The Dead Familiar (Winterhaven Series) Read online

  The Dead Familiar

  by J.D. McKenna

  Acknowledgements

  I want to thank my family. I remember laying in bed as a child, listening to tales of King Arthur and his Knights before I could even read. It was the first time I discovered the power of story, that marvelous power to transport us to a magical reality. We watched movies as a family growing up, continuing that love, and my parents encouraged me to read everything that I could lay hands on. Throughout, I was allowed to develop my deep and abiding first love: The Story. So thank you family, for putting up with me as I ignored conversations to daydream and missed vacations because I was nose deep in Avalon or Middle Earth.

  I also want to thank YOU, the reader. I want to make this passion into something more: a career. Every person who reads my little stories moves me one step closer to that, so thank you. Seriously. It is AWESOME to see my book has been downloaded, to know that someone is sharing in the tale that I personally crafted.

  Finally, I want to thank this wonderful, insanely useful tool that we call the internet. Without it’s mysterious superpowers I would have never had this opportunity. So thank you Magic Internet King. ‘Tis Awesome.

  Brief Note on Revised Edition

  As I began working on the sequel, I found that there were some things I really didn’t want to go forward with. Combined with the addition of an actual editor, this led me to undergo another revision of this book. If you have read it before, there are some slight changes, but nothing groundbreaking. If this is your first time reading it, then congratulations! You skipped the rougher cuts and got the finished product. As they say: Patience, Virtue, Etc.

  In any case, I hope you enjoy the final copy of this book, good reading to you!

  Chapter 1: The Nurse

  9:54pm

  August 15th 2015

  Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

  Jack Hightower sat in front of his computer. Alerts were screaming across the top of the screen, but he barely noticed them. He had been attempting to contact some friends he still had in the Department of Defense, but the flash bulletin changed things.

  China declared on Japan. I'm out of time. He thought.

  Jack had done his best to prepare, and now he would put his plans to the test. Accessing his custom program, Archangel, he let his fingers hover. The screen was black, a single red activation button in the center. It glowed with all the power of unalterable consequences that it contained. One push, and everything his life had been would be over, never to return.

  If he was wrong... I'm not. Thats the true issue. I've done the research, checked the likely outcomes, and followed the trends. This is our best hope. I'm not wrong. Forcing his doubts aside, his finger plunged to the keyboard, clicking Enter.

  The final act of his old life now complete, he left his computer and began to gather what he needed for his new one. A heavy hiking bag, loaded in preparation of this moment had been left sitting next to his boots by the door. It contained water, food that was heavy in calories and essential nutrients, and ammunition.

  Padding to the bedroom, he bent down and reached into the back of his closet. Nimble fingers felt along the baseboard until he found the small cut he had made several years prior. He reached in to remove the false panel, pushing it aside. When he straightened again, he held a long metal case in one hand, and an M16A4 assault rifle in the other. It was heavily modified, set to fire in either three round burst or on full automatic with the flick of a toggle. An ACOG scope sat atop the rail system, providing much improved accuracy at long range. The cool metal of the weapon was a poignant reminder of the seriousness of his cause. It’s weighty heft in his arms brought back memories from the battlefields of his previous life.

  Moving back to the door, he strapped on his gear. Boots were laced up, durable black fatigues tucked in to the top of them. A nondescript black T-shirt fit snugly about his muscular frame. A darkly edged blade and sidearm were strapped to his utility belt, and he shrugged on a leather jacket to cover them up.

  It was cut short and tight with a high collar. The coat provided warmth and added protection from the elements, but most importantly it didn't restrict his movement or access to his 9mm. Frowning, he shifted the combat knife to his boot and then straightened himself once more. Better to have at least one weapon hidden at all times. He reminded himself.

  He was a tall, well built man. His body hard, with no fat content to speak of. His arms and legs rippled with muscles, and appeared to have been carved from stone. He was handsome, with beautiful verdant eyes that usually garnered immediate attention. Long curly hair fell down nearly to his shoulders, loose dirty blond ringlets curling about his ears.

