Hey Friends!

This past week has been busy and exciting. As I’m moving through the chapter summary for This Is The Fall - Book Two, I’ve also been pecking away at a novella and a book in a third connected series called Aeon Rising. 

The tricky part about writing connected series is that the little breadcrumbs in every book have to be consistent and revealed at just the right moment, so I spend a TON of time cross checking all my lore notebooks and my insanely messy Notes app to make sure everything is consistent and the timelines match up. It’s incredibly challenging and so much fun to see it all coming together piece by tiny piece.

Anyhow…Here is a little peek at the first draft of that novella 😁

A lot of this novella was actually included in an earlier draft of This Is The Fall: Book One, but including it pushed the finished word count over 200k words. A book that large costs an arm and a leg to print and I couldn't stomach the thought of charging almost $30 for the book, so I stopped writing DJ’s POV and put it on the back burner. 

I think the book turned out better for it and now I get to release a really fun Novella…like a “Book 1.5” before the final installment of This Is The Fall.

Thanks for sticking with me and thanks to all my new readers. Seriously. 

Seeing those Kindle Unlimited page reads finally getting back into the thousands this month after flatlining for several weeks has been an incredible morale booster. 

Y’all are the best!

Walk in Light and Truth.

~ LynnErin

And now…

Amber’s Apocalypse: Part 4

PART FOUR:

April 14

     Hey!  Look at me!  I picked up the pen before dark and it’s the very next day.  Today was pretty busy actually.  I’ve settled into a routine since I’ve been here, so I’ll talk about that.  I’ve been here for going on five weeks now and I’m ready to leave, I think.  The last few weeks have been just me, steady surviving and getting in better shape for this walk.

     I start my mornings off with some coffee and oatmeal then I head outside to check on my garden.  I haven’t needed to water it since it rains so much here, but it’s doing pretty well.  I literally planted a little bit of everything that was left at the little hardware store.  There were a few live plants in the gardening section…herbs, peppers, strawberries, blueberries and the like.  I planted a crap ton of seeds though.  Corn, beans, squash, watermelon, tomatoes, leafy veggies like butter lettuce, cabbage and spinach.  Did you know that you can literally put a tiny potato in the ground and it will grow and make more potatoes?  Onions too!  And garlic!  I got an old head of iceberg lettuce to take root.  Its crazy.  Everything is growing in pretty good too.

     Anyway, if the weather is clear, I usually head in to town and see what else I can drag back up here.  I have a giant stock pile of dried beans and rice, pasta, and canned goods.  I just add it all to the shelves in the store. 

     I started to notice some rodent activity in the store (chew marks on some of my bags of potatoes and beans so I put out traps and poison everywhere.  First thing after breakfast I check my traps.  I got two rats today.  Normally I just toss their bodies into the woods behind the store, but today, I decided to try something different.  I took the bodies out of the traps and walked them down the road a bit.  It was overcast today but not dark so I walked out beyond the edge of The Glow.  I laid the dead rats on the road and reset the big traps.  I now that a rat trap isn’t going to catch one of those things in the woods but it might hurt one.  I’ve never heard one make any sort of noise.  Even if it only startles one, maybe it’ll make a noise.

     I’m going to start learning to sleep outdoors tonight.  I made a fire in the parking lot and set up a little tent in case it starts to rain.  I plan on sitting up late just to listen.  Maybe I’ll catch a glimpse of one of them in the dark?  I’m going to bring the big flashlight with me…Maybe I’ll surprise one?

     I’m gonna head out there now.  If anything good happens, I’ll bring the journal with me and write it down right away.

     I don’t know what time it is right now but I’m sitting out by the fire and just heard something in the bushes.  I cant see much past the fire but I think if I sit with my back to it, my eyes will adjust to the dark. 

I can just make out the rat traps sitting on the road out there but don’t see anything yet.  I’ll just keep waiting.

     It’s been about an hour I think…I nodded off for a bit.  I woke up to some crunching in the trees down the road.  I had laid out on my side facing down the road.  When I woke up, I didn’t move, just opened my eyes and tried to make sense of what I was seeing.  It was absolutely still and cold,  there were no crickets, no frogs.  Only the sound of the fire crackling behind me.

