CATACLYSMOS Book 1 Part 1: This is the Way the World Ends: A Post-Apocolyptic Serial Thriller
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With Gracie, Augustus, and Jackson secure in the treetops, and the rope ladder up there with them, Michael makes his way back to Lynn’s front yard, hoping his duffels with his supplies are still there.
Gun drawn. Light on. Looking over his shoulder often. Pausing occasionally, using the bases of tress for cover. Scanning the area around him.
It’s so dark and he’s so tired.
His cheek hurts from hitting the tree, but mostly his neck and shoulders and back hurt from the way the backpack and duffels are wrecking his body.
He had chosen to leave his backpack in the treehouse. Was that a mistake?
Where is Lynn? What’s happened to him? Something bad or he’d be back. No way he’d leave Gracie alone after dark if he was physically able to make it back.
Instead of walking back through the woods the way he came, he makes his way toward the slope, climbs up it, out of the woods, then across Lynn’s backyard to come up beside the rubble to the front.
He pauses at the side of the house, now just a pile of bricks, and scans the entire area—the yard, the street, the edge of the woods.
The duffels are still there.
Not much good has happened since the end arrived, but finding his duffels still on Lynn’s lawn ranks high on that short list.
As he nears them, he sees that one is partially unzipped. Had he left it that way or has someone been in it?
Looking around, he quickly kneels down to check them.
He can’t even begin to do what he needs to without the contents of these two bags.
Everything seems to be here.
As he’s zipping the bag back up, he senses someone coming up behind him, moving awkwardly.
He tucks and rolls over into a sitting position, bringing up the shotgun as he does.
Blood-covered. Clothes and face and glasses splattered. Machete held down at his side still wet, dripping.
Lynn.
Slowly staggering toward him on a makeshift crutch hacked out of a tree branch. Canvas backpack draped over his left shoulder, machete in his right hand.
Embattled. In very bad shape. Barely able to move. Limping severely.
He attempts to hold up his hands. Neither rises much.
—Don’t shoot.
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find out what happens next in cataclysmos
about cataclysmos
Thank you for giving the post-apocalyptic world that is Cataclysmos a try. I really appreciate you taking this journey with me. Cataclysmos is a serial thriller with new parts being published on a regular basis.
For more information about Cataclysmos and for notifications of new installment releases, sign up for the Cataclysmos Communiqué by clicking here.
Don’t miss a single thrilling episode of Cataclysmos!
Click here to sign up today!
FOR A LIMITED TIME GET PART 2: NIGHT FIRES OF THE NEW WORLD FOR ONLY .99 CENTS. CLICK HERE.
Post a review and join the Cataclysmos Communiqué and I'll send you the next installment of CATACLYSMOS FOR FREE! Click here.
The end.
This is the way the world ends!
When the end comes it comes with astonishing speed.
It has been a slow build to the brink, but once the point of no return has been breached, night falls fast.
Disasters, avoidable and not, and the inhuman responses to humanity’s existential crises, every tipping point tipping us over the ragged rim, into a black abyss from which there is no return.
One man walks alone on a lonely road in search of his loved ones in a wasteland that used to be the world.
Though danger lurks around every bend of the desolate landscape he is undaunted and will be undeterred. His mission is simple if nearly impossible – find his family and friends who are still alive.
Encountering survivors who range from colorful characters to deadly adversaries, his journey is as much inward as it is outward, revealing as much about himself and the other survivors as the bleak new world they now inhabit.
Warned to stay away from the coast, he heads directly into danger, choosing death over a world without his remaining loved ones in it.
But is he too late? And if he’s not, is he up to the task of saving them?
books by michael lister
(Cataclysmos)
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 1: This is the Way the World Ends
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 2: Night Fires of the New World
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 3: The Deacon
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 4: Perish Twice
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 5: The Long Dark Night
Cataclysmos Collection Book 1 Parts 1-3
Cataclysmos Book 1 Complete in 5 Parts
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
(Sam Michaels / Daniel Davis Novels)
Burnt Offerings
Separation Anxiety
(Love Stories)
Carrie’s Gift
(Short Story Collections)
North Florida Noir
Florida Heat Wave
Delta Blues
Another Quiet Night in Desparation
(The Meaning Series)
The Meaning of Jesus
Meaning Every Moment
The Meaning of Life in Movies
Sign up for Michael’s newsletter by clicking here or go to www.MichaelLister.com and receive a free book.
about cataclysmos
Thank you for giving the post-apocalyptic world that is Cataclysmos a try. I really appreciate you taking this journey with me. Cataclysmos is a serial thriller with new parts being published on a regular basis.
For more information about Cataclysmos and for notifications of new installment releases, sign up for the Cataclysmos Communiqué by clicking here.
Don’t miss a single thrilling episode of Cataclysmos!
Click here to sign up today!
FOR A LIMITED TIME GET PART 2: NIGHT FIRES OF THE NEW WORLD FOR ONLY .99 CENTS. CLICK HERE.
Post a review and join the Cataclysmos Communiqué and I'll send you the next installment of CATACLYSMOS FOR FREE! Click here.
The end.
This is the way the world ends!
When the end comes it comes with astonishing speed.
It has been a slow build to the brink, but once the point of no return has been breached, night falls fast.
Disasters, avoidable and not, and the inhuman responses to humanity’s existential crises, every tipping point tipping us over the ragged rim, into a black abyss from which there is no return.
One man walks alone on a lonely road in search of his loved ones in a wasteland that used to be the world.
Though danger lurks around every bend of the desolate landscape he is undaunted and will be undeterred. His mission is simple if nearly impossible – find his family and friends who are still alive.
Encountering survivors who range from colorful characters to deadly adversaries, his journey is as much inward as it is outward, revealing as much abo
ut himself and the other survivors as the bleak new world they now inhabit.
Warned to stay away from the coast, he heads directly into danger, choosing death over a world without his remaining loved ones in it.
But is he too late? And if he’s not, is he up to the task of saving them?
books by michael lister
(Cataclysmos)
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 1: This is the Way the World Ends
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 2: Night Fires of the New World
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 3: The Deacon
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 4: Perish Twice
Cataclysmos Book 1 Part 5: The Long Dark Night
Cataclysmos Collection Book 1 Parts 1-3
Cataclysmos Book 1 Complete in 5 Parts
(John Jordan Novels)
Power in the Blood
Blood of the Lamb
Flesh and Blood
(Special Introduction by Margaret Coel)
The Body and the Blood
Blood Sacrifice
Rivers to Blood
Innocent Blood
(Special Introduction by Michael Connelly)
Blood Money
Blood Moon
Blood Cries
Blood Oath
(Jimmy “Soldier” Riley Novels)
The Big Goodbye
The Big Beyond
The Big Hello
The Big Bout
In a Spider’s Web (short story)
The Big Book of Noir
(Merrick McKnight / Reggie Summers Novels)
Thunder Beach
A Certain Retribution
(Remington James Novels)
Double Exposure
(includes intro by Michael Connelly)
Separation Anxiety
(Sam Michaels / Daniel Davis Novels)
Burnt Offerings
Separation Anxiety
(Love Stories)
Carrie’s Gift
(Short Story Collections)
North Florida Noir
Florida Heat Wave
Delta Blues
Another Quiet Night in Desparation
(The Meaning Series)
The Meaning of Jesus
Meaning Every Moment
The Meaning of Life in Movies
Sign up for Michael’s newsletter by clicking here or go to www.MichaelLister.com and receive a free book.