The Dragon and the Dove

By C Jones

Jack, Cherie, the twins and a family friend Ryan, find themselves at the end of the world. From the edge of their forest as far as the eye can see there is nothing but death and destruction. Trying to make sense of the catastrophic events the small group is thrust into a world far beyond their wildest imaginations, forcing them to quickly adapt to the art of survival. Navigating their way through ever changing realities the group soon learns that thoughts become things and innocent thoughts become things fast!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481731027

C Jones

Born in the Midwest and a lifelong horror fan, C Jones has always had the imagination and aspiration to write truly terrifying and disturbing stories, to satisfy and intrigue fellow horror fans who enjoy a good scare and the ambient uncertainty that stays with them after reading a truly good horror novel.“While writing novels I sometimes have to take breaks because sometimes I can’t handle what comes out of my mind and flows into the stories I write. Everyone enjoys visiting the disturbing and dark sides of themselves. The only difference between myself and others is that I put on paper what’s going on in my head through my novels instead of keeping them locked away in my mind.”

Book preview

Chapter 1

Scraping the ground, the bucket shoved the limb gingerly towards the mountain of bodies. The first of the line started dropping into the ten-foot hole straight to the bottom. Jack was relieved his backhoe was so loud. The thought of hearing all those bodies hitting the bottom or hitting each other made his stomach lurch. Jack felt a wave of nausea as he stopped the backhoe and jumped to the ground. He made it about four feet when he bent over and vomited. With his stomach empty he sat on the ground and put his head in his hands.

Ryan walked over to Jack with a cup of water and slapped him on the shoulder. You alright, man? Ryan asked quietly.

Now I am. There are just so many of them. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe what we are doing. This is insane. Jack said sorrowfully. He got up off of the ground and walked over to the backhoe, silently climbed aboard and continued on into the night.

Ryan and Jack worked in shifts taking time to sleep, or try to sleep. The forest was quiet, a few rustlings could be heard, but it seemed like the animals and night life were all in hiding. Jack and Ryan felt very alone in their work and in their world.

Morning found Ryan on backhoe duty and Jack waking up after a restless two hour nap. Ryan finished filling the grave site and walked over to Jack.

You know, there are more bodies about 200 yards in both directions. I don’t know if we have enough fuel to keep doing this, Ryan said with concern.

Yeah, you’re right. Jack said, stretching to view both directions, let’s get in the truck and drive a ways to see exactly what our situation is, because so far we’ve only surveyed this area, but who knows, maybe this is an isolated incident. A weird one, but I mean we don’t know for sure.

Ryan gladly jumped in the truck, happy to be changing activities. Jack grabbed the water jug and his hat and climbed into the driver’s seat. The truck started right up, reminding Jack of his fuel supplies in the stock cellar at home. Jack pulled out onto the scorched soil with caution. The truck handled just fine so Jack accelerated slowly. They were just right outside of the rich green tree line of the forest. On one side of them was their forest home and on the other side was desolate, black, burnt ground as far as the eye could see. Sure enough, in front of them was another group of bodies lining the ground like a border between two very different worlds. Jack kept driving trying not to look at the horror outside the truck. Ryan was looking hard out his window to try to find any sign of life in the scorched mounds, but so far found nothing. They drove in silence, their own minds wondering, searching for possibilities, some explanation for the devastation around them. In contrast, their forest was looking incredibly alive and healthy. Maybe because of all the death the forest was more inviting than usual.

Jack spoke unexpectedly, This is the same scene for miles. We’ve gone what, eight or ten miles? Should we keep going?

Well, it’s looking like we’re making a slow arc. Let’s keep going because we should come to Rayburn Rd. soon, then I guess… I don’t know… something’s got to give here. Unless everything outside of the woods is gone we should see something eventually. Right? Ryan replied with a questioning look.

