Half Dead
World
Book One from the Apocalypse Tales
Adrienne Hargrove
Copyright © 2021
Adrienne Hargrove
HALF DEAD WORLD
Book One from the Apocalypse Tales
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Adrienne Hargrove
First Edition 2021
Table of Contents
PART ONE
HAVEN
Chapter One
The Deluge
Chapter Two
Friends and Foes
Chapter Three
Shock and Awe
Chapter Four
Meet the Parents
Chapter Five
New Rules
Chapter Six
Back to School
PART TWO
FIN
Chapter Seven
Saying Goodbye
Chapter Eight
“Enlistment Day”
Chapter Nine
Savannah
Chapter Ten
Jump School
Chapter Eleven
First Mission
Chapter Twelve
Mission Failure
Chapter Thirteen
Familiar Faces
Chapter Fourteen
Homecoming
Chapter Fifteen
Afraid of the Dark
Chapter Sixteen
Lucius
Chapter Seventeen
The Shit and the Fan
Epilogoue
World on Fire
PART ONE
HAVEN
Chapter One
The Deluge
I should be listening to my physics teacher Mr. Daxter, who is going over our test review. Unfortunately, I hate physics and I don’t really like Mr. Daxter, either. So, instead of listening to him drone on about the laws of thermodynamics, I sit in full on daydream mode staring out the window at yet another rainy Louisiana day. In general, I like the rain there is something exciting about a thunderstorm. There is a different kind of energy in the atmosphere. However, after two months of rain every single day, I am desperate for some sunshine. The never-ending rain makes me think about the plausibility of Noah’s ark. It seems such a ridiculous thing to believe, right up there with the virgin birth and Jonah and the whale. My mom says part of faith is, believing in what seems impossible. Regardless of what she might think, I do not question the existence of God, because I am a teenager and feel I must rebel against my parents thinking. In many ways it would be much easier if I just believed. Though religion is definitely frowned upon politically, my parents would be happy and my best friend Kirra who is, team Jesus all the way would be thrilled. But I refuse to lie about something that in all honesty I think is a crock. I can’t pretend to believe in something so completely illogical. I gave God, his chance I prayed every day for a month that Jackson would fall desperately in love with me or at least notice me. Nothing! Not a wink, not a smile, not a, what’s up Haven. He must know who I am. I have been ogling him since freshman year. I don’t delude myself into thinking I am some teenage goddess, but I am cute, and I’m nice, and I feel certain I smell pleasant. So why can he not even spare a look in my direction. He is sitting there now, two desks up and one over from me. I am tempted to throw something at him. Maybe if I hit him in the head with my book, he would look at me and then realize I am the perfect girl for him. Ugh… I have to get a grip. Down deep, I fully recognize that I can’t decide on the validity of a deity based on my sad, unrequited love story. But still, I need some kind of proof. I suppose any good experiment needs more than just one test, one last prayer. Okay God, if you really created it all and there is an afterlife, I want to see proof. I want to see something undeniable, something supernatural that could only be from you. And not just a dream, I am not a profit I need hard evidence.
“Miss Hollock!” Mr. Daxter’s angry voice breaks into my prayer. My eyes snap open and I flush red as the entire class, including Jackson turns to stare. I should really be careful what I wish…or pray for because, Jackson, is definitely looking at me now. Of course, he is looking at me when I am about to be chewed out by the evil scientist in front of the whole class.
“I assume there is some good reason you are sleeping in my class. Are you ill? Were you up all night studying physics? Or perhaps ….”
“I wasn’t sleeping” I snap, and cross my arms, trying unsuc-cessfully to bury my temper.
“Really, then what exactly were you doing, with your eyes closed?”
The answer flies out of my mouth before my brain has time to think it through. “I was praying.”
Mr. Daxter’s eyes widen before he takes on a bored expression. “I’d rather you were sleeping. This is physics class keep your mysticism at home. Need I remind you that the Religious Acts of 2064, made it illegal to express religious sentiment on any federally funded properties. The world has seen enough violence from religious zealots. I for one am glad for the progressive direct-ion our nation has taken.”
I bite my lip to hold in my comment; it will only get me in trouble. I am no zealot. I don’t even believe, and because I don’t, I have never thought much about the Religious Acts. It has always seemed crazy to me that people would fight, kill, and die, for a God they have never even seen. But Mr. Daxter’s, smug face just pisses me off, so even though I don’t really care about the Religious Acts, and even though I know I should keep my mouth shut, I just can’t stop myself from firing back sarcastically.
“Wow, Mr. Daxter, I didn’t realize criminal activity had declined with the absence of prayer. All I hear about in the morning news is how increasingly violent our nation has become. It would seem, becoming a Godless nation has not had the intended effect.”
Oh, crap now I have done it. Mr. Daxter’s face is instantly enraged, mottled with purple and red splotches. I think he might actually stroke out.
