The War In The Wall Series

By A. Lotus

For a limited time only: pre-order the first two Novellas in The War in the Wall Series for the price of one! **Plus, a BONUS short story & an Exclusive look into novella three Rebuilding the Walls**

INSIDE the Wall - Novella One

What if everyone just stopped caring? What sort of world would we create for future generations?

Letha and Nathan were best friends just as were their mothers before them. Soon, however, two dictators overthrow the city, take the children captive, kill the opposing parents and then brainwash, train, and sculpt these children into soldiers. At first, Letha rejects the new life she leads, staying strong only to protect those younger than her. She is then given the ultimate task: kill Nathan; If she does not, everyone, including herself, will die.

In a world where no one cares, Letha struggles against herself to do the right thing. Ultimately, she has to make a choice, save herself or drown in the codependency of one young boy who has become brainwashed and hardened into the dictator's web. No matter what choice she makes, she will have to lose someone that she loves.

OUTSIDE the Wall - Novella Two

Can you take a monster and place them into society?

Dr. Albert Roth is thrown into a world of psychological terror when he's directed to council the youth who have survived life behind the walls.He thinks their stories of war are traumatic, that is, until, some of the youth decides to keep him as their own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. Lotus
• Release date: Aug 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311089656

A. Lotus

Lotus is merely the pen name for a dreamer--a writer who can't keep her head out of the clouds. Her favorite saying? "Dreams are what keep us clouded." And, it's true. Since childhood, Lotus has spent most of her waking hours devoted to scribbling stories (over 50 books). She isn't like you and me. Even her air is different for she "breathes novels". The world she belongs to is nothing like this one. It is a place where only the eccentric venture. And, of course a few brave readers... "There is no law but that with which we put upon ourselves," Lotus sighs, "and the laws to which we allow others to set for us." "Don't be afraid of who or what you are. Embrace it. For the stranger you are, the better the story."

Book preview

PART TWO

OUTSIDE the Wall

Dr. Albert Roth

JUAN THE SPIDER MORALES

Juan Tells Them - OUTSIDE the Walls

KIER ANGEL MORALES

ANGELICA MARIE MORALES

JUAN AND KIER - Day of Capture 2,212 - Playground

Angelica Marie Morales - Day of Capture 2,212 - Uptown New York

ALEXANDER JAMES

LETHA VISITS HER FATHER - The Train Ride 2,212 - Before the War

SUPERMARKET - Letha and Auntie Marie Morales

The Last Time Heart Sees Freckles - Inside the Walls –2214 - Day of Escape - By the Well

FRECKLES AT THE WELL

HEART OUTSIDE THE WALLS

FRECKLES INSIDE THE WALLS

HEART OUTSIDE THE WALLS

HEART IN UPTOWN NEW YORK

FRECKLES INSIDE THE WALLS

HEART IN UPTOWN NEW YORK - Inside the Glass Elevator

FRECKLES INSIDE THE WALL

OFFICER LINDSEY - Outside the Walls in the State Penitentiary

LETHA AND OFFICER LINDSEY

LETHA

Angel

JUAN

Rat - Psychiatric Wing

Heart and Mrs. Green

The Black Swan

Juan

Dr. Roth and Bull

Hospital

Angel and the Spider

Spur and Heart

SPUR

SPUR BEFORE THE WAR - The Community Picnic 2,212

The Rat

The Rat Remembers - INSIDE the Walls - Day of Capture 2,212

Heart

I Have a Sister by Brandon Bullet Bowens

Heart and Rat Say Goodbye

Spur

Lindsey and Heart

Spur

Marie

I DID Try to Help Them

Funeral

Dictator By Brandon Bullet Bowens

Funeral Continued…

Alicia and Hope

Officer Lindsey’s Last Request

Heart

Lindsey’s Execution

I Will Be Letha

Rebuilding the Walls – Preview

Bullet – BONUS Short Story

Preview – First Chapter of Beautiful Beast

PART ONE

(Listen to the FREE provided playlist www.lotuswars.com)

INSIDE The Wall

(Listen to the FREE provided playlist www.lotuswars.com)

The Mission

Year: 2,214 CE

I lay on the bottom bunk, staring at a piss stain above my head. My fingers twirled the barrel of a gun, stopping every so often so that I could pull the trigger. I’d heard it a million times but I still jumped with each click. Today was my birthday. I was fifteen years old.

