Angela White's Blog, page 13

Book Five - From The Ashes

It’s been 6 months since the end of the world, and Adrian must now discover if the choices he’s made have cost him a son. Even Angie can’t be sure. On the way to Arkansas, the battered refugees face a danger that threatens to destroy all they’ve built.
Furious at the latest bloodshed, Nature has declared her own War on the survivors, and she repeatedly unleashes her fury against Safe Haven and its army of violent defenders. The apocalypse has never been more deadly, as the aftermath takes its toll on what remains of the great American herd…. And even Pitcairn Island isn’t safe from her wrath.
 
Release Date: 2/1/2013
Length (estimate) – 800 pages
Preorder – now - $4.99

Formats PDF $4.99 USD EPUB $4.99 USD

LAW Day #19 - An Interview with Dog, a wild animal with special abilities

Cynthia Quest ReportingApril 20th, 2013
 This was an interview I didn’t expect, folks, so please hang with me. My schedule said interview at noon, but no name and now I understand why. Cynthia looked at the chair she had directed them into with shock.
Will he really let me print this?
Only one way to find out. Let’s get comfortable and have us a little chat with Dog, shall we?

Angela waited restlessly by the door, not sure if Adrian was making a good choice here. The camp already knew Dog was different, but to expose the wolf this way was...
“Let’s see… How do you like being a part of Safe Haven’s animal population?”
Cynthia waited eagerly for an answer, expecting paw stamping, but the wolf only looked back with a bored expression.
Cynthia turned to Angela. “How’s this supposed to work?”
Choosing to trust their leader. Angela waved toward the floor. “Get him out of that chair and he’ll show you.”
Cynthia motioned and the wolf immediately came to her side.
Staring into those golden eyes, the reporter was almost able to hear his answer.
“I have work to do. Ask something that matters.”
Cynthia blinked. “What.. um, what work do you do for us?”
Dog yawned tiredly. “I keep the ants away and make sure the others watch their posts.”
“The other Eagles?”
Dog snorted, slinging saliva onto her shoes. “The other workers.”
Realizing he meant the other dogs, Cynthia gaped at him.
Dog turned to Angela, who shrugged.
“I’m not sure either, but I trust him. Do you?”
Dog blinked once. “Yes.”
“Then we’d best get it over with.”
Instructed, Dog turned back to the reporter in resignation. “Next?”
Cynthia struggled to accept it, to speak. This had to be a cruel joke, right? Her mind flashed seeing Dog herding the ants and rats in the evening, without a trainer.
“Cynthia…”
The reporter’s head snapped up.
“Do your job, or someone else will.”
Cynthia nodded, swallowing. “It’s… it’s just a lot to accept.”
Angela nodded. “Yes, but he wouldn’t have let you know, if you couldn’t be trusted.”
That woke the woman a bit, and she peered up at Angela with a frown of confusion. “Will he let the camp see this?”
“I have no idea.”
Sensing Angela was telling the truth, Cynthia blew out a snort. “Who am I kidding? Of course he won’t. This is just another test to screw with me.”
Dog yawned again, sitting down. “Will this take long?”
Amazed to feel insulted, Cynthia shook her head. “Five minutes.”
The wolf wined. “That long in here, with your smell?”
Cynthia flushed in real offense. “My smell? You’re the animal!”
Angela didn’t smile, but there was no mistaking it in her tone. “Your perfume is a bit… heavy on the nose.”
The reporter’s chin went up. “My mother wore it.”
“Was she a writer, too?”
Dog’s question sent pride into Cynthia, and made Angela wonder if it had been intentional.
