Survival 101: The Collapse: Survival 101 Trilogy, #1

By MJ Dixon

What do you do when a mysterious illness suddenly morphs and transforms the sick into murderous and cannibalistic Hunters? For teen Shane Conner, stuck at camp in the middle of Florida, she has to find a way back to her mom and sister in Kansas. No matter how much Shane has learned during her time at Camp Survival 101, she won't be able to navigate this deadly new world and make it home alive all on her own.

 

Joining Shane on this harrowing road trip are stoic survival expert Colton, savvy and popular Dorinda, whip-smart Omar along with his crush and best friend Angel, worldly peacemaker Bailey, diplomatic Miguel, as well as sweet and too-cute college baseball player EJ, who could become very special to Shane if they can manage to stick together and help each other survive in this terrifying new world.

 

Shane will need the help of all her new friends as she races to get home before time runs out and the sickness knocks on her family's front door.

 

A YA-ish apocalyptic road trip mixed with a twist of romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MJ Dixon
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215278581

Book preview

PROLOGUE

I hate my life.

The softly muttered declaration slipped past Shane Conner’s lips, followed by a chaser of a glare at the two girls seated half a dozen feet away at the other end of the picnic table.

Things aren’t so terrible here. A blond-haired young man Shane recognized as one of the camp specialist trainees stepped in next to her, his height blocking the relentless beat of the Florida summer sun. He lifted his hand and gave a three-fingered Boy Scout salute. I swear.

Shane quirked a brow. Really? Sliding her focus over to the pair of teenage girls once more, she couldn’t control the sarcasm, inherited from her father, from entering her voice. Are you sure it’s not the absolute worst?

A YouTube update blaring from a cell phone assaulted the cloudless sunny morning. Intently, the pair of girls listened as the news of the shocking death of newbie sensation rapper Rufus Blade was confirmed. In Venezuela shooting a music video and doing a charity concert, Rufus had died suddenly the previous evening, growing quickly ill, developing severe fever, and passing within twenty-four hours of getting sick.

See. The perky blonde of the two girls nodded vehemently, her wavy hair bouncing in perfect conjunction with her head. Listen to what his best friend says in this clip. I’ve watched this ten times since last night. She tapped the phone screen with her bright pink fingernail. Nobody knew Rufus like that guy did. And he says Rufus was straight-up murdered.

The slightly less perky blonde of the duo mimicked her friend’s nod with equal fervor. I bet the Rufus haters put a traitor in his crew and poisoned his food. They’ll never be able to prove it, but you watch how all his jealous enemies act and what they say on TikTok. Find another clip. The girl tap-tap-tapped on the phone screen. I want to see if there’s any new information.

All around Shane, Technicolor variations of these two girls milled about the campground—a camp that was supposed to be tailored around wilderness training and real-world survival skills for young women. Instead, every teen had cell phones attached to their fingertips or ears. Each girl was more expensively, more ridiculously dressed for their circumstances, than the last. This was not what Shane had imagined this camp to be.

After Shane’s father had saved to send her to this place for the summer as a graduation gift—and I was even stupid enough to be friggin’ excited when he told me—the whole scene worked the tic above her left eye like never before.

When the duo at the end of the bench started up a new online clip about Rufus Blade’s mysterious death, Shane rolled her eyes heavenward, then landed her gaze on the junior counselor standing in front of her. You were saying how super-duper awesome this place is?

It’s the second day. The guy dipped his head, focusing on the name-tag sticker on her chest. Shane. He stuck out his hand. I’m Colton, by the way.

Shaking Colton’s hand, Shane plastered a big, toothy smile on her face. Peachy to meet you, I’m sure.

Colton’s answering grin tightened. Here’s the thing, Shane. You can learn a ton of skills here at Camp Survival 101 if you choose to. The experience, the takeaway, from your time here is what you decide to make of it. He jerked his head toward the other pair at the end of the picnic table. Just as it will mean as much or little as they choose to make of it. Now, he glanced at his watch, I’m guessing you have either a seminar or class to attend, and I have to get back to work, so I will say goodbye and see you around.

As Colton retreated, with each step he took, a prick of conscience poked at Shane’s chest. Sorry for the peachy thing and the sarcasm, she called out to his back. I didn’t mean to be a jerk.

Colton spun and grinned, continuing to walk backward. You weren’t. You’re going to have a great summer, Shane. The three-fingered salute made a second appearance; this time he placed it over his heart. Scout’s honor.

Without missing a beat, Colton turned again. With a few more steps, he entered one of the camp’s many buildings. One heartbeat later, a gaggle of girls tittered over to the table, pausing next to the blond duo. The moment the most over-quaffed girl in the group bemoaned leaving her beloved, favorite eye shadow palate at home, Shane bolted off the other end of the bench and booked it toward the far end of the campgrounds.

After all, she had a class scheduled to learn all about tying knots. Another chance to spend time with a bunch of girls who didn’t care about being here, or learning anything about survival, and would never give her the time of day in real life.

Yippee. Except, the exact opposite.

At the moment, Shane only knew one thing for sure.