“Miss Hollock, one more word out of you, and you will spend the rest of the semester in the behavior modification program, then you can test your theories about just how violent we have become.”
I clamp my mouth shut and literally bite my tongue to keep in any further remark. There is no worse fate for a teenager than the behavior modification program. It is like a prison during school hours. Most of the kids in the program are violent, future rapist, and murderers. Occasionally a regular kid gets stuck there because they ticked off the wrong person. It never ends well for those students. There are virtual teachers, and guards, but it would be extremely unlikely to get through a semester without being assaulted.
“All right everyone back to the review, Miss Hollock has wasted enough of our time.” Everyone obediently turns back to the front. Everyone except for Jackson, he is staring at me with a furrowed brow like he is trying to figure out just how crazy I am. I arch my brows, and give him my best, what are you looking at stare in return. He flashes me a quick smile and turns around to the front. My heart stops beating for two beats, then slams against my chest in a pounding thud so hard I can’t stop myself from rubbing over the spot at the top of my rib cage. I sit in class for five more minutes oblivious to everything but the sound of my breathing echoing in my head. The bell rings and as I make my way to my next class, I contemplate my earlier
prayer and try to decide if Jackson smiling at me is a sign from GOD. I walk, unaware of my surroundings, having an internal conversation with GOD. Nope, nope, nope… that can’t be the sign, maybe I would have settled for that before, but I was specific Big Guy. If you exist, and created all life, and there is an afterlife, I want to see proof. Show me an angel or let me walk on water… something…anything that can’t be misconstrued as a coincidence.
As I turn down the hall to get to my current events class, I am startled by the touch of a warm hand on my upper arm. I turn to see Jackson smiling at me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but I called your name three times.”
I stare at him willing myself to speak, but my mind is completely disconnected from my mouth and I can’t seem to come up with anything. SPEAK DAMN IT!!! He’s going to think you are a complete idiot.
“Uh earth to Haven, you in there?”
“S-sorry I’m just… I was just daydreaming I guess.”
Jackson chuckles under his breath. “No worries. I just wanted to see if you were okay after the way Mr. Daxter threatened you with behavior modification?”
My eyes widen a little and I can feel my cheeks burning. “I’m fine, Mr. Daxter, just infuriates me beyond reason. And when I lose my temper, I have no filter and say stupid things.”
Jackson’s face turns serious as he pulls me into an alcove between lockers he leans in close and whispers “Either way, you have to be more careful. You can’t let people know you’re a believer.”
My whole body is charged with excitement at the closeness of him. I pull my head back slightly to look in his eyes “Why?” I ask more than a little confused by his sudden seriousness. “Religion isn’t illegal; we just can’t talk about it at school. Personally, I think Mr. Daxter was way out of line. I should probably report him.”
Instantly Jackson clutches my arms and whispers furiously “Whatever you do, don’t do that! Trust me, keep your beliefs to yourself or you’ll make yourself a target.”
I close my mouth which has been hanging open. Give a slow nod of my head and say “Ooh-kay” I ease away from Jackson. “I’m gonna head to class now.” I say slowly and calmly.
Jackson rolls his eyes. “Oh Please, Haven, stop looking at me like I’m a lunatic. Surely you are not that naïve. Look, why don’t you come to my house for dinner tonight - I will explain things.”
I back away a little more, even though my hormones are fighting me, my brain is screaming run fast from the beautiful boy who is clearly nutter butters. “I… I don’t think I can; I have a lot of studying to do, maybe some other time.” I start to turn away, but he grabs my wrist stopping me. He steps close enough that when he leans in and speaks low, I can feel the warmth of his whisper on my neck, and I can’t stop the slight shiver it gives me. “Haven, I promise I’m not crazy. I just want to hang out and get to know you better, and if you’re desperate to study, we can do that too.”
Damn, there is no way my brain is winning this one.
“Alright but my dad is going to have to drop me off, I wrecked my car last week.”
“Oh… well I can come pick you up if you want?”
“No that’s okay, my dad will make an excellent witness as to my last known whereabouts. You know just in case crazy people break promises regarding their sanity.” I laugh as say the words, but in all I honesty, I am still a little apprehensive.
Jackson arches his eyebrows giving off an air of superiority, but he can’t quite keep the corners of his mouth from a smile. “I’ll see you at six, Haven.” I nod my head in confirmation just as the bell rings.
Chapter Two
Friends and Foes
I sprint past the last few doors before reaching my class. I make it just as the door is being shut by my teacher. She retreats and opens it back up with a smile. Thank Goodness for Mrs. Andrews, my current events teacher. She is the only teacher I have that is consistently in a good mood. I rush to take my seat while catching the eye of Kirra. Years of friendship have given us the ability to communicate without speech. With just a head nod and raised eyebrows we silently confirm that major events have taken place, which require in depth conversation. I sit in my seat across the aisle from, Kirra. Fin, who sits behind me leans forward and whispers in my ear. “Were you to busy flirting with the golden boy to get to class on time?”
