Liberty's Torch

By Janet McNulty

All it takes is one spark to ignite the flame of liberty.

Six months have passed since Dana and Kenny parted. Forced to live as a wanderer, Dana discovers a crashed drone and learns of the chaos within Dystopia and what President Klens has planned for the resistance. Realizing that she must go back, Dana acquires the help of a seventy-year-old man and an old friend. Upon her return, she finds that rebellion is in the air as the government continues to eliminate dissenters.

Forced to disguise herself, Dana searches for the resistance to tell them of President Klens’ plans. After a few run-ins with the officers and narrow escapes from Colonel Fernau—his obsession with her growing each day—she learns that the people of Dystopia yearn to be free from their oppression. What they need is a leader. Knowing that everyone she cares for will never be safe so long as the government reigns supreme, Dana must decide how far she is willing to go achieve freedom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet McNulty
• Release date: Nov 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301860913

Janet McNulty

I began construction on Legends Lost Amborese ten years ago while in high school. At the time it was merely a few pages of notes in a notebook. I continued working on the story of Amborese while in college in the hope of publishing it. That day came in August 2011 when the book was first printed. Most recently, I have published the second book in Legends Lost: Tesnayr. I keep myself busy writing the third and final novel in the Legends Lost trilogy: Galdin, which will be released in Summer 2013. You can learn more here: www.legendslosttrilogy.com If you prefer something more contemporary try the Mellow Summers Series. Mellow Summers moves to Vermont to start a new life only to discover that she has a acquired a new ability: she can speak to ghosts. Join her as she is pulled from one mystery to another. I have also published in the area of nonfiction: Illogical Nonsense. I had never planned on writing nonfiction, but when I had the chance to write a political commentary book, I took it. I enjoyed it and hope that it is insightful to any who read it. Besides writing I also read, hike, and crochet. Sometimes I just wander around doing nothing at all. Every once in awhile a girl needs a break and these are great past times.

Book preview

Janet McNulty

This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents within are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or location is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

Liberty’s Torch

Copyright © 2013 Janet McNulty

Illustrated Edition Copyright © 2018 Janet McNulty

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

-For all those who stand for liberty..

Contents

Title Page

Praise for the Dystopia Trilogy

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

About the Author

More by Janet McNulty

Praise for the Dystopia Trilogy

It’s Awesome!

Fast-paced and well-crafted, I can't wait for the next installment!

If you like a fast moving story with a David against Goliath theme, you'll enjoy Dystopia.

I wish there are better words to describe how much I love this book. It’s AWESOME. I love how the storyline glides from the starting to the end and the way the author describes the characters and the settings of the book…The ending was PURE SUSPENSE!

Chapter

One

Kenny listened to the raging crowd outside his window. The light in the room flickered for the fourth time. He lit an oil lamp, not sure of how long even that would last. All of his careful planning and management had failed. Resources had decreased and ultimately disappeared, leaving only the anger of the mob.

A rock hurled through a window. Shards of glass clinked on the hardwood floor. Kenny didn’t even jump. He couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. When they took over six months ago, he was certain that things would have been better than this.

Many had left the town when his followers rioted. Just like Dana. What went wrong? Everyone had an equal say in what happened, until they no longer agreed on policies. After that, Kenny and Bert declared themselves the leaders of the town and formed their own police force to control the people.

All resources were doled out equally, despite how much or how little individuals worked, according to need. Soon, nothing remained. Jobs disappeared as people left. But Kenny had promised everyone employment, so he set up a board that matched individuals with the jobs that needed to be done, just like in Dystopia. People resisted the idea. The more they fought, the more Kenny cracked down on them with more rules and regulations to control them.

Another rock crashed through the window.

Kenny tried to understand their frustration, but he couldn’t. They said there was no food, but Kenny always had enough. The lights flickered again. Frowning, Kenny knew the electricity would soon go out.

Bert burst into the room with armed guards of his own.

May I help you, Bert? asked Kenny. He had become increasingly wary of the man as the months passed.

It appears the people are rioting once again, said Bert.

Tell me something I don’t know, said Kenny. We’ll have to find a way to appease them.

I have already taken care of that, said Bert.

What do you mean? asked Kenny.

In answer to his question, gunfire filled the area outside, replacing yells of anger with screams of fright. Kenny rushed to a window, throwing it open and looking out. People darted about in a vain attempting to save themselves.

What are you doing? demanded Kenny. You can’t just kill them!

No, said Bert. We had passed regulations, but they refused to listen, all because the food has become scarce and now many people no longer have electricity.

The lights went out entirely.

It appears that neither do we, said Kenny.

That will soon be remedied, said Bert, as I have just confiscated all solar panels and generators. I have even taken that crazy professor’s water generator.

You can’t just take other people’s property, said Kenny, repeating what Dana had always told him.

Really? asked Bert. You sang a different tune six months ago. Have you had a change of heart? Didn’t you say once that private property was the antiquated notion of a few bigoted men who knew nothing about being part of a community? Didn’t you once say that everything should be part of the community and owned equally by all within the community?

Kenny glared at Bert as his words came back to haunt him.

And since everything is communal, then that means I have just as much claim to your position as you once had. So, I am relieving you and taking it for myself.

The armed guards that had accompanied Bert seized Kenny.

You can’t do that, spat Kenny. We had a deal.

I’m changing it.

What if someone decides to take this position from you?

They won’t succeed, said Bert. Rights, property, they will mean what I want it to mean. I’ve decided that people are incapable of making their own decisions. They need to be controlled.

You can’t just tell them what to do, said Kenny.

Can’t I? You did it quite well while you were in this chair.

How will you keep them from throwing you out?

Well, let’s see. You will be taking the blame for the current situation.

