Chronicles of a Girl Ii: Into the Unknown

By Mark Koning

The very capable and talented Chloe Anderson is set on an adventure that leads her into the unknown. New bumps will arise, she is certain of that, but the turns they take are unforeseeable. With new friends, a new family, a new responsibility to a young child, and being in a foreign land, the roller coaster that life brings for this young girl can be terrifying. The past has haunted her before and it seems to be plaguing her again. That and a personal betrayal might just prove to be too much. Can Chloe handle the horrors that shadow over her life? Is she able to lead her friends and family through the difficult times that now seem to lie ahead? Her strength and determination have helped her forge ahead before, but it cost her dearly. Can she afford to take that chance again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462049219

Mark Koning

Mark resides in the beautiful little town of Sutton, Ontario; and having always enjoyed writing he decided to further enhance his skills by working toward obtaining a Creative Writing diploma through the Stratford Career Institute. Graduating with highest honors Mark began dabbling in short stories and generating other ideas. This book is a follow up to his first novel, Chronicles of a Girl. Writing the second in a series was exciting and working with his main character, Chloe Anderson, is always a thrill. To find further information on Mark and his books, visit www.markkoning.com As always, Mark wishes to extend his thanks to his family for their support; especially his sister Amy for allowing him to create a new character with her name. Thanks also to long time family friend, Mrs. K, who helped with the editing process.

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Contents

Prologue

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Epilogue

Prologue

December 2023

It had been two months since Chloe’s dramatic departure from the Valley prison walls and the later discovery of Tyrone Richardson’s bones.

He had been missing, along with most of his crew, for some time, and rumours had begun to surface that he was dead; but they were only rumours. Now that it was fact, speculation of who would become the top dog of the Valley was the topic on many people’s minds.

Richardson was in command when the war had started between the Upper Region and the Valley some twenty two years ago. He had been in control of things ever since. All those who were assumed next in line were dead, and unbeknownst to most, it was all because of one person, one little girl.

Because of the power hungry and greedy, times became chaotic once again in the metropolis of the Valley while people vied for the throne, so to speak. But that throne, technically, belonged to one person, Tyrone’s daughter.

Laura Richardson remained behind bars and wanted nothing to do with her old man’s fortune. She barely even reacted when told about her father’s death.

Laura, I can get you out of this gloomy prison life style, Brad Garrett, Richardson’s lawyer, told the woman behind bars who stared at him with faint amusement across her face. He had never really come to see Laura up until a few weeks ago when the coroner’s office identified the burnt remains from the farmhouse fire as Tyrone’s.

Funny that you show enthusiasm to get me out of here now, when I haven’t seen or heard a peep from you since my trial and conviction five years ago. She scoffed, without looking at Garrett, who sat on the other side of the glass.

Since Laura’s little distraction by starting a fight and hitting a guard to allow Chloe’s escape, she had been kept in solitary confinement. This had been her first venture out of the small dark cell in weeks. It was nice to be out, able to get some space and stretch, even if it was due to this news. I have no interest in that man’s money.

But… . Garrett stopped himself when he saw the look on her face. It was disgust. He knew how the man had turned his back on his daughter at her arrest; even before the incident had occurred they were distant and hardly spoke.

Laura Richardson had led a sad life in his eyes; losing her mother at an early age, abandoned by her father, betrayed by her lover. And now she sat in jail with, remarkably, still a determined sparkle in her eye.

The lawyer also felt his own guilt over not being around much for Laura. He was forced into representing her at trial by Tyrone, his actual client; it was about the most he did for her. But having Garrett defend her did not do much good for Laura, her father saw to that by not allowing him to make much of a case, and Brad was fairly certain that regardless of whomever her attorney would have been, Tyrone would have had final say.

But Garrett found the young woman he stood in front of to be kind and sweet and gentle, except of course for that one moment of weakness long ago. He had never liked the situation he had been put into by not giving her a proper defence but he felt that he had been given no choice. Over the years he had managed to let his feelings subside a little, but they now all re-surfaced.

I want nothing to do with any of it!

Ok, fine. But let me help you get out of here.

She cut him off. Did you do what I asked of you over the phone yesterday?

