“This was in the back of my van. How the hell—?!”
“It wasn’t easy to get, mind you. But needless to say, Phil and I were able to get there and back without much of an issue. Let’s just say that your van is irreparable, and it was a one-time thing.”
“You blew it up?”
“Like I said…irreparable. It was part of our impromptu getaway plan.”
“Well, I’m grateful, man!”
“I know. I thought you could use it.” Alex slapped Nick on the arm as he shouldered the heavy duffle bag.
Minutes later, they had everything loaded into the boat, which was packed more so than ever before, which had Alex wondering if it might capsize. But, before he knew it, they were on their way without incident. As they passed through the moat for perhaps the last time, Alex soaked in the view of the castle. He noted, to his delight, that Liz and Phil stood atop the wall-walk waving to them, which Selina also noted, as she too waved back.
Alex also noted that the parking area and beyond was still plagued with zombie flesh. It was definitely something that would’ve worn on him had he stayed, he admitted, solidifying his choice to leave the confines of the castle.
He was finally at ease with the decision.
As they pulled up to the riverbank to exit, Alex handed the keys to the ambulance over to Nick. “It might need gas.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Nick said, taking the keys and helping them all out of the boat. Shadow even circled around, staring at Nick for a few moments, unsure of where he was going.
“All right then, my friend. It’s been memorable and I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us.” Alex shook his hand and Selina hugged Nick, kissing him on his hairy cheek. That said, Alex climbed up the hill, Shadow and Selina following close behind him.
He made it to the place where the Forester was hidden and unlocked the back door. He tossed in his bow, quiver, duffle bag, and then tapped the bumper for Shadow. The wolf hopped up and into the back of the vehicle and immediately lay down.
Alex paused and gave Selina a hug, then they climbed into their respective seats, and Alex turned the key. He threw it into gear and pulled out onto the road.
“There’s a map in the glove box,” Selina said, pulling it out and unfolding it. “Will we be passing any grocery stores on the way? I mean like maybe some little ones that may not have been ransacked?”
“There’s a few mom and pop stores I know of south of here on side roads. I’m thinking we’re gonna have to take all back roads as most highways are gonna be choked with wrecks and abandoned vehicles. But yeah, I know of a few places where we can stock up on the way.”
“Sounds great,” Selina said with an optimistic smile.
“Well, figure out a route we can take outside of the turnpike that’ll get us goin’ south, angel face. We’ve got a long ride ahead of us.”
With that said, they began their journey south in the hopes of finding a warmer clime, and hopefully, Alex’s family. As they took to the highway, the sounds of Queen’s Greatest Hits erupted loudly from the vehicle’s CD player.
READ CAGE THE DEAD NOW
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Gary F. Vanucci
Gary Vanucci was born in Pennsylvania in 1968. He enjoys writing, reading, music, art, anything at all that promotes creativity and activities that push the mind beyond conventional thinking. He has spent time as an amateur singer/songwriter and has spent multiple decades creating role-playing scenarios and playing games amongst various genres. Years of reading graphic novels, comic books, fantasy/science fiction novels and the like has led him to discover his true passion—writing!
His education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in the field of Information Technology and an Associates of Arts in the field of Graphic Design.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." ~Aristotle.
Bibliography
Wothlondia Rising
Beginnings Series
Book 1
Wothlondia Rising: The Anthology is a collection of prequels that launches the Beginnings series in the Realm of Ashenclaw. The events covered in this collection are intended to introduce you to these characters and give insight into their pasts, their motivations and the distinctive events that place them on their destined paths to become the heroes they were born to be, such as…
A Rose in Bloom recounts the thrilling events of a young Rose Thorne, not yet a woman, who is trying to find her way in the city of Oakhaven. Orphaned and discarded, she finds refuge in a kind madam at a local brothel and eventually meets a man who is more than she bargains for….
Strength of Faith is a tale that places a young acolyte of The Shimmering One, Garius Forge, on a path that tests his spirituality and also places him face to face with a demonic presence that has the power to alter the face of Wothlondia forever! Will his reverence and devotion to his deity be enough to overcome this horrible demon?
Tears of Blood is the amazing recount of the attacks on the region of Stonehill by the ancient and malevolent undead that are known as Blood Rot Zombies! Saeunn and the barbarians of both Chansuk and Greymoors must find a way to stop the undead infestation before they spread their miasma all across the face of Wothlondia! It is a tale that will forever change the young barbarian woman in more ways than one…
Maturation Process is the telling tale of the high elf, Elec Stormwhisper, who lives in the overbearing shadow of his father, Keryth. Treated as an outcast and feeling alienated from his own people, he exiles himself for a decade, finding a friend in a strange place and begins to accept his own unique destiny. Will this young and inexperienced elf ever find his true calling?
