EXODUS
A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller
AFTERSHOCK SERIES
Book Two
***
MICHAEL R. WATSON
EXODUS: The Aftershock Series, Book Two
Copyright © 2017 by Michael R. Watson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, without prior permission of the author, who is the copyright holder.
Printed in the United States of America.
Cover design by LLPix Designs, www.llpix.com,
Laura Wright LaRoche - Designer
This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are intended to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used fictitiously. All characters, incidents, and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.
ISBN: 978-1975813642
Dedication
To my grandchildren, Ethan, Paige, Kinsey, Lilly, and Macie. I hope you always have the desire to read.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank my family and friends who were beta readers throughout the writing, review, and re-writing process.
CHAPTER ONE
Gant and John were busy getting settled into their new valley, their new homestead, the beginning of their new life. Ryder was back with his people in Haven and life in the Amish community of Paradise was back to normal.
There was one problem. Levi was missing. He’d been sent from Paradise to discreetly pick up supplies from their contact at Sector 4. They met the first of every third month. Even though he was only eighteen, he had made the trip numerous times, several times alone. There had never been a problem. But, he had left over a week ago and should have been back. A teenager in the wasteland, surrounded by countless dangers, his mother was understandably worried.
***
Five years earlier, Ryder, Levi’s older brother, had left Paradise valley and his family behind to find out if there was more to life beyond the valley. He had become unsatisfied with the sedentary farm life, much to the disappointment of his father, Samuel. Excited when he was recruited to be one of the governor’s Guard, he knew he’d made the right choice. He was provided a uniform, food, and shelter and found himself in a position of authority and respect, or so he thought. It didn’t take long to learn the truth.
Governor Davis was hoarding the stockpile of supplies accumulating in the lower level of the prison, collected for distribution to the people, but rarely done. Ryder saw the excess supplies as an opportunity to help out his friends and family back at Paradise valley. So, from time to time, a few critical items were liberated, such as medical supplies, to help them out. Becoming the inside man in the governor’s compound, he would meet his father well outside the compound gates to make delivery. He failed to mention that the items he was loading into his father’s wagon weren’t exactly a gift from Governor Davis. His father would not have approved if he had known.
Ryder’s father would tell him, “One of these days, I’m going to have to thank the governor for helping us out. He’s a very generous man.” Ryder would just smile and nod.
***
Since Peck had replaced Gant as Master of the Guard, there had been a complete re-structuring of the Guard and their routines, something Levi hadn’t anticipated. Ryder, before leaving the Guard, had left a friend in place to carry on with the delivery to someone from the valley. On this trip, the person hadn’t been at the designated location when Levi arrived. It was about an hour past dusk, a bit too early.
The partially collapsed and deteriorating old farmhouse had been a perfect location to meet, off the main trail and a safe distance from the prison compound. Most of the houses in the area had either burned to the ground or had collapsed from the quakes with all their contents left behind: clothing, furniture, canned goods, etc. The room he was in, still partially standing, had been picked clean by either scavengers or by the governor’s collection squad.
Levi lit a small signal candle and sat in a corner to wait. He was sure his contact would show up soon. Exhausted from the long wagon ride, he nodded off in a matter of seconds.
When he woke, the eastern sky was starting to lighten. The candle had burned down and gone out. He was becoming worried. His contact had never been this late before. He started recounting the days, maybe he was off. No, he was right where he was supposed to be and on the right day.
There was a rustling outside. He perked up, looking through what was left of a shattered window. There was movement. It was still too dark to see clearly what it was. Perhaps it had been an animal scurrying through the tall grass. Movement from another direction drew his attention. Something didn’t feel right and he began to panic. The hairs stood up on the back of his neck and on his arms. He ran to the horse and wagon, jumping up into the seat as he grabbed the reins, flicking them hard and yelling, “Go!”
“You! Stop!” someone yelled.
Before he could move the wagon an inch, it was surrounded by the governor’s Guard with one of them grabbing the horse’s bridle, keeping the wagon from going anywhere. Levi leaped to the ground in an attempt to make a run for it, but was grabbed immediately, overpowered and knocked to the ground, forcibly bound as he struggled for his freedom. He was dragged to a man on horseback in an officer’s uniform, and forced to his knees.
“I am Master Peck,” he announced with a wry smile. “And you are a thief.”
Levi fought to stand, but was knocked back to the ground with the butt of a rifle.
“How old are you, boy?” Peck asked.
Levi remained silent.
“And what is your name?”
Levi stared at him with defiance, determined not to tell him anything.
Peck dismounted and began to circle the boy. “Where do you live?”
Still, there was only silence. Angrily, Peck grabbed the rifle from the nearest Guard and struck Levi again with the rifle butt, this time at the back of his neck. Levi let out a deep moan as he fell face down into the dirt, unconscious.