He hesitated a bit, but answered when she pushed. Your friend, it seems, was of some interest to you father. Garrett was not sure why she seemed to be more enthralled with this girl she had him looking for as opposed to her getting out from behind these dark walls.

Laura showed no surprise at this information. She knew that when Chloe had left it was due to BIG TROUBLE, and that usually involved her father. She listened intently while Brad filled her in on Chloe’s family and Randy’s involvement. He went over Richardson’s plan to have the girl work for him and then how it turned out that she had turned tail and betrayed him.

Laura smiled at the thought of her friend pissing off her father. She did though hate the fact that the girl had had to get mixed up with him. She also wondered how the girl had handled the news about the two being related; or had she managed to put that together? The lawyer read her thoughts and indicated that this information had been revealed.

The woman then quickly moved on to her next question. "Did she kill Tyrone?

That hasn’t been proven and I don’t think it will. He had come to realize during an earlier argument that Laura did not refer to the man by anything other than his first name as she felt no family connection to him and the word ‘dad’ was too good to be used. Garrett really could not disagree with her feelings but still talked about him as such. Your father’s remains were found at the farmhouse that belonged to her friend, the one she broke out of here with.

The lawyer fell silent as the young woman studied him from behind the glass.

Brad, I’m feeling like there is more you are not telling me. Spit it out.

There were a lot of bodies found at that farm… .

And… ?

Again he remained silent, pondering his words. She edged him on a bit, but when he still remained wordless she slapped her palms to the glass.

Speak to me!

Garrett jumped slightly in his seat at her reaction and quickly shot a glance over to the nearby guard. He hastily indicated that things were ok.

Some of the bodies were so badly burnt the only way to identify them was through dental records.

You’re losing me, Brad.

I think your friend, Chloe… . I think she’s dead.

Part 1

The traveling trio of Chloe, Derek and Johnny had been on the road for quite a few weeks now since departing from the farmhouse that they had set ablaze. Their road trip consisted of not only driving on paved asphalt but also dirt roads. Sometimes, there was not even a road, and they continued on through muddy trails, shallow streams, over hills and through open fields. Derek drove the best way he knew of to avoid not only the Forbidden City, but any chance of running into anyone as well.

While intensely studying a map at one of their last pit stops, Derek had found a deserted dirt road near the edge of the ocean that could take them across the river that split the country. The route through the abandoned ruins that lay at the middle ground may have been the quickest way, but was most likely also the most dangerous since it was a good bet that the patrolling guards still remained there to keep people out.

The three of them would take the longer route; less worry, more untouched.

The girl did not mind at all. She enjoyed the scenery that was all beautiful and new to her. The clear blue skies above were usually cloudless, an odd thing for the area of land they lived in. The green meadows with different trees and blowing leaves were picturesque. Certain areas held patches of snow. The cold air brought falling flakes of snow on occasion, but rarely.

Many species of birds were seen flying around, Derek knew them all. Although Chloe wouldn’t know any different regardless of what he said. They even saw (on occasion) wolves, bears, moose and dear. And horses. She liked those.

Chloe was awestruck, never had she seen these creatures in real life, only on television. The farms in the Valley did house some animals, but those were mainly pigs and goats.

I want to ride a horse.

Another snapshot-worthy scene Chloe made Derek pull over for was the ocean. It was still off a ways in the distance, but it was the closest they would get on this trip. Chloe was amazed at the sight of such a body of water. She could get lost in thought staring at the rivers and streams she had seen, including the one near Derek’s farm.

And she still had fond memories of the beautiful secret water hole she and Sally had once shared; the same place where she had trained with Braddick and then on her own. When she saw some streams covered with ice, it too brought memories of her one and only time skating.

But this scene that lay before her, this was different. This was the deep blue sea that Derek had once told her about. And unlike anything else she had laid eyes on before, she had no idea where this came to an end.

Derek, She moved herself out of the now still vehicle. It is beautiful.

The wind howled in the brisk air as Derek got out of the drivers seat, resting his chin on the roof of his jeep. He limped only a little from the knife wound received during the battle with Richardson, it was healing nicely and to full strength. Chloe’s excited awe made him happy. She turned and smiled at her beau and reached for the now awakened Johnny.

It seems endless.

