Waning Moon: Chronicles of Lily Carmichael, #1

By PJ Sharon

          In the year 2057, in a post-apocalyptic world where a polar shift threatens the survivors of a widespread pandemic with extinction, sixteen-year-old genetically enhanced Lily Carmichael has more immediate problems. Her uncle is dying of cancer and her healing abilities are ineffective against the blood ties that bind them. In order to find a cure, Lily must leave the protection of her quiet town and journey to the trading city of Albany, all while avoiding the Industry, an agency that would like nothing better than to study and exploit her abilities.

 Seventeen-year-old Will Callahan has been searching for his father since severe storms blasted through the Midwest, killing his mother and sister. When he learns that his father may be in the city, he catches a ride with Lily, a girl who has come to his rescue more than once. As the two embark on a dangerous journey, the tension between them grows. But the secrets Will’s keeping could put Lily in far more danger than traveling to the city with him, and if he was any kind of man, he would have told her to run the minute she found him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: PJ Sharon
• Release date: Sep 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9780985607210

PJ Sharon

In addition to her day job as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Yoga Instructor, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author of young adult books, including PIECES of LOVE, HEAVEN is for HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and Holt Medallion winner SAVAGE CINDERELLA. Follow the Savage Cinderella Novella Series with FINDING HOPE, LOST BOYS, and SACRED GROUND. HEALING WATERS completes her YA dystopian trilogy, The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael, which RT Book Reviews calls “An action-packed read with a strong female lead.” Her debut non-fiction title Overcome Your Sedentary Lifestyle (A Practical Guide to Improving Health, Fitness, and Well-being for Desk Dwellers and Couch Potatoes) is a holistic living, self-help guide packed with easy to implement tips sure to motivate today’s sedentary masses toward a more balanced and active lifestyle. For more info on PJ’s books and updates on new releases, sign up for her newsletter or visit her website.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, or as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover stock photo by Big Stock Photos

Cover Design by The Killion Group

Waning Moon

Copyright 2012 by PJ Sharon

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank my editors, Jane Haertel and Carol Lacoss who are ever diligent with their red pens, my beta readers Gina Beach, Pete Willett, and Debbie Cole, who lovingly tell me when I’ve done it right, and my husband Addy, who is my constant support and encouragement—and one fabulous cook.

Writers will tell you that creating a book is not a solitary endeavor. Without the support of other writers, critique partners, and organizations like CTRWA, YARWA, Indie Romance Ink, and all the awesome writer’s loops I belong to, I would not be able to do what I do. Thanks gang; you’re the best!

Lastly, I’d like to thank my pals Pete and Winnie, whose steadfast friendship and visionary thinking helped in the creation of this story.

Dedication

To my sons, Chris and AJ, who give me hope that the next generation has the courage, compassion, and conviction to face whatever challenges come their way.

Other Books by PJ Sharon

Pieces of Love

Heaven is for Heroes

On Thin Ice

Sami’s Christmas Wish List

The Girls of Thompson Lake (Box Set)

Savage Cinderella

Finding Hope (A Savage Cinderella Novella #1)

Lost Boys (A Savage Cinderella Novella #2)

Sacred Ground (A Savage Cinderella Novella #3)

The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael Trilogy

Soul Redemption (A prequel novella)

Waning Moon

Western Desert

Healing Waters

THE CHRONICLES OF LILY CARMICHAEL-BOOK ONE

WANING MOON

In the year 2057, in a post-apocalyptic world where a polar shift threatens the survivors of a widespread pandemic with extinction, sixteen-year-old genetically enhanced Lily Carmichael has more immediate problems. Her uncle is dying of cancer and her healing abilities are ineffective against the blood ties that bind them. In order to find a cure, Lily must leave the protection of her quiet town and journey to the trading city of Albany, all while avoiding the Industry, an agency that would like nothing better than to study and exploit her abilities.

Seventeen-year-old Will Callahan has been searching for his father since severe storms blasted through the Midwest, killing his mother and sister. When he learns that his father may be in the city, he catches a ride with Lily, a girl who has come to his rescue more than once. As the two embark on a dangerous journey, the tension between them grows. But the secrets Will’s keeping could put Lily in far more danger than traveling to the city with him, and if he was any kind of man, he would have told her to run the minute she found him.

The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael

Book One

WANING MOON

Chapter 1

May 2057

I didn’t mean to kill him!

My Uncle Samuel gripped my shoulders and shook me gently. Calm down and tell me what happened.