“Throw him into the back of the wagon. Once we get back to the compound, place him in cell block A. We’ll get answers from him the old-fashioned way.”
***
With his pompous chest sticking out and a smug smile, Peck knocked on the door to the counselor’s quarters. When Damon opened the door, he knew immediately that Peck was about to report his most recent accomplishment. It had become almost a daily early-morning ritual, and Damon was becoming weary of it.
“Yes, Master Peck?” asked Damon with disinterest.
“Counselor. I have captured the thief who has been meeting with Guard Hale,” reported Peck. “Would you like to question him?”
“That won’t be necessary. I already know who he is and where he’s from.”
“Sir?”
“After we caught Guard Hale with the wagon of supplies and learned of the two’s planned rendezvous, he became very cooperative, especially when we used his family for leverage. While you were making your capture, we were having a long and informative conversation.”
“Well then, who is he?” asked Peck.
Damon turned on him. “That’s none of your concern,” he said with a scowl. Then almost immediately, a smile re-emerged. “I’ll let Governor Davis know of your success. I’m sure he will be very pleased and grateful.”
Peck remained in the doorway, expecting more.
“You may go now.”
“Yes, Counselor.” His ego was slightly deflated, not receiving the praise he’d expected and deserved.
***
Damon knocked softly on the governor’s open office door
. Davis sat at his desk, not responding. Damon knocked again and louder. The governor slammed his pen down and looked at Damon in the doorway, infuriated at the interruption. “Yes, what is it?”
“My apologies, sir,” said Damon, attempting to sound sincere, even though he wasn’t. “But I have just received vital information I believe you will find quite interesting.”
The governor waited impatiently for a few seconds. “Well?”
“We have captured a thief, caught in the act of taking your supplies.”
“That’s hardly vital information. Take him out to the center yard and have him executed. And make sure everyone, including those at Tent City, knows what he did.”
“Excuse me for saying so, sir, but I believe you may find him more useful to you alive.”
“And why is that?”
“He’s the son of the man who’s the leader at Paradise valley.”
Davis stared at Damon, rising from his chair, a smile slowly appearing on his face as he realized the implications. “He’s from Paradise? That is good news. We can use him to take the valley. Bring him to me.”
“He’s in no condition right now, sir. He’s unconscious.”
The smile vanished from the governor’s face. “And how did that happen?”
“Master Peck reported that force had to be used when he tried to escape.”
Davis shook his finger at Damon. “I want you to personally make sure the boy is all right. He won’t be any use to us if he dies. And let Master Peck know that if anything else happens to the boy or if the boy doesn’t recover, he will pay the consequences.” A devilish smile returned as he thought about how the valley was within his grasp.
***
Emma, Levi’s mother, was concerned. He’d never been gone this long before.
“He should have been back by now,” she said.
“Don’t worry,” said Samuel, Levi’s father, in an attempt to comfort her. “I’m sure he’s fine. He’s made this trip for the last two years by himself. He may be just taking his time. He’s still young and you know he can get sidetracked easily.”
“But the other times he went, he came right back.”
“If he’s not back by tomorrow, I’ll send for Ryder and have him go and look for him. Will that make you feel better?” asked Samuel.
She forced a weak awkward smile. “Yes. I’d like that. And I’ll like it even more if he brings him home.”
***
Emma, worried about Levi, had a difficult time trying to sleep, which in turn led to Samuel having a sleepless night. By noon the next day she couldn’t stand waiting any longer.
“Samuel, please send for Ryder. I know something is wrong.”
“I already have. I sent Joshua early this morning. I couldn’t sleep either and I knew how worried you were.”
“Thank you. How long do you think it’ll take to find Levi?” asked Emma.
“There’s no way of knowing. First, Joshua has to find Ryder.”
***
Joshua was fortunate, finding Ryder at the first place he looked, at his cabin in the Raider’s valley of Haven. As soon as he heard his brother was missing after going to Sector 4 for supplies, he asked Darby, a close friend, to saddle his horse while he threw a few things together. He filled a canteen with water and hastily grabbed a few food items. When he rushed out the door, Darby was riding toward him, leading Ryder’s horse. Joshua was already headed back to Paradise to let Ryder’s parents know he’d gotten the message.
“You know you don’t have to come along,” Ryder told Darby.
“Are you kidding? Who’s going to keep you out of trouble or from getting lost?”
Ryder smiled at his friend as he mounted up. “Let’s go then.”
Another friend ran up. “Would you like me to come too?” asked Carl. “Darby said your brother might be in trouble.”
“Thanks, Carl, but no. Levi most likely just had trouble with the wagon. We should be back in a couple of days.”
He and Darby rode off, Ryder hoping that what he had said was the case. He and his little brother hadn’t gotten along so well in recent years, ever since Ryder had left Paradise. Levi held a grudge for being stuck with taking over Ryder’s chores. But that didn’t matter, they were family and if Levi was in trouble, he’d be right there to help in any way he could.