Derek laughed a little to himself. It does at that. But rest assured, it does lead somewhere.

Chloe crinkled up her nose in curiosity, a facial trait since childhood, and looked down into her cradling arms at the little boy. She did not ask the usual follow-up question and instead made a simple statement. One day I’ll find where that somewhere is.

Derek believed her. he had learned that her statements were most often already a done deal. They all took a few more moments to gaze out into the horizon, and then continued on.

The entire trip may have been proving long and though it was a bit bumpy in all respects, it was a fun adventure. Even baby Johnny managed a few giggles and smiles. Although he became fairly cranky when jolted awake from his sleep. And his cries or whines led to Derek’s frustration and impatience. But with the touch of her hand, Chloe managed to calm both individuals.

Of course her touches and emotional gestures differed between the two quite dramatically. Johnny received coos, giggles and bottles of milk, while the male driver of the vehicle received lingering kisses and seductive touches; but in either case it worked. The girl felt like a split baby sitter between the two.

But she also got her enjoyment out of taking care of both younger and older man; and aside from viewing the outdoors, she managed to get some very peaceful and needed sleep while they travelled. It amused Derek that even during the bumps and hard turns, she soundly slept; often with a warm smile on her face and with her hand clutching his.

Chloe had not otherwise gotten much sleep since breaking out of prison. And being in prison never had allowed her much shut-eye either. It could be relaxing, but always noisy. There was that one time in the infirmary, but she wasn’t sure that counted.

Her most restful nights had been as a kid growing up with Sally. Sure, the house and graphic nature of the situation were not ideal, but as long as Sally was nearby with her arms around the girl, she had felt at peace.

I love you, Sally. Chloe murmured in her sleep.

Derek looked over and smiled while continuing their drive through the country and across the rough terrain.

They also stopped to set up camp on occasion. Because of the wintery time of year, they usually slept in the vehicle. But weather in the Region often changed and it was usually just brisk wind, hardly ever snow. The tent Derek had brought worked well; and Chloe liked the feeling of sleeping outside. She often fell asleep curled up in Derek’s arms, Johnny in hers.

Being on the road and having the young infant with them, Chloe was not ready to go any further than cuddling, touching and kissing. And while this may have been a little bothersome to the doctor, Derek never pushed. Having her in his arms was all that mattered.

This was also a result of her very first sexual intercourse encounter being Tyrone Richardson’s attack on her. She was not at the point of confiding the secret yet and kept it to herself. The girl knew this was no fault of Derek’s, and she felt as though she was almost past it; she just needed a little more time.

Chloe and Derek spoke some about their destination and guessed at how long it may take to get there. She was clueless, but Derek roughly measured a good few weeks; especially when considering all of the pit-stops and day-long breaks that they would take. Johnny continued to mostly sleep, as did the girl, but she also insisted that Derek needed the same.

We have to take turns driving.

Chloe, driving through this wasteland could be dangerous. We don’t exactly know where we are going, and besides, do you even know how to drive?

I drove that motorcycle, remember? I taught myself how to do that rather quickly, so I can learn how to drive this.

It was true, the girl had an uncanny ability to learn all sorts of things at record breaking speeds; it was due, Derek thought, to an enormous, healthy brain-cell count, and her sheer determination to let no man ever outdo her. So he finally agreed, he really had no choice. And Chloe only blew the clutch out once. So now she was happy that not only could she be allowed to drive, she could let her man sleep.

Chloe even quickly learned the finer craftsmanship’s of fishing and hunting. The latter proved to be the easiest for her. Derek and she had stocked up on a lot of canned food along with milk and juices, but they needed something hardy every once in a while. They would hunt during an afternoon and cook over an open fire at dusk. The girl had no problems adjusting to it, even after her proclamation at how cute the deer were.

It’s either that or starve. He would tell her.

She would shrug her shoulders, grab her rifle, and march forward. The taste of the canned food could become bland, and it could have also run out if they did not supplement their diet every so often. Still, Chloe preferred to fish.

Chloe did really well with Johnny in the role that was meant to be filled by Sally, the boy’s biological mother. She picked up on how to hold the child properly without much instruction, she had no fears and it was obvious Johnny took to her well. Still, it worked out really nice having a doctor around helping to show her the finer points.