They drove on, waiting for something, anything. An hour later Ryan spoke, Hey, you know, we’re making a big circle. I’d say we are about, what? A twenty mile radius from the house, judging where these forest roads are marked. Cause, Rayburn Rd. comes out about ten miles from the house and Forest Road 252 comes out about twenty-five miles from the house. Yeah! We’ve made almost a complete circle!

Holy shit! Ryan, have you noticed, the bodies are in clumps coming in from the direction of the closest towns?

If that’s the case, then it looks like our patch of forest is all that exists for hundreds of miles. That’s impossible! Ryan declared. The two men looked at each other in utter shock.

They drove quietly for about ten minutes until Jack broke the silence. We’ve got to get back to the house. I didn’t realize how late it was. Cherie must be worried sick. I told her we’d be back for breakfast and it’s almost 4:30. Looking at his watch Jack glanced at Ryan waiting for a response.

Well, there’re too many bodies to bury them all, so we might as well go home for the night and go get the gear in the morning, then we can at least cover the graves with soil. I would feel okay with that since we can’t bury them all. Jack nodded in agreement. They knew all the roads so well they hurried home as the sun started to settle in the evening sky.

Their bellies were rumbling by the time they pulled into the driveway. The headlights gleamed through the windows on the house. The lights inside were dim and warm. Instantly the aroma of grilled pork chops, roasted potatoes and roasted tomatoes topped with blue cheese dressing enveloped the two weary men. Jack and Ryan melted into the blanket of comfort and for a moment forgot about their day.

Cherie’s cooking was incredible, one of Jacks favorite things. The men walked through the entry, took off their boots and proceeded in for their greeting. Rogue was the first for the new attention.

Cherie stepped around the corner from the kitchen with a worried look on her face. When she realized everything was okay she said, Dinner is almost on the table, you have time for showers if you want. You must be starving. With concern she approached Jack and touched his cheek, You okay? Then she looked over at Ryan. You both look exhausted.

Yeah, let’s hit the showers. I’ll take the upstairs. Ryan, you can take the downstairs. He kissed Cherie and they walked off.

I’ll get you fresh towels, Cherie called after them. She could tell Jack had a lot on his mind.

Cherie and the kids were waiting for them at the table when they came in refreshed. Cherie had opened two bottles of wine, knowing full well they would need a third before the three of them would call it a night. Other than small talk and listening to the twins ramble on about their day, Jack and Ryan focused on their meal and were pretty quiet.

The table was cleared, Nicole and Jared were tucked soundly into their beds and Rogue settled under the table at the feet of the three uncertain adults. For awhile they drank their wine in silence just being with their thoughts.

Have you checked the Internet? Ryan looked at Cherie.

Yes. Nothing, she said. If it wasn’t for the solar power we put on the house, we’d be down too. Cherie looked at Jack.

Well, I have those generators in the stock cellar, so I think we will be fine until this situation is fixed. I’m sure we’ll hear from someone out there soon. Jack was not reassured by his words, neither was Cherie or Ryan.

The three sat in silence for quite awhile. I’m tired. I’m ready. That wine has me relaxed. Jack’s eyes could barely stay open. Waving good night, Ryan went out to the guest house as Jack and Cherie climbed the stairs. Their eyes were closed as soon as their heads hit the pillows. The forest was still. The only soul stirring was right outside the tree line taking deep, silent breaths.

Chapter 2

Morning came quickly, complete with swollen eyes, crazy mixed up dreams that go unremembered and the aroma of bacon, eggs, sausage, coffee, muffins, the works. Jack threw on some sweats and dragged himself down the stairs to the kitchen. Nicole and Jared were on the kitchen floor cutting colored craft paper. Cherie and Ryan were at the table with coffee.

Hi honey, sit and let me get you some coffee, Cherie said smiling at Jack. Jack slumped in a chair rubbing his eyes.

What’s the plan today? Ryan asked with a mouth full of eggs.

Jack gave Ryan a disgruntled look. Hey, let me wake up first. You know my brain doesn’t engage until after my first transfusion of coffee. Cherie brought him his cup and plate. Jack sipped his coffee, closed his eyes and let out a big sigh. He opened his eyes, dished up his plate, and started eating with gusto. He hadn’t realized how famished he was.

