Apocalyptic Fears II: Select Novels and Novellas: A Multi-Author Box Set by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Reaper Press
Published: 2015-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

Rett

Rett blew rocks from the back tires leaving Thirsty’s Bar.

Hatred for Quitman Delaney swirled around his head like a breeze. After he checked the cave, he’d tell Jenna he was leaving her.

Seeing kids in goofy Halloween costumes put the brakes on his temper. He should be taking the boys out trick-or-treating and not chasing ghosts. Instead, they were in extended daycare every Thursday because Jenna forgot to pick them up from school. He’d been assured a Halloween party had been scheduled. Rett stopped for young goblins running across the road and wished his kids were out trick-or-treating. Rett punched the steering wheel and shouted, “Damn you, Jenna!”

When he cleared town, Rett picked up speed. His hands bled sweat, his ears throbbed, and his heart ached for what he might find. Small caves littered Quitman’s land, so he had to be careful and avoid injury. He decided not to think about Joe’s last warning. He guessed the never-ending swarms made everyone in town a little batty.

Rett chose to reject his old man’s military lifestyle for small-town serenity. His peaceful existence would end if he found his daughter in Quitman’s cave or if Quitman tried to stop him from leaving with the kids. Rett took deep breaths and tried to keep his cool. Could he be experiencing Swarm Sickness?

At least the plane tickets gave him comfort. He had a plan: check the cave, go home and pack up the kids, and then drive to Atlanta to catch the 6:15 a.m. flight with a clear conscience. If he found his little girl living in a zombie-like state, he’d bring Quitman to justice, Texas style.

He hit the bright lights so he wouldn’t miss the next turn. Not another vehicle in sight. Pot holes, weeds down the center lane, and chewed road edges greeted him on the old county road. He endured the body beating and turned on music.

Rett kept the bright lights on until he spotted the six-mile marker and then canned them. He didn’t want Quitman’s men to see him coming and prepare. The common route to the Delaney backlands existed further down around the curve with an eastern approach. This old road hadn’t been used by people, except for hunters or summer hikers, for years. After the storm, he didn’t want to chance getting stuck in the mud. Rett parked on the road and relieved his aching bladder.

He re-checked the map and put an emergency reflector sign thirty feet behind his vehicle. Rett stuffed extra cartridges into his fleece jacket. It had been years since he fired a rifle. Extra ammo couldn’t hurt. He checked to make sure he had a compass, flashlight, and rifle before shutting the door. Rett left the SUV unlocked in case he needed to make a fast exit from Quitman’s goons.

A tree had fallen onto the fence fifteen feet away. Surprised Quitman hadn’t installed a chain-link fence, Rett slung the rifle over his shoulder and climbed over. The boards felt loose and made him wonder if Joe had given him the right location.

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