Apparent Magnitude

By A. D. Lamb

Melbourne. End of the world.

Daria and Abby survived the end of the world, but may not survive the insane bureaucracy of their home at the top of a dam, New Town. The Council value upholding petty rules at the expense of common sense. Daria and Abby break those rules as due dates for expectant mothers get closer. They must scavenge the abandoned city for supplies, avoiding escaped zoo animals and hungry dogs.

But, are they really alone?

A post-apocalypse dark comedy about friendship, family and feuds.

This is the first episode of the series and is 14,000 words long.

Here is the opening line:
The vines choked street lights, the skeletons like litter after a festival. Daria peered up through the windshield and slowed the car to a crawl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. D. Lamb
• Release date: Sep 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463430019

A. D. Lamb

I was born in the Medway Towns, UK, grew up in the gritty terrace housing of the main road to an industrial estate. Wrote my first novel aged 11 and hasn't stopped telling stories since. I've trekked extensively around the wilderness of Norway and Finland, ran a cabaret show in London's Soho for four years, ran an ultra marathon (which I'll never do again) and have lived in Eastern Cambodia. I now live in Australia with my wife in a little flat with a fantastic garden and I enjoy a beer in the evening and cooking interesting dinners!

Book preview

Apparent Magnitude

By

A. D. Lamb

Copyright © 2017 by A. D. Lamb

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

For Eliza, Viggo and Obi.

Chapters

Daria

Chuck

Daria

Hugo

Daria

DARIA

The vines choked street lights, the skeletons like litter after a festival. Daria peered up through the windshield and slowed the car to a crawl.

We need a place to sleep for the night. Maybe two more hours of light, she said.

Dog alert? asked Abby.

Daria’s dark eyes scanned for the signs, then honked the horn.

We’ll find out.

They sat and watched for movement.

Looks good, said Daria.

The car continued its spluttering down the road. They passed through a street with big ornate gates to triple story homes — one with Roman columns for the entrance — another with a glass swimming pool running the length of the driveway. Two skeletons were sprawled on the front lawn, weeds entangled through their rib-cages. Their jewelery glinted in the setting sun.

God this would have been a posh place to live, said Abby.

Yeah but full of greedy bastards, said Daria.

Abby paused and sniffed.

Are we, ya know, driving with a plan?

No. I’m aimlessly driving in circles taking in the sights.

Just asking. Abby held her hands up in mock surrender. What’s wrong?

Funny feeling in my gut. Or I ate something bad, said Daria.

What’s the feeling?

Some of these homes, they look lived in.

Really? Abby scanned the street. They look pretty shabby to me.

But not shabby enough.

Right, like someone is trying to keep the appearance of the end of the world, but …

The world didn’t end, Daria interrupted. The world is doing great. Look, see those autumn leaves, they don’t look as scattered as they should do. Those skeletons in the front garden back there, they should be completely overgrown. And look at that house. Daria pointed. The ivy, it’s wild, it’s devoured the place, but the front door looks exposed.

Are you sure? asked Abby, who tried to hide her smile.

No. Just a feeling. And I know what you’re thinking, I’m not being paranoid, just careful.

Careful? That is not a word I’d use to describe you, Abby laughed.

Wow, how strange would it be to meet new people? How long has it been, four, maybe five years?

You are too sweet Abby. Let’s not make this another Greg incident, said Daria.

Everyone else worked out good, didn’t they? Did you?

But I was there early on. Anyone living out here now, they might be crazy.

Cannibals! Abby mocked her and pretended to bite her shoulder.

Fine, you believe what you want, and when someone is spit roasting your leg over an open fire, I’ll laugh. It’s all about the psychology of surviv —

Are you going to lecture me? Abby interrupted.

No. I’m going to laugh as your leg is seasoned and marinated.

Oh shit! Stop the car! said Abby.

Daria reached for her knife. What? What is it?

Abby grinned. Follow me.

They left the car. Daria fastened her knife belt to her hip. Abby had forgotten hers, so Daria rolled her eyes and grabbed that too. Abby had already jogged ahead to the garden gate, the wooden slats broken in several places. She kicked it until she created a hole big enough to get through and scrambled inside. Daria followed, scanning for signs of danger.

Yes! Abby punched the air in victory.

Before them a tennis court, its blue floor had faded like a pair of well-loved jeans. Abby kicked the first fall of autumn leaves aside and ran her hand along the length of the net. Daria surveyed the aging court against the huge modern house. Surrounding her were wall to wall windows three stories high. A tree had fallen through the third story window, impaling the glass like a spear.

Let’s go inside. They must have rackets and a ball somewhere.

Abby sprinted up the path to the back door, threw a rock through the glass and opened it. Daria