World Ashen: World Apocalyptic, #1

By Sarah-Elizabeth Dean

Sarah-Elizabeth Dean started writing at the age of twelve with fanfiction. World Ashen is their first novel. They were raised in a small town in North Georgia and grew up with Cerebral Palsy. When they're not writing, they're doing genealogy and reading books for ideas and inspiration.

 

Nineteen-year-old Jensen Michaels, Cayler Reynolds, and seventeen-year-old Kenneth Anderson are three friends living in Pompeii, Georgia. Everything changed when the Supervolcano Yellowstone erupted on October 31, 2019. This sends the United States into a void of ash, darkness, cold, and death. No one knew their own friends, family, and neighbors would be in such grave danger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sarah-Elizabeth Dean
• Release date: Feb 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005630751

Sarah-Elizabeth Dean

Sarah-Elizabeth Dean started writing at the age of twelve with fanfiction. World Ashen is their first novel. They were raised in a small town in north Georgia and grew up with Cerebral Palsy. When they're not writing, they're doing genealogy and reading books for ideas and inspiration.

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Jensen

Isat at the red light in my blue Toyota, tapping the steering wheel as I waited. Thoughts of my twin brother, Jace, made me think about the book sitting in the back seat. Green wrapping paper covered the gift. I knew Jace enjoyed reading, but I wasn’t sure if a signed copy of Jace’s favorite author’s recent novel was enough. I shook my head. What was I thinking? Of course, it was enough.

The light turned green, so I continued driving to my mother’s house. Jace and I lived a few hours away because it was close to our army base.

I sighed, parking my car in the driveway. I grabbed my brother’s present, got out, and stood there for a moment. Orange lights decorated the oak tree in the front yard. Carved pumpkins sat on the banister. Plastic skulls, spiders, and Frankenstein monsters hung from the windows. I smiled as I remembered how much my mother loved Halloween.

Seeing the gray van and red Malibu, I knew only a few others were there. Walking up the stairs, I took a deep breath then turned the doorknob and walked into the house. Then an explosion of footsteps ran toward me. They belonged to my two younger siblings. Jadance buried her face in my stomach and squeezed me as hard as she could. That made sense because I hadn’t seen them in a year.

You’re going to hurt him, Ash said as Jadance released me from her grasp. Ash hugged me gently. Like this. Ash let go and stepped back.

I choked back a laugh and tears. Jadance stood with her arms crossed, her bottom lip sticking out, and a small scowl on the little girl’s face. She wore her black hair in pigtails, bangs resting on her forehead. Jadance’s big blue eyes still showed happiness behind that scowl. My hug shows I love him more!

Ash still looked like the young, smart gentleman he was. He styled his black hair, and his blue eyes sparkled.

I placed a hand on each of my siblings’ heads. "You two are funny. I love you too, equally. Now go play." I felt a bit guilty; I knew I only had a few hours until Jace and I had to go back to base.

The two kids ran off to the playroom as I headed to the dining room. Laughter came from the kitchen. After placing Jace’s gift on the table with the rest of them, I walked into the kitchen. However, someone closed the room door. Fair-skinned, red-haired, green-eyed, and thin-lipped Piper van Laar smiled, blocking the way. Sorry, Mister. No birthday boys allowed.

I laughed, Oh, come on, Piper.

My girlfriend grinned. No can do, Laura said. She held the doorknob behind her back.

Mom said so, huh? Well then, I guess I’ll just go back to my room.

Piper shook her head, letting her red hair fall out of the messy bun sitting on her head. Jace is there right now, busy. Why don’t you go to the living room and watch something? I’ll come and get you when we’re ready.

I nodded, walked back to the living room, and sat down on the couch. My thoughts returned to my brother. Was Jace really so lazy after all? Maybe I was lazy. I rushed to the bookstore, bought the book, and had someone else wrap Jace’s gift instead of wrapping it myself. Then again, if I had wrapped it, it would look like a kid had just slapped bits of paper on it and tape. Maybe I should be more grateful I spent a little extra money.

I reached for the TV remote, pressed the power button, and watched White Collar, even though I had seen it before. About forty minutes later, Piper called for Jace and me as my parents rushed toward the front door and left. Getting up, I walked over to Piper, hands in my pockets.