  A strong jaw and full pouty lips complemented his handsome figure and distracting eyes. His mouth pulled up at the corners a little when he smiled, though he wasn't given to a broad grin. All in all, he looked on the surface to be more suited to the runway then a battlefield, but such appearances were deeply misleading. He was a man of war, and the signs were evident in the way he carried himself, the bearing that was uniquely military. More obvious was the way his eyes roved, constantly aware of his surroundings, constantly assessing potential threats. Only a person trained for war could be so hypervigilant without constant effort.

  Zipping the jacket up so that the collar nestled just under his chin, he pulled the bag onto his shoulders. The metal case from his hide-away had gone into the pack, and the rifle lay in his arms. Cradling the M16A4 in ready position, he put his hand on the doorknob, preparing to leave.

  Realizing that he would never see this place again, Jack took one last look around the small cramped apartment he had been living in for the last 2 years. It had been the refuge he needed to prepare for this moment, but it had never been a true home. With a final nod goodbye, he pulled the door open and strode through, heading down the stairs to street level.

  The whole way down he heard panicked, shouting voices.

  They know. They don't want to believe it or fully admit it, but deep down they have to know. This world is doomed, and even if they can't see all the signs, I'm sure they can feel it. He commented inwardly.

  Jack traveled down the steps quickly until reaching the first floor. He paused there at the sight of an open door. Nicole and May... He wrestled internally, knowing that he didn't have time for side trips but unable to just walk away from faces he knew.

  God, if only I could save them all. There’s just no way.... Still, these two at least, I might just be able to help.

  Pushing the door open with the gun barrel, he moved slowly into the apartment. Furniture was strewn around the apartment, and he could tell there had been a fight. He suddenly heard the thud of meat hitting meat farther back, and he moved that way quickly, gun shouldered and eye sighting down it's lethal barrel.

  Hearing the grunts of a man and the muffled cries of a woman, he felt his temperature rise. If that son of a bitch is back...Stopping outside the closed door, he could tell the sounds came from within. With practiced surety, he booted the door in and yelled "Hands up, Now!"

  Eyes checking the room, he logged the sight of Nicole Mathews laid out on the bed, her abusive ex-husband standing above her. He held a heavy colt revolver in his fat useless hand, and Jack was thankful for the absence of May Mathews, the daughter. Here, at the end of the world, the laws of a falling society no longer restricted Jack from taking the action he knew this man deserved.

  Gun already raised, he squeezed the trigger. Two seconds from Jack entering the room, Pat Mathews was dead on the ground, a hole smoking between his eyes. The man was dead, but Jack felt no shame in the kill. It had been necessary to protect his own life, and was well deserved
by the man's crimes. Shouldering the weapon, Jack quickly checked Nicole for signs of life. She stirred, coming awake. Starting as she awoke, thinking he was Pat, she scurried back from Jack. He put his hands slowly out in front of him, reassuringly.

  "It's ok Nicole, its just me."

  "Jack.. what happened," she asked slowly.

  "Pat was here, I saw the open door, and I came to investigate."

  He looked around the room.

  "Where is May? We need to leave here now Nicole.”

  Nicole's face drained at the remembrance of her 8 year old baby girl.

  "She ran out of the apartment after he broke in. He tried to grab her, but she slipped by. Oh my god where's my baby!?"

  Finally noticing the still warm body of Pat, she started, jumping back.

  "Oh my god Jack, did you...?"

  "Nicole, you need to look at me."

  Drawing her eyes to his, he let her stare deep into their beautiful green depths as he spoke to her.

  "The old world is gone, and Pat died with it. If you want to live to greet the new world, you must come with me. We will get your daughter, but then we MUST go. In this new world, men like Pat will be dealt with harshly, and I don't feel any guilt. Let me ask you, will you miss him?"

  Nicole stared into his eyes, unable to comprehend his meaning, both frightened and reassured by his calm demeanor.

  "What..I..What are you talking about," she stuttered confusedly.

  "There will be time enough to explain, but only if we leave here now. Will you come with me. Will you live?"

