Journey To Territory U (Extinction Of All Children series, Book 3)

By L.J. Epps

Emma Whisperer’s journey continues in the third and final book in the Extinction series. Emma Whisperer and her friends are given ten days by President Esther to get their petitions signed to see if the people of Territory U agree with the walls being torn down. They can freely walk through the territory and talk to people.
What is life like in Territory U? Will the people of Territory U be accepting of their message?
Emma and her friends—old and new—explore Territory U and find the rich aren’t always as happy as they seem. They come upon some strange things happening in the territory and also underneath it. Friendships will be tested. Will Emma and her friends come out of it alive?
Emma has already accomplished so much—getting President Esther to let them walk freely through Territory U. Will Emma find and save Abigail? Will she save the people of Territory L? Or, will certain truths destroy her spunky spirit and good heart? Emma’s final journey brings about new challenges and revelations. Will these new discoveries weaken her or make her stronger?
President Esther has more in store for Emma than she could ever imagine. Will Rich get his revenge against Emma? Will President Esther win in the end? See how Emma and her friends handle the misery and destruction the president puts them through.
Take a ride with Emma as she makes some horrifying discoveries and finds the strength to continue on and finish the quest she started.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.J. Epps
• Release date: Nov 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9780997191370

L.J. Epps

L.J. Epps is a lover of all things related to books: fiction and nonfiction novels, as well as biographies and autobiographies. She has also been known to sit and read comic books from cover to cover, several times over.Over the last few years, L.J. has written several manuscripts; her mission is to publish all of them. She enjoys writing fiction in several genres, including contemporary romance and women’s fiction, as well as young adult dystopian, science fiction and fantasy. She loves to write because it immerses her into another world that is not her own.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

We are not far from the gates of Territory U. I can’t believe I’m here after everything that has happened. My breaths are caught in my throat as I look over at Theodore, Eric, Samuel, Logan, and Whitney. President Esther, who is over our little nation of Craigluy, has divided the people into three territories. Territory L stands for the lower class. That’s where I live; we are considered poor. Territory M is the middle class, where people have better homes and more money. I was able to sneak into M with Eric while riding in the back of a work truck. Julian was the driver who helped us sneak in. The guards at the gate knew Julian and never suspected we were hiding in the back.

I was only in M for a few weeks, and the time just flew by. I made a few new friends while I was there, as well as some enemies. Hard to believe it’s September now. I blink a few times and take in a deep breath.

Now my friends and I stand inside the walls of U, where the wealthy live and have anything their little hearts’ desire. They are richer than those who reside in M, and I’m sure their houses are bigger and better.

President Esther made us run to the gates of U before they came down. That was her way of deciding who would have the chance to walk around the territory freely, trying to get petitions signed…and to make us suffer, if we didn’t make it into U. She likes to play games. The petitions will decide if she will let the walls come down, so we can all be one whole unit, again—one entire nation of Craigluy. My hope is if the walls come down, the killings will stop.

President Esther decided long ago that the poor couldn’t take care of their own. She provided contraception, so people would stop having babies. Any children illegally born were taken away and killed. I recently found out that some babies are adopted by the upper class, while other babies are killed.

When I left my home in Territory L for Territory M, my main goal was to find out about my sister Taylor’s baby—my niece, Abigail. I now know she is alive and probably adopted by one of the rich families. Now that we’ve made it into Territory U safely, I can find her. My second goal was to have the walls taken down…the petitions being signed will mean I may have my chance at doing that.

We didn’t all make it safely inside the gates. Wyatt was crushed by the rolling gates. It was a horrific death. No one should die that way. I hadn’t known Wyatt that long. In fact, it’d only been a day or so; but he was kind to me. He went out of his way to help me find the newbie camp where I looked to see if Abigail had been taken and buried.

My sister Taylor also didn’t make it into the gates of Territory U. Evil President Esther made her stay behind in Territory M. She has Taylor in the holding cells in her husband Henry’s mansion. President Esther says Taylor may be tortured. My hands tingle, thinking of my sister going through such pain.

Now I pull my head back into reality and search my surroundings. The grass seems greener here and the air smells fresher, like clean linen. I know it’s probably my imagination. From where we stand, all I see is a field. We’re still near the walls and too far back to be able to see any houses or streets, but everything seems livelier in Territory U.