     The fire had died down so the light didn’t quite reach the traps but I could hear something moving out of the bushes just beyond where the light reached.  My heart was pounding.  I was out in the open pretending to sleep while one of those things was coming out into the open.  I began to think that maybe this had been a really bad idea.  There was more rustling…well, rustling isn’t really the right word.  It was more like the hiss of wind through the grass except there was no wind, just the sound of something sliding up out of grass in the ditch and walking down the road.  I could faintly make out the sound of claws on pavement.  They have claws, holy shit.  There was more than one.  I opened my eyes wide to try and see but they were too far off into the dark.

     The sound of their claws scraping the road echoed off the tall trees and I held my breath.  Holy shit, they were so close.  If it had been light out, I would have been able to see them just fine.  One of the rat traps snapped and the sound the creature made was so awful, I clapped my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes closed. 

     The creature screamed and it sounded like tearing metal.  A screech that seemed to harmonize with itself, like it had two voices.  One that would have been a somewhat normal yip for a canine of any sort, but the louder screech was something else entirely.  It echoed, the sound slicing through my body.  My back twitched and my teeth ached, like when nails scratch down a chalk board…or a fork squeals across a plate.

     As soon as I moved, the creatures bounded back to the trees.  I scrambled to grab my flashlight and turned it on just in time to see a shadow disappear into the tall grass.  It shook with the creature’s passing then went still.  I panned the edge of the road and the bushes beyond but didn’t see anything else.  A few moments later, another scream echoed through the woods.  It sounded so far away.  How the hell did they move so fast?  I shivered and not from the cold.  I threw more wood on my small fire and crawled inside my tent to try and sleep the rest of the night away.

April 15         

     I didn’t sleep a wink last night.  If that is any indication of how my hike home is going to be, I really don’t know if I’ll make it.

     As soon as the sun came up, I got out of the little tent and walked down the road to where I had left the dead rats and the traps.  The rats were gone and so was one of the traps.  In its place was some of the black stuff that smelled like death.  That had to be their blood.  I looked to the bushes where I was pretty sure they had run off into and before long, I was able to find a print.

     When I tell you that this fucker was big, I am not lying.  It was as big as my outstretched hand.  And it looked like a cross between a big cat’s pug mark and a dog track.  Just passed the shrubby bushes at the roadside, the underbrush opened up and it was fairly open in the forest.  It was looking like it was going to be a bright day so I decided I would follow the trail.

      Back inside, I slammed my morning coffee and oatmeal, threw some sturdy pants and shoes on, strapped my pack across my shoulders and headed out.  I carried a hunting knife with me.  I think it’s one of those army surplus things.  I found it in the basement with all the camping gear.  It has a compass on the handle too.  I’m still not sure how to follow a compass but whatever.  I’ll just make sure to mark my passing with broken twigs and moss pulled off the trees.   I have a pretty ok sense of direction anyhow.

     When I started following that set of tracks it was joined by another set a few dozen feet off the road.  This set was bigger and looked almost like a bear track.

     “What the Hell?”  I mumbled to myself.  I didn’t know much about animals, but I had just come to the solid conclusion that these creatures were definitely not normal.  I had argued with myself before that they had to be regular animals and my imagination was playing tricks on me but this settled it.  The things bleed black blood that smells like death and they don’t leave regular animal tracks.  I then had the realization that I hadn’t seen any other wild animals in weeks.  Deer and bunnies were the most common out here and opossums, raccoons and squirrels were plentiful as well.  But I hadn’t seen any other living thing.  Have these creatures eaten every living thing in the area?  The birds were chirping though.  Maybe these things couldn’t get up in the trees?  Then there would have to be raccoons and squirrels around.  They probably just got wise much faster than me and were staying in the treetops.

     As I was walking, I thought about how sleeping in the trees could be a good way to keep myself alive overnight when away from the safety of The Glow.  I was so deep in thought that I practically tripped over the rat trap.

     It had been chewed on and was laying face down on the mossy, needle covered ground.  I stooped to pick it up and screeched and dropped it again.  There was a flap of black skin trapped under the metal bar.  Hand to my chest, I picked it up with two fingers again and examined it.  The skin was indeed hairless but I didn’t dare touch it.  There was black blood smeared across the wood of the trap and as I moved it into a patch of sunlight to look more closely, the skin began to smolder.  I quickly turned the trap so the skin was facing down and began making my way out of the trees.

