Darkest Before Dawn

By Rachel Ellen Sankey

Darkest Before Dawn is a gripping tale from the start and will have you turning pages at pace. Life in Australia changes following the creation of a virus with the chilling name of C.O.M - Control of the Mind. The virus fails and the outbreak plunges the world as we know it into a Zombie apocalypse. The new world is now divided into Districts and what was once Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is now known as District 15. President Gordon is in charge and runs the Districts with strict laws and a firm hand. Those who dare to go against him pay the ultimate price. Lindsay is disowned by her mother, witnesses the murder of her father, and loses her aunty to the virus. She is fortunate to meet the lovely Wendy, who has lost her son and husband in the outbreak and happily takes Lin in as a daughter to care for. Between them they look after Clover, who seems to be a key person in this drama. Clover has been bitten but has not turned...why has the virus not affected her? Could she be immune and hold the key to a cure? The Jackals, a group that claims to be the resistance against the system think she may be the person they can create a vaccine from, but Lin is cautious. Are they looking for a cure or is it something altogether more sinister?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley
• Release date: Nov 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463144367

Rachel Ellen Sankey

Rachel Sankey is a young aspiring Australian author. She learned of her talent for storytelling, and her passion for writing novels at a young age. Rachel's stories are known by those around her to captivate and excite, and Darkest Before Dawn is no different. Those who dare to read will find a gripping tale that will leave you wanting more. Rachel's dream is to one day become a well-known and popular author. This is just the beginning and she invites you to share this with her.

Book preview

About the Author

Rachel Sankey is a young aspiring Australian author. She learned of her talent for storytelling, and her passion for writing novels at a young age. Rachel’s stories are known by those around her to captivate and excite, and Darkest Before Dawn is no different. Those who dare to read will find a gripping tale that will leave you wanting more. Rachel’s dream is to one day become a well-known and popular author. This is just the beginning and she invites you to share this with her.

Dedication

To my husband Matthew, and my beautiful children, Olivia and William. You make every day worth living and are my greatest support in this world. I love you with every ounce of my being.

Rachel Sankey

Darkest before dawn

Copyright © Rachel Sankey (2017)

The right of Rachel Sankey to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781786299420 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781786299437 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781786299444 (E-Book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2017)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge Catherine McDonald. You are not only an amazing friend but an asset to my life. Without your time and dedication to myself and my work I may have never realised my full potential.

Chapter 1

Breaking news! I’m standing just outside Saint John’s hospital to bring you an update on the tragedy that has struck here tonight. In the last few days a vast number of patients have been admitted to the hospital. All have become infected with some kind of unknown virus. Although the cause of this outbreak is still mere stipulation, I can confirm that this particular virus is the cause of the horrible events that have taken place here tonight. Police have just arrived on the scene and are already calling for back up. I will bring you more on this story as new information comes to light.

I sit up and rub my eyes. The news report is over, but I can’t get the reporter’s face out of my mind. It definitely wasn’t a normal news update. The look of horror was written all over the woman’s face. It was as if she knew more than she was saying. It was almost as though she was utterly terrified to be anywhere near the hospital. I bet she ran a mile when the camera stopped rolling.

What time is it? I yawn and pick up the clock from the coffee table.

Midnight? That can’t be right, can it? I have been falling asleep on our couch for the past three years, beginning from the moment my father took up afternoon shift.

He hated working the arvo shift. He would always tell me how much he worried about leaving me alone at night, and how much he missed the time we used to spend together.

He had always tried to find good paying jobs, so that he could afford to pay the bills without resorting to afternoon or night work. He knew he’d never see an ounce of child support from the woman I once called my mother. She had run off with another man when I was only six years old, leaving dad and I to fend for ourselves. She had claimed it was because their communication had broken down and he had mistreated her, but I knew the real reason. She had only ever cared about one person, herself. She also considered herself to be much better than anyone else. I guess this other guy came along and gave her the funds and the attention she so desperately desired. He was welcome to her in my opinion. Dad and I didn’t need someone like that in our lives. I never hid the fact that I hated the woman for the pain she had caused my father. I only called her ‘mother’ for a year after she left. After that I saw no point in it and started to call her by her first name, Lisa. I was very glad that I had inherited most of my dad’s looks and characteristics. I had his dark brown hair, his of course was cut short whereas mine hung down past my shoulders, but it was identical in colour. I had his dark brown eyes, and the same facial features. The only thing I got from her was her nose and eye brow line.

