Half Dead World: Book One from the Apocalypse Tales

by Adrienne Hargrove

  I look around and wonder how everyone in class can be completely absorbed in Mrs. Andrews lecture while my world is doing somersaults. After arguing with myself back and forth I come to a decision.

  “I can’t, I promised Jackson I would go to his house for dinner, but if you’re serious about missing me or all of us, then you should come to the house tomorrow for dinner.”

  Once more, several agonizing minutes tick by on the clock before he responds.

  “Okay Haven”

  I glance back at his face and his expression is so tragic I almost change mind. I sit and blankly stare toward the front of the class until the bell rings. When I get up Fin is holding my bag up for me. Again, I can’t help but notice the pained look in his eyes.

  “It’s going to be alright Fin I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I can feel the color drain instantly from my face as a horrifying thought pops into my head and I lean into whisper. “Has he been hurting you again?”

  Fin gently squeezes my shoulder. “No, Haven, not since that day.”

  I wish I couldn’t read the lie in his eyes. All those years ago, he swore to me that what happened with his dad had only happened that one time. I felt so helpless when he exiled me from his life. I guess I believed him because it was too painful to believe otherwise... But right now, I’m really watching, trying to see the truth. I see his eyes look off to the right for just a second, his full lips pursed and even slight blush across his golden, brown cheekbones. The reality is he has been hurt his whole life. This boy, who is just over six feet tall and muscular, even if he is slightly underweight, is as big as a grown man. But he is filled with fear, sadness, anger, and every other emotion that comes with a lifetime of being mistreated and unloved by the person who should have loved him most.

  I wrap my arms around his waist and put my ear to his chest and listen to his strong heartbeat. I feel like I have been punched in the chest and my heart throbs in pain, for not being able to save him from all the hurt inflicted on him. Fin returns the embrace and I know I have my best friend back.

  “I will always be your best friend Fin and I will do whatever I can to be there for you. But I have been waiting for years for Jackson to notice me, so please don’t ask me not to go tonight.”

  I can hear him sigh and his breath blows through the hair on the crown of my head.

  “I don’t know why; I just feel so uneasy about it. Please promise me to be extra careful.”

  I smile as I look up at him. “Of course, I will. I was even going to get my dad to bring me.”

  Fin shifts me to his side, puts his arm around my shoulder and gives it a little squeeze before dropping his arm down to his side. “Come on, we are going to be the last people in the lunch line, and they will be all sold out of mystery meat.”

  As we exit the class, I see Violet giving me a dirty look. “Your girlfriend is giving me the stink eye.”

  He looks up surprised, then sees violent and lets out a dark chuckle.

  “She is not my girlfriend.”

  “She wants to be.”

  Fin rolls his eyes. “Only because she doesn’t know I’m trailer trash. She just thinks I would look good sitting next to her in her new Mercedes.”

  “First of all, you’re not trailer trash. Second, you are probably right that she wants you as an accessory. However, in her defense, you are easy on the eyes.”

  Fin sighs again but can’t keep from smiling a little. “Any way it doesn’t matter. She’s not my type.”

  “Yeah, hair black as ebony, skin white as snow, lips red as roses and a perfect body, I can see how that wouldn’t be your type.”

  “I’m pretty sure you just described Snow White, not Violet.”

  “Well, her dad is as rich as a king, so maybe. Hmm, I wonder if her parents are still married or if she has a stepmom?”

  “I’m pretty sure Snow White was a bit nicer, that’s why the huntsman didn’t kill her. So, that kind of eliminates Violet from fairytale princess status.”

  “True, she is a supreme bitch.”

  My harsh words clearly shock him and make him a little uncomfortable. He may not want her as a girlfriend, but they do hang in the same circle of friends.

  “It’s true she can be a little stuck up sometimes, but she’s not a bad person. She is just a product of her environment. I don’t think you need to judge her that harshly.”

