United States Of Apocalypse 2: Razed Country

By Mark Tufo and Armand Rosamilia

The long-awaited sequel to the action-packed United States of Apocalypse is finally upon us!

The country is fighting losing battles upon both coasts and from within as the desperate and the despicable, fight for diminishing resources. World War 3 is a full-blown nightmare for the survivors of the initial attack. American forces have been pushed to the brink and have been forced toward the center of the country in a frenzied bid to regroup and strike out, fending off the aggressors before it is too late and she falls completely under enemy control. Darlene Bobich and her group struggle to elude capture from the Sawyer clan, hell bent on enslaving everyone in sight. Meanwhile, Mike, BT and what remains of the National Guard forces are caught up in a multi-national conflict that could spell the end of the American way.

Can our heroes escape and can anything be done to turn the tide of a war that looks all but lost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: DevilDogPress
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005489007

Mark Tufo

Mark Tufo was born in Boston Massachusetts. He attended UMASS Amherst where he obtained a BA and later joined the US Marine Corp. He was stationed in Parris Island SC, Twenty Nine Palms CA and Kaneohe Bay Hawaii. After his tour he went into the Human Resources field with a worldwide financial institution and has gone back to college at CTU to complete his masters. He lives in Colorado with his wife, three kids and two English bulldogs. Visit him at marktufo.com for news on his next two installments of the Indian Hill trilogy and his latest book Zombie Fallout

Book preview

1

Darlene

Day 30

---

Herbert Brinker put his head down and wiped the sweat from his face. I see a couple of them. He took a deep breath and stared at his rifle.

We need to leave, Pheebz, his wife, said. She was next to him in the runoff ditch, her dress filthy and caked with mud. There’s nothing here for us now.

I won’t leave her, Herbert said. They’d gotten within sight of the lookout tree, but it was still too dark to make out if anyone was up there. After the shooting had begun, he doubted Darlene Bobich was going to stay put. She’d have come to investigate.

Maybe she’s already dead, Herbert thought. Taken in the first wave like so many others.

It was an amazing bit of luck Herbert and his family had gotten out. He’d been restless and was out back with his sister Rosemary’s boys, Aiden and Austin. Talking quietly when he saw the initial movement.

Men and women with rifles spreading out through the tents and near the closest barn.

Herbert had sent the boys inside to rouse Pheebz and Rosemary, knowing in his gut they were in trouble.

They’d managed to get out of the house and try for one of the vehicles, but by then it was too late to simply drive off.

The road leading to the house was filled with motorized vehicles, pickup trucks and trikes, all driving in at once.

The Sawyer clan had invaded the homestead, and it looked like they’d had some inside help, too.

Herbert managed to take his family to the far field, where they slowly crawled parallel to the farm and watched as first their home was set ablaze, and then the shooting had begun.

The boys had been brave. They still hadn’t made a sound.

Aiden and Austin are only ten years old, Herbert thought. Way too much death and violence they’ve seen already. Heck, in the past few days, they’ve seen more than any ten year old oughta see. These boys will need some serious counseling once this is all over.

Herbert didn’t necessarily believe in shrinks and all their mumbo jumbo, but he knew Rosemary did. She tried anything and everything at least twice before she went on to the next Big Thing. He remembered when she’d announced she was a Buddhist and wanted to travel to Tibet to study under some baldheaded man wearing a robe.

We need to regroup, Pheebz said. Find a safe place and hole up for awhile.

Herbert shook his head. We don’t have time for it. They’ll sweep across the farm and then spread out looking for us. We’ll never be safe. There are too many of them, too. We need all the allies we can muster. I say we stay put. I’ll go for Darlene.

Rosemary, his sister, grabbed his arm. She’d been crying quietly, hugging the boys. We’re here. We’re alive. Help us. If you go off on a wild good chase… we’ll have no one to protect us.

Herbert knew she was right. If he saw where Darlene was, maybe then he could go to her. See if she was holding her own and fighting the good fight. He took another peek and shook his head. It was too dark to see if she was still up there, and the problem was going to be when the sun came up in a few hours. Everyone would be able to see them.

Fine. We move as one unit. Stay low. No talking. Watch where you step. I don’t want anyone falling down or making a noise, Herbert said. We don’t stop until I say so. Are you ready?