Dad had been able to keep a day job for four years after she left. Unfortunately the company he had been working for closed down, and a good paying job became harder and harder to find. After months of unsuccessful job hunting he had to bite the bullet and take up an afternoon/evening shift at the local factory working security. He was required to work from midday to eleven at night. I had planned to wait up for him to get home so that we might catch up on the day’s events before bed. But I only lasted two weeks. After that I’d find myself nodding off around ten. Despite my arguing, he would always insist on carrying me to bed when he arrived home at eleven thirty, and would always be sure to tuck me in. This is why I found it very strange to still be lying here instead of in my own bed at midnight.

I get to my feet and saunter slowly towards the staircase.

Dad, are you here?

If he’s home he would be in his bedroom. As I reach the bottom step I notice the red light on our answering machine flashing in the kitchen. I must have been in a deep sleep, I swear I never heard the phone ring.

I walk into the kitchen and hit play on the machine. The sound of dad’s brother Alex fills the room.

Jackson, are you there? Lindsay, sweetie if you’re there pick up. No… Where the hell are you guys? Jane’s been attacked by one of those things at the hospital. She just got home. It ripped her fucking arm open and I didn’t know who else to call. Just… Jack, call me ASAP!

My aunty’s been attacked? What the hell was going on at that hospital? My mind flashes back to the reporter and the look of fright that filled her face. Then I think of my aunty, her creamy white skin torn apart, her long blonde hair all bloody, and the fear in her dark blue eyes. I shake my head trying to be rid of the image. My heart is pounding, it almost feels as though I have been given a shot of pure adrenaline.

Jack please pick up! Jane’s gotten worse.

A jolt hits me and I feel as though I jump ten meters into the air at the sound of the second message.

She’s having some kind of fit. I don’t know what… Jane, baby what are you… JANE!

Hearing the sound of two gun shots in the message sends my heart racing even more.

I don’t realise what I’m doing until I’m halfway up the stairs. I run as fast as I can to dad’s bedroom at the end of the hall and slam into his door. It bursts open, sending me falling into his bed. I scramble to my feet and slowly approach his window. We live just outside the city of Brisbane. From his room I can see the tall moonlit buildings. In front of them stands the factory where dad works, and right near that is the, Oh my god! I can’t believe my eyes. The hospital, Saint John’s hospital, is engulfed with flames. If I hadn’t been afraid before, I certainly was now. I run out of dad’s room, down the hall and turn left into my room. I’m still wearing my dark blue jeans, black singlet and runners from today, so I don’t need to change. Instead I just grab my black jacket off my bed and throw it on. Then I go to my cupboard and retrieve my grey backpack. I then head back towards the stairs, and half run, half fall down them as I rush to get to the kitchen.

I’m just across the threshold when two arms wrap around me and force me back. I look down at the arm around my chest. The fair skin is the same colour as mine. I begin pushing against the arms and thrashing around, trying to break free. Suddenly a familiar voice stops my panic attack and brings me back to my senses.

Lin stop. It’s okay, it’s me.

My uncle spins me round to face him. In the faint light you could almost mistake him for my dad. If it wasn’t for his hair being a lighter shade of brown, and his hazel eyes I’d swear they were twins.

Alex, where’s dad? I ask breathlessly.

He’s coming, he’s just…

The sound of a gunshot makes me whip around. Laying only a few meters from my feet is my neighbour, Judith. She looks so different that I almost don’t recognise her. Her clothing is torn and soaked in blood. Her grey hair looks as though someone has tried to rip it out. I remember her watching me after school, and on school holidays when I was younger. Now she’s dead.

I bring my eyes up to see my dad standing before me, his gun aimed squarely at my head, Easy Jack, she’s okay. I don’t think she’s been bitten.

