Ashes to Atom: To the Living: Ashes to Atom, #2

By Ginny Bowman

A hundred years ago, nuclear fire tore the status quo to shreds. Those that survived gathered round powerful figures, individuals with shelter and food to provide in exchange for service. Those figures became the start of the families, elites that control a necessary part of everyone's existence. Each dependent on that system of service, of unspoken slavery. Each dependent upon their status quo.

 

With the twins off on their mission in the city, Chaucer is left to do what he does best. Distribute justice and restore what was lost. Tearing apart the elitist system bit by bit.

 

A hundred years ago, nuclear fire tore the status quo to shreds. Today, Tommy Chaucer will do the same with only a few words and a smile. Granted, he's too high to remember what he said, but that's not going to matter in the end.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ginny Bowman
• Release date: Oct 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393956792

Book preview

High pitched screams echoed in the vine-covered buildings around them, as if the city itself was unhappy with their presence.

James and Lucy crouched under a bus stop, once clear panels now almost entirely obscured by mildew and moss. Lucy shivered, trying to ignore the primordial terror that the scream inspired. Ok, she murmured, focusing on the almost clean smell of the moss, maybe we should’ve taken the long way.

Long way would’ve taken us through the hot spots, her twin reminded her, trying to find a clear spot for his scope.

The known hot spots, she reminded him, Nowhere in the city is safe. They bombed the shit out of it.

Luckily, we’re not safe either, he said, rifle booming in the enclosed space as he took a shot.

That doesn’t even make sense, she said.

He thought about it for a moment as he listened for more movement. No, no, it doesn’t. What I mean is— The roof of the bus stop bent as something landed on it.

Fuck this, James snarled. His sister checked her clip and watched the creature skitter over the mold before the two made their move out of the shelter to face it head on.

It was a monkey. They knew that from the pictures they’d seen in books. Only in books, monkeys were funny and curious, not furiously angry. The creature bared its teeth and screamed, bracing itself to jump before they fired in unison, bringing it crashing to the concrete. 

Holy shit, Lucy panted, leaning down to examine the corpse. Masses of tumors covered its back, its spine twisted and visible under the stretched skin. They’d heard stories of the area, of the creatures that had escaped not long after the bombs dropped. They’d both put it down to bar stories, told by drunks wanting attention. The creature in front of them begged to differ. Or at least it would if it wasn’t dead.

As I was saying, we’re not safe to mess with either, James said, giving the corpse a kick as he studied the buildings around them.

Good point, she said, still distracted by the monkey.

More of the creatures, in colors ranging from black to tan, seemed to be grouping on a nearby rooftop. Through his scope, he could make out another, larger, creature, this one entirely white.

Hey, Luu, he said.

Yeah? she said.

We gotta go.

Huh? she asked, then turned and saw the same thing he had. Good idea.

They backed away slowly before breaking out into a run, darting into a roadway that seemed filled with small buildings. Above them, a cheerful kiosk, now torn apart by age, announced the entrance to the zoo.

James? she said breathlessly, ducking behind a booth lined with rotted plush toys.

Yeah?

We ran into the zoo.

S’ok, all the animals ran out of the zoo.

Right, yeah, she sighed, watching him count his ammo. If I remember right, we need to go northeast. Should be able to cut through.

If we’re lucky, there won’t be any hot spots, James said, pulling her into a building as they heard the crashing of running feet. After a moment of tense silence while they tried to remain as invisible as possible, the feet retreated. Cautiously, they checked the doorway and the surrounding area. The kiosk they’d originally hid behind was knocked over, plush stuffing blowing in the slight breeze, but otherwise the area seemed empty. I mean, who would bomb a zoo?

Were white bears really that fucking big? she said, ignoring him and pointing out the statue across the pathway from them.

Dunno, he said, before nodding at the doors beyond the bear statue. Gift shop might have supplies. Maybe even some snack cakes.

No it won't, she said, but he was already walking toward the glass doors.  She took another glance at the empty entrance way, listening for the scurrying of claws on concrete, and followed.

Rotted, mold-covered displays once full of candy greeted James and Lucy, along with empty hangers hanging from racks. A few skeletons lay slumped over the counter, as if still waiting patiently for their fudge.

