Abrupt!

By Linda Lipscomb Juergensen

In less than one month, sixteen year old Darcys life did a 180. She discovers her real mother is dead, a boy she vows to hate forever for betraying her, is shoved back into her life and her uncle, who raised her is brutally killed before her eyes.
Darcy had grown up in a small, quiet logging town in Northern Idaho. Her uncles alpaca ranch is an hour from town. To fight the lonely times, she became a top marksman winning three trophies against all the members of Waltons Shooting Club, which Darcy got a kick from the status of beating all the guys. With only one year left of school, she and her girlfriends were excited about their summer plans, staying at a cabin by themselves for a week and finally being asked to the prestigious Priest Lake Dock party.
But a week before school is out on May 29th, over 1500 miles away, an earthquake registering 8.9 on the Richter scale hit California. This event changes not only the lives of the people in the area, but it also affects the people as far up as the panhandle of Idaho.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499043310

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Linda Lipscomb Juergensen.

Library of Congress Control Number:     2014911650

ISBN:          Hardcover          978-1-4990-4332-7

                   Softcover            978-1-4990-4333-4

                   eBook                 978-1-4990-4331-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/16/2014

Xlibris LLC

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

626216

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Bibliography

A warm thanks to my husband, Hans,

my daughter, Erika and my sister Dianne for believing in me.

Special thanks to Tia Birmingham and Rindy Smith.

Water is Life.

PROLOGUE

O n May 29, 2021, the morning started out like any normal day in Los Angeles with thousands of people busy waking up, taking showers, eating breakfasts and going to work. Four teenage girls, who hoped to purchase a coveted T-shirt, which changed colors according to one’s body temperature, arrived at their favorite H & M. One of the girls having found the T-shirts waved her friends over. But before they could reach her, a low, strange rumbling sound came out of nowhere. Within seconds, counters began shaking and floorboards collapsed and splintered open. All that was loose slid down into gaping holes. Chaos erupted everywhere.

The four girls shrieked out for each other, but as they clawed their way towards the opening of the store, an adjacent wall collapsed blocking their escape. Madly, searching for another way out, they froze in sheer terror when a large metal beam flew from the ceiling, splitting a clerk’s head open. The earthquake registered 8.9 on the Richter scale eleven miles under California’s coastline.

CHAPTER ONE

D arcy, Red and Kallie sat at the top of the bleachers listening to their outgoing school president give his final speech. Next year, they’d be seniors.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, whispered Darcy pushing her strands of blue hair behind her ear. Same old boring stuff! Let’s just get to the awards so we can get out of here."

I got a ten page acceptance speech for our debate trophy, teased Kallie.

Really! How much bragging did you do?

"LOTS! Twelve wins to zip, no team has ever done that!

You got that right! laughed Darcy. So where’s your Red Carpet acceptance gown?

Oh, that’s what I forgot.

So did you hear George talking about the bunch of creeps he saw yesterday in town? asked Red. He said they really stunk!

Yeah. I guess one was carrying a gun. I wonder where they’re from.

It’s too early for tourists, added Darcy.

According to George, these people weren’t tourists. One was going around town asking for money and kind of pointing out his gun. Mr. Kornell finally called the Sherriff.

Good, he’ll show them the way out.

So… when we’re called for the award, will they ask for the RAD team or the RATS? asked Kallie.

Officially Coach Clawly named us her RAD team, said Red. Her real name was Janet, but everyone had nicknamed her Red because of her hair color and fiery temperament.

Then all together they mouthed the words, "Rogers… Amazing…. Debaters! The RAD team! Woohoo! All three girls laughed.

"Except good ole Mr. Stuckey, who wouldn’t stop yelling at every debate, Watch out, our girls ripped apart Tapia High’s debate team, which was the first time Tapia had been beaten in eight years. Then somehow his Ripped Apart Tapia turned into The RATs," added Darcy.

Actually, I think the idiots, Tom and Mike started it, said Red rolling her eyes. They’ve got acronyms for everyone and everything."

With Mr. Blacken, Rogers High’s principal, now at the podium, he began, This year we would like to award our fabulous RAT team for their outstanding year. Where are you girls?

The whole gym began chanting, RATS, RATS!

Darcy, Red and Kallie made their way down to the front. Kallie, when reaching Mr. Blacken, held both of her thumbs up and took a bow.

We’re honored to present you three with this trophy for a sensational year. It will be kept in our trophy case for all to see. Mr. Blacken then handed each of them a plaque with their name on it. We hope you’ll continue next year to make us proud.

The three girls held up their plaques and everyone began yelling again, RATS, RATS, RATS.

As soon as the assembly was over, Darcy, Kallie and Red headed over to clean out their lockers.

We should’ve gotten trophies, said Kallie. She pushed her lower lip out and then smiled.

Well, at least we got these plaques. Next year, we’ll demand trophies. Red popped her lock into her purse and closed her locker. One more year, then we’re out of good ole Walton.