I’m still wandering around in amazement, trying to catch my breath, when I hear the motor rolling the gate up, again. I look back at the gate and see Rich walking in. His green eyes are glued on me. I know he has hated me ever since he had me cornered in my jail cell back in Territory L. When I was locked up for thirty days, doing my time, he had no problem displaying his displeasure for me. Jason and Mike, two of the guards from L, are with him. Why are they here?

I see most of you made it. He growls. Emma, he says, looking my way. Your sister made it back to the mansion safely, in case you were wondering. He smiles and all his teeth show. He brushes his hand over the top of his full head of red hair.

I know he didn’t come all the way here just to tell me that; there has to be more.

Hand them out, boys. He looks over at Jason and Mike.

They throw duty belts with holsters at our feet. They hit the ground with a thud.

I’m not sure which one belongs to who…figure that out among yourselves. But there are guns and Tasers in all of them. Of course, Whitney, you don’t get one—since you never had one to begin with. Wyatt won’t need his, so we will be taking his back. He chuckles, as if it’s funny Wyatt’s dead. Logan, I believe you stole poor Julian’s.

Why would we need these? Theodore asks. Is someone going to be shooting at us?

This is supposed to be a friendly visit. But you never know. Rich shrugs. Emma, yours is there, too. You may need it when you come with me.

My ears burn. I don’t think I heard him correctly. My eyes widen. Come with you?

You heard me, chosen one. You’re coming with me. He clicks his tongue, like he’s frustrated with me.

I don’t understand. I made it under the gate in time.

Things change quickly around here…you need to keep up. You’re needed back in Territory L.

This doesn’t make sense. I glance over at Eric, but his eyes still don’t look friendly toward me.

President Esther gave me a choice of someone to stay in Territory M and be beaten…someone who wouldn’t be given the chance to come and get petitions signed. I chose Eric because I knew he can handle himself; but I don’t think he appreciated me choosing him, so he remains silent toward me.

What’s going on? Theodore asks. His brown eyes squint.

Why does she have to go back to L? Samuel asks.

Your parents need to see you, Rich says to me, ignoring Samuel.

Why? My body shivers. What has happened?

Your mother’s sick and your father sent for you. President Esther is allowing it.

I look at my brother. Theodore, what’s going on? Ever since President Esther had my brother brought to Territory M from Territory L and put him in the holding cell at Henry’s mansion, he has kept quiet about our parents. Is this true?

Yes, Mother’s sick…but Father didn’t want you to know. His shoulders curl over his chest.

I have orders to bring you back to L. Let’s go.

I want to see my parents, badly; but I don’t trust Rich or the president. What about the people here? They are expecting to see me, so we can get the petitions signed.

You’ll only be gone a few days. Rich narrows his eyes. The people here will do fine without seeing you until then. I’m sure your friends can take up the slack until you get back. If the people here ask about you, your friends can tell them your services were needed elsewhere. You will be back…if all goes well—hopefully soon. He grunts.

I really need to see my parents. What if I decide to stay here and something happens to them—how would I feel?

Do you think this is a trick? I ask Theodore.

We can’t be sure. I do know Mother and Father would love to see you. He grabs my hand. But you need to be careful.

I will, I say, looking around at Eric, Samuel, Logan, and then Whitney. And I will be back.

Lovefest is over. Rich rips my hand from Theodore’s. He yanks me around by my wrists. Then he pulls me back toward the gate.

I hear the fluttering of helicopter propellers, flying above.

The copter’s here to take us back. Let’s go. He points the gun at me. Pick up her belt, he says to Mike. She won’t need it right now.

I turn back around to my friends as Rich jerks my arm. Try and get as many signatures as you can.

I feel the metal of his gun on my back. I follow the other guards out of the gates. The motor roars as the gate goes back down. My shoulders jump as it slams shut behind me.

***

We’re up in the air now, and I’m trying to stop my eyes from leaking. Rich told Jason and Mike to drive the van back. Someone I’ve never seen before is flying the helicopter, while Rich sits in the back next to me.

Something doesn’t sit well with me. Why did you let my friends keep their weapons?

Are you hard of hearing? I already explained that to your brother. Like I told him, you may need them. Someone may shoot at you.

