Red Flood

By Nocomus Columbus

Red Flood tells the story of a boy's journey through post-apocalyptic America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nocomus Columbus
• Release date: Feb 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311188519

Book preview

Red Flood

By Nocomus Columbus

Copyright 2014 Nocomus Columbus

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Prologue

Winter’s rage was on display outside the snow-covered structure. Winds pounded on the outer walls, knocking like an unwelcome visitor. From the look of it, the cabin had been abandoned far longer than it had been lived in. The ragged pair came upon the building the night before. The woman wanted to bypass it, keep moving. She told her husband, but he disagreed. Deep down she knew he was right.

The man tried to make his wife as comfortable as possible: he lit a fire in the old fireplace, boiled snow so she had clean water, offered his blanket again and again until she begrudgingly accepted.

Pain pulled her from the dream she was in. The pain was more intense than it had ever been. She rolled toward her husband, gently shaking him until he woke. It’s time, she said. The woman was on her back, head propped up by a rucksack, knees bent, breathing rhythmically in and out. She nodded to her husband prompting him to lower his hands. He paused to look at the woman’s face. Her calm expression hid the pain. My god, she’s beautiful, he said to himself, trying to calm fragile nerves.

I’m going to push now, she said, Are you going to be okay?

Yes, he said, unsure of himself, in awe of her strength. The woman closed her eyes, drawing in one last breath before pushing.

A cry filled the small cabin.

A boy, the father said, handing the child to his mother.

He’s beautiful, she replied, with the infant on her breast. Tears welled up in the father’s eyes as he leaned forward to kiss the mother and child. He brushed the hair back from his wife’s forehead. She’s so cold, he thought. A faint sound was heard in the distance. The man and woman looked at the door.

What was that? she asked.

It was nothing, just the wind, he said. The father grabbed another blanket, covering mother and child. He took a seat on the floor beside them. The newborn was sound asleep.

I’m afraid, the woman said. The man took her hand in his.

You’re going to be alright, he replied.

It’s not me I’m worried about, she said, looking down at the sleeping infant.

You need rest, the father said. The new mother closed her tired eyes.

Once the mother was asleep, the man gently raised her hand, placing it on the infant’s back. The temperature inside the cabin had dropped over the last few hours. The father got up from the floor, and made his way over to the fireplace. The flame was low. He grabbed a log, hesitating for a moment. Too much smoke and they’ll find us, he thought, but I can’t let them freeze to death. Maybe it was, just the wind. He placed the log into the fireplace, stoking the flame until it rose to a level he was satisfied with.

He walked over and opened the cabin’s front door, quickly shutting it once outside. The cold air stung his hands and face. He reached into his pocket and took out a cigar. After it was lit, the father slowly inhaled the first