Dad, look at my dragon wing. Jared flapped his paper cut out wing around in the air. I’m making a fire blowing dragon! Jared said in a ferocious, four year old voice.

Wow, that’s impressive, Jack said with raised eyebrows.

I’m making a dove, Nicole said proudly.

You two are very creative today, Cherie chimed in.

My dragon’s gonna fire your dove!

Na uh, my dove can fly really, really, really fast!

Not fast enough for my fire blowing dragon. The twins ran off yelling at each other.

After breakfast the guys started out towards the dig site. Birds, chipmunks and squirrels scampered leisurely around the forest as if nothing ever happened. The sky through the tree canopy was bright, sunny and clear. You would never know, Ryan thought to himself. Jack and Ryan sipped their coffee and drove along quietly, breathing the fresh clean air and enjoying the surroundings. Time passed and the blue truck approached the tree line. Anxiety seemed to weigh heavily upon them as the two men looked nervously at each other not knowing what to expect. Once they reached the scorched earth both were relieved to see everything was as they had left it. The humongous graves were undisturbed, the backhoe was parked and ready to finish the job it had started, and all their camping gear lay untouched by the nearest tree.

Okay, I’ll finish packing the dirt! Jack said as he jumped onto the backhoe and got to work. Ryan loaded the camp gear into the back of the truck. The air smelled musty and the cloud coverage was dark and fiery. Ryan stood still studying the atmosphere. It was so different than what he was used to. These clouds moved in quick, Ryan thought to himself.

It didn’t take long for Jack to push large amounts of dirt around to pack the holes using the powerful machine. He positioned the backhoe on the dirt road for the long, slow ride home. I’ll flip you for it, Jack said, as he jumped down from the big machine. He reached into his pocket for a quarter.

Naw, don’t worry about it. I’ll drive it home. I could use the time. I have a lot to think about, Ryan said, distractedly. His mind weighed heavy with his own family.

Jack understood what Ryan was talking about and slapped him on the back. Okay, I’ll see you back at the house, Jack replied as he turned to walk towards the truck. I’m going to take another look around, he called back to Ryan. Ryan waved and the two men parted.

Jack wanted to see the other half of the circle. He pulled the truck out of the tree line onto the scorched earth and headed in the opposite direction. It all looked the same, lifeless and empty. Nothing but dirt and ash, not a speck of green, even the clouds looked angry. Jack traveled on slowly. He could see out in the distance, a view he wished never existed.

There were more bodies coming from the direction of Logan, a small town about 10 miles away. Jack slowed down as he came upon the first body, and then another, and then another. There were about forty in this group. Jack tried not to focus in on any of the mangled faces. He didn’t want to recognize anyone. It was much easier to think of them as things instead of individual people.

Out of the corner of his eye there was movement so subtle Jack had to look again. He decreased the gas and scanned the area. His heart beat faster. No way, he thought, can’t be. That’s when he slammed on the brakes and stayed as still as he could, staring at a pile of about six bodies. He saw it again. Frozen stiff—Jack didn’t know what to do, his mind went blank. Ryan… Ryan! Too far, damn it! Jack got out of his truck and raced over to where he saw the movement. Oh my god! Jack’s mind was trying to rationalize the event that was about to take place. Okay! Okay! Jack said before he sprang into action. Bolting back to the truck, he grabbed his sleeping bag and ran over to the pile of bodies. Jack’s stomach turned as he reached down and pulled a heavy set man off the mound and let him roll to the ground. Jack grabbed the next body, a boy in his teens. With force he pulled and then pushed the body aside.

