Shepherd's Sword: An Apocalyptic Thriller by Darrel Sparkman

Author:Darrel Sparkman [Sparkman, Darrel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685492953
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2023-06-19T16:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Mason guided the two-vehicle caravan down a tree-shrouded lane for about a mile. The lane was barely discernible, with twin ruts a tire width wide and the center covered in grass. The lane crossed rocky ground with no ditches on either side, just fence row and an almost complete canopy of leaves overhead. A creek meandered through the trees from the east, disappearing into the brush and trees to the west. Crossing a low water bridge with about six inches of water running over the top, they finally came out into a clearing.

A ranch style earth-home was nestled into a hill and surrounded by trees. The house was built into the side of a hill with only the front showing. From any other angle, it just looked like any other bump in the landscape. Out away from the home, and down a small incline sat a small barn, and what looked like a chicken house—judging by the amount of fowl running about. Farther down the slope, and in the only part that had full sun, were dozens of raised bed vegetable gardens.

When he stopped the truck, the Admiral bounced out and walked toward the house. The woman following in the car got out with the two girls and her husband, who had apparently recovered slightly. She helped him over to the steps, and he sat down. Mason noticed Mary going over to talk to the doctor and then having the man chase her finger around with his eyes.

Universal to all children, the girls jumped out and started running around to get rid of pent-up energy—already deep into discovery mode.

A voice called from the garden area, and the Admiral reversed course and led them in that direction.

“Mason,” he said. “This is my daughter, Angela Holloway.”

A faded hippy walked from the garden. She looked to be in her early fifties. With her salt and pepper hair, thin flowered shift, and bare feet, she looked like she had just stepped from the pages of the Mother Earth News. When she took off her straw hat and bent over to use it to dust off the bottom of her dress, it was more than obvious she was braless. He thought it must be a clothing-optional farm because he didn’t see any signs of tan lines. And there was enough time to notice. Unfortunately, and although she had a nice smile, her looks took after the Admiral. Someone trying to enlist you for a blind date with her would describe her as having a very nice personality.

“Hi,” said Angela, holding out her hand.

“Well, what do you think?” the Admiral asked. “She’s a beaut, ain’t she?”

Before Mason had time to concoct a reply that wouldn’t embarrass him, she said, “What brings you out here, Dad? Not that I don’t want to see you, but you have never brought company before.”

The Admiral immediately sobered. “The city lost power last night, and I’m betting it won’t come back. Delivery trucks have stopped running, so food will be scarce. Things have taken a turn for the worse, Angela.

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