I think there’s something else. I roll my eyes. I think having us walking around with weapons makes us look like we’re trying to intimidate people into signing our petitions…that’s just going to make people fear us and not want to sign, and that’s feeding right into what the president wants…for people not to sign.

Smart. He nods and turns away from me, but immediately turns back. By the way, there’s something you need to do for the president before you are allowed to see your parents, he says, as his voice hisses at me.

But that’s not what you said when we were down there. My throat goes dry.

Be quiet and listen. Apparently, your speech didn’t soothe the masses. President Esther just got word that the rioting continues back in L.

Why is that my fault? I did my part. I told them to stop tearing down the territory.

Some people thought you were forced into making the speech, so they didn’t believe you. They need to see you, in person. And this time, you will make them believe. Smile, toss your hair. I don’t care. Do whatever girly thing you do or say to make them believe. He leans back into the helicopter’s cushioned seat.

I got kicked in the side while training with Eric back in Territory L, during my incarceration at President Esther’s mansion. Rich’s cheekiness now makes the pain I haven’t felt in my side for weeks throb, again.

So I should lie, I manage to say.

If you want to put it that way. He shrugs, as if everything’s right with the world. Then he leans over and glowers in my face. He’s so close, he might as well be sitting on my lap. I feel his hot breath on my neck. I twinge at the thought of him being by my side for this entire trip back to L.

I have to think of other things or I won’t make it. I have to dwell on good things. I am satisfied that baby Abigail is safe. The others will search for her until I return. I will have a chance to see my parents. If President Esther decides to change her mind, I will still find a way, somehow—I know I will.

Who would have ever thought the territory would listen to an eighteen-year-old female. And who would have thought we would have made it all the way to the year 2098 before Territory L would listen to someone other than President Esther.

I consider it my job to help stop the rioting—which I do loathe—and after I’m done here, I’ll rejoin my friends in Territory U, and we’ll work on bringing down the walls. Everything will be okay. I have to keep believing that in order to put one foot in front of the other and make this trip back to Territory L.

My thoughts jumble as the copter bounces up and down and my stomach bounces with it. I’ve never been in a helicopter before; things like this are reserved for the rich, for the president, and for her guards. People like me, people from Territory L, are never afforded this opportunity, until now. Now that my voice is needed to quell the violence and to soothe the people of my territory.

I have to say the experience is a bit overwhelming. I’m not sure how much time has gone by since I left Eric, my brother Theodore, Samuel, Logan, and Whitney standing at the gates of Territory U. It feels like an hour, but it could be only twenty minutes.

My stomach twinges with every small air pocket we hit. I can’t keep up my tactic of thinking of the good things that have happened. My brain keeps wandering to all of the pointless deaths I have encountered, lately: the babies at the newbie camp; the twelve-year-old girl who was shot in the head by Rich; Julian, a guard and Eric’s roommate.

I didn’t trust Julian, at first; but he’s the one who helped us escape from Territory L into Territory M. He was killed by a pack of lightning ants while we were trying to hide out in the executive buildings up at the Hill.

Then there’s Alexa, who I met hiding out at the old college in M. She was a runaway who I thought I had become friends with; but in the end, she betrayed me by turning me in. Rich shot her in her neck just before we were about to run for the gates of Territory U. And there’s Wyatt’s senseless death; he was crushed by the gate as we entered U. Even the runaways at the gate, who were shot by the watchmen in the tower because Rich had arranged it, didn’t deserve what they got. They all deserved so much better.

Almost there, Emma, Rich whispers in my ear.

I try to forget he is next to me; but, of course, I can’t. Looking down out of the windows, I see grass and trees and more grass. Everything is so small. I can’t really make out anything else, so I glance up at the blue sky—it’s beautiful, as the sun glistens against the copter’s windows.

Finally, we land in a grassy patch near the president’s mansion. I hop down behind Rich. A long black car waits, and it takes us to the mansion. I see my old school, the city council building, and the hospital where my parents work.

I can’t believe I’m back here. I’ve been gone for a few weeks. Everything looks the same. President Esther’s area looks untouched. The grass is still green and the mansion is still standing tall. I’m sure my side of town looks the same as well—dim and drab. Then I take that back. I’m sure it’s even worse now, due to the rioting.