Jack stood there staring in horror at a woman slowly moving, trying to crawl out from under the pile she thought was still burying her. Feeling uneasy, Jack wasn’t sure how to move her. The clothes she had left were burnt to her back and thighs, her skin was charred and her hair was singed, but he also knew if she had any chance at all he had to act quickly. He laid out the sleeping bag and as carefully and gentle as possible he picked her up and laid her on her stomach. He wrapped her up then ran to the truck and grabbed Ryan’s sleeping bag, this one he put on the back seat of the cab for cushion. He ignored the blood and pus that covered his arms and shirt from moving her and ran to carry her to the truck. She was in and out of consciousness, moaning from the excruciating pain. Her back was so burnt he put her on her stomach. She passed out as soon as she was in the cab. Jack let out a big sigh; he knew he had to get her back to the house.

What if there were more alive, he thought, what about the ones we buried? What if some of them were still alive? The world started to spin. He had to hold onto the side of the truck for support. Once he regained his composure Jack ran around the bodies looking for anyone that could still be breathing. He studied the faces looking for any signs of life. He focused, trying to be clinical and unemotional, but he saw people he recognized. People he knew ever since he was a kid, like Daryl, the taxidermist, and a few of the old timers that frequented the bar his dad would take him into when he was little. He would sit on the bar stool with his cherry cokes and listen to all their stories. Oh my god! This is to real; Jack thought as the memories came flooding into his mind. He saw Georgia; she always went on hunting trips with the group. Jack had to get a hold of himself. Then he saw Ryan’s dad, the body burnt and almost unrecognizable. Oh shit! Jack said. He ran back to the truck and picked up the tarp. He wrapped Mr. Robbins’ body up and threw him up and over his shoulder, carried him to the truck and laid him in the back. Satisfied that no one else was alive he started home. On that long, slow, lonely ride home Jack mourned everyone he knew in Logan, especially Mr. Robbins.

I didn’t think I would beat you home, Ryan hollered, walking out of the barn to meet the pickup. Ryan handed Jack a hot cup of coffee.

Yeah, I found a woman. She’s alive; help me get her in the house. Let’s take her in the back door; I don’t want to alarm the kids. Actually let’s take her to the guest house. Ryan stared in shock as Jack hurried to open the cab doors. Ryan! Help me!! Jack yelled, jolting Ryan out of his shock.

The two men carried the unconscious woman up the stairs to the guest room above the garage. They put her gently on the bed. We have to get Cherie, she’ll know what to do, I hope. She’s so burned. Let’s keep her in this bag so she doesn’t get the chills. I’m gonna go get Cherie. I’ll be right back.

Jack raced over to the house. Cherie was on the living room floor with the kids playing board games. Hi Hon Cherie said, getting up off the floor. I’ll be right back guys, she told the kids. Together she and Jack walked into the laundry room. Ready for news, Cherie looked up into Jack’s eyes.

I found a woman, alive. He let her register the news. "She is in the guest house and she’s burnt real bad.

Okay, Cherie said, preparing herself with a list in her head.

And another thing, Jack paused, Cherie there is a lot of dead people… I found Ryan’s dad. I brought his body here for a proper burial, Ryan doesn’t know yet.

Oh my god, Cherie said, trying to control her emotions and stop the tears that threatened. It took Cherie a minute to regain her composure and refocus on the immediate problem. Okay, okay… I’ll need antiseptic, warm water, wash clothes and anything else I can think of. She rambled to herself. I’ll be right there, Cherie yelled as she hurried down the hallway.

Jack shot out the back door on his way to the guest house, but stopped short to see Ryan in the back of the truck kneeling over the tarp. Jack slowly walked over and quietly whispered, I’m so sorry, man. Ryan just raised his hand, his head stayed down. Jack knew Ryan wanted to be alone, so he continued on up to the guest house.

When he opened the door he heard the woman moaning. He went directly to the freezer and popped ice out of the tray on the counter, grabbed a hand full and went to the woman’s side. He put an ice chip up to her shriveled lips. The muscles in her face twitched as she fell still. Crap, Jack thought, as he tenderly checked her pulse on her neck; she had just fallen unconscious again. He let out a big sigh of relief and walked to the kitchen to empty the melting ice from his cupped hand.

