by Jack Hunt
“Hang in there, baby,” he said through the tears that blurred his vision. He scooped her up and with pain in his shoulder he moved with purpose to get her to safety. He had no idea that Gabriel and the others had overtaken those attacking, all he saw was the face of his child staring back at him, trying to say something.
Collapsing to his knees he screamed for help but it was useless, within seconds Bailey took her last breath.
“No!” he yelled, rocking back and forth with her lifeless body.
Frank saw the fire from the boat as he made his way across the choppy waters. The smell of smoke reached his nostrils. His heart sank, not because the cottage that had been passed down from his parents was now gone, but because he had no idea if Ella and the others were still alive.
Fear drove him on as he opened the throttle and powered on to the island. As soon as he reached the dock, he powered down, killed the engine, and hopped out. He could hear yelling, and cries long before he had managed to make his way up the steep rocky incline.
“Ella!” he yelled. “Ella!”
His eyes scanned the people, some he recognized, others he didn’t and then he saw her. Her face was blackened by smoke, but alive and unharmed. She rushed up to him and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she wept.
Off to his left he saw Gloria, and then his eyes darted over to where the crying was coming from. Kneeling over his daughter’s body, with Zach trying to console him, was Sal.
“No please. I didn’t,” a man said off to the right.
Another gunshot went off and it startled him. He turned to see Landon standing over a man. He’d shot him in the head. Days ago, perhaps he would have said something. Maybe he would have argued or taken offense to what had to be done but not now. Something had clicked inside of him. By the looks on the faces of everyone, the same had occurred in them. The need to feel safe took precedence over mercy.
Tongues of fire flickered high in the night sky, the heat warming their cheeks as Frank looked bleakly upon on what had been lost. And yet as he glanced at Ella’s face, then at Sal’s, he knew that buildings could be rebuilt, shelter could be found, but nothing could replace the loss of a family member.
Frank broke away from Ella and slowly made his way over to Sal while regarding the others who looked on with blank expressions. Frank placed a hand on Sal’s shoulder and crouched down beside him. Sal turned, his cheeks wet and red with tears. No words were exchanged, only a hug.
When he rose to his feet, he cast his eyes over those that had come to help. Among them he saw Gabriel and Tyrell and the corner of his lip curled ever so slightly. Both gave a nod. He was pleased to see them alive, even if it had come at a heavy price.
“What now, Dad?” Ella asked taking his hand.
He didn’t reply, instead he gazed at the fire as chunks of wood collapsed, and every crack and pop signaled years of memories evaporating into the air.
“We heal. Rebuild. And ensure this never happens again.”
Frank cast a glance over his shoulder to Sal. He didn’t know what dangers lay ahead, or what trials and tribulations they would have to endure, but he was convinced that whatever lurked beneath the surface, whatever might steal, kill, or destroy tomorrow, they would face it together.
THANK YOU FOR READING
Anxiety: (The Agora Virus Book 2)
Book 3 will be available in March 2017
A Plea
Thank you for reading Anxiety: (The Agora Virus Book 2). If you enjoyed the book, I would really appreciate it if you would consider leaving a review. Without reviews, an author’s books are virtually invisible on the retail sites. It also lets me know what you liked. You can leave a review by visiting the book’s page. I would greatly appreciate it. It only takes a couple of seconds.
Thank you — Jack Hunt
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Thank you for buying Anxiety: (The Agora Virus Book 2), published by Direct Response Publishing.
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About the Author
Jack Hunt is the author of horror, sci-fi and post-apocalyptic novels. He currently has three books out in the Camp Zero series, two books out in the Agora Virus series, five books out in the Renegades series, one book out in the The Armada series, a time travel book called Killing Time and another called Mavericks: Hunters Moon. Jack lives on the East coast of North America.
www.jackhuntbooks.com
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Also by Jack Hunt
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The Agora Virus series
Phobia
Anxiety
Book 3 (Coming March 2017)
Camp Zero series
State of Panic
State of Shock
State of Decay
Renegades series
The Renegades
The Renegades Book 2: Aftermath
The Renegades Book 3: Fortress
The Renegades Book 4: Colony
The Renegades Book 5: United
Armada series
Defiant
Mavericks series
Mavericks: Hunters Moon
Time Agents series
Killing Time