Everything alright? Mom and Dad just left in a hurry, I asked, taking my phone out of my pocket. Turning it on, I saw it was a quarter past three.

They just forgot to meet Shaun and Ellie at the gas station.

Meet them at a gas station? Why? Didn’t they drive from the airport?

Yeah, but your parents are taking Danny to the hospital.

Danny was the oldest child of Ellie and Shaun, but he was constantly sick, meaning he was in the hospital a lot.

Danny is with them? I thought he was still in Britain. With a small sigh, I asked. I honestly don’t think that was the most logical idea because of his health.

Piper stared into my eyes and opened her mouth to reply, but my vibrating phone interrupted her. The name on the screen read Mom, so I accepted the call.

Hey, Jensen. We’re heading to the hospital with Danny.

Yeah. I know. Piper told me. I said, with a hint of annoyance in my voice. Why didn’t they leave him in Britain? He’s fifteen. He would’ve been safer there and not here!

The woman laughed, sounding worn. Danny insists on seeing you and Jace. He wouldn’t have stayed. We’ll probably be late, but he says to wish both of you happy birthday, and he loves you. Wish we were there. Have a wonderful time. Love you.

I sighed, love you too. Tell Danny to hurry and get better. I smiled sadly, hanging up and wishing my cousin good health.

Behind me, Jace stood, fidgeting with a watch he wore on his wrist. I noticed it out of the corner of my eyes. Nice watch, I said. It was a military-grade watch, and I knew Jace had gotten it from Cayler or Amy.

Jace smiled, Thanks. Cayler gave it to me. Don’t worry, you’ve got something from him too. We’ll open gifts once Mom and Dad get back.

You know they’re at the hospital with Danny, right?

Really? Then I guess we can wait until they return to open their gifts.

If that's possible, Piper said, looking down at her phone.

Jace and I looked at each other and Piper with wide eyes. W-what do you mean? we asked in unison.

Piper walked to the living room. The TV was still on, but an EAS was broadcast. The Yellowstone supervolcano erupted earlier today. If you’re— Piper sighed. That’s what I mean. Of course, most of this doesn’t affect us since we’re in Georgia. The only thing affecting us is famine, ash, and temperature drops.

The ash affects us? Jace asked, clearly surprised.

I nodded. It’s the highest number on the explosive index, meaning it’s one of the most dangerous volcanoes there is.

Guess this is where your nerdiness pays off, Jace said sarcastically.

I’m serious, Jace. We need to do something other than just standing around.

He leaned against the wall. "What exactly can we do? There isn’t much."

The most we can do is plan or raid the stores. The library has a garden. I said as I walked to my bedroom. I called my brother and girlfriend, Grab your go-bags.

Jace followed. Why does the garden matter? It’s at the end of the year. Nothing is really growing now.

That is where you’re wrong. Remember the garden Mom had shortly before Ash was born? She had a lot of things growing in November.

Well, the library just has herbs.

I sighed as I heaved my go-bag onto my back. Herbs are useful.

Jace grabbed his go-bag too, but said nothing and left to get his little sister.

Ash was on the bed, watching me. So we’re going to the library?

Yes. Listen, you’re a smart boy, Ash. You know how serious this is, right? The nine-year-old nodded. If I tell you to run, grab Jadance and run. Okay? Ash nodded, hugged me, and left the room.

Taking a deep breath, I ran my hand through my hair, then exhaled. Grabbing my green military duffle bag, I walked over to the couch, sat down, and placed the duffle bag on the floor. Then I opened it, taking my M17 and M18 pistols out, the Swiss army knife too, now in my hand. The owner had carved the initials WHR into the handle.

August 2019

You’re crazy. Why would you do something like that? Joining a private military contractor? What if they don’t like you? They’ll kill you! Do you want that? Huh?! Do you, Jensen?! What’s got into you?

You’re screaming at the wrong person, Cayler, I said, unfolding the paper and shoving it into his hands. It says Jason Michaels, not Jensen. It’s probably too late anyway.

Cayler opened his mouth, but an explosion interrupted him. We ran toward the source and saw Wyatt Reynolds, Cayler’s cousin, underneath the rubble.