  I feel the sting of Fin’s disappointment in me, and instantly become defensive.

  “Why are you suddenly Violet’s, ally. I thought you weren’t interested in her.”

  “I’m not! She is too complicated, and she doesn’t always have a kind temperament…but she is not a horrible person. You can’t judge a book by its cover, or a face by its stink eye.”

  He says the last part while chuckling softly and nudging me in the shoulder.

  “Well, her cover is beautiful, even with the stink eye, and I have caught her lusting after you with her stare. But I think you deserve someone with a much sweeter temperament.”

  I say the last part with Kirra, in mind.

  “Well, I hate to break it to you, but my heart belongs to another.” Fin taps his chest dramatically with his fist, and my mouth drops open in shock. “Either way, I don’t think I have the energy to peel through all the layers of onion named Violet.”

  “Ha!” My bark of laughter comes out louder than I expected, and Fin rubs his right ear, after which I give him a hard shove and continue. “That is so hilarious! That’s, totally going to be my new nickname for her, the purple onion.”

  “You are such a weirdo.”

  “No…don’t you get it Violet…purple…onion? It’s funny!”

  “Unfortunately, I do get your cheesy humor.”

  Fin is still shaking his head as we walk into the cafeteria. As soon as we make it in, I see Kirra, waving us over to her table.

  “Come on, Kirra’s got a table for us.”

  “Actually, I think I’m going to go sit with the team, after I pick up whatever delightful surprise the cafeteria has in store for me.” Fin says this with heavy sarcasm, then, looks at me again seriously. “Remember your promise to be careful tonight.”

  “I promise…but quit your worrying grandpa, I’ll be fine. Nothing is going to happen to me, and I’ll see you tomorrow night at my house for dinner.”

  “I’ll be there.” We smile, then head in separate directions.

  Chapter Three

  Shock and Awe

  A s soon as my butt hits the seat, I know I’m in for an interrogation. Kirra is practically foaming at the mouth. “What the flux was that?”

  I try not to smile because it will only encourage her, but I can’t hold it in. The look on her face is too hilarious.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, that’s a load of bull crap and you know it!”

  I gasp with feigned shock. “Honestly, Kirra, such language, you're sounding like a… What was that thing you called me the other day, a heathen? That’s right! You’re sounding like a heathen!”

  “First of all, I’m pretty sure God doesn’t care what words I use to describe poop. It’s taking his name in vain that he finds offensive. Second of all, cut the crap. Why were you late getting to class and what is going on with you and Fin? I waited for you outside class, and when I peeked back in to see what was taking you so long, I saw you two hugging. I know you have a history with Fin, but I thought you were all kinds of in love with Jackson?”

  “Calm down and take a breath, Kirra. I’ll tell you what I can but to be honest I’m still a little confused by the last two hours.”

  I free my Tupperware from my backpack and start in on my chicken salad wrap, while Kirra taps a limp French fry on the side of her tray eyeing me with impatience. I hold up one finger while I chew.

  “I’m starving.”

  “Well, talk with your mouth full if you have to!”

  “Just give me two minutes.”

  I manage t
hree more bites before Kirra snatches the Tupperware from in front of me.

  “Speak now, or this goes in the trash.”

  “Geez you’re awfully feisty today.” I say after barely swallowing my last bite of food. I let out a sigh and look longingly at my now out of reach lunch. “It’s not like I’m not excited to tell you, I just wanted a little lunch before getting into full on discuss and analyze mode. First off, I was late to current events because Jackson asked me to come to his house tonight for dinner!”

  “What!” Kirra, screeches loudly. Fortunately, the cafeteria is loud enough that only the people closest to us even notice. I widen my eyes and give her the (shut it) look anyway. She leans in and lowers her voice.

  “What happened? What did he say? Oh. My. Gosh. Haven, this is so awesome! You have been crushing on him almost as long as I have known you.”