I...I...was at Mrs. Higgins’ market when I heard a man asking questions about us. He said that anyone caught hiding us would be detained and brought to Industry Headquarters. I ran and hid up in the hills waiting for him to drive out of town. He was almost to the timber trail leading up the mountain, and I...didn’t know what to do... I sucked in a breath, my heart still pounding from the two-mile run through the woods to the house. Tears rushed down my cheeks. I didn’t mean it...but I had to stop him.

I know, Lily. Just tell me what you did. Sam held my face in his hands, his brown eyes studying me. Fear and concern lined his features.

There was a boulder...I...saw him coming and I...used a tree limb to push the boulder down the hill. I only wanted to stop him—to block the entrance to the trail—but... I choked the words out, my heart taking another plunge into despair. How could I have done it? I was a healer, not a life-taker. A new flood of tears fell as I finished the story. The boulder slammed into the vehicle and sent it off the other side of the road into the ravine. It...rolled...so many times...then the fire... I could still see the crushed roof of the truck and the mangled bleeding body inside, the whole mess engulfed in flames by the time I reached it.

Sam hugged me to his broad chest, the top of my head barely reaching his chin. He stroked my back, saying over and over, It’s going to be all right. His words rang hollow in my ears just as they had when I was six and he found me with my little brother, terrified and in shock in the secret room of our old house. He’d patted my back then, and told me everything would be all right, but with my mother long dead and having just witnessed my father’s murder, I knew nothing would ever be the same again. His voice pulled me back to the moment. You did what you had to do. He let me go and looked down into my eyes, his expression grim. Do you hear me? You did the right thing. You protected yourself and your brother.

But he’s dead! I couldn’t save him.... I sobbed uncontrollably while Sam half carried me over to a chair at the kitchen table. My hands trembled as I wrapped them around my middle.

Zeph crashed through the screen door at that moment. Hey, Sam, look what I... He froze, and the grin fell from his face. What’s wrong? What happened?

I burst into tears again. Sam explained the situation briefly, and Zeph lowered himself into the chair across the table from me, his face a calm mask. Are you sure he’s dead?

Of course, I am! I sniffled and gained control, not wanting my weakness to show in front of my brother. I’d spent most of my life being strong for him—protecting him. Now he reached out a hand. To anyone else, his touch could be deadly, but he couldn’t hurt me—a fortunate side effect of our shared DNA. I had spent countless hours teaching him to control the power that he could summon at will, and trying to convince him not to give into the temptation to use it.

I squeezed his fingers and gazed into his wide black eyes. A sudden rush of peace washed over me. Zeph’s peace—the peace he felt whenever he took a life with his touch. Soothing warmth covered me like melted wax, comforting but suffocating at the same time. It was as if he were drawing the dead man’s energy off of me, trying to relieve me of my burden. I pulled my hand away.

Zeph closed his fingers into a fist. You had no choice. He was an Industry agent. It was him or us. His voice sounded calm, sure, eerily complacent—a tone that made me shudder.

This is not okay. I glared from my brother to Sam and back again, wishing one of them looked one ounce as sorry as I felt.

Sam and Zeph exchanged a look. Then Sam spoke up. Did you leave the body there?

Like I had a choice, I snapped. What could I do? The vehicle was in flames. My hands felt cold, so I tucked them under my armpits to warm them. It was as hot as a tropical jungle outside, but the house was a chilly sixty degrees, thanks to Sam’s geothermal cooling system that kept the indoor temperature constant year-round with help from a solar generator.

Sam grabbed a sweater off the coat rack by the door and draped it over my shoulders. Aunt Beth had died years before, but I could still sense her energy in the warm cashmere sweater. I pulled it tight around me as my limbs shook.

Don’t worry, Monkey. It could take months before someone comes looking for the man, and I’m going to make sure they don’t find him. His voice softened, and his eyes suddenly looked sad and far away. We knew this day would come. At least we have fair warning. We’ll have to make arrangements to move on, but...it can wait. He smiled and tried to lighten his tone, but I could see the concern and desperation behind his eyes. You stay here and get some lunch ready. Zeph and I will take care of this. An imperceptible nod passed between the two and Zeph jumped to action.

My nerves fired. You can’t go out now. The sun is nearly at the zenith. The two men ignored me. I’d had to stop calling Zeph a boy the day he saved me from a mountain lion attack last fall. Heroic and fearless by nature, he was anything but my little brother, even if he was still impulsive and sometimes foolish. He’d grown a head taller than me over the winter and a dark fuzz of hair lined his upper lip and cheeks. At thirteen he’d been forced to become a man in many ways, and the three years between us that had given me the upper hand was losing its advantage.