“Yes, she was a famous reporter.”
Realizing she hadn’t gotten but one answer so far, the reporter forced her daze back and got to work. “Ok, um…How many pups do you have?”
It was a question she didn’t expect him to know the answer to, but Dog’s flash of hot eyes said it mattered to him. “One. Stillborn.”
Cynthia felt his pain. How could she not with that deep voice in her head? “I’m sorry.”
Dog sneezed again, but didn’t respond.
Cynthia pushed her brain into the moment, and felt that shark inside finally start to come back out.
“Do you know that the Eagles are different from the camp members, from me?”
“Yes. They carry the guns.”
“Do you know they consider you to be a tool?”
Dog seemed to grin at her. “I didn’t see the need to tell them differently.”
The reporter looked down at her mostly empty note page and realized she couldn’t record this interview. Her hand started scribbling, and the comforting motion let her relax the rest of the way.
“Why do you stay here?”
“The Man.”
“Brady?”
“Yes. I owe him a debt.”
“And when it’s paid?”
“I may go or stay. Nothing has been decided.”
“Why do you owe him?”
“He saved me from the brown coats.”
Cynthia frowned. “The brown coats?”
“Rangers.” Angela supplied. “He was supposed to be put down.”
“Ah, he rescued you. That does make a strong bond. What about Angela and Charlie? Are you bonded to them? If so, in what way?”
They were detailed questions for a mental conversation with a wolf, but Dog had answers to give. Unlike humans, he couldn’t lie.
“The woman and his pup are my family. Where he goes, they go. The same is true of me.”
Angela glanced at her watch, giving Cynthia a hint that the interview was about over.
For an instant, Cynthia was stumped for a question, and then the War flashed.
“Do you understand what happened? Why it all collapsed?”
“As much as I can. The greed of man became too much.”
Thinking that was close enough, Cynthia began to dig into the secret world of Safe Haven’s animal population.
“Are there others like you? That can…think?”
“All of them think, but no, none here are like me.”
“Any that are close?”
“Yes. The Dogs watch me. In time, they too may learn to communicate this way.”
“Do you like talking to people?”
“No.” Adrian’s scent went through Dog’s nose. “Except for the Alpha here. His mind is like mine.”
Meaning Adrian. Cynthia frowned, hand cramping from trying to keep up. “Do you talk to him a lot?”
“No. Only when he needs something.”
“Does it bother you that he treats you like a tool?” Cynthia guessed, not sure how many human emotions would apply.
Dog looked at her with golden eyes. “When he speaks, I am honored to listen.”
“Because he’s your Alpha too?”
“Yes, but also because he is the light.”
Dog sneezed again, and hefted himself to his feet.
Cynthia hurried to get in a few of the new questions that had just occurred. “Will you take a mate soon? The camp would love puppies.”
Dog glared balefully. “Then perhaps you should have them.”
His head went into the air as he padded for the flap. “I might consider you, if your scent wasn’t so ugly.”
Cynthia stared, mouth open. “What?”
Dog stopped to look back. “You destiny is also set. When it comes, don’t fight it.”
Angela and Cynthia stared after the wolf, neither of them speaking. That vivid intelligence was another sign of the future, the world that Adrian was trying to piece together from the ashes, and they were both drawn into the images. Camp animals that could communicate by thought…and then people.
Cynthia’s eyes flew to the doorway, only to find Angela gone. Why had she come with the wolf? Did she understand?
…was she like that, too?











