Apokalypsis Book Three

By Kate Morris

Life was precious. People used to say things like that all the time, but none of them realized how true that saying would turn out to be. Life was precious, indeed. Each person in the room had lost someone or everyone...

Wren Foster was a girl with a lot of secrets. Unable to make friends and having to move to a new city every few months made her an outcast in high school by default. However, she never questioned the motives and instructions of her uncle when they had to move because what he did, he did for her.

Securing that football scholarship to Ohio State was the only thing on star quarterback Elijah Brannon’s mind until he met the allusive new girl in school, who was strange and enigmatic, yet also distant and unfriendly with a menacing attitude to match her heavy black eyeliner.

One traumatic event after the other throws them together as his world falls apart, her secrets are revealed, and they are left riding out a worldwide apocalyptic event in the form of a viral flu that makes people insane and violent. Plans and dreams of the future are put on hold as they simply fight for existence in:

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Morris
• Release date: Sep 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463179789

Kate Morris

Kate lives in Ohio on a small farm with "John" and is a huge advocate for the U.S. military and promotes the rights of gun owners everywhere.

Book preview

Chapter One

September

Elijah! his brother’s voice filtered into the dream he was having about NFL draft day and hearing his name announced. It sounded as if Alex had called his name more than once trying to rouse him. I’m going to be late! Get your ass moving!

Elijah rolled slowly to his side and realized his alarm must’ve shut off in the middle of the night sometime because the glowing red numbers were flashing 12:00. He groaned and flung the covers away. His brother called to him again, and this time he answered.

Coming! Gimme’ five minutes, he yelled as he opened the door into the hall.

Luckily after last night’s activities at the bonfire, he’d grabbed a shower when he got home so that his sheets wouldn’t smell like smoke. Laundry already sucked bad enough without adding the burden of extra work. Slipping into jeans and the cleanest t-shirt he could find, he topped it off with a flannel shirt. It was fall in Ohio, so the temperature was always unpredictable. One day it would be forty degrees, the next eighty. After he pulled on a belt, he bounded down the long, curved staircase and joined Alex in the kitchen.

What’s up? he joked with a grin.

Don’t be an ass, his brother berated him as he handed Elijah a to-go mug with his protein shake in it that contained the shake mix along with a vital punch of vitamins and supplements blended in.

Without waiting for him, Alex left out the back door for the car. Not wanting to walk to school, which was the only option if he didn’t ride with Alex, Elijah grabbed his backpack and followed, locking the door behind him.

Were you drinking last night? Alex asked as he drove him to school. Is that why you overslept?

Dude, what do you think? Elijah asked, hitting him with a pointed stare.

Alex returned it with one that mirrored his before turning back to the road again.

No, he answered more directly. You know I’m not that stupid. I’m not gonna screw this up.

You’d better not, his brother warned. Getting a scholarship to Ohio State isn’t easy, Elijah.

No shit, he said sarcastically. Trust me. I was there. I put in the work. I’m not gonna screw this up.

Good. Don’t.

I won’t.

And no girls, he reminded him for the millionth time.

Duh.

His brother hit him with a direct stare as they waited at a red light. I mean it, Elijah. Don’t get hung up on some girl. They’re trouble with a capital T. You don’t need those kinds of problems right now.

It’s the beginning of senior year, Alex, he said. I’m not gonna do anything to jeopardize this now. You think there wasn’t opportunity to do that shit before? I’m in the home stretch. I know that. I know what this could do for us.

Not ‘us.’ Just you, he reiterated like he always did before accelerating again when the light turned green.

That wasn’t true. They didn’t have a whole lot. His brother worked his ass off to provide for them. Worked a really hard concrete finishing job, dropped out of the Army when the remainder of their family was killed in a car crash a few years back, and took the best paying job he could to provide opportunity for Elijah. Together, they’d worked to get him bigger, faster, tougher than the other guys trying out for quarterback, and it had paid off. Massillon Tigers had a reputation to uphold. They weren’t going to get some chump punk to quarterback for them. They’d won the state championship seventeen times. He knew that they also recruited all over to get those players and red-shirted some to hold them back so they’d be bigger in high school than kids at other schools. Elijah hadn’t needed that. He was already big, bigger than other kids at six-four, two hundred and forty pounds. Most of it was muscle, too. Alex made sure of that. He monitored his diet, kept him to a strict schedule and out of trouble. It wouldn’t have mattered, though. As soon as Elijah proved himself on the field, the scouts were coming from all over the country watching, recording his games, and talking to his coaches. The school also had volunteers from within the community, usually former players who were older and who could mentor to the young men on the team and keep them flying on the straight and narrow. The entire city thought the team was the end-all-be-all of football. They lived, breathed, and ate that crap. Elijah loved the game, always had, but he saw it as something more. He saw it as an opportunity. He wanted what could come with hitting it big. Not hot supermodels and fancy sports cars. He wanted a new life, something better for himself and his brother. He didn’t want Alex to work such a hard, dirty job the rest of his life. He’d given up everything for him. He’d had dreams once, too. Now, he was his legal guardian and was forced to work hard and provide him with a safe and secure home. Elijah saw him sometimes looking at colleges online. His whole life, Alex had wanted to become a helicopter pilot in the Army. Then in a flash, his life changed. Elijah knew his brother wanted to go on to do things with his life, too, but there just wasn’t any way he could pursue any of that, not being tied down to him.