When they all nodded at him, Herbert rose in a crouch, expecting to take a bullet at any moment. He started to move, using the cover of the ditch until he got closer to the fence.

He moved quickly, knowing his family was right behind and keeping pace.

It was too dark to see too far ahead, and Herbert knew that was dangerous. A hole in the ground to step into and twist an ankle, a snake looking for its next meal, stray barbed wire forgotten in a field.

At the fence he stopped and made sure no one was hiding on the other side. The bulk of the shooting was still around the house, the tents and the barns.

By the time he helped everyone over the fence and they’d begun moving through the field, the shooting had stopped.

That was a bad sign.

It meant they’d begin to sweep the property, looking for those hiding. The main road would be filthy with the Sawyer clan, too, and their allies. They’d need to stick to the fields and hope the moonlight didn’t give them away.

Herbert knew they needed to move quickly, but his wife and sister weren’t going to be able to keep pace. He took a deep breath and started heading across the field, not knowing where he was heading.

We can’t go into town, Herbert thought. It’ll also be filthy with those who want to hurt us. Our neighbors came to us for protection.

He felt like a fool. He’d rounded everyone up and led them to the slaughter. Offered protection in the egotistical idea he could protect anyone, including his own family.

Now his farm was bathed in blood. The Sawyers would leave the bodies to rot in the California sun. They’d torch the buildings and take all of the supplies.

What would they do once they realized Herbert and his family had escaped?

They’ll come after us, he thought. They won’t stop until we’re dead.

The women and children were having a tough go of it, tripping over the occasional tree root or ruts in the dirt, but no one complained. No one made a sound.

Herbert was proud of them, especially the boys. Aiden and Austin would need to grow up quickly if they wanted to survive. They had no choice. He hoped Rosemary was going to let them, too.

He stopped from time to time, every few minutes now, and everyone stopped with him, listening for sounds of pursuit or more shooting.

At least no more gunfire means everyone that needs to escape is gone now, Herbert thought, trying to be positive but knowing what it really meant: everyone had been killed. Dozens of bodies, their blood sinking into his property.

How far are we going? Pheebz asked in a whisper.

Herbert stopped and looked around, making sure no one was following. He could see the fires on his property and heard another shot.

He hoped it was resistance and someone firing and killing a Sawyer. He knew he shouldn’t feel that way. Maybe God would strike him down for the evil in his heart when it came to the Sawyer clan. Maybe this was already payback as they ran for their lives.

We go until we drop, Herbert answered. At this point, we keep running until we can’t run no more.

2

Darlene

Day 30

---

Darlene tilted her head and vomited again. Her legs and arms were bruised and sore, but she didn’t think anything other than a rib or two was broken. She’d be hurting for days… if she lived that long.

Tee, who she now knew as Thomas Sawyer, stood over her. She could see his face, a mask of evil in the faraway glow from the raging fire of the house, leering down at her.

You seemed smarter when I met ya, Thomas said. He had his rifle aimed at her face. I thought for sure you’d figure out who I was. Sucks to be you, I guess.

If you’re going to talk me to death, it’s working, Darlene said through gritted teeth. She hoped she didn’t have internal bleeding. She decided to play possum. Either he’d kill her immediately, or she could sucker him in closer. Either way, lying on the ground while everything was destroyed around her wasn’t an option for too long. Any minute now, another of the Sawyer scum was going to join in the fun and take her out.

Darlene wondered where her Desert Eagle was. She squinted and saw it in the waistband of Tee.

At least he’s not going to kill me with the weapon my father gave me, she thought.

You got a mouth on you, Thomas said. He smiled, and it looked ghastly in the glow from the fire across the field. Get up. I want to take you to see Buck. He’s gonna be mighty happy to see what I caught.

Darlene shook her head. I can’t move my legs. I think you paralyzed me.

Thomas sighed. Get up and stop playin’ around. I ain’t got time for your games, missy.

Darlene pretended to try to rise, keeping her legs straight and unmoving. I can’t. You ruined me.

Thomas grunted in disgust and reached down a hand, almost like it was an automatic move.

A move that Darlene took advantage of, pushing up off the ground and wrapping her legs around his neck as he bent down.

The move was fast and strong, and Darlene twisted her body and had Thomas pinned to the dirt, his rifle falling from his fingers.

