Lauren crossed the snow covered parking lot with Marie, who was bundled up tightly. The icy wind bit at her rosy cheeks. They were out getting their rations for the day. Despite having plenty of food, the council, mostly men, deemed it necessary to take everyone’s food and then divide it up for each meal. So far it was the best method. As long as no one was going hungry that was. Anyone who disagreed was given one day’s ration and sent outside to fend for themselves. This way they could say that they weren’t murderers.
She didn’t agree with them entirely, but she didn’t argue. Lauren didn’t want to cause any waves. She knew she wouldn’t be able to take care of Marie without help. It was a small price to pay for safety. Her brown eyes looked to the grey sky. It was starting to snow again. She wished Cale were here.
“He’d know what to do,” she said to herself.
She looked down at her little bundle. Her eyes appeared bright in the light of the white sky. She had her father’s eyes, the eyes she’d fallen in love with. Their daughter would be all she’d have to remember him by. She hadn’t had enough time to grab a picture of him. He was going on a mission the last she’d spoken to him. His last words to her through the crackling headset repeated.
“I love you babe.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mikhail Lerma is originally from Holdrege, Nebraska. He joined the National Guard when he was only seventeen years old.
He deployed in 2007 three months after his first daughter, Amilia, was born. It was during his deployment to Iraq that he began writing this book.
After he returned from his tour, he and his wife, Brooke, had another daughter, Rebekah. They moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he worked full time for the National Guard for some time, as an assistant instructor. During this time, he and his wife welcomed another daughter, Delilah, to the world.
After attending school and becoming a combat medic Mikhail switched to working as an EMT for Midwest Medical Transportation Company located in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mikhail is currently working on the next book, chronicling Cale’s journey home.
Book two is steadily in progress. For updates, book trailers, and more visit:
http://www.zplanbook.wordpress.com
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads
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