You’ll be nineteen in a few months, Alex said. I don’t want any funny business going on. There’ll be time for all that later.

Like you and Lila?

Yeah, yeah. Don’t be a smartass, he said.

They pulled up in front of the school, and Elijah turned to him and said in a lot more serious tone, Thanks, bro.

For what? Alex asked confusedly. They didn’t often speak about their feelings.

You know… he said and shrugged.

It’s no big…

He stopped his brother by saying, No, it is. It’s a big deal. I know it is. This wasn’t easy for you. You didn’t ask for this to get dumped in your lap.

Alex paused, opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Don’t be a little girl, his brother joked and mussed his hair. Get out.

Elijah laughed and punched his shoulder. Then he left the truck and jogged inside in time for the first warning bell to go off. It was weird walking toward his locker passing a poster of himself in his uniform on the wall. All the starters had their posters plastered everywhere, even all around town on light poles, in restaurants, and barbershops. They were, for all intents and purposes, superstars. He just wanted out of this town.

He’d been offered a scholarship, full ride, of course, to Florida State, but he hadn’t taken it because he didn’t want to be that far away from Alex. Especially not after what he’d done for him.

Hey, man, Jeremy stated and slapped him on the shoulder as he came up behind him. Where’d you go last night? We missed you.

Oh, he said, thinking of an excuse like he always had to for leaving a party early, wasn’t feelin’ so hot. Maybe a bug or something.

Jeremy was also a starter, the safety, and one of his best friends. He was brought in from a small town near Cleveland where he’d attended a Catholic school, free of charge, of course, because of his football skills. The lure of playing for Massillon, though, had convinced his parents to take the sponsorship program and move to Massillon. He was slated for a college scholarship to Michigan. They’d be on rival teams if that happened so Elijah was still hoping his friend would hear from Ohio State soon.

Hi, Elijah, one of the jersey chasers said as she sashayed past them, her blonde ponytail bobbing back and forth. Missed you last night.

He just inclined his chin an inch in greeting and opened his locker.

Hey, baby, Jeremy flirted openly and got a big smile from the girl before she gave her ass a suggestive wiggle as she departed.

Elijah couldn’t remember her name but thought they might be in Calculus together. Amy. Annie. Something like that.

Jeremy broke his train of thought by asking, Think it’ll be like that in college, too?

Ha! Elijah laughed loudly. Yeah, right. Only if we make first string. That’s gonna be a whole new ballgame. No pun intended. We’ll be the new young punks on the block.

Yeah, guess we should expect that, huh? his friend said.

Don’t need…

So, we’d better get some while we can, am I right?

I was going to say distractions. We don’t need distractions, Elijah said with a grin at his friend who was so unlike him. He was a good friend, though. Jeremy was loyal and always had his back.

Wonder if Missy wants to try some dark chocolate, Jeremy joked and started doing some male stripper moves and making stupid faces.

He also always cracked Elijah up, which was what he needed most of the time. As he did now, as well.

Missy, yeah, that’s her name, Elijah said and snapped his fingers.

Who cares what her name is? Jeremy continued joking. She wants to have your baby, bro.

Gee, great, he said with sarcasm and rolled his eyes after slamming his locker shut. You’d better get your head in the game, man. Your old man’s gonna kick your ass if you screw up. Besides, Friday’s the first home opener. You don’t have time for no booty callin’.

Jeremy laughed loudly, which was really loud. He had a boisterous laugh to match his personality. His teeth were so bright white against the darkness of his skin. They were perfectly straight, too. Elijah’s weren’t. He was supposed to get braces to correct them, but that was the summer his dad was killed. When he finally remembered, months later, he didn’t have the heart to tell Alex. His financial burden was already so great. Besides, his teeth weren’t that crooked anyway. His dad commented that the doctor only wanted to put him in braces for the money. He had one tooth that was slightly crooked on top, but the ortho had said the braces would mostly be to correct his bite. Whatever that meant. Elijah had never met a steak yet he couldn’t tear up.

