This Book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, duplicated, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Christy Sloat-The Survival Pact
Copyright © 2017 by Christy Sloat
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are
either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Artist:
Rue Volley
Edited by:
Cheree Castellanos
Ebook Formatting:
Dreams2media
Published by:
CHBB Publishing LLC.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means without written permission of the author.
CONTENTS
Prologue
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
When they say it takes a village, they aren’t kidding. It really does take a team of friends and people you trust to help an author build a book. In this case, it took two extra special people to help make this book what it is now. They’re friends, no closer than that, sisters. They’re my survival buddies and their help with writing this book was invaluable. It started with an idea: What would happen if the world ended?
And then my brain began building and thinking, as it always does, and I had The Survival Pact written down on paper. Actually writing the book itself took a bit more time and planning, but because of them, I had characters. Yes, the characters are based on the three of us and I won’t tell you who is who, but I am sure you can guess who I am. To Cheree and Angie, thank you for being sisters to me and for helping, not only for this book, but for all of them that came before, and those that are yet to come.
To my husband Joe, I love ya babe. Thanks for listening to the idea of this book and for saying, “That sounds like it is going to be pretty good.”
Of course my girls, Kendyl and Kyleigh, thank you for being good while I was working. Or at least being quiet while I was working.
To CHBB for saying, “Yes” to this book and wanting to publish yet another apocalyptic book; because there are so many out there. You saw something in me and your willingness to publish this will never be forgotten.
To my Royals for listening to the crazy ideas that I come up with and sharing things when I ask; you are a great group of girls that any author would be lucky to have.
To fans and readers that I’ve been blessed to have acquired over the years: Thank you for reading my books; for spending your hard earned money on them, and leaving reviews to help me grow as a writer.
Part One
Lou’s survival tip: No matter what anyone says, you cannot have too much Peanut Butter. Oh... and always carry a knife, gotta spread that peanut butter.
Prologue
The three girls sat around a slow burning fire watching the stillness of Lake Crescent’s crisp water while listening to the quiet sounds of night. No traffic or screaming neighbors or train whistles blowing. This was a welcome difference for all three young women.
Emma, who was used to visiting her dad’s new vacation home in Washington, knew this was going to be a great trip. As she took a swig of beer she laughed at Lou who was staring up at the stars.
“Like what you see, Lou?” Emma asked.
Lou nodded and her glasses bobbed. “You don’t see stars like that in Tennessee every night, Emma. I’m so glad you made me come up here finally.”
Lou had visited Uncle James’s Port Angeles home before but never his new vacation cabin. She felt lucky that Emma, her cousin, had invited her and Kami for spring break. She watched the stars and waited to see one fall from the sky so she could make a wish. When one didn’t, she took a sip of her beer and side-eyed Kami, who was being unusually quiet.
“Kami,” Lou started. “You all right over there, gal?”
Kami looked over at Lou and smiled, “I was just thinking. That’s all.”
Emma laughed. “Thinking about what, exactly? A guy?”
Lou snorted. “Not Kami. She’s too focused on school to even look at a guy. Her nose is always in a book. Right?”
Kami shrugged. She looked at guys, but they just never looked at her. She was attractive and young. Hell, they all were eighteen and pretty. But they were also all single.
Emma was blessed with the darkest black hair that hung down her back in a straight line. No curls, no waves. Her tan skin and her light eyes made her stand out among most girls her age. She was strong and fit because she had plans to go to boot camp in a few months and join the Marine Corps. She worked out constantly trying to prepare for what was inevitably going to happen; being sent oversees in the war.
Lou, had the prettiest red hair cut into a short pixie and a small frame. Despite her glasses, her green eyes shined bright. She was smart and honest and brave. And she absolutely didn’t put up with bullshit.
Kami was the different one. The talkative girl, once you got to know her, but shy at first. Her long curly dark hair hid her brown eyes and full lips, and she often used that to her advantage. She was described as nerdy, a lot, but it was something she was actually proud of.
When Kami met Lou moving into their dorm room, she was terrified that Lou wouldn’t like her, but the two were instant friends. Introducing Kami to Emma was a perfect fit for Lou. Her best cousin and her best friend became friends so easily. They had many chats on their phones and through video messaging prior to this trip. It made it easier to have the circle of friendship they created. None of them would be lonely as long as they had each other.
“I was thinking about the world and how awful it is right now,” Kami answered. “If shit were to go down, ya know, like ‘the end,’ I’d come up here and live.”
Emma laughed. “Wow. Way to change the emotion of the night, Kami. But I do like the way you think.” She winked at Kami.
