by Scott, D. D.
“I don’t know. Just think about what you and I could do together if we teamed up and combined our skills. I bet we could take over the world.”
“That’s what Sam is worried about. He thinks if the Industry gets their hands on us, they’ll try to use us to create some invincible army.”
Tyler shrugged and shook his head. “I don’t know what their plan is. All I know is that living in this town where my dad won’t let me out of his sight for two seconds is driving me crazy. He’ll be screaming mad that I left the ranch when he catches up with me later.” The Johnson’s had the largest horse ranch in the county, and grew most of the hay for the local livestock. They had all the amenities the government could provide outside the cities, payment to Mr. Johnson for keeping the people of Stanton in line.
An idea struck me. “Would you ever think about going to the Western Desert with me?” A burst of excitement flooded my veins. “Like you said; the two of us together would be unbeatable. With your ability, we would always have a jump on what they were thinking and planning. They couldn’t really make us do anything we didn’t want to do, right? If they tried, I could just zap the life out of them.” As soon as I said it, doubt crept into my head. Did I really have the nerve to use my power to murder someone in cold blood?
Tyler shrugged, unfazed by my bold suggestion. “I’d have to have a better reason for taking on the Industry than wanting to escape my life here.”
I considered what might be enough motivation for him to think about it seriously. “I bet it would get us one step closer to finding the man who did this to us—that Dr. Bartholomew guy I told you about.” I glanced sideways at Tyler, letting him see that I was only half-joking, and that I would love nothing better than to get my hands on the monster responsible for all our troubles.
The view up ahead stopped me in my tracks. I pointed toward the ravine where a cloud of smoke was curling into the sky. We ran to the edge and peered down the thirty-foot slope. The industry vehicle I’d seen earlier in town lay overturned, its roof caved in and the whole thing engulfed in flames.
“That’s the guy!” I yelled over the crackling blaze.
Tyler put his arm up to shield his face from the heat. “There’s no helping him. It’s way too late.”
The body burned inside the vehicle, and the smell of biodiesel and death filled the air. We watched the blaze for some time longer, debating on whether we should go back to town for help. But it seemed pointless to get involved. There would only be questions neither of us could answer, and with both of us already in trouble at home, it was best that we leave well enough alone. We parted ways, promising that we’d keep one more unfortunate circumstance hidden in our mutual pact of secrets, and intent on returning to scavenge the vehicle for parts some time later.
As I made my way up the timber trail road toward home, I examined the communication device Agent Marx had given me. A small, flat comp screen lit up when I pressed a green button on the edge. A short list of numbers appeared. The first was marked with a star and had the name “Agent Marx” beside it. The second had my heart beating harder. It said “Industry HQ.” I hit the red button and turned off the comp screen. Sweat trickled down my neck. Certain they’d be sending someone else when Agent Marx didn’t check in, I stuffed the com unit into my pocket and set aside the thoughts that burrowed deeper into my mind.
Hopefully, time was on my side. I needed to figure out what my next move should be. Being able to protect my family seemed like the one benefit of having this ability. I hated that it felt like their fate was in my hands. It didn’t matter if I stayed or left. They would still be in danger because of me. Frustration seeped from under my skin, adding heat to my already burning flesh. The sun was blazing hot in the sky by the time I reached the farm. It seemed pointless to try to sneak back in with the screen door wide open and voices emanating loudly from the kitchen. I’d have to face up to breaking confinement and hope that Sam would understand my need to escape. The bigger question was whether I should tell him about Agent Marx.
As I busted through the screen door, my sister’s hysterical sobbing stopped me cold.
“I didn’t mean to kill him!” Lily cried.
With tears streaming and a horrified look on her face, I knew in that instant, that whatever my problems were, they didn’t compare to my sister’s dilemma, and adding mine wouldn’t help the situation.
Chapter 10
After discovering that it was Lily who accidentally caused the man’s vehicle to crash into the ravine, Sam and I suited up and went to tend to disposing of the body and camouflaging the wreck so no one would be the wiser. Sam and I discussed the possible uses for the parts that we would come back and retrieve in a few days when we were certain no one had discovered the accident. Sam came to the same conclusion I had.
“They’ll send someone else. They obviously know we’re here.” He laid large pine boughs over the bumper, cooled the burnt vehicle with mud from the stream, and laid out dark green foliage so no one would see it from the air if the Industry sent out drones to search for the agent and his vehicle. Sam removed the tracking device and destroyed it. Then we buried the body, the two of us solemn as we dealt with the gruesome mess.
“What are we going to do?”
He eyed me thoughtfully; his face red from exertion and sun exposure. “Don’t worry about it. I’m working out a plan. Trust me.” He continued to work at a slower and slower pace. The heat was taking its toll on him.
I stepped up my pace to take the brunt of the hard work off his hands. “Will we have to move on?” The thought of us losing everything we’d worked so hard to build on the farm made my stomach sink like I’d stepped in quicksand. A desperate longing for things to stay exactly as they were rose up from somewhere deep inside me.
