Daisy Song: Life After Us

By Rebekah Dodson

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Seven months ago, Vicki Morel was supposed to be happy, not in the midst of the apocalypse. Her and her fiance, Will, should have been married and about to celebrate the birth of their child. Instead, Will was the leader of a terrorist organization, and Vicki is now his prisoner. And if she doesn't do what he wants, he'll kill the man she really loves: Ambrose.

Vicki came into Ambrose's life like a bomb. She blew everything apart, and just when he thought they could get out of this hell hole alive, she walked away. Or did she? After a cryptic message on a satellite phone, Ambrose is willing to risk it all to find her. Through a plane crash, escaping crazy doomsday preppers, and invading a military base, Ambrose and his new band of survivors is determined to rescue Vicki. He wasn't born a leader, but yet the people follow him, determined to carve out a new path in this new world. 

When everything ends, the daisy's song promises a new beginning, a new life, and a new dawn on the horizon. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebekah Dodson
• Release date: Aug 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393717157

Rebekah Dodson

Rebekah Dodson is a prolific word weaver of romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Her works include the series Postcards from Paris, The Surrogate, The Curse of Lanval series, several standalone novels, and her upcoming YA novel, Clock City. She has been writing her whole life, with her first published work of historical fiction with 4H Clubs of America at the age of 12, and poetry at the age of 16 with the National Poetry Society. With an extensive academic background including education, history, psychology and English, she currently works as a college professor by day and a writer by night. She resides in Southern Oregon with her husband, two teenagers, and three dogs.

Book preview

Chapter One

EVERY MORNING WAS ALWAYS the same. Vicki awoke to the same cream-colored walls, the same oak four poster bed, the same ivory silk sheets. The room reeked of fresh lavender, sitting in a vase next to her bed, a scent Vicki only associated with death and destruction. The same crushing reality she would probably die here, if someone didn’t come save her; she’s end up like the broken and charred remains of what used to be Lincoln, Nebraska.

But someone was coming. Ambrose.

He was going to save her.

Soon.

Vicki’s world changed the minute she allowed Will to take her away from Oregon, from Ambrose, from everything she knew. The WWA, the World Without Americans, had invaded Oregon, leveling the Portland Airport, and Vicki thought, killing Will in the aftermath. To make matters worse, the government had fallen within days due to the use of a vaporizing weapon that also unleashed an EMP that covered thousands of miles at a time. She only escaped with the help of Ambrose Palamo, a Samoan pilot who had risked his life many times over to keep her safe. But now she was trapped here, surrounded by fields of lavender, under the control of the man she was once engaged to: Will Bartel, or as the crippled, former United States Nations knew him, The Supreme Leader.

For months she’d been his prisoner, but that was going end. Ambrose was coming.

This morning, however, there were no silk sheets or lumpy mattress to wake up to. The coarse hospital sheets scratched at her back, and her arm was sore. What was going on? Where was she? Her room was smaller now, with stark white walls surrounding the lifted hospital bed where she lay. On her left, a machine beeped rhythmically, attached to a clear tube running into her left hand. Next to it sat a blank monitor with the same blunted microphone Dr. Sethi had used for the baby’s  heartbeat week ago.

Where am I? Vicki croaked, surprised her voice even worked. Her throat was raw, and blurry vision under the bright lights in the room, she didn’t know if anyone else was even there.

Miss Vicki, you wake, a tiny voice said, her dark face appearing in Vicki’s vision. It was Carlita, the little maid, standing next to the bed. I must inform General.

She left Vicki’s side and opened the solid steel door to a white hallway that Vicki didn’t recognize. Shouting something in Spanish, Carlita stepped into the hallway.

The doctor will come, she said, looking at back Vicki with wide, sad eyes. She shut the door behind her.

Left alone in the tiny room hooked up to a machine, Vicki suddenly felt around her stomach with her right hand. She began to panic. What about the—

A flutter kick, no more than the roil of an upset stomach, greeted her. She felt the firm bump around her middle and sighed. The baby, the baby was okay. At least, she hoped.

The flood of contraction pain came back to her then and she struggled to sit up.

From across the room, the metal door clicked, a lock of some kind maybe, and Dr. Sethi stepped in. She hadn’t seen him since the day of her exam, when he promised to get her an ultrasound.

Will followed on his heels. Vicki shivered to see him and felt her breath catch in her throat. She winced and pulled the sheet under the chin.

Pushing the doctor aside, Will grasped Vicki’s right hand. My love, I was so worried!

What’s going on? Vicki mumbled, still groggy, clutching the sheet as tight as she could. She had to get out of here, she had to get to... her thoughts were all jumbled, and she couldn’t think straight.