He struggled and Darlene knew she didn’t have too much time before he began to call out for help. She yanked her body in a position that hurt her ribs and caused her to groan in pain, but it got her closer to his face. She covered his mouth with one hand and punched him in the temple with the other. Her thighs burned from fighting his squirming body.

Tee called out, loudly, incoherent words, but it would definitely alert the others.

After what felt like an hour, Darlene felt him go limp between her legs.

He might not be dead, but he’d be out for a while. She wanted to bash his head in with his rifle stock, but knew she was on borrowed time right now. She needed to escape the property.

She could hear someone walking across the field, a bobbing flashlight pointing out their location. They weren’t near her yet, but all it would take was a sweep of the light in her direction and she’d be caught.

Darlene had no choice but to slink off and live to fight another day. No way could she fight in her condition, and what little strength she had was drained from taking out Tee, even if only for a while.

The obvious way to go was to the fence line, but she thought she saw shadows moving to her right. It looked like at least three figures, maybe more.

Another flashlight appeared to her left, sweeping back and forth and heading right toward the stand where she’d been shoved from.

She had the rifle and tried to run but failed. Using the weapon as a crutch and favoring her broken ribs, she began to move away from the spot she’d hit the ground. If she could get far away and hide she might have a chance.

Hey, I think I found someone. The yell came from near the stand, and she cursed under her breath. She wasn’t even to the fence yet, and they’d already found Thomas. If he woke he’d tell them what happened and they’d spread out to find her.

At least four flashlights were moving around behind her. She hoped she was out of their range. Sounds echoed across the field, making it hard to determine if they were on her heels or far off.

Darlene got to the fence and she tried to stop her heavy breathing. She was in tears with pain, her sides throbbing.

It took her too long to climb over the fence, grunting in pain as her left side bounced against the top of the fence. She fell over onto the other side and covered her mouth so she wouldn’t call out.

As she caught her breath and flipped over onto her stomach, she saw two silhouettes coming closer. They were fifty feet from the fence.

Darlene slowly moved the rifle and took aim. She knew when she fired, it would call her position out. God knew how many of them would hear the call and come running. And firing.

Who do you think it was? One of ours?

Darlene didn’t recognize the voice.

The light swept back and forth again and she ducked her head, trying to sink into the dirt. The grass around her was high and the weeds on this side of the fence might block their view, but if they took a few more steps in her direction she’d be spotted.

She had the weapon trained on them but didn’t pull the trigger.

Another sweep of two flashlights before she heard them moving away, down the fence line toward where she’d seen the first group. They’d have teams out looking for survivors and stragglers.

Had it really come to this? The United States was under attack… but the Sawyer clan was fighting their own war against their former neighbors. Even during these trying times, petty jealousy, greed and grudges couldn’t be put aside. The enemy could be at the door even now, landing on American soil, but these jerks were all about controlling Herbert’s family because of some slight in the past.

The North Koreans or whoever else was coming might find piles of dead Americans by the time they landed, citizens killing one another and doing their dirty work. There’d be nothing left to fight for.

Darlene tried not to cry out as she crawled on hands and knees, her body hurting. She needed to get as far away from the fence and the property as she could.

It was slow going and she was out of breath by the time she got through the field and to the other side and into the tree line. It had looked a lot closer from the tree stand.

Darlene put her back to a tree and scanned the field for pursuit. It was still dark and she couldn’t see much, but didn’t hear anyone. No flashlights except in the distance on the farm.

At least two buildings were on fire. They’d destroyed the sanctuary. The only safe place Darlene thought they had.

She put out of her mind what had likely happened to Herbert, Pheebz, Rosemary, Austin and Aiden. John Murphy, too.

Darlene decided she’d kill Buck Sawyer and whichever of the Sawyer clan was left if she had to with her last dying breath, although she hoped she’d live past that.

One thing at a time, she thought, and began to move again slowly.

Darlene felt the pain as she moved, praying her ribs weren’t cracked and slowly cutting into her insides.

She took a break, leaning against a tree, listening to the gunshots back on the property, when she realized she never took her Desert Eagle from Tee.

Darlene groaned quietly from the pain and the frustration and kept moving.