Sam laid a hand on my shoulder. “I don’t want you to worry about that. If we have to move on from here, I’ll make sure we find a good place. I promise I’ll keep you and your sister safe.”
Lines were etched across his features, the worry and stress mounting a secondary assault to the cancer. I wanted to take that burden away from him, but I knew there was nothing that I could say or do to make the situation any better. If it came down to it, maybe my leaving and going to the Western Desert would be better for everyone.
When we’d finished our task, satisfied that we’d buried the charred body deep enough and concealed the vehicle well enough to buy us some time, Sam and I drove the Crawler, a modified old ATV Sam had built, up the timber trail road and arrived at the house late in the afternoon.
Lily, filled with regret over having caused someone’s death, moved sullenly, as if she was awaiting a hangman’s noose. While I, who wanted nothing more than to syphon the man’s energy off her hands like some vampire, reveled in the fact that he was dead and that I had time to think…and plan. Our lives might have been in more danger than ever, but part of me couldn’t let go of the idea that I could somehow make this disaster work in our favor. And now more than ever, I needed to find a way to use my ability for good.
When Lily took off to go out and check the traps, I snuck upstairs and pulled out mother’s journal from between the mattresses on Lily’s bed.
Medical Journal Entry-03132043
Dr. Hope Greyson, Geneticist for Industry Laboratories
Seven months into this pregnancy and I’m barely able to stand anymore. Holding a pen to keep up my journaling is enough of a challenge these days. The latest sonogram clearly shows a healthy baby boy. I will call him Timothy John after both of his Grandfathers. With the whole of our previous generations wiped from the earth through these terrible times of tribulation, I want to give my boy something of his history so that our elders are not forgotten. It’s only in remembering where we came from that we can go boldly forward to face the challenges ahead.
Winter winds and heavy snow has given way to raging spring storms, causing flooding in the lowlands. We’ve heard that whole towns have been swept away. The south has becom
e a wetland. People are flocking to the major cities looking for aid from the government and seeking protection from solar radiation.
Maybe it’s for the best that I not survive to see another day on this hellish planet, so obviously bound to eradicate the human species. Whatever we have done to bring this upon ourselves, I pray that God will have mercy on us. Our only hope is in the next generation. Will they have learned from the mistakes of the past? Can they, even with their genetically enhanced minds and bodies, survive the cruelty of Mother Nature’s wrath?
As the child within me kicks and squirms with life, anxious to be free from the confines of my womb, I hope for his salvation. He will need to be strong, fearless, and brave to confront the challenges before him. Whatever his gifts are, I pray that he will find it within himself to use them to make the world a better place. I have faith that he will be the best of Carl and me. If he has his father’s dark hair, loving nature, and creative brilliance, he will only need to follow his heart to know what’s right. As for what he might have of me, perhaps it will be my love of science and my willingness to explore the unknown. Whatever happens, and whoever he turns out to be, may he carry my love in his heart and know that he is precious to us.
I flipped through the pages, letting the words play in my mind. Tears burned for release, but I held them tight. Sam was right. It was time for me to grow up and take responsibility. What exactly that meant was anybody’s guess. All I knew was that I wanted to make my parents proud, and I would do anything within my power to protect the family I had left.
THE END—FOR NOW
I hope you liked Zeph’s story and found it thought-provoking and entertaining. TO DELVE DEEPER INTO THIS DYSTOPIAN WORLD, READ ABOUT LILY, ZEPH, SAM, AND WILL IN WANING MOON, the first book in THE CHRONICLES OF LILY CARMICHAEL trilogy, available on Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.
ABOUT PJ SHARON
I knew I would be a writer someday when I was a little girl sitting on my grandpa’s knee and telling him stories that he would help me put on paper. By the time I entered kindergarten I could already read and write, and I couldn’t wait to look up new words every morning in the ginormous Webster’s Dictionary that sat in the book case at the bottom of our stairs. I would get on the bus and ask my friends, “Do you know what pulchritudinous means?” Between that and challenging the boys to push-up contests at the bus stop, I mostly sat alone on those bus rides to school. But that just meant I had more time to make up stories.
I went on to many other endeavors in life, including the world of figure skating, and later, earning a black belt in martial arts. Though I was a mom at seventeen, I did manage to finish school and somehow made it through college, earning a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant. After nineteen years, two sons, a divorce, and some fairly lean years, I found that it’s true what they say about life beginning at forty. It was about that time when I reunited with the love of my life and worked my way to owning my own business as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Yoga Instructor—all of my favorite things. To make my bliss complete, I moved out to the Berkshires and found my muse waiting for me there amongst the lilacs and humming birds.
I now write Extraordinary Stories of an Average Teenage Life in order to share hope with others, especially teens, that no matter how tough life gets, there is always a bright spot waiting just around the corner. My published books include the award winning YA Novels, HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and SAVAGE CINDERELLA, available through Amazon and B&N Booksellers.
Treat or Trick
By Lois Lavrisa
“Two five year-old, green-faced witches are so excited that you’ll be there for them tonight. But now you’re telling me you might not be?” I tried to hide any signs of disappointment. After all, I did understand my husband’s predicament.
