Endure the Dark: A Post Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Reign of Darkness Series, Book 1) by T. L. Payne

Author:T. L. Payne [Payne, T. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shaky Rock Publishing
Published: 2023-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SEVEN

Jane

Rocky Top Equestrian Center

Washington County, Pennsylvania

Day 4

The soft clatter of hooves echoed eerily on the gravel pathway as the wagon carrying Charlotte’s body moved from the stables toward their home. Jane walked alongside, hearing the gravel crunch under her footsteps. As the house loomed closer, a fresh wave of fear washed over her. She hesitated at the thought of breaking the devastating news to Jim. His fragile health and the delicate threads of hope that had been helping him recover might snap under the weight of this heartbreaking news.

Jim had always been a pillar of strength in their family; he’d loved Charlotte with a depth that was immeasurable. Jane’s heart was twisting at the thought of his anguish at the loss of his baby girl. She knew she had to find the strength to impart the news that could potentially shatter her husband. With each step closer to the house, Jane felt a conflicting surge of urgency and reluctance to tell him.

As the wagon navigated the final segment of the gravel driveway, the familiar two-story farmhouse greeted them. The wraparound porch, its white-washed swing swaying gently, brought to mind hours of Charlotte’s joyful giggles and light conversation with Jim on balmy summer evenings many years ago.

A bed of roses stretched along the front of the house—gifted by Charlotte one Mother’s Day. Nearby stood a tall, grand oak tree supporting an old tire swing where Charlotte had also enjoyed playing in her childhood days. Everywhere Jane turned, she was surrounded by vivid reminders of her daughter, which were now overshadowed by a profound sense of loss.

The gravity of the moment bore down on Jane with an intensity that threatened to crush her; every heartbeat echoed in her ears like a drum, syncing with the heavy, rhythmic thuds of Raul’s boots as he carried Charlotte up the porch steps in front of her toward the door.

To her great surprise, it opened, and Jim’s frail figure filled the frame. His eyes widened, and his mouth opened as he glanced down at the still figure in Raul’s arms.

As Jim stumbled backward, Jane propelled herself up the steps and across the porch. Seemingly on autopilot, she reached him in the middle of their living room, encircling him in a hug that seemed to encompass all their years together, all their shared love, all their shattered dreams.

The walls, adorned with smiling photographs blurred, images of Charlotte and little Finn morphing into a tapestry of pain and sorrow. Somewhere in the fog of her grief, Jane noted Raul moving past them, carrying their beloved daughter to her childhood room down the hall. Minutes later, Jane and Jim made their way to Charlotte’s room, and as they stood in the doorway, Raul whispered a promise.

“I’ll be back soon. And then I’ll go get Finn.”

Jane held on tightly to those words as a bulwark against the sea of despair that threatened to overwhelm them. As she gently led a shaking Jim toward their daughter’s bed, a glimmer of hope began to take root in her heart at the possibility of finding their precious grandson.

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