3

Darlene

Day 30

---

The lights were out at the Boyette Farm, but Herbert got a sense of movement behind the drapes. It was more a gut feeling Terri was home and watching their approach from the back field.

He didn’t want to think of the alternative: Terri was already dead and the Sawyers had commandeered the farmhouse.

This feels like we’ll be dealing with Terri, which is an entirely different animal, Herbert thought.

Sure enough, as they got closer, and Herbert made sure to keep his hands in the air where Terri could see them, the back door opened and they had a rifle aimed at them.

Please don’t shoot, Terri. It’s me, Herbert, and my kin. We’re in trouble. The Sawyer clan attacked and burned my home and killed everyone we were protecting.

Terri didn’t move and didn’t lower the weapon.

If she shoots at us we’re dead, Herbert thought. Even if she shoots a warning shot, it will alert our enemy to our whereabouts.

I’m unarmed, Herbert said. The kids are with us. Our farm is torched. Everyone we were protecting is dead. We need some help, Terri. Please.

Terri didn’t move except to shuffle back and forth on her heels.

This isn’t a good sign, Herbert thought. Terri looked like she was having one of her spells, as her parents called it. The girl could be downright frightening when she was angry. She had broken mirrors, chairs and windows when she was a kid. As an adult she was likely even more dangerous. Herbert didn’t want to face her when she was in a mood, and a weapon in her hand was even worse.

Pheebz stepped past Herbert before he could react and pull his wife back.

Terri, is that you, baby? It’s me… Pheebz. Put that gun down this minute, young lady. Your momma would be sore with you if she knew what you were doing. Pointing weapons at your neighbors. You still have that tabby stray you used to feed and chase to our farm?

Herbert held his breath as his wife kept walking forward.

Now Terri was pointing the rifle at Pheebz.

My wife. The love of my life, Herbert thought. He wanted to yell. Distract Terri. Take a bullet for Pheebz if he had to. His feet were planted in the dirt, though. He was paralyzed.

So were Rosemary and the boys.

Pheebz was making a motion with her hand for Terri to hand over the rifle like it was a cookie she’d been caught red-handed taking from the jar. Enough of this foolishness, Pheebz said.

Terri didn’t lower the weapon and now Pheebz was an inch from the barrel.

Pheebz groaned. Terri, you lower that right now or I will tell your momma. You hear me? That is not polite. I’ve known you since you were running around here without any clothes on, naked as a jaybird, without a care in the world. Remember what I used to call you?

For thirty seconds, nothing happened.

Then Terri slowly lowered the rifle to her side and smiled. You called me Nature Girl. I remember.

That I did. Pheebz took a step forward and swiped the rifle gently away from Terri. Now… are you going to let us inside so we can talk? The world has gone to Hell, child, and if the Commies or the Sawyers don’t kill us, the raw weather will.

Terri put her head down and looked embarrassed. I’m really sorry. I am.

I’ll put on some tea, Pheebz said.

Herbert realized he’d been holding his breath and let it out. As he got past Terri, she put her hand out and stopped him. She had tears in her eyes. I’m sorry. I’m scared.

We’re all scared, Herbert said and smiled. But now we’re all together.

The boys helped Herbert make sure the doors and windows were locked and all light was hidden behind closed blinds and curtains.

No light unless we did it, Herbert said. Uh, if you don’t mind, Miss Terri… I’d like to get some weapons and ammo.

Be my guest. Terri was seated at the kitchen table, shoulders and head down. My parents never came home. No word. The TV says bad things all day so I took care of it.

Herbert glanced into the living room. Terri had shot out the television. Help me, boys.

Can we get a gun? Austin asked.

Herbert was about to shake his head but stopped. These boys might be young, but they were in danger. The Sawyers wouldn’t take more than a second to think before shooting them both dead. Once we get to a safer area I’ll really teach you how to shoot. Deal?

Deal, Austin and Aiden said.

They gathered enough weapons for each of them to carry and filled two duffle bags with ammo. By the time they got back to the kitchen, Pheebz had already settled down Terri. The women were talking like nothing bad was happening in the world.

Where’s Rosemary? Herbert asked.

She’s sleeping in one of the bedrooms. Pheebz frowned when she saw the weapons in the boy’s hands but didn’t say anything. Instead, she stared at Herbert and he knew she wasn’t happy but understood. Sit, boys, and I’ll make you some food. Terri wants my famous pancakes and bananas.