I placed the gun to my head.

Let’s play a little game of chance, shall we? I whispered, twirling the gun’s barrel.

Click.

A tear trickled down my check. I was still alive.

Heart, what are you doing? You coward!

I jumped. Spur stood above me, his green eyes locked on my temples. He wore his tan uniform and combat boots. Is that a new tattoo? I asked, pointing to a red scar on his neck. It looked infected.

You need to pay better attention. I could’ve sliced you through with my knife. Spur rubbed his shaved head. He was tall and had arms that belonged to a man. He was just seventeen, yet, had scruff on his chin and big, strong, hands that could lift me up above him effortlessly.

Instead you sliced yourself? I grinned, pointing my gun in his face. Guns are faster than knives; how many times do I gotta tell ya?

You’re a mess, he said.

It’s my birthday, remember?

Officer Lindsey is on her way and she’ll flip if she sees her favorite killer attempting suicide.

Get lost, I said, placing my gun behind a pillow. I know what I’m doing.

Put your hair up, he said. I snatched the rubber band he offered. You’re full of wrinkles, too. He opened the chest of drawers, rummaging for a fresh set of clothes. You should be ready for your new mission. The worse you look, the worse the assignment.

Who cares? I tossed the hair tie at him. Forget it; I don’t want to look presentable.

Are you kidding me? He slammed the chest. It rocked, the mirror trembled. I happen to be on your team, remember?

I’ll just kick you off my team. I shrugged, rolling my pants up to my knees. My legs were covered in bloody scars. I’d been out, scouting for the enemy early this morning.

Put something on those cuts, Heart.

Get out of my room before I blow your friggin’ head off. I narrowed my eyes at him.

Fine, be stubborn, Spur said. It’s your funeral, not mine. He spread his arms with animated eyes. "Oh, wait, it is my funeral. If you lose, I die, too!"

Get out of my room, you creep!

Spur shot me the bird and I clapped. He mumbled something inaudible, disappearing around the corner.

A knot twisted in my stomach. Maybe he could come back. No. It was too late for that.

Who needed to dress up? I already knew what my assignment was going to be.

I closed my eyes and waited for my birthday present. Every year, on your birthday, you were given what our leader called a gift. It was more like a test of loyalty. If you passed it, you and your team were allowed to live another year—plus you got to have a party…

I could hear the muffled sound of Officer Lindsey’s footsteps. I smiled, thinking of her immense body jiggling as she stormed through the dingy halls of our military bunk house. Her frizzy blond hair probably bounced as she breathed heavily due to the extra fifty pounds of blubber she’d gained since claiming us.

Officer Lindsey burst through a rotted wood panel posing as my door. She surveyed the room. There were two bunk beds mounted into the grungy cement wall. The room was small and had only one closet along with a beat up dresser. The mirror, well, it was cracked. Opposite the beds were various weapons. The top bunk was empty. I sat on the bottom one, immediately standing at attention.

I glanced in the mirror at my reflection. To the average person, I was just a girl with long, stringy blond hair and deep blue eyes. But, if you looked closely, the tan uniforms washed my eyes out, making them look dull. And the armor I wore about me, revealed what I really was—a trained markswoman.

Officer Lindsey cleared her throat.

I saluted.

Heart, I have a mission for you. I want you to bring me the Rat’s head. If you fail, I will kill you and your team, she said. Her lips pressed tightly and her eyes narrowed. Do you understand your orders?

I shouted, I will leave at 06:00 hours.

Good. This mission will be your redemption from your partner’s last attempted ‘gift’. If I didn’t know any better I’d think you let that rat live. You and your team let those bleeding rats live when you could’ve easily annihilated them.

Officer Lindsey, I won’t let you down, I said. We were just focused on the task last time; we always complete your orders before any personal vengeances of our own.

Yes, you do obey well. She brushed her fat fingers against my wall of weapons, pressing her fingertips to a riffle’s trigger. It would be a shame to have to burn you with the enemy.

You won’t have to do that, ma’am. Tomorrow night, we’ll be celebrating!

You’ll party—only if I have a centerpiece for the table. Your knives are dull. Sharpen them. Officer Lindsey stormed out.

I dropped my head back onto the pillow. I blinked hard. Small tears tried to escape. Why didn’t my game of chance work? There’d be splatters of blood to accompany the piss stain above me. Instead, I’d have to watch my team die a horrible death at the hands of my leader and her warriors. Then she’d make me suffer for a few days before burning me alive with the captives.