“I wasn’t late. And what do you know about who I flirt with?”
Fin arches one eyebrow and smirks. “It was hard to miss.”
“Why do you care, Fin?” His mouth opens to respond, but quickly snaps shut as Mrs. Andrews begins her lecture on the influence of the United Administration on global agriculture laws. It is a topic that she has been focusing on more, and more, as every major government is considering the agricultural technology patented by Agrisin. Many countries are completely opposed to the new technology that is hailed by the U.A. as “the future of farming.” Some countries are interested but feel that more extensive safety testing should be done. Mrs. Andrews tries to be unbiased, but it’s clear she does not like the company, Agrisin. She is my favorite teacher, but I really don’t get why she is so worked up about Agrisin. They are on the verge of ending world hunger. Their latest modification of corn, soy and wheat seeds are guaranteed double the current crop yield and provide plants that are virtually indestructible. What’s the worst that could happen? The seeds are sterile, so if they don’t produce the expected yields, farmers can just plant the previous generation of modified seeds the next year. But if they do work, there would never be another person who died from hunger. How could anyone be against that? As Mrs. Andrews rants on I feel something nudge my right elbow. I look down, and discreetly slide the folded piece of paper that Fin passed me into view. It has just one sentence written in his surprisingly neat handwriting.
What is your obsession with him anyway?
I look up and see that Mrs. Andrews is still facing the projection screen reading off objections made by eighteen world governments the strongest protests coming from Austria, New Zealand, Germany, Greece, and France.
I roll my eyes and hastily scrawl.
Why do you even care?
He reaches for the note instantly and within seconds I feel it back at my elbow.
“I just don’t want to see my friend make a mistake.”
My jaw clenches tight and my face heats with fury.
“Who are you, to be calling me a mistake? I could be the greatest thing that ever happens to Jackson!”
I can hear Fin groan audibly as I wait for his response.
“I meant you, Haven, you’re my friend and I’m not saying Jackson is a mistake. I mean, he’s my friend too. But that doesn’t mean you two belong together. You two are so different. I just don’t get why you like him so much. And I don’t think you need to be chasing after any guys - they should be chasing after you.”
My mind races after I read his note and I can’t help but turn to look back at him. His eyebrows are slightly raised but other than that his expression is completely impassive. I turn back around at a total loss for what to think. Fin used to be my friend. Actually, he was my best friend from the day we met until halfway through junior high. He was the first friend I made after my family moved to Elizabeth, Louisiana from Fairhope, Alabama. My dad is a civil rights lawyer and we relocated to Elizabeth because though it’s small and there isn’t a lot to do, it is within twenty miles of the National Religious Freedom Center. His practice focuses on preserving the rights of places of worship within the United Administration. We moved to Oak Grove an upper middleclass subdivision that borders the Kisatchie national forest. Fin lives with his Dad in a trailer in the middle of the forest about five miles away by forestry road. But only a mile and a half by hiking trail. We met when we were both seven years old. It was the middle of summer, so it was about a million degrees outside. I was sitting at the edge of my pool with my feet dangling in the water. I was pouting because I had not made any friends yet, in this sleepy, southern, town with a population
of just under, ten thousand people. I looked up after hearing a noise at the wood line, and I saw Fin peeking out of the woods at me. I hopped up and put my shoes on, thinking Fin was some sort of miracle. But as soon as I started walking toward him, he took off running down the trail into the woods. I took off after him, but he was fast. I yelled after him “wait I’m not supposed to come into the woods, come back! I can’t follow you or I’ll get in trouble.”
He stopped and turned, then slowly walked back toward me. As we made it back to my yard from the trail, Fin said, “Your dad won’t whip you too bad if I’m around.”
I looked at him confused. “My dad won’t whip me. He’ll just punish me. You know, like, make me stay inside or take away my dessert.”
Fin gave me a skeptical look before dipping his already bare feet into the cool water of the pool. He ended up playing at my house that entire day, and even stayed for dinner. He insisted that my mom did not need to call his dad and ask for permission because his dad would be at work until after seven. Even though Fin was reluctant, my dad held firm on driving him home, so his father wouldn’t worry about who his son was playing with. Slightly panicked, Fin tried to assure my parents that his dad would never worry about him, but my dad was already looking for his car keys. Minutes later they were headed for the door, and Fin was promising me he would come back to play as soon as he could.
That night I woke from a bad dream and went to parents’ room for comfort. I heard my dad’s low, gentle voice, speaking to my mom about Fin and his dad. I couldn’t hear everything, but what I did hear both disturbed and confused me. My mom’s voice was quiet but anxious as she said “Maybe we shouldn’t let Haven play with him. With that kind of life, sooner or later he is going to end up in trouble and I don’t want Haven around when it happens.”
“Kelly, that’s not very kind, and if that boy needs anything, its kindness. He has a good heart- he is a protector… I can see it in him.”
Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales Page 1