Dystopia (Book 3): Revelations

by Cooper, DJ

  John Milandred, well known for his experience and survival expertise has some great how to videos.

  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcU9nITkSdxeEbZ2Wo92Gfw

  Eric ware, this channel has some very good information about a wide variety of topics

  https://www.youtube.com/user/eware421

  MCQ Bushcraft is a great place to find information on bushcrafing and other ideas. Here is where I found the information on the FAT WOOD described in this novel.

  https://www.youtube.com/user/MCQBushcraft

  Self Defense Videos

  Here we have a few that I found very helpful, some are specific for women and teens. This is always a must have set of skills.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-ZPuaNxwvY

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WIOUvTQd20

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vazw7Ckq7w

  NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection

  When it comes to the ways we can find ourselves in danger, one of the most difficult is the things we cannot see. These things require special means of protection.

  Here you will find what it is:

  https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/21-75/Ch5.htm

  Free Downloadable files

  Information is crucial to being able to prepare and survive. My motto and tag line for my podcast is “Preparing to Thrive During Uncertain Times.” And in doing so it is important to build a preparedness library, storing up the one thing that you keep with you…Knowledge.

  This list is ever widening, bookmark it:

  http://www.prepperpodcast.com/free-downloads

  https://www.ready.gov/publications

  http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/free-survival-preparedness-downloads

  https://rethinksurvival.com/net-guide/even-more-resources/

  About the Author

  DJ Cooper is the author of the Dystopia series and other short works. Currently she is a student at Southern New Hampshire University studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing/English. Working on a double major in fiction and media

  Often writing humor, or research articles for her blog titled surviving dystopia and others, she keeps up on things for her post-apocalyptic fiction. She can be found in front of a computer somewhere, favoring the outdoors when writing. When asked about what kind of writer she is, she says, “The starving kind. Believing that writing is an ART, often times one must sacrifice to maintain the artistic integrity of the works.”

  She works in and around the Cincinnati, Ohio area flipping houses and spends much of her time in the areas of Kentucky she writes about in the Dystopia books.

  Works by the Author

  Dystopia : Beginning of the End

  Dystopia : The Long Road

  Dystopia : Revelations “A Character Novel

  Dystopia : The Dark Days (Coming 2018)

  Turn the page for a special preview of the next book in the Dystopia Series.

  Dystopia: The Dark Days

  Dystopia

  The Dark Days

  Copyright © 2018 D.J. Cooper

  All rights reserved

  ISBN – 13:

  ISBN – 10:

  Copyright © All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored, transmitted by any means, for profit or gain, without the expressed permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  This is a work of fiction. No techniques are recommended without proper safety measures and training. The author nor publisher assumes no liability for your actions.

  Visit www.djcooper.co

  The Reset

  In the days following the reset, chaos had ensued and the world was a different place than many remember. In only a few short months, cities had gone mad, countrysides burned and the dark days had begun.

  Early on, Destiny and her small group of family and friends saw on the horizon a cloud of uncertainty. The Ebola virus had entered the U.S. and kicked off this era of anarchy. Although Ebola, a deadly hemorrhagic fever, was released on American soil, it was supposed to be contained and only as a cover for a much more sinister act against the American people…and indeed the world

  After the time of panic, the banks closed and never reopened. What was supposed to be only a short banking holiday to cover up some financial issues and keep the public in line; turned out to be a complete implosion of the financial system, our fiat money had reached its pinnacle and was crashing. That, followed by an attack on the major substations across the electric grid; effectively ended our way of life.

  Without all the amenities that was their lives, the small community would learn to build a new way of life.

  The arrival of friends from the northern states at their hundred acre farm in southeastern Kentucky, brought not only joy…but, death. Unbeknownst to them, following was a gang set upon the destruction of our group of friends and family. After the arrival of friends that first battle came within hours. Destiny, the group’s matriarc and leader had been shot and Matt’s loyalty now lay in question. A new threat in Morgan who would stop at nothing to end this cohesive group and destroy Destiny. With so many people now on the hundred acre farm, all must work towards the protection and sustainability of the community.

  Chapter 1

  “Dark days loom ominous”

  “We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force.”

  -Ayn Rand

  Racing down the dirt road to town, Dickie sat shotgun in the jeep while Jeremy and Charleigh sat silently in the back. The jeep sent dust and pebbles flying into the air. With every turn that Ryan made, leaving a cloud behind the speeding vehicle. They were worried about the condition of those sent to the infirmary. No one knew if Dez was even alive. Dickie sat staring off into the trees worried about his daughter. Even as they made for the town, the fate of those left at the farm was, as yet, unsure. Though the battle was brief each knew it would not be the last.