"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #18 - An Interview with Dog, a wild animal with special abilities

Cynthia Quest ReportingApril 20th, 2013
 This was an interview I didn’t expect, folks, so please hang with me. My schedule said interview at noon, but no name and now I understand why. Cynthia looked at the chair she had directed them into with shock.
Will he really let me print this?
Only one way to find out. Let’s get comfortable and have us a little chat with Dog, shall we?

Angela waited restlessly by the door, not sure if Adrian was making a good choice here. The camp already knew Dog was different, but to expose the wolf this way was...
“Let’s see… How do you like being a part of Safe Haven’s animal population?”
Cynthia waited eagerly for an answer, expecting paw stamping, but the wolf only looked back with a bored expression.
Cynthia turned to Angela. “How’s this supposed to work?”
Choosing to trust their leader. Angela waved toward the floor. “Get him out of that chair and he’ll show you.”
Cynthia motioned and the wolf immediately came to her side.
Staring into those golden eyes, the reporter was almost able to hear his answer.
“I have work to do. Ask something that matters.”
Cynthia blinked. “What.. um, what work do you do for us?”
Dog yawned tiredly. “I keep the ants away and make sure the others watch their posts.”
“The other Eagles?”
Dog snorted, slinging saliva onto her shoes. “The other workers.”
Realizing he meant the other dogs, Cynthia gaped at him.
Dog turned to Angela, who shrugged.
“I’m not sure either, but I trust him. Do you?”
Dog blinked once. “Yes.”
“Then we’d best get it over with.”
Instructed, Dog turned back to the reporter in resignation. “Next?”
Cynthia struggled to accept it, to speak. This had to be a cruel joke, right? Her mind flashed seeing Dog herding the ants and rats in the evening, without a trainer.
“Cynthia…”
The reporter’s head snapped up.
“Do your job, or someone else will.”
Cynthia nodded, swallowing. “It’s… it’s just a lot to accept.”
Angela nodded. “Yes, but he wouldn’t have let you know, if you couldn’t be trusted.”
That woke the woman a bit, and she peered up at Angela with a frown of confusion. “Will he let the camp see this?”
“I have no idea.”
Sensing Angela was telling the truth, Cynthia blew out a snort. “Who am I kidding? Of course he won’t. This is just another test to screw with me.”
Dog yawned again, sitting down. “Will this take long?”
Amazed to feel insulted, Cynthia shook her head. “Five minutes.”
The wolf wined. “That long in here, with your smell?”
Cynthia flushed in real offense. “My smell? You’re the animal!”
Angela didn’t smile, but there was no mistaking it in her tone. “Your perfume is a bit… heavy on the nose.”
The reporter’s chin went up. “My mother wore it.”
“Was she a writer, too?”
Dog’s question sent pride into Cynthia, and made Angela wonder if it had been intentional.
“Yes, she was a famous reporter.”
Realizing she hadn’t gotten but one answer so far, the reporter forced her daze back and got to work. “Ok, um…How many pups do you have?”
It was a question she didn’t expect him to know the answer to, but Dog’s flash of hot eyes said it mattered to him. “One. Stillborn.”
Cynthia felt his pain. How could she not with that deep voice in her head? “I’m sorry.”
Dog sneezed again, but didn’t respond.
Cynthia pushed her brain into the moment, and felt that shark inside finally start to come back out.
“Do you know that the Eagles are different from the camp members, from me?”
“Yes. They carry the guns.”
“Do you know they consider you to be a tool?”
Dog seemed to grin at her. “I didn’t see the need to tell them differently.”
The reporter looked down at her mostly empty note page and realized she couldn’t record this interview. Her hand started scribbling, and the comforting motion let her relax the rest of the way.
“Why do you stay here?”
“The Man.”
“Brady?”
“Yes. I owe him a debt.”
“And when it’s paid?”
“I may go or stay. Nothing has been decided.”
“Why do you owe him?”
“He saved me from the brown coats.”
Cynthia frowned. “The brown coats?”
“Rangers.” Angela supplied. “He was supposed to be put down.”
“Ah, he rescued you. That does make a strong bond. What about Angela and Charlie? Are you bonded to them? If so, in what way?”
They were detailed questions for a mental conversation with a wolf, but Dog had answers to give. Unlike humans, he couldn’t lie.
“The woman and his pup are my family. Where he goes, they go. The same is true of me.”
Angela glanced at her watch, giving Cynthia a hint that the interview was about over.
For an instant, Cynthia was stumped for a question, and then the War flashed.
“Do you understand what happened? Why it all collapsed?”
“As much as I can. The greed of man became too much.”
Thinking that was close enough, Cynthia began to dig into the secret world of Safe Haven’s animal population.
“Are there others like you? That can…think?”
“All of them think, but no, none here are like me.”
“Any that are close?”
“Yes. The Dogs watch me. In time, they too may learn to communicate this way.”
“Do you like talking to people?”
“No.” Adrian’s scent went through Dog’s nose. “Except for the Alpha here. His mind is like mine.”
Meaning Adrian. Cynthia frowned, hand cramping from trying to keep up. “Do you talk to him a lot?”
“No. Only when he needs something.”
“Does it bother you that he treats you like a tool?” Cynthia guessed, not sure how many human emotions would apply.
Dog looked at her with golden eyes. “When he speaks, I am honored to listen.”
“Because he’s your Alpha too?”
“Yes, but also because he is the light.”
Dog sneezed again, and hefted himself to his feet.
Cynthia hurried to get in a few of the new questions that had just occurred. “Will you take a mate soon? The camp would love puppies.”
Dog glared balefully. “Then perhaps you should have them.”
His head went into the air as he padded for the flap. “I might consider you, if your scent wasn’t so ugly.”
Cynthia stared, mouth open. “What?”
Dog stopped to look back. “You destiny is also set. When it comes, don’t fight it.”
Angela and Cynthia stared after the wolf, neither of them speaking. That vivid intelligence was another sign of the future, the world that Adrian was trying to piece together from the ashes, and they were both drawn into the images. Camp animals that could communicate by thought…and then people.
Cynthia’s eyes flew to the doorway, only to find Angela gone. Why had she come with the wolf? Did she understand?
…was she like that, too?











"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #20 - An Interview with Dog, a wild animal with special abilities

Cynthia Quest ReportingApril 20th, 2013
 This was an interview I didn’t expect, folks, so please hang with me. My schedule said interview at noon, but no name and now I understand why. Cynthia looked at the chair she had directed them into with shock.
Will he really let me print this?
Only one way to find out. Let’s get comfortable and have us a little chat with Dog, shall we?

