The Sweet Water Affliction

By Kylie Rae

Elijah is the guardian of his younger sister Jenna, doing his best to provide for her and keep her safe. But in his small, seemingly peaceful town, a sinister plan is brewing behind the scenes.

 

When Jenna vanishes right in front of his eyes, Elijah will stop at nothing to find her. But as he dives deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the danger they face is far greater than he ever could have imagined. With a shadowy network of evil scientists and the military closing in, Elijah must summon every ounce of courage and resourcefulness he has to protect his sister and the town he calls home.

 

As the fate of Sweet Water hangs in the balance, Elijah will discover that he's capable of more than he ever thought possible in order to save those he loves.

 

Don't miss "The Sweet Water Affliction", a thrilling tale of love, bravery, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kylie Rae
• Release date: Nov 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201072971

Kylie Rae

Kylie Rae lives in Burleson, Texas. When she isn't writing or reading, she's spending time with her kids. She has a never-ending love for coffee and whiskey (but not at the same time).

Book preview

Chapter One

Before

No one could resist the pull of the great outdoors on a day that beautiful. The sun wasn’t too bright or too warm and there was just enough breeze to cool any heat before it became unbearable. The earthy scent of springtime hung in the air and lulled community members into a stupor of lazy contentedness.

On the east side of town, Shayna and Thomas Walters sat together on their front porch in their old-fashioned wicker rocking chairs. At the base of the stairs, their six-year-old son Evan dug in the dirt with a small orange shovel. But they paid no attention to the piles he formed into mountains; the sky held their focus. From all directions, they could hear the buzz of airplanes, but they saw no sign of where they were.

Shayna got to her feet and walked out to the yard and shielded her eyes against the dazzling sun. After a second, Thomas followed and Evan stopped shoveling to watch them. The first black jet crested the hills and sped overhead, followed by another, and another.

What are they doing? Shayna asked.

Military training? Thomas said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Evan mocked the airplane noise with his lips and went back to his dirt piles.

The jets circled back over the town, spread out in a line. There were six planes, and as they approached, the cargo hatches opened and something fell from their bellies. Clouds of red dust spread out and scattered over the houses. The Walters were too confused to react and whatever it was fell over their yard a moment later.

What- Shayna began. She held her arms up and stared at the speckles covering her skin and sticking to the light layer of perspiration.

Get in the house, Thomas said. Too late. The weird substance already coated the three of them. But a note of panic had entered his voice and even his preoccupied son took notice.

Evan grumbled and threw his shovel down, and Thomas scooped him up and hurried his wife in front of him. They dashed into the house and shut the door behind them. The roar from the planes crested again as they made a third pass. The dust pattered against the windows and gave the glass a red hue.

Evan pouted, on the verge of angry tears, but Thomas ignored him as he tried to wipe the powder off their faces. But he only succeeded in smears and streaks like paint and felt gritty sand between his fingers.

What was that? What is this stuff? Shayna drug a finger down her arm and held it up to her nose to sniff. Smells... she screwed up her face in concentration, fruity?

Thomas turned around in time to see Shayna sticking her tongue out to taste it.

No! He smacked her hand away, but the tip of her tongue was already tinged red with the powder. Why did you do that? What if it’s poison? Go rinse your mouth!

I–I don’t know. Shayna’s eyes widened as she realized what she’d done. I wasn’t... Her tongue hung out of her mouth and tears flooded into her eyes.

Shay... ugh... go get in the shower. I’ll get Evan in his tub and I’ll join you in a minute. Thomas stripped off his shirt as he spoke, then jerked at Evan’s clothes.

Daddy, you’re hurting me. Evan whined, but Thomas paid him no mind. He took him by the arm and led him away to the bathroom.

Shayna went to their shower and discarded her clothes as quick as she could. But terror chilled her to the bone. She’d barely tasted the weird powder, but what if it was poison? Had it been enough to kill her? Water filled her mouth, and she swished vigorously before she spat it out. She repeated the process until Thomas stepped into the shower with her. She hoped it had been enough.

An hour later, they were all scrubbed clean and wearing fresh clothes. Evan sat at the kitchen table and enjoyed a bowl of ice cream to make up for the confusing anger his father had expressed. Shayna talked on the phone with a friend and Thomas flipped between the local news stations. No one was sure what had happened.

That evening, the TV told them it had been a military drill, and the powder was harmless but didn’t elaborate. Reporters interviewed community members; they were angry they hadn’t been told ahead of time if it was just a drill. Drills were planned, after all. Everyone had gone into a panic that could have been avoided.

But they received no more explanations, and no one cleared up the powder issue. No one got sick or experienced strange reactions, though, so no one pressed the subject. After a few days, no one even mentioned it anymore. The town went back to business as usual and gradually forgot about the entire thing.

One week later, Shayna found out she was pregnant.

-10 Weeks Later-

Shayna stood near the stove, cradled her cell phone between her shoulder and her ear, flipped the bacon in the pan with ease and delivered the exciting news to her mother.  

Twins? her mom said and Shayna pictured her with a hand over her mouth.

I know, it’s crazy! She rubbed her small belly and grinned. Dr. Riley said we’re the third couple this month!

It doesn’t even run in the family, her mom said in a bemused tone, but she recovered with enthusiasm. That’s amazing!

I’m still in shock, but Thomas couldn’t be more excited.

That’s adorable.

Shayna hugged herself and let the warmth of her happiness consume her.

-14 Weeks Later-

Thomas flopped on the couch with a sigh. Shayna caressed her belly, waiting for the kicks that happened all the time now. The soft drizzling of rain on the window lulled her, and she smiled at him with sleepy eyes.

