The Restoration of Hope

By Larissa Self

THE RILEY COOPER SERIES OF HOPE Book Two Nearly a year has passed since the human race had been decimated by an unknown virus. With her husband's whereabouts still unknown and the world no longer familiar to her, Riley Cooper, along with her family, find solace within their community of friends now living in Jackson, Wyoming. Fully aware that the longevity of their survival will largely depend on the growth of their community, the inhabitants of Jackson begin their search for other survivors. In doing so, they discover the terrifying truth of what humanity has become, leaving Riley and her family faced with the unimaginable possibility that hope is lost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644585214

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The Restoration of Hope

Larissa Self

Copyright © 2019 by Larissa Self

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

In loving memory of my father, E. Leon Daniel, and my beautiful granddaughter, Madilyn Renee.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who came into this world not to condemn us, but to save us.

To my husband, David, for not questioning my sanity when I asked for a laptop so I could try my hand at writing. David has blessed me with such amazing love and support, and without him, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for taking the time to read each book and encouraging me to continue on with the Riley Cooper Series of Hope. I love you and can’t imagine my life without you!

To my amazing children, Deysi, Lindsey, Kato, and Daniel, I love each of you dearly and am so blessed to have you in my life. Thanks for putting up with all my hours of writing. I love you and am so proud to be your mother.

To my mother, Ann Daniel, for her love and support. I love you, Mom!

Not only has God blessed my life with a wonderful family, but He has also blessed me with some remarkable friends. I would not be sharing this story if it were not for their never-ending support and encouragement. They read each of my manuscripts in their rawest forms and still managed to find the story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Sheri Bryant, Patti Ellison, Shannon Lassetter, Carrie Prestage, Brandi and Erica Pyle, and last but definitely not least Susan Rolfsen. There are no words to express my gratitude and sincere thanks for all the work and time you put in to each book for me. I love all of you dearly!

To Sandy Armstrong who saved me with her incredible editing talents and honesty. You’ll never know how much I appreciate you and your willingness to help me. You have been a tremendous blessing!

Thanks to Christian Faith Publishing for taking a chance on me and to Scott Parker for answering all my phone calls. It’s been an amazing journey, one I have fully enjoyed.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who read An Inheritance of Hope and encouraged me to finish the series. Thank you for all the shout-outs on social media and getting the word out there for me. I’m grateful beyond words.

Chapter 1

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

—John 15:12–13

The noise in the community dining hall had died down completely. Riley glanced around the room at all the surprised expressions, while she listened intently to the man speaking to her on the other end of the phone. The voice was vaguely familiar to her, but whose it was, she couldn’t say. Riley felt tiny tremors begin to pulsate through her body. She knew she needed to stop them or they would consume her. She fought to control her nerves by focusing on the man’s voice.

Hello, ma’am. This is Airman First-Class Kapur of Eagle’s Nest Four, Grand Tetons. I don’t have much time, ma’am, and would be grateful if you would relay a message for me to those in charge.

Um, sure, Riley said in a low voice, still stunned that she was actually speaking to someone on the phone. Realizing her whole body was frozen in place, she repositioned her footing, trying to relax. Yes, I’m sorry, sure. What would you like me to tell them?

We could use your help. We have one hundred and twelve military personnel with five civilians in the nest right now, and unfortunately, our lieutenant colonel and some of our people have taken over the base and put us on lockdown. No one can leave, ma’am, out of fear this location will be compromised somehow with the virus.

There was a short pause, and Riley could hear the man inhale air and then slowly release it before he continued. They locked up our major general and those who were opposed to the lieutenant colonel, which is more than half of our people. If anyone escapes, they’ll kill those they have locked up, starting with our major general. Ma’am, please relay to your leader that there are eighteen armed guards, but there are only four or five guards at any given watch. It’s been peaceful so far, but there is a growing concern for our colleagues and for the lieutenant colonel, who is starting to show signs of… Well, quite frankly, ma’am, he’s starting to lose it, for lack of better words. Even the eighteen that support him are showing signs of uncertainty with his leadership.