Angela waited restlessly by the door, not sure if Adrian was making a good choice here. The camp already knew Dog was different, but to expose the wolf this way was...
“Let’s see… How do you like being a part of Safe Haven’s animal population?”
Cynthia waited eagerly for an answer, expecting paw stamping, but the wolf only looked back with a bored expression.
Cynthia turned to Angela. “How’s this supposed to work?”
Choosing to trust their leader. Angela waved toward the floor. “Get him out of that chair and he’ll show you.”
Cynthia motioned and the wolf immediately came to her side.
Staring into those golden eyes, the reporter was almost able to hear his answer.
“I have work to do. Ask something that matters.”
Cynthia blinked. “What.. um, what work do you do for us?”
Dog yawned tiredly. “I keep the ants away and make sure the others watch their posts.”
“The other Eagles?”
Dog snorted, slinging saliva onto her shoes. “The other workers.”
Realizing he meant the other dogs, Cynthia gaped at him.
Dog turned to Angela, who shrugged.
“I’m not sure either, but I trust him. Do you?”
Dog blinked once. “Yes.”
“Then we’d best get it over with.”
Instructed, Dog turned back to the reporter in resignation. “Next?”
Cynthia struggled to accept it, to speak. This had to be a cruel joke, right? Her mind flashed seeing Dog herding the ants and rats in the evening, without a trainer.
“Cynthia…”
The reporter’s head snapped up.
“Do your job, or someone else will.”
Cynthia nodded, swallowing. “It’s… it’s just a lot to accept.”
Angela nodded. “Yes, but he wouldn’t have let you know, if you couldn’t be trusted.”
That woke the woman a bit, and she peered up at Angela with a frown of confusion. “Will he let the camp see this?”
“I have no idea.”
Sensing Angela was telling the truth, Cynthia blew out a snort. “Who am I kidding? Of course he won’t. This is just another test to screw with me.”
Dog yawned again, sitting down. “Will this take long?”
Amazed to feel insulted, Cynthia shook her head. “Five minutes.”
The wolf wined. “That long in here, with your smell?”
Cynthia flushed in real offense. “My smell? You’re the animal!”
Angela didn’t smile, but there was no mistaking it in her tone. “Your perfume is a bit… heavy on the nose.”
The reporter’s chin went up. “My mother wore it.”
“Was she a writer, too?”
Dog’s question sent pride into Cynthia, and made Angela wonder if it had been intentional.
“Yes, she was a famous reporter.”
Realizing she hadn’t gotten but one answer so far, the reporter forced her daze back and got to work. “Ok, um…How many pups do you have?”
It was a question she didn’t expect him to know the answer to, but Dog’s flash of hot eyes said it mattered to him. “One. Stillborn.”
Cynthia felt his pain. How could she not with that deep voice in her head? “I’m sorry.”
Dog sneezed again, but didn’t respond.
Cynthia pushed her brain into the moment, and felt that shark inside finally start to come back out.
“Do you know that the Eagles are different from the camp members, from me?”
“Yes. They carry the guns.”
“Do you know they consider you to be a tool?”
Dog seemed to grin at her. “I didn’t see the need to tell them differently.”
The reporter looked down at her mostly empty note page and realized she couldn’t record this interview. Her hand started scribbling, and the comforting motion let her relax the rest of the way.
“Why do you stay here?”
“The Man.”
“Brady?”
“Yes. I owe him a debt.”
“And when it’s paid?”
“I may go or stay. Nothing has been decided.”
“Why do you owe him?”
“He saved me from the brown coats.”
Cynthia frowned. “The brown coats?”
“Rangers.” Angela supplied. “He was supposed to be put down.”
“Ah, he rescued you. That does make a strong bond. What about Angela and Charlie? Are you bonded to them? If so, in what way?”
They were detailed questions for a mental conversation with a wolf, but Dog had answers to give. Unlike humans, he couldn’t lie.
“The woman and his pup are my family. Where he goes, they go. The same is true of me.”
Angela glanced at her watch, giving Cynthia a hint that the interview was about over.
For an instant, Cynthia was stumped for a question, and then the War flashed.
“Do you understand what happened? Why it all collapsed?”
“As much as I can. The greed of man became too much.”
Thinking that was close enough, Cynthia began to dig into the secret world of Safe Haven’s animal population.
“Are there others like you? That can…think?”
“All of them think, but no, none here are like me.”
“Any that are close?”
“Yes. The Dogs watch me. In time, they too may learn to communicate this way.”
“Do you like talking to people?”
“No.” Adrian’s scent went through Dog’s nose. “Except for the Alpha here. His mind is like mine.”
Meaning Adrian. Cynthia frowned, hand cramping from trying to keep up. “Do you talk to him a lot?”
“No. Only when he needs something.”
“Does it bother you that he treats you like a tool?” Cynthia guessed, not sure how many human emotions would apply.
Dog looked at her with golden eyes. “When he speaks, I am honored to listen.”
“Because he’s your Alpha too?”
“Yes, but also because he is the light.”
Dog sneezed again, and hefted himself to his feet.
Cynthia hurried to get in a few of the new questions that had just occurred. “Will you take a mate soon? The camp would love puppies.”
Dog glared balefully. “Then perhaps you should have them.”
His head went into the air as he padded for the flap. “I might consider you, if your scent wasn’t so ugly.”
Cynthia stared, mouth open. “What?”
Dog stopped to look back. “You destiny is also set. When it comes, don’t fight it.”
Angela and Cynthia stared after the wolf, neither of them speaking. That vivid intelligence was another sign of the future, the world that Adrian was trying to piece together from the ashes, and they were both drawn into the images. Camp animals that could communicate by thought…and then people.
Cynthia’s eyes flew to the doorway, only to find Angela gone. Why had she come with the wolf? Did she understand?
…was she like that, too?











"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #18 - An Interview with Seth – An Injured Former Eagle

Cynthia Quest reportingMay 2nd, 2013
 This is one of the first few interviews I’ve done here, legally anyway, and I still feel like I’ve forgotten how to do it. I hope that as we go on, I’ll begin to draw things from these men – things they don’t want anyone to know. With some of them, I’ll need a second interview, I’m sure. Like the one now sitting down in my hot seat. Still surprised to be allowed to talk to these men, but I am determined not to let anything sway me. We will have the truth at some point, I just can’t promise when.
Ready to get started? Me too, I think.
 