“I didn’t mean to ruin the night. I just think about stuff like that sometimes,” Kami admitted.
Lou sat up and straightened her glasses. “No, I get it. You’re a writer, a creator; it’s how your mind works.”
Kami was studying English Lit and writing courses currently while Lou was going for a teaching degree. They had their goals set and helped one another when the need arose.
“I’ll tell you what, when it goes down, because it will,” Emma said, after taking another swig of beer. “We can all come up here to survive together. You know I’ll have the guns!”
“I like that!” Lou said. “We can make it a solid vow that if the world ends, we will find each other. No matter where we are in life.”
Kami got an idea and jum
ped up from her seat and ran into the cabin without saying a word. Emma and Lou looked at each other puzzled.
“What did I say?” Emma asked, curiously. She often felt that she was a bit brash with her decisions and political views and that made others upset at times. But it was who she was; what made her an American. She was ready to make the vow to become a Marine. She’d never felt more sure about anything in her life. She gave herself to God and Country and would fulfill her destiny. She wanted, no, needed her friends, but if they didn’t understand her, then she would do without them.
Lou waved her hand dismissively and said, “You’re fine, trust me. That’s how she is. She isn’t offended at all. She gets ideas and she can’t stop thinking until she gets it right. Watch, she’s probably running in for a piece of paper.” Lou knew all about Kami and made it her business to protect her when need be. She would fight a whole crowd of people if she had to. She didn’t stand by and let anyone talk shit about her friends or her cousin.
When Kami came running out of the door with a piece of paper, a pen, and a bottle of wine, Lou and Emma burst into fits of laughter.
“What the hell is so funny?” Kami asked, stopping short. “Are you laughing ‘cause I got paper?”
Lou, unable to speak, nodded as she continued to crack up. Kami shook her head and giggled at them.
Kami popped the wine cork and smelled the raspberry wine that she bought earlier. She didn’t drink much, especially beer, but she did like wine. It reminded her of Virginia Beach summers in high school. She wouldn’t go back home when the world ended; no way. Virginia wasn’t comparable to Washington. If she was gonna die, she’d rather do it here, surrounded by beauty and friendship. She had never had friends like Emma and Lou before. She trusted them and they her. It was more than a friendship. It was a sisterhood.
“Okay,” she said as she pulled out the paper. “I wrote out a promise that we are to each sign. You gotta stop laughing and take this serious.”
She placed her hand on her hip and the girls stopped and agreed.
“We’re also going to drink to this vow and make plans, so this is real.”
Emma nodded and stood up fast. “Yes! I can tell dad to stock up and when I get the chance I’ll send up provisions. Depending on where I’m stationed, of course.”
“I don’t like that we’re calling it a vow. That’s not the right word,” Lou chimed in. “How about pact?”
All three girls agreed and Kami wrote as fast as she could. Finally, the Survival Pact was done. She held it up in the air along with her bottle of wine.
“It’s ready!” she yelled.
All girls stood up and read the pact aloud.
“We, Emma, Kami, and Lou, due solemnly swear, that during the end of our world, we will come to this very cabin to survive post-apocalypse. We shall not tell anyone about our plans, or bring anyone with us unless they are direct family only. Doing so will go against the pact and the violator will be shunned.” They all giggled loudly at the last part. “We will do our best to send provisions and pull our weight. This vow will be upheld and we will stay true to the survival pact, no matter what. We will protect each other until death.”
They held up their drinks and drank to the pact. They laughed and partied and planned all night long. Because no matter what, it was them against the world; even the end of the world.
1
Damn. I slept through my alarm again. My boss would either fire me or throw out my piece I worked so hard to write. I knew how he worked. Vengeance was his only reaction when one of us screwed up. And this time, I was dangling on a very small rope.
I had been late four times this month. I didn’t mean to be so careless, but I was up late writing what I hoped would be the novel that got me out of writing for the paper and would be my new career. I fell asleep at my desk sometime in the early morning hours. I wiped the drool from my mouth and ran to my bathroom.
My hair had Cheetos in it, my favorite writing snack, and my face held imprints of my keyboard. No time for a shower, I threw on my favorite purple tank top and my black jeans. I felt the chill in the New York City air from my bathroom window and came across my leather jacket.
I peeked into the bedroom and didn’t see Sam in the bed. Another night out and he didn’t come home. Or he did and he didn’t wake me or I didn’t hear him, which was unlikely in our apartment. We lived in the Upper East Side. Our place was small and you could hear a mouse fart. He could get up to pee and I’d hear the stream. Ever since he was signed to play ball here, he was out constantly. Partying all night and always doing things I didn’t want to think about right now. I was late and I’d cry about that shit later.
