Torrent
The Reset Series Book 5
Kellee L. Greene
Contents
Books By Kellee L. Greene
1. Joss
2. Adam
3. Stevie
4. Joss
5. Adam
6. Stevie
7. Joss
8. Adam
9. Stevie
10. Joss
11. Adam
12. Stevie
13. Joss
14. Adam
15. Stevie
16. Joss
17. Adam
18. Stevie
19. Joss
20. Adam
21. Stevie
22. Joss
23. Adam
24. Stevie
25. Joss
26. Adam
27. Stevie
28. Joss
29. Adam
30. Stevie
What’s next?
Books By Kellee L. Greene
Mailing List
About the Author
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 Kellee L. Greene
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the author.
First Edition October 2020
Books By Kellee L. Greene
The Reset Series
Flood - Book 1
Sinking - Book 2
Drowned - Book 3
Swamp - Book 4
Torrent - Book 5
Book 6 - Coming soon!
What Remains Series
Sickness - Book 1
Outpost - Book 2
Infected - Book 3
Evasion - Book 4
Red Sky Series
Red Sky - Book 1
Blue Cloud - Book 2
Black Rain - Book 3
White Dust - Book 4
Indigo Ice - Book 5
Yellow Heat - Book 6
Ravaged Land Series (1)
Ravaged Land -Book 1
Finding Home - Book 2
Crashing Down - Book 3
Running Away - Book 4
Escaping Fear - Book 5
Fighting Back - Book 6
Ravaged Land: Divided Series (2)
The Last Disaster - Book 1
The Last Remnants - Book 2
The Last Struggle - Book 3
Ravaged Land: Eventuality Series (3)
The Wall - Book 1
The Outside - Book 2
Falling Darkness Series
Unholy - Book 1
Uprising - Book 2
Hunted - Book 3
The Island Series
The Island - Book 1
The Fight - Book 2
The Escape - Book 3
The Erased - Book 4
From Below Series
Creatures - Book 1
Desolation - Book 2
The Alien Invasion Series
The Landing - Book 1
The Aftermath - Book 2
Destined Realms Series
Destined - Book 1
1
Joss
I never thought life would be so incredibly hard. I was going to finish college, get my dream job, get married, and have two kids. One boy. One girl. A perfect two-story house in the suburbs. This life, though, the one I was living, wasn’t something I had ever imagined for myself.
After traveling on the boat, we’d managed to find land. It wasn’t long after that we found the town occupied by other survivors. I thought things might finally be better… at least somewhat.
We were given food, water, and shelter and all we had to do was help out. Although, after what happened to me while doing my job, Rex, the leader of the town, allowed me to stay indoors to take care of Jenna.
Over the last few weeks, her stomach had rounded significantly. She loved that we were no longer stuck in the rain and she didn’t suffer from the stomach pains as she had when we’d been traveling.
I felt lucky to be alive. Although, this life wasn’t exactly an easy one. Nearly every night since getting shot at, I had nightmares they were still after me.
They thought we were stealing. The truth was, Bill, the guy I’d been with, had been. I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time… and with the wrong person.
It seemed as though our town wasn’t quite as safe as we had hoped. But we needed to stay in our town because there was a doctor and that was something that Jenna needed.
When we’d been out traveling, she’d experienced debilitating pains. She’d feared for her pregnancy but when we arrived, the doctor said everything seemed fine and with her growing belly, he must have been right.
Jenna was beyond thrilled to have shelter. It worried me, however, because Robby still helped patrol the area with some of the other men and women. Caleb did odd jobs when asked.
Everyone in town treated Jenna like a queen. They brought her anything she wanted or needed and sometimes even gifts. There weren’t many, but the pregnant women in the town were like goddesses.
The town leaders were thrilled to grow the community. They believed that was how things would get better. We’d rebuild by essentially starting over. Creating new life and growing over time.
“I wonder when Rex will make you go back to work,” Jenna said from the bed. She was lying down with at least seven pillows behind her.
“Sick of my company already?” I asked.
“No, but it’s been several weeks,” Jenna said looking down at the cover of the book she was holding. “I didn’t mean for that to sound rude.”
My eyes shifted out to the people on the streets below. There weren’t many out there but those who were would run from one place to the next, trying to stay as dry as possible.
“I’m sorry I’m not good company,” I muttered.