There was another short pause. Riley could hear his nerves come through with every word he spoke and didn’t interrupt him. She quietly waited for him to finish. This time when he spoke, he spoke in a rushed voice, If some of your people would come up here and convince them it’s safe outside, maybe all of this can be resolved and our colleagues can be released. The hope is that once your people are inside the base, they’ll be able to talk some sense into the lieutenant colonel. Many here would like to go home to their family, that is, if they have any families to go home to. I’m sending our exact location to your phone. It should be coming to you now. In two nights, there will be a full moon and clear skies. Ma’am, please inform your boss that whoever comes needs to come under the cover of night—no headlights, or we’ll see them coming. They need to be at the entrance at 0300 hours, ma’am, no later.

Riley felt totally out of her element but repeated, Two nights at 0300 hours.

The voice was so familiar, and yet she knew no one by the name Kapur. The whole thing seemed somewhat off, almost surreal. It wasn’t until he said, Thank you, ma’am. I need to go before someone catches me, that she came to her senses and thought to ask him something.

Wait! she shouted a little too loudly. Sorry, wait. How do you know about us? How do you know we’ll do this for you? Oh, and you need to know, if there’s any risk at all that our people will be injured, they won’t come.

Yes, ma’am, I understand. There will be no risk. People here just have to meet your people in person. We’re all ready to leave this place. As for how we know you’ll send someone? We’ve been watching you for months, ma’am, and listening to you since October. Your people took a huge risk in helping Mitch and his family. Tell your boss this is Benjie, ma’am. He’ll know who I am.

Benjie? Oh my word! Benjie, this is Riley! Oh my goodness, we’ve missed you! I knew I recognized your voice.

Riley, it’s good to hear your voice again too, but I need to go. And Riley, thank you. Thank you for helping us. Please, tell your boss thank you in advance from all of us. I hope to meet you in person by week’s end.

Then, there was nothing. The phone went dead. Riley pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it. It showed No Service once more, as it had for the last eight months. She looked at her father, perplexed; then, as if a switch flipped on in her head, she sighed and handed her father the phone.

That was Benjie. Apparently, he wasn’t who he said he was or where he said he was. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m curious and would like to know. Where’s Mitch?

Right here. A big man stood up toward the back of the room and waved at her, causing her to turn in his direction.

Would you mind joining the council, please? Riley asked. Then shifting her attention back to the rest of the people who still seemed to be in a state of bewilderment, she said, Look, I know everyone’s just as surprised as I am and wondering what we’re going to do. Once we know something, we’ll have a good ol’ fashioned town hall meeting to keep you all informed. If I recall correctly, there was someone here that said they used to be a riverboat guide for one of the parks. Is that person here?

A young man stood up at the table closest to hers. That would be me.

Riley turned to the young man standing next to her. Thank you. I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name?

It’s Brad. Brad Woods.

Riley smiled at him and asked, Brad, would you mind joining us, please?

Sure, no problem.

Okay, so I guess the council needs to leave, but the rest of you stay and enjoy your meal. Then, turning to her father, she said, Sorry, Dad, but we’ll have to celebrate your homecoming later. Are you ready to tackle this?

Ken stood up as he answered, Sure, baby girl. Let’s get a move on and see what we need to do.

*****

Walking to the town hall allowed Riley time to reflect on how she and the others had come to be in Jackson, Wyoming. The road they had traveled had a fair amount of challenges—sometimes horrible, other times gratifying.

Her trip had begun when she and her children left their hometown of Bakersfield, California, to start a four-week vacation at her parent’s home in Park City, Utah. Now, remembering that time, it seemed like a million years ago. She and her family had left Park City in hopes of staying ahead of one of the deadliest viruses known to man and headed for the mountains of Wyoming. At the time, their group had consisted of twenty-eight people, but it had now grown to nearly four hundred.

Her father had led the group to several cabins that he and his buddies frequently used when they went fishing and hunting. Riley had thought at the time that moving all those people from Park City to the mountains was a monumental task, but looking back on it now, it had been easier than anything else they had done since.

At times, she missed the simplicity of the life they had led in the mountains, in the two camps of Calumet and Mercy. Those camps now held a small piece of her history. Somewhere, under a soft layer of dirt in Calumet, lay the blood of the men that she and her daughter, Annie, had killed—a moment in time she wished had never happened and one she wished she could forget. Unfortunately, the scarring of that horrific day would always be etched across her mind.