Evan’s asleep. Five stories later. Thomas rubbed his eyes and rolled his shoulders.

Super dad. Shayna kissed his cheek.

Yeah, yeah. He put a hand on her stomach and switched to the news.

The reporter began the opening segment on the twins. There were six couples in town that were due within the same two weeks. It had become quite the phenomena that no one would shut up about. They had already interviewed Shayna twice. It was bordering on invasion of privacy at this point. They shared an eye roll about the reporter’s enthusiasm, and he changed the channel.

-7 Weeks Later-

An icy rain splattered against the roof, but not cold enough to turn to snow. Christmas carols played through the kitchen radio’s speakers, but it could barely be heard over the sound of crying.

I can’t believe it! Shayna sobbed into her hands. Poor Carmen!

I know. Thomas rubbed her shoulders. Calm down, babe. You can’t get so worked up.

But she lost one of her babies! I can’t even imagine!

Shhh... He took her into his arms. Our babies will be fine. Jerry said it was her lungs. She went into labor too early and one baby wasn’t ready. Ours will be different.

How do you know?

Just have faith. Our babies will make it. Please relax.

-3 WEEKS LATER-

Thomas, I’m scared, Shayna said after the nurse left the room. She was in labor and felt overwhelmed and trapped in her hospital bed. The IV in one wrist and the fetal monitors strapped across her bulging belly confined her to the spot, and she wanted nothing more than to tear them off and run away.

It’s going to be okay. Our little boys will be here before you know it. Thomas gripped her hand.

Shayna took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves, but the smell of bleach and antiseptic turned her stomach. In the brief silence, they heard two nurses in the hallway.

Such a tragedy, one voice said. First the Andrews’ baby and now the Praters have lost one too.

Thomas opened his mouth to speak, but Shayna put a hand up to stop him. She leaned to the side and tried to hear more.

I know. And I heard they lost one at the hospital downtown last week. That’s three of the six sets of twins.

Shayna’s hand flew to her mouth to contain her gasp.

Terrible.

Their voices grew distant as the nurses walked further down the hall.

I really didn’t appreciate Dr. Garcia stepping into that cesarean either... Dr. Riley was on his way here.

An emergency is an emergency though.

Thomas pushed the door closed the rest of the way and their voices faded out completely. Tears filled Shayna’s eyes and her shoulders shook with suppressed sobs.

Honey... no. Our babies will be fine. He rushed to her side and wrapped his arms around her.

One heart monitor’s alarm sounded before he could say anything more. Nurses rushed in, followed by a doctor they’d never met.

What’s going on? Thomas asked as one nurse moved him out of the way.

Baby B’s heart rate has dropped, she said. But she spoke to the doctor.

Another nurse grabbed a bag of fluids to attach to the IV and the other pushed one of Shayna’s legs to force her into a different position.

But no one else spoke. Everyone ignored Thomas and Shayna as they checked charts and the machines around the bed.

What does that mean? Where’s Dr. Riley? Shayna asked and tried to return to her original position. Her tears streamed down her face and fell off her chin.

He’s busy. I’m Dr. Garcia. He spared her a glance before he checked the monitor again. We need to move her to the OR now.

What? Thomas exclaimed. What’s going on here?

Prep for an emergency caesarian now.

One nurse ran to the phone and spoke to an operator.

Why? Tell us what’s happening!

Dr. Garcia gave Thomas an exasperated stare and finally acknowledged him.

We need to get the babies out. Now.

But why? I’m dilated to a-

No time to wait. And pushing might cause more distress.

Dr. Garcia unhooked the cables and flipped up the brakes on the bed with the other nurse’s help.

Thomas- Shayna reached for him.

You’ll have to wait here, sir, the nurse said, and barred his path at the door.

Excuse me? Thomas clenched his fists, but kept them at his sides. He could not hit a medical professional.

There’s no time. We need to go now if we’re going to have any chance of saving all the lives involved. You’re not prepped, so you’ll have to wait here.

Thomas! Shayna reached out her hand, but a nurse pushed it back on to the bed.

Ma’am, Mrs. Walters, I need you to remain calm. Can you do that for me?

Don’t talk to me like I’m a child! Shayna snapped. He’s my husband and these are my babies and none of you will tell me what the hell is going on!

Dr. Garcia rolled his eyes and then put a bitter smile on his face. Mrs. Walters, is it? One of your babies is in distress. There is too much pressure on his lungs and if we don’t do something right now, he will die. The babies need to be taken out right now in order to save his life. Your husband cannot come. There isn’t time to get him prepped. He can wait in the hall. But we need to go now. Understand?

Shayna’s mouth hung open. She glanced at Thomas and he nodded at her, his lips pressed into a thin line. She nodded at Dr. Garcia.

Let’s go!

They resumed their rush down the hall.

Thomas followed until they reached the doors to the operating hallway and a security guard stopped him. Shayna disappeared from view and he crumpled into a chair in the waiting area.

Two hours went by and he didn’t move. He held his head in his hands and his shoulders slumped over. The guard looked at him from time to time, but no one paid him any mind. At last, a nurse emerged from the operating hall and approached him.

Mr. Walters? She hesitated to speak too loudly or tap his arm in case she startled him.

Thomas looked up and tried to wipe the tears from his face. In one glance, though, he could see she had bad news for him. The corners of her mouth turned down and her eyes filled with pity. He stared at his shoes as she spoke.

"I’m sorry to have to tell you that one of your children didn’t make it.