Life's Quaking Souls

By Amy Shannon

As a terrorizing earthquake hits the town of Sars Springs, three unlikely men join forces to save the town from further death and destruction. As more aftershocks are felt, buildings and homes crumble, burying most of the town and its residents. Terror and fear are put aside as the survivors fight to find the missing and the dead. Losses of family and friends and the pain felt inside gets put aside, as the focus becomes on rebuilding the town and find the missing.

Will the town ever be the same again? Will the danger of the earthquake and an escaped prisoner cost more lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215308219

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

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Life’s Quaking Souls

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

As a terrorizing earthquake hits the town of Sars Springs, three unlikely men join forces to save the town from further death and destruction. As more aftershocks are felt, buildings, and homes crumble, burying most of the town and its residents.

Terror and fear are put aside as the survivors fight to find the missing and the dead. Losses of family and friends and the pain felt inside gets put aside, as the focus becomes on rebuilding the town and finding the missing. Will the town ever be the same again? Will the danger of the earthquake and an escaped prisoner cost more lives?

1 As We Know It

JOSHUA CARLENO SAT down on his sofa and put his feet up. He put his arm around his wife, Kaylee. What’s on?

I’m just watching the news. There was an earthquake in Mexico this morning.

Oh, nothing serious, right?

I don’t know. They’re still getting aftershocks, she laid her head on his shoulder.

I hope we don’t get any effects of it, he said.

There hasn’t been an earthquake around here in over a 100 years and nothing that did any damage.

Well, there was that one… Joshua said. I read it in Elena’s book.

Oh, well, that was in the 1800’s. I doubt we’ll get anything. It’s not like we have any fault lines around here.

Who knows? Well, I know what to do if we did get one.

What’s that? she looked into his eyes.

Kiss my ass good-bye, he smiled.

That’s not even funny. You’re supposed to brace yourself in a door jam or something.

"Oh, really? How is that supposed to save us?"

Have no idea.

Don’t we have to go in the basement? Joshua asked.

Honey, you really don’t know anything about it, do you?

No, not really. When do we go in the basement?

When we have a tornado, she laughed slightly, as she tugged on her long, black hair.

We have those, too?

No, we don’t, she laughed. Don’t worry, honey, we’re safe. Just watch the news, she said.

All right, he smiled. What time are they due here?

She laid her head on his shoulder. Around six. Your brother is bringing dinner from his restaurant.

Great, he said, as he kissed her forehead.

Terry Markum sat down on the sofa and adjusted his holster as his wife, Dr. Raina Markum, walked into the living room. "Just what are you doing?" she asked, as she put her hands on her hips.

"Waiting for Elena and her … um … friend," Terry crossed his arms.

"You’re not wearing that," she said.

"Why? I like this shirt," he grinned.

"I wasn’t talking about that shirt, and you know it. You are not wearing your gun. You’re not even a cop anymore," she shook her head.

I still carry a gun, though, he said.

"I don’t know why. You’re a Chef … not a police officer or a mobster," she said.

Well, you know, he smiled. This is her first boyfriend.

Raina laughed slightly. Whatever you say.

He’s not? Why didn’t I know about this?

She sat next to him and removed his gun from his holster. "For this very reason, she removed the magazine from the handgun. You have it loaded? What am I going to do with you?" she opened the drawer from the end table and placed the gun and its magazine inside.

Well, where are they?

She said they’ll be here around five. Don’t worry. Joshua and Kay can’t eat without us. We’re bringing the food, she smiled.

Maybe we shouldn’t go … you know, Elena is going on a date. We should be home, Terry said.

Baby, I know you’re nervous, but it’s just over to the diner. Elena is driving so don’t worry. She’s 17. She has the right to go on dates. She’s been dating since she was 15, Raina said. "Whether you knew it or not."

Why don’t you ever tell me these things? Terry ran his hand through his black hair.

Because no one wants you to get all cop-like … or even worse yet, all mob-like, she said, as Logan, Xander, and Marcus Markum hurried into the house. Raina stood up and stared at her sons. "What is going on?"

Where is he? Deputy Police Chief Xander Markum said.

Who? Raina asked and then turned around. She glared at her husband. "You called our sons?"

They should be here, too, Terry said.

Raina looked at Xander. You’re wearing your gun, too?

Yes, ma’am, he grinned, as he patted his holster.

Raina looked at Logan and Marcus. You two don’t have guns, right?

No, but I’ve got an axe in my car, Fire Chief Logan Markum said.

"Oh, god, this is just a date," Raina said.