Well, I’ll see you tomorrow for our whoop-tee-do first senior class project, quipped Darcy. I’m sure my uncle is waiting.

Wasn’t he one of them collecting all the food, clothes and water for the earthquake victims? asked Red.

Yep. We didn’t get home until midnight. Everyone we stopped at contributed.

I guess it’s horrible down there. No food or water, said Kallie. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.

Me either. At least everyone is trying to help out. See you tomorrow Darc, Kallie want a ride home?

The next day Red and Kallie were among the first in the gym. The walls were lined with tables of canned food, clothes, blankets and flats of water bottles. By the gym door were empty boxes to load the items in. Georgia, their new president for next year, was already ordering everybody around as they came in.

Kallie, Red, where’s Darcy? demanded Georgia. I want us out of here by noon.

Yes mom, Red’s sarcasm was lost on Georgia.

Darcy isn’t here yet, offered Kallie.

Well this is your table. You three are in charge of female clothes. Box and label them, clothes female. Georgia then went on to the next table.

I’m so glad she told us what to label the box, laughed Red. I might have labeled it, peanut butter.

We voted for her, added Kallie.

What were we thinking?

Yeah, what were we thinking? said Darcy. She just asked me if I could find you two.

OMG. What an idiot. There’s so many of us! Kallie shook her head.

Yeah, I think we’ll be the smallest senior class to graduate.

Kallie and I’ll go over to the clothes tables, if you go get the boxes, Darc.

Thirty-three boys and thirty-five girls, which made up their senior class except for Matt and John, had shown up. It didn’t take long for them to have most of the boxes filled and placed by the back gym door. Phil, their football coach, who always chaperoned events, was helping the girls carry boxes over.

We only have forty minutes left before my surprise, yelled Georgia. Hardly anyone looked up as everyone was well aware of her surprise.

A loud bang from the gym door abruptly drew everyone’s attention. Matt, wearing his signature red cap, I’m Number ONE, came bounding in and shouted, John’s been shot and his dad’s dead!

What the hell? blurted Bill from across the room. Sam, the closest to Matt, reeled around dropping his box with a thud that echoed in the now silent room.

What happened? demanded Coach Phil.

Guys from Nevada were camping on their property last night….. Matt struggled to catch his breath. When Mayor Miller confronted them, they opened fire… killing him and shooting John in the chest. Matt swallowed hard. John, his best friend, was the captain and quarterback for their football team.

Gary’s jaw dropped open. You got to be kidding! Is John okay?

I hope so, said Matt.

So, why did these guys open fire? asked Coach Phil. The rest of the class now gathered around Matt and Sam.

They’re saying… it’s the earthquake. People are leaving in droves to find water. And they’re coming for ours. Matt readjusted his hat. If John dies too….

Shit. Where’re these guys who shot John and killed his dad? shouted Todd, a halfback, who took up space and towered over the group.

Ease up on the language, Todd! The sheriff will handle it, cautioned their coach. We might not know the whole story.

Jay, a scrawny tall kid, who had inherited the title ‘mega-geek’ squeezed next to the coach. "Let the water wars begin. It’s already happening in other places. Now they’re coming for our Blue Gold."

What the hell are you talking about, blue gold?

"Water. Clean, blue water. They call it Blue gold."

Oh yeah, I think I heard somewhere… water being as valuable as gold?

Mr. Kimble talked about blue gold in our science class last week.

Well now we’ll be talking about it. Jay with everyone’s attention, climbed onto a chair. Most of you probably don’t even know where your water comes from, or how clean it is and… that you use about 100 gallons of water a day?

Seriously Jay, a hundred gallons for each person?

Look it up. Jay shot Jim a, you don’t know anything glance. Do you know how much water we have? And…..if all these people come, how long will it take before we’re out?

Okay Jay, got your point, now get down off the chair, said Coach Phil. Listen guys, I’m as shocked as you about John and our mayor. But, there could be some truth about the earthquake victims coming up here for water. They lost their reservoirs, canals and aqueducts. But, we can’t go jumping to conclusions of why someone killed our mayor.

I don’t care. John never hurt anyone. Jim rubbed his face trying to fight back his emotions.

He’s right! shouted several of his teammates. Everyone shook their head in agreement.

This earthquake should give everyone a wake-up call, pressed Jay. Did you know we’ve got the same amount of water dinosaurs drank ….

Jay, not the time for a water lecture! said Jim along with a few other kids yelling, Shut up, we get it.

Just saying we better stop taking our water for granted. Jay pulled out his NC4 Nano computer to check if there was more news about people coming up into their area.

Listen up everyone! Finish packing up these boxes and the last one out, close the door. The coach then put his arm on Matt’s shoulder. It’s going to be okay.

I don’t think so coach. People with no water… who knows what they’ll do. No water… you die. Matt grabbed two boxes and took them over to the door.

