GRANT
US
MERCY
A Post-Apocalyptic Serial Novel:
I n s t a l l m e n t F O U R
D. C. L I T T L E
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imaginations or are used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2019 DC Little, Carson River Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
DEDICATION
To my Mountain MacGyver who inspires me every day and my special boy who sees things others only wish they could, and those unexpected miracles.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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~2~
~3~
~4~
~5~
~6~
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Free Book!
Next in Grant Us Mercy
SNEAK PEEK!!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Wow! What a journey this has been! I have to say my first thank you to the wonderful lady, talented author, fierce mama, and supportive friend, Heather Yates, for encouraging me to go forth with my dream of writing Post-Apocalyptic even though it is so different from the genre I found my success in.
Of course, I need to thank my writer’s group, Women Writers of the Well. Without all of your support and encouragement I still would be writing stories for my eyes only. It’s been fun sharing this series with you every step along the way!
A heart-felt thank you to my fantastic editors, Dianne McCleery and Joan Simpson. Without your guidance and keen eye, my books wouldn’t be near as clean and consistent! And I can’t forget my ARC readers whose encouragement feeds me during those dry spells.
Thanks to my mom for her unwavering support and encouragement. And a special thanks for my Sis, whose namesake will be making a special star appearance.
And of course, where would I be without the two main men in my life! Thank you, My Love, for helping me with all the nuances of natural disasters and survival thinking. Your support in this project keeps me going strong. Thank you, My Little Love, and inspiration, for understanding how important Mommy’s writing time is and being excited whenever I receive one of my books in the mail.
~1~
DATE: September 21 11:06
Mercy was the miracle that they had needed. As much as Blake would never admit that out loud, he felt it, especially during moments like right now as he held her and her little hand reached up to touch his face. These last few months had been a challenge to say the least. Having an infant in the middle of a post-apocalyptic world was probably the hardest assignment he had ever been faced with.
Mercy cooed and gurgled, happily kicking her feet and telling him everything she thought.
“Oh, really?” he asked, letting her chubby hand clasp around his finger.
“Is my sister talking again?” Tucker ran up to them.
Mercy let go of Blake’s finger and started kicking her legs and waving her arms in excitement. That little girl loved her big brother, and he was infatuated with her.
“Hi, little sis. Are you ready for your first journey?” Tucker asked.
The reminder made Blake tense, his body going rigid with the idea of bringing his family into a group setting. He questioned his sanity when he agreed to take them to Arland’s community for their harvest celebration.
Mercy’s face scrunched as she became still and made a different sound, something low and grumbly.
“Oh, that’s a new one,” Blake said. “I’m not sure she’s happy about this trip.”
“It’s okay, sister. I will protect you.” Tucker leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“We’ll be fine,” Kris said, with a happy lilt to her voice.
Blake looked up from his children to see his radiant wife. She looked like she had never been pregnant. Yet, that fateful day she gave birth had shifted something in him. Understanding of what his life would be like without her dawned upon him, and he didn’t like it. He wouldn’t want to live this life without her. Once again, Kris’s amazing strength of mind and willpower left him in awe as she pulled through. If he had been in that situation, could he have pushed on like she had?
Then with Mercy being born not moving, and the kiss of her big brother causing her to take that first breath...Blake shook his head. It was nothing short of a miracle—a true granting of Mercy.
It had reinstated his faith, and he would do what he needed to pass that on to his children.
~*~
Kris watched the mixture of emotions cross Blake’s features. She knew he had misgivings about today, but a promise was a promise. It was the least they could do to show their gratitude to Arland and Laurie. For without them, she and her sweet girl might not be here.
“Come to Mommy,” she said as she lifted Mercy from Blake’s arms.
The look on Blake’s face showed his disappointment of no longer holding his treasured daughter. He laid a hand on Tucker’s shoulder instead and smiled down at the boy.
“Do you have everything, big brother?” Blake asked their son while she situated Mercy.
“Yep, got my sling. I’m getting really good at it!” He held it up before stuffing it into the pouch he had started wearing anytime he went outside. “My bow and quiver are over there with my pack, just in case we see some things to hunt on the way. And,” he patted his thigh, “my knife that you gave me for my birthday, as always, is right here.”
Her son looked like a mini version of her husband. He had spent more time with Blake since she had Mercy. The changes in Tucker showed in his confident strut as he did his best to emulate his dad. Part of her heart ached knowing she was losing her sweet, little boy. The other part of her knew the change would benefit his survival. It was just so hard to let go.
“I’m proud of you, son. You have been providing your family with meat.” Blake ruffled up his hair.
“I try, Dad.” A shadow filled his eyes.
Kris knew that Tucker still did not enjoy taking the life of animals, but he did his best to embrace his new role in the family. He had brought home several squirrels and rabbits now. Not only did it provide meat, but moccasins for his sister, and Kris worked on a pair for Tucker as well. His poor toes were jammed in his boots and the soles wouldn’t hold up much longer. As it was, they were held together by twine.