This summer was going to suck.

CHAPTER ONE

Y ou have to save her , Shane. A couple feet to Shane’s left, Colton stood with his legs braced in a military stance, his arms crossed against his chest. Dorinda has fallen over the cliff, but she’s got a foothold on that tiny ledge and is counting on you to save her. What do you do?

In truth, Shane’s camp mate, Dorinda, was perched eight feet below on a strategically carved-out plateau. Her glossy black hair looked like lacquered ebony under the morning sun, and her naturally tawny skin drew envy from Shane, and a comparison—one lacking on Shane’s end—to her own pale skin and red hair.

Six weeks into her summer of camping in hell and Shane could acknowledge that while her camp mates were not anywhere close to heaven-worthy or anywhere near awesome by her definition, they weren’t horn-sporting spawns of Satan, either. Not most of them anyway.

A small group of five girls, led by Colton and the camp’s outdoor survival specialist, a woman named Jane, were in the morning hours of day five of a one-week camping excursion into forested land owned by the camp. And while Shane knew the group was perfectly safe, with the camp less than a ten-mile hike away, she knew being surrounded by such overgrown, dense greenery still effectively set the mood for being on a trek in the middle of nowhere.

Taking a second to secure her hair in a ponytail, Shane called down to Dorinda, Stay calm. I got you.

Uh-huh. Eight feet below, Dorinda tapped a fuchsia-colored sneaker and examined the matching nails on her right hand.

Talk me through your plan, Colton instructed, watching Shane closely.

Okay. I have to get this right. Not only was Colton judging her, but Jane stood a dozen feet away with a tablet, evaluating Colton. If Shane messed up, Colton would probably get a blemish on his evaluation. During her time here, she’d learned he was twenty-one years old, had a younger brother he adored, and was blissfully ignorant of most pop-culture things. She’d grown to like him, so she didn’t want to be the cause of a black mark for him.

After a quick swipe at the beads of sweat pearling on her brow, Shane opened her gear pack. I get my rope. I tie a bowline knot, with efficient precision, she executed the bunny-through-the-hole-and-around-the-tree method to achieve the correct knot, adding a safety knot, doing so, she snugged both up, and then I toss the looped end over the ledge to Dorinda for her to secure around her body and anchor under her armpits. Shane threw the looped rope over the edge of the cliff.

Once Dorinda secured the rope around her middle in the way Shane had instructed, Colton made a stop motion with his hand over the side of the ledge. Okay, Dorinda was able to do that much to help you. But she can’t move farther on her own. She’s hurt and weak. She won’t be able to help you pull her up. What’s next?

Confident, Shane grinned. I got this. After wrapping the length of rope around her wrists and securing it, Shane then yanked on it. And then pulled again. Nothing. Dorinda barely budged.

I have her. I swear. Muscles in her shoulders, back, and arms straining, Shane grunted and dug her heels into the moist, rich earth. Instantly, her hiking boots created divots in the mossy soil, and she started to slide toward the cliff. Oh jeez. Her five-foot-six, slender frame quivering with strain, Shane braced her foot on a small boulder and managed to stop her slide toward the drop-off. I know I’m stronger than this.

Colton crouched and locked a steady focus on her. Smarter, too. Look around. Utilize your resources. What’s going to help?

Her wimpy muscles betraying her, her lungs straining for less fiery, chest-burning breaths, Shane scanned the wooded area. Her focus darted from trees to rock formations and even a sun-glistened lake beyond, but she discarded them all. No truck or car or ATV with a winching system was anywhere nearby. Shoot. What am I missing?

She looked back to Colton, but his motionless features gave nothing away.

Taking another look, perspiration now trekking down her neck into her T-shirt, Shane stopped her attention on the three blondes, all dressed in what had to be the height of hiking fashion, their long wavy hair somehow still perfect five days into camping without any electricity or running water. As much as Shane hated the feeling, because it came due to those three girls, relief flooded her system. Yes! Never had three try-too-hards looked so good.

She swung back to Colton. People. Dorinda and I aren’t camping alone. Not waiting for the guy to nod that she was right, Shane shouted, Madison, Sabrina, and Brianna, come help me rescue Dorinda.

The blondes rushed over quickly and grabbed the rope behind her. Their speedy assistance forced a twinge of guilt within Shane. She’d been judging the trio from day one, yet they weren’t completely terrible; maybe it was time for her to quit clenching so hard and breathe.

With a quick adjustment of her own stance, Shane called back over her shoulder, Pull. Hoisting as one, the rope relented under their combined strength, and Dorinda began to move up the side of the cliff. Every fiber in Shane’s being tingled in the best possible way, surging new energy through her body. Pull. Like a well-oiled machine, they yanked as a unit, each tug bringing more and more rope over the ledge. Pull.

And then, just like that, Dorinda crested the edge of the cliff. The dark-haired beauty found purchase within a tangle of thick vines and clawed the rest of the way to safety.

Extending his hands, Colton clapped in Shane’s direction. Good job. He went from left to right, applauding each girl individually. All of you.

