awesome if you didn’t live in Narnia, though. Let’s work on that.
To my Braintrust, Cheer, Christina, Katy, Casey, Caroline, you girls have kept me as close to sane as anyone ever could. Your encouragement and support makes it easier to breathe when I feel like I’m under water.
To my editor, Claire Allmendinger, I apologize, extensively, for my chronic, and sometimes annoying, overuse of the comma. You are the most patient person I have ever met. For real. I am honored to drag you along on this journey with me, and even more so to call you friend. (You too, Wendy!)
To my awesome cover designer (who also happens to be one hell of a talented author), L.J. Stock, I owe you a debt of gratitude that cannot be measured. I came to you with a pile of insane sketches that fifteen other artists ran screaming from, and you hugged them and loved them as if they were your babies. Together we created something amazing. You are a true talent, and I am lucky to have you.
Kaila Eileen Turingan-Ramos, you are the most wonderful street team leader/friend a scatter-brained, poorly organized, newbie-ish author could ever ask for. To my street team allstars and all my minions at Aria Ever After, thank you, thank you, thank you! I owe you all so much. Your support is both epic and invaluable.
Jeffery, thank you for always agreeing that I am impressive and strong. Misty, Amy, and Dionne I love you all like sisters. Meredith, your success and guidance has inspired me to great heights. Someday I hope to join you at the top of Indie-Mountain.
To Nyne, Chelle, Corey, Nichole, and the rest of my family, it’s pretty freaking awesome that you guys are proud of me. Nick and Trista Foster, you are more to me than military advice and drinks by the fire. Amy Bartelloni, you give the best internet hugs. Sarah and Christina, I am so glad I stole you and claim you as my own sisters. Asbjorn, thanks for inspiring me to get off my ass. To Jim Cobb, your survivalist instincts and advice have been paramount to the success of the Icarus Series. You are an asset I plan to hold on to, and I have officially added you to my apocalypse team roster.
And, finally, to “my person”…you snuck up on me. Again. We have been crossing paths on this broken road for almost twenty years. You have taught me that there is strength in weakness and that it’s okay to not have all the answers. You have shown me that life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans. You taught me that change is gravity. It cannot be controlled or manipulated. Sometimes, you just have to close your eyes and jump.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Rescue
(Lucas)
Chapter 1
Oregon Trail
Chapter 2
The Stranger
Chapter 3
Fit to be Tied
Chapter 4
Jekyll and Hyde
Chapter 5
Invasion
Chapter 6
The First Wave
Chapter 7
Safe
Chapter 8
Blame Game
Chapter 9
Camp Seco
(Lucas)
Chapter 10
Apologies
Chapter 11
Strike Two
Chapter 12
Four More
Chapter 13
So Close
Chapter 14
The Message
Chapter 15
Rock and a Hard Place
Chapter 16
Off to Slaughter
Chapter 17
Pedal
Chapter 18
Risk and Reward
(Lucas)
Chapter 19
Fight or Flight
Chapter 20
Survivors
Chapter 21
Exposed
Chapter 22
Déjà vu
Chapter 23
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Chapter 24
Stained
Chapter 25
Wax and Warriors
Chapter 26
The Ring
Chapter 27
Evolution and Ophthalmology
Chapter 28
Mulligan
Chapter 29
The Sword in the Stone
Chapter 30
Everclear and Present Danger
Chapter 31
Raid and Recon
Chapter 32
Cornered
(Lucas)
Chapter 33
Into the Chipper
Chapter 34
Sleeper
Chapter 35
Broken
Chapter 36
Perception
Chapter 37
Escape Clause
Chapter 37
Cocktail Hour
Chapter 39
Plan D
Chapter 40
Ballistic
Ballistic: Icarus Series, Book Two Page 36
