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Z-Day Part Two: Changes
Ratings:
190 pages3 hours
Summary
This is the second book in the eight book series. The trio find the source of the horror that was unleashed as two of them become victims of their meddling. As the pair adjust to their new circumstances they decide to make a stand to stop anymore from suffering their fate or worse. Lives are saved but many more are lost as they battle not just what lies in the forest but a new deadlier creation that could end everything on the mountain and beyond.
Publisher: Sean P. MullowneyReleased: Jun 6, 2014ISBN: 9781310911774Format: book
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Z-Day Part Two - Sean P. Mullowney
1
* A Glimpse of Things to Come *
I’m sorry but taking on a base of trained soldiers right now just isn’t going to work for me.
Annie immediately protested. I want answers and a bit of payback more than either of you but I know right now that’s just plain stupid. I say straight to the river.
I’ve got to agree with her dad. I see no reason to mess with that bee’s nest right now.
John Patrick quickly agreed with Annie. I say to the river too.
John wasn’t surprised as the pair headed off to the river without waiting for his response. They had seen enough already to last many lifetimes, and he didn’t expect them to welcome more. He even let John Patrick lead the way partially impressed by his sense of direction and partially to give him a little space to see just how much he had gained control over his new self
. Every so often the father and son pair would shoot each other a look before one of them took off alone always returning a short time later looking more raggedy than before. Annie knew but didn’t want to confirm with the pair as to what they were exactly running off for. She thought it best to keep it just a thought knowing any details would make her suspicions real.
Much to everyone’s surprise there was no sign of anything alone the river back once it was properly scouted. No animal tracks, no human tracks, there was nothing. John Patrick quickly got to work on a few spears for fishing while Annie stood guard while John scouted even further up then down-stream.
Absolutely nothing.
John reported each time.
You think all the animals have been caught, killed, or turned?
Annie questioned fearing any response she might get.
Not raw.
John yelled as his son ripped into one of the dozen fish he had caught. Let’s try to enjoy a nice hot meal for once if Annie doesn’t mind cooking it. Sorry Annie but we never ate fish before so I have no idea how to cook it.
You two have never eaten fish? That’s just nonsense.
Annie laughed at the thought and John’s welcomed avoidance to her question. Never eaten fish.
She laughed again as she lit a small fire and began working on their meal.
I don’t see what’s so funny.
John Patrick chimed in as he walked back down to the river bank for more fish.
I did a few times until I found out as a teen that I am deathly allergic to shellfish.
John explained. Since that I could never stomach anything that came from the water, so in-turn, neither have my children.
Seeing that fish and shellfish have nothing to do with each other especially when it comes to fresh water fish that makes absolutely no sense at all.
Annie laughed even harder at John’s explanation. Simply saying you have never liked fish sounds a lot better.
She teased.
Annie just basically warmed up the fish holding them nearly in the fire knowing only she would care if they were really cooked. She was also the only one who tasted them as both father and son swallowed every bite as soon as each piece reached their mouths. For not liking fish John and John Patrick both at half a dozen, and most were really nice sized which amused Annie even more as she ate her pair. John Patrick of course wanted more but John figured they had enough to hold them over until they reached their next destination. John watched Annie finish eating and gave her a few minutes before he decided he had stalled enough
I’m so sorry Annie, but we need to go back to your town to take care of a few things." John looked directly at her and wasn’t surprised by the look of horror that grew on her face as well as his son’s.
Why would you dare what to go back there and how could you expect me to follow you?
Annie couldn’t believe he would suggest such a thing. She was preparing for the debate on just how to get over and in the other side of the base, not something like this.
We need to destroy every picture of you that you know of, and I need to destroy any evidence of my son and I. Mainly my truck. If they do know we escaped, we can’t let them know who we are and where we are from. They must think my son and I are locals like you. And we can’t have them know exactly who you are either. I am so sorry to make you do this, but it is a must for a future safety.