Dorinda sauntered up to the group, the front of her clothing now dirt smeared. Dang it. She curled her fingers loosely and cursed again. I broke a nail.

But you’re alive, Shane pointed out with a grin.

I suppose I am. A twinkle hit Dorinda’s chocolate eyes, and soft laughter lifted her lips, forcing Shane to acknowledge maybe these girls also had senses of humor. Thanks for figuring out how to save me. Would have been a shame to lose all this around camp. She waved her hands down her curvy body. Not to mention to the rest of the world.

Bumping fists with Dorinda, Shane chuckled. My pleasure.

Also eighteen and recently graduated, Dorinda, like Shane, was at the top age limit for teens admitted to this camp, and thus, sometimes, Shane had grudgingly spoken with her. The young woman was by no means THE WORST, and for Shane that was a glowing endorsement. Maybe the others weren’t in that upper echelon of terrible either.

The crow in her mouth not nearly as bitter as she would have thought, Shane spun to offer thanks to the blond trio. Before she could part her lips to speak, the soft chime of a phone broke through the morning air like shattering glass.

Campers weren’t allowed to have their phones on this trip into the forest. And Shane had to share a tent with these four other girls. Not once in the last four days had Shane witnessed anyone sneak a contraband cell phone from under the covers.

Wilderness-expert Jane suddenly started to attention and mumbled, Oh, that must be me. The salt-and-pepper-haired woman dug into her fanny pack for the phone. Everyone fell into silence.

Bugs and birds chirped along with the natural crackling sounds of an alive forest, as well as the splash of a duck landing in the lake nearby. But like a lasered missile locked in on its target, all Shane heard were Jane’s murmurs of agreement with whoever was on the other end of the line, and a vow that they could make it back by the end of the day.

Bright-eyed, Jane put her phone away and snapped her fingers in fast succession. Okay, ladies. Colton. Come. Quickly. Right now. We’re taking apart the camp, making sure to respect the forest and leave no trace of ourselves behind, and we are heading back today.

Dorinda raised her hand and asked, What’s going on? without waiting for Jane to call on her. The daughter of a state representative and a judge, the girl was probably used to getting what she wanted.

Already gathering her own gear, Jane answered, Some parents have become concerned about this sickness going around and the changing effects on the newest who have become infected. Parents want their kids home. Enough that the director has decided to shut down the facility and send everyone back to their families. The first wave will start leaving today.

This time, the blondest of the three blondes raised her hand, but Colton stiff-armed her from a dozen feet away, shutting her down. No more questions. We have a long day ahead of us. Let’s get going now.

A hundred questions punched at the inside of Shane’s mouth to get free, but she clamped her lips tight and got to work helping Dorinda take apart the girls’ tent. All the while, the question hitting hardest inside her repeated on a loop: What the heck is going on?

Fat, juicy drops of rain fell from the dusky sky, creating great splashes in puddles of soggy grass and dirt. Receding angry storm clouds competed with the lavenders, pinks, and oranges of the sunset as the group of seven emerged from the forest nine long hours after they’d begun the trek to camp.

A torrential rainstorm had begun shortly after the start of their journey, slowing the ten-mile walk considerably, lest someone get injured on slick ground with low visibility. At the end of the hike, everyone was exhausted, and for perhaps the first time ever for some of these girls, nobody looked good. Dirt smeared wet faces and clothes, and mud caked an extra inch onto sneakers and hiking boots.

Limp strands of hair hung in fiery strips down Shane’s face, and her soaked clothing clung to her body like a second skin.

Once they crested a low hill and the camp buildings came into sight, Jane snapped her fingers in rapid succession. Girls, go get showered and cleaned up, then head to the mess hall and get a good meal before you pack. I need to speak with the director. The wilderness leader had not been able to contact anyone on the phone for the last two hours. Colton, Jane beckoned the young man and lowered her voice, I need you to do me a favor...

Shane leaned in to eavesdrop, her ears more open and tuned than a satellite dish. Just as fast, Dorinda whispered, Nosy.

Shane swore and jumped as her heart leaped into her throat.

Dorinda laughed. Come on, girl. Let’s go. She tugged on Shane’s arm. You look a hot mess.

Right then, a high-pitched shriek rent the rapidly darkening evening, the curdling sound cutting into Shane like a chainsaw through a block of ice.

That came from the mess hall. Jane took off at a sprinter’s clip, Colton hot on her heels. You girls stay back!

Already in motion following, Shane churned her legs under her fast, kicking up splatters of mud with each pounding of her shoes onto the earth. A mix of freaked-out tones carried over her shoulder, letting her know the entire entourage of teen girls had ignored Jane’s request to stay put.

Jane shoved open the double doors and rushed inside to another wave of shrieking cries.

Stumbling to a stop at the entrance, Shane covered her mouth, halting bile and a shout of her own. Oh God.

Inside, the behemoth who served them meals every day tore into one of his coworkers with his bare hands, spraying blood everywhere, creating a second layer of gore on every surface in the cafeteria. The man ripped into the exposed organs and flesh of his victim with his bare