We have more guards than before surrounding the mansion, so there will be no rioting in President Esther’s area, Rich says. I was just thinking those same thoughts, so it’s like he’s reading my mind.

I don’t know if it’s the weather or it’s just being back here, but I shiver, feeling a chill in the air. If the seasons cooperate, winter will be upon us soon and snow will cover the ground. Since the seasons are so messed up now, who knows if that will even happen. One day it’s cold and the next day it’s hot. Once again, I find I’m distracting myself with thoughts of the weather.

Two outside guards meet us as we walk into the front door of the mansion. A perfumed fragrance fills the air. Is the president meeting us here? I ask.

Why? You scared to be alone with me? Rich asks.

I’ve been alone with him all this time, and he hasn’t killed me, yet; what would make this time be any different. I’m trying to convince myself to remain strong. He does scare me, but I don’t need him to know that.

No, I’m just wondering what happens now. I really want to see my parents.

We sit and wait for further instructions. He walks into the yellow dining room and plunges down at the table. Sit, he bellows. Time with your parents will come later.

The table is brown and white, with two chairs on each side and one chair at each head. I sit at the opposite end, so I won’t have to be near him.

Helen, the president’s maid, walks out of the swinging door that connects the dining room to the kitchen. Her hair is still gray and bags are still under her eyes. She has on the same long gray polyester dress that she always wears; only this time she has on a black apron with it. We weren’t in each other’s presence much when I stayed here; but the times I did encounter her, she was always nice and cordial.

Helen, fix me a steak and some potatoes. The steak should be rare, and I want half a pound of butter on top of the potatoes. I want creamed corn, no pepper, and only a little salt. Rich belts out orders at her, like she’s a waitress at a restaurant.

I thought she was the president’s maid, but clearly she takes orders from all the guards in the house.

Hello, Emma. She nods her head. Nice to see you, again.

Thank you, I reply.

Would you like anything?

Rich’s eyes squint, but he doesn’t stop my response.

No, thank you. I’m not hungry.

Maybe you should eat something. It may be a long day, Helen says, nicely.

How does she know it’s going to be a long day for me? Does she know what goes on around here? I’m sure she hears things and is instructed to keep her mouth shut.

You should listen to her. Rich grunts and clicks his tongue.

Why does he care if I eat? I figure he would rather see me starve to death. Maybe he’s trying to poison me.

I will have the chef make you some scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon, she says, interrupting my thoughts.

That’s fine, Helen. Thank you. I can’t remember the last time I put a morsel of food in my mouth, so maybe they’re right. I will need strength to make it through the day.

I’ve never been so disgusted watching someone eat before. Rich smacks down his food like he has never eaten a meal before. He gulps without even chewing. His posture is bent as he leans over his food. He clutches the utensils in his fists tightly and uses them more like shovels than knives and forks. He even wheezes through his nose when his mouth is full. Watching him eat makes my stomach turn.

I slant my chair in the opposite direction, so I don’t have to see him. I place my plate on my lap and eat while staring at the yellow walls that remind me of the eggs on my plate. The bacon is crisp and the toast is browned nicely. I eat every bit. After I’m done, I am ashamed at myself because I don’t have more.

The helicopter’s back, sir, Helen says. She looks at Rich.

Thanks, he replies.

The plates screech as Helen clears the table.

It’s time for us to go.

Where? I ask.

You’ll see, is the only response I receive.

***

We head outside, and I see President Esther standing there. The helicopter must have just dropped her off. I wonder what business she had that was so pressing she couldn’t come when Rich and I arrived.

Rich is going to take you around Territory L, so you can see all the damage you’ve caused. I think it will do you some good for when you make your speech. We will have a press conference on the steps of city hall, tomorrow. We have asked some in the territory to come and witness what you have to say. Only the first hundred people will stand and watch in person…the others will be turned away and will watch it on their boxes, along with all the others that will watch from home.

I follow Rich to the car, and we end up at the launch pad down the street, again. The same helicopter pilot is waiting for us. I hadn’t paid attention before; he looks young, like Theodore’s age. His skin is pale, making his skinny black eyebrows more prominent. He doesn’t seem to have a voice. He only follows orders and remains to himself. His black uniform houses five silver buttons, meaning Rich outranks him.