He ran a hand through his blonde hair and slung his pack over one shoulder as the second bell rang out.

See ya’ at lunch, he said to his friend, who punched his shoulder.

Then Jeremy did another vulgar, yet silly, stripper style dance gyrating his hips and thrusting his pelvis as he retreated. Elijah laughed again and headed to first period, which was the class he most hated. AP English. He had to maintain his GPA, even though the standards were set pretty low. However, he pushed himself until he got straight A’s. He never wanted low grades to put him out of the running for that scholarship, even though his coach had said many times that with an arm like his, he could get straight D’s and still get one.

As soon as he entered the room, he dropped his paper into Mrs. Kinsey’s basket. He’d actually managed to get it done on time. Then he had to remind himself that this was only the second week of school.

He took his seat near the back of the class, dropped his pack on the floor, and dug around in it to find his English book.

Who’s that? the girl next to him asked the girl in front of her.

I don’t know, she answered. Transfer?

Murmuring around the room, although students were trying to be subtle, mimicked the comments of the two girls.

He laid his notebook on the desk and was ready with pencil in hand for taking notes when Mrs. Kinsey turned to the class and announced, Class, this is Wren Foster. She’s new to our school, so let’s all be welcoming. Wren, you can have a seat back there in the open desk next to Mr. Brannon. That got his attention, and his head snapped up in time to see the girl who had everyone fascinated like little puppies getting a treat for pottying outside. Sometimes high school kids were annoying. Sometimes he felt like he had nothing in common with them. He couldn’t wait for this to all be over so he could start college.

As the girl approached, though, he could see why they were so interested. She was different, stood out, and from what little he could see of her hair, it was wavy, textured, and dark, almost black. Her lips were full and pale pink. She was probably around five feet four or so and very thin. Wearing faded, distressed black baggy jeans and a gray hoodie that was still pulled up, part of her face was concealed as she took her seat and hooked her messenger bag to the back of her desk seat. She was still holding the English textbook that their teacher must’ve given her clutched close to her chest defensively.

Throughout the class, Elijah stole little glances her way, noting the chipped black nail polish and nails that were bitten short and uneven; the ripped and tattered jeans that actually just looked worn out from use; the frayed edges of her gray hoodie; the way her leg bobbed nervously, her heel tapping against the linoleum every so often. She wore a lot of silver rings, too. On her wrist was a silver cuff bracelet that was intricately carved and contained an oval turquoise stone in the center shaped like an arc or a wave. Her hoodie was the kind that had thumbholes at the wrists. He’d seen other girls wearing this style, usually in the winter when they were cold. She seemed as if she were cold now, which was strange because she kept her thumbs pushed through the holes and had tucked the cuffs down around her knuckles and clenched the material in her palms. It felt hot in the classroom to Elijah; it was nearly seventy-five degrees out today. He’d ditched his flannel shirt in his locker. She was pretty skinny, though, so maybe she was cold. On her feet were black beat up gym shoes with laces that weren’t really tied but mostly shredded. He wished she’d take down her hoodie. He was curious now like the rest of the rubber-neckers.

By lunch, others were talking about the new girl, too. Only now the girls were making rude comments about her saying that she was anorexic, someone in third period said they saw her puking in the bathroom, and someone else said she wasn’t that pretty. Obviously jealous. Another girl, whose name he also couldn’t remember, said she was in foster care. He figured that rumor came from her last name being Foster and had nothing to do with her. Someone started a rumor that she was straight from juvey, which also made no sense. Most high school girls weren’t exactly critical thinkers in his experience, but they did love their gossip. Wren Foster was clearly not talking, which would easily explain the rumor mill.

He noticed she wasn’t at lunch in the cafeteria, so he didn’t know where she’d gone. It didn’t matter. He focused on his friends, mostly Jeremy, who was also caught up in the gossip about the new girl. He ate lunch, returned to classes, two more of which he shared with her. Then he hit the field after school for practice. He had no time for distractions. He just needed to stay focused.

Chapter Two

Most of her first day flew by without incident, even if a lot of the kids were talking not so subtly behind her back. She was used to that. By her final period, which was Chemistry class, she had a screaming headache and didn’t say two words to her assigned lab partner, some boy who the girls seemed to have been drooling over. She’d just kept her hood up and her nose in the lesson book. Working on the complex algebraic equations had been comforting and familiar.

