“May I come in?” Drake asked from the other side of her tent.
Appie wanted to say no, but that wouldn’t be very hospitable for a newly elected Shawnee, now would it? “Yes.”
Drake walked in, head down. He looked like he had been crying, a lot.
“I am so sorry,” he said.
“Do not be,” Appie said, although it might have sounded more like a snap. “Chimmus made her choice.”
She had been trying to convince herself of that the past hour.
“I should have told her I wasn’t interested at all, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
Appie cocked her head. “Not at all? Because you two seemed close in the truck. Your hand on her thigh.”
She wasn’t going to mention it, but he had brought it up.
“No, she was holding my hand there. Her grip is like a Syn’s I’m telling you.”
Appie’s eyes narrowed. “You did not sleep with her in the truck?”
“Yes, but slept is all we did. I swear.”
“Most men would not have declined such an offer.”
Drake blushed, kicking some non-existent rock with his toe. “I… I… I haven’t…”
‘At your age?” Appie asked genuinely surprised.
“In my world you aren’t legally able to marry until you are eighteen.”
“Eighteen?” Appie chuckled. “I’d be run off if I’m not bonded after this year’s gathering.”
“So you are engaged?” Drake asked.
“No, I have no intended, but I better find one elsewise I will no longer be Shawnee.”
“There’s a law that you have to marry?”
“A law? No,” Appie explained. “But a Shawnee must live by example. I have been a virtuous girl, but now I must become a woman, marrying, raising a family in harmony.”
“Oh,” Drake said, looking down again. “And when is this gathering?”
“In two months.”
“Oh,” he said again looking about as cute as a boy could with tear streaks down his face. Appie had truly thought that Drake was as taken with Chimmus as Chimmus was with him. If he wasn’t…
Appie couldn’t allow herself to think that far ahead. The boy had just woken up in a different century. The chance that he would choose her out of all the other girls at the gathering were slim to none.
Drake lifted his face. “Again, I am so sorry.”
“Seriously, you don’t have to be. Chimmus would have found something else to challenge me over,” Appie reassured him. “The girl was not content at being just a tracker when she was knee high. The girl was destined to challenge me.”
Drake breathed out. “I can’t tell you how much better that makes me feel.”
She was glad that one of them could feel less responsible. Just because Chimmus was going to challenge her, didn’t mean that Appie was any less sad about it.
“I’m not sure if you are up for it, but I brought over the video player,” Drake stated. “I’ve got Jurassic Park 3 primed and ready?”
Appie chuckled. “I think I’ve had enough of T. Rexes for the day.”
“Then Star Wars?” Drake offered. “You can see where I got that rad move?”
Appie couldn’t resist. She plopped down on the floor beside Drake while sending off one last hope that Chimmus would eventually find her way.
EPILOGUE
Durnag felt he was seeing through a layer of gauze. He could barely hear, but he should consider himself lucky, given he was just a head.
And he would only be that for a very short period of time. Once his soldiers delivered him back to the Council, he knew that he would be melted for scrap metal. This failure could not be forgiven, so he best enjoy the minutes he had left.
He would not regret his decisions. They had been sound at the time. The Tucker girl simply had better luck, a tangible, mathematically proven phenomena. And when luck came into play, there was seldom anything anyone could do about it.
“Sir,” one of his soldiers said. Durnag squinted trying to make out the synthetic before him. There was another shadow beside him.
“Yes?”
“A human has turned herself in.”
Durnag snorted, nearly knocking himself over backward. “A human coming to a Syn camp?”
“Yes,” a young feminine voice said. Even though he didn’t have his sacral hard drive, Durnag was still able to match the voice to his clan database.
“Chimmus?”
“I have come to offer my help.”
“For?”
“Killing Appie.”
Durnag had to make sure that he was still functioning and not having some kind of post-traumatic fantasy. Bringing a live member of the clan might be the only thing that could save his existence with the council.
“Why would you do that?”
“She had me exiled. I owe her a debt I want to see repaid.”
Humans. Their ability to carry a grudge was perhaps the biggest surprise. The human saying was “dog to a bone,” but he’d never seen a dog cling to a bone for decades as humans could to a grudge.
“I want to see the council,” Chimmus stated.
Durnag laughed. “And why would they ever deign to see you?”
There was very little the council cared about. And the politics of a human clan? Not much at all.
“I know where this year’s gathering will be held.”
Except possibly that.
AFTERWORD
Thank you so much for going on this journey into our future, no matter how messed up it is!
If you enjoyed Appie, Drake, Mattu and of course Ruby, please go back to Amazon and leave a review. Indie Authors live and die by their reviews!
I’d also like to ask that if you find any typos/errors to please contact me directly. Even though this and all of my books have been put through a gazillion rounds of edits, we are all just human. It really helps if you catch anything to email me at [email protected]
Want to know the exact moment any new book of mine is new going live?
