by Shandy Jo
The Survivalistas
Book 1- Indiana
By Shandy Jo
Copyright 2014 Shandy Sanford
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. While the places maybe real the author has used creative license.
Author's Note: This work has not been professional edited, I do this as a hobby for fun. That is why my books are currently free. If you find any misspellings, grammar issues or problems in general with this work please let me know. I look forward to hearing what you think, feel free to email me at [email protected] or just lay it all on the line and leave a review. I encourage constructive criticism of all kinds. Thank you!
Prologue
“Happy birthday, baby.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Indiana murmured, flipping through the gift cards and spa certificate.
“I noticed your outfits were a little last season, sweetie.”
Indiana forced a smile, knowing her mom well enough to hear a shopping spree in those words. Her father harrumphed and pushed several boxes toward her.
“Open mine now, Pumpkin.”
Indie picked up a small one on top and ripped at the camouflage paper. As a pink skeletonized handle appeared, she groaned silently. Great, another knife. “Cool, an Izula.”
“I saw you eyeballing mine.”
Setting it aside, she forced another smile and pulled the bigger box close. As she stripped off the paper, the word Remington appeared. Flipping open the box, she found a twenty gauge shotgun with a pink mossy oak stock.
“I thought it would look good in the gun rack of your new Jeep,” her dad said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he danged a set of keys in front of her.
“A Jeep!” Indie squealed, clapping her hands together. “Wait, it's not pink, is it?'”
Her parents laughed.
“No, hon, it's not pink.” Her mom leaned closer, whispering loudly. “Your dad wouldn't let me get the custom paint job.”
“It's black and sitting outside.” Her dad tossed her the keys.
Catching them as she stood, Indie headed for the front door. Most the time being the only child of two domineering parents sucked. Splitting time between being a tom-boy and girly-girly became tiresome, but then things like this were her rewards.
If possible, her smile grew wider as Indie stepped out on the porch and laid eyes on her shiny new vehicle. She wrapped her parents in a hug, “Thanks guys.”
Chapter 1
“I'm so jealous, you got a new car for your birthday.” Susan said, slamming her locker.
Indie glared at her best-friend. “Do you have any idea how much crap I've put up with.” She fell into step beside Susan. “I deserve it.”
“Oh yeah, you deserve it.” Susan muttered, rolling her eyes.
“Fine, how about the Miss ADK pageant?”
Susan winced. “You're the only one I know who could pull off camouflage formal wear.”
Indie wrinkled her nose at the memory of her foray into her mother’s world. Tera Macari had won several beauty pageants before marrying Indiana's father.
They entered the study hall as the bell rang. Sitting down, Susan leaned over and whispered, “have you decided what to do about Todd?”
Indie shook her head. “It's not working. When I get back on Sunday I'm ending it. Unless I get a chance to talk to him before then.”
“He's not going to take it well.”
“Do they ever?”
Susan smirked. “So you're going out to the school this weekend?”
“Yeah, wanna come?”
“You're kidding, right? You know I don't do the whole outdoor thing.”
“Un-huh.” Indiana flipped open her math book. Tapping her pencil on the book, she contemplated the problems. Suddenly, a well-manicured hand slammed down on the desk next to her book. Startled, she looked up to find a skanky blond in painted on skinny jeans and too tight sweater glaring down at her.
“Can I help you Roxy?”
“How come you get to be at the top of the pyramid?”
“Because I can do a back flip with a double twist and you can't,” Indie replied, going back to her math. Above her there was an indignant gasp. Seconds later the bell sounded, saving Indie from having to deal further with Roxy. Luckily the squad didn't have practice that afternoon, so she wouldn't follow Indie either. Scooping up her books, Indie ducked out of the class room and headed to her locker. Pulling it open she dropped her books inside, and grabbed her backpack.
“Hey Baby.”
Indie put her head against the edge of her locker door as Todd approached. Then, sighing, she straightened and pushed it shut. “Hey.”
“You've been avoiding me.”
“Yup.” She ignored the startled look on his face. What did he expect, her to make excuses? Hadn't they been together long enough for him to know better?
He reached out to take her hand and she pulled away. He looked down, then back up at her. “This isn't working, is it?”
It was Indiana's turn to look shocked. She shook her head. “No, we've been kind of just going through the motions for awhile now.”
He chuckled awkwardly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “This is weird, I've never had a break up so easy before. So what do we do now?”
Indie grinned. “Well if you want I could slap you and storm off.”
“Um no. I'd rather not have to explain a black eye. Or that a girl did it.”
Smiling, Indie shrugged. “Okay, then we're good.”
“Yeah.”
Indie turned, heading for the exit.
Before she'd gone two steps he called, “Hey Indie.”
She glanced over her shoulder.
“Still want to go to Spring Fling together?”
“I don't think that's a good idea. But any of the cheer squad would be ecstatic if you asked.” She winked and ducked out of the building.