The baby’s fine, Will interrupted. Tell her, the good news, doc. He looked at the other man.

The doctor, a short, round man whose coat stretched at the button, looked at Vicki. He took her pulse on her left hand, and stuck a stethoscope to her belly, nodding up at Will. Pulling the stethoscope around his neck, he said, The heartbeat is strong, his said, his thick Indian accent making his words barely discernible. He was clearly more nervous than had been a few days ago.

Never mind that, Will interrupted. He squeezed Vicki’s hand painfully. We’re going to have a son! His face lit up like a Christmas tree.

His excitement was so palpable, his dark eyes so bright, Vicki suddenly saw a glimpse of what could have been. It was the old Will, dancing with her in the kitchen, singing karaoke on Fridays, ordering delivery on their Alex glasses: normal, white, American BBQ.

He’s still in there, somewhere, she thought, but then remembering his cruelty to her was a slap in the face. The old Will was gone, and she had to accept that. This was the man who executed my maid the second day here before I tried to run away.

She shook her head. A boy? she mumbled, grasping her middle. How do you know?

Dr. Sethi, Will nodded at the doctor. He did an ultrasound while you were unconscious. I promised you I would get the equipment, didn’t I? He beamed as if he expected a prize.

Although Vicki shivered at the thought of them doing something to her while she had been unconscious, another thought occurred.

How long have I been asleep?

Most of the night, Will said, and into the morning. The good doctor gave you something to ease the pain and it put you out for twelve hours.

Twelve hours? She pushed up from the bed, her mind flooding with panic that she had missed Ambrose. What if she’d slept even longer and he was here, waiting for her? But that’s too long! I have to...

Rest, my dear, Will’s fingertips dug brutally into her shoulder as she sank back into the bed with a whimper. But this is such good news, isn’t in, my dear? I couldn’t wait for you to wake up.

Dr. Sethi nodded, a sad smile on his face. Yes, it was very clear it will be a boy.

Thank God, Vicki sighed, brief relief washing over her. After Will’s threat a few days ago, she had no idea what would happen if it was a girl, but she knew it wouldn’t be good. Will was intent on a son.

Now, there are more important things, Dr. Sethi said. Can you tell me where the pain started? he asked Vicki in halting English.

She thought for a minute. Around my back, shooting down my leg, my right leg, Vicki said, closing her eyes. A son. How did she get so lucky? Her life was spared... for now.

Likely it was the false pains, Supreme Leader, Dr. Sethi told Will.

The what? Vicki’s eyes popped open as she struggled to sit up. Will pushed her back down.

Braxton-Hicks, Will said softly. False labor.

But... women don’t have those until... Vicki trailed off, not knowing how to finish. It wasn’t like she had any experience with this or had any time to do the research. Was this normal for how far along she was? Didn’t the women on TV have those right before they gave birth?

Not always, Dr. Sethi patted her arm. They can occur any time after 20 weeks.

So, it’s normal, then?

Very much so, he nodded. And there’s one other thing.

Yes? Will and Vicki said at the same time.

You’re farther along than I expected. At least 30 weeks, according to the ultrasound.

Will beamed, smiling widely at Vicki. Leave us, he barked at Dr. Sethi.

With a curt bow, the doctor scurried out of the room, the door clanging loudly behind him.

This is good news, Will said, dropping her hand and stepping back. The room was so small his back was against the wall.

Why? Vicki said, shaking her head. She didn’t understand.

It means the baby is mine, of course. His smile was gone, replaced only by the cruel glare she knew well.

Vicki turned her head away from him. There was never any doubt.

There was that man in the woods, Will whispered.

Vicki’s head snapped around. Nothing happened, I told you that, months ago. He saved me in Portland. He...

Will narrowed his eyes at her. You didn’t try very hard to get away from him.

Where else was I supposed to go with your military chasing me down! Vicki yelled, her fists scrunched in the sheets around her.

Will stepped forward so fast, and before Vicki could move, his hands were pressed around her neck. He squeezed, her head flopping back and forth, the air immediately snatched from her lungs. Choking and struggling for air, she beat at his wrists, but his grip was too strong. Her legs flailed under the thin hospital sheet, and too late she realized her legs were strapped to the edge of the bed.

She was trapped. She was going to die here.

He released her suddenly, and she gasped for air. His mouth pressed against her lips, sucking what previous oxygen she had left. She gagged and pushed him away, dry heaving over the side of the hospital bed.

I don’t care what happened for that week you were gone, his voice dripping venomous poison that made Vicki shiver as she tried gasped for air. "I don’t care if he fucked your brains out and you enjoyed it."

The thought flew to her unbidden. Actually, it was me that...She clamped her teeth down on her tongue.