Jenna groaned. “You’re fine. It’s just I don’t know if you’re ready to go back out there and work.”
“I’m definitely ready to go anywhere outside of this town,” I admitted.
“Caleb said people were talking about what Bill did. They aren’t happy you both went to that other place. They think it’s going to cause some major problems for us,” Jenna said.
“You do realize I didn’t want to go there, right?” I said shooting her a look.
Jenna’s eyes widened and her bottom lip puffed out. “I didn’t mean it like that. They all blame Bill.”
“I had no idea what he was making me do,” I said. My body trembled at the memory of the gunshot.
“I know that and I think most people know that too,” Jenna said. “My point was that the rumor mill thinks he caused trouble for us.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” I said swallowing hard as if trying to rid myself of the memory. “They were not happy we were on their property. And they were definitely not happy Bill was trying to take their things.”
Jenna nodded. “We should talk about something else.”
“Or if you prefer not talking at all, that’s okay too,” I said.
“Sorry you don’t like my company,” Jenna said with a grin.
I laughed.
“I can tell the subject upsets you,” Jenna said.
“Of course it does. I was shot at,” I said. I blinked several times. “I can still picture his lifeless eyes staring at me every
time I close my eyes.”
“That’s why I said we can talk about something else,” Jenna said. “To get your mind off of it all.”
I shook my head. “My mind never goes anywhere else. And they’re both out there right now. What if they’re made to do something that could put them in danger? Or what if they get shot at? I just hate it.”
“They’ll be okay in town, don’t you think?” Jenna asked as if he hadn’t given much thought to the fact that things could go wrong inside our town.
“I hope so,” I said. “But I hate when we’re all apart. It’s hard to get used to. Caleb and I have been together since this all started.”
Jenna opened her mouth to reply but the sounds of someone pounding on the door interrupted her. I walked over to the door and checked out of the peephole. Both Caleb and Robby were standing out there looking more anxious than usual.
“It’s the guys,” I said before opening the door. “What are you guys doing—”
“Bad news,” Caleb said stepping around me to make his way to Jenna.
“What’s going on?” I asked crossing my arms as I turned to face Robby.
He closed the door and locked it. Robby ran his fingers through his wet hair. Cool droplets of water sprinkled on my face.
“They caught someone sneaking around town,” Robby said as he placed his hand on my back, guiding me toward the middle of the room.
“Well, that’s good, right?” Jenna asked.
“Why is that good?” My nose wrinkled.
She bit her lip. “Good that they caught him.”
“They’re interrogating him right now,” Robby said. “Nearly everyone was sent home as a precautionary measure.”
“Why?” Jenna asked.
“In case there are others,” Caleb said. “We don’t know what their intentions are.”
Jenna pressed her lips together. “Rex and the others will find out.”
“They will,” Robby said turning to me. “I’m supposed to go back.”
“What? No!” I said my eyes popping wide, pleading with him to rethink the idea. “Why would they want you to go back if people are supposed to go to their homes?”
“I’ll be inside the town police station,” Robby said. “It’ll be safe. I just need to guard the cell. I’ll be with several others.”
My mouth filled with a metallic taste. “This is a terrible idea.”
“I’ll be okay,” Robby said reassuringly kissing the top of my head. “We’ll be armed.”
“I’d rather you stay with us,” I said.
“Caleb will be here,” Robby said squeezing me quickly before his arms dropped away. He walked toward the door, glancing toward Caleb. “Lock the door.”
Caleb saluted him. “Always do, chief.”
“Can I come with you?” I asked.
“You should stay here with Caleb and Jenna,” Robby said. “I’ll come back when I can, okay?”
I sighed and his lips curled slightly. Anger squeezed my brows.
“Nothing is even a little amusing about this,” I said.
“It’s not, but I like that you worry about me.”
“Of course, I do,” I said with a minuscule scowl. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Robby shrugged. “Never mind.”
“What were you going to say?”
“One of these days you’ll realize I’m nothing special,” Robby said.
“Oh, knock it off!” I lightly punched him in the shoulder.
Robby looked down. His voice soft so that Caleb and Jenna wouldn’t hear him. “Well, let’s not forget how you felt about having children with me.”
“Robby,” I said crossing my arms. “It doesn’t have anything to do with you. It’s this world.”
“Let’s not talk about it now, okay?”
“Yeah, because you have more important places to go.”