****
Indiana dropped her backpack next to the door as she entered the house. If the stupid thing got any heavier she was going to have permanent back damage. It seemed like the further into the year the more work the teachers gave her. With a sigh she kicked off her shoes, then headed toward the kitchen.
As she walked passed her dad's office, he popped his head out. “We still going to the gun club after dinner?”
“Yeah.”
“No!” Her mother wailed from the kitchen. “I wanted to take you shopping.”
Indie looked toward her dad, who shrugged as if to say, it's your call. If it really was up to her, she'd grab a pint of Ben and Jerry's Heath Bar Crunch ice cream and the Molly Harper book she was reading, and crawl into bed.
“Mom, Dad and I planned last week to go the range.” Indie said, stepping into the kitchen. “We can go shopping next weekend.”
The pout on her mother's perfect lips left Indie wondering for a moment who was the parent and who was the child. Times like these she felt like a rope being pulled in two different directions. She decided to switch tactics, going with something her mother could understand. “Mom, Todd and I broke up. I really feel like blasting something right now.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Tera bustled around the counter and enveloped her in a big hug. “Fine, rifle therapy tonight then retail therapy when we get back Sunday.”
“Thanks, Mom. So what's for dinner?”
“Dad made venison stew.”
Pulling into the gun club’s parking lot, Indiana smiled, seeing a familiar blue ford truck. “Ryan's here.”
“Oh yeah.” Her dad eased the ATV to a stop. “Don't do something stupid just because you and Todd broke up.”
“Thanks for the confidence, Dad.”
“Don't take that tone with me, young lady. You know what I mean, Ryan's a good kid. But rebounds don't make good relationships.”
Indie rolled her eyes. “Ryan and I are just friends.” She undid her seat belt and pushed open the car door. “Besides I don't need another boyfriend right now.” Yanking open the back door of the ATV, she took her gun case off the seat. She kicked the door shut and followed her dad into the clubhouse. A few guys sat around the table inside.
“Hey Dan, Princess.”
Indie grinned, “Hey Mr.Anderson.” He'd called her Princess ever since she'd worn ballerina flats to her hunters training class. The entire class had to listen to a five minute lecture on proper hunting footwear. “Dad, I'll be out on the range.”
“Sure hon.” He waved her out and turned to talk to the men.
Her grin turned into a full on smile when she saw Ryan standing at a booth on the field. His dark shaggy hair ruffled in the breeze as he fired the twenty-two tucked against his broad shoulder. She waited off to the side until he set the empty gun aside, pulled off his ear protection, and reeled in his target.
“You're getting better.”
Ryan jumped, spinning around to look at her. A goofy grin spread across his face. “Hey you shouldn't sneak up on a guy with a gun.”
Indie chuckled. “I didn't sneak, you just didn't hear me.” She put her case on the counter in the next booth. Flicking the latches, she pulled it open.
“Is that the new one?” Ryan asked, coming up beside her.
“Mmm, I need to get her adjusted.”
“Her?” He picked up the gun, raising his eyebrow.
“It's pink, of course it's a girl.”
Ryan chuckled, setting the shotgun back down as she fished out her eye and ear protection. “So I heard you broke up with Todd.”
“It was amicable. And how'd you hear? It only happened a few hours ago.”
He shrugged. “Bad news travels fast.”
“I wouldn't qualify it as bad news.” She tugged her ear protection on, signaling an end to their conversation. Picking up the shotgun, she loaded it and chambered a round. She tugged it to her shoulder, zeroed in on her target and pulled the trigger.
Chapter 2
Indiana relaxed her grip on the steering wheel as her tires hit actual asphalt. Twenty minutes of rutted gravel roads left her wondering if her shocks were going to hold out. Houses began to appear sparsely, then more frequently. Only a few more minutes before she could climb into a hot shower. Spending a weekend at her dad's survival school didn't bother her any more than a couple weeks roughing it. But she still enjoyed the modern comforts, and would trade her sleeping bag for a comfy bed any day.
Turning at the light, she headed into town. The roads were empty. Granted, it was the beginning of March and the snow was knee deep, but usually weekends brought tourists. Even with the huge snow banks, there were usually hikers, skiers, all sorts of outdoorist flocking to the Adirondacks.
Pulling into the drive way, she was happy her mother had decided to stay at the survival school another day. Now she had the entire house to herself all night. Her dad was going to be at the school all week with the trainees.
After unloading the Jeep, she climbed into the shower, only to have to jump out again when her phone rang. Hastily wrapping a towel around herself, she grabbed the cell off her night stand where it had been charging.
“Susie, this had better be good.”
“Why haven't you been answering your phone?”
“There is zero to nil reception at the school, you know that. Why?”
“Turn on the TV.”
Indie picked up the remote and turned on her television. A news report filled the screen, with a warning message scrolling across the bottom.
“Citizens are warned not to eat any meat products. A terrorist organization has tainted meat distributors throughout the United States. All over the country hospitals are overwhelmed and there have been multiple deaths in relation to the attacks.”