His hand pressed against her womb, hard, clearing her head immediately. "All I care about is this son is mine, that you are mine, and there’s nothing you can do about it."

Vicki glared at him. Take the damn baby then and let me go.

Will laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. Why would I do that? He will need a mother, after all. He chuckled. I meant what I said that night in the restaurant, Vicki, I do intend to marry you.

I don’t want to marry you. Vicki spit at him with all the saliva she had left.

Calmly, he took a handkerchief from his suit jacket pocket and wiped his face. Blinking, he said, You don’t have a choice. You think I will allow my son to have bastard parents... he paused, like I was?

What will you do if I refuse? Vicki glared at him.

Will shook his head and smiled, laughing softly. Or else the next person I squeeze the life out of will be that man whore you called friend. He pushed his lips next to her ear and whispered, thank you for bringing him to me, you know. Soon, I’ll have him right where I want him. He leaned back and made a snapping motion with his clenched fists.

You monster! Vicki exploded, trying to push him away. With her legs buckled to the bed, she couldn’t reach him as he side stepped away from her and backed up to the door.

With another awful laugh, he flung the door open behind him and stepped out, never breaking eye contact with her. Just before he shut the door, he said, Get well soon, my love, because the wedding goes on as planned...we’ll just have to hurry, before my son is born.

Something inside Vicki broke, then. He had slapped her, punched her, and held her against her will for months. Every time, she crawled into her bed broken and depressed, a shell of who she formerly was.

No more.

You are a bastard, and I’ll kill you, she whispered as the door shut. The quiet confidence of her malice scared her as she squeezed the tears away. "I’ll kill you!" she screamed, pounding her fists into the bed mattress. She wasn’t going to let this happen. Not for her baby, not for Ambrose, and most importantly, not for herself.

She was going to live, she was going to escape.

But how?

Help! she tried again. Please, someone! Anyone! Help me!

Everything around her was silent, except for the blip, blip, blip of the monitor by the bed. She lay there, willing herself to fight, fight for all she could. It took her a minute to realize...

The door hadn’t locked behind Will.

Months of hearing the click of her door lock, of seeing him pocket that key, but this time, he hadn’t. Maybe he forgot, maybe there was a guard outside.

She didn’t care. She had to do something.

Examining her arm, she peeled off the clear tape holding the IV, wincing as it tore at her tender flesh. She ripped the IV out of her arm, crying out as she felt the sharp pain of the thin needle. Pressing her hand to her inner elbow to stop the small flow of blood, she reached down and unhooked the straps that held her ankles. Her side ached, the pain in her back still pounded, but she breathed through it and stood, wobbling for a moment on unsure legs.

There was no time to search the room, no time for anything else but action. No windows that she could see, so the only way out was that door. Why had Will left it unlocked? He was too careful of a man to make that mistake. Maybe it was a trap.

She didn’t care. The memory of his hands at her throat, the awful minute where he could have extinguished her life, was too painful. She’d yank a hundred door handles and walk a thousand miles to get away from him.

Prying the door open a scant inch, she peered down the hallway. It stretched out in both directions, the walls just as stark and white as her room. At the very end of the left, she could see the hallway bent around the corner. Maybe there was an elevator there, an exit, something.

But there was no guard.

Was Will that foolish, that he thought she wouldn’t escape?

Or maybe he though she was too weak – or stupid – to attempt it?

Barefoot, clothed only in a hospital robe tied behind her at her neck and waist, she tip-toed out of the room and stood in the hallway, painfully aware her backside was exposed. She wanted to run to safety, but couldn’t, not in her condition. She ambled as fast as she dared towards that bend at the end hall, passing closed doors like the one on her room, over a dozen of them. When she reached the corner, she skidded to a halt, her bare feet scraping on the smooth linoleum.

She froze as another false contraction ripped up her back and across the front of her swollen belly.

"Ahhgh!" she cried out, grasping at the pristine wall next to her before she would hit her knees on the cold floor. She sucked in a breath, scared she’s alerted whatever guards were waiting for her. After a few seconds, she exhaled, and started to peek around the white wall.

A hand snaked out behind her and grabbed her wrist, spinning her back into the hallway. In the agony of the contraction she didn’t realize someone had snuck up behind her. Vicki cursed as she nearly tumbled right into a man in a blue uniform—the very guards she had prayed she would escape.

Well, well, what have we here, a Hispanic voice she didn’t recognize said, tugging on her hand so hard she fell to her knees. "Trying to escape, pueto?"