By the end of the day, Wren was more than ready to get the heck out of the school and back home. She had a fifteen-minute drive home because she didn’t live in town like most of the other kids. She lived just outside of it in a mobile home park where mostly retirees lived. It was the kind of place they always lived in no matter the city.

She cranked the music, listening to an indie-rock, girl-band and sang along. It felt good to stretch her vocal cords a little since she was mostly silent all day at school. It wasn’t by accident, either. She’d dodged questions from those who were curious enough or actually brave enough to approach her and talk. She avoided conversation. It was just easier that way. She didn’t care if her classmates thought she was a total bitch. She was used to that part, too. The more she put them off, the easier it was. At lunch, she’d chosen to stay in the library, eat her packed sandwich, and read. Starting school after the actual start date made her a little behind, so she had some catch-up work to do.

Wren slowed to a stop when the light in front of her turned red. The next song came on. Boy band. Turn immediately. Flip, flip, flip. She couldn’t find a better channel. Even the news was better than the music choices, so she switched it over to the AM stations because she didn’t have satellite radio. Her uncle listened a lot to the man who was speaking, a political commentator.

…and from what we’ve heard, this flu virus could become serious, he was saying. What do you think about that theory, doctor?

His guest, who must’ve been the doctor, replied, Well, I don’t know about that. A few thousand people infected with a flu virus isn’t much to report on.

But from what they’re saying in the EU, it sounds pretty bad, the host countered.

Flu viruses come and go. This one will be no different. I recommend strongly everyone get vaccinated with the flu vaccine just for some added protection…

Aaaand flip back to FM. Talking about the flu was not exactly an exciting political discussion. "Carry on my Wayward Son" was playing, and she belted out the Kansas lyrics she knew by heart. Her uncle also loved old music, so this was the stuff on at the house all the time when they were doing projects.

She accelerated away and made good time getting home, pulling through the entry gates that were never actually closed. Driving past the pool that was shut down for winter made her a little sad. She loved the sun, loved swimming, soaking up the Vitamin D. She missed her old home in Texas, just outside of Dallas. California had also been a lot better than this. Wren really, really missed her real home, though.

Parking the car under the carport, Wren got out just as her neighbor, Lila, came out of her own trailer.

Good thing you got here quickly, Lila said, her black ponytail bobbing as she walked in her red stilettos. They need me at the restaurant a half hour early.

She passed the toddler she was balancing on her hip to Wren, Oh, sorry, Lila.

No, no worries, kid, she remarked with her usual flippant tone. She even waved her hand around as if swatting a bug away. I’ll get there when I get there. I told Mr. Contuccini to hold his horses. Jane should be there. She’s a reliable kid. She’ll hold down the fort till I arrive. You two should meet. She’s a hoot. ‘Bout your age. Shy as all get out.

Wren deflected her suggestion to say, You usually don’t start until five. Did someone call off?

Yeah, I think Rayla. Mr. C said she called off sick.

Oh, hope it’s not the flu, she remarked, remembering the conversation on the radio.

Hm, not sure. Maybe. It’s kinda’ early for that shit to be running its rounds already.

I don’t know. I’m used to warmer weather. Not sure when to expect that sort of stuff to start around here.

Oh, yeah. California girl, right? Lila asked as she rounded her vehicle to the driver’s door. Wren followed.

Yep, she lied, although that wasn’t entirely true. Has she eaten? Wren asked of the little girl.

I fed her lunch, her friend said and tickled the toddler’s neck, getting a giggle.

Great, Wren said.

Want some fettuccini? I get off at eight. I can drop it between shifts, her friend said with a smile, as usual. I’ll bring ya’ some. I don’t mind.

Um, no thanks, she answered and shifted her new friend’s daughter on her hip to better hold onto her messenger bag, too. Motherhood was sometimes a juggling act. She didn’t ever want kids. Life was fragile. You could lose the people you loved in an instant. Kids were a load of work and responsibility. I’ve got pork chops in the crockpot. She can eat with us.

Of course, you do, Lila said and shook her head. You’re awfully responsible for being a teeny-bopper. See ya’ tomorrow morning, toots.

See you, Wren said. It was easier to keep her daughter overnight when Lila worked late. Lila was working the bar after the restaurant job and wouldn’t get home until after two a.m. Wren didn’t mind keeping her overnight. Lila trusted her to keep Hope safe and felt comfortable enough leaving her with her until morning. She even paid her about hundred bucks a week to babysit. It was better than finding a part-time job in this town. It wasn’t worth it. They were going to move again soon anyway. Plus, the cash payment was tax-free and didn’t require paperwork.