See? they said together, Lucy pointing at the empty space, and James pointing at the relatively untouched plush toy section.

Wish we could carry a crate, he said, hesitating as he looked over the selection.

Guess baby things weren’t top of the list when the looting started, Lucy admitted grudgingly. A small koala looked up at her among the plushes, glitter covered fur only slightly dimmed by age.

Help me grab some shirts for the kids, would you? James asked, I’m gonna snag a board game and some books, save ‘em for Christmas?

Yeah, ok, she said, grinning at his sudden burst of bright-eyed cheerfulness. Christmas had always been an iffy time for the pair, but the kids at Chaucer’s house had made it seem worthwhile again.

Their boyfriend drew the freaks and the people who didn’t fit, so long as they were willing to work. Sometimes they had kids, sometimes the kids came on their own. Chaucer gave them new homes, no matter what their mutation, and made sure they were treated just the same as any other kid.

Lucy shook shirts free of dust, including a few extras for the people they knew would be added to the group by the time they came back. Lucy watched James smooth a hand over the bulge on his side they’d named Jordan, and decided her pack could hold one or two more things.

* * *

The equipment is intact, that’s the good news, Huggleston, a huge angry looking woman, told him. She and her partner had been sent to the chemical plants the runners had spotted while out doing their duties.

Considering all the others had been broken apart, Chaucer said, leading them down the path to the distillery, I’d say that is very good news.

Everything in the tanks was dried up though, I don’t see how it would be usable, she continued.

The chems only had a half life of a few years, the equipment was what we needed, he assured her. They reached the brewery, off tune singing whistling through the cracks in the door. Chaucer and Huggleston shared a glance before he knocked lightly, tentatively turning the knob and opening the door. They caught a glimpse of Shaanti dancing before all hell broke loose.

Close the door! Close the damn door! Don’t you realize this is very sensitive to light? You could—oh, hello Mr. Chaucer—close the fucking door. Please. The distiller straightened, the last minute attempt at politeness almost too much for him.

Terribly sorry, Chaucer said, securing the door and waving at a bristling Huggleston.

Well, I suppose there’s no harm done, Shaanti said reluctantly. Anyway, what did you want?

To give you the news. We can go ahead with the next part of the plan, Chaucer told him.

Fantastic.

Chapter 2

Pretty sure elephants weren’t that small, James said, pointing at another statue, worn with age and just the right height for sitting on.

Lucy shrugged. If we’re ‘lucky’, she said, tagging tick marks in the air, we’ll be able to see one of them.

Good point, he said, rifle already at the ready. Here, as in all the other areas of the zoo, fences had been torn, rude bridges set over the trenches meant to be back up security for the animals. Sometimes they heard howling, but for the most part, it was eerily quiet.

Then they saw them; great grey beasts with horns almost as long as Lucy jutting out beside their mouths. They were tugging tree branches, searching for green leaves, ambling along the path.

The pair took cover behind an ice cream kiosk, taking turns peeking around. I don’t think they noticed us, Lucy said.

Yet, James murmured. He held a tiny book made of thick cardboard, cartoon illustrations of animals adorning it. Those are definitely elephants.

Is that a baby book? Lucy asked, doing a double take as the branches waved above them.

It’s for anyone, James said defensively.

Uh-huh. Whatever works, baby brother.

Shut up.

From behind them another rustling through the nearly bare branches caught their attention. A long neck, bent with bulging tumors, looked down at them from the tips of the trees, its body almost comically small. It didn’t seem to see them, as it stomped through toward the elephants.

Giraffe? Lucy said, looking at James for his nod of confirmation.

It’s a useful book, he told her. She just glanced at him and shook her head. 

The giraffe was followed by several more, each with varying degrees of mutation. Elephants sang their greeting, the two types of animals seemingly used to each other’s presence.

Shall we? James said, pointing out an opening through the trees that would allow them to bypass the main path.

Let’s.

Feeling like mice compared to the larger animals, they made their way through the patch of forest, dodging and hiding as the trees swayed and branches swung from the beasts’ meal.