Tanya, stunned by all the news, pushed her way up to the coach. So, earthquake people are now coming up here and shooting us for our water?

Tanya, we don’t know that, said Coach Phil trying to sound reassuring. We’re all guessing.

But, they’ve no right to our water! added Jim.

Damn right! yelled several of the football players. If they’re coming to kill us for water, they’re asking for it.

This is our land! Our water! Bill, Rogers’ best all-around receiver, now rallied the whole football team around him as if he was getting ready to declare war. It’ll be over my dead body before they take our water. They want to start shooting? I say, I’m ready!

Darcy put her box down and shoved her way to the center so that she was right up in Bill’s face. My God, we’re talking about our own people in this country. Why can’t we share? We’ve got tons of pure, clean water. Take Priest Lake or Lake Pend Oreille, it’s so long and deep, they built a naval base there for submarines.

Bill, taking a few steps back from Darcy, put his hands on his hips and tried to mimic Darcy’s voice, Oh my God, why can’t we share? All the football players laughed. Now within inches from her face, he growled, They just killed our mayor and shot John. Are you an idiot?

I’m an idiot? You don’t even know what really happened. Darcy stood her ground. I’m shocked about John and the Mayor, but I’m not going to get my rifle out!

So mighty R.A.T. You think this is up for a debate? barked Sam. Everyone laughed. I get it, while everyone is being shot at, our RAT team, will debate if it’s right to take someone’s water.

No Jackass. I’m going to wait for the facts, then decide! snapped Darcy.

Fact one….the mayor’s dead, fact two… John is shot, it’s a no brainer! What a dumbass. Bill looked up at the ceiling, shook his head and rolled his eyes at her.

Gees Darcy, how stupid. Why would you be okay with people coming up here and shooting at us? added Tanya.

The mule heads are alive with ignorance. Just because you’re all scared, don’t start calling Darcy names, shouted Red, her curly, red hair bounced as she slid in next to Darcy.

Whoa! Another RAT attack. Watch out, Red RAT is coming to take you out. All of the boys and several girls snickered.

Are you RATs really that stupid? challenged Bill.

Duh! Thick heads! Darcy is just saying we’ve enough water to share. You’re talking about taking up arms, argued Kallie. She was the athlete of the RAT team.

If we listen to the RATs, yelled Bill. Half of our town will be killed and we’ll be out of water!

True idiots. Declaring war before you know the whole story! Darcy glared over at Bill.

ENOUGH! ENOUGH! Yelling at each other isn’t going to solve this. I’ve got my van. Let’s go see how John’s doing in the hospital.

Coach Phil then led the football team out the door. This left everyone else abuzz in the gym trying to grasp what had just happened. Was this an isolated event? Should people start arming themselves? How many more might come up into their area?

Slowly, everyone went back to their tables to finish packing. Crap, do you think they killed for the water? Darcy pushed two sweatshirts into the box and taped it. If it’s true, the irony of it… we’re packing all this water, food and clothes for the victims while they’re coming up here to take over anyway.

What I’d like to know is why anyone would come way up into the panhandle of Idaho, population 4400, doesn’t make sense. said Kallie. We’re way off the interstate and hidden between two, tall mountain ranges.

Looks like you guys are finished too, said Georgia. My first senior class project for the 2021-2022 school year….. RUINED! I called the pizza guy and told him to forget bringing the pizzas. Everyone is going home.

The class project isn’t ruined. Everything will still be going to the earthquake victims, assured Red. Having or not having the pizza doesn’t make the project.

Georgia tossed her long, blond hair back over her shoulder and picked up her boxes, You’ve no concept of projects, Red. It’s like one minute you’re enjoying a lazy, summer day on the beach and then out of nowhere comes a black cloud filled with lightning, which strikes a tree and sets it ablaze…..Ruining everything.

Darcy raised her eyebrows. Lightning striking a tree? Georgia ignored her and headed towards the stacks of boxes.

What on earth is she talking about, laughed Red.

You know Georgia, she’s so dramatic, said Kallie.

I think she wanted everyone to high-five her for the earthquake project and pizza party, said Darcy. She and Kallie picked up their boxes and placed them near the pile.

Darcy held the door open as they walked out of the gym. Well, I guess the RATs were dumped on by Rogers’ Football team. Score zero to one. They all laughed. Darcy, Red and Kallie had been friends since kindergarten even though everyone said three girls would never be able to stay together.

Did you hear about Erik Dreidle’s parents and his grandmother? They were there when the earthquake hit. Kallie quickly glanced over at Darcy hoping the mention of Erik’s name wouldn’t upset her.

Did something happen? Red dug into her purse for her Ecar opener.

His parents are okay, Darcy’s voice was flat. But his grandmother suffered a broken arm and a twisted ankle. My uncle called Erik last night to see how his mom was doing. She was down there on alpaca business for him. She pulled her thick, brown hair into a knot.

So do you have a ride home? asked Red.

"Yeah. My uncle should be here