She waved to her friend as Lila pulled away in her small SUV.

So, you were a good girl today? she asked the toddler and got an ornery smile in return.

Yes! she exclaimed with her usual excitement about absolutely everything and nothing. That was the thing about four-year-old children, she was learning.

The second she entered the trailer, she smelled the meat cooking, and it awakened her appetite. She hadn’t eaten much at school. Her stomach was in knots all day. It always was the first day of school until she had the layout of the entire building and grounds memorized. Wren placed the girl on the floor, and she immediately took off to gather toys to wreck the small living room like she did everywhere she went no matter the location. She was beginning to regret asking Lila for a box of toys for her house.

I just need to do some schoolwork, Hope, so just play with your dolls, okay?

Yes, Wren, the toddler answered with a ‘yes’ that was annunciated with a lisp and her name coming off more as ‘win’.

She dropped her messenger bag on the floor in the tiny kitchen and pulled out her English book. By the end of the week, she had to turn in a paper. Hope played quietly for the most part while she read Jane Eyre and wrote by hand in her notebook. She didn’t have a laptop like most of the kids in her new school seemed to. Nope. It was good old-fashioned pen and paper for her.

Avoiding the kids at school was second nature for her. She knew the routine, what to do, where to go when the situation got too hot, how to handle herself. It didn’t matter, though. Even making friends would’ve been a waste of time. They wouldn’t be in this town long, and none of the kids in this new high school would’ve understood her strange lifestyle.

Mr. Jamie’s home! Hope cried out with glee and ran for the door.

The moment he walked through, Wren let out a sigh of relief and offered up a big smile of her own. She always felt like this when her uncle was home. Relieved. Safe. Protected.

How’s my favorite girls doing today? he asked in his usual, cheerful tone.

Great, Wren answered as she rose to peel potatoes to be boiled and then smashed. Meals like this were convenient because they’d have leftovers tomorrow and she wouldn’t have to cook a whole new dinner. She’d learned over the past couple years to do that to make life a little easier. Uncle Jamie was the worst cook ever.

He gave Hope a high-five, and she laughed and ran off.

How was your first day of school? he asked.

Fine, busy, she answered evasively. He didn’t need to hear that she was extremely uncomfortable and had felt under the microscope of her peers all day. He had enough on his mind with everything else in addition to providing for them.

Any…trouble? he asked hesitantly.

No, none, she replied, trying to be honest but also trying to conceal her discomfort. Dinner will be ready in about an hour.

Great, sounds good, he said but looked at her with quiet reflection.

Hope’ll play while you shower, she said, hoping to derail his all-knowing stare. Then we can eat.

Sure, he relented and left the kitchen.

She finished peeling the potatoes and dumped them in a deep stockpot full of water. Then she joined Hope in the living room and turned on the television. It was tuned in to cartoons, but she quickly changed the channel. She didn’t want Hope watching television shows like that all the time. She knew that Lila wanted the best for her daughter. She certainly didn’t want her daughter to grow up like her or make the same mistakes. So, Wren did the best she could with the little girl and read her books when she babysat her instead of letting her watch television.

…and yesterday there were even more cases reported, the newscaster with the bleach blonde hair was saying.

Yes, there were, but let me assure you, the man, some sort of guest on her panel, was stating, the CDC is aware of the issue and is on top of it. No worries.

Then it turned into an argument between four different people, and the host quickly lost control. Wren wasn’t even sure what they were talking about. She thought it might’ve been some type of discussion about a disease like the one she’d heard on the radio.

Wren, look, Hope announced, showing her that she dressed her doll in a new outfit.

Yeah, good job, Hope, she said, trying to hear what the people on the news were saying.

Wren, Hope repeated, wanting her full attention.

A woman on the panel, who seemed to be a doctor of some sort shouted louder than the others to be heard over them, But you have no way of controlling this. This isn’t like any other flu…

Wren, Wren.

What? Wren asked impatiently. Then she sighed. Sorry, Hope. I was just trying to see what that lady on the television was saying.

Like a typical toddler, the little girl said, completely oblivious of Wren’s desire to listen to the news, But Wren, she pretty. Look! Look!

Wren took the doll from her tiny, stubby fingers and inspected it as if it were the most important thing on earth. Wow! This is so pretty! Good job!

Hope jumped up and down with pride of her chosen outfit. The doll was now wearing red pants, a purple sweater, and an orange hat. Maybe Lila’s daughter was color blind.

You couldn’t control the flu last year, the woman on the news accused the first man. What makes you think you can control this? If it hits American shores and spreads any more than it already has, we’re all screwed.