I grabbed my satchel and threw my laptop and house keys inside. I needed to catch the train downtown like now.
The train was packed full of people. I tried hard not to think about my boss, my writing piece, or Sam’s infidelity. But when you were packed like a sardine on the train, you couldn’t help but let your mind wander somewhere else.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I fished it out. Service underground sucked, but I had to answer. It was Lou. She was calling to chat and I missed her voice. Hearing it would surely change my train of thought.
“Hey, Lou-Lou!” I said, as I put the phone to my ear.
“Kami, listen to me carefully—”
Static sounded loudly as she was cut off.
“Going down,” she said, as static filled the ear piece.
“Lou, I can’t really hear you. I’m on the subway. I’ll call you later, ‘kay?”
“Kami? Kami? Can you hear me? Don’t panic—”
Panic? Why would I panic? I was only late as shit for my job, and my husband was screwing someone else. No need to fret.
“Just go... away… bad.”
“What?” She wasn’t making any sense. “I’ll call you back when I get off the train.”
I pressed end and slid the phone into my back pocket. Lou needed me. I could tell in her voice that something was wrong. I knew her mom was sick. Maybe something happened. She had been taking care of her for years now, but this time, it was bad.
The train stopped and I got out of the doors, pushing those who chose to be assholes out of my way. Living in the city wasn’t my choice. It was Sam’s. I missed the warm sunshine and the trees in Virginia and hated the concrete jungle of New York.
I moved here for him. I packed our stuff up and put most of it in storage, since our apartment would only hold a small amount. I found a job at the only paper that would hire me, putting my dreams aside for his to come true. Because that was marriage, right? Sacrifices and honor. Except he never did either of those.
I looked up at the building in front of me and had a sudden urge to run away from the place I called work. I wanted to jump back on the train, pack up my stuff, and drive to Tennessee to be with Lou. I had talked about it before; leaving Sam. Lou told me I could do it. She told me she would help me get a job there, but I didn’t have the nerve. I couldn’t let go of him. I used to think I could change him, but I was blind. You can’t change anyone unless they wanted to change.
I crept into the office building and stopped in the lobby awaiting the elevator. I wanted to back out and run home. But something strange caught my eye. People were gathering around the flat screen. There was something on the news, but I didn’t care to watch. News channels were depressing and I didn’t need that right now. I was late. I was dealing with enough.
The elevator dinged and I got on and pressed my floor.
I couldn’t put off facing my boss any longer. I felt the elevator move up and I lost my stomach as it climbed the sixteen floors. The doors opened and the glass entrance showed all my co-workers steadily working. I entered and nobody noticed me. Even as I slid into my desk, no one lifted their heads.
“Where’s Kami?” I heard my boss’s voice say with his usual
vinegar.
“I’m right here, Todd,” I called, with a fake happy little wave.
“Oh,” he barked, as he came closer. “Your piece will publish next Monday. Back to work.”
He hadn’t noticed my tardiness. He also didn’t say “Good work” or “It was crap.” I guess I’ll never know if it was a good piece or a filler piece. I’d like to hope that it was a great article, but to be honest, I hated writing for the paper. My heart belonged to fiction. I went to school to write fiction and novels, but after years of being told ‘no’ by agents and being broke, I applied to newspapers. I got hired here right after we moved. I’m thankful in some ways that I got the job, but I’ve never liked it.
I dove into work and ignored all of my co-workers buzzing around talking about something they saw on the news. It didn’t matter to me. I had work to do. I had to focus on not thinking about Sam and if he would be home tonight or not.
My desk phone rang, pulling me out of my trance.
“Kamila Archer,” I answered.
“Kami, finally!” It was Lou. I had forgotten to call her back. I had gotten caught up in the fact that I had to rush into this hellhole.
“Lou, I’m so sorry. I was on the train and I couldn’t hear you. Is everything okay with your mom?”
She made a pssh noise and said in her southern accent, “We got bigger things going down, Kami. Ida will be all right. Where are you right now?”
“I’m at work, sadly. Why?”
She said her mom was okay, what could be so urgent?
“You need to get home, now, Kami. Don’t panic. Just get home and grab your bag I packed for ya,” she said real calm. When Lou spoke calmly, that meant I needed to panic. Especially when Lou said, “Don’t panic,” you usually do the opposite.
“Lou, what’s going on? Are you all right?”
She took a breath and asked, “You been watching the news, Kami?”
Not the damn news again.
“No, Lou. I have been busy with a few things. Why?”
“Kami,” she said, this time a little bit shakier. “Get home and do as I said, okay?”
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