Since then, God had not only used her, but also all the people of Calumet and Mercy, in ways she had never thought possible. Being able to look back on all those events now made God very real to Riley. Not that He wasn’t real before, but now, she had learned to just move when He said to move. At this very moment she had no idea what lay ahead of them, but God had prepared them for this, and their past was evidence of that preparation.

Her mind swiftly returned to the first trip they had taken after settling into the two camps—floods of vivid images she wished she could forget filled her mind. The trip to Vernal, Utah, was the group’s first glimpse into the world that the virus had left behind. Originally, she and a small group had gone to Vernal to meet Mitch and his family; however, the trip also led them to the aid of Kota, Jesse, Jena and Levi, which in turn led them to Alejandro and his wife Lupe.

It hadn’t taken Riley long to realize it was God’s unique way of moving them, molding them, and cultivating them for the task that He had chosen for them. It was humbling, Riley thought, to be used in any capacity by God. The trail of bread crumbs that He left for them, in order for them to find others in the mountains, never ceased to amaze her. Their group had grown from a mere twenty-eight to one hundred forty people in the first five months they had been living in the mountains. Even with the endless hours of clearing out the bodies of the dead in Jackson, a task that Riley had thought would never end, God sculpted them into the people they were today.

She smiled when she recalled some of the things that used to terrify her. Now, her only fear was not being able to leave a future for her children, or for that matter, all the children that helped to make up their community in Jackson. That goal was now the goal of the entire community.

Her thoughts came full circle, and she thought about the task at hand. She was sad that today, of all days, they were given another job to do. This being the very day the rest of the members of Calumet and Mercy had arrived in Jackson. She had hoped this would be a day of celebrating the homecoming of their families and friends, but instead, they would be planning another trip into the unknown. However, no one ever hesitated anymore, and thoughts of not going never crossed the minds of those in the community. It was now, What would you like us to do? And today would be no different.

The life they once knew was long gone, and some of their loved ones were either dead or missing. Slavery, murder, rape, and every evil that one could imagine were polluting the minds of survivors. Riley was sure such evil would have never crossed the minds of people before the virus. Adding to the insanity was the rancid disease that had consumed most of the human race. It was still out there somewhere, lurking about, maneuvering itself to lie in wait for its next victims.

No, she whispered. Life is not the same as it once was, nor will it ever be again.

Anderson held the door open for everyone as they entered the building. Morgan, Kevin, Pastor Scully, and Dr. Shauna Nelsen went in first; then Allen, Lyle, and Alejandro followed. Mitch and Brad were talking to one another as they entered. Ken waited for Riley so he could walk in with her, leaving Anderson to come in last, closing the door behind him. This would be the first council meeting, with all the members, since their last official meeting in Calumet in December. Anderson was happy to have them all together again, as was Riley.

Kevin broke off from the group to turn on the power, giving them lights and coffee. Morgan, the self-appointed mayor, directed everyone into the conference room on the main floor, where they all took a seat. Riley chose to stand and leaned against the wall by the window.

I’m Morgan, for those of you who are new. He took notice of everyone in the room before he continued, This council is awfully large. I assume everyone serves a purpose for being here?

Yes, they do, Anderson informed him. Can you get everyone a pad of paper and a pen, please, Morgan?

Morgan began to protest that that wasn’t his job, when Kevin offered, I’ll get them. Give me a second.

Morgan took that as a sign for him to sit and not speak, which was hard for him. He was accustomed to being in charge, but today, he sat down and didn’t utter another word. Kevin returned with the pads of paper and pens and handed them out to everyone.

Ken asked, Pastor, would you mind opening this meeting with a word of prayer?

Not at all, Pastor Scully said happily.

After the prayer, Kevin excused himself again, only to return with a tray of coffee mugs, sugar, and creamer, letting everyone know the coffee was ready. Anderson gave those wanting coffee a moment to get theirs before he started the meeting. Once everyone was settled, he began.

