The Rising: Book 2 in the "BALANCE' series, #1

By Glenn A. Edwards

It's been a 6 months since the attacks upon mankind by the beasts led by the Kings and Queens of the forest know as Bigfoot. The world is a different place and now lives are governed by a new set of laws, "Those of Nature," Mankind's struggle to live without the use of most modern conveniences has forced those who survived to Adapt or Die.

        On the far western coast of North America a small struggling community was about to find out that one of those who had controlled the animals in the initial wave of destruction wasn't quite ready to stop his own personal slaughter and so once again the Beasts Shall Rise at his command.

         In southeastern Kentucky Mary Hatchfield who has been appointed the local Law Keeper and was about to be revisited by an old friend she had grown fond of during their previous adventure to save mankind a Bigfoot known as Jumping-Buck. With him comes the news of something strange and deadly heading her way which would threaten the community she is sworn to protect. Together with a new addition to their group they travel westward to confront an army of Fang and Fur in an attempt to stop the slaughter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenn A. Edwards
• Release date: Aug 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516334834

Glenn A. Edwards

          Glenn lives in central Kentucky with his wife Kimberly on a small farm with a multitude of animals which at times seems to be a Zoo. He is a fulltime member of the Kentucky National Guard and a member of the KBRO (Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization). With a passion of telling stories and the urging from his family he finally decided to create one on a mysterious subject he enjoys “BIGFOOT”.             “BALANCE” is his first book in the “BALANCE” series with plans already in place for another three additional novels to follow. He has also published another book (Squatching a guide for the novice) which is a beginners manual for those interested in becoming an investigator for the elusive BIGFOOT. Visit me at www.balancebyglennaedwards.com

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DEDICATION

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This book is dedicated to my grandchildren, Caleb Neal, Destinee Neal, Abriana Neal, Keely Edwards, Jaiden Edwards and any that may yet to come.

OTHER BOOKS

BY

GLENN A EDWARDS

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SQUATCHING A GUIDE FOR THE NOVICE

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SQUATCHING NOVICE GUIDE BOOK

This is a revised up to date version

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BALANCE Book 1

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THE RISING Book 2

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THE VANQUISHED Book 3

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THE LIBERATION Book 4

If you’re interested in other types of Science Fiction with a little  futuristic adventure check out,

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THE CODE OF THE P.A.C. BY TEKOA EDWARDS.

CONTENTS

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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To my family for their support in promoting my desire to become an author and to my beautiful daughter Tausha Neal for proofreading my stories making them so much better for the reader.

THE RISING

CHAPTER 1

New Ollie 1 June

The rhythmic ringing of iron upon stone, as the horse’s hooves struck the blacktop rang loudly on the deserted road. This was the only sound that Mary Hatchfield could hear as she rode towards her destination, an area called New Ollie. Prior to that fateful night of 13, November only 7 months earlier the population of this small hamlet in Kentucky had been around 4,100 thriving residents.

When light of day no longer shined upon the town and their clocks reached midnight this all changed. Within the first 48 hours of the devastating onslaught by the creatures which lived among the mountains and valleys surrounding the small community the population had been decimated. Only an estimated 1,100 manage to survive the initial attacks.

They had at first considered themselves the lucky ones. Without modern conveniences to heat many homes, supplying store-bought foods, and medications which man had come to depend upon in order to ensure their survival this wasn't proving to be so.

Following the harsh winter months and the introduction of a strange unknown disease that had blossomed among the survivors only 500 residents made it through until spring. The warm days and nights that eventually arrived brought with it new hope, finally ending the bone chilling cold and lessening the starving pains of many.

The residents at first attempted to continue their lives much like it had been before 13 November only to discover this was never to be. Now that the animals and birds which brought down this devastation upon their way of life were no longer under the influence of the Bigfoot clans or so they had at first believed.

There was one small exception they were soon to discover an impulse to attack certain types of machines were still imprinted within the animal’s subconscious. They still had the urge to destroy anything that consumed any known type of fossil fuel and emitted a foul odor. This desire was placed within their minds by the Bigfoot clans to ensure humans would stop polluting their world. This small factor made all the difference in the world, and impacted their lives significantly.

Many soon discovered when they tried to use their cars, trucks, or farm machines, to their surprise they would no longer start. During the night while they slept hordes of rodents which still lived among them, would move in and chew through the wiring harnesses, turning their equipment into useless hunks of metal. A few inventive people at first tried to secure the equipment inside sealed buildings. This worked to some degree for a short while, but sooner or later the animals would find some way to reach them.

This forced the residents of the 21st century to adapt to a simpler 18th century form of transportation and farming methods. Now the four hoofed beast of burden of a foregone era were making a comeback.

Those who used fuel powered generators for electricity soon discovered they had the same problem as those who attempted to use vehicles. It was also revealed in time around the world in communities that received clean energy which was produced by wind or water like the great Hoover Dam in the West or Wolfcreek Dam in Kentucky that they still delivered the much needed electricity. It so happens New Ollie wasn't one of these lucky few.

