by John O'Brien
Taken
( A New World - 4 )
John O'brien
Dark clouds gather
A storm is breaking…
With the sanctuary built, there is a respite from the nightly night runner assaults. Jack Walker and the group of survivors have bought themselves a little breathing room. Or have they?
A peaceful daytime outing turns into yet another nightmare sweeping Robert and Bri up with it. The world has changed. Another danger has emerged. Ferocious packs of night runners still prowl at night and Jack must now locate and rescue his kids. With vengeance on his mind, he heads into the heart of an armed camp. Night runners own the night and encircle the encampment. Jack must thread his way through this ring of fire to bring his kids to safety. Will his actions bring safety or invite more harm? With Night runners behind and armed men in front, Jack's skills are pushed to the limit.
Mistakes were made.
Payment is coming….
A NEW WORLD:
TAKEN
A Novel by John O’Brien
This book is dedicated to my grandparents, William Nelson Park, Sr. and Doris Park. You taught me so much and for that I am grateful. Poppa, you taught me the outdoors and the love for wildlife. Noni, you taught me patience and unconditional love. May the both of you rest in peace.
Author’s Notice
The New World series is a fictional work. While some of the locations in the series describe actual locations, this is intended only to lend an authentic theme. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I wrote this series with one thought in mind — What would I actually do in the event of an apocalyptic event? This story and series being true to actual skills and experiences I possess. No super heroes or someone possessing miraculous abilities, just a normal person seeking to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Being an ex-Air Force pilot and operating in the special operations arena, the experiences I have gathered lend themselves well to surviving in a world such as I have presented, those skills being advantageous in certain aspects of survival.
Written in the first person, it takes you through an accounting of what that world and survival might look like through the eyes of someone being suddenly thrust into a situation that looks normal from first glance, with regards to the physical environment, but with a terror lurking underneath and survival in question at every turn.
Imagine yourself looking out of your window and everything looks the same; buildings stand tall and straight reflecting sunlight from their exteriors; trees sway in the morning breeze, cars sit silently in parking lots; a bright, blue sky looks down and the air is clear of smoke from burning fires. All normal with the exception of one simple but huge difference, there is nobody around. The plausibility of the scenario and premise make this a truly unique story and interesting read. I truly hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
John O’Brien
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This story rather took off on its own. The central aspect of this book was only supposed to encompass about a fifth of the pages but it launched itself into being the core of the entire book. This story seems to do that. I plot out the story line and begin typing. The story then weaves and turns as it will without my seeming to have any say in the matter. To that extent, the story line that was supposed to be in this book will now be in the next — hopefully. It changed so much that I had to rename this book to ‘Taken.’ ‘Awakening’ will now have to be the fifth book. Yes, there’s a spoiler for you. There will be another coming.
As usual with all of the books, I would first like to thank my mother, June O’Brien for the many hours she has spent editing. This is besides finishing the first book of her series, ‘The Blue Child Series.’ I encourage you to take a look at the first book in her series, ‘On the Mountain.’ It is sincerely a great read for science fiction and fantasy readers.
And then there is once again my son, William, who helps through tough places in the overall plot line!
I want to give a very warm thanks to the review group. Your insights and catching the things I missed, and there were a number of them, was a huge help. Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas and chats. Alex Ranka, Andrew Johnson, Andy Bilton, Craig Vitter, Dan Shaw, Gregory Norris, James Jackson, Jessica Woodman, Joe Mahoney, Johnny Clark, Larry Sullivan, Monica Brennan, Russell Hicks, and Wendy Weidman. Thank you!
I have to throw Jay Dixon in this mix. No, you aren’t depicted as a love god in the books nor is there a special needs helper. But your insights into how to make the books better and your ideas are priceless. Thanks man!
A big thank you to SM Reine for putting up with me through the cover art design. I’m a pain and fully realize that. There are many iterations tossed back and forth and then you bring out your wand and weave your magic. The result is truly incredible and I thank you for your time and effort.
I am truly appreciative of all of the messages and mentions. I enjoy each and every one of them and would like to thank you all for writing. I enjoy the chats and messages we pass back and forth and it makes my day to receive them. I hope this book is as enjoyable to you as the previous ones were. This is a cliché but so true, I write this story for the readers. If it wasn’t for you, this story wouldn’t be what it is.
Okay, enough of my ramblings. On with the story!
John O’Brien
Prologue
Rising later than usual, Gonzalez finishes her shower and heads outside. The sun has risen above the mountains to the east and rains warmth down on her shoulders as she steps out from under the building entrance overhang. For the first time in many days, which seems like weeks or months considering the trials and stresses the change in the world has brought about, she feels a semblance of peace within. The sun shining upon her adds to the calm feeling. With the wall being finished yesterday, the thought arises that they will have a better chance at surviving in this new world.
