Atomic Fire-Nature's Fury Book One

By Randi Lyons

Life has many paths and many times we do not get to choose which path we must take. This is true for Samantha Johnson. A young talented artist struggling with an on again off again relationship with long time boyfriend Michael, Sam is trying to find her place in life. If things weren’t bad enough Sam has to deal with certain gifts and visions of the future. Massive tornadoes, whirlpools and mudslides engulf Sam’s dreams, only for her to wake and find they are real events. With the passing of each disaster, Sam finds herself worrying more and more about what they mean. When Sam meets a mysterious stranger she is left with more questions than answers. Why is this happening to her and what is she supposed to do about it? It is only when Sam fully discovers her true self that all the puzzle pieces fall into place. Even when Sam discovers what is happening and why, there are still two questions left unanswered. Can Sam summon the courage needed in order to save those around her? Can she see the truth of her past and face the Atomic Fire?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Randi Lyons
• Release date: Mar 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311592439

Book preview

Prologue

The air was cool and crisp driving down the back country road. Andrew always loved this time of year. The town of Downing, Georgia was brightly lit with Christmas lights and decorations. People were always friendly but they seemed friendlier this time of year. It was New Years day and Lynn and Andrew decided to take a drive through the woods to enjoy some peaceful relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of their small town. Andrew and Lynn grew up in Downing and were childhood sweethearts. Andrew just took over as the towns Sheriff since Sheriff John Masters retired this past fall. Lynn is the local high schools English teacher. They are always in the towns light and it is nice sometimes to just take a drive to get away.

They reach the ridge just at the end of the tree line of the forest. Sitting on the hood of Andrew’s truck, both wrapped up in each other with the blanket around them, they heard a small sound off in the distance. Neither one of them paid much attention to it at first, but then the sound seemed to get louder and closer. After listening for a few minutes they realized it sounds like the cries of a baby. Just as Andrew began to get up off of the truck they heard another noise. This noise is different. Andrew motioned for Lynn to get into the truck. He knows this sound, he has heard it before. Lynn Andrew says, Get in the truck now. Andrew reached in the driver’s side of his truck and retrieved a shotgun out of the back window. As Andrew turned around he sees a shadowy figure coming out of the woods. Lynn’s eyes are wide with terror as she realizes Andrew is now face to face with a grey wolf. Lynn tried to tell Andrew to get in the truck with her but nothing came out when she opened her mouth. As Andrew stares at the wolf a second figure emerged from the tree line. It is yet another wolf. However this one has something in its mouth. When Andrew looked closer he sees it appears to be a soft blanket containing something that is moving. The second wolf approached Andrew cautiously. For some reason Andrew didn’t sense danger from this animal and he laid his shotgun against the truck door.

As the wolf approaches him the other wolf kneels down as if bowing before his mate. The second wolf walks to Andrew and lays the blanket at his feet. Andrew and the female wolf shared eye contact for just a moment. The wolf then kneeled and laid down blanket and nuzzled it open to reveal a baby girl inside. The wolf leaned into the child rubbing her nose against the baby’s forehead. She then stepped back and stared at Andrew. As he leans down and picks up the blanket with the baby inside the two wolves began to howl and if to say thank you. They turned and headed back into the woods. Andrew turned around and got into the truck. He handed Lynn the baby and she just stared at him and the baby in amazement.

What do we do? Lynn asks.

I don’t know hun. Andrew says bewildered, But we have to do something. We need to have her checked out then we will take her home tonight and get to the bottom of things tomorrow.

She couldn’t be more than a couple weeks old Lynn whispers, How could someone just leave her up here? Those wolves could have eaten her.

Andrew interrupts her, I don’t think they would have. If they wanted to they could have and we would have never known she was there. It was like they wanted us to help her.

With that Andrew and Lynn head home for the night. They stop by the local grocery store and purchase some formula, diapers and the other essentials they think they might need for the night. Doc Alison meets them at their house. He looks at the baby and declares she is perfectly healthy with no signs of the weather affecting her. Sherriff tells the doc that the baby will stay with them for the night and Doc agrees that is a good idea. Max the family dog comes running in the room and is surprised to find what his owners have brought home. They bring the small baby down to Max to smell and he gives her a small nuzzle and then lays down at her feet. Andrew and Lynn just laugh at max and put the baby to bed. They lay her between the two of them in bed for the night.

Tomorrow Andrews whispers, I will find out what really happened and find you a good home little one.

With that Andrew kisses his wife and the small baby good night. The next morning they are both surprised at the fact that the baby slept through the entire night for as small as she is.