Reflections is an exploration into the true classifications of self-image. This short and sweet tale tells of the half-ogre barbarian, Orngoth, who begins to realize the true picture of what he is and where he comes from. During a raid with his ogre barbarian kin—the Ironskulls—Orngoth has an impromptu meeting that could forever change his own destiny. Will he see his true self in time or will he continue down the path of reckless endangerment?
Distant Familiarity is the tale of three legendary figures in the history of Wothlondia, who are attempting to recover an ancient evil that was stolen away from them. Tiyarnon the High Priest, Rolin Hardbeard and Nimaira Silvershade set out to recover the artifact that has forever altered their former companion Sadreth, twisting him into something altogether evil. Can these ancient heroes find and recover the item before it is reunited with its former host?
Covenant of the Faceless Knights
Beginnings Series
Book 2
When a dangerous artifact is discovered missing from the Temple of The Shimmering One, its high priest regretfully understands that he cannot recover it himself. Calling upon a former apprentice, now an Inquisitor among the Order of the Faceless Knights, Tiyarnon enlists the aid of Garius Forge, who assembles an eclectic group of allies to help in recovering the lost relic. Aided by the mischievous Rose, a rogue among rogues, the stoic and bloodthirsty Saeunn, and a promising but naïve elf named Elec, Garius hopes that his training and leadership skills will not only keep his associates in check, but will also allow them to survive the challenging trials to come. Garius must lead his band into unknown regions to recover the artifact before it falls into the hands of the evil being that once held it or it may very well spell doom for the rebuilt civilizations of Wothlondia.
Secrets of the Ebon
ite Mines
Beginnings Series
Book 3
After Garius and company fail to recover the item they so desperately sought, a chance encounter here and a revelation there leave clues as to its whereabouts once more. Garius Forge the Inquisitor of the Faceless Knights, Rose Thorne, the sassy rogue, Elec Stormwhisper, an elf with a newfound thirst for the martial arts, Saeunn, the stoic barbarian and Orngoth, the half-ogre brute set out to once more try to uncover the whereabouts of the tainted artifact. Their quest leads them to a dark village named Hollow Hill, left vacant since the Reign of Ashenclaw. It is a place rumored to be haunted and they soon find that it is more than meets the eye. The group soon uncovers a clandestine group of highwaymen with knowledge of the artifact and much more as they attempt to uncover the many secrets hidden deep within the ebonite mines!
Legend of Ashenclaw
Novella
Realm of Ashenclaw
Ever wonder how the realm got its namesake? This tome details the compelling accounts of the heroes who encountered a dragon five times the size of any other, given the name: ASHENCLAW. Join Azbiel, Figit, Twarda, Jon Veinslay and Triniach along with the countless others as they attempt to rid Wothlondia of the Queen of the Scorching Drakes and her dragon invasion! Will they succeed? Turn the pages of The Legend of Ashenclaw and find out!
Tower of Torment
Embers of War Saga
Book 1
As Garius and company are charged with securing the return of Princess Amara to her home town of Norgeld, Rose remains behind to focus on her suspected betrayal at the hands of her former lover, Ganthorpe, the Master of Thieves. In Norgeld, the scene is dreary, the ancient Citadel Pridemoon is cast in gloom, and whispers of bizarre figures in the castle windows are mounting. As the mystery within this veritable Tower of Torment begins to unravel, relationships are changed, deceit is laid bare, and tragedy strikes in ways that will forever change Wothlondia’s heroes!
Cage the Dead
Zombie Apocalypse Novel
Graphic Content–Mature Readers Only!
As Gaia arrived to work that fateful day to a zoo full of visitors, including students from a nearby school, strange events began to unfold. After hearing rumors of a deadly virus being released and then news of a terrifying broadcast, she begins to witness both zoo employees and patrons dying and coming back from the dead as flesh-eating zombies. Will Gaia be able to survive the chaotic environment created by both the wild predators and the living dead?
Wake the Dead 2
Zombie Apocalypse Novel
Graphic Content–Mature Readers Only!
As the dead once again rise, Alex and company seek to make the best of the zombie incursion that has now advanced inside the Renaissance Faire-grounds. But, when the execution of their plan to cleanse those grounds meets with complications, will they be able to adjust, or will the undead that now surround the castle walls spell a slow and painful death of starvation for those within?
Wake the Dead 2 (Wake The Dead Series) Page 17