  “I know, and in a way I’m super excited, but something kind of feels off about it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I don’t know what it’s all about. I’m pretty sure it’s not a real date. I got in trouble in Mr. Daxter’s class and afterwards, Jackson gave me a look. It was weird because it was like he was looking at me as though he had never seen me before. Then, he stops me in the hall and tells me I need to be careful, that I shouldn’t let people know I’m a believer.” I see Kirra’s face light up and already know what she’s thinking.

  “So, has your spirit finally woken up?”

  “No, it’s still got a hand on the snooze button. Jackson just got the wrong idea. I was arguing with Mr. Daxter, defending your believer rights on principle.”

  “Well… I guess that’s a start, at least you have principles.”

  “Gee thanks.” I deadpan “Anyway, I didn’t get a chance to set him straight because he invited me to his house for dinner. I almost said no because he was acting so strangely that I was starting to wonder if he was on drugs or high on Jesus or something.”

  “I have heard that new stuff, “Sync” makes you do bizarre things.”

  “I know, do you think I should have said no?” We both look over to the Athlete table and watch Jackson laughing with Fin and a couple other football players, Asher, and Damarcus. Of course, Violet and her sidekick, Carly, are there trying to assert their claim to the schools, hottest guys.

  “He isn’t acting weird now.” Kirra says.

  “No, I guess not. I’m going to have my dad bring me anyway, just to be on the safe side.”

  “How does that make it safer, aside from the fact that you won’t be driving?”

  I roll my eyes at her crack about my driving. One or two fender benders and suddenly you are the world’s worst driver. “Very funny, it’s safer because Jackson will know that my dad knows exactly where I am and who he left me with - should anything happen.”

  “I suppose that makes sense.”

  “Of course, it does. Now give me back my food.”

  She passes back my lunch and glances back at Jackson’s table, but this time I know she’s looking at Fin.

  “So, if you’re finally getting somewhere with Jackson what was the love fest, I just saw between you and Fin?”

  “I really don’t know, that was kind of strange too. I mean he was my best friend for so long and then he just shoved me away. I was so crushed and mad at him, but now I think I should have tried harder. Maybe I let him down.”

  “What did he say, exactly?”

  “That he had a bad feeling about me going out with Jackson tonight. He was worried that something was going to happen to me?”

  “Well, he is good friends with Jackson. Maybe he has a good reason to warn you. What if Jackson is on something?”

  “No, I asked him specifically about Jackson and he said that Jackson was a good guy.”

  “Maybe he just wants you for himself. It is awfully coincid-ental that he would want to patch things up immediately after Jackson asks you out.”

  I have considered this myself, but even though she denies it, I am almost certain Kirra, has had a crush on Fin, since the end of junior year. Ever since, he defended her in front of the entire cafeteria. Carly stopped Kirra in the lunch line one day last year and told her she might want to put her burger back and get a salad because she was starting to get a little too much jiggle. Fin, who was behind, Carly, announced very loudly to everyone that Carly was just jealous because she was still built like a twelve, year old boy. Then he winked at Kirra and said there is nothing wrong with your jiggle. She tries to act indifferent about him, but I have seen her looking at him like he is Lancelot incarnate.

  I can tell by the look on Kirra’s face that she would be disappointed if I thought Fin was interested in me. So, I do what any good friend would do and come up with an alternate theory. “No, he seemed more worried about tonight in particular rather than worried about Jackson. I do think he misses our friendship. I miss it to. But I don’t think he wants more than that.”

  Kirra looks skeptical but shrugs her shoulders and says. “I guess… I’m sure we will find out sooner or later.”

  “Probably sooner rather than later, he is coming to my house tomorrow night for dinner.”

  Kirra sits up straight so violently her strawberry blond curls are still bouncing when she screeches “WHAT!”

  I cringe and scold myself internally. Okay, not the best way to give her that information.