Right, mates, let the first official meeting of the council of Jackson begin, Anderson said cheerfully. Riley, would you mind repeating what Benjie said again? Riley was lost in her thoughts and didn’t answer. Riley?

When she spoke, her eyes never moved away from whatever they were locked onto outside the window, and her voice was barely audible when she said, Benjie was never in Georgia.

What was that, Riley? her father asked.

Riley pushed herself away from the wall and looked directly at her father. Benjie had said that he was in Georgia, but he wasn’t. He also never called me ma’am before today, and he must’ve called me ma’am ten times during that very short phone conversation. He was a wealth of information about what was going on around the country, information he told us he got from people on the radio. I never doubted him, not for a minute. He told me they had been listening to us since October, which kind of makes sense, since that’s when we found the radio and started using it. He said that they had been watching us for months, which is creepy, but I’m guessing since he’s with the military, they have some control over the satellites. I don’t get it, though. If they were so close, why didn’t they just send someone here to talk to us, rather than go through all this cloak and dagger stuff?

There’s no telling, and right now, we need to refrain from any speculation and discuss what we’re going to do, Ken advised his daughter.

Allen spoke up. We’ll find out soon enough anyway. What else did he say?

Riley exhaled, releasing all the air from her lungs, took a deep breath, and began to pace the room. He said that he needed our help, that some of their own people had taken over the base… Wait, he called it Eagle’s Nest Four, Grand Tetons. She paused for a moment and then wondered out loud, If there’s a number four, then where are one, two, and three located?

Stay focused, baby girl, her father said, trying to guide her thoughts back to the task at hand.

Yes, sorry. He said that whoever took over the base had their general… or was it major general? Riley brought her right hand up and placed her fingers on her temple, pressing them into her skin, while she tried to recall the phone conversation verbatim. It doesn’t matter. They had him locked up, along with anyone else that opposed them, which he said was more than half of his colleagues. No one is allowed to leave the base, out of fear the virus will find its way in. There is only a tiny window of opportunity for us to get to them, and we can’t be late. In two nights, there will be a full moon and clear skies. We have to go under the cover of darkness, no headlights, and we need to be there at 0300, no later. That’s it.

Um, didn’t you say something about weapons earlier? Allen asked.

Yes… I mean, I guess. He only mentioned the armed guards, not really anything about weapons per se. I would imagine they have plenty, but they must have them locked up tight if there are only eighteen armed guards. He said, at any given time, there are only four or five guards on duty. Whatever hold the lieutenant has on his supporters is slipping away and that everyone is getting antsy and wants to leave and find their families. Somehow, our going there is more or less to show them we’re healthy, and it’s possible to live outside the confines of the base. He guaranteed there would be no harm to those coming. Honestly, this is all a little much for me to swallow, but the call was real, and the voice was Benjie’s. So I guess we leave in two nights.

Now, just wait one minute! Morgan couldn’t contain himself anymore. This is the most disorderly council meeting I’ve ever seen. You don’t get to dictate what’s going to happen, Riley! I don’t care how pumped up you are on yourself! There needs to be a plan and a vote on that plan!

Anderson stood up a little too abruptly, which led everyone to believe he was going to clobber Morgan. Even Morgan pushed his chair back further away from Anderson. Anderson leaned over the table in Morgan’s direction and said in a very stern and clear voice, The plan, mate, is we leave in two nights and make sure we’re there by three in the morning. Everyone in favor raise your hand. All those opposed, keep ’em down.

They all raised their hands, Brad only hesitating for a second because he wasn’t sure if he had a vote. Morgan, however, did not; it was eleven to one. Anderson nodded at Morgan, stood to his full height, looked around the room, and said, Right then, who goes, how many go, and what do we take?

Pastor Scully raised his hand. Anderson acknowledged him and gave him the floor. I’m sorry, I know I’m not one to speak on such matters, but if you go in with guns blazing, don’t you think you’ll be putting everyone that’s going at risk of being shot, not to mention those who are already there?

Finally, someone with some common sense! Morgan interjected loudly.

Yes, Pastor. That’s why we’re not bringing guns, Riley said in a calm voice. Bows, arrows, and maybe a few fire extinguishers, but that’s it.