“Sometimes moody, sometimes the life of the party, let’s chat with Seth Daniels, injured man and former Eagle.”
Seth smiled a bit too casually, muscle twitching in his jaw. “I’m always an Eagle, just off duty right now.”
Knowing her title said it all, Cynthia didn’t push the point. “What was it like to be stabbed with a pick-axe?”
The undercover cop frowned. “It hurt.”
Cynthia flushed at the tone that said she was an idiot who asked stupid questions. “Do you remember the gunfight? The murders?”
Seth leaned back to cover his anger. “There were no murders. We were attacked, and yes, I remember all of it.”
Cynthia caught his hesitation. “Did someone screw up? Is that how you got hurt?”
Understanding this was an ambush, Seth forced his face into that expressionless stare he was known for. “They were sheltering in the train station. Neither group knew the other was there. No way to avoid it.”
Sensing she’d get no more from that line, Cynthia switched paths. “When will you return to duty? Who has your posts while you’re injured?”
“Another week or so. Angela and Lee have really stepped up to fill those empty slots.”
Cynthia’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Does it bother you to take orders from a woman on missions?”
“Does it bother you to take orders from a man during moves?” Seth shot back. “Of course not. She’s an Eagle first. That’s all I see, because that’s all Adrian sees.
The redhead was one of those people you couldn’t shake without prying hard, and Cynthia was suddenly sure this had been a waste of her pen.
“Is there a woman in your life? One the camp doesn’t know about?”
Seth looked away. “No.”
“Why don’t you date? Are none of the camp’s women good enough for the Eagles?”
His head snapped back to her. “The camp’s women are great. We’re just busy trying to make sure everyone survives right now. They’ll be time for romance later.”
“How do you feel about Kenn being allowed to stay even though we all know he beats on women?”
Seth’s voice was hard. “I think he’ll screw up again and get himself banished this time.” His eyes darkened. “Or worse.”
“Who are you searching the new arrivals for?”
Seth slowly took a photo from his wallet and held it out. “My daughter.” His voice caught. “She was only 4 when the War came.”
Cynthia tried not to feel anything for the toothy girl in the picture, and couldn’t quite succeed. She didn’t even like kids. What the hell was this place doing to her?
“Do you think she’s still alive?”
Seth shook his head, standing up. “No, not really. It’s been too long, but in my heart…”
He glanced back with damn green eyes. “In there, I’ll always hope.”







"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #17 - An Interview with Seth – An Injured Former Eagle

Cynthia Quest reportingMay 2nd, 2013
 This is one of the first few interviews I’ve done here, legally anyway, and I still feel like I’ve forgotten how to do it. I hope that as we go on, I’ll begin to draw things from these men – things they don’t want anyone to know. With some of them, I’ll need a second interview, I’m sure. Like the one now sitting down in my hot seat. Still surprised to be allowed to talk to these men, but I am determined not to let anything sway me. We will have the truth at some point, I just can’t promise when.
Ready to get started? Me too, I think.
 
“Sometimes moody, sometimes the life of the party, let’s chat with Seth Daniels, injured man and former Eagle.”
Seth smiled a bit too casually, muscle twitching in his jaw. “I’m always an Eagle, just off duty right now.”
Knowing her title said it all, Cynthia didn’t push the point. “What was it like to be stabbed with a pick-axe?”
The undercover cop frowned. “It hurt.”
Cynthia flushed at the tone that said she was an idiot who asked stupid questions. “Do you remember the gunfight? The murders?”
Seth leaned back to cover his anger. “There were no murders. We were attacked, and yes, I remember all of it.”
Cynthia caught his hesitation. “Did someone screw up? Is that how you got hurt?”
Understanding this was an ambush, Seth forced his face into that expressionless stare he was known for. “They were sheltering in the train station. Neither group knew the other was there. No way to avoid it.”
Sensing she’d get no more from that line, Cynthia switched paths. “When will you return to duty? Who has your posts while you’re injured?”
“Another week or so. Angela and Lee have really stepped up to fill those empty slots.”
Cynthia’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Does it bother you to take orders from a woman on missions?”
“Does it bother you to take orders from a man during moves?” Seth shot back. “Of course not. She’s an Eagle first. That’s all I see, because that’s all Adrian sees.
The redhead was one of those people you couldn’t shake without prying hard, and Cynthia was suddenly sure this had been a waste of her pen.
“Is there a woman in your life? One the camp doesn’t know about?”
Seth looked away. “No.”
“Why don’t you date? Are none of the camp’s women good enough for the Eagles?”
His head snapped back to her. “The camp’s women are great. We’re just busy trying to make sure everyone survives right now. They’ll be time for romance later.”
“How do you feel about Kenn being allowed to stay even though we all know he beats on women?”
Seth’s voice was hard. “I think he’ll screw up again and get himself banished this time.” His eyes darkened. “Or worse.”
“Who are you searching the new arrivals for?”
Seth slowly took a photo from his wallet and held it out. “My daughter.” His voice caught. “She was only 4 when the War came.”
Cynthia tried not to feel anything for the toothy girl in the picture, and couldn’t quite succeed. She didn’t even like kids. What the hell was this place doing to her?
“Do you think she’s still alive?”
Seth shook his head, standing up. “No, not really. It’s been too long, but in my heart…”
He glanced back with damn green eyes. “In there, I’ll always hope.”