“Honey, I made a promise to the twins, and I’ll be there one way or another.” Andrew shrugged his shoulders. He rang up a customer purchasing one bag of organic potato chips. “Thank you for visiting Sunshine Market, Savannah, Georgia’s original health food store. We appreciate your business.”
The customer exited the store as I said, “Don’t get me wrong. I know how much work it is running this place, but tonight is Halloween, and you know it is a big deal. It’s the girls’ first time trick or treating.” I put my hand on my husband’s lower back.
“I was there for our first set of twins’ trick or treat. I won’t miss the girls’ either.” Andrew kissed the top of my head. “Remember all of the pictures I took of Timothy and Theodore? I plan to do the same for Nina and Nancy. Cat, you know I’ll do anything I can to be a part of it. Trust me.”
Everyone in town knew me as Cat, acronymic for Catherine Alice Thomson. “You’re a good man Andrew. I’m glad a little American Korean women like me married a tall, gorgeous Scotsman like you.” I rose on tiptoes to kiss him.
George approached us, wearing the bright yellow apron with the store’s name on the front. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Thomson. Do you want me to finish straightening aisle three?” He ran a hand through his tasseled dark brown hair. His glasses slipped down his button nose. At twenty, his round baby face and slim body could easily pass for someone years younger.
Andrew turned to George. “Sure. But see me when you’re done. I may have a little something I need you to do later.”
“Sure, will do.” Then George paused and said, “Will I need to stay super late? I mean I have this Halloween party to go to and I’ve got this awesome costume and all.”
“I’m sure you’ll be done in plenty of time to make the party,” Andrew said to George. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Do you want to hear about my totally cool costume?” George asked.
My husband rang up another customer. The rhythmic beep sounded as he passed each item over the scanner. He weighed her small batch of herbs.
“I’d love to hear about it George,” I said as I bagged the costumer’s purchase. The organic rosemary aroma filled the air as I placed the produce in a recycled grocery bag.
“No one will ever guess it’s me. I mean I had to think really hard about being unique and found this online. I couldn’t believe my luck. It is like totally authentic and it’s got this like super rad thing here.” George waved his hand near his mouth.
A large rumble in front of the store announced our delivery truck. The customer paid and grabbed her bag of groceries.
“Thank you for visiting us. Please come back.” I said to the customer as she exited.
“George, a truck just pulled in. Can you meet them in back?” Andrew pointed out the window at the produce truck. “Tell them I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“No problem.” George began to walk away and then turned half way. In a low voice he said, “Won’t that take hours to unload?”
“Maybe.” Andrew said. “Why?”
“Um, no reason.” George slumped over and trudged to the back of the store.
“Remember, he has a Halloween party?” I whispered to Andrew.
“And don’t worry. You won’t miss your party.” Andrew called to George. “And make sure you take plenty of pictures of that costume you were telling us about.”
George pulled a phone out of his pocket and held it up. “Sure. I’ve got this new iPhone and it takes totally great pictures and videos. I can capture all the fun. Everyone’s counting on me to get some YouTube footage.” He jogged to the back of the store.
“Speaking of pictures, you’re going to make sure to get lots of them tonight, right? I am going to have my hands too full to do that,” I said to Andrew.
“Don’t worry.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Okay.” I raised an eyebrow.
“What did I tell you? One way or another I’ve got it covered.” Andrew said. “Let me handle this. You take care of our little witches.”
“Fine. Then I’m going to head out now.” I said.
Andrew walked me to the double glass doors. “Love you. Happy Halloween. Don’t let the zom
bies get you.”
“I hate zombies.”
“There are no such things. You know that.”
“Of course, I still hate them- and those horrid masks. I can’t stand not seeing people’s faces. It creeps me out. Do you think I could tell the girls their mom is too afraid to trick or treat? Do you think there will be weirdos out to get them? I tell you I will not let go of their hands the whole night.” My stomach sank thinking of anything happening to my little girls.
I had avoided the whole trick or treat thing for this long because of my fear. At five years old, the pressure was too great. They were too well aware of Halloween. I couldn’t evade it any longer. Call me super cautious, but after my dad was murdered, I just couldn’t help it. In the back of my mind I thought someone could get us too.
Andrew waved his arms over my head. “There. I just put a Halloween protection over you and the girls. Nothing bad will happen. Scout’s honor.”
“You’re pulling out your Eagle Scout mumbo jumbo on me now?” We kissed. “See you tonight.” I tried to make it sound like a statement rather than a question. But since Andrew began running the store last year, he worked long hours and I seldom saw him. Although I felt immensely grateful that he took over after my dad’s death, I also knew the responsibilities prevented him from keeping any firm plans beyond that of running the store.
No. I won’t let myself worry. Tonight he would be there to document Nancy and Nina’s first trick or treating. He wouldn’t let me down. Or two little witches.
And we would all be safe.
• • •
“Mommy, where is daddy?” Nina’s big brown eyes peered up at me from her little green face, the hair from her black wig falling around her shoulders. The tall, pointed black hat sat crooked on the top of her small head.
