Variant

By J.R. Bouchard

When the second Amendment was abolished, two scientists joined together to fight against tyranny. However, One Biochemical engineer who desires to dominate the world takes over his right mind, sending him into a downward spiral. Creating a virus that will turn the politest person into a bloodthirsty killer, while his Geneticist partner was trying to prepare the people for extinction with his own unique serum. But a young teen is caught in their entanglement while the world is sent into a chaos that no one could prepare for. Will the earth burn or will something or someone intervene?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823005388

J.R. Bouchard

J.R. went through school writing fiction stories and winning Rhode Island’s young authors award. After leaving school he focused on building a life while still writing for fun. After watching many different genres of movies and shows he came up with the idea of Variant.

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VARIANT

J.R. Bouchard

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2023 J.R. Bouchard. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   05/03/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0540-1 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0539-5 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0538-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023906285

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     The Start

Chapter 2     Surrounded

Chapter 3     Hide and Peek

Chapter 4     A Fang Full Angel

Chapter 5     Internal Suffering

Chapter 6     A Blessing and a Curse

Chapter 7     Maimed

Chapter 8     DECEPTION Connection

Chapter 9     Scattered

Chapter 10   The Morning After

Chapter 11   Uncomfortable Duo

Chapter 12   CLIDE AND BONI

Chapter 13   The Little Things

Chapter 14   Surprise

Chapter 15   HUNG

Chapter 16   Breakout

Chapter 17   Do or Die

Chapter 18   Small World

Chapter 19   Closer Now

Chapter 20   Get out of Jail Free

Chapter 21   Playing Hero

Chapter 22   Last Known Address

Chapter 23   Her

Chapter 24   Cabin Fever

Chapter 25   Inner War

Chapter 26   Another Rescue Mission

Chapter 27   Seeing is not always Believing

Chapter 28   The Next Step

Chapter 29   Rufus P. Thompson

Chapter 30   Forced Imagery

CHAPTER 1

The Start

He was just another run of the mill nerd, who loved comic books and Anime. He went to school on time. Never skipped class. He always did what his parents told him to do. But that could all change in the blink of an eye.

One morning bright and early before the sun rose, a young man was walking to school, lost in thought about his upcoming history exam, the next moment, a van pulled up beside the young boy, as several large men jumped out, before dragging him inside. He tried to scream, but they covered his mouth and held him down, blindfolding the boy. He faintly hears a girl’s voice yelling in the distance, Brandon, stop it, don’t touch him.

Get him in, moron screamed one of the men as Brandon felt hands pulling on his legs, we can’t be seen.

I think we have a problem than, exclaimed another man, that little girl just saw us and you’re just sitting there barking orders!

The van drove for what felt like hours, and Brandon had no idea where they were taking him. Finally, they arrived at what sounded like a large complex, dragged inside the building, and thrown into a small room. The door was locked, and he was left alone in the cold, dark space.

Brandon tried to make sense of what was happening to him. Why would anyone want to take him? Was this a mistake? But before he could come up with any answers, one of the men returned with a small needle in hand, the boy was able to see him, after trying to get the blindfold off his face.

The man injected the needle into Brandon’s arm, as he felt a sharp pain before everything went dark. When he woke up, he was on a dirty broken bed, in a strange room surrounded by weird machines.

The last thing he remembered was being dragged into a van, outside of his school. Panic set in as he realized this was a kidnapping. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he looked around and saw dead bodies scattered around the room. The smell of death filled his nostrils, as he gagged.

Brandon tried to scream for help, but his mouth was gagged. Tears streamed down his face as he realized he was alone, trapped, and helpless. He tried to move, but his hands and feet were tied to the bed.

Suddenly, a door creaked open, Brandon froze. A slender figure stepped inside, as he held his breath. It was a young Asian teenage girl. She looked familiar, but he could not place her. She approached him cautiously, her eyes scanning him. The young man tried to speak, but the gag muffled his words. The girl spoke softly, Don’t be afraid. I will not hurt you. My name is Ming. I was asked to find you.

Brandon’s heart raced as he realized he was not alone. He felt a glimmer of hope, but he did not trust her. She sounded like the voice he heard right before being pulled into the van. He had to get out of there, and he may have to do it alone. He struggled against his restraints, but they would not budge.