Alex’s words both confuse and frighten me. Still I confirm what he’s said, I’m not bitten, dad. I don’t even know what’s going on.

My uncle releases his grip and I run forward, straight into my father’s arms. He pulls me tightly into his chest.

Lindsay, I’m so sorry, he apologises in a hushed voice. When I heard what was happening at the hospital, my first thought was Jane and Alex. I should have come home to you first, I should have taken you with me. I hate to even think what I’d do without…

Dad, it’s okay, I cut him off, I’m okay, really. He sighs and I feel his heart rate begin to slow.

I pull back and gaze up at his face, Jane, where’s…

She’s gone Lin, Alex interrupts before I finish my question. I can hear him trying to fight away the tears.

Where did you get the gun from? I ask my father, deciding that pressing the matter of Jane would only further upset my uncle. We are given a gun for protection when we start our shift. I decided to hang onto it, you know in case, I refrain from asking him what he means by ‘in case.’ Looking down at my neighbour’s corpse was explanation enough.

Fair enough, I nod. Can we get out of here now? I don’t want to be in the same room as Judith anymore.

Of course, dad replies softly. But first we need some supplies.

He removes my bag from my shoulders and hurries into the kitchen with Alex following closely behind. I trail after them to see dad taking food and water out of the fridge and stuffing it into my bag at an abnormally fast pace. Not wanting to be in anyone’s way I hop up and sit on the bench top next to the fridge. I watch on as they continue to frantically race around.

So, I yawn, feeling the effects of fatigue creeping up on me, is either one of you going to tell me what’s happening out there? I could tell by their sudden exchange of looks that they weren’t prepared for me to ask such a question.

It’s a blood bath out there, my uncle states, staring down at the floor.

ALEX! dad shouts, causing me to jump.

That might be true, but you can word it better. I won’t have you scaring my daughter.

Look at her Jack, Alex goes on the defence and motions to me. She’s already scared. I’m surprised she hasn’t sh…

ALEX, dad shouts again and gives his brother a stern look.

I drop my face down to my legs, trying to hide my smile.

My uncle sighs loudly with frustration. He has never been one to sugar coat the facts. This annoyed my father simply because he thought there were certain words I shouldn’t hear.

Something bad happened, sweetie, my dad tells me as he places his hands on my shoulders, The sick people at the hospital were infected with some kind of rage virus. They turned on staff and other patients. The police tried to get hold of the situation, but it was too late. Everyone in the hospital has either been killed, bitten or become one of the infected.

The word infected sticks in my mind.

Dad, I give him a serious look, Are you trying to say zombies are responsible for what’s happening?

Don’t use that word Lin, my uncle snaps, Jane was not a zombie. She was just, just…

Infected, my father’s tone is filled with sympathy for his brother.

He pulls my uncle in for a hug, She was infected Alex, but now she’s in a better place and isn’t one of those things.

He attempts to reassure Alex before releasing him and turning back to me, Come on Lin, we have to go.

I follow my father without hesitation. We race out the back door and over to the driveway. His red jeep sits idling with the key still in the ignition. All three of us pile inside and dad speeds off down the street.

I stare out my window in shocked horror as we drive on. People are scattered everywhere. They all seem to be running from something truly terrifying, but I fail to see what that is. Dad turns a corner so sharply that I fall against the window and bump my head, Ouch, I mutter under my breath as I reach up to rub the sore spot.

Lin, seat belt, dad demands over his shoulder.

Yes, I know dad, I sigh and slide my seat belt on just as he takes another sharp turn.

As we rapidly approach an intersection I spy a car speeding straight towards the same point at an alarming rate. There is no doubt in my mind that we will soon collide with that other vehicle.

Dad! Car! I yell at the top of my lungs. He slams on the brakes, but it’s too late. The car connects with our right side and sends us rolling down the street. I hit my head against the window again and everything goes black.

Lin wake up, Lin, baby girl can you hear me? I open my eyes to see my dad standing over me.

Yeah dad. I’m here. I groan.

He smiles and pulls me to my feet. I turn my head to see that we are no longer inside the car. Now we stand in the middle of the street surrounded by chaos. I gasp as I set my sights upon our car. It has been flipped over and is now laying on its roof.

