Ashes

By Joshua Rutherford

In the not-too-distant future, conflict after conflict has ravaged what was once the United States. Fractured into confederacies, this once Promised Land is now the breeding ground for armies hell-bent on war. Among the soldiers of this landscape is Darren Avery, a decorated Army captain who has risen to the status of hero over the course of a dozen deployments. Despite the praise and honors bestowed on him, Darren finds himself questioning his purpose after returning home from his latest engagement. In the midst of his self-examination, he comes across a handful of underground activists that preach a concept he has never before considered: peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joshua Rutherford
• Release date: Sep 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005541156

Joshua Rutherford

Joshua Rutherford has wanted to be a writer all his life. Through college and the more than dozen jobs that he has had, his passion for the written word has never ceased. After crafting several feature film screenplays and television pilots that were never produced, Joshua tried his hand at writing a novel. Sons of Chenia is the product of that effort. When Joshua is not writing - which isn’t often - he is spending quality time with his wife, Elisa. The two currently reside in Austin, TX.

Book preview

Ashes

Joshua Rutherford

Published by Joshua Rutherford at Smashwords

Copyright © 2020 Joshua Rutherford

Where are the tracers?

He blinked and they weren’t there. He blinked again and the sky lit up, as line after fatal line streaked red against the night sky. The roar of artillery accompanied the flashes. An all-too-familiar noise to Darren. A symphony of nightmarish victory.

He closed his eyes. The cannon fire – boom boom boom boom boom - stopped. This time he kept them shut for a few seconds, longer than necessary. When he opened them, the sounds of battle had ceased, the lights were nowhere to be found. Not even the stars shone, as the fog had rolled in to drape the rooftop and obscure the night sky.

Darren took another drag. With his free hand he clenched his fist. This is ridiculous. What am I? Some grunt?

He tossed his cigarette over the edge. He threw open the door behind him, its rusty hinges creaking as if to announce his departure. Flight after flight of stairs clapped against his feet as he took them two at a time, effortlessly and with perfect balance. Let’s see a recruit do that.

Inch-thick carpet and the warm glow of sconces met him next. As did Mrs. Leary, with her beagle and plush leather purse. She nodded and smiled in her typical fashion. Darren replied as he usually did, with a stare and brusque nod. On rare occasions, he might stop to pet her dog or offer a word. This was not one of those.

He turned the corner. More sconces. Burgundy doors. Muffled voices from tenants within. Laughing. Talking. Living. Nothing out of the ordinary. As usual.

Another corner. More doors. And tenants behind them. Just as it had been in the hall before. Only this time, there was an unwelcome sight.

A legal-sized envelope resting against the outside of his door.

Darren nearly paused. He exhaled more than needed.

Again. The thought rang through his mind. Another one.