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A..L. Jambor, Author
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Category:
Science Fiction
Publisher: Woofie
ISBN-10: 0985417013
Type: Fiction
Pages: 458
Copyright: March 30, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780985417017
Price: $0.99 (eBook)
YA Apocalyptic story about the accidental release of a biological weapon. Why did 200 children survive the devastation when everyone else died?
Left alone after a hurricane ravages Florida, young Mindy Lane and her grandmother's dog are struggling to survive. Her grandmother never returned from the store, and her parents, on vacation in Las Vegas, haven't returned to take her home. She's running out of food and water, and the mobile home park she's staying in is deserted. One night four men in hazmat suits come to her house looking for her. She manages to elude them, but why do they want her?
When the men finally capture Mindy, they take her and the dog to an underground facility where she finds other children - all the same age. They survived, too, and the scientists in the biosphere are anxious to find out why.
Who created the weapon and why was it released? Will Mindy be reunited with her parents, or did they die along with everyone else?
Read But the Children Survived where all will be revealed.
Excerpt
Mindy awoke up with a start. She heard someone in the house. Baby Girl was in the hallway barking. She could see the little dog’s tail as it inched its way back into the room.
"Shhh,” Mindy said quietly.
Mindy was on Grammy’s bed. It was a very big bed, and the little fire door was on her right. The hallway door was on her left. Mindy remained as still as she could. She could hear the people coming closer to the room. She reached into her pocket for her little pistol, but it wasn’t there. She’d left it in the bathroom last night.
Mindy kept watching the door. Baby Girl jumped up onto the bed and Mindy put her arm around her. Then she put her hand around the terrier’s mouth. Baby Girl was using her paws to push her hand away. She wanted to bark and protect Mindy. Mindy looked at the little door. Maybe she could get to it. As Mindy was about to crawl across the bed, she saw a figure in the door.
He looked like a spaceman. His suit covered him from head to toe. It was bright yellow. Mindy knew that he had seen her. He walked into the room and came towards her. She let Baby Girl go, hoping she would scare him. Baby Girl barked and growled, but she wouldn’t go near the stranger. The stranger came closer to Mindy.
"It's all right.” It was a man's voice. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He came closer, and Mindy turned and crawled to the little door. Baby Girl continued to bark.
Mindy grabbed the bolt on the door. The man reached over the bed and grabbed her as she struggled with the lock. Another figure appeared at the door.
As the first man held Mindy, the second man put something over her face. It smelled really bad and made her choke. Slowly, she fell asleep until everything was dark.
*****
Mindy slowly woke up. She felt very sleepy. She looked around the room. It looked like a hospital room. Mindy felt something stuck on her arm. She looked down and saw an IV drip. She put her hand by her side and felt Baby Girl next to her. She stroked the little dog's head. A pretty young woman came into the room. She had long brown hair and brown eyes. She wore her hair in a ponytail.
"So, you're awake,” she said. “How are you feeling?”
Mindy looked at the woman. She looked friendly, but Mindy didn’t speak. She didn’t like this place.
"Not talking to me, huh? Okay, I understand. You'll probably get hungry a little later on. Just press the button, and I'll bring you some breakfast.” As the woman came closer, Mindy could smell her. She smelled like cherry blossom soap.
"See this button?” The woman held up a hand buzzer on a line attached to the bed rail. The woman smiled at Mindy. She had a kind face. “Just push it if you need anything,” she said. “Oh, and my name is Christie.” She turned away and walked out the door.
Mindy tried to sit up. She was dizzy and felt weak. The drug they had given her to keep her asleep was potent. She managed to rise up on her elbows and looked down at Baby Girl. The little dog was sleepy. Maybe they had given her something to make her sleep, too.
Mindy sat up a little more. Her head began to pound, so she lay back down and fell asleep.
When Mindy woke again, she found Christie standing next to her checking the IV.
"I think we can take this out now,” Christie said. She then removed the needle from Mindy’s arm, and pushed the bottle stand to the side after placing a small bandage on her arm.
"How are you feeling?” she asked Mindy.
Mindy stared at Christie for a few seconds. She desperately wanted to know where she was and who Christie was, but her stubbornness kept her from speaking.
"At least tell me your name. Or even the dog’s name. I just want to help you, sweetheart.” Christie went to the cabinet next to Mindy’s bed and took out a thermometer.
"Open up.” Mindy obeyed her and allowed Christie to put the thermometer under her tongue.
"97.6, it’s just a little low. But your color's a lot better, and I think it’s time to bring you some food.” Christie left the room, leaving Mindy and Baby Girl alone.
"How are ya doin’, Baby?” Mindy stroked the dog’s little head. “You look pretty good. Have they been nice to you?” Baby Girl nuzzled Mindy’s hand. She climbed up near Mindy’s face and licked her over and over again.
"Stop!” said Mindy, giggling, “too much!” But she loved the little dog’s kisses. She hugged and hugged Baby Girl.
Christie was back with the food. It smelled wonderful, and Mindy could see steam rising off the tray. Hot food! How long had it been since she’d eaten hot food?
As Christie moved closer, Mindy could see pizza and ice cream. She felt her stomach rumble. As much as she wanted to hate Christie for kidnapping her, she couldn’t refuse the food, and whoever had kidnapped her had brought Baby Girl with them too.
"What about my dog?” Mindy asked.
"She speaks!” Christie said. “Well, she’s been sleeping the whole time with you, so she must be hungry too. What does she like to eat?”
"She likes dog food, the kind in a bag and the kind in a can.” The pizza was cut in four slices, and Mindy picked one up. She bit into the warm slice and the flavors burst on her tongue. Seven days of eating condensed soup were quickly forgotten.
"I’ll see what we have in the storeroom and be right back.” Christie again left Mindy alone with Baby Girl.
Mindy broke off a small piece of crust and gave it to the dog. Baby Girl chomped the crust twice and swallowed. She sat staring at Mindy, waiting for the next piece.
Christie came back with a plate full of diced meat that looked like chicken. She had warmed it and when she put it down, Baby Girl immediately began to eat it. Christie also had Mindy’s clothes in her hand. They had been cleaned and looked in good condition. Christie put them on the cabinet.
"When you're done, if you want to get dressed and maybe come outside, just let me know. I want to help you out of bed the first time. You were weak when they brought you in, so please wait for me to come. Just buzz for me with the button.” And with that, Christie was gone again.
For the first time Mindy noticed how clean she felt. Her hair smelled good. She had been bathed while she was asleep.
After Mindy finished eating she rang for Christie, who came and helped Mindy out of bed by dropping the railing and putting an arm around her. Mindy’s legs felt weak, but she stood up straight and didn’t falter.
"I think you can come outside now.”
"I can put on my clothes myself,” Mindy said.
After she got dressed, she, Christie and Baby Girl walked into the corridor. Mindy could hear the low rumble of motors and fans. She’d never been in a place like this before.
The corridor was long, with doors on each side. Christie led Mindy and Baby Girl to the end of the corridor and through the double doors that led to the rest of the facility.
"My name is Mindy, and this is Baby Girl.” Christie took Mindy’s hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you, Mindy and Baby Girl.”
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