The girl never received much in the way of child-care knowledge from Marion who had passed on at an early age in the girl’s life. Sally, being the older one, was shown these things, especially considering it was her who practically raised Chloe.

The elderly woman of the household was usually occupied with taking care of Drake and her two boys; so filling in for the girl’s absent mother was left to Sally. Jeremy took no part in raising his daughter, he was afraid and tormented with the idea that raising a child was a woman’s job, along with cooking and cleaning.

As Chloe got older her idea of learning was not that of what most would have considered womanly things, she was more interested in studying about ‘how to throw a punch’ or the fine craft of weaponry. Then other things took precedence too, like dealing with Sally’s rape, killing Drake, going to jail, and her time in prison was not exactly spent learning how to use a baby’s bottle.

Since prison things had happened so fast that Chloe never got anywhere near a slow ease into taking care of Johnny. She had been pushed into it, not that she minded or would have had it any other way; with the exception of course of having Sally still alive. The role the girl now took on with this boy was a reflection of the one Sally had taken on with her. And in like manner, where Sally had Marion’s guidance, Chloe had Derek’s; and what better guidance, if not from a wise mother, than a doctor.

Derek showed the girl how to do quite a few tasks with Johnny, such as changing diapers and feeding the child. While Chloe tuned into being able to accomplish these things on her own very quickly and almost naturally, each endeavour had its moments.

These things give milk? Chloe questioned her man jokingly as he drove while she stared, chin to neck, at her chest. At nineteen years of age the girl’s breasts were perky but by no means over-sized.

Derek laughed as he looked from the corner of his eye as the girl examined herself briefly. When a woman has given birth to a child… . yes they can. He knew that Chloe did not want to hear all of the medical jargon, so he cut to the chase and gave it to her direct. She liked directedness.

I never carried Johnny. She now wondered if Sally ever breastfed the child. They never really discussed it but she did recall seeing Sally holding Johnny up close to her chest once as she and Peter waited for her in the prison waiting room. You think Sally ever… . She trailed off in mid sentence.

I never really asked, but probably.

Is it a bad thing that I’m not, you know, doing that?

Derek suffused a grin to his thin lips and brought his hand to the stubble that was coming in around his chin; he preferred being clean shaven. No, it’s not a bad thing. Giving a baby formula by a bottle is fine.

Chloe looked at him with concern as she scrunched her nose and bit at the corner of her lip.

Really, it’s ok. He reached out to rub her shoulder sensing she was pouting, although the image was hard to imagine even when actually seeing it. We are doing the best we can in the situation we have been given. Besides, even birth mother’s don’t always breastfeed; it depends on health, lifestyle, and choice. He knew that any time he ended a dialogue with talking about a woman’s choice Chloe started to relinquish a little.

Ok, as long as I am not hurting him.

He loved her sincere concern over every little thing she did with the boy; although in a very short time she had become pretty confident. Chloe had the technique of changing his diapers down pat?

At the beginning of their run after losing Sally, Derek had taken on this role. The girl was too preoccupied with the loss of her loving aunt and then the entire Tyrone Richardson fiasco. In between those two things the girl had to also come to grips with her father dying, even if he was a man who had only been on the side-lines for most of her life.

Now Derek could almost swear upon the fact that the girl could be blindfolded and she would be able to change Johnny. She handled it with the same precision she used when firing a weapon or twirling around the samurai sword. It was the same effortless motions for Chloe. Only when it came to the child, there was a thousand times more gentleness behind what she did.

It initially took a couple of tries for the girl to get the hang of it; literally, only two. Derek had thought that she might have a problem with the smell, or screaming out ‘Aghhh, disgusting’. But that did not bother her at all. She again was simply afraid of hurting the boy; and once she saw him giggle, she was fine.

Taking care of Johnny was now totally under control for Chloe. Every time that she accomplished feeding him or changing a diaper she was proud and was sure that Sally was feeling the same. The girl smiled and knew she did a good job when the child laughed and cooed in her arms.

Derek was proud too, not only because at such a young age the girl was doing remarkably well, but he saw how happy it made her. I could almost swear you had done this before. He would wink at her and then bellow out a chuckle as if in on his own private joke.