Part of it rests with you, said Kenny.

Not if I tell them otherwise, said Bert. "And as they are angry with you, it won’t be difficult to convince them that everything that has gone wrong happened because my predecessor screwed up.

Next, I will keep them entertained. People love entertainment. With a mixture of these— Bert held up some pills, —and the entertainment I have in store for them, it won’t be difficult.

What are those? asked Kenny.

Medication. Soon people will find themselves feeling anxious and unable to concentrate. They will be diagnosed by doctors who have agreed to do my bidding, and each person will be prescribed these.

How did you make those? The slow realization that Bert was not all he seemed dawned on Kenny.

While everyone believed I was just a drunkard, it was easy to make these unnoticed. I had a few friends who knew things about medicine and they were more than willing to help. Next, I just had to sit and wait for the right person to come along.

You mean me, said Kenny.

You were most useful.

You used me. Dana was right.

You let yourself be used, Bert said. I could tell that you actually believed everything that was taught to you while you lived in Dystopia, unlike that foolish friend of yours.

How do you know so much about Dystopia?

I lived there once. Bert smiled when seeing Kenny’s surprised look. They have everything correct, except one: I should be the one in charge, not them.

Why you?

Because I can do it better. I came upon this place and laughed at their notion of freedom. I knew that if I had managed to escape Dystopia, others would. So I waited, and along you came. Now I will establish a paradise. Of course, it will be my paradise.

You son of a—

Don’t bore me with your anger.

So, you’re going to kill me now? demanded Kenny.

I won’t have to, said Bert. The desert will do it for me.

Bert snapped his fingers and the guards dragged Kenny away just as the lights turned back on.

Ah, said Bert, it appears that they found the generators. I want you to know, Kenny, it was a pleasure working with you.

Chapter

Two

Are you sure this will work? asked Charles as Sanders inserted a forged key card into the slot of the building’s entrance.

Positive, answered Sanders. He stuck the card in and waited impatiently for the light to turn green. When it did, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Charles opened the door. He and Simon went inside with their crate of leaflets that they carried on a dolly. You go back to the van, he told Sanders.

Sanders handed him the key card. You’ll need this to get into the elevator and to the roof. Once it’s inserted, you’ll be asked for a code. Type in 3136.

Got it, said Charles, Now get.

Sanders hurried away.

Together, Charles and Simon pushed the crate through the hallway, ignoring any glances they received. The delivery personnel uniforms they had stolen meant that most disregarded them as an acceptable nuisance. Simon pointed in a direction. Hurriedly, they rushed to the elevator.

Moment of truth, said Charles as he placed the key card into the slot. Immediately, it asked for a passcode. He typed in the number. Once the light turned green and the doors opened, he and Simon heaved the crate inside. Without missing a beat, they pushed the door closed button before anyone else could come inside.

Top floor, said Simon.

Charles hit the button. They listened to the peaceful music in the elevator as they waited impatiently for it to reach their floor. Each prayed that it would not stop along the way. Their eyes glued onto the number display, and they watched as it slowly counted up.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened. Peeking around, Simon made certain no one stood nearby. Quickly, they carted the crate of leaflets out and sped down the hallway to the door at the end. Again, Charles inserted the key card and typed in the code. That kid knows his stuff, he muttered.

Once the lock popped, Simon ripped open the door and Charles pushed the crate inside. A flight of stairs greeted them. Together, they hauled the crate up, taking one step at a time. Their clothes clung to their sweaty skin as they trudged upward.

Another door awaited them, and once again, they had to use Sanders’ forged key. Bright sunlight greeted them as they walked out on the roof. Ditching the dolly, they hauled the crate to the edge. Ant-sized specks walked below them, darting about their business. Charles and Simon each took one end of the crate after lifting off the top.

Think this will work? asked Charles.

Hard to say, replied Simon. But what is the point of rebelling if everyone still believes the government’s propaganda?

You have a strange way of trying to educate them.

Just help me dump the contents.

They flipped the crate over, turning it upside down. Immediately, a mass of paper fell out, being carried by the wind. They watched as their efforts tumbled to the ground below.

Let’s get out of here, said Simon.

Leaving the crate on the roof, they hurried back to the door, down the steps, and to the elevator. Neither of them paused until they exited the building and jumped into the waiting van.

Elsie and Amy meandered down the sidewalk, going in separate directions. They never acknowledged one another as they passed. Elsie spotted an officer. Quickly, she gave the signal to Amy, who nodded.

At any moment, Elsie knew that Simon and Charles would drop the leaflets. She paced back and forth, casually turning in another direction as an officer headed towards her. She peeked behind her as she waited for the man to disappear. Carefully, Elsie turned back around. What is taking them so long?

As though in answer to her worry, a piece of paper fell from above and landed by her feet. Elsie looked up at the tower above as hundreds of leaflets dropped from the sky. The wind carried them everywhere. As more flyers landed, people on the street paused to see what was going on. One man picked up a leaflet. He perused it before tossing it aside. Elsie watched as another pocketed a few.

The harsh screech of a whistle caught her attention. Officers scurried about. Up there! shouted one.

Instantly, Elsie pushed a trash can over in front of the officer as he ran for the entrance to the building. A loud clatter echoed around her as he tripped over it.

Hey, you!

Elsie ran. She turned a corner just as a black van pulled up with the door opening. Quickly, Elsie dove inside. The van sped to another part of the sidewalk. Just as the door opened, Amy jumped in. Within moments, they were gone, leaving the whistles and shouts of the officers behind.

Chapter

Three

Kenny’s feet plopped on the sand as he walked over dead brush and small tufts of green plants. Sand caked his skin. How long have I been out here? Kenny couldn’t believe that he had been betrayed. What did I ever do to deserve this?