"Mom, we remember Starr’s first date," Logan said.

Raina rubbed her eyes. "I know, but for one, it’s not Elena’s first and two, they’re just going to the diner to eat."

"Well, we just want to see this boy, Dr. Marcus Markum said. She is 17."

Yes, I know, Raina said.

Mom, Bella was 17 when she got pregnant, Marcus said.

Raina shook her head. "Yes, and your son got her pregnant. I’ve talked to Elena about sex and protecting herself."

Terry covered his ears. Doc, he cringed. Don’t.

Raina pulled his hands away from his ears. Listen, she knows about sex and condoms and all of that. She’s even on birth control.

Terry glared at his wife. "And you didn’t tell me?"

Raina threw her hands in the air. "She’s not having sex … I mean … you know what. She’s on it for another reason, but she if she ever decides to, she has all the information."

How do you know? Xander said.

Raina turned around. "She’s so not like her brothers, Raina crossed her arms, as she heard a car pull in the driveway. She looked at her sons. You three, sit down, Terry went to stand. Don’t even move," she walked out of the house.

Raina smiled as her daughter, Elena got out of the car, followed by a young man. Elena?

Mom, what’s wrong? she asked, as she walked over her.

Raina looked into her eyes. I’m so sorry, both of you.

Mom, this is Tanner Helms. My date, she smiled.

Tanner looked at her and smiled. Ma’am, he shook her hand.

Helms? Raina looked at him.

My father is Colonel Mac Helms. I think you know him.

Yes, yes, I do. I didn’t know he lived around here.

He lives in Middleburg and my mother … well, she lives here in Sars Springs. I don’t know if you know her, Tamara Giome.

Oh, yes, she used to work at Destino, didn’t she? Raina smiled.

Yes, ma’am, he smiled.

Well, I have to warn you both, Raina looked toward the house.

Elena shook her head. "All of them?"

Yeah, I am so sorry, Raina said.

Elena looked at Tanner. My father and brothers are all in the house.

Oh, is that bad? Tanner asked.

No, not bad, but it may be uncomfortable, Raina said.

Well, I’m ready, he said.

Let’s go, Elena took his hand and the three of them headed into the house.

Raina took a deep breath and opened the door. Men, this is Tanner Helms.

Terry stood up. So, you’re Elena’s date?

Yes, sir, Tanner nervously dug his hands deep into his pockets.

"Terry, Mac is his father," Raina said.

Oh, really? Terry smiled slightly and extended his hand. I’m Mr. Markum.

Nice to meet you, sir, he said.

Elena took Tanner’s hand. Tanner, this is Logan, Xander, and Marcus. They’re my brothers.

The three men stood up and extended their hands. Tanner quietly shook each one. Nice to meet you, sirs, he said.

Logan looked at his little sister. Have a good time. Men? he looked at his brothers and they followed him out of the house.

Um, Mom, we’re going to go now, Elena said.

I’ll see you tonight. Eleven, all right? she said, as she glared at Terry.

Probably before then, but I’ll be here, she smiled as she and Tanner left the house.

Raina hurried after her. Oh, Elena?

Mom? Elena turned around. What is it?

It’s possible that your brothers headed to the diner, she said.

That’s all right, Mrs. Markum, Tanner said.

Elena looked at Tanner. "It’s Dr. Markum."

Oh, I am so sorry, Tanner stared at his shoes.

Don’t worry about it. Have a good time and if they bother you, Elena, call me. We’ll be Joshua’s.

Don’t worry. Starr said she’d be my back up if I needed it, Elena laughed, as they headed to her car.

Raina headed back into the house. "You behaved … well, almost. You sent our sons to the diner, didn’t you?"

Would I do that? Terry asked.

Yes, she shook her head. Get ready to go.

Yes, ma’am, he kissed her cheek. Clyde has the food ready at the restaurant. I can go pick it up.

Nope, she said.

No?

"We’ll both go pick it up. You are not following Elena."

You don’t trust me? he said slyly.

Should I?

Not in this case, no. You were right. I was … well, never mind. I’m starved.

"Good. I’ll drive," Raina said, as they headed out of the house.

Dr. Martin Welch looked up as his father, Dr. Steven Welch, knocked on the door. Martin?

Dad? What brings you down here? he smiled.

Um, tomorrow, I have to go to Florence, he said, as he sat down. I was just wondering if you could cover for me in the ER.

Oh, sure, I only had lab work planned tomorrow. What’s in Florence?