He never would have pictured this girl as a mother when fighting the way she did, wielding a gun or the sword like a master. But somehow, Chloe standing with Johnny in her arms and feeding or burping him looked as though she were meant for nothing else.

Heredity and circumstances had dictated Chloe’s life. Some things had helped mould her into a fierce fighting machine while others had been passed on to make her into the loving person she was. Anyone would be lucky to have the girl by their side, Derek felt the happiness flow coarse through his body.

Chloe felt exactly the same for the man in her life. With all of the terrible things that the girl had been through she still remained happy and felt blessed. Whether it be God or Sally or something else entirely, she had Johnny and Derek. She loved them both very much.

Chloe also used the time during this little adventure to gather together her emotions, and sort out things that she had not been allowed the proper time to deal with before.

Her childhood had been an emotional wreckage, yes, but she also had had time to consider and accept those things; even though it was often with a rather large lump of coal. She had been given time to relax and reflect after each encounter with Drake, Randy, or even her father. She had been allowed to heal after any type of beating. There were moments of calm after Marion had died or when someone was sick.

Even when faced with the knowledge of how her mother had died or when she had shot Drake dead as a result, she had had time. It was in jail, but it was time nevertheless. She also used that time to talk to Sally and deal with her rape. And any trouble that occurred in prison was handled with her friend, Laura, by her side.

But ever since breaking out from the confines of those prison walls, so much had happened with little time to reflect upon it. She had been raped by Richardson. She had killed many men in the art of war. Jeremy, her absent father of many years, had died. And she had lost Sally, her cornerstone of life.

It all came rushing onto her all at once, now that she had some space, some breathing room. A hailstorm of fret and worry and sorrow was now plaguing her, and that space for air was closing in. It came through as uncontrollable tears and sickness to her stomach. An empty, hollow feeling was created within her and it hurt. Everything from her childhood came gushing forward from the back of her memory only to add onto the pain caused from the most recent tragedies in her life.

Chloe could deal somehow, she told herself, with the intrusion of forced sex, and get past it. It was not something she was ready to discuss with Derek. But he did help, or at least tried to offer his sympathies and understanding the best he could, with the deaths of Jeremy and Sally and the combative killings.

You weren’t really given a choice, hon’. It was either kill or be killed. I may have helped a little, but it was all you. You were the strong one. You’re the reason I’m alive and the same goes for that little boy.

Looking at Johnny or holding him in her arms and getting lost in his bright deep-blue sea eyes always made her feel better. The girl could tell that he was going to grow up with his mother’s perfect features. She would kiss his nose and tell him how much love she had for him.

But things still took their toll on the girl, and even though she mourned the loss of her dad, Derek knew that getting to a place were she could come to terms with the death of Sally would take time. So he gave it to her; letting her crouch in silence in her car seat while they drove, or stopping to pull over because the girl felt the need to be sick. He would let her spend any alone time she wanted with Johnny, the two sharing tears as if the boy felt the loss as well.

Chloe would often sit on the cold desert floor just to feel. Her thoughts sometimes made her numb. But in time it got better. With little Johnny’s wide smile beaming up at her, it got better. With Derek’s loving touch and warm kisses, it got better.

I love you. She would stand in Derek’s grasp and look into his eyes.

I love you too. He would always smile his perfect teeth at her when they spoke.

Thank you.

For what?

Everything.

Derek smiled to himself with the knowledge that the young beautiful girl in his arms would be ok. She was, without a doubt, the strongest person he had ever met; both physically and emotionally. Most people would have had irreversible scars from all that the girl had been through. She was a fighter, a survivor.

During their journey through the desert wasteland the trio experienced a variety of outdoor weather. Most often it was sunny and fairly cool with a brisk wind that would pockmark your skin with goose bumps if you were wearing a t-shirt or shorts, and lent most cheeks a slight rosy flush. However, this was the normal effect of living on this land. Although changes between a bright filled sky and an overcast one happened quite often, most days bordered on being a hazy gloom.

Occasionally the temperature dropped and small amounts of snow accumulated, though it was quite rare to get anything substantial in the southern Valley and desert. The more north you went the more sights of white flakes in the air and mounds on the ground were to be seen. It was never harshly bitter cold; no more than a sweater or thin jacket was ever required.