Want more of Appie and her clan? Don’t worry there will be plenty of dinosaur/robot action to go around in the Cretaceous Crisis will be added exclusively to the Our Future. Our Fault collection Fall 2014!
Can’t wait until then? Check out the next section for more thrills!
Other Works by Carolyn McCray
The “Our Future. Our Fault,” post-apocalyptic thriller series
Buy purchasing the collection now, you get the prequel and bridge short stories, and later as the rest of the trilogy is launched, you get all additional books for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. That’s right, buy now, get all the rest for free! Get the collection right now specially priced at $3.99! Buy it before Cretaceous Crisis’s launch when the collection goes up to $5.99!
Praise for the Our Future. Our Fault Collection…
“The only thing I knew about this book was that it was going to have dinosaurs in it and it was going to be great! Ms. McCray did not disappoint! A book like no other it brings the past and future together and let's throw some humans together and you've got another great book to read! Dinosaur books are not exactly my favorite to read, but i found myself not wanting to put my kindle down until I found out what happened. Action through the whole book with a whopper of an ending! Never expected that! Can't wait to read the next book of this series.”
Candice
Amazon Reviewer
“Carolyn McCray has come up with another interesting story. Robots, dinosaurs and man all trying to survive on the same planet. Could it get any better? Can't wait for the sequel!”
Bjrcook
Amazon Reviewer
Currently included in this collection…
Tipping Point
the prequel short story to The Our Future. Our Fault. Thriller Series
Neo-Jurassic
the first book in the Our Future. Our Fault Thriller Series
Syns of our Father (exclusive to the collection)
the
bridge short story between Neo-Jurassic and Cretaceous Crisis
Cretaceous Crisis (will be added to the collection at NO extra charge Early 2015)
the full-length sequel to Neo-Jurassic
Natural Selection (will be added EXCLUSIVELY to the collection at NO extra charge Early 2015)
the bridge short story between Cretaceous Crisis and Mesozoic Maelstrom
Mesozoic Maelstrom (will be added EXCLUSIVELY to the collection at NO extra charge Summer 2015)
the exciting conclusion to the Our Future. Our Fault. Thriller Series
New Avalon (will be added EXCLUSIVELY to the collection at NO extra charge Summer 2015)
the short story “wrap-up” to the Our Future. Our Fault. Thriller Series
More praise for the Our Future. Our Fault Post-Apocalyptic Thriller Series…
“I have no idea what kind of whacked-out imagination it takes to come up with a story line like this, but I wish I had one! McCray does a fabulous job drawing you into the story, making you believe some pretty unbelievable stuff! And her research is impeccable. A must read. I can't wait for the sequel!”
Peter M.
Amazon Review
Remember by purchasing the collection at the exceptional low price of $3.99 right now you will get all remaining books (Cretaceous Crisis, Natural Selection, Mesozoic Maelstrom and New Avalon) in the trilogy for NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Get the collection now before it goes up to $3.99 upon the launch of Cretaceous Crisis this summer!
* * *
The Apex Predator Thriller Series
Praise for the Apex Predator Thriller Series…
“Salechii will make your heart race with fear. It'll make you nervous and scared of what unknowns lurk in the ocean depths. Ms. McCray describes the beautiful new Shark Park that is guaranteed to take your breath away. But with a name like Shark Park, you know something bad is going to happen. Only bad is an understatement, complete horror takes place…”
Christi Bilbo
Amazon Reviewer
“I found this book to be a mix of all the features I love in Carolyn's books. There's humor, a touch of romance, mystery, gore, thrill, excitement, happiness and sadness. It's even educational because I learned quite a lot about sharks. I definitely recommend this book, it's a keeper.”
Dragonroses
Amazon Reviewer
Currently included in this collection…
Bullies
the prequel short story to The Apex Predator Thriller Series
Salechii
the first book in the Apex Predator Thriller Series
Open Water*exclusive to the collection
the bridge short story between Salechii and Shark Station Nyet
Shark Station Nyet*exclusive to the collection
the full-length sequel to Salechii
Churn*exclusive to the collection
the bridge short story between Shark Station Nyet and Shayu
The Shayu Situation (will be added EXCLUSIVELY to the collection at NO extra charge Winter 2014)
the exciting conclusion to the Apex Predator Thriller Series
Blood in the water (will be added EXCLUSIVELY to the collection at NO extra charge Winter 2014)
the short story “wrap-up” to the Apex Predator Thriller Series
* * *
The Betrayed Omnibus Series – Carolyn’s extremely controversial historical thriller series
Have you read the entire Betrayed series? From the prequel short story, Ambush to the post-Shiva EXCLUSIVE short story Mayhem?
Want them all in one place? Check out The Omnibus Collection - it is a $19.00 value for just $9.99!!!
Praise for the Betrayed series…
“Carolyn McCray’s 30 PIECES OF SILVER proves that Dan Brown’s crown is up for grabs. Part minefield and all roller-coaster ride, here is a story as controversial as it is thrilling. Hunker down for a long night, because once you start reading this book, you won’t be putting it down.”