Then they were all yelling again.

Wren, Wren, Hope begged again. Play?

Sure, kid.

She wanted to better understand what was going on. She had never gotten the flu shot, but maybe she should do it this year. Unfortunately, the news program went to a commercial. The panel discussion had become overbearing and too difficult to understand who was saying what anyway. Also, in predictable toddler behavior, Hope decided that playing with her toy horses was much more preferable to playing dolls and left her to tear through her toybox instead. Wren just shook her head and laughed. Oh well. She had a meal to finish.

After dinner, she helped her uncle tear the carpet out of his bedroom. The last owner had a dog. One that was apparently not well trained. His bedroom was the worst. Last weekend, they’d torn out the carpeting in her small bedroom, and he’d lain new gray carpet in there. He was pretty much capable of any sort of construction work. In the last two homes they’d stayed, he’d done multiple repairs and upgrades. That had made living in homes that weren’t in the best conditions more palatable, and they’d turned them for profits, hefty ones. This trailer would be no different, an easy, quick flip. He eventually had plans of fixing up homes and selling them as a full-time business. He was smart about flipping houses, and she’d learned a lot about fixer-uppers from him. He used to buy cheap houses in good neighborhoods back home and sell them for huge profits before he got into his current line of work. They were only going to stay in this place for less than a year. Any other amount of time would’ve been unacceptable. It was understood that they’d stay there until she was done in school, which she had planned on being finished soon after Christmas break. It was called a fast-track senior year.

How was work? she asked him as she helped him heft the roll of carpet into the dumpster.

Good. I think it’ll be a long enough project that it’ll take me through the winter or so. Then we’ll be outta’ here.

Awesome, she remarked, glad they got such a good lead on the job for him.

Then it’s on to bigger and better things, he said. Right?

Yep, she agreed with a smile as she strolled back to their trailer together.

"So, how was school, really?"

She chuckled. Not too bad. I just kept to myself.

Good. Just stay focused. You don’t need a lot of distractions right now anyway.

I know.

They were both silent.

After the next move, I’ll have the money I need, he said, although she already knew this. Her uncle always shared his big hopes and dreams with her.

I know. That’ll be great, she commented. Being self-employed is going to be awesome. Being done with…everything will be great, too.

That was their plan. She would attend college, preferably Ohio State, which she should be hearing back from the government any day on whether or not she’d have a full ride to that school or another one they placed her in. Her major was bio-medical engineering. She loved science, especially the idea of helping people by creating new drugs, discovering new cures, and studying molecular biology. She would go to Ohio State while they lived off-campus in Columbus, and he started his own house flipping business. It was going to be a new start for both of them. She just had to get through high school, and her uncle had to keep stockpiling his money to start his own house flipping business again. Her uncle would likely stay with her for a few more years, maybe less, before pursuing his own dreams.

I really wish I could buy a few of those houses closer to your new school, he lamented.

Why’s that?

Those ones sell for a lot of money because the booster club sponsors football players for the team by buying up the houses close to the school where the families can live while their boys play for the team. The asking price for the nice ones that are updated and renovated are paid, no matter what’s asked. It would be a profitable flip. I’ve got the money to put down on buying one for cash that desperately needs repairs, but I wouldn’t have enough time to get it done before we have to leave.

That sucks, she said, hating their circumstance.

He patted between her shoulder blades and said, No worries, love, his accent slipping. We’ll get there soon enough.

I heard your accent, she said.

He chuckled. I always hear yours.

Hm, she said with a pout, getting another chuckle.

Our classes apparently didn’t stick, he remarked.

Guess not, she agreed as he opened the door to their trailer and shut it behind them, locking it with the newly installed locking system he’d put in place on the equally new steel door. This town is so involved in high school football.

I know. That’s what I’m coming to find out, he said as he checked the window locks and drew their blinds. This is the only high school team you can bet on in Vegas.

Crazy. I don’t even like football, she admitted with a single laugh and plopped with exhaustion onto the worn brown sofa.

Well, these people do. So, I’m willing to capitalize on that by working this construction job, he said and followed her, landing with vigor in the recliner. She was glad they didn’t have to take this ugly furniture when they left. They always stayed in furnished establishments. This set was already old and threadbare in places. He said when they moved to Columbus, Ohio, into their slightly more permanent house eventually that he’d buy all new furniture. She was hoping to pick up a part-time job at the college when they got there. It might actually be nice to make real friends and stay in one place for more than a few months. Then Jamie could move on, too.