She lifts her face to the sun in gratitude for its blessing; its cascade of beams fills her. She is thankful. Her thoughts turn to her family, her mother, father, and sister, and a knot tightens within. She turns to the south, toward New Mexico, as if this will bring them closer and an answer as to whether they were able to survive the chaos. They haven’t been far from her thoughts but the experience and events of the last months have driven them below the surface. Now, with time and a semblance of security, those thoughts rise again to the surface. With the immunity of the vaccine being hereditary, there is a chance her family is still alive.
She and the rest of Red Team, along with other soldiers, discussed this during the minimal downtimes they’ve had. Thoughts rise as to whether she should ask for some time and a vehicle, now that this place has been secured, to travel and find an answer. Maybe McCafferty will go with me since her family is in Texas, she thinks continuing to look south. She knows the question of families weighs on the minds of the other soldiers in their group; all of them want to at least know what happened. With what she has seen so far, the chances are minimal that they are still alive but she, and the other soldiers, need to know for sure.
“Corporal Gonzalez?” A voice behind her asks rather timidly bringing her back to the here and now.
Turning, she sees Robert with Michelle and Bri beside him. She notices how similar to Jack both Robert and Bri are and how they’ve changed in the short time she’s known them. For some reason, she has a special fondness for Bri. Perhaps it’s the way Bri reminds her a little of her sister. Or maybe the way she has taken to the training Sergeant Connell has been putting them through. For whatever reason, the attachment is there.
“Yeah, what can I do for you?” She responds to Robert’s question.
&nb
sp; “We were thinking about going down to the waterfront but my dad wants you to go along if we go,” Robert says. Gonzalez detects a note of embarrassment. Perhaps that his having to ask makes it seem like they need a babysitter. She knows the feeling well as her dad was a little protective of her as well. That’s one of the reasons she joined the Army to begin with; to show she can take care of and protect herself. And, in the process, she found a second home. Just like she feels with the current group.
“You know, I’ve been thinking on how to spend today and I’d love to go. Thanks for asking,” she responds. With a last thought of her family and a desire of finding out about them soon, she gives Bri a smile and follows them into Cabela’s.
“She said she’d go. Do you want to come along, Dad?” Robert asks after they find Jack upstairs.
“I’d really enjoy that but there are a lot of things to do around here yet. You guys go have a good time,” Jack answers.
Gonzalez notices Jack nod to her wanting a private chat. Stepping away from Robert, Michelle, and Bri, Jack tells her to keep an eye out; that if anything looks or feels wrong, to return immediately. She knows Jack’s meaning with him having recently lost one of his daughters. A tightness clenches her stomach with the responsibility. She’s seen Robert in action more than once and is assured by his ability but she’s also seen that anything can happen at any time in this changed world.
“Yes, sir,” Gonzalez replies as they join Robert, Michelle, and Bri once again.
“Okay, Gonzalez here is in charge and what she says, goes,” Jack says.
“Okay, Dad,” both Robert and Bri reply.
Outside again, with soldiers taking in the sunny morning, Gonzalez, Robert, Michelle, and Bri angle towards the nearest Humvee parked in line with the rest of the vehicles; the sun bouncing brightly off its tan exterior.
“Do you want to drive?” Robert asks her.
“Nah, that’s okay, you know where you’re going so you can,” Gonzalez answers.
They climb in with the metallic sound of the shutting doors ringing across the still morning. The small number of soldiers, relishing their first day without having to worry about duties related to their survival, is startled and turns their heads at the sharp sounds. Gonzalez, sitting in the passenger seat, loosens her vest and places her M-4 at her side. Robert starts the vehicle as Michelle and Bri get settled in the back. The heavy thrum of the diesel engine vibrates the interior and Robert pulls out of the parking lot. Glancing in her side mirror, Gonzalez watches Jack grow smaller as they pull over the small hill and he disappears from view.
They drive to the heavy steel gates drawn across the entrance road. Robert pulls to a stop near the barred gates and two soldiers, these from Horace’s Green Team, lift the cross beam and swing the gates open. The heavy steel bar holding the gates fast has a fulcrum on one end to make the lifting easier. Gonzalez gives a wave to the two soldiers as they pull through the opening and out onto the road that eventually connects with the Interstate.
Turning southbound on the Interstate, they head toward town. The smell of smoke lingers in the air from the neighborhood burns they conducted earlier but the brownish haze has vanished, replaced with pristine scenic views of the mountains to both sides in the distance. The grass in the medians between the north and southbound lanes has grown measurably since their arrival and threatens to cut off the view of the other lanes. There’s a freshness to the air that she senses; perhaps in part knowing they are more secure in their environment.
Their initial conversation centers on her asking how their training is going but that drifts off as each folds into their own thoughts; hers wandering back to her family. She sends a silent prayer out for them as they progress down the highway with the sun streaming in the side windows. She feels thankful for the group of survivors and for Jack’s and Lynn’s leadership in getting them to this point and place but there’s a hardness settling in about finding her family; the determination to do so getting stronger. However, she also has a sense of responsibility to the group and won’t venture off on her own. If they don’t let her go, she’ll stay but knows the gnawing inside her will remain until she knows for sure.