"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #17 - Profile - Doug - Unofficial 5th in Command (Until Brady arrived))

6’4”250 lbGreen eyesLong Red hair
 Slight limpBorn in IdahoIrish American w/no accentRed vest and green army jacketRetired Army SergeantWas trapped under a bridge in Nevada after the WarHand shakes – a sign of something he refuses to face yet
 
Doug resented people all of his childhood, but most especially, his parent’s, for their unwillingness to change or adapt. Tormented by the other kids, and even by the more uncaring adults, for his poverty, and then his size and vivid coloring, Doug escaped in the only way he thought available. He joined the Army. Once there, he found a way of life that he could believe in, and an ability to provide for himself that didn’t include farming. Planning to spend his life in service, Doug never returned home.
After being injured during an attack on the area he was guarding, Doug retired and quickly began to sink down into depression. He needs a goal, a reason, as much as the rest of Adrian’s refugees, and the thought of finding a woman, even after the apocalypse, is one he avoids. Doug doesn’t realize it, but he’s lonely and sure no one will ever want him because of his size.
Doug also has a dangerous secret, one that may cost him his place among Adrian’s Army. It’s a weight he carries silently, not willing to give up even a single day of being in their leader’s light. Eventually, though, the truth will come out. He knows this, but has little idea what he’ll do then, except grow old and die.
 
Author Notes
Doug has mostly been a side character so far, but that will change as we go on. He still has a lot to give, and Adrian knows it.
Oh, and his fears of dying alone are groundless. Doug’s place in the chain of command would earn him a mate anyway, but more than one Safe Haven female already has their eye on Doug. Because he’s so quiet, so seriously determined to help Adrian, these older, more responsible females understand that it’s all in their timing.
With that clue, I’ll bet you can think of a couple names, huh? Grin.








"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #16 - An Interview with Samantha – The luckiest woman in Safe Haven

Cynthia Quest ReportingMay 4th, 2013
 I may not care for the hardened woman now sitting down in my hot seat, but I do respect her. Not just anyone could have escaped from Cesar and his Slavers, and still be so coolly intelligent. It won’t stop me from asking those hard questions, though. Some things just have to be said.
 