Yeah, it’s so weird, she said and drank from her bottle of water. Renovations were a lot of work. You drive through the downtown area and there are flags hanging on the lamp posts with the players’ names and jersey numbers or whatever on them. Like they’re rock stars or war heroes or something. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I guess they’ve got the record to prove it, though. They only recruit the best. Have you seen the gym where they work out?

Yes, because I’m such a gym rat, she joked and tried to make a muscle with her bicep curled, getting a soft chuckle in return.

Right, guess not. Well, you can’t exactly surf anywhere around here. She laughed. I still can’t believe they’re building an indoor football arena. I’ve never heard of a high school having their own dome. Now, that’s some craziness right there. These people are insane about their football.

Wren observed, Yes, they are obsessed, aren’t they?

You can say that again, he joked.

They are obsessed, aren’t they? she mocked with sarcasm and a smirk. She heard her accent coming through thicker and thicker. That happened sometimes when she was overly tired. Or when Uncle Jamie had a few beers, which he rarely imbibed.

He smiled, his eyes, the same dark color as his hair, lighting up, So, you aren’t trying out for head cheerleader anytime soon?

She laughed, then cupped her hand over her mouth to prevent Hope from being awakened. Hardly. I doubt they let girls like me cheer for their all-star team.

I’m sure you’d be the prettiest one on the field, he praised, making her smile. He always said sweet things like that. He was the only one. It was hard to receive a compliment when she basically only hung out with him. Her new friendship with their neighbor Lila only happened when they moved here a few weeks ago. She should’ve started school on time, but, of course, the government hadn’t transferred her papers from her previous school correctly. Her uncle’s friend, Roger, told him about the lead at the construction site he’d heard about. He lived somewhat close by, but she hadn’t met him yet. He was retired from the same line of work as Jamie. Her uncle had met him for beers at a local tavern, though, about a week ago. Jamie had a lot of connections throughout the country and quite a few other countries, too, as he used to be in the military, as well.

Speaking of school, you’d better hit the hay, Wren, he said in his utmost fatherly tone.

Yep, she agreed and patted his shoulder before leaving. I’m really proud of you, Uncle Jamie.

Me?

Yep, you.

"Why me? I’m proud of you, he corrected. You’re one tough kid, Wren."

She smiled and said, Because you work so hard, come home, and work hard some more. Because you’re great at your job and don’t complain about having to hang out with a seventeen-year-old kid all the time.

You’re the one that’s great, Wren. And very brave, he corrected again. Now, go get some sleep.

Yep, she said and grabbed a quick shower before crawling into the small twin-size bed in the equally small bedroom. There wasn’t room for a separate bed for Hope in the second bedroom of the trailer, so she was forced to share her already small bed with a kicking toddler sometimes.

There weren’t band posters on the walls or memorabilia or pictures of her family. The only thing Jamie allowed her was a large pegboard with a world map on it where she’d stuck push pins to mark the places they’d lived. There were many pins stuck in the cork.

Piling her wet braids on top of her pillow, she pulled the warm blankets up over them both. There was a chill in the air, and not just from the Ohio weather. Wren couldn’t put her finger on it. Something just felt off.

She was always uncomfortable starting a new school, which she’d done fourteen times in the last three years due to her uncle’s plans. But this felt different. Something just didn’t seem right, and she hoped it didn’t spell inevitable disaster. She also hoped that if something were about to happen, it would happen to her and not the man who had sacrificed so much to keep her safe.

Chapter Three

Elijah pulled his car into the slot marked for the quarterback and at once felt like a super-douche for parking there. It was the best spot in the whole parking lot, under the shade of a large maple tree, and close to the buildings just past the faculty parking lot. It seemed as if he shouldn’t carry special privilege like that just because he was the quarterback of the football team. Shouldn’t the kid with the highest GPA get that spot? They’d even offered him the use of a car, but he knew that the team cars supplied by the boosters were low-jacked with tracking devices to keep tabs on the players so that they wouldn’t be out past curfew in them or hanging out in places that weren’t deemed acceptable. No thanks. He’d play for them and win like he had last Friday night at the home opener, but they sure as hell didn’t own him.