The weather Chloe enjoyed the most was when it was nice and sunny and she was able to sit and bath in the warm rays. But she also enjoyed the rain; as long as it was not too cold. She liked the cool feel of gentle drops on her skin.

The girl would stand underneath the pellets with her arms stretched out and head pointed up to the sky with her tongue catching the falling water. It was a slightly different but similar ritual to what she did when it snowed.

The rain brought with it feelings of bliss, at least to Chloe. She would dance around and splash in any formed puddles, feeling carefree like a small child. It was a feeling that she had seldom experienced during her childhood and even in the last few months, weeks, and days. Something was always going on, plaguing her mind.

She had taken on roles such as slave, punching bag, fighter, jailbird, convict, felon on the run, rescuer, mourner, assassin, and more recently girlfriend and mother, the two she preferred. Even on those joyous occasions spent with Sally, she still had never felt the freedom that splashing around in the rain brought.

Derek would, on these rare occasions, stand underneath some form of shelter or sit in the jeep and watch his loving companion. He would watch as her long hair straightened and adhered to her face in the downpour. Chloe’s face would glow and glisten as she laughed at her own actions. Her sweatshirt would tighten around her thin body, showing her small curves and the fitness she was in from her past training sessions.

Sometimes the girl managed to entice her man to join her. They would laugh and dance and share wet kisses. Johnny would also giggle from the sidelines, something which would always grab the girl’s attention. She would hold him in the air and swing him around grinning fiercely as she did this, and he would stare back with his big blue eyes and wide smile.

Derek continued to admire the way she was with the boy. Chloe always had an eye out for Johnny, always a thought of him in her head. She would often lay with him or cradle him to sleep or tell him a story she would make up, basically dictating a journal of their day’s journey or talking endlessly about the boy’s mother.

There were times when the girl would sit with her beau and simply watch the rain fall, getting lost in its tranquilization. There were other times when she would think about their destination of the Upper Region and what might happen there when she revealed who her mother was.

She questioned whether she might have family there and fantasized what they might be like. The girl even wondered if she would reunite with her mentor, James Braddick. But not knowing if her association with him might cause trouble, she kept the thought in her head.

Chloe would have Derek try to explain what the Upper Region was all about and how it differed from the Valley. He tried to offer as much information as he could, but he had never been there, he did not know anyone from there, and he was just as concerned as her. The girl was the one with the relation to the place in ways of family, and unbeknownst to him, already had a friend behind the Upper Region borders.

I think that it is a lot more… , he paused in concentrated thought.  . . . controlled than it was in the Valley.

She would then look at him with suspicious eyes. The girl was not sure she liked the word ‘controlled’.

He went on. And from what I’ve heard, there are many more people in the Upper Region when compared to back home. The close to fourteen million people that inhabited the land separated into the two areas after the war from long ago, and the split was not even. A little more then three quarters lived in the Upper Region, roughly leaving three point five million in the Valley with a few scattered around in the desert, those that were considered nomads.

You think we will run into any of them? She asked with a cautious curiosity; not sure if she would like it or not.

He was not sure if they would and simply shrugged his shoulders. Tales told of these vagrant wanderers included both pleasant and unpleasant encounters.

She went back to the original topic of population. I can’t believe that there are so many people around. Chloe spoke about her guilt over not having really taken a whole lot of notice about those around her in the Valley.

Chloe, no one could blame you for that. You had enough to deal with on your own. Besides, it is not as though people were that sharing and friendly anyway.

Still… . The girl moped.

You paid attention to enough.

Like?

Sally.

A smile drew. She was family… . kind of unavoidable.

Ok then. How about me?

The smile lasted as she would cuddle into his body and continue watching the falling rain.

Every so often too, they were treated to a spectacle of lights. The thunderous noise that would sometimes accompany the light show was not enjoyed as much though, as it thumped in the girl’s chest and rattled the little boy into tears. Fortunately, the Gods were merciful and kept most of the bullying sound at bay.

It was a joy, regardless of weather, for both the man and the girl to be sitting in each others arms. They would just simply cherish the moment in silence while the boy mostly slept.

The girl was most often an early riser and would often be up preparing