I have a few more days before school is back in session Lynn says to Andrew, You want me to take her and go shopping; she needs cloths regardless of where she goes.

Andrew shakes his head in agreement, I think that is a wonderful idea honey. Stop by the office when you get done, hopefully I have some information by then.

As they head out the door to start the day Lynn smiles at Andrew

Do you see the irony in this honey she says

What do you mean he says to Lynn

We just found out last week that we are having a baby and I just bought a baby seat for the car two days ago. She says

Andrew’s eyes twinkle and he starts laughing I see what you mean, that is funny

They give each other a kiss good bye as they head their separate ways.

Lynn heads to the local baby’s r us in search of baby clothes while Andrew heads to work in search of the truth behind this situation.

Andrew walks into work and sits down at this desk. Deputy James is sitting across the room at a desk covered in troll dolls. He always was a kid at heart, Andrew thought looking over at James.

James he says; Have we had a missing persons reported since yesterday?

No sheriff, Why asks James.

Andrew explains to James what had happened the night before. Deputy James can hardly believe what is being told to him.

James we need to check the surrounding areas to see if anyone has reported her missing, Will you make the calls for me. I am going to the hospital to find out if anyone has recently had a baby girl in town Andrew says as he gets up to grab his hat and coat.

Yes sir I will. Where is the baby now? Deputy James asks

With Lynn, she went to get some clothes for her. She will be coming by when she is done. I will be back shortly. With that the sheriff walks out the door and gets into his patrol car to head to the hospital.

A couple of hours later Lynn shows up at the sheriff’s office with the baby. Everybody just coos over the sweet child and passes her around for everyone to hold.

Is Andrew back yet she asks.

Not yet but should be soon says the Deputy

Just then the Sheriff walks back in the office just shaking his head.

No one has given birth to a baby girl in this town in six months he says bewildered.

I checked the surrounding areas said the deputy but no one has reported a baby girl missing.

Well we have to do something with her says the sheriff as he looks at the baby and Lynn Go get Judge Wilson and ask him to come over here. We need him in order to make this legal.

What’s that says the deputy.

We are going to be her temporary guardians until we find her parents said the sheriff.

After two months of searching, unfortunately her parents couldn’t be located, same with any relatives. Andrew and Lynn decided to adopt the baby to give her a good home. Upon the legal adoption paperwork the baby finally had a name and it was Samantha.

Sam

Downing-Georgia

Population: 632

Established 1809

-I have lived in Downing Georgia my entire life. It is your typical small town USA. Everyone knows everyone and everyone knows everything that goes on as well. Everything is closed up on Sundays except the two local churches. However if you need something people are more than willing to open shop for you. Main street is filled with little mom and pop shops on each side of the two lane road. There is only one traffic light, it is just on the outskirts of town. The buildings are all brick storefronts. You can find Dale Kinder and his barber shop at the beginning of one side with the local bank, sheriff’s office, butcher shop and courthouse all in a row.

Across the street there is an old fashioned ice cream shop run by Mr. and Mrs. Conway, a local grocery store, hardware store, bakery and post office. Just past the post office is the city park filled with Apple and peach trees, pavilions, children’s play sets and bar-b-que grills where everyone gathers for the fourth of July parade and fireworks display. On any given day you will find Mr. Groden who owns the hardware store and Mr. Clark the butcher playing checkers outside the barber shop. It always smells of fresh baked bread and cookies when you walk down Main Street. That is probably because Miss Emma is always busy in the bakery. Kids can be found riding their bikes or skateboards up and down the sidewalks. Last thing Sherriff Master did before he retired was have a skate park put in by the city park. He felt having it around would encourage the kids to stay out of trouble and give them somewhere to hang out. He was right, the kids loved it. I have been homesick for the last five months since I went off to college. Coming back sounded like a good idea at the time. I missed my family and the town. This place held so many good memories. I remember one time I think I was about six, Mom, Kaylee and I were going to the park to have a picnic lunch with my dad.

Miss Emma walked outside and carried a conversation with my mom while offering me and Kaylee a fresh baked cookie. We loved her cookies. They were always big, warm and full of chocolate chips. Kaylee was covered in chocolate from the cookie as usual. Mom just giggled at her. Miss Emma gave Kaylee a tissue to clean her face. Kaylee always was messy when she ate. Kaylee is my little sister. We are almost a year apart but growing up we were so different. I was quiet and shy when strangers talked to me. I would hide behind my mom’s leg until she told me it was okay to talk to them. Kaylee however talked to everyone. She would talk and talk and talk even when there was no one there to talk to. Mom told Miss Emma bye and we continued our way down the sidewalk to the sheriff’s office.