Jet, I want you to start down by the farms. Then, we will circle around until we come back to this area, Rich says.

Yes, sir, Jet replies back.

I hobble in back, again, and slide over to the right, while Rich takes the window seat on the left. I take in a much-needed breath. I don’t know what I’m about to see or if I can handle it. The helicopter’s blades roar and flutter and we shoot up into the air. My stomach flip-flops until the ride settles and we’re on a smoother path.

It doesn’t take long before we arrive at the farms. The copter lowers and lowers until it stops and bangs down on the ground in a patchy area of brown grass. Everything looks okay to me. I see cows and pigs out in the fields. I see several sheep. Then, I gasp. The longer I look, the more I see several barns burned down, a whole field of corn destroyed, and a bunch of the fruit trees wiped out.

What happened?

Some of the rioters took it upon themselves to burn the farms.

Why would someone do this? I ask. It makes no sense. My lungs feel on fire.

The rioters wanted to make a statement. They thought if they burned part of the food supply, the president would see how serious they were about the walls coming down. When the president didn’t give in to their demands, they moved on to other parts of the territory.

So, it’s my fault this is happening.

Yeah, it’s all due to your little speech. He grins like he’s happy for my pain.

This still doesn’t make sense; people need food to survive.

Apparently, they thought once the president didn’t give in to their demands she would at least have rations brought over from the other territories until they could rebuild the food supplies here. That didn’t happen, so the people started looting the food that was left down in the marketplace. Jet, that’s enough here; let’s move on to the next location.

I place my forehead in the palm of my hand and rub my temples. We calmly ride over the blue skies into another minefield. The closer we come to the middle of the territory where the marketplace is, the more my knees knock together. I put a hand over each to settle them. I dread seeing what the people in my territory have done next, and I don’t want Rich to see the fear in me.

Jet lands the helicopter right in the middle of the marketplace. We hop out. I blink a few times as I see destruction all around me. I saw some of it on the box; but now that it’s right in front of me, it makes it all the more real. The clothing shop where my mother, or should I say President Esther, bought my dress for the party that was thrown in my honor because I was the last eighteen-year-old, is burned down. The men’s store is still standing—just barely. Cassandra’s grandfather’s pawn shop has also burned down. The furniture store’s windows are all broken, and I’m sure everything in the store has now been stolen. Across the street, I see the bakery still stands untouched and so does the market; but I can only imagine the damage that has been done inside.

Let’s get back in the helicopter, Rich says.

Aren’t we going to go around the corner to the medical facility? I ask.

No time, Rich says, as he continues his stride to the helicopter. It’s only more of the same, and we’re needed elsewhere before it gets dark.

I look up at the sun. There are several hours of light left, but I don’t feel like arguing. I hop in the copter with them. The blades flurry as we go to the next location. I see Jet talking on the helicopter radio. I can’t hear what he is saying. We end up in the same green patchy area where I saw my brother when I followed him. He was being so secretive during that time, so I had decided to follow him to see where he was going. I found out he had been in training to be a guard, and he had been talking to someone in a helicopter who worked for the president. The area is not far from my home. A car waits for us—maybe that’s who Jet was calling, earlier.

As you can see, we will need the car to go to the last few locations. The door swings open.

Rich hops down, and I plop down after him.

Jet remains in the helicopter. I see Rob drives the car we are about to enter. I get in and slide to the right; Rich slides in next to me. The motor gears up, and we drive down the street. My stomach feels unsteady. We keep driving, ending up a few streets away from where I live. I see three parked black vans. There are ten to fifteen patrolmen surrounding the area.

They are doing house checks. Rich grits his teeth. Ever since your speech, each and every home has to be checked to see if a child is being hidden. In fact, we did your street again last week. He grins. Sometimes we search a house twice to make sure we didn’t miss anything.

I already knew about the house checks—Taylor told me; yet I nod, like it’s all new information.

Rich flips a switch on his side of the car and my window slides down.

I want you to see the checks in all their glory. He clicks his tongue.

I can see just fine with the window up, I say.

I turn and watch as the patrolmen bang on the door. Time for house checks, one of them bellows through a bullhorn. Time to search your home, he says, as if he’s singing a little tune.

A woman opens the door. I can’t make out what she looks like from where I sit, but