She fit Mercy into the wrap, holding her close to her body. When Blake had found the baby wrap and cloth diapers stuffed in the attic right after Mercy was born, Kris had been overcome with gratitude. She thought they had gotten rid of them after Tucker had no longer needed the baby items. That one find changed their situation from surviving to thriving.
Wearing her daughter like this, she could do everything she used to. In fact, Kris was more productive than she had been the months before her delivery. She shouldered her bag and adjusted it. With Mercy growing, the weight she carried increased, but her strength did as well.
The trip to Arland’s camp was about five miles of up and down hiking through forests and meadows. It would take them most of the morning to get there. Tucker’s endurance had increased with their little forays out into the forests to hunt, so she hoped it wouldn’t be too exhausting for him. She wanted him to have energy to play with the other kids.
They now hunted as a family. According to Blake, that wouldn’t change if it could be helped. His last sol
o hunt, when he returned to find her and Tucker in the situation he perceived as a threat, left him scarred. He had clung tight to them ever since. Rather than it being overbearing, they had settled into a comfortable, cohesive family. That brought peace to Kris.
She knew enough about life and marriage to know that this honeymoon period wouldn’t last, but she sure would enjoy it while it did.
Blake checked his pack for the second time. Part of her wondered if today would push him past his threshold, and she might see her grace period fade away. The set of his jaw definitely warned her it might be so.
Yet, when he looked up and caught her stare, he smiled.
The worry in her melted away. Mercy cooed and snuggled in. Tucker reached up and took her hand. He wore his backpack and had his bow slung over his shoulder. Everything would be fine.
“Ready, Mom?”
When did he stop calling her Mommy? It tore at her heart a little, but she still smiled down at him.
“Ready, Sweetie.”
Blake scanned their property one last time.
“We’re not leaving forever, Blake. Just for one night.” Kris wrapped her free hand around his arm and leaned into him.
He reached around and pulled her and Tucker into a family hug that encompassed Mercy.
“I don’t like this. You know that. Everything we have is here.” Blake squeezed them before letting go and donning his own, very heavy-looking backpack.
“It will be here when we get back, Dad.” Tucker took his hand.
Kris shook off the feeling Tucker had more to say about that. Sometimes she wished he had never realized his gift. It was a heavy burden for her now seven-year-old to carry. When he looked up at her, that sad, faraway expression had faded away, and he smiled. Hopefully seeing other children would remind him of how to be a kid.
Excitement bubbled up in Kris. She couldn’t wait to see Tucker playing carefree with other kids and to show off Mercy to Laurie. The midwife had come for a visit six weeks ago with gifts of herbs to help milk production and some ideas for natural absorption for diapers. Her timing had been impeccable, just like with the delivery. She wondered if Laurie had a gift as well.
It was during this visit that Arland convinced Blake to come to their festival. Kris had overheard the conversation and choked on her food when she heard Blake say they would go. Laurie then had told her about her son, soon to turn four, and the other children at the camp. Would Tucker remember how to just be a kid? It had been a year since he had that chance.
~*~
The closer to Arland’s camp they came, the tenser Blake felt. He was walking his family into an unknown situation. What had he been thinking? Just because Arland and Laurie had proven themselves didn’t mean this camp would be safe for them.
He glanced back at Tucker. The boy had pushed through. With less than a mile to go, his face held a determined expression, but Blake could see the exhaustion in his movements. He needed Tucker at his best when they arrived.
“Let’s take one last break before we get there.” Blake stopped at a rock pile and released his pack from his aching shoulders. Kris had insisted they bring the last of their fall squash to add to the celebration. Right now he wished her sweet smile hadn’t convinced him to pack them into his bag.
He took Tucker’s pack off as well and set it against the rocks. Kris leaned against a rock and loosened her straps to lower hers off her shoulders. His wife continually impressed him with all she bore. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, enthralled with the graceful way she moved.
Mercy, fussing at the stop in movement, pulled him out of his day dreaming. “Shh, girl. Let’s get you out of there for a few minutes.” Blake approached Kris to help get their daughter out of the wrap.
At a little more than three months, Mercy had begun to really interact. He enjoyed her smiles and excited cooing when she saw him. He bounced her as he walked her around and pointed things out to her like he always did.
“Tree. See the rough bark that looks like a puzzle?” Blake talked to his daughter.
“That means it’s a pine tree.” Tucker answered. “See the long, pointy needles? Those are its leaves.”
Mercy reached out for the pine needles that Tucker held. She grasped a few and immediately put them in her mouth.
Blake laughed. “Not yet, girl. Those pine needles are edible, but they aren’t for you just yet.”
“Yeah, and they can make a tea. Have I told you about how Dad saved me by escaping the bunker to get me some needles for tea when I was really sick?” Tucker asked his sister.