Dad was meeting us for a picnic lunch at the park that day. I loved it when we had lunch with him. He would chase us around the park pretending to be a monster. As we walked into the sheriff’s office Deputy James waved at us and offered Kaylee and me each a sucker. I looked at mom to see if it is okay and she shook her head yes. Deputy James was always nice to us. He always had suckers or some kind of candy at his desk for us.

There are my favorite girls! said dad as he wrapped his arms around Kaylee and me in a big bear hug and picked us up. He kissed us each on the cheek and I blushed. I don’t know why but I always did.

Are you ready sheriff? I heard mom ask dad.

Yep, just let me grab my hat. He said smiling.

Daddy we make peanut butter and jelly sanmiches for lunch cried Kaylee.

Dad just smiled and giggled at her. We headed out of the sheriff’s office and to the park to have our picnic lunch. It was quiet at the park. Not too many cars but lots of people walking. As I looked around I saw the doors opened at the fire station. They had the trucks out and were washing them. Mrs. Stanley was sitting on the bench a little ways away from us feeding the birds pieces of bread from her lunch. I drank my sweet tea and I heard mom talking to dad.

I am taking the girls school shopping tomorrow. Can you join us? she asked.

No unfortunately I can’t leave the station I have a meeting with Judge Arnold tomorrow. He responded

Sam has been bugging me to take her shopping ever since she found out she gets to go to school this year. She is so excited. She said as she looks at me and smiled

Really? he seems surprised. Sam are you that excited to start school next month?

I shook my head really big with peanut butter and jelly on the corners of my mouth. I can’t wait. I want ride the bus, and read books and play all day. I exclaimed.

Mom and dad started laughing hard. Dad almost spit out his sweet tea. I giggled too not real sure what they were laughing about. We finished our lunch and walked dad back to work. We headed back to the car as I looked around I noticed American flags hanging everywhere. Fourth of July was just around the corner. That meant the town parade, fireworks, street fair and carnival. I couldn’t wait for that. Mrs. Emma always made fresh cookies and pies for sale. There would be games and rides and cotton candy. It was so much fun. We got home and had dinner. Dad was late again tonight. Mom put his dinner in the microwave. Mom gave me and Kaylee a bath and got us ready for bed. After tucking Kaylee into bed mom came to my room to tuck me in. I pulled out a notebook from under my pillow and showed it to her.

Sam what is this? she asked me.

It is a story I wrote. Will you read it to me for bed? I said shyly.

Of course I will. She looked over the story and the pictures I drew with it and she stopped and stared at me. Sam did you draw these pictures by yourself and write the story? she seemed confused and surprised.

Yes mom I wrote it yesterday when Kaylee and I were playing. I said to her.

I know you could write you are very bright but I didn’t know you could write this well. She smiled at me then started to read.

A long time ago there was a pretty girl who was very shy. She would fall asleep and dream that she was riding a blue unicorn. She fed her pet unicorn broccoli and carrots. One day a bad boy tried to take her unicorn. The pretty girl took her wand and turned him into a frog. The little girl and her unicorn lived happily ever after.

Mom kissed my head and then told me that she is going to get me a book where I can put all my wonderful stories and pictures in so they wouldn’t get ruined. That made me smile. I loved to write my stories and I loved to draw. It was so easy. I put my head down on my pillow and instantly fall asleep.

It is Saturday 4th of July. I woke up extra early. I couldn’t wait I was too excited about today. Mom took my drawing of my pretty girl and her blue unicorn and entered into a drawing contest for the newspaper. They told who won at the town picnic today. I jumped out of bed and got dressed. I walked down the hall and peaked in, Kaylee is still asleep. I listened and I heard mom and dad downstairs. I think they are in the kitchen. I ran down the stairs yelling, I’m ready can we go yet?

Mom just laughed at me and told me to sit down for breakfast first. Dad giggled and reminded me that Kaylee wasn’t even awake yet so we couldn’t go anywhere just yet. I found it hard to eat my breakfast, but I did it because I knew if I didn’t that I would be in trouble. Skipping meals was not an option in this household. Unless you were sick and then you still had to eat broth to keep your strength up even then. After Kaylee woke up and had her breakfast we piled into the car and headed to Main Street for the 4th of July festivities. We played games and danced to the local band playing at the end of the park. We hate grilled hot dogs