I punched the wall. My knuckles bled but I couldn’t stop. Over and over I smashed my fist into the cement wall. I knew she’d ask me to kill the Rat. Why him? Of all the people I could kill!

The Rat had been my best friend. His mother and my mother were best friends and when they had us, well, it was our turn. Rat and I had something more than just friendship.

I grabbed the locket hanging around my neck.

How was I going to do this? I sniffled and rolled over onto my side.

I closed my eyes and thought back to before the war, back to when I never would’ve agreed to kill my best friend. Back to when things were different; when I had a town, a house, a yard, a family, and a best friend.

The Oath

Year: 2210 CE

AGE: 11

Our city was once an amusement park called The Ancient City, created by the governor of Old New York. The idea was that passengers would board an antique locomotive and travel through time inside the walls of Jericho. The train travelled through the walls, passing scenes from different eras until it finally landed in a beautiful town—my town, which was set up like the 1950’s. Perfect green lawns, cookie cutter homes, diners, fairgrounds, a picture perfect park, a red brick orphanage and even a school designed to look like an original 1950’s style brick.

The brick schoolhouse was mine. I was eleven and called by a different name. No one would’ve ever dared dream of calling me Heart back then. I climbed the stairs and ran down a hallway of students.

My teacher, Miss Levine, gave me a stern look. She was tall and scrawny with a tight salt and pepper bun. You’re late, Miss James. I looked at the floor. Take a seat, Letha.

A projector screen sat in the middle of the dark classroom. I walked up towards the front and slumped down in front of a boy with short brown hair and soft brown eyes. This was Nathan June. Soon, you’ll know him as the Rat. He pulled my hair—hard.

Stop it, I’m in enough trouble, I whispered.

Stop it, oh, stop it, Nathan said, mockingly. I folded my arms and looked up at an image of Fidel Castro.

Fidel Castro was a communist. He decided how much food each person was allowed. Homes no longer belonged to the people of his country, Miss Levine said. She flipped to the next slide.

Why’d the people let him rule if they knew he was so awful? Nathan asked.

In the beginning, Cuba was thriving under his rule. He revealed only a year into his ruler-ship that he wanted to make Cuba a communist country, she said.

Is it true that if you weren’t a communist you weren’t allowed to go to school? I asked.

That’s cool. Nathan smirked. The class laughed. Miss Levine rolled her eyes and changed the slide to farmers and livestock.

Yes, Letha, You weren’t even allowed to take a pig off of your farm and eat it if you were hungry because it belonged to Castro. He had spies in every town that would report you. You could be put in jail or even killed.

What did the people do?

Well, Letha, they conformed. They pretended to love Castro and his laws. They would escape to America for refuge whenever they could.

I spun around in my chair and stared at the teacher. They sold out? I would never do that, no matter what.

Miss Levine frowned. She flipped the slide to a picture of Hitler. He stood in front of a row of men lined up against a cement wall. All the men were blindfolded and awaiting execution.

You’d be surprised. Hitler, for example, Germans hailed him and gave up their friends for their own lives and safety.

Some didn’t. Look at Anne Frank, I said.

True, but most did not hide their Jewish friends. A lot of people were brainwashed and stayed that way until the day they died. Some felt that what they did was right.

I rolled my eyes. Well, that could never happen to us.

The bell rang, the lights flipped on, and children flew out the classroom door.

Nathan chased after me.

Letha! Wait, I have to—

Not now, Nathan, I have to get home. I’m going to visit my dad this weekend. I smiled and walked backwards towards home. He said he’s going to take me to see the Statue of Liberty.

It’s like, half missing from World War III, Nathan said. You have to see what I got for you.

I glanced up into his brown eyes. He brushed his dark hair out of his face and smiled. I rolled my eyes and groaned. Fine!

He dropped his book bag onto the ground and fished through it. He pulled out crumpled papers, a laptop, pencils, pens, erasers, and half of his lunch. Gimme a sec to find it.

C’mon, Nathan, I can’t miss the train.

Got it! He lifted up a small object wrapped clumsily in newspaper and scotch tape. Here, Letha, this is for you.

I cringed, examining the newspaper wrapping. Thanks, Nat.

He ripped the newspaper for me. Hurry, open it.

I giggled. I am, I am.