Standing there feeling helpless, Jack felt Ryan’s pain and remembered his own pain looking over his father after he lost the battle to liver failure. But what was Mr. Robbins’ battle? What was he running from? What conquered him? Jack looked over at the woman. She knows, he thought. She knows! He realized. He went over to her side. He wanted to hold her hand but her burns were too severe. His mind called out to her Please stay with us. Please survive this. You are the only one who knows, who knows anything. Please stay, fight, fight… . Just then Cherie came through the door.

Good Lord! How is she? Cherie asked breathlessly.

I don’t know. She’s in and out—she’s burnt bad. I tried to give her ice chips, Jack said, pulling back the sleeping bag so Cherie could see her back.

Oh shit. Let me think. Let me think… mmmmm, Cherie sat down on the chair across from the woman and stared. Jack could see her wheels turning; he was silent. Alright, she said after a few minutes. I’m gonna start by peeling her clothes off her skin, if I can, and then I guess I’ll swab her skin with antiseptic ointment. Try to feed her more ice chips if she wakes, okay? Jack nodded. Ready? Cherie asked.

Yeah. Jack prepared himself with a deep breath.

Cherie found her tweezers and put them in a glass and filled it with alcohol. She washed her hands and sprayed them with peroxide. Cherie put on some plastic gloves from the first aid kit and reached for her tweezers. She had the hands if a surgeon. Jack was amazed how steadily she grasped the burnt fiber with the tweezers and with the other hand gently held the skin to keep it from tearing. Cherie worked for about a half hour when she thought about the kids. Jack, would you go check on the twins?

Jack was happy to go and check. He was incredibly proud of his wife but watching her painstakingly peel each burnt layer from the unconscious woman’s back was starting to get to him. He needed some air. When he stepped outside he took a big deep breath. He noticed how fresh and clean and crisp the air was, it felt good. Jack proceeded to walk down the steps to the driveway. Ryan was no longer at the truck. Jack figured he needed alone time.

When Jack entered the house it was very quiet. An unfinished game of Chutes and Ladders was scattered on the living room floor. Rogue didn’t even greet him. Jack stopped at the kitchen for a cold glass of water, and then went down the hallway to the kids’ playroom. Their chattering became audible. Jack opened the door only to discover the chatter was actually sibling rivalry. They had finished their paper projects and were wildly flying around the room. Jared’s dragon was bright blue with red spots and orange wings; Nicole’s dove was winter white with translucent glitter trailing behind it as it gracefully soared through the air.

Hey you two!

Dad! Did you go on a hike today? Jared questioned.

Yep, this morning, actually, Jack replied.

Can I go? I want to show my dragon around.

We’ll see. Why don’t we get a movie started for the two of you? Jack changed the subject.

Yeah! Nicole yelled. Can I make popcorn? she added.

Sure. Jack opened the movie cabinet.

But don’t let her put sugar in it, cuz that’s gross. Jared declared.

No it isn’t, huh, daddy?

Well yeah, kinda. What movie should I put in? Jack tried hard to be present with the kids but he was in a hurry. There was so much going on all around him, that it was hard not to be impatient with them.

Fantasia! hollered Nicole.

Little Foot! Little Foot! Little Foot! yelled Jared.

Let’s compromise. How about The Labyrinth?" Jack asked dramatically. Both kids jumped on the couch.

Okay.

Yeah, Dad, sit in the middle. Jared squealed, patting the cushion.

Only for a minute, I have work to do, Jack said matter-of-factly. A minute turned into an hour and a half nap. Jack woke up to the last song on the movie. He vaguely remembered parts, but dozing off felt so good. Jack felt like he could sleep forever. He wiped a little drool from his mouth, rubbed his eyes and remembered Cherie. Oh yeah, hey kids, what do you want to watch next?

Dad, you were snoring, Nicole said, disappointed.

Yeah, you were asleep, Dad, offered Jared.

"Okay, yeah, what’s next? I have to go help