  “Well, you know that Fin and I were best friends when we were little, but it was more than that… he was like a part of the family. It wasn’t just me who was sad when he stopped coming around, my mom and dad really missed him too. I think he wants to set things right with my parents.”

  “Why would he be so mean and ignore y'all all these years?”

  “I… I can’t really say what I think without feeling like I’m betraying his trust. His life…well it’s his business who he shares it with. But I think there were extenuating circumstances. I’m sorry, Kirra, I can’t say more.”

  “It’s okay, that’s one of your best qualities. You are a vault. I know all my secrets are safe with you.”

  I smile and the bell rings.

  “Ugh, on to Government History, I don’t know why we have to take that stupid class every year.”

  Kirra gives me a sticky sweet smile. “It is so the government can brainwash you, of course.”

  I hold up both hands in silencing gesture.

  “Stop right there, didn’t I institute a (no conspiracy theory) rule last month.”

  “Not at all, you tried to, but the vote was tied one to one, so it didn’t go into effect.”

  “Hmm, we’re going to have to institute some sort of tie breaking policy.”

  “Yeah, why don’t you come up with one, while you are daydreaming during Government.”

  “Very funny, I’ll see you after school.”

  “Do you still need a ride, or will one of your love interests be bringing you home?”

  “Ha ha, whatever would I do without, your endless wit.” I reply dryly. “Yes, I still need a ride for another week until my car is fixed.”

  Kirra gives a mock salute and turns to go toward her next class. I sigh and head into my U. A. Government class. I resolve to pay attention in class, and not daydream. I even answer some questions. The first question; “What was the primary cause of the breakdown of the former United States government?” I raise my hand and answer at once. “It was due to widespread, and uncontainable, corruption within the two major political parties.”

  Micah, who sits directly across from me, gives me a warm smile as I answer correctly. I smile back and notice a sparkle in his sable eyes. He taps his fingers on the desk and I watch the muscle in his forearm ripple under his smooth, umber, colored skin. I wonder, is it possible, have I stumbled onto some sort of love potion unknowingly? I quickly shove the ridiculous thought out of my head, as I realize this is just Micah’s personality. He is undoubtedly one of the smartest kids in school, but he is not at all pretentious about it. He is friendly
, and warm, and always happy for someone else to get the right answer. I realize I am wandering off again, and quickly tune back into the teachers nasally voice asking rapid fire questions.

  “How did the government change after the two years known as the “government cleanse,” and which two citizens have been most instrumental in the restructuring of the Government?”

  I raise my hand again. “There was a complete dissolution of the United States Government. All political parties were abolished, and the United Administration was formed. The government was completely restructured and streamlined. The legislative branch of the former government was eliminated. The Supreme Court was eliminated, and all lower courts are now overseen by the executive branch. The executive branch is currently governed by one president, five supreme counselors and 52 regional counselors. The restructuring was the brainchild of Ezra Martinez a noted Academia, Philanthropist and Nobel peace prize winner. He was seen as the altruistic, voice of reason during the nation’s darkest hour. Most people had already lost their faith in government. The first half of the twenty first century, had become so synonymous with corruption, that there was a political revolt. Riots broke out across the nation. Cities burned, politicians were targeted with violence, even the white house was attacked. The country nearly destroyed itself Ezra Martinez brought a plan to the table that calmed the masses. There were some that worried it gave to much unchecked power to the president. But in the end, Ezra’s intelligence, and benevolent disposition won over his critics, and he was elected the first president of the United Administration. He served for six years, four months and two days, before he was assassinated. Supreme counselor Ryo Liu was elected after his death and has served ever since.”

  There is a moment of stunned silence from everyone in the room, as I am not usually an active participant in government class. Until, Beck Andrews, a tall, lanky boy who smells clean, but at the same time is always completely disheveled. Sitting slack jawed, in his camouflage and shrimp boots, he slaps his hands on his desk, and practically yells from behind me. “Hot damn, someone turned on Haven’s light bulb.”