Susie's voice rang in her ear. “Indie, are you watching? It's crazy. People are freaking out.”
“Wow! I have to contact my dad and the others at the school. I'll call you back.” Before Susan could protest, Indiana ended the call. Tossing on a pair of yoga pants and tank top, she raced to her dad's home office.
Praying someone would be near the school's office, she turned on the CB. “Calling Pigeon Survival School. This is the Survivalista, we got an EMRC, come back.”
Since she was little, Indie and her dad had used the CB to talk when he was at the school. Over the years they had developed their own codes and language.
“Survivalista, Yogi here. What's EMRC?”
“Yogi, where's Papa Bear?”
“Busy.”
“Go get him, now!”
“All right. Give me a minute.”
The radio crackled and Indie waited impatiently. The trainees at the school had no way of knowing what was going on. They'd want to get home and make sure their families were okay.
“Survivalista, Papa Bear here. What's going on?”
“Papa Bear, the TV says that there was a terrorist attack on meat distributors. People are getting sick. You might want to let the trainees go.”
“Did you say meat?”
“Yeah terrorists, tainted meat, people getting sick.”
“All right can you get some more info and get back to me. Put the B.O.B's in the jeep and some supplies if it gets worst head back. Keep the hand held on you all time.”
“Understood, Papa Bear.”
“Be careful, baby.”
“I will, Survivalista out.”
“Papa Bear, out.”
Indiana hung up the microphone. Going to the cabinet, she grabbed the hand held radio and clipped it to her pants. She threw on some jeans and sweatshirt in her room, then took the bug-out-bag from her closest. Getting two more from her mom and dad's room, she put all three in the jeep. Back in the house, she entered the office and pulled out a plastic gun case and placed a few guns in it, then added it to the back seat of her vehicle. Lastly she went to the pantry and pulled out a box of M.R.E.s and put them with the other stuff. Maybe she was jumping the gun, so to speak, but if the shit hit the fan she could bolt.
Heading back into the house she flicked on the TV and picked up her cell. Flopping onto the couch she dialed Susan. “Hey Susie.”
“Hey you on your way back up to the school?”
“No I'm still home. Keeping an eye on things, I guess.”
“Oh.” There was a thick pause. “Can I come over?”
“Sure. Will it be okay with your mom?”
“Since she's in the hospital, I don't think it will be a problem.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“You didn't know, but they’re not letting anyone in so I'm stuck here with AJ and he's driving me nuts. He drove all the way up here when he found out about mom.”
Indie grinned, knowing Susie's love/ hate relationship with her brother. “All right then see you in a few.”
She started to place the phone on the table, then changed her mind and called Ryan. As the phone rang she watched the news.
Doctors hadn't been able to diagnose the exact cause but it seemed to be some sort of mutated Ebola virus. Symptoms could appear anywhere from one to twenty-four hours after ingesting tainted meat product. They included fever, chills, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. If not treated immediately it can cause disorientation and finally a coma, and death.
“Hello.” Ryan answered.
“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you're okay.” Indie replied, still watching the TV.
“We'r
e all fine here. You know Mom and Dad don't eat anything unless they grow it or kill it.”
“Yeah they're like my dad in that aspect.”
“Good thing, too. Most the town is in the hospital with whatever this virus is. Hang on.”
She heard muffled talking, then he was back. “Hey, my parents want to know if the family could wait this out at the school?”
“Not my call. Your Dad can raise the school on channel eighteen.”
“Ok.” He relayed the message. “Are you heading back up?”
“Only if it gets worst, Dad has me on recon.”
“Oh. Want some company?”
Indie smiled, “Susan's coming over, but if you want...”
“Wait, is she the one who calls me Hottie Hillbilly?”
“Yes.”
“Then I'll see you at the school.”
Indie laughed. “All right. See you.” Pushing the end button on her cell, she tossed it on the coffee table.
****
“This is really depressing. Every channel has news reports.” Susan said, finally giving up and setting down the remote. “And we're eating home fried potato chips.”
“If you wanted snacks, you should've brought your own.”
“I know, I know. Stupid health conscious—”
“Shh.” Indiana grabbed up the remote and turned up the volume.
“There have been new developments in the recent biological attack. People who were previously considered dead have come back to life in an animated, catatonic state. If approached these people become extremely violent, attacking unprovoked. At this time doctors theorize that the virus slows heart and respiratory function, mimicking death. In this state oxygen is unable to be transported, causing damage to parts of the brain. At this time, researchers are still looking into what this virus is and why it causes this to happen. We will continue to bring you up to the minute coverage as we know more.”
“This keeps getting freakier and freakier.”
“Yeah.” Indie agreed, she didn't like this one bit. A nagging voice in the back of her head told her to get the hell out of Dodge. She got to her feet and headed for the office.
Susan followed and leaned against the door casing. “What are you doing?”