“Hello, Samantha. Thank you for agreeing to this interview.”
Sam snorted. “Yeah, agreed.”
“Let me guess. It was on your schedule?”
Sam didn’t frown like she wanted to. “Something like that.”
Cynthia gave a sweetly sympathetic smile. “I’ll be quick so you can get back to your training.” The grin widened. “Why don’t we start there?”
Sam shrugged, trying not to appear as nervous as she felt. “It’s your five minutes.”
Realizing Adrian had allotted the woman the same time as the men, sent hot flames of jealousy into Cynthia’s gut. Adrian was treating Samantha like an Eagle. He’d chosen his next warrior.
Swallowing the bitterness, the shark got the interview started with a hard tone. “You’ve taken a lot of defensive classes since joining Safe Haven. Why? Are you thinking of following in Angela’s footsteps?”
Sam had planned on this question, and many others like it. She’d enjoyed the thought of more provocative answers, but in the end, her place (her future place) by Adrian, meant more.
“I want to be stronger, able to defend myself. As for becoming an Eagle, I hadn’t really thought about it.”
Cynthia let that lie slide. “Angela seems to be your only friend here so far. What’s wrong with the rest of the camp’s women?”
Samantha stiffened. “I’m not sure.” Her voice hardened. “They seem to have this habit of saying the wrong thing and pissing me off. Apparently, I do the same for them.”
The reporter scribbled hurriedly, copying word for word.  “As of right now, you are considered the luckiest woman in camp, but I have to ask - Does it bother you that Neil had been committed to Becky until you showed up? And that Jeremy had a… girl in the shadows?”
Sam allowed herself to flinch, sure it would be mentioned. “A little.”
“Does he know that?”
Samantha snorted, but kept the nasty remark to herself. “I assume so.”
Feeling like she’d just discovered a gold mine, Cynthia leaned forward, voice lowering. “You haven’t told him it bothers you?”
“Why would I? We’re not dating.”
“Yet. You still have to pick one of them, right?”
Sam cringed, face flushing at the boldness she knew the reporter would use in her paper. Everyone would read that question and the three of them would never live it down. “No, I don’t.”
“Wise, I guess, but honestly, Samantha. Which one do you like more? One of them has to be more…special to you, than the other. I happen to know that Jeremy is a very sweet man.”
It was as close as Cynthia had ever come to publically acknowledging her relationship with Jeremy.
Now, the jealousy was licking up Sam’s spine, and she opened her mouth, not sure what was about to come out. “You know how you can like two flavor ice cream at the same time, even up to occasionally mixing them? That’s me.”
Cynthia’s face went red. Sam wasn’t sure if it was anger or embarrassment, but either was fine.
The reporter followed up with a shaky voice. “You mean you want to keep them both.”
Sam didn’t respond, just grinned a bit, and the reporter pushed harder. “I guess it feels pretty good to have two of Safe Haven’s highest-ranked Eagles drooling over you.”
Quickly tiring of the attempt to make her look bad to the camp, Sam had to hold her temper in check. “A hell of a lot better than being Cesar’s Slave.”
“What was it like to be held captive by the Slavers? Was it awful?”
Sam’s anger rose. “What do you think?”
Cynthia didn’t take the hint to back off. “Did they follow you here, do you think?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well what about your ex, Rick? Is he a spy?”
“How would I know that? It’s not like spies go around announcing it.”
“But surely you have an opinion…”
Samantha sighed, hating it that she had to play along. She also loved it that she could, that she was included. Lying was no stranger to Sam. She knew those streets well. “I think if he was, he would have been caught already.”
Realizing she wouldn’t get more on that topic, Cynthia moved on. “What did you do before the War?”
“I helped track storms for the EPA in Washington.”
Cynthia’s eyes narrowed, ready to catch the smallest sign. “You don’t have a regular job listed. What is it that you do for Adrian?”
“The same thing I did before, only without all the fancy gadgets. I make assumptions about the weather,” Sam stated, looking at her watch.
“So there’s nothing…instinctive? Just cold, hard data?”
Samantha’s eyes were hot as she stood up. “Everything is instinct, Cyn. Even you know that.”
Sam headed for the flap. “Your five minutes are up. Hope you didn’t get whatever it was that you wanted.”
Cynthia grinned at the open hostility. The blonde woman was one of the few in camp who actually spoke her mind and didn’t seem to care about the consequences. It would be very interesting to watch her try to fit with Adrian’s Eagles and all their lies.
Sam thought she could handle it right now - because she was still mostly on the outside, but Cynthia had spied enough to know that from the inside, Adrian’s Army was a much darker place. It was where the reporter dreamed of belonging.









"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW #15 - An Interview with Marc Brady - Wolfman and Contender for Second in Command

  Cynthia Quest ReportingMay 10th, 2013
 
After the way the camp was so fast to accuse Marc of trying to kill Kenn and Adrian, I realized it was way past time I asked this hard loner some of the questions still lingering in everyone’s mind.
He looks too calm, too ready for this as he sits down in the chair that has now held so many of Safe Haven’s Eagles. I hope that isn’t true, and to increase the odds of honest answers, I’ve chosen some questions he won’t care for. Everyone settled at a table with a tray? It’s time to talk to Marc Brady - Wolfman and Possible contender for Second in Command.
 