He drove his own car, which was, admittedly, a piece of shit loud muscle car from the 1960s that needed to be restored, but it was his. Unfortunately, it broke down a lot and needed repairs all the time. But he loved the purr of its V8 engine and even the black puff of smoke that came out of the tailpipe sometimes when he fired up the ’68 Dodge Charger with the HEMI motor. One of the girls in his school who was a big-time environmental nutjob had spit on it when she’d been walking by to go to her electric car. He’d just laughed. Some people just didn’t get it. Sure, the black paint was faded, probably needed re-painted and some restoration work done to it. The seats needed to be redone. The hood scoop was even faded and had a couple actual chips of paint. But, someday, he’d have the money to have it painted. Not today, though. For now, it was faded black with rust and aging. It was enough that Alex had let him have it after their father was killed. It had belonged to their father, and he’d kept it in a storage unit. Alex had said it was cheaper to let Elijah just have it than it was to keep paying for the storage unit or buy him his own car. Last weekend, they’d put new brakes on it which was why his brother had to drive him to school a few days. Then his brother had lectured him about not riding the brakes and that he’d better not ruin the clutch or he’d have to get a part-time job to repair it. Elijah didn’t care. He loved his car. It was a symbol of freedom. He could go wherever he wanted. Sort of.

At least parking in his special spot, he didn’t need to worry about it getting door-dinged or bumped by some new driver in their first week after managing to pass driver’s ed. He got out and locked it. Being the school’s star quarterback didn’t mean someone wouldn’t steal his shit. It was still considered a pretty rough school. They had three police officers in the building at all times, plus metal detectors.

Whattup’, QB? Jeremy shouted in his face, slapping him on the back as he must’ve spotted him crossing the long paved lot.

Nothing, safety pin, he joked, using his nickname and his position on the field. Do anything exciting over the weekend?

You’d know if you’d stop livin’ like a freagin’ monk, bro’, Jeremy teased and wrapped an arm around Elijah’s neck as they walked. It was obviously uncomfortable, so he stopped almost immediately because he was about four inches shorter than Elijah.

Yeah, well, I’ve got the warden to deal with if I screw up, he said, referring to his brother.

Jeremy laughed. I got my mama, dude. You’ve met her. I’m scared of that woman. My dad? I can handle him. Mama? Nuh-uh, no way, ma’ brotha’. She’s scary fierce. She’s quick to whoop an ass.

Dude, he said, his eyes catching sight of that new girl, Wren, crossing the parking lot twenty yards away but parallel with them. He momentarily forgot what he was saying. Jeremy, everyone’s scared of your mom. I’m scared of her, too. Get real!

No doubt, he said. But, I did go to a party and hung out with Chastity for a while.

Does the name fit?

His friend gave him a telling look, to which they both chuckled.

Then Elijah asked, Does Brittany know that?

His friend threw back his head and laughed loudly.

Hell, no! he said of his current girlfriend, of which he flew through by the dozens. Elijah wasn’t sure how his friend hadn’t literally dated every girl in their school already. Heck, he’d even dated a lot from neighboring schools. And don’t say nothin’, man.

This time, Elijah laughed. Then he glanced over to find the new girl looking their way. Jeremy was loud and didn’t care who heard them most of the time, and Elijah had just gotten used to his big personality over the last three years.

You need to stamp a bar code on their wrists or something, Elijah suggested. You’d be able to keep track of who’s who that way. Just scan them with your phone or some shit. Create an app for it and call it something like: Chicks I’ve already banged. Elijah flashed his hand in front of them like a scrolling text. Red means you already hit it. Green means go, bro’. His friend laughed even harder this time.

Elijah looked over to find Wren talking with the principal, who’d flagged her down. That was odd. He never knew the principal to come out of his office for something. He was lazy. That was the nicest version of the criticisms he could come up with to describe him. The man never left his office except to sneak out every day at lunch. Elijah had seen him smoking weed once behind the workout center when he’d gone there to get some leg work in during his lunch hour. He hadn’t told anyone, though. He wasn’t a snitch. Plus, he had that scholarship to keep him quiet and on the down-low until he graduated and got out of town.

Jeremy exclaimed and even jumped in the air once, "Bro’, that’s brilliant! Maybe I should develop an app for that."

Yeah, retire a millionaire at eighteen, Elijah joked.

Niiice, his friend said with a toothy grin. Hey, catch you at lunch, man.

They punched fists, and Elijah hung back, trying to overhear the conversation taking place between the principal and the new girl as he approached the building closer. It was the usual crush of people before the first bell.

"…how do you not understand?" she was saying.

I need more information…

Wren interrupted him with what Elijah could only describe as impatience, "No. You don’t! You were given the only information you need. Don’t make me have my

Reviews for Apokalypsis Book Three

[jnlstaser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Each book in this series gets a little better than the one before. Morris's writing is very enjoyable, exciting, and easy to read. The Easter eggs in this book were incredible. The worst part about this book is that we now have to wait till book 4.

[JillBrindley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Stayed up all night to finish! Definitely recommend!