John truly felt bad but he knew after some thought, she will realize it too.
Both father and son watched as she paced back and forth cussing under her breath about never wanting to have to see those faces in the road again, and John could tell as the tears began to fall from her face that she knew he was right. Then she stopped pacing and just sat down and cried. John walked over and sat next to her and held her as she cried even harder into his chest. He began to softly whisper into her ear, so softly that John Patrick can’t even hear, and she began to slowly collect herself.
Annie stand up after a couple deep breathes and wiped her face off as John Patrick walked over to join them.
We will have to stay off of the main trails as much as possible know of some that few know of that we can take. It will take us the better part of an entire day and then some depending on how quickly we can go with that box in tow.
Annie was now fully collected as she took John’s advice and only thought of this as a mission to complete for their end goal to be achieved.
We can go as fast as you need us to. The box will not slow us down at all, and we can even hide it along the way if needed. We are already fully reloaded with all the guns and extra clips we may need.
John added.
If we attach some of your rope to either handle dad, we can carry it most of the way. It would be a little more energy consuming, but a lot quieter.
John Patrick knew speed was important, but stealth was an equal.
Great idea. I don’t think there is anything we can toss to lighten it, but it shouldn’t be too taxing. We can fill our packs though, that would help now that I think about it.
John had been ready for an all-out sprint to town for a while, but he knew Annie could never keep up with them.
Alright less talk and more work. Let’s go the clock is ticking, and I want this over as soon as possible.
Annie stressed sounding very intense.
It didn’t take long to get everything straight and they were off towards town as the sun began to set. Both father and son took turns leading then guarding the rear as they quickly abandoned the side trail idea and walked straight through the forest towards town. Annie even tried taking a turn helping with the box, but their pace stalled and she tired way too quickly. So her offer additional offers were politely dismissed by excuses of needing to stretch muscles, or it hadn’t been that long. She eventually got the point and stopped asking as she started getting tired of jogging in general. John offered to carry her while she took a nap but she wasn’t about to accept his sarcastic offer. They were stronger and faster by far, but she wasn’t about to admit to being that far behind them. They jogged all night until Annie started to trip as she began to fall asleep on her feet. John Patrick was the first to notice, or at least demand that she take a break.
As the sun began to rise she finally stopped near a big tree and started digging around the base of it. John honestly thought she must be sleep walking until she pushed away some dirt to reveal the corners of a few boards.
Secret.
Was all Annie could say before she collapsed into John’s arms fast asleep.
John Patrick slowly lifted up the boards and saw what looked like a small tunnel like the one that used to be under the cabin. He slid through the boards and found that the tunnel was actually a small box shaped empty room. John Patrick lifted a few more boards before his father handed down Annie. Then John quickly replaced the boards then covered the box with full bushes he tore up and stomped down the dirt before scattering the forest debris concealing where the bushes were stolen from. When he was finished he slipped under a couple boards then emptied all their back packs to lay them out like a small bed so John Patrick could lay Annie on it. They both took off their vests and laid them a crossed her like a blanket before sitting back against the dirt walls and drifting off themselves.
John Patrick was the first to wake up and he could see a small ray of light coming through one of the boards so he knew they didn’t sleep all day, yet. He stood up and listened for any noise from outside but heard nothing so he sat back down drank a bottle of water hoping it would pacify his hunger. But it would not because he knew what he hungered for and he knew if there as any left in the forest he could find it. Not only find it, but quickly chase it down and kill it. His mouth began to water at the thought and his stomach over took his thoughts as he stood and began to lift the boards to crawl out.
John Patrick, just where do you think you are going?
John asked his son knowing what he was doing without having to look.
But John Patrick quickly jumped through the small gap ignoring him and let the boards smack down again without an answer. He was too hungry to stop himself. Even the thought of ignoring his father meant nothing next to finding a meal. John Patrick heard his father ask again, but this time from above ground as he walked away towards the noises he picked up in the distance.