Everyone laughed as if she was joking. When Riley didn’t crack a smile, their laughter was replaced with puzzled looks. Allen finally asked what everyone was thinking. Are you serious?

Yes. There are too many unanswered questions. I know no one wants to speculate, but I’m not prepared to go in and get in a gunfight with highly trained military men and women. There is something to be said for going in silently and not announcing our arrival.

Right, I get the bows and arrows, but I’m a tad confused on the fire extinguishers. Are we going to set a fire or something? Anderson was curious.

Riley smiled at him. No, it’s just that they’re a simple, nonthreatening, household item. If you’re confused about them, how do you think they’re going to be when they see us walking in with them? We’re harmless to them, and they’ll know it. What good are the fire extinguishers? Not much, unless someone can get close enough to their attacker to use them. If we can find bear spray or pepper spray, that’ll work too. The bottom line is I have no intention of killing anyone or being killed, especially knowing they’re scared, military or not. Once we’re in, those with bows will hopefully be able to stay out of sight while the rest go in and provide a distraction. In the event of danger, I hope they’ll have us covered. Think about this, 3 a.m. is when most of the world is sleeping. They chose this hour for a reason. I’m just not going to play someone else’s game, not until I’m sure of its rules and if we can win. So we go in looking like we’re empty-handed.

Anderson, like Riley, had no desire to get into a gunfight with the U.S. military. Now that they knew what they were going to take with them or, better yet, what they weren’t taking, all they needed to decide on now was who would go. He figured that going in with a bunch of men might come off as a little hostile. They needed a nice mix of men and women to help keep the threat level down. He knew Riley and he were going. That was two. How many people should go was the next question, one that needed to be asked.

Right, quite sure the boss here is goin’ and she has a Buckley’s chance of keeping me here. We need a good mix of ladies and gents going, and of course, it’s only voluntary. Right, who’s up for the challenge then?

Allen, Lyle, Kevin, and even Pastor Scully raised their hands. Morgan, of course, just sat there drooling over the thought of half the council going on a suicide mission. He leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped together, resting them on his rather large belly, while listening to all the conversations taking place at once. His bubble was soon burst when Riley quieted everyone down and declined the four men’s offer to go.

Thanks everyone, but Anderson’s right, we need a mix of men and women. Brad, I’m truly sorry, but we need you to guide us into the park and help us find the place. You said you had a good idea of where it is or at least the road that leads up to the base. That’s correct, isn’t it?

Yeah, and I don’t mind. I’m glad to help any way I can. We’re going to need a couple of four-wheel drives to get up there, and it could take up to an hour and half to get there depending on the road conditions. And I’m talkin’ about dirt roads that are covered with rocks and other debris. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Thanks, Brad. I’ll make sure the best vehicles in town are ready to go, Allen said while he wrote the information down on his pad.

As always, Allen, your mechanical genius is greatly appreciated. Okay, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’ll ask my two teens to go. Annie and Landon are the most skillful with the bow, and at this point accuracy is going to be everything. I’m going to ask Becca to come along as well. I honestly don’t think anyone else needs to go. Too many people might be problematic. Riley then sighed and said, Okay, it’s settled then. Have the town ready for one hundred seventeen new arrivals. Doc, I hope you aren’t needed, but you might want to be prepared for the worst. My mom, Agnes, and Lupe will be happy to help you, I’m sure. All right, are there any questions?

Each person looked around the table at one another and shook his head. Okay, this meeting is adjourned, Anderson said.

Before everyone leaves, Mitch, you were on the radio with Benjie before we were. Do you recall how long you were talking to him? Riley was curious.

Mitch cleared his throat before he spoke. Maybe four to five weeks, max. Prior to my getting on the radio and actually speaking, I just listened. Benjie was one of the voices that people seemed to call out to. I got the impression that he was the go-to guy on the radio, so I made contact with him and we spoke almost every day, or I listened to his conversations with others every day. Why?

Was there any indication he was military? Riley continued with her questioning.

No. But now that I think of it, he told me he was out of Alabama, but when you asked, he said he was out of Georgia. At the time, I thought he might have moved, but I never really questioned it.