Ming watched him for a moment before saying, You were turned, right? You’re part of their experiment now.

Brandon froze. What did she know? He had never heard of any experiments involving kidnapping... When I get these untied, she whispered. I want you to stay with me, ok? Brandon could not believe his luck - someone was trying to help him. Ming moved to untie his restraints, but she heard footsteps in the hallway. She quickly retied the ropes and hid behind the door.

A man entered the room, dressed in a white lab coat. He approached the bed, looking down at Brandon. Good, you’re awake, he said. We have some tests we need to run. Brandon tried to speak, but the man held up a hand. Don’t bother trying to escape. The restraints are too strong. Just relax and this will all be over soon.

As the man turned to leave, Ming darted out from behind the door and hit him with a tray. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Come on, she said, untying Brandon’s restraints, we have to go. They ran out of the room and down the hallway, trying to find a way out.

What is going on? said a frightened Brandon, now looking for something to wear, instead of a dirty hospital gown, why did they take me?

No time to think about that now. Can you walk? We must get out of here.

They turned a corner and saw a door at the end of the hallway. Ming ran ahead and pushed it open. They appeared in the courtyard, surrounded by high walls. How do we get out of here? Brandon asked. Ming pointed to a ladder leaning against one of the walls.

They climbed the ladder and reached the top of the wall. They could see the city skyline in the distance. Brandon felt a sense of relief wash over him - they had made it out. He turned to thank Ming, but she was already climbing down the other side of the wall. Wait, he called after her. Where are you going?

Ming paused before looking back at Brandon. I have to go back, she said. There are others in there who need my help.

Where do I go? asked Brandon looking around at the carnage that was now the streets of the city, Where are we?

Follow the road into the city. I will try and catch up.

And with that, she disappeared over the wall. Brandon stood there for a moment, stunned by Ming’s bravery.

Brandon ran as fast as he could through the dark and dreary alleyways. His captors were right behind him, their angry shouts filling the night air. He had no idea where he was going, but he knew that he had to keep running if he wanted to survive.

As he turned a corner, he ran straight into a group of survivors. They were a ragtag bunch, armed with makeshift weapons and a fierce determination to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. Their leader, Peter, looked at him with interest.

You look like you could use some help, Peter said, his voice low and commanding. Come with us.

Brandon swallowed hard as he followed the men, hoping that they would not kill him but protect him from his pursuers. As they made their way through the ruined city, Peter began to speak to him.

You’re lucky you ran into us, Peter said. I have a special ability. I can control the minds of anything I want. It’s a gift that has saved us many times.

A gift?

Yes. It is like living two lives or more, all at once.

Like mind control?

Yes, you could say that. It has its advantages. Come now Brandon, we must get off the streets before the real danger finds us.

Brandon was skeptical, but he had no reason to doubt Peter. He had already seen how well the survivors worked together and how determined they were to survive.

As they walked, Brandon suddenly heard approaching footsteps, but the group kept walking on, as Brandon walked behind them. Brandon’s heart leapt into his throat as he worried it was his captors, ready to place him back in that room.

But before he could do anything, Ming appeared out of nowhere. She motioned for Brandon to follow her. She had saved him once before. She quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him away from Peter’s group unnoticed.

Come on, said Ming pulling him into the darkness. We have to get away from any living people.

Why?

He was one of the people I was to save. Does not look like he needs saving. I am also not getting paid enough to take on large groups for one person.

Brandon followed Ming, grateful for getting him away from a mistake to come. He thought that he could trust her more than Peter’s group, and that she may protect him from any danger that they might meet.

Together, they made their way out of the ruined city and into the wilderness beyond. Brandon knew that he had been lucky to survive, and that he owed his life to Ming for helping him along the way. He knew that he would never forget what she had done for him and keep her safe as well.

We must find somewhere to call home, ordered Ming hiding near a tree looking for any danger, the night is almost here.

I should get home, replied Brandon wanting to turn around and walk the other direction, my parents must be worried about me.

Your parents are dead or might be, replied Ming looking at a small cabin in the distance, I do not know. But we cannot go back. Only forward.

Why would they be dead?

The world is not how it was this morning. Just take that as an answer, please.

This makes no sense. I must go home.

We will, but not right now. I promise we will find a way back there when this mission is complete.

CHAPTER 2

Surrounded