Endangered Series (Book 1): Critically Endangered by Austin NS

Author:Austin, NS [Austin, NS]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction | Post-Apocalyptic
Publisher: NS Austin
Published: 2016-07-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20: A+94, Ranch Style Welcome

Enraged, Karen sat ramrod straight staring at one captor and the next. She saved her most penetrating appraisal for Sylvie, who refused to meet her eyes. Bill reached over to Karen and put a water bottle by her lips. She glared at him and then took a sip. This helicopter was not nearly as loud as the green birds in Karen’s Army experience. The whining sound from the rotors had the effect of making her drowsy when dammit, she wanted to stay angry and alert in case an escape attempt became possible. It was counterintuitive, but Karen knew that sometimes in extreme stress, the body’s response is to sleep and completely withdraw. That was happening to her now and she had to fight it. Rachael, clearly in shock, leaned against her harness straps, blinking to hold back tears.

Karen couldn’t see anything until they swung around preparing to land. She noticed low hills, dry grass, and a mixture of pines and deciduous trees frosting higher elevations. The throbbing and whine increased until a small bump, like a fast elevator coming to a stop, signaled their landing in Idaho. Still handcuffed with plastic ties that were starting to cut into their wrists, Karen and Rachael were prodded out of the helicopter and into a van awaiting their arrival.

The driver looked over her shoulder to study the two new survivors. Sylvie, pushing herself into the passenger seat, said, “The gorgeous piece of womanhood is Karen, and the gazelle-like creature is Rachael. Drop me off at the awareness center and then take Karen to the stables and Rachael to the guest house. Bill will stay with you to help out, but I have to get Dave some medical attention right away. Their dogs attacked him. Karen and Rachael, meet Mabel. Mathias found her wandering around in an old folks’ home. Hard to believe, but she is 98 years old.”

“You called them, Sylvie, didn’t you, when you went upstairs. How could you?” Karen hissed to Sylvie.

“Just get over yourself, Karen. Like I said, this is a good place. Did you think I would wait forever for you to show up and escort me to the ranch? Bill came and got me three weeks ago in the helicopter while you were making up your confused mind. Mathias thought you would feel more comfortable coming if you had someone along. I didn’t expect you to bring the others. I mean, you lied to us, too! So just spare me the theatrics.”

On the opposite side of the van, Karen viewed Mabel’s profile and the look of disgust she gave Sylvie. Mabel had a freckled, pert little nose and wide-set, kind brown eyes; amazingly, she looked, like everyone else, to be in her early 20s. Nothing more was said until Sylvie and Dave jumped out at a one-story white ranch house, fronted end to end with a wide covered porch. Rocking chairs and a hanging swing chair gave the picturesque ranch home the perfect balance of charm and function.

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