More broken enclosures greeted them when they reached the sidewalk again, along with an employee’s only area that they headed toward as one mind.

Looks like they were trying to hide out here, James mentioned. It wouldn’t be the first odd hiding place they’d seen. People dug out where they could, or where they were at the time, after the bombs dropped. A hundred years later it would be easy to look back and see how pointless the gestures had been, hunkering down in places that couldn’t possibly be radiation proof, or safe from the other elements. They tried to understand the panic of those first few days, and let it go.

In this case, a dusty couch lay with one back cushion arranged for a pillow and a banner from one of the park’s attractions laid across for a blanket. Empty snack bags were piled in the corner, along with a stack of ice cream bowls from one of the overpriced stalls.

Must’ve had time to gather supplies, Lucy said, easing down on the couch to avoid raising a dust cloud.

Or took a chance once they were starving, James shrugged, checking drawers for anything useful before sitting down next to his sister. Good a place as any to stay the night.

Better than getting trampled by a gazelle, she said.

What?

I was reading that they were huge, needed a whole pack of dogs to take ‘em down.

James flipped through the book for a moment before saying, I think you’ve got your wires crossed, Sis.

She shrugged. Some people could not be talked to.

*  * *

Chaucer looked over the diagrams spread across the table, thoughts racing. They usually did after his morning blend. Or was it the evening time by now? He looked out the window and determined it to be afternoon. Time for another dose, then back to the diagrams. The artist had completed tracing out the blueprints for the laser weapon, now runners were out looking for interesting factory sites. They hadn't been told exactly what they were looking for, to keep the other families off the scent, but he trusted them to keep their eyes open.

As for the chemical plant, Shaanti and a few guards had plans to leave in the morning to look it over. If they could get it operational enough to start synthesizing vaccines again it would be one less thing off his ever growing list. Not that the distiller knew much about the vaccine plan, but he’d do for inspecting equipment and reporting back at the least.

A light tap on the door frame interrupted his musings. He looked up to see Marjory, intelligent eyes wary. The woman had not had an easy last few years, although Chaucer was certain she’d come out of it soon.

Yes? he asked, carefully making sure his tone held no accidental impatience.

Mr. Chaucer, you asked if I came up with anything on satellite monitoring stations? I think I have one, she said in one big expulsion of air.

Marvellous, he smiled, Come in, come in, let’s discuss the details.

Chapter 3

The half-collapsed bridge sported great chunks of concrete and bare rebar across the middle. A sign reminded those not on the tram to stay on the path, for their safety.

We can try it, or turn around, James said.

And try to cross the river on our own? Lucy said, No thanks.

Take a wrong step and you’ll be doing that anyway, James said, but point taken, that river has to be crossed.

Yeah, she said doubtfully.

Ladies first?

Where are we gonna find a lady? she smirked.

Tiptoeing on the rebar, she held onto the fencing to keep from slipping before breathing relatively easy on a concrete chunk.

Ironic, she said.

Yeah? James asked, an arm’s length away and glaring at the bridge as if daring it to make him slip.

The fencing was there to keep people from jumping off.

Why the fuck would they do that?

Not everyone has the will to live, she shrugged, regretting it as it almost threw her off balance. Stepping high onto another chunk, she found she had to dig her toes into the fence, eventually finding herself on the other side.

Fucking hell, James said, staggering on shaky legs before collapsing on a bench. Let’s never do that again.

I dunno, could become a habit, Lucy said, looking back at the bridge and watching one of the blocks they’d scrambled over tipping and falling into the railway track below. Maybe not.

*  *  *

Bedtime at eight, don’t forget your sister’s medicine, Marjory told a serious looking girl.

I don’t need it, Mom, the youngest, Katie said, glancing around to see if anyone had heard.

Mom, it’s not like we’re stuck out in the middle of nowhere. There are lots of people here to help, the oldest, Clara said, glancing at Chaucer for support. Chaucer leaned on a doorframe and shrugged sheepishly.

I know, I know. I just, Marjory sighed, I guess I’m not used to that.

The middlest, Izzy, rolled her eyes. Clearly.

Alright girls, Chaucer broke in when it looked like an argument was about to erupt, time for us to go.

Marjory looked