Chapter one
"Come on Kyle, you have to keep up," I yell at my innocent younger brother as he stumbles behind me. A branch scrapes my cheek as I use my knife to try to cut through the thick forest. Echoes of screams fill the quiet atmosphere along with a round of gunshots. My hand automatically reaches for my gun, but as I look around, nothing is there.
"How much longer Audrey?" Kyle says panting as his small figure runs up beside me. His butternut blonde hair is flying in every direction and sweat is streaming down his pale face. I know he wants to stop but we can’t. We have to get farther away.
I search behind us with an apprehensive look, and I see Kyle’s grief-stricken face looking up at me. Silence overwhelms the woods, but I know it won't be like that for long. Those…those no hearted monsters will be coming for us soon.
"We have to find a safe place to take cover for the night,” I get on my knees and look straight into Kyle’s piercing green eyes, “Listen to me, those people are dangerous and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. We’ll be okay if you just stay close to me and do exactly as I tell you." I say with as much confidence as I can mutter.
Tears fill his eyes and his lip begins to quiver. He looks away trying to hide his tears from me. I know he is trying to be brave, but I can see his heart breaking. "What do they want," he whispers, "Why do they keep chasing us?"
What do they want? That’s a question that I can’t even answer. As much as I want to, I do my best not to break down. I know I have to be strong for both of us, because if I don’t then we are as good as dead. Instead I pull him into a hug, "I don't know Kyle...I just don't know," I murmur through his hair. Flashbacks fill my mind but I shake them away. “We have to keep moving,” I stammered as I pulled away from him.
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Dark green trees surround us in every direction and the sun is starting to hide behind the earth. My legs are ready to give out beneath me as I continue dragging Kyle along. I glance at my brother and a sudden sadness comes over me. An eleven year old should be playing sports and hanging out with his friends, not running for his life trying to survive.
My life has turned upside down ever since the terrorists invaded the United States. Nothing is the same anymore and everyone I know is gone. The police system is no longer active, and no one has seen the US Military since this whole crisis began. Schools have been burnt down and stores are no longer in use. Everyone is trying to survive and it seems like they will do anything to keep their family safe. Crimes are legal because the whole government was shut down and the constitution was burned. I watched this all happen on my TV at home. Home, I don’t have a home anymore ever since…then a sound interrupts my thoughts. At first I think I’m imagining it because I’m so exhausted but then it gets louder.
“What’s that sound?” Kyle questions. He looks around with curiosity.
“It sounds like…” but before I can finish my sentence Kyle shouts, “Water!” and he takes off running.
“Kyle! Stop! Wait up for me! ” I shout running after him. I push through a bush to find Kyle standing in front of a breath-taking waterfall. Crystal blue water splashes into a small lake at the bottom and trees surrounding it in every corner. Roaring over the edge, the waterfall sprays mist at Kyle and I.
“Wow,” Kyle says standing there amazed “That is a sight.” He was as awestruck as I was. The scenery was like something you would see only in a movie. The smell of the water reminds me of the old lake my parents created behind our house. Memories flooded into my mind and it takes all my strength to wash them away. I stare at the waterfall, my mouth feels dry and then I realize how thirsty I am.
“Audrey look! It’s a cabin!” Kyle cries out, pointing across the lake. I glance to where he was pointing to see a small log cabin with smoke coming out of a chimney. Massive trees hid the cabin so that it was barely invisible from across the lake. If we were to find a place to rest for the night this would be the perfect spot.
“Let’s go see if anyone is home!” My wide-eyed brother says ready to sprint over there. The cabin is very ancient looking and there’s a risk that we could be killed by whoever lives there.
“No,” I state ready to turn and walk back into the forest.
“What do you mean no? Audrey, you said we have to find a place to take cover for the night. The cabin is the perfect place! Plus, the sun is setting and we won’t be able to see for much longer.” Kyle cries out while grabbing my arm. I can tell he is scared and just wants a place to rest.
“We don’t know who’s in there Kyle! They could be part of the group that is hunting us down. I can’t risk our lives. I said no.” Then I start to walk back towards the forest but I don’t hear him following me. Turning around, I see Kyle walking towards the cabin.
“What are you doing?” I yell to him.
“Those people are still out there in the woods and I’m not getting killed,” He says so quietly I can barely here it as he continues walking towards the cabin. A part of me was thinking that I should just pick him up and demand that he goes with me back into the woods. The other half of me was dying for food and a good place to sleep. Plus, I’ve seen the look on his face before and I know that I won’t be able to change his mind so I quicken my pace and walk beside him. When we reach the cabin, I notice that there is no longer smoke coming from the chimney and all lights in the house are turned off. Kyle slowly starts to walk up the creaky stairs and I notice the sudden silence that overwhelmed the area. I take a few steps, lightly knock on the wooden door, and wait for an answer that never comes.
“Maybe no one is home,” Kyle whispers
“The lights were on before so someone has to be home,” I say lightly back. I knock again but this time a little louder. At first there is only silence but then the small door slams open so quickly that it shook the whole house. A massive man stands in the doorway holding a rifle, pointed directly at my head.
Thanks to everyone who is taking there time to read my first book! I hope to have the second chapter up by the end of next week! Also, a special thanks to my wonderful editor Kat_Hurlbut! Everyone should go follow her! Please feel free to comment and vote!
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The Beginning of the End
ActionI am brave. I am strong. These are the things I have to tell myself nowadays. Ever since the White House was taken over by terriost, nothing has been the same. The world has turned against itself. Nations are at war and millions of people are dying...