He continued his story while Mercy looked as if she actually listened to every word Tucker uttered, cooing in response and reaching for the tree again. When Tucker finished his story and took off after a squirrel that ran past them, Mercy whimpered.
“Okay, it’s feeding time. Best to have a full belly when we meet everyone.” Kris reached for their daughter.
Blake grudgingly let her go. As Kris nursed Mercy, he couldn’t help but be grateful that Laurie had brought the herbs to help Kris produce enough milk. Once again, Laurie had proved herself. Kris’s milk hadn’t started producing as much as it had with Tucker. They didn’t have any formula. Blake had worried about how they would keep their miraculous daughter alive if Kris’s milk dried up completely. He had even played with the idea of journeying to the grocery store ten miles away on the off chance there would still be formula on the ransacked shelves.
As much as he didn’t want to be going into such an unnerving and unknown situation, Blake knew they needed to pay their respects to the two people who had allowed his family to be all together. He just didn’t like it. He blew out a breath, knowing he wouldn’t breathe easy until they were back in their bunker.
“Tucker,” he called over to the boy. They needed to go over protocol before they stepped into the camp.
“Ugh, I almost had him.” Tucker kicked at the pine needles on the ground as he stuffed his sling back into his pouch and joined them.
Blake handed him a piece of deer jerky and some water. Kris chewed on hers while sitting against the rock and nursing their daughter.
“Okay, let’s go over protocol again.” Blake looked pointedly at both Tucker and Kris.
He knew it annoyed his wife, but she smiled in a way that showed him she would go through the motions. Tucker sat forward, eager to show how much he had learned. Blake was relieved the kid liked running scenarios as much as he did. It solidified the knowledge that he needed to impart to his son.
“Always keep your eyes open. Never turn your back on anyone, even if they say they’re a friend.” Tucker looked off into the distance, a sign that he struggled to remember what else to say. “If something goes down, first try to find Mom or Dad. If I can’t, escape to the rendezvous point. Where is the rendezvous point?”
Blake looked around. “How about here? What would your point of references be?”
Tucker stood up, stuffing the last of his jerky in his mouth. He scanned the entire area for a minute and then turned back to his dad.
“The rock pile,” he said.
“Great, but from a great distance you won’t be able to see that marker.” Blake folded his arms. They had played this game many times in the last several months, and by the glint in his son’s eyes, he knew he had more to say.
“That’s why those two dead pines on each side of that large cedar will be my other reference point.” Tucker stuck his little chest out.
“That’s right, Champ.” Pride filled Blake.
“Which direction is the camp?” Kris asked.
Blake cocked his head and decided to challenge her. “Northwest.”
Kris smirked, craned her neck to look around, and then met his gaze. “So, we will be crossing that little creek and then heading up that rise.”
“I’m impressed,” Blake said with a small chuckle.
The pride that shone in Kris’s eyes almost made this whole trip worth it.
“We forgot one thing,”
Tucker said.
“What’s that?” Blake asked.
“We don’t give up our assets.”
“Very true. Do you know what that means?” Blake asked, watching Kris tuck Mercy back into her wrap. He rose, as did Tucker, and they all walked to their packs. Blake appreciated the seamless way they worked together.
“Yes. We don’t tell people what we have, where we live, how we live, or anything that could be used against us.” Tucker tightened his straps and slung his bow over his shoulder.
“I’m very proud of you, Tuck. You know one more thing you should focus on?” Kris asked him, as she bent down to kiss his forehead. “Having fun.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He smiled, but Blake could see the hesitation in his eyes, a look that mirrored his own misgivings.
“We’ll probably run into the guards in a quarter mile. I’m thinking I should scout ahead and let them know we’re coming. I don’t want someone to make a poor decision.” Blake looked pointedly at Kris.
“I’m sure they are expecting us, but you do what you need to.” Kris blew him a kiss.
“I won’t be that far ahead of you.” Blake nodded in the direction they were headed.
“I have my whistle, Dad.”
“That makes me feel better. Thanks, Champ.” He ruffled his hair. “Take care of Mom and your sister.”
“Always. And we always return to each other.”
“We always return to each other,” Blake said along with Kris.
He waved farewell before he started at a jog up through the forest. Blake didn’t worry about them so close behind. He just didn’t want one of the guards to get carried away and take a shot before they knew who they were.
Even with his heavy pack, he made good time. From where he stood, he could smell the campfire smoke and hear a murmur of voices. A shuffling to his right made him sneak behind the large fir. He watched the guard walk toward him, scanning the area.
When the guard was close enough, Blake recognized the man named David. Seeing that the guard was the one who he had held a knife to his throat back on his property made Blake grateful that he had the forethought to come ahead. Who knew what kind of angry feelings the man may have for him?
Grant Us Mercy (Book 4): Grant Us Mercy Page 1