Those fortunate enough to have installed solar or wind generators prior to the collapse were the lucky few as well. People began scouting abandoned homes and towns searching out these new precious commodities and bringing them back to New Ollie. A few even discovered that electric powered cars or golf-carts could still be used without the worry of it being destroyed in the middle of the night. For the most part the residents reverted back to the most reliable transportation available, the horse and buggy.

Leaving Old Ollie behind Mary continue traveling north a few miles on Nolan Dam Road until she came to what used to be called Demunbrons Store. The original owners of the store, Sam and Betty Demunbrons, had been killed on the first night of the attacks.  Since the store was vacant and situated in a prime location, Mary’s friend Bob, who originally had operated Bob's Gas and Go had taken it over and in a  short amount of time had renamed it Bob's Country Goods.

He no longer sold gas and gifts to visitors, but discovered he had a knack for bartering. Taking in anything he deemed useful which would be in great demand under their new way of life. Fresh eggs, homemade butter, and milk were now very popular and something new to those who weren't raised on them.

He realized in time items like deodorant and shampoo that were once so common would sooner or later run out. He enlisted a few of the local boys and girls to search among abandoned homes for these things and bring them to his store for trade. In a fairly short amount of time he had established a good-sized inventory to fall back on for his new type of business.

With the new change in transportation options now being used, Bob had installed a hitching post and an old bathtub for a watering trough in front of his store for those who rode in on horseback. For those who preferred to ride a bike, rather than a horse he added a couple bicycle cages he had acquired at a local school.

Whoa boy, Mary instructed Coal, as she brought him to a halt in front of the old country store. Climbing off his back giving him a pat on the neck headed over to the hitching post. Wrapping his reins around it, even though she knew there wasn't any need then hearing him snort, she looked up into his dark eyes.

What? She asked, as she peered within his mind. A vision of her giving him some sugar cubes was revealed.

OK, but you know all that sugar is going to go to your hips, she answered, laughing as he gave her another loud snort in response to what she'd said.

Mary still retained some of the abilities she had acquired from taking the powder a little over a half a year before. They weren't as powerful as they were at the beginning, but she was still able to see the thoughts of people and capable of forcing her will upon animals around her at close range. Having this capability gave her a place of high importance among those of New Ollie.

If something was stolen or there was a disagreement among the residents, they would call on her to come forward and resolve the issue. It was common knowledge you couldn't lie to her and if you tried she always found out the truth. She tried to avoid using it around people as much as possible. Some of the thoughts she received, especially by young men she happened across when she walk by, she just didn't want to know.

She was now considered the local law enforcement, and at times when meeting someone, they’d great her with, Hello Sheriff, which at first kind of ticked her off, but as time went by she learned to accept her new title and even found a State Trooper badge to wear on her park ranger hat, which was all she wore that remained of her old job.

Dressed in army surplus camouflage pants and a short sleeve black T-shirt. Since her new mode of transportation was now a large black stallion, she sported a pair of black knee-high riding boots as well. Her raven hair, which she kept braided in a long ponytail, almost reaching her waist. Dressed like she was, it was no wonder she picked up wicked thoughts from young men.

To top off her new style of uniform she had fastened around her hips a black western-style holster. Tucked inside was a thirty-eight special. On her left hip she had added a Ka-Bar Black fighting knife with a 7 inch blade.

Hanging around her neck was a small leather string, dangling on its end hidden beneath her shirt was a gleaming white 3 inch tooth she considered to be one of her most prized possessions. The fang was a gift from a most unusual creature, given to her by a giant hairy friend by the name of Jumping-Buck, for saving his life and defeating Fang-Tooth during the time of the attacks. 

Normally there would be some locals hanging outside the entrance shooting the bull and smoking, but Mary enjoyed arriving early in the morning to avoid having to shield her thoughts when so many were around.

Her boots echoed loudly upon the hardwood planks as she headed toward the stores entrance. Stopping and opening the squeaky screen door she entered while removing her dark sunglasses and hooking them on the collar of her shirt as she stepped inside.

The fading tinkling of the brass bell above the doorway signaled those within that someone had arrived. All eyes to look at Mary as she stood within the doorway allowing her own to adjust to the darkened room. Taking in a deep breath, she could smell the scent of fresh coffee brewing in the air.

The interior of Bob's new store was much like the pictures she remembered seeing in history books while in high school. A long wooden counter with rows of benches lining the front for customers to sit upon stretched from one wall to the next. Beyond the counter the merchandise was stacked on shelves which Bob had lined in rows. Labels on each, stenciled in white letters showing what was to be found.

Along the Windows on the side which she stood, a row of tables had been installed just in case a customer wanted to order a meal which was prepared in the small kitchen at the rear of the store. The patrons could order ham and eggs for breakfast, or the special of the day. It all depended on when they arrived and what was available.