Herbert sat across from Terri and put the two rifles he was carrying against the wall. You alright, Miss Terri? I imagine it can get lonely out here. Have you had any visitors since the last time we showed up?

Terri shook her head. She was clutching a cup of tea in her hands and staring into it. Just me. Nobody else. She looked up. Why don’t you believe me?

We do believe you, honey, Pheebz said quietly. She glanced at Herbert.

Herbert knew something had happened. Something bad.

You do know, if you want to talk about anything, anything at all, you can do it, Pheebz said.

Terri looked at Herbert but said nothing.

Herbert got the hint. I need to take the boys and make sure the weapons are cleaned. I’ll be in the living room if you need me.

He took Austin and Aiden and showed them the proper way to clean a gun, starting with the smaller handguns. Take your time. The worst thing you can do is rush it. The weapon needs to be shown respect.

Are we going to have to kill someone? Aiden asked.

Herbert tried to smile but failed. He didn’t know how to answer. Lie to the child? He didn't think he had the right to. Not at this late juncture. I hope not. I really do.

The answer seemed to be enough because there wasn’t a followup, which Herbert had been dreading. He checked their work and was impressed, letting them know how good they were doing.

Pheebz and Terri were talking quietly in the kitchen and he told the boys to stay with him. The womenfolk were busy and couldn’t be interrupted.

By the time they’d switched to the rifles, Herbert was tired.

The knock at the door woke him up, though.

He motioned for the boys to keep quiet and picked up the only loaded rifle in the room, going to the window. The front porch was too dark to see outside, but someone was out there.

Pheebz and Terri came into the living room and Herbert waved them off, hoping they’d make sure the back door wasn’t going to be busted open any minute. This could be a trick.

A second knock made Herbert antsy.

Terri hadn’t moved and Herbert asked her to come to him. He whispered for her to ask who it was. Maybe it was just another neighbor wanting to know what all the shooting was about down the road.

Um… who is it? Terri asked.

Something heavy fell against the door. Herbert thought he heard a groan.

You turn on the porch light, I’ll open the door, and shoot if it’s a Sawyer, Herbert said. Get ready to shut the light when I tell you. No use letting everyone for miles know we’re here.

Herbert nodded and Terri hit the light. A second later the front door was opened and Herbert aimed his rifle.

There was no one standing on the porch.

A groan made him lower his weapon.

Darlene Bobich smiled weakly from the porch, her head on the wooden flooring, before passing out.

4

Darlene

Day 30

---

Buck Sawyer had never slept better in his life.

He rolled out of bed and threw open the curtains, stretching in the sunlight pouring into his home, warming his naked body.

This is the life, Buck thought. A big house. A lot of property. Dozens of men and women following my lead.

Dusty Sawyer had worked his fingers to the bone to gain all of this. Truly a king among kings in the Sawyer clan. Due to his hard work, toiling in the fields and sharing the wealth with the rest of his kin, they’d grown to become the leading family in and around Chico.

Never mind Buck hadn’t actually done any of the work, unless you count keeping his damn mouth shut when that arson job near Mount Diablo had gone wrong. He’d done three of the five years, swearing he acted alone, even though everyone and their mother knew he’d done it for Dusty.

For the family. No rivals were going to get in the way of good times and good profit.

Buck had stepped in when Dusty was murdered by that sonofabitch Herbert Brinker. Who else could keep the Sawyer clan on the right path?

While Dusty had always preached subtle moves to stay under the radar of local and state law enforcement, Buck knew that time had passed. The world was in chaos, and the strong would survive. He who held the power could control destiny.

Buck grinned and waved as two of the men he didn’t know walked past the window, saw his nudity, and looked away.

I’m Buck naked, he laughed to himself, a joke he’d used since he was a kid. His mama used to call him Nature Boy because he liked to strip down any chance he got, showing off his pecker. It had gotten him in trouble in kindergarten, sixth and eleventh grades. Nothing so serious Sawyer money couldn’t fix.

Buck turned and grinned. I’ve never had money like this. A house like this. Women like this.

He’d moved into Dusty’s homestead before someone else could take it over, declared Dusty’s wife, Pamela, was now his bride-to-be, and started organizing the raids.

They’d need a