Shaking the thoughts from her head, she rolls down the window to allow fresh air in and relishes in the pervasive energetic feeling it gives her. It’s good to be out for a leisure activity; something she didn’t think would ever happen again. Although confident of her own and the group’s abilities, the events and frenzied activity of the past months left her feeling like they were running on borrowed time. The completion of the wall changed that. Though there are still a lot of things that need to be put in place before they are totally secure, finishing the wall is a relief to them all. Now if we can just get ourselves into a place where we don’t have to go into buildings, then I’ll feel much better, she thinks as she watches the trees by the side of the road flash by. If I never have to set foot into another darkened building again, I’ll feel fortunate.
She watches as Robert turns off the highway and heads further into Olympia, progressing through the outskirts of downtown and onto a road paralleling the open bay to their left. The road is two lanes abutting the bay, the edge giving way to the burned out hulks of houses on the waterfront. A steep cliff rises to the immediate right of them. The ditch alongside the road under the cliff is deep making her think that there must be a lot of water that flows down during the rainy season. She watches the sunlight sparkle off the waters of the large bay; the open water calm with only a hint of waves. The sound of the tires humming along the pavement echoes off the dirt cliff just outside of her open window. The beautiful scene across the shimmering waters, the purr of the wheels kissing the road, the vibration of the Humvee’s powerful motor felt through the soles of her boots, the sun-filled day and fresh air blowing in gives her a sense of peace and calm. A pack of dogs enter the road from the burned structures ahead and take off up a side street that climbs the steep embankment; the pack pausing only momentarily to view the approaching Humvee.
A flash of movement in the side mirror catches her attention. Leaning forward, she sees the front end of a red pickup truck following them and watches it closing in. “We’ve got company,” she tells Robert as she reaches for the microphone.
She hesitates a moment analyzing the situation. The truck is closing in quickly but she isn’t sure of the intentions of the driver or the passengers she sees clearly now. After all, they are still on the lookout for remaining survivors and these people may just be trying to catch them with the same thought in mind. However, until she knows better, she’ll treat the situation with caution particularly given the rate at which the truck is closing in. She starts looking for a side road to take in order to get them out of here. Her plan is to head back to Cabela’s and, if the people right behind her are friendly, they’ll ascertain that when they arrive. However, all of the side roads seem to have vanished and only the steep dirt cliff remains.
“Robert, speed up and keep your eye out for a road. We’ll take the first one that presents itself,” Gonzalez says setting the mic down momentarily to slide the bolt of her M-4 back, chambering a round.
The truck is directly behind them and she turns to look over her shoulder to get a better look. Both Michelle and Bri are also staring out of the back window. The chrome grill, headlights, and part of the windshield are the only visible aspects of the truck through the window. That’s just too fucking close, she thinks noticing also they aren’t honking or flashing their lights to get them to pull over. An uneasy feeling comes over her and she notices Bri turn and chamber a round in her M-4 as well. Robert has pressed down on the pedal gaining speed but she knows they won’t be able to outrun the truck.
Turning back to the front, she looks again for a road exiting off the one they’re on. Nothing ahead. Picking up the mic, she presses the talk button, “Base, Gonzalez here.”
“Base here, go ahead,” she hears a female voice answer through the speaker, thinking that it’s Kathy on the
other end.
“We have a vehicle that has started following us. Large red pickup truck,” Gonzalez says glancing in the side mirror again.
The truck is not in her sight anymore. Looking to her left, she sees the truck is now in the other lane attempting to pass and almost right next to them. It’s too late to tell Robert to block their passage by edging into the other lane. A loud metal on metal sound erupts as the truck crashes into their side, attempting to force them off the road. The Humvee lurches to the right from the impact and Robert turns the wheel to try and keep them on the road. The Humvee’s wheels edge off the road and dig into the soft gravel and dirt alongside the narrow shoulder. Robert does his best to keep it out of the ditch but a mighty crash signals another attempt by the truck to force them off the road.
“Oh shit, they’re trying to force us off the road,” Gonzalez says in the radio. Her voice has taken on the higher pitched voice of excitement and adrenaline kicking in.
The Humvee wheels catch the steep incline of the ditch and begin to drag the vehicle quickly into it. Their vehicle lurches to the side at a steep angle. With the mic still unknowingly pressed, she tells Robert, “Turn the wheel to the…” She doesn’t get the rest out as another lurch and clang of metal tips the Humvee into the ditch. The view outside tilts and then rolls. The side fenders and hood catch the hard dirt of the cliff and she feels herself vaulted forward. The windshield quickly nears. She feels the impact with it and everything fades.
Through the Looking Glass
The click coming across the radio is a like a jolt of electricity running through me. I stare at the speaker as if my concentration will force Gonzalez’ voice through it once again but it sits on the desk in silence.