The two of them suited up in the mud room, donning protective gear to deflect the powerful solar radiation. Limited exposure wouldn’t kill them, but over time, the effects took their toll.  Sam slung the Remington over his shoulder and tucked a handful of homemade shells into his pocket.

What are you going to do? I asked, my heart racing. I followed them to the door with the intention of stopping them, but knew arguing would be useless. The two of them were stubborn as mules on their own, but together there was no turning them when they’d made up their minds.

Sam moved with purpose, the reflective cloak draped around him like a superhero’s cape from one of his old Marvel comic books. His brown hair, a few shades darker than mine, hung to his collar and gray strands reminded me that he was getting older. He was now in his forties and not likely to live past fifty. People outside the cities were lucky to live to see sixty with the radiation poisoning and the rampant cancers that claimed half the remaining population since the polar shift. Unless you lived under the protective solar barriers that covered the major cities, time was your enemy. All those who lived outside the barriers knew that an early and ugly death was inevitable.

Sam’s eyes met mine and he gave me a reassuring nod. Zeph and I will be fine. Midday is the best time to get close to town unnoticed. We need to get rid of whatever remains of the man and his vehicle. It’s better if no one finds him anywhere near here. We’ll be back as soon as we can. He donned his eye-shields, slipped on his gloves, and headed out the door.

Zeph looked back. No worries, sis. We got it under control. Those government dudes are no match for us Carmichaels. His confidence made me proud and frightened at the same time. What did it feel like? He asked, turning back. His dark eyes sparked with excitement.

What?

Killing that man—did you feel...? His eyes lost their glint and he looked guiltily at his feet. I guess it doesn’t matter... He turned away and walked out into the deadly bright sun.

I shuddered as I closed the door and drew the shade. I leaned against the wood frame, let out a slow breath, and whispered, No, Zeph. It didn’t feel good.

Chapter 2

A few hours later, Sam and Zeph returned—their faces a shade darker from exposure. I’d skipped eating, my stomach too nervous from fretting over the morning’s events. I’d never killed anyone before, though I knew that with our secret, the time would likely come. Zeph’s words came back to me. It was him or us. The hollow, sick sensation in my stomach told me that no matter how necessary my actions had been, living with the guilt of taking a life would be a high price to pay for our survival.

What did you do with the body? I set bowls of venison stew in front of Sam and Zeph.

Sam released a long, slow breath, the exertion and stress of the day showing on his face. The whirring of the generator filled the silence, reminding me of all that Sam had accomplished. He’d added solar panels to the house and barn, created several small vertical wind turbines that fed us electricity when we needed it, and built a huge greenhouse with environmental controls that provided us with a year- round food supply. To protect it all, he’d devised a holographic image around the property that made it appear to be a continuation of the surrounding woods. I plunked the warm pot onto the table and waited for his answer.

We buried him at the bottom of the ravine. No one will find him; don’t worry.

I poured them both some iced tea and shifted my gaze between the two people I loved and trusted most in the world. Worry was all I’d done since I’d seen that man in the market, his eyes cold and determined, his tone threatening. What about the vehicle? I asked.

A grin spread across Zeph’s face. We camouflaged it so we can go back later and strip what’s left of it for parts. Sam nodded in acknowledgement and dug into the stew.

I trusted their ability to make just about anything blend into the surrounding landscape, but my nerves remained on edge. Sam’s engineering and mechanical expertise had allowed us to survive in the hills in relative comfort for a long time. He’d even managed to keep an old Land Rover running in case of emergencies, a tank of biofuel at the ready. We had an escape plan in place if we ever had to make a fast getaway, but the thought of being driven from our home made my knees feel weak and my chest ache. Life outside of Stanton would be vastly different, and likely dangerous. I set butter and a half a loaf of bread on the table.

I sank into a hard, wooden chair as Sam dipped a thick slice of bread into his gravy.  We still had plenty of potatoes, carrots, and onions, but we were running low on meat unless there was some animal caught in one of Zeph’s traps. I glanced at the door. The crack of sunlight peeking through the blind let me know that my window of opportunity to be outside was fading fast with the sun.

Don’t look so worried, Lily. We have it under control. Nobody is going to know what happened and it’ll be a while before the Industry people come this way again.

What do we do then? I searched Sam’s face and then turned to Zeph who was slurping gravy from his bowl like it was any other day. What happens when they send someone else? I demanded.