Okay. Thanks, Mitch. All of you know how much I love lists, so make a list of things you need and see that they get taken care of. If you need help, speak with my dad, and he’ll get the people you need over to you. I guess that’s it. Thank you for jumping right into this on your first day here. It means the world to me.

With the meeting now adjourned, everyone got up to leave. The topic of conversation as they left was of Benjie. Brad asked if Riley, her father, and Anderson would mind staying a minute longer. Once the room was completely cleared out, Brad turned to them with a worried look on his face.

What is it, mate? Anderson asked.

This road is pretty treacherous during the daylight hours, so travelling on it at night, without lights, will be near impossible. I suggest we leave at midnight because sections of the road may need to be walked before the vehicles can drive on it. I would like to take it slow, very slow if need be. If that’s okay with you?

You’re the expert. We leave at midnight then. Anything else? Riley asked.

Yes. Since you arrived in Jackson, Morgan has had it in for you. I would keep him away from the radio from this point on, at least until we’re inside the base and have had time to do whatever needs to be done. I wouldn’t put it past him to get on the radio and announce to the world what we’re doing. He’s a proud man, and he doesn’t like being second to anyone, especially to the two of you. If you two get killed, better for him, if you get my meaning, Brad said with sincere concern.

Anderson shook his head in disbelief. Wow, he’s a real charmer then, isn’t he? Right, Ken, we need to man the radio at all hours. Maybe use Calumet and Mercy people only for this round. Whaddaya say?

Ken considered what Brad said for a moment before he answered Anderson, Someone’s pride is a crazy thing to have to worry about, but yes, I agree. I’ll put two people on it at all times until you’re inside the base and can make contact with us. I’ll ask Pastor Scully to have a word with Morgan as well. The man’s soul needs some major repairs.

Thanks, Dad.

Any time, baby girl. Now if that’s it, we should go and get this little mission of yours rolling, Ken said as he started out the door.

*****

Anderson stayed behind to keep an eye on the radio while Brad, Riley, and her father walked back to the community dining hall. When they arrived, the town square was full of people taking advantage of the beautiful spring day, walking around or sitting on the grass talking to one another. Riley loved it here. She loved the sight of family and friends at ease, enjoying themselves. As she took in her surroundings, she remembered she needed to find her children and Becca. She took a more calculated look around this time but didn’t see them anywhere.

Riley made her way over to the dining hall, hoping they would still be there. As she entered, she noticed there were quite a few people still inside. When they had first arrived in Jackson, a group led by Mr. Miller and Alejandro had torn down walls to remodel an old restaurant and its neighboring stores. This made the place much larger. The community dining hall was amazing now and had taken on its own character by the time it was finished. With its large wooden beams overhead and its festive walls painted in different colors of green, blue, yellow and red, the place had personality. Someone in the group, who was very artistic, had painted the spacious wall in the back of the restaurant with a detailed, beautiful mountain scene, that included animals native to the area. The flooring was stained cement that Riley thought was clever for a restaurant, making it easy to clean spills and other unforeseen accidents that might occur.

Riley walked slowly through the room, searching for her children when she saw Bram and Tamera coming her way.

Hey, you two, how’s it going? Have either of you seen Annie or Landon? Or possibly Becca?

Tamera was always a little shy around Riley, though Riley was never quite sure why. Tamera and her family had escaped the deadly virus that was ravaging their hometown and the mayhem that ensued afterward. By the time Riley’s group found Tamera’s camp in the mountains, Tamera and her family had been attacked by two men. Their attackers began to quarrel with one another that ended with one being shot and killed. The killer then robbed them not only of their food but also of Tamera.

Riley, Landon, and Bram had followed the man’s tracks through the snow until they finally caught up to him and the young woman. For whatever reason, the man was enraged with Tamera and was about to hit her when Riley and the boys came upon them. The man immediately put a knife against Tamera’s throat. That was the day Riley rid the world of another human’s life. She had killed the man with an arrow to the chest and nearly killed Tamera in the process. The scar was still visible on her neck.