“So, tell us Marc. Why did you agree to this interview?”
“I didn’t. It was on my schedule, so I showed up.”
Cynthia grinned in slightly jealous understanding. “If the boss man says jump…”
Marc’s snort was light. “Yeah, that’s about it.”
“Do you always follow orders?”
Marc grinned widely. “Nope.”
It wasn’t true anymore, but for now, how close he and Adrian were working together wasn’t public knowledge.
“Why not? I thought all the Eagles have complete faith.”
“Guess I’m just a rebel.”
Cynthia glanced down at her notes. “Let’s talk about the wolf first. Where did you get him, and why does he stay with you?”
Marc looked over at the large animal curled protectively in the doorway of the tent. “Dog was brought in with a pack of wolves. He was supposed to be put down. He’s a survivor, the same as the rest of us. I think he senses that bond and it keeps him with me, but really, I don’t know why.”
“So you’re saying he thinks like us?”
He shrugged, grinning again. “Wish I knew - would make breeding him easier.”
Marc watched her face flush, realized he’d drawn first blood without meaning to. Inwardly, he braced for the real topic the reporter wanted to cover. Outwardly, he gave a smoldering stare that had her squirming and him swallowing a grin. It was easy to see what she needed, but he wasn’t interested in being the one to deliver it.
“Ah, yes, breeding. You’ve sired an interestingly obedient child. How does it feel to be the dad of a teenager you didn’t even know you had?”
There was no shocked response from him like she’d been hoping for. He and Adrian had covered it a week ago. “Good, actually. I got to skip diapers.”
Cynthia frowned slightly, hating it that these men were always one step ahead of her ambushes. She’d thought her knowing of Charlie’s parentage would be a hard hit. She moved on quickly. “What about his mother? You two sure have stirred up a lot of anger and bad energy here.”
“Sometimes, even those things have a place.”
“How long have you two known each other?”
“All our lives.”
“Ohh… Childhood sweethearts?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you two split?”
“Life got in the way.”
“Who walked away first?”
“Our parents made that choice.”
“Has Angie told you why she kept the truth about your son from you?”
“Yes.”
“Will you tell us why?”
“Of course not.”
Expecting it, Cynthia didn’t react. “When did you find out about Charlie?”
“After the War.”
“When you… helped his mom to get here?”
The tone was suggestive, and Marc frowned. “All I did was drive and show her a few Marine things. She did the rest.”
“Sure, sure. Can you tell us about the trip here, while you two were alone together all that time?”
Marc held in the sharp remark. “It was hard. We traveled a rough road.”
“What about all those long nights around the campfire, talking about your past, your teenage son, the future?”
Marc snorted, thinking there hadn’t been nearly enough of those. “Not Angie. We traveled or took turns sleeping.” He let out a proud snort he didn’t feel. “She was always in a hurry, but we got here in record time after she killed her first man - made her more determined.”
It was an answer she wasn’t expecting, and Cynthia dropped down to her hardest queries restlessly. Her respect for Angela went up, along with her jealousy. Afterward, there had been Brady’s big arms for comfort. She’d bet on it.
“How do you feel about your mate being an Eagle?”
“I worry over her safety and love it that she’s so strong. The same as she does me.”
“Uh-huh. But it wasn’t always this way, was it?”
“No.” His hard tone said to leave it alone.
Cynthia pushed harder. “In fact, I remember a few of those moments. Most of us didn’t think she could yell that loud.”
Marc blew out a sigh, realizing he would have to take the blow she wanted to deliver. “It took me a while to get over the way I still saw things from the old world. It’s better now.”
“So there won’t be anymore screaming?”
“Not unless she gets pissed at you for printing personal questions.”
Cynthia smiled coolly. “I think I can manage. Tell us about your rivalry with Kenn. Do you think you’ll be able to bump him out for second in command?”
“No.”
Cynthia raised a brow. “Given up?”
“Yep. Just gonna fall in line where I belong.”
Cynthia laughed at the sarcastic humor, but sensed he really meant it. “I’m pretty sure it’ll be the front of a line.”
Marc’s face reddened at the open compliment. “Thanks.”
The waves of need flowing from the flowery scented woman were smothering, and Marc was glad to see their time was almost up. Five minutes was all the sheet said, and that was all she would get from him.
“A lot of the camp and Eagles think you’ve been going head-to-head with Kenn, trying to get him thrown out. Are you?”
“No. I have what I want.”
“His wife...”
Marc’s face darkened ominously. “My soul mate.”
Cynthia watched him stand up, seeing his instinctive glance toward the flap. Time was about up, but she had one last topic to cover.
“How did it feel to kill for her?”
His head swung back, blue eyes blazing, and she wisely kept the triumph from her face. He hadn’t been expecting that one.
Marc stared at her, thinking of seeing her spying on the Eagles. When he’d told Adrian, the blond leader had said she was important to Safe Haven’s future. Today, under his scheduled time, there had been four words. Off balance is best. What threw someone off balance more than honesty?
“It felt good. Doing my job well usually does.”
Marc left her staring in surprise, hoping he’d given Adrian whatever it was that he needed from the encounter. One thing was for sure. The more FND work he did, the better he felt about their leader’s past. Anyone who had this many irons in the fire had better be an evil genius to keep them all straight.
“Do you really see him as evil?”That voice inside asked.
Marc shoved the answer away. He’d swung to Adrian’s side, but he clearly wasn’t a convert yet.
      "This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony

LAW Day #14 - Profile -John

*This is an old picture of John and Anne, taken after a medical conference.

John Harmon
69
5'9"
Smells like Ben-gay
12/30/44
200lbs
Blue Eyes
Salt and Pepper hair.
BW: Army Medic
AW: Safe Haven's 1st Doctor.
Quote: Trust me, my Anna. I do this for you."

Strengths:- Hate is foreign for him. He loves people and encourages it in others.- Has the wisdom of age to rely on.

Weaknesses:- Has terminal Cancer.

FBI Notes:Weaker DNA Marker identified. Last male of the line, no offspring, and stomach cancer confirmed. Termination orders are not expected. Location: Rawlins, Wyoming.

Back-story
John and Anne Harmon grew up in the same tiny town. They joined the service and became engaged during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home to a town stricken with measles, they opened a local office and have lived there ever since.  They've been married for 47 years. The last of their family’s bloodlines, they'd been happy together. When the War came, their lack of offspring was their only regret. After the collapse, John pushes Anne into leaving their home to look for safety. Their lives have been spent in one place, and it's terrifying to the quiet nurse. John insists - he has to get her to someplace safe before he dies. John suspects he has Terminal Stomach Cancer and has given himself less than 6 months to live... 180 days to make sure that his sweet wife is provided for when he's gone.
 





"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors*Free on all retailersAuthor’s Website    Diesel  iTunes   Kindle   Kobo   Nook   Smashwords   Sony