Ryder and Darby rode straight toward Paradise, just in case he had showed up since Joshua had ridden out. When they rode up to his folk’s home and Ryder dismounted, his mom came running out of the house and threw her arms around his neck.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I just know something has happened to your brother. Please find him and bring him home.”
Ryder could see how the worry had affected her, with eyes red from crying and noticeably exhausted from a lack of sleep.
“He’s a big boy, Mom. I’m sure he’s all right. But wherever he is, I’ll find him. I promise.”
Emma loosened her arms from around his neck and pulled away, taking Samuel’s arm for both physical and emotional support.
Ryder exchanged nods with his dad and mounted back up.
“You know you should probably rest before you take out again,” said his mom. “And we haven’t seen you for a while. It’d be nice to catch up.”
He knew she didn’t really want him to stay right then to visit. There wasn’t any time to waste in locating Levi. “Wish I could stay and visit, Mom, but it’ll have to wait until I bring Levi home.”
She tried to smile. “That’ll be nice. Be safe, Son.”
He turned his horse away and kicked it in the flanks, breaking into a gallop with Darby at his side. Emma buried her face in Samuel’s chest, whispering a prayer for the safe return of both her sons.
***
CHAPTER TWO
Ryder and Darby stayed on the trail Levi would have taken to Sector 4. They asked everyone they met whether they had seen his brother. None had. It wasn’t as easy as Ryder had hoped. He had anticipated finding Levi on the trail, either making repairs to the wagon or stranded because he couldn’t make repairs. Now, they were within half a day of the Sector 4 compound and there had been no sign of his brother.
That evening they stopped about a mile from the compound, but within sight of the prison walls and Tent City. This close, they couldn’t risk a campfire. After sunset, Ryder left Darby behind as he went to check out the old farmhouse where Levi would have met the contact.
He approached what was left of the dilapidated farmhouse cautiously. He heard voices, whispers actually, too hushed for him to make out. Moving in closer, he saw that there were three guards crouched around a small fire in what would have been the center of the house. A sickening feeling hit him in the pit of his stomach. Levi would have come to this spot. Had they been waiting for him? Or did he spot them and turn away, going in search of supplies elsewhere? Ryder slipped away without being detected.
Ryder needed answers. He hoped he still had friends within the compound walls. He briefly thought about returning to tell Darby what he’d seen, but decided to use the time to find a friendly face to see if they knew what had happened. He moved in closer to the main gate, close enough to see the faces of the two guards. Neither looked familiar. He decided to try another approach as he headed back into the brush, making his way to the Tent City outpost. Maybe he would know one of the guards working there. He couldn’t see their faces from where he was. Both were facing toward the interior of Tent City, where the need was most likely to come. Their job was to discourage or break up any fights and keep the occupants inside, even though it wasn’t really necessary. There were rarely any fights and few attempted to escape since there was nowhere for anyone to go. It was easy duty, but few wanted guard duty there. Because of the living conditions, there was a stench in the air that took some getting used to. It became a punishment of sorts for guards who were responsible for minor indiscretions.
He decided to approach the outpost from the inside. The barrier around the city wasn’t act
ually escape proof. It was made from lining up car and truck bodies end to end and stacking them two to three vehicles high. The barrier was mostly to keep scavengers from riding in on horses or wagons and taking what they wanted. But for someone on foot, it wasn’t much of a deterrent to anyone wanting to leave or to enter. Ryder easily crossed through. None of those he passed gave him a second glance. It was dinner time with most of the activity centered around the campfires. He had been told in his early days as a Guard that those living in Tent City tended to keep to themselves and mind their own business. He hoped it was true.
He moved in close to the outpost, close enough to see the faces of the two guards. He let out a sigh of relief. There was one he recognized, Billy. He didn’t remember his last name, if he ever knew it. They had joined the Guard about the same time and had become friends of sorts. When Ryder had decided he’d had enough and was planning on leaving, he had asked Billy to go with him. But Billy had been too afraid of getting caught and having to face the consequences, which most likely would have been fatal. The other guard must have been a new recruit.
Ryder needed to catch Billy alone so they could talk. He needed a distraction, something that would draw enough attention to force one of the guards to check it out. It didn’t matter which one. Billy would either be left alone at the outpost, or he’d be the one checking out the commotion. Either way, Ryder would be able to approach Billy without the other knowing anything about it.
He went back to the car barricade, pulled out his knife, and cut open one of the seats, pulling the stuffing out enough to light on fire. It was far enough from any tents to prevent the fire from spreading, or he hoped so anyway. He struck a match and lit the material, which burned slowly at first, probably due to fire-retardants added during production. He backed away, watching from a distance. Then, in an instant, the fire roared to life, spreading quickly, much faster than he had anticipated. Within a few moments the car was totally engulfed. There were screams of “Fire!” echoing through a growing crowd of spectators.
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