Hey, bro. You alright? Jace touched my shoulder.

Yeah. I slipped the pocket knife into my pocket. Of course, Wyatt is okay, I mumbled to myself. Wyatt gave me a pocket knife last year for my birthday; it was his father’s before he died twenty years ago.

What are you doing? We need to get going, Jace said, pulling Jadance closer to him. Jadance held Jace’s hand, and Ash was behind her.

You’ve got the masks, right?

Jace nodded, holding up the masks. They’re right here. Here’s yours.

I said thanks as I grabbed the mask and placed it in my back pocket. We’re going to have to make sure Jadance wears hers. I knew if we didn’t wear our masks and inhale the ash, it would turn our lungs into cement and kill us. Jace and Ash knew that too, but, of course, a six-year-old wouldn’t understand.

Jace handed Ash and Jadance their masks, too, helping his sister put hers on properly. The four of us walked into the living room. Piper wore her mask and stood by the front door.

You ready? Piper asked as she heaved her go-bag onto her shoulder.

We’re ready. We said in unison as we headed out the door and hiked to the library.

Once we were outside, fire trucks blared down the highway. Jadance and Ash covered their ears as the firetrucks passed. Vehicles piled up as they tried to leave town, but traffic lights were out, trapping people inside. Jace and I picked up our younger siblings, then placed them on our backs. We arrived at the library an hour and a half later.

To my surprise, only one car sat in the parking lot. Maybe they were close to getting everything ready for the party tonight. I thought as I ran my hand through my hair. Jace and Piper, take the kids to the garden. I’ll check out the inside. Libraries had books, and books had knowledge, but why would having a couple of pounds of words be useful? It could weigh me down. I wandered to the checkout desk, hoping for information.

About five minutes later, a girl, who was friends with Piper in high school, came to the desk. Hey, Jensen.

Hey, Desi. You heard about Yellowstone, didn’t you?

Desi nodded, Yeah, but I’m stuck here; the roads are jammed.

Stuck here? I asked, leaning on the desk. How do you think I got here?

She stared into my eyes, you walked, but don’t you think I live a longer distance than five minutes? Even if I made it home, I might run into something bad.

I scoffed. So you’d rather die here than get home and live?

At least I have books, Desi said.

God... where can I talk to someone more sensible?

Desi still didn’t break her gaze with me, making me uncomfortable. They all tried going home.

See you later. I sighed as I walked away.

Doubt it, she said.

With a sigh, I turned on my heels and called to Desi. Why don’t you come with us?

Come with you?

Yes. It would be better than wasting time reading books. I have nothing against reading. I find it idiotic. You’d rather die than live.

Desi placed her hands on her hips. And where would you go?

We’re headed to Piper’s place. I want to make sure they’re okay. First, I want to refill the water bottles.

With what water? Since Yellowstone erupted, it wouldn’t matter. They’ll be dead anyway. Desi deadpanned. But fine. It beats doing nothing.

Water from the bathroom. Of course, it beats doing nothing. I handed her a water bottle. Go to the girl’s bathroom and fill it up. Use the sink. It’ll be faster.

The power is out.

So? There should still be water in the tank. We don't have much time. Please fill it up. I practically begged.

Sure... she said as she put her purse on her shoulder, took the bottle, and headed to the bathroom. I walked to the boy’s bathroom, turned on the sink, and filled up the bottle. A few minutes later, Desi and I headed outside, but deafening thunder stopped us.

Go to the basement. I’ll be back in a second. Desi nodded as I ran over to Jace, Piper, Ash, and Jadance. Come inside, head to the basement, I yelled. They dashed into the library, with me following. Herbs and vegetables were in their hands.

I ran after the others and sped down the stairs to the basement after grabbing six pairs of headphones and a roll of toilet paper. Downstairs the thunder was still loud, but after we stuffed our ears with toilet paper and put on the headphones, it just seemed like a dull thumping. At least I slept through all this.

Several hours later, I woke up, and the thunder stopped. Everyone else was talking to each other and unfazed by the thunder. Jadance talked to Desi at a million miles per hour. Hi! I’m Jadance! Who are you?

Jace placed a hand on the six-year-old girl’s