John ran and leaped in front of his son who seemed deaf to his words and stuck like he was in the trance of a predator stalking some unseen prey. His leap seemed to startle his son, but not break the trance he was in as lowered his self to the ground and stretched out his arms, his fingers spread out like claws as he growled.
JOHN PATRICK
John’s deep, angry bellow echoed through the forest as he stood straight up towering over his son.
Dad?
John Patrick looked around confused and stood up frightened by the stance he was in. His father’s angry voice echoed in his head. What’s wrong? I am so hungry.
He cried as he hugged his father to try to stop the shaking, still frightened at the fact he didn’t know what had happened to cause his father to become this angry with him. All he remembered before his father’s anger was how hungry he was, and how threatened he felt by something.
What’s wrong?
Annie screamed as she struggled to lift the boards but couldn’t get out as the small room was too deep for her to climb out alone. What’s wrong?
she screamed louder as she heard no reply from the two.
It’s nothing.
John yelled back to her. John Patrick just almost hurt himself goofing around. You can go back to sleep, you need the rest.
He knew she wouldn’t listen, but it gave him a few more minutes to help his son collect himself. He whispered to his son about how he knew what he was feeling, but having control of that is what makes them so great and separates them from the creatures they have faced. He told him how much he has grown, and how proud he was of how much strength he has shown inside of him through all of this. He ignored Annie’s continued hollering as he felt his son trembling less as he regained control again.
Are we ok now?
John held his son’s face as they stared at each other. He could see his son’s eyes were fully bloodshot still, but he could see that a little reason had returned to them. Let’s go calm down Annie then we will talk about finding something for all of us to eat, Understand?
Yes dad.
John Patrick quickly wiped the tears from his face as they walked back to Annie who was still yelling from under the boards. John Patrick laughed to himself as he saw little clouds of dirt jump up from the ground as he heard her cussing and hitting the boards below.
They were both smiling at that John lifted the boards and John Patrick pulled Annie out of the small room.
It’s about damn time. How would you like it if you were stuck down there?
Annie screamed at both of them angry that they dared smile at her plight.
We are sorry, but I had to get John Patrick untangled from a pricker bush before we could get back here. I didn’t want him to get all scratched up.
John hated to have to lie, but he knew the truth wouldn’t do anything but harm. Let us go find something to eat before we start off again for the day.
Ok, but how will we know if it is infected game?
Annie asked without thinking about it. Never mind, just go catch what you can and we will check it before we cook it. But please don’t go far.
She was still certain there were things that would gladly make a meal of her as the pair searched for her meal.
We won’t, one of us will always stay close Annie.
John Patrick managed to smile even though he felt the urges come on strong again.
You go east John Patrick, I’ll stick nearby.
John quickly ushered his son away sensing his internal fight. Annie, can you start a small fire that will only let off a little smoke?
Better than both of you could. I guarantee it.
Annie grinned as she began to clear a small area as John smiled and quickly disappeared into the forest.
Annie didn’t have to worry long before John Patrick returned with a few large rabbits, then quickly disappeared again. John soon returned with a few of his own, but also dragged a small doe behind him. He ran off again as well, but in the same direction as his son. Annie quickly skinned and prepared the rabbits before putting them over the fire she had to build slightly bigger before she checked the doe for any marks before preparing it too for the fire.
John found his son sitting on the ground behind a tree only a hundred feet from the fire rocking back and forth holding his knees. John Patrick just kept chanting to himself about control as he slowly rocked.
I feared this would be the continued downside John Patrick. We are not gifted. We are cursed with these abilities.
John informed his son as he sat down in front of him. I should have known they would affect you stronger because your body is still growing and needs more than mine does. You must be extra careful now that we know there are tradeoffs with our increased abilities. We must watch one another in case there are more, Understand?
Yes daddy.
John Patrick answered as he began to cry again. I never thought I could lose control like this. I thought we were truly just super men not this.
He
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