Inside the newspapers was a small golden locket. There was a picture on one side of myself and Nathan as small children, and on the other side, a picture of our mothers at that age.

See. He pointed at our mothers. This is our mothers when they first became best friends, and, he shoved the locket closer to my face. That’s us, that’s when I first decided that I was in love with my best friend.

Nathan blushed, kissing me on the cheek. He raced off; forgetting all about his book bag. I picked it up and chased him, giggling.

Nathan! I yelled, touching the spot where he’d kissed me.

He stopped abruptly and I collapsed into him. We fell to the ground.

Just promise me you’ll wear it as long as you love me, he said. I lay in the grass, locket in hand. I gazed into Nathan’s dark eyes and grinned slyly. Hard drops of rain pelted my forehead. His arms were warm wrapped around me. My body trembled and my lips twitched as he leaned closer.

Thunder crackled in the sky.

I’ll always wear it.

Letha! You’re going to miss your train, my mother, Lydia, shouted. She stood in our driveway in a pale pink dress.

I’m coming! I shouted. Right after I say goodbye. I leaned forward and kissed Nathan on the lips. I’ll always love you.

He jerked back and I wiggled free, racing towards my mother. Come back! He chased after me, grabbing at my ankles. I giggled, landing on top of him.

Letha Anne James! Nathaniel Darwin June! My mother said, pointing at the car. Okay, enough with the silliness.

I couldn’t hear her; I was too busy being kissed…

YEAR: 2214

Location: BUNK ROOM

Someone stood in the doorway. I glanced at the opening, brushing the thoughts of Nathan out of my mind.

It was just Freckles. His red hair and dark freckles were easy to spot on his eight year old body. He was tall for his age, making him stronger and an asset to my team. His aim was nearly as good as mine.

What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy?

He rolled his eyes, pulling off his rifle. Freckles placed it on the top bunk, sitting down next to me.

Look what the cat dragged in. I sat up, touching my knee to his.

Ha ha, fun-nee. He pulled on my hair hard. I heard you were going on another mission. Freckles lay his head in my lap.

Yeah, so, what’s it to you?

He smiled and I wanted to brush my hands through his hair. When he lay in my lap, he reminded me of a real eight year old boy and not the killer he’d become.

I always go with you, Heart. He lifted his head and grabbed his rifle. What’s your problem today? You’re so moody.

How do you tell someone that you don’t want to kill your ex-best friend, even if they’re now your worst enemy?

Answer me, Heart!

I grabbed my gun from under the pillow and emptied its barrel of the lone bullet. Beside my bed, I had a box of bullets. I took them out and spread them beside me. There was only one thing that knives were good for. I opened a switchblade and began to cut X’s into the bullets. This way, when the bullets hit their target, my victims could explode.

Answer me.

His eyes pleaded with mine. I glanced down. I’m not taking you, Freckles.

I always go on missions with you. He pulled out a pocket knife and grabbed a bullet from the pile. You can’t leave me behind. What, did you hit your head?

I smacked the bullet out of his hand. It’s too dangerous this time.

Knock it off! What’s your problem?

Don’t copy what I do; you’ll blow your frigging head off!

Freckles jumped up. Bullets rolled off the bed. You’re such a jerk sometimes. He grabbed his rifle. I’m leaving. Forget you!

Trouble in paradise? Spur said. He stood in the doorway.

Freckles pushed against Spur. Move!

Spur turned sideways, letting him leave.

I thought I told you to go away?

He ignored me, sauntering forward. Spur sat on the edge of my bed, grabbing my legs.

Are you crazy?

What’s his problem? He isn’t old enough to have mood swings. He’s not even the right gender for them.

You’re hilarious, Spur.

I rolled my eyes and hid my gun. I just got a new mission and I told him he can’t come. None of you can this time.

Spur grinned and grabbed my legs once more. He pulled me towards him. Are you bored with us, Heart? Do I need to liven up your life a little?

Knock it off, Spur! Ya know, maybe I’ll take you along so that when I fail this mission I can get rid of you for good. How does that sound to you?

He ripped a piece of his undershirt off and grabbed my wrist. Who’d you get into a fight with?

What are you doing? I said, resisting. I decided to fight with the wall, want to be next?

Hold still, you prima donna. Spur wrapped my bloody knuckles with the fabric remnant.

You’re wasting your time on me, I said.

So you think you’re going to fail?

I have to change uniforms. I want to look my best for my execution. I