Holding her belly, she struggled to her feet and tried to run, but her bare feet slipped on the polished linoleum and his fist came down on her back, just at the base of her neck, holding her down. She fell, stomach first, the baby smashing between her in the floor, and she let out a cry. Behind her, she heard the clank as the automatic weapon that was strapped to his back lowered to the floor.

Once you come down here, you never get to leave, the soldier said, his hand still pressing her to the floor. But once in a while...

Vicki heard the sound of his zipper and began to panic. She screamed as she felt his other hand on her bare read end, gliding down her legs, forcing them apart.

Don’t you know who I am? She cried, wriggling as much as she could to get the pressure off the baby, but he had her pinned. I’m the Supreme Leader’s wife! I’m with child! You get your hands... She trailed off in a scream as a contraction ripped through her once more.

A punch to the back of her head sent the whole world spinning, but she fought to remain conscious. She couldn’t let this happen, she couldn’t...

"Shut your mouth, pueto," came the voice behind her.

His hand pried her legs open and she felt his searing heat pressed against her inner thigh. Will had violated her time and again and she had frozen in terror each time, and this time was no different. This was wrong. She screamed again, the whole world a dizzying mess. God, someone help me! Please! She scraped at the linoleum, her fingers tearing painfully at the ground, trying to crawl away. His strong hand gripped the back of her neck as she struggled to escape.

Helpless, she laid there, agony ripping through her, inside her, around her. She shook, scratching at the floor in front of her. Tried to get away, anything to get away. Hoarse screams erupted from her until her throat was on fire.

In her distorted vision, she saw a pair of shiny black shoes racing towards her. She couldn’t be sure who it was, or if she was even hallucinating. Ambrose, where are you? She squeezed her eyes shut, praying she could pass out before she had to endure this. Pain ripped down her side, and she couldn’t tell if it was another contraction or the horror this soldier was putting her through.

A gunshot echoed through the hallway, the blast so loud that she pressed her hands to her ears. Was she still screaming? She couldn’t tell.

The pain behind her suddenly ceased.

She rolled to her side, her legs tucked into her chest, wrapping her hand around her belly as the ringing in her ears pounded through her brain.

The soldier, pants around his knees, stared at her with wide eyes and an open O of a mouth. Vicki screamed when she saw the blackened hole in his forehead trickling with a stream of blood. He fell on his back, crunching against his gun.

Vicki looked up, her vision still a shaded cloud. A man in a suit stood over her, his normally firmly combed back hair falling in his face. A thud as he tossed the gun away from him. She felt a hand under her, pulling her roughly up. A flurry of voices clamored around her, and she thought she saw Dr. Sethi and more soldiers rush into the hallway, but she couldn’t be sure.

Stand up, you whore, Will whispered into her ear as she lay limp against him. She heard the thump as Will landed a kick into the dead soldier’s side, pushing him out of the way. He spat on him, running a hand across his mouth to wipe away the spittle. He screamed in Arabic, the first time she had heard him do so in the all the months she’d been here, and it chilled her to the bone:

That’s what you get for violating my wife!

He spun her around then, squeezing her chin and forcing her to look forward. She gasped once more at the soldier lying dead at her feet, his rigid rape stick standing at full attention. She shut her eyes and whimpered.

That’s your fault, his lips pressing into the side of her face. A good soldier gone, because you couldn’t stay put.

Vicki whimpered. Her legs were weak, and she couldn’t stand on her own. She collapsed against him. His hands wound into her hair, and he half pulled, half dragged her down the hall, pushing past guards, nurses, and other medical staff. They were all pressed against the wall, she saw, averting their eyes up, down, anywhere but the gruesome scene in front of them.

Where are you taking me! She screamed weakly, trying to pry his hands from her hair.

Back to the mansion, he growled. It’s the only place I can keep you safe, apparently.

Help me! She called to the hallway full of bystanders.

No one reached out to save her, no one moved.

Chapter Two

AMBROSE TAPPED THE red light on the dashboard. He felt panic rise in his throat.

Not now, now when we are so close.

On the horizon, Ambrose could see the peaks of the Glacier Mountains, just south of the Canadian border. The noon sun was high in the sky behind them; not the ideal conditions that Ambrose wanted to announce his arrival. At 4500 feet, there was no way to tell if the specs on the ground were military or not. He wanted to make it a little farther; to an airstrip he’d marked on the map just east of Helena. But now he knew he had no choice. They’d already landed out in the middle of nowhere in Idaho and used the rest of their fuel. How could he have misjudged it? How could he have been so stupid?

Considering it was the first time he’d ever flown solo, it was remarkable he was even able to keep this plane above ground anyway.

Julio! He nudged his reluctant travel companion, who had been sleeping for the last three hours. Julio, we’ve got a problem.

Huh? Julio started awake.

"You’d better buckle