Robby sighed. “See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I said locking the door behind him. Caleb appeared suddenly and reached around me, checking the lock. I stared at him… blinking once. “I know how to lock a door.”
“Sorry,” Caleb said. “Just wanted to check.”
“You’re nervous about what’s going on out there, aren’t you?” I said.
Caleb wouldn’t meet my eyes. “A little.”
“You don’t think he should have left?” I asked.
“I don’t think he felt like he had a choice in the matter. His job is to help the guards or police or whatever they call themselves,” Caleb said. “If any of us can take care of themselves, though, it’s Robby.”
“Officers?” Jenna wondered softly.
Caleb nodded. “Yeah, maybe.”
I exhaled and went back to the window. I stared out, watching as if I’d be able to spot spies and intruders lurking in the shadows.
Nothing seemed at all out of the ordinary, except there were fewer people milling about. Everyone who wasn’t essential had gone home.
Robby should be here too. We should be in our room, staying safe like everyone else.
“I think he kicked,” Jenna said placing her hand on her stomach.
“Really?” Caleb asked.
I tried not to stare at them as they both gazed at Jenna’s stomach, trying to feel for the baby inside to move again. It felt as though I was the intruder… I was in a special moment with them I didn’t belong in.
I turned back to the window, twisting my fingers as I watched the raindrops smack into the glass. Down the street, there was some commotion.
I spotted Robby along with several other guards. “What the hell?”
“What’s going on?” Caleb asked jumping out of the bed.
They were dragging someone down the road. The man was putting up a good fight but with all of them there, he wasn’t going to get far even if he broke free.
I chewed on the inside of my already raw cheek. “I’m not sure. They’re taking him somewhere.”
I took a step away from the window but Caleb grabbed me. He shook his head from side to side.
“Uh-uh,” he said. “Can’t let you do that.”
“Do what?” I asked innocently.
“Go after him.”
I exhaled.
Caleb stared out the window as he held me in place. “Besides, it’s not Robby you need to worry about.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
Caleb turned. “I don’t think they’re just going to let their prisoner go.”
Just as the words left Caleb’s lips, they pushed the man down to the ground. An officer with a thick piece of rope wrapped it around the prisoner’s neck.
I covered my mouth as they continued to drag him down the street. I was almost certain I could hear his cries for help.
2
Adam
Life at the resort wasn’t anything like I’d imagined. I’d traveled from California to be reunited with my parents but only my dad had survived. I was stuck inside the cabin and sometimes I wasn’t sure if the life I had was any kind of living at all.
The outside world was wet, treacherous, and at times, dangerous. But it was all those things inside of the resort too.
Leah and I stayed inside our cabin as much as possible to keep out of trouble. Which meant keeping our distance from Eva.
We only left when necessary and almost always together. Leaving alone was a risk and not usually one we were willing to take.
Even though I was reunited with my dad, everything between us was weird. Eva had corrupted him. The death of my mom had changed him into someone I barely recognized.
He looked like my dad and sounded like my dad but his shoulders were slumped. All of the things that had made my dad strong must have stayed with my mom because they weren’t with him any longer.
It was hard to admit but it was almost as though my dad had died in the earthquakes. Of course, there was a chance he thought the same thing about me because I was probably different too.
There were things that were good abo
ut being at the resort. We had unlimited food and water. We had a roof over our heads. A generator. Entertainment. And for the most part, we were safe… except for whatever Eva had in store for us.
It was just too bad that Eva wanted us gone. She was sitting back for the time being but there was no way she was done torturing me. Eva was waiting for the right moment to make her move.
The news of Eva’s affair or whatever it was had come out and my dad ignored it. He didn’t want to hear it. They still lived together. She’d probably begged him for forgiveness and because of his loneliness, he’d probably gave in. No one knew the type of person Eva was… no one except me.
Eva needed him. If she didn’t marry my father, she wouldn’t have the power that came with his role at the resort. He was one of the men in charge because he knew the owner. Eva, of course, knew that.
The whole thing made me sick. My dad should have kicked her out. He shouldn’t have ever allowed her inside his room.
Eva was pure evil. She disgusted me. I wanted to call her out for the murderer she was but I couldn’t because I wasn’t any better. I’d killed. I had blood on my hands too.
But I’d done it because there was no other choice. It hadn’t been for selfish reasons. Although I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe all killing was for selfish reasons.
The Reset Series | Book 5 | Torrent Page 1