Sam set down his fork and rested his elbows on the table. I’ve got a plan; trust me. But for today, you and your brother are safe. We can’t go worrying about what-ifs. Your mom used to say, ‘Let’s not borrow trouble’. He picked up his fork and stabbed another piece of meat.

I sighed. At least we all had the same philosophy about not looking too far forward into the future. If I was charged with murder, falling into the hands of the Industry would only be the beginning. I rested my chin on my hands, exhausted from the tension that had my shoulders strung tight.

Sam had Mom’s warm brown eyes, and it was clear he had loved his younger sister. He’d taken us in and treated us as if we were his own. Having him smile the same way she did helped fill that deep well of sorrow I still felt when I thought of my parents. I had only foggy memories and mother’s medical journals to keep me connected to them.

We have to keep the faith, Lily. Sam’s voice drew me back from my gloomy reminiscing. He cleaned the bottom of his bowl with the last of his bread and looked at me hard. You can’t let fear get the better of you. I’ve taught you everything you need to know about surviving in this world. He looked from one to the other of us and sat back in his chair. What you did today was save your brother and probably me, too. I owe you thanks for being brave and doing what had to be done.

I pushed away from the table, stacked the bowls, and carried them to the sink as I blinked back tears and swallowed hard. Even with all of Sam’s training, I’d hoped I would never have to use it. I don’t want or deserve your thanks, I said softly. "I killed a man today, and I can’t ever take that back. I ran hot water in the sink and stared into the rising bubbles, wishing I could wash the guilt away as easy as I could clean the dishes, and wondering what my parents would think of me now.

The next thing I knew, Sam was behind me, his large warm hand resting on my shoulder. You have a gift for healing, but you are as human as anyone, and survival comes first. That’s the way of nature, so let it go and accept that killing is as much a part of this life as surviving. Adapt, improvise, and overcome—remember? Before I could respond, the chiming sound of an incoming telecom drew Sam’s attention to the other room. I’ve got to take this call.

He patted my shoulder and disappeared into the living room. I heard the swoosh from the secret panel sliding open to allow entrance to the lower level. The chime sounded louder and then faded again as the wall slid back into place.

Zeph grabbed his gear and headed for the door. I guess I’ll go out and check the traps.

If you want to do the ones on the south and east end, I’ll check the others on my way back from the McKinley sisters’ cottage later.

Zeph turned in the doorway. Don’t sweat what happened earlier, sis.

I nodded and watched him leave, but I knew in my gut that there would be consequences for what I’d done. Voices rose up from down below and I wondered who Sam was talking to. He kept his dealings with the Network as quiet as possible, reassuring me that the less I knew the better. I started the sanitizer for the dishes and snuck up to my room, determined to listen in on Sam’s conversation. I lifted the hatch to the laundry chute and activated the remote camera I’d set up for just that purpose. Sam wasn’t the only one in the house with skills. I let a small smile curve my lips as I turned on my handheld viewer.

Sam sat in a straight-backed chair, his gaze intent on the screen in front of him, his face aglow with light. He referenced the giant maps on the wall behind him and pointed out the regions and cities that had yet to be taken over by the new government.

We have to stop them, no matter the cost, he said to the voice on the screen. Overthrowing the President and her Assembly won’t be easy, but it’s the only way any of us will survive. His determined tone chilled me to the core.

I couldn’t see a face, but the distorted male voice behind the comp screen responded. Speaking of surviving, how are you feeling?

Sam’s shoulders straightened. I’m hanging in. He wouldn’t burden any of his colleagues with how sick he really was. Instead his righteous anger bubbled to the surface. "We wouldn’t have to worry so much about surviving if they hadn’t scrapped the space program. If they’re going to keep us on this floating death trap of a planet, the least they could do is give us access to the solar barrier technology that keeps all of them from frying."

But then they wouldn’t be able to recruit anybody to live in the cities. Let’s face it, unless they have a hold on people, no one would choose to live like slaves. The man on the other end let out a tired sigh.

Those slaves, as you call them, have access to free food, clothes, health care, and housing. I wouldn’t complain either if I had everything handed to me. Sam tossed the pointer down onto the desk.

Are you thinking of joining them? The man asked, his voice taking on a sharp edge.

Take it easy. I’m no traitor, Sam said. "And I won’t be giving up my freedom anytime soon. The government can spout all their propaganda about Better living through genetic evolution, but nobody’s going to turn me into a blind follower or a guinea pig no matter what amenities