NYT Top Ten Best Seller
James Rollins
Devil Colony
“With twists and turns galore the pace of Havoc never slows down, you are propelled along like an avalanche. Havoc is an accomplished thriller. I sort of hate to use the word “interesting” which sounds like a book report, but this novel IS interesting as well as being a great read.”
P.B.Sharp
Amazon Reviewer
The collection includes…
Ambush
the prequel short story to 30 Pieces of Silver
30 Pieces of Silver
the extremely controversial historical full-length thriller that started it all!
Targeted*exclusive to the Omnibus Collection
the bridge short story between 30 Pieces of Silver & Havoc
Havoc
the stirring full-length sequel to 30 Pieces of Silver
Covert*exclusive to the Omnibus Collection
the bridge short story between Havoc and Shiva
Shiva*exclusive to the Omnibus Collection
the bombastic full-length conclusion to the Betrayed series!
Mayhem*exclusive to the Omnibus Collection
the “wrap-up” short story to finish out the first cycle of the Betrayed series
Caught
the prequel short story to the 2nd cycle of the Betrayed series featuring Davidson, Bunny, & Lopez
More praise for The Betrayed Series…
“I am hooked on this series …a great mix of religious history, action, and old fashion love. I know there is a sequel. I can nearly wait.
Niecy733
Amazon Reviewer
* * *
The Robin Hood Hacker Series – Carolyn’s action packed techno-thriller series
Praise for the Robin Hook Hacker Series…
”Writing a successful sequel is never easy, but in this case Carolyn McCray nailed it! Non-stop thrills and action combined with great new gadgets and more bad guys. Lost in all of this is the witty and humorous dialogue as well as the character development and the blossoming romantic relationships. If that was not enough, she also left us hanging and wanting more. Bravo! Cannot wait for the next installment. Definitely 5 stars.”
Romano Rubusto
Amazon Reviewer
“From the moment I started reading this book, I was in awe. Encrypted is action packed from the first sentence. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. From hackers, special agents, to the plague, you won't be able to put this one down until the end!”
Book Goddess
Book Reviewer
Included in the collection are…
Hacked
the prequel short story to The Robin Hood Hacker Series
Encrypted
the techno full-length thriller that started it all!
Binary*exclusive to the Robin Hood Hacker Collection
the bridge short story between Encrypted and Cipher
Cipher*exclusive to the Robin Hood Hacker Collection
the stirring full-length sequel to Encrypted
Zeroes*exclusive to the Robin Hood Hacker Collection
the bridge short story between Cipher and Code
Code*exclusive to the Robin Hood Hacker Collection
the bombastic full-length conclusion to the Robin Hood Hacker series!
Ones*exclusive to the Robin Hood Hacker Collection
the “wrap-up” short story to finish out the Robin Hood Hacker series
More praise for the Robin Hood Hacker Series…
“I've read all the books and this box set is amazing value. Whether you're a fan of action, suspense, techno thrills or its outside you're normal reading patterns, I would definitely recommend this set as the series has something for everyone and will blow your mind...I didn't know what to expect but I got an exciting roller coaster read that was fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. Hence, I couldn't stop reading the rest of the series! Do yourself a favour, save yourself some time and money by buying the set.”
Kizzle79
Amazon Reviewer
About the Author
Carolyn McCray
Carolyn has had a long and extremely interesting road to become a bestseller.
When she head to veterinary school those many years ago she had no idea decades later she would be writing controversial historical thrillers, gut wrenching mysteries and roller coaster-style action/adventure tales!
Born in San Francisco and raised in the beautiful Napa Valley, Carolyn always had an overactive imagination. As a child you could usually find her dragging the neighborhood children out to the haunted barn to make her Nancy Drew-style audio tapes. Oh and did she mention, there was an entire life-sized recreation of the nativity scene in the rafters? Yeah, that wasn’t just a little creepy.
Which of course was great practice for writing such blockbusters as Plain Jane: A Patterson-style thriller with a dash of Hannibal and 30 Pieces of Silver: An Extremely Controversial Historical Thriller.
With over 500,000 books sold, Carolyn now lives on a beautiful lake in the Pacific Northwest where the fog rolls in over the water, snuffing out all signs of life around her. Yep, she still loves the creepy!
Table of Contents
Copyright
Main Menu
NEO-JURASSIC: The 1st full-length book of the post-apocalyptic thriller series, Our Future. Our Fault
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 15
EPILOGUE
AFTERWORD
Other Works by Carolyn McCray
The Apex Predator Thriller Series
The Betrayed Omnibus Series – Carolyn’s extremely controversial historical thriller series
The Robin Hood Hacker Series – Carolyn’s action packed techno-thriller series
About the Author
Contact Information
Neo Jurassic Smashwords 11-17-2014 Page 19