What happened? I question as I try to get a grip on reality. Where’s…

Alex took off, dad interjects. It’s just me and you now baby girl.

I can’t believe what my dad is saying. Alex left us to die! How could he do that? Dad takes hold of my arm and we begin running through the crowds of people.

I gotta get you to safety before… he trails off.

Before what dad?

We stop running and he brings his face to mine. I can see that his eyes are already beginning to fill with tears.

Dad, what is it? I ask, suddenly feeling afraid.

He takes a deep breath, When we crashed, there was a man, he begins. The man was infected and he… oh Lindsay. I’m sorry. I love you so much, and that’s why I have to get you out of here.

My body begins to shake, No, you can’t leave me, I sob.

You’re all I have, you can’t, I feel a lump rise in my throat.

No you can’t go, I won’t… let go of me, I feel an arm wrap around me and pull me back. I look down expecting to see my uncle’s arm, but instead I lay my eyes upon a dark green camouflaged sleeve.

Let go of her, I hear my dad demand, but the man doesn’t release me.

I look over at the other man restraining my father. He is also wearing a camouflage jump suit and a mask. He lifts his walkie talkie to his mouth.

Yes sir. He speaks into the device. One man, one girl. Girl looks around thirteen or fourteen. Man is assumed bitten, girl is not.

What happens next I will never forget. The man holding me forces me into an army vehicle. He slams the door closed, locking me inside. I scream and bash on the door trying to open it, but it won’t budge. With no other option I get onto my knees and peer out of the window, just trying to catch a glimpse of my father. I finally see my dad’s face, tears are flowing down his cheeks, and he mouths, I love you.

Then the man who intercepted and forced me into the vehicle holds up a gun and presses it against my father’s forehead. I watch in horror as my father falls lifelessly to the ground.

No, daddy! I scream and bash harder on the door.

The only family I have left is now lying dead on the pavement.

No, no, no! I scream and wrap my hands around my knees, pulling them to my chest. I begin to cry harder than I have ever cried before. Suddenly I feel the engine roar to life, and the car begins moving forward.

I love you forever, I whisper in a flow of tears as the car drives off, taking me away from my dad.

Chapter 2

Thirteen Years Later

I wake to find myself covered in a cold sweat. My eyes feel puffy and sore. It’s almost as if I’ve spent the entire night crying. I must have had another nightmare about my father. I can’t remember the specifics of my dream, but I know I always seem to wake up feeling this way when I dream of him. I turn my head and look to the other side of the room.

Good, I breathe a sigh of relief, I haven’t woken Wendy.

Sometimes, when I have nightmares I call out and thrash around. This wakes Wendy and she comes and sits beside me, humming and stroking my hair until I wake up. I always feel terrible when I wake up to find her beside me. She says she doesn’t mind, but I feel horrible that she loses sleep on my account.

I first met Wendy back when I was brought to the city by the army. They lined me up with a small group of other children, and began calling out our names. I watched as family members ran to claim their loved ones, and knew no one would come to claim me. My father was dead, my uncle had left me for dead, and the woman who I once called my mother, well I wouldn’t be surprised if she had forgotten me completely. I was the last one to be called. I stepped forward and waited. There were a few people who mumbled, and others gave me a sympathetic look. I didn’t want anyone to take me on as a charity case, so I ran. I didn’t know where I was going, I just had to get away from everyone.

I found an old bus shelter just as it started to rain. I remember walking over to the rusty metal seat, sitting down and beginning to cry. That’s when I heard a compassionate voice say, You’re not alone, sweetheart. I’ll take care of you.

I remember looking up to see her kind grey eyes staring down at me. Her long thick black hair hung down, soaked by the rain. I couldn’t help but take notice of her body. Her olive skin was covered in tattoos. I knew at once there was no way she could be an officer, as she was wearing long black pants and a black sleeveless shirt. Every member of the army I had come across so far wore the same standard green and black camouflage. She reached her hand out to mine and I took hold.

My name’s Wendy, she smiled at me.

"I’m