Divided Earth E-Book

Quantajah Murry

• Herausgeber: Quantajah Murry
• Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

What was once America has long been divided. Erin does her best to take care of her family and spends most of her time working as a courier in the wilderness, which is never easy. When a job comes along, everything changes; she's forced to adapt and decide the future of No Man's Land.

Leseprobe

Divided Earth

Divided Earth

Published by Divided Earth, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

DIVIDED EARTH

First edition. September 13, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Divided Earth.

Written by Divided Earth.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter 1

chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 1

A shrill voice came from the TV, silencing the din in the bar. Most patrons turned to small screens as NCR representatives took to the podium and behind the podium. He cleared his throat, smiled and announced the basics of the lottery they all knew. Whoever holds the winning numbers can get themselves and their families out of no man's land and to a safe haven. Anyone interested in watching to see if they were the victors knew exactly why they wanted to leave No Man's Land.

" I heard some people forged their numbers." The older man on the stool sat next to a woman and talked while drinking. He didn't seem to be talking to anyone in particular, just anyone who would listen. "First come, first served," he continued. "So if someone forges your phone number, you're screwed."

The woman glanced at him with her brown eyes. He was still engrossed in watching the television while the deputy chattered on.

" I met a family that was deceived. There was a new born little girl." He shook his head. "tragedy."

As he began to read out the numbers, she turned her attention back to the television. "42003-" She quickly ignored him because the number didn't match her own. She stood up from the bar stool, dropped a few 9mm rounds, paid for her stew, then grabbed the leather duster hanging from her chair and walked out the door.

The woman walks into Ranger headquarters. The rangers were busy around her, never idle. Many Rangers left their home regions to fight the infected or serve as mercenaries in what was once known as United California.

She walked in and was never stopped or questioned by the busy Rangers, as she was a common sight here, even if she wasn't one of them. She walked over to Quartermaster Ace's position and greeted him.

" Erin, it's nice to see you again." Ace smiled at her and lowered his head from behind the blocked inventory.

" I received your weapons order for New Industries. They will be on their way soon."

" You're as efficient as ever." He kept a smile on his face as he scooped up a handful of 5.56 ammo and placed it in the opening in front of him. Erin grabbed it and started putting it into her bag. "For your promptness, some extra food tickets." He tore a few tickets off the roll and pushed them to the front.

" Is Ed here?" Erin asked, sorting things into her bag, knowing she would have to check them again later.

" Probably." Ace shrugged.

Erin left him and walked towards the scrap dealer, eventually finding him outside the stall. She convinces him to come back so she can exchange the scraps she picks up along the way for trading tickets. After she was done with him, she walked to a different stall and picked up a new pair of gloves and a few pieces of candy, things that weren't easy to find in no man's land.

" Erin!" someone called her as she headed for the exit and hid her new purchases in her bag. "Do you have time to drink?"

" Not today, Katie." She shook her head. "I got a delivery order in no man's land. No time for drinks."

" Next time."

" Next time." They all confirmed the plan before Erin left the Ranger base. She rode along the well-organized road and stopped at a gate between the new area and the no-man's land. No matter how many times she passes by, she must participate in the same ritual.

" Eileen Henderson." She said the name of the journal. "Infected. Resident of No Man's Land," she answered before the guard could even ask.

" Be safe out there." The man wrote down the message and opened the door for her. She drove by on her way to her next stop.

Even just past the gate, No Man's Land is vastly different from the New District or any other state. Rotting roads, abandoned cars along the way, ghost towns in many residential areas, the remains of quarantine zones formed after the first signs of infection, and small colonies of remaining life outside of the infected wandering around.

Erin reaches her destination, a small colony surrounded by fortified walls and makeshift watchtowers. The door was opened for her to enter. She parked her motorcycle outside a small house, walked to the door and knocked.

The door was opened by an older lady with a smile. "Nice to see you again, Erin. Come on. Come in." She waved Erin in.

" Thank you, Annie." Erin pulled her backpack off her back and grabbed an inhaler. "I bought these for you."

" I don't have much to give you," Anne lowered her head, "but I do have some educational books that my children will never use up when they grow up, if you want them."

" That would be great." Erin waited for her to leave and then return with the book in her hand. Erin stuffed them into her backpack.

" Are you staying for supper? I made shepherd's pie."

Erin smiled at the thought of a warm, home-cooked meal. On the road, she mostly ate canned goods and MREs. "I am glad to."

Erin followed her into the kitchen and to the dining table. Eileen had seen Anne's two daughters before, and they were already seated at the table. They all greeted her with big smiles and one of the girls made her a dish. Erin and Anne sat down at the table and began to eat.

The two talked about the monthly injections and one mother's worries about eventually running out. Erin tries to reassure Annie that biotech companies are unlikely to stop making them anytime soon, and tells her not to worry too much. Anne also asked her to deliver a letter to the Rocky Mountains near Eileen's hometown.

After they finished eating, Irene thanked her for the food and, taking the letter, headed to the colony's trading post. She dropped her backpack on the counter. Spikes, nicknamed because of his thick glasses, looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What did you bring me this time, Erin?"

"I found three cans of wontons that had just expired."

"Three? Damn, you hit the jackpot."

"Well, I only have two I can trade with you. I can't help myself from wanting one of them." She dug through her bag, pulled out two jars, and set them on the counter.

" What do you want in exchange?" Spec picked up the jar before shaking it.

" I could use a new pair of boots."

" Check the back." He nodded. “See if you can find something you like that’s the right size.”

After finding a pair of boots that fit, she headed to the colonial motel and rented a room. Erin took off her boots, fell on the bed, and fell asleep immediately.

Erin arrives at Glenwood Colony and pauses while waiting for them to open the gate. She waved to them and drove in, asking around until someone pointed in her direction.

" Dara?" Erin was standing at the front desk of a hot spring. Even in the end of the world, you still need a place to relax.

" No, but she's in the back." I can take you there. "The young girl, who was no more than sixteen years old, motioned for her to follow. Irene followed her past the large window, looking out at the swimming pool, steam rising from the pool. "This is a hot spring. They are awesome. "

" Sounds good." Erin admitted that the idea of a hot bath sounded great. "you look very young."

" This is my first week on the job. Trying to help support my family, I'm sure you know how that works."

" I do." Erin sighed. "I do."

" Sometimes, my friends and I sneak off to other old hot springs outside of the colony. You should really check that out. There aren't usually any infected around, and if there are you seem to be able to handle it." Girl at He stopped at the door and looked back at her.

" I'm fine." Thank you for the offer. "Irene shook her head. "I'm too close to home to stay out another night. "

" I see. Well, this is where Darla is. I'll give you two privacy." The young girl walked past Erin and back into the hall.

Erin knocked on the door that said "Laundry" and turned the knob. "Darla?" she repeated her question to a woman who looked older than Anne.

" That's me." She said with a laundry basket hanging from her hip.

" I have a letter for you." Erin took it out of her side bag and handed it to the woman.

" This must be from my sister." She smiled and took the letter from Eileen.

" Annie is your sister?" Irene looked at her in surprise. She had known Anne for four years, but she had never known any sisters.

" She is," Darla nodded proudly. "She's my sister, actually. I just moved here last year so we could be closer and I could visit her daughters."

" She is a good woman." Erin nodded.