Just like his previous store, hanging on the walls above were stuffed heads of deer, bear, and an assortment of other creatures. For variety a few birds thrown in. Most of them had been packed here from his old location by the young men who worked for him.

Good morning Mary, he called greeting her giving her his biggest smile, as he looked up from the ledger he was working on at the head of the counter.

Morning Sheriff, Jacob and Frank said at the same time from behind the counter. The young men paused a moment from their work. They’d been sorting through some items they had delivered to Bob from one of their scouting trips the day before.

Morning boys, she answered, as she headed up to the counter taking a seat in front of Bob.

Reaching up he removed his glasses. Placing them into his right breast pocket. So what can I do you for this morning? he asked closing his ledger.

How 'bout a cup of that delicious coffee I smell, she asked giving him a smile and a little wink.

Coming right up, he answered, and true to his nature turning red in the face just like every time she gave him a little extra attention, Kim, will you bring Officer Hatchfield a cup of coffee up here please, he called to the back of the store.

Some cream and sugar also, if you don't mind, Mary added.

And some cream and sugar too, he yelled behind him.

Give me a minute and I'll be right with you, Kim replied from the back of the store.

So, how's your new business coming along? she asked noticing all the stuff he had piled up in different spots waiting to be placed on the shelves.

I’m doing all right. Business is really starting to move right along since I got them boys over there searching around for things, he replied nodding his head over at Jacob and Frank, adding, With all the stuff they keep bringing in, our little community should be well supplied until the government gets back on its feet and things are back to normal.

Do you really think that's going to happen? she asked him with a serious look on her face, doubting it ever would.

Why sure, sooner or later, he answered leaning in toward her just a little closer, he asked, Why? do you know something I don't?

Thinking back to the conversation she had a few months earlier with a small group of survivors she’d met coming south from Louisville. They told her that a few weeks after the animal attacks, with so many bodies scattered around the major cities decomposing in the streets with hardly anyone left to clean them up a disease had spread among the survivors.

From what little they knew it was a new variant of the Ebola virus, only stronger, and capable of being passed on not only from touch, but airborne as well. This new plague would lie dormant in the body the first seventy-two hours and then suddenly blossom full-blown, its host would bleed-out within eight hours.

This new disease spread across the nation quickly with the aid of man. The air force started sending what jets they had left across the country to reestablish contact with as many cities they could. At each stop leaving a little something behind. Before they realized what they were doing the plague wasn't only isolated to the United States, but spreading throughout the world.

I really doubt that, she replied while releasing a small chuckle, then adding, Now, what I've heard from the few people who survived and escaped the big cities before the plague hit. Was that there wasn't much of a government left.

Hearing this he slapped the counter-top with his hand, Oh, that's hogwash, he answered, as he straightened up, There is too a government, it’s just a little slow starting back up, is all.

We’ll see, she replied, as she looked behind him and saw that Kim was coming toward them with her coffee.  Bob had hired her to be his cook once he found out what a great one she was. Kim was the mother of Jacob and Frank. She was a cheerful little woman who was always willing to help those in need. Standing just short of five feet tall, and still in fine shape for a woman of fifty, she was becoming a critical part in Bob's life. He was even more overjoyed once he found out she was also a very efficient records keeper as well.

Here’s your coffee Mary, the little woman said, as she came up behind Bob with a small tray. Setting a mug on the counter for her and placing a spoon in it and another mug beside the one Bob already had resting on the counter. She knew he was a heavy coffee drinker and the one he'd been sipping on was getting a little low. So thinking ahead before he had chance to yell for a refill, she'd brought him a fresh cup which saved her a trip later on.

Oh, thank you, Kim, Mary said, as she reached for the  cup of cream and pouring a small amount into her mug then adding a couple teaspoons of sugar and stirring the mixture together.

You’re welcome, Kim answered, as she picked up Bob's empty mug and had just placed it on the tray when across the room the sound of breaking glass caught all their attention.

Damn it too hell! they heard Jacob yell where he and Frank were sorting through some boxes and he'd just dropped a bottle.

Upon hearing this, Kim yelled over at him, Son if I hear you cuss again, I'll take this coffee mug, and put it up side your head, she scolded him, using a tone only a mother could make when wishing to place a little fear within their child.

Sorry mom, he apologized, as he looked over at her sheepishly a little embarrassed and a little red in the face for being reprimanded in front of Bob and Mary.

Yeah, or she could break another one of your toes like she did last time, Frank tease, as he laughed at him.

Oh, shut up, Jacob replied, as he elbowed him in the chest for laughing at him and bringing up a sore memory.

Boys! Stop that and get back to work, Kim ordered, as she shook her head at their antics, I just don't know about them two sometimes.

Oh, Kim they're good boys, Bob commented releasing a little chuckle. Then coming to their defense he added, and I must say they're awful good workers, too.

That may be, but they do some of the craziest things, Kim replied, as she set the mug she'd threaten Jacob with down on the tray and picked it up. "Well, I need to head back to the