  Someone had a vendetta, and now, Matt’s loyalty was in question. As Dickie sat there blankly staring off into the woods along the roadside. He found himself wondering if Matt intended to shoot at those inside the group, or… if it was indeed an accident. Jeremy’s face showed an anger, while Charleigh’s was a sheer worry. Each wrapped up in their own thoughts, thoughts that were clearly etched in their facial expression as they silently rode into town.

  ***

  Back at the farm the minor injuries were patched up, thanking God most were not badly wounded. They’d only just arrived in camp, yet instinctively John, leader of the new arrivals, asked some of the others to a meeting in discussing defenses and to formulate a plan for moving forward. Some volunteered to work on defense and said they would be prepared for a meeting in an hour. The children were protected in the barn, sitting on the sofas settled in for the night. Most of the others just wandered about lost and worried; John knew it would be a long night, he’d had dealings with this gang along the way. Settling in the new additions to the group was on the top of the priority list along with defense and triage. Everyone seemingly had a task… Except for Matt.

  John knew Matt for many years and was astonished at what he saw. Sitting with Matt across the picnic table staring into his friend’s eyes. He gave a look, questioning in his mind if he had indeed seen, what he thought he saw. Asking him a simple question garnered a response he was not prepared for.

  John asked Matt, “What is up with you and this gang, and don’t lie because I’ve already heard a lot.”

  Matt sat resolute, replying, “This is none of your concern.”

  John was shocked, that
his longtime friend refused to talk to him. Slamming his hands palm side down on the table as he stood, saying, “Bullshit it isn’t… We’ve been through hell. They killed two of our people along the way. Following us here your little friend just shot Dez… remember? Your girlfriend? I’d say this is everyone’s concern right now.”

  Matt sat unwavering in his refusal to discuss it saying, “I’m not going to discuss it.”

  John sneered, saying, “We know more than you realize and your own son saw what she did. I’ll kill you with my bare hands if I find that you intentionally shot my wife to save that piece of shit.”

  John got up, leaving Matt at the table, he paused to have another keep an eye on him and stormed into the barn to check on the children and injured.

  Sitting down, staring at Matt with a look of contempt, the word was already all around the farm that it was Matt who’d shot Amy and the uncomfortable stares in his direction made Matt fidget. Matt kept his eyes down while picking at a hole in the arm of his sweatshirt. Around them the farm was busy, with the look of a beehive, they were working on security, triage, and preparations for the defense of their homestead. All were involved, some carrying in supplies and food, others digging trenches into the hillside. Each of them determined they would not get caught unaware and off guard again.

  ***

  Arriving at the infirmary Dickie leaped from the jeep before it was even stopped. Sprinting into the building, he found a nurse, and anxiously asked about the condition of his daughter and also Dez. To his relief, he was told she would be fine, although, she would have to spend some time there recovering. They were all told that Dez was in surgery and there was no word yet on her condition.

  Being ushered into the area adjacent to the rooms used for the nursery they quickly found his newborn daughter as well, she was unusually fussy. She had an IV for fluids and was lying in an incubator, the nurses were having a difficult time getting her to eat. Dickie explained how she’d been held very close during the trip and suggested that maybe she was uncomfortable.

  Dickie went on to say, that Jules, her mother was an insulin dependent diabetic and died in childbirth a few weeks ago. The nurses told him that it definitely helped them understand what was happening. They said that she had been producing insulin for her mother while inside her, it would take another week or so for her little body to adapt from this symbiotic relationship between mother and baby.

  Jules had basically slipped into a diabetic coma after the birth and died peacefully in the arms of her family. The newborn would have to be forced to take special formula even just a little until she adjusts. They found some formula along the trip but it was inconsistent and made her gassy with a temperamental stomach.

  Charleigh, having found her own daughter already, volunteered to take care of feeding Kayleigh. Cooing at her, she gently picked up the tiny infant who immediately began to quiet. Offering her the bottle of formula she readily rooted looking for the nipple. Smiling, the nurse commented, she must have just needed familiar comforting, also saying, that the doctors felt optimistic about her chances in spite of all the adversity.

  They all sat waiting for word on Dez, except Jeremy, who could not stop pacing. He would sit a moment, then something would trigger him to stand and walk about.

  Dickie asked in his unique British accent, “Ants in ya pants?” Giving it an almost comical sound.

  “I’m gonna kill that bitch myself.”

  Dickie nodding, said, “You’ll have to take a number mate.”

  Jeremy abruptly stopped and looked at him, asking, “Do you think Matt shot Amy on purpose?”

  “Dunno, but I do know there is a lot of things that aren’t feeling right.”

  Jeremy changed his look to one of confusion, saying, “I can’t believe he would have anything to do with that skank.”

  Dickie looked at him hard. He was pacing in circles, saying, “Whoever the spy is at the farm, I will kill them. We didn’t kill Morgan after she killed her husband and what they did to Rita, I won’t make the same mistake twice.” Taking a moment to stand palms against the wall, looking down in silent resolution of his determination to flush out this traitor.