Tamera had healed nicely from that horrible day and had fallen in love with one of her rescuers, Bram, who was totally girlfriend whipped as Landon liked to tell him quite frequently. Bram didn’t care because he knew it was true. Riley thought they made a beautiful couple—he with his pale skin and she with her brown skin. Bram was six two, and Tamera complemented his height with her own, as she was five ten. She was beautiful like her mother, Shauna, who happened to be the town’s only doctor and one of Riley’s very good friends. Tamera was holding Bram’s hand and leaned into his shoulder but didn’t speak, letting Bram do all the talking.

Hi. Yeah, we’re good. They took a large group, including Levi, Gauge, and Becca’s niece and nephew, over to the rec center. None of us thought the council meeting would be over this quick. Um, will I be going with you?

No, not this time. However, if the two of you wouldn’t mind going over to help Anderson with the radio right now, that would be great. That is, unless you have other plans?

The radio? Bram asked with a puzzled look.

Anderson will explain it to you when you get there. Can you help him?

Bram looked at Tamera, and she shrugged her shoulders as if it was no big deal. Bram turned back to Riley and said, Sure, no problem.

Great. My dad will have someone over to relieve you in an hour. Thank you for doing this. You have no idea what a tremendous help this will be.

Sure, anytime. We’ll see you later tonight. Game night, remember?

Levi and Gauge would never let me forget.

Bram chuckled and said, True. We’ll see you later then. With that, the couple left for town hall, while Riley headed in the opposite direction toward the rec center.

The rec center was northeast from town square. It was an easy walk, one that Riley enjoyed. While she and the other nineteen people from Calumet and Mercy were in Jackson putting to rest the residents that had died from the virus, they would go to the rec center to exercise away the horrors of the day. Sometimes, they would go there just to have someplace else to go other than the dining hall, library, or their hotel rooms.

Allen, Kevin, and Nate had found a way to drain the rec center pool. It had a nasty smell to it and the water was a murky green due to the pumps not running. Riley and a few of the locals had decided to give the pool a good cleaning one day, in the hopes of having water back in it. Someone, Riley couldn’t remember who, had come up with the idea of turning the multipurpose room into and theater. Riley welcomed the idea—that was until the first movie night.

Half of those watching the movie had left within the first ten minutes, others followed crying, and the rest were angry and let their anger get the best of them before they ended up leaving too. After twenty minutes, the movie had no audience at all. Riley felt the movie had reminded everyone of a world that no longer existed, and the hurt and anger from that was more than any of them could bear. So they had turned the large room into a game room with every kind of board game they could find, along with cards, chess, and dominos. There was also an archery range that was used every day by someone; even Riley tried to get in a few practices herself, when time permitted.

As Riley opened the door to the rec center, Goliath, her parents’ Great Dane, blasted past her like a bullet, knocking her into the glass door. That dog, Riley thought, is going to do major damage to me one day! When she managed to get both of her feet back under her again, she made her way inside and was surprised to see so many children running around. While the adults were enjoying a walk around town or the small park in the town square, the kids were here, ready to have some fun. To her surprise, the TV was on, and some of the younger children were sitting on the floor glued to it, watching an animated movie, Cars. Riley couldn’t help but smile. A cartoon would always be safe to watch, she thought. Then, the laughter coming from the gym captured her attention, and she made her way toward it. Once she found the room where all the giggling was coming from, she knew she had found her children—all of them.

I wanna try, Landon, please! I know I can do it! I’ll bet you a million bucks! Levi shouted in his most challenging voice at his big brother.

You do know money is worthless now, don’t you, little squirt? Although your pancakes are a whole different story. Are you willing to bet them? Landon asked with a devious grin.

Landon! You’re kidding, right? You’re not going to take your little brother’s food? That’s just wrong in so many ways, Becca said, shocked.

Hey, where pancakes are concerned, I’ll take yours, Landon said with a smirk.

Riley savored moments like these, as she listened to her children enjoying themselves, even if they were picking on one another. When Levi and Gauge saw their mother, they ran to her, throwing their arms around her tightly. It felt good to have their little arms wrapped around her again. Sara came up and gave her a hug too. Riley squeezed her tight and kissed her on the side of her head.

Levi looked up at them and asked, "Hey, Mom, do ya have to leave