Steven sat down and crossed his legs. The town wants to open a clinic there and since … well, I started the Hettie Farmer Memorial hospital … when it was a clinic … they asked me to meet with the town and planning board.

See how important you are? Martin smiled. I’d be glad to cover for you. How long will you be gone?

Just for the day. I’m driving there tomorrow morning. Are you done for the day?

Just finishing up. Carey is working late, so there’s not much dragging me home.

Want to get something to eat?

Yeah, it’s been a while, Martin said. Dad, are you all right?

Yeah, it just feels good to be needed, you know?

I do know, Martin closed his folder. This can wait. I am starved. Let’s go, Martin took off his lab coat and hung it on the coat rack.

Steven followed him out of the Healer’s State Hospital. He stared at the sign. This town has come a long way.

Dad, is there a problem?

No, I just remember when the other hospital was just a clinic. Now, we have two hospitals, a free clinic, and a rape-crisis center. We’ve just finished the new rehabilitation center. I guess when I was looking at the plans for the new clinic in Florence, it got me thinking to when this all started out.

Martin smiled as he opened his car door. Where to?

Let’s go to Destino.

Sounds good to me.

Jim O’Roark looked up from his porch, as his sister, Rose Dix, pulled in the driveway. Rose, did Mark get off all right?

She slowly walked over and sat next to him. Yeah, he’s on his way to see Mike.

What’s wrong? Miss him?

No, I think it’s more like relief that he’s not here, she said.

Alex, Jim’s wife, walked out to the porch with lemonades. I heard you pull in. Are you all right? she handed out the glasses and sat down.

I guess. Sometimes … sometimes… she shook her head.

Rose, what is it? Jim asked, as he put his hand on hers.

I think I came back for no reason. He’s still in love with your daughter. I know she doesn’t want him and she’s very happy with Terry and her family, but my husband just won’t stop.

Then divorce him, Alex said.

I know that I should. I just thought that we could go back to how we were, but he’s not the same man. He used to be loving and caring and he devoted himself to me. Not anymore. He can be loving and caring, but he’s not the same. He’s distant. All he does is hang out with Bill and Ken. Not that that’s not a good thing, but ever since I came back, I try too hard, and he doesn’t try hard enough.

Then leave him. Your life doesn’t revolve around Mark, Alex said. You have your son and grandchildren. You have your work at the Domestic Violence Shelter. You and Lana have gotten to be best friends. There are other men out there, you know.

I know, but it’s always been Mark. I haven’t been with any other man … ever, Rose said.

Then it’s time you started. There are a lot of single men in this town, Jim said.

Really? Who? Rose’s eyes lit up.

Well, there’s Ken … oh, wait, he’s our cousin, Jim laughed.

Rose laughed slightly. "Not even funny."

"Well, there are other single men in this town, that aren’t related," Alex said.

Like who? Rose smiled.

Well, at the restaurant, there are a few single waiters. You should eat there more often.

You’re right, Rose said. What do I tell Mark?

Good-bye, Alex smiled.

Hmm, maybe I should. Oh, the real reason why I stopped here, Rose said.

What is it? Jim asked.

I got word from a friend of mine who lives in Florence. They’re going to tear down our old house. The one we grew up in, Rose said.

Oh, wow, Jim said. I didn’t know it was falling down, but I haven’t been to Florence in years.

Me either. I’m going there tomorrow to take a look one last time. Did you want to come with me? Rose asked.

Yeah, sure, I can go in late, Jim kissed her cheek.

Great, Rose said.

Oh, take Long Bridge out of town. They’re doing construction on the eastern and western side of route 28. So, the back roads to both Florence and Middleburg will take forever, Alex said.

Oh, how do you know? Rose said.

I’m on the town board, she smiled. They’re detouring all traffic to go over Long Bridge and then use route 17.

That’s good to know, Rose said, as she hugged Jim. So tomorrow?

Yeah, why don’t you stay for dinner? he smiled.

Why not, Rose said, as the three of them headed into the house.

Terry and Raina carried the bags of food into Joshua’s house. Food’s here, Terry called.

Joshua and Kaylee looked up from the sofa. Oh, good.

Is something wrong? Raina asked, as Kaylee took a bag from her arms.

Just that earthquake in Mexico, Kaylee said, as the four of them headed into the kitchen.

I heard about that but it’s far enough away, it shouldn’t touch us, Terry said.

Well, we could feel some aftershocks, Raina said.

We don’t have a fault line, do we? Joshua asked, as he started to dish out the food.

I don’t think so. Racy might know, Raina said. He not only studies the water, but also land.

"So, if we did