  Jeremy looked up with realization, and said, “That’s right, Rita! She is here. Where is she?”

  Dickie responded, “I think she is here, in this facility.”

  Jeremy asked, “You traveled with her. What was up with her coming here?”

  “She had to come, Matty’s mom and all. We couldn’t just take Matty and leave her there.”

  Jeremy nodded, “I guess, but my mom ain’t gonna like it.”

  Dickie just pursed his lips, “She was actually not that bad, at first she was a little adversarial, but after a bit she made a right good cuppa tea. I’ll go have a gander at where she might be off to.”

  Dickie looked back and forth trying to figure out where the staff may have landed in this makeshift infirmary. The small waiting area of the once obscure Urgent Care was dimly lit from the lack of juice coming out of the straining generators. Behind a small counter he spotted a nurse, rose, and sauntered over to ask her about Rita. He got up and walked over to the desk area. Approaching the nurse, he saw she was talking to a man dressed in camo. Pausing to look back to Jeremy, he shrugged his shoulders at him. Pointing to the man and tilting his head in some silent question. Waiting for a response from Jeremy, who quickly shook his head negative and shooed him over to find out about Rita.

  Dickie turned, smiled and said, “Excuse me, sweetheart?” Putting on his best English Accent, brushing his hair back from his face.

  Looking at him, she said in a flat tone, “I heard you talking and yes she is here. She is being treated for some injuries and you’ll be allowed to see her shortly.”

  Nodding he said, "Cheers love.” As he walked back, the man in camouflage followed and approached them.

  Reaching out to shake hands, he asked, “You’re friends of Rita?”

  Dickie responded, “Yes, we thought she was dead. You know her?”

  The man put his hand out to Dickie, saying, “I’m her husband, my name is Rich Davidson.”

  Shocked, he just looked at the man asking, “Husband?”

  The man stammered saying, “Yes, It is a long story and one I’ll leave up to her to tell you.”

  Shaking his hand, and waving his other hand, motioning him an invitation to join them in the waiting area. Sitting down he introduced himself to Jeremy and asked if he was waiting to see Rita also.

  “Yes, I am but I’m also waiting to find out if my mom is ok.”

  Rich asked, “Did she get hurt?”

  “She was shot.”

  Rich, raising his eyebrows asked, “What happened? I hope she is going to be ok.”

  Jeremy began to tell him explaining all the details of how it all worked. He began with the explanation, that Morgan, who knew Matt, was the one that shot his mother. Matt, who was incidentally Rita’s ex-husband and her son Matty’s father. Who also then shot John’s wife Amy to save Morgan it seems.”

  Rich stood exclaiming in confusion, “Morgan? She tried to kill Rita. Amy? I heard that name from Rita, her son was with someone named John and Amy. Morgan also shot your mom? How is she connected? This is all very confusing. ”

  After the long explanation, Dickie blurted out, “She just shot her.”

  Jeremy sitting silently, nodded in affirmation.

  Dickie, who was already pacing in anger, now that it all really sank in said, “If I find out Matt had anything to do with Dez being shot, it is going to get ugly.”

  Rich looked shocked, saying, “Wait, Dez was shot too?”

  Jeremy looked up, realizing Rich didn’t know who he was and said, “Dez is my mom.”

  A knowing look came across his face as he nodded in understanding. Rich was a tall man even taller than Jeremy, whom himself, was just over six feet. His camo clothes were definitely a military issue. His mannerisms and overall look were one of military training.

&nb
sp; Jeremy looked at him like there was something he wanted to know. Dickie saw the look and asked Rich if he was in the military. Rich said he had been attached to a unit assigned to a refugee camp outside of Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania. Continuing he also told them they’d learned much, that he and many of the others could not obey the government mandates and orders that were coming in.

  Dickie looked hard at him, saying, “Let’s say you explain how you ended up here and with Rita.”

  Rich suddenly looking nervous, said, “Rita staggered into the camp, she was hurt really bad and half drown. Her hair didn’t even grow back where the gash on her head was. At first, she had no memory of even how she got in the river. She was in the infirmary for two weeks before she was well enough to even stay awake for more than short time periods. I had no idea they saw her any different than the next refugee but that changed quickly. I think the only reason they even bothered treating her was that they wanted information.”

  Dickie raised his eyebrows, cautiously asking, “What information?”

  “They wanted to know about the group that traveled here, it’s because a member of that group has some kind of information they don’t want to have exposed about the whole debacle that has caused this life we now live.”

  Dickie ever the Brit, and suspicious of everyone, squinted his eyes, saying, “Say you explain what information that might be?”

  Rich said, “I don’t really know for sure, but after Rita was feeling better, tidbits of her memory began to return. I told her not to tell them anything, but then they started hurting her wanting to know about every member of the group. Your group.”

  Dickey and Jeremy both looked up at the same time then at one another. Jeremy asked, “Our group? Why?”