     I peeked at it again before I stepped into the sun.  As soon as the sunlight touched it, it started smoldering again.  I tucked it under the bottom edge of my hoodie and scurried back down the road to the camp store.  I didn’t notice it at first, hut as I grew nearer to The Glow, the trap began to hum.  When I crossed into the protective barrier, the trap was buzzing.  I dropped it and as the trap fell to the ground, the flap of flesh caught fire and burned away.

     I stood there gaping as the wood of the trap caught fire as well.  The sunlight actually hurts these creatures and The Glow, well, it appears to set them on fire.  No wonder they never tried to get to me here!  Where did The Glow come from?  What was it about this place?  I have so many freaking questions! 

     But my little trip into the forest had answered some questions as well.  The creatures could be injured which reasoned that they could also be killed.  Judging my how sensitive they had to be to the sun, I knew that they would have to be careful in open areas like fields.  If I could get out of the forest, my chances of survival would go way up.  I would ride my bike down the interstate if I had to and sleep on billboards somehow if that’s what it would take.

     So, now I think I have a bit more of a plan.  I’ll pour over some maps and choose my route.  I’m getting out of here within the week.  I’m coming home, Momma.  I’m going to get you and bring you Joey back up here to The Glow and we’ll all be happy and safe together.

April 18

     Today is the day.  I’m not waiting anymore.  I have my bike all ready.  The wagon is loaded down with supplies and things to offer in trade in case I run in to anyone.  My pack is loaded with a few changes of clothes and a couple of pairs of shoes.  It’s not light out yet but the stars were twinkling last night and it just smells like it’s gonna be a sunny day.  It hasn’t rained in a week.  Normally I’d call that a lucky streak, but the farmers almanac says the chances of any measurable rain is very low for the rest of the month.  If I’m lucky and don’t run into any trouble, I should be able to make it home in three or four days.  I can do this.

April 18, PM

     I made it just over 50 miles today.  I’m literally riding down the interstate going around cars.  I didn’t see a single person today either.  I have to go through the city soon though and that has me worried.

     It’s currently dusk and I’m hiding in the bed of a truck.  It has a canopy on the back so I’ll be closed away from the elements.  I shoved my bike and wagon in here with me as well.  I hope nobody  or nothing comes to bother me tonight.

April 19

     It’s sunny again this morning.  I just ate a cliff bar and munched on some jerky.  No time for coffee…I’m drinking monster today.  I need that fuel.

April 19, PM

     It started as a good day.  Then I came across my first human in more than a month.  It was not a good interaction to say the least.

     About 10 miles into the day, I ran into a roadblock on the freeway.  I sat there for a second and pulled out my map to check for another way to go.  Why didn’t you just go over the road block, you ask?  Because it was topped with razor wire.  A makeshift wooden fence was stacked on top of a wall of cars and topped with fucking razor wire.  Unreal.

     I turned down the offramp and was forced to bike through a small town area.  There were a few gas stations and a diner.  All empty of course, and just past them was where the proper town started.  Windows had been boarded up and certain streets had been blocked with the same type of makeshift fencing and razor wire.  I was basically being pushed to a particular area of the town.  I imagined that the folks that lived here did this to keep themselves safe.  If they had any contact with the creatures, they would probably want a way to keep them out of certain areas.  I supposed the same could be said about wandering people.  The folks here obviously just wanted to be safe.

     I pedaled down on what I figured to be the main street of the town keeping my head on the swivel.  I turned to look toward a building and heard the unmistakable sound of a shotgun being cocked.  That was obviously not meant to be a secret. 

     I slowed to a stop and raised my hands.  I had no weapon aside from my survival knife.  All I could do was comply.

     “I’m just trying to get to Orchardville.  I mean you no harm.”  I called out, trying to keep my voice from wavering. 

     No response was forthcoming so I continued, “I was up in the national forest when it happened.  I hid in an old camp store this entire time.  I just want to get home to my mom and brother.”

     “Your mom and brother are probably dead.  Why don’t you leave that bike and walk yourself back up to the forest?”  The voice came from a doorway to my right and it sounded like a woman, perhaps my mother’s age but with a smokers rasp.

     “Is there anything I can give you to buy my passing?  I need the bike to get home.”  I pleaded.  “I’m just a kid.  You wouldn’t shoot a kid, would you?”

     There was a pause before the woman answered, “I don’t want to shoot a kid but I will if I have to.”

     A smaller voice, muffled, sounding like it was coming from inside the building said, “Momma, don’t shoot her.  Can’t you see she’s scared?”

     The woman hissed at her child, “You shut up and git your ass back away from this door.”  Then to me she said, “I’ve got kids that are hungry in here and their lives mean more to me than yours does.”

     “You can have everything that I have in this wagon.  It’s full of food and supplies.  It would keep you fed for weeks.”  I was about to continue my pleading when I heard the cocking of another gun to my left.

     A tear trailed down my face as I turned to my left.  There a man leveled a shotgun at me as well. 

     “We’re taking that bike, girl.  I heard Orchardville is a ghost town.  Too close to the forests.  It’s over run with those things that come in the dark.” He said.  “Step off the bike and we’ll let you live.”

     I had no other choice.  I set the kickstand down and stepped away from the bike.  All my supplies, taken just like that.  More frustrated tears ran down my cheeks.  How could they?  In a world filled with things that just want to kill and most likely eat us, humans are still willing to kill another just to eat instead of working together.  I was disgusted and hurt.  I should have just stayed in the forest.

     “What about her backpack, Jim?”  The smokers rasp called from across the street.  My head whipped back in her direction as a kid, not more than six years old pushed past his mother and looked at me before grasping his mother’s leg.

     “You cant kill her, Momma.  She’s just like Jeni.  Jeni is probably still trying to get back to us.  You wouldn’t want someone to shoot her, would you?”  The little boy pleaded.

     Oh, the wisdom and kindness that could come pouring out of the mouths of children.  The woman faltered and looked past me to Jim.  He had to be the child’s father.  They had the same sandy hair and sad eyes.  Jim lowered his gun and the woman did the same then Jim said, “If we send her off without anything, shes as good as dead.  I have to believe that there is some good left.  Then maybe Jeni will come back to us.”  He walked toward me, gun still in his hand and peered into the bike wagon.  “She wasn’t lying.  There’s a ton of food in here.”  He looked at me then, “Where did you say you were holed up?”

     “At the camp store near Riverside.”  I said, trying to cover a sob.  I angrily rubbed at the tears on my face and the man seemed to actually see me for the first time.

     “Shit, Honey,”  He called to the smokers voice.  “She’s just a kid.  We’ve gotta leave her with something.”

     “You’re too damn soft, Jim.  Walk her out of town and send her on her way.”  The woman said. 

     I hated this already.  How dare she.

     Jim shook his head and reached in for some canned goods and meal bars.

     “I will shoot you too, Jim!”  The woman yelled. “Everything you give her takes food out of our mouths.”

     “Well, then, I guess I’m going hungry for a few more days.” Jim retorted, sounding more than a little irritated.

     The woman huffed and retreated back into the building dragging the child behind her and slammed the door.  Jim shook his head.

     “I’m sorry we have to do this, but we’ve got four littleun’s in there that haven’t eaten good in days.” 

     I remained silent, fighting the tears that ran down my face.  To his credit, Jim really did look sorry.

     “Can you at least leave me with the bike?  There has to be another one somewhere in this town.”  I begged. “I don’t know if I’ll make it without wheels.”

     “You may actually be better off without them.”  I bet if you didn’t have this bike, you would have found another way around that block on the highway.”

     He was right.  I just hadn’t counted on people being just as large of a threat as The Shadows were.  He solemnly handed me a few more food items then motioned me with his gun.  I started walking down the road. 

     There were more people in this town, I could see curtains moving as we passed, but clearly this man had some pull.  No one even came out to gawk.  We just passed by the town and when we made it to the other side, he pointed me to a trail that led back to the highway.

     Without a word, I walked away.

     I’m so mad at myself.

     I’m hiding in another abandoned vehicle for the night.

     Hopefully tomorrow will be better.