  Nicole closed her eyes, steeled herself, and then opened them again.

  She answered, "we have to find May."

  Jack grinned, She'll make it. Good, I need every win I can get tonight.

  "I think I have a pretty good guess of where she is. Come on, follow me. Don't bother packing."

  With that, Jack hustled her back out the apartment, stopping only to let her put on a pair of shoes. He brought the gun back up, sweeping corners as he went, taking care to keep her just behind him. Exiting the building, he moved quickly down the street, heading past her old Buick Regal and going to his own black Trailblazer. It was parked less than a block from the door, near the corner of the building.

  "Jack! We can't leave without May," Nicole shouted, starting to back away.

  "Nicole relax."

  Realizing that his vague reassurances were not helping very much, he let out a piercing whistle. He then went to the back of the Trailblazer; opening the hatch and leaning against the frame to wait. A few moments later, May came running around the corner of the building. Her face was dirty, but it bore a warm smile. She had little blond pigtails swinging about her head as she ran happily to her mother.

  Nicole gasped as she saw her daughter, consumed with relief. Then Nicole noticed a massive dark shadow next to her baby. May was being escorted by the biggest animal that most of the local city dwellers had ever seen. Many parents would have been frightened to have their children appear so vulnerable. Recognizing Fenrir, Jack's huge dog, Nicole instead felt a wave of loyalty for the loving animal.

  She was able to put together what had happened with some surety upon seeing the pair together. Nicole figured that May had run to Jack's apartment when Pat showed up. When he didn't answer her knock, she went to Fenrir, his ferocious companion. Loyal and loving to all the children, and especially to May, Fenrir had let her crawl into his kennel with him. He had protected her till he heard Jack's all clear whistle. May and Fenrir had grown close since Jack had moved in upstairs, the big animal often going so far as rolling over and let the little girl rub and pat his soft underbelly.

  Jack too had realized the likely timeline, and it brought a grimace to his face.

  Crap, she must have come and knocked while I was in the bedroom pulling out my gear, that was close. If I'd been any later, Fen and I would be lugging along a traumatized orphan because I wasn't being observant.

  Vowing to stay sharper from here on out, he turned to the mother and daughter.

  "Ok, people, we gotta roll, hop in."

  Fenrir obediently jumped into the backseat, settling next to Jack’s bag before the door was shut behind him.

  Nicole looked at him uncertainly.

  "Jack, what are we running from? The police will understand, he had a gun, you were just protecting me...." she trailed off as she saw Jack shaking his head.

  "Nicole, the police aren't the issue here."

  Although that could change if they show before I'm gone I suppose.

  Grimacing at the thought of being forced to shoot his way past well-meaning officers, he pushed on.

  "By dawn, the whole world will have changed. I told you about the old world ending. I know you don't understand, but I promise that by dawn you will. Your choice comes now though. I can't come back for you. I won't have time later. I need you to trust me until morning. If you can do that, you and May will live. Please trust me Nicole. The world is about to die, and poorly. Can you have faith in me for a night?"

  He looked at her desperately, willing her to come, for her sake and that of her daughter. He knew he sounded a little crazy, but he couldn't help it; he was frantic to get everyone he cared about out of the city before the worst happened.

  May tugged at her mother's arm. "Mommy, we have to go with Jack. He really wants us to, and he said please."

  Nicole looked at her baby girl.

  One night. He might be crazy, but then...he's always been good to us before.

  "Ok Jack, because I owe you, you get one night. Tomorrow I go to the police and explain though."

  "Great. lets go," he replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

  With the girls decided, Jack hopped in the driver’s side, letting mother and daughter crowd into the backseat. Fenrir and his bag were still behind them in the trunk. Turning the key in the ignition, he gunned the Trailblazer, whipping an immediate U to head the wrong way on the one way.

  Ignoring Nicole's stifled cries in the back, he shifted gears, screaming around the corner and driving as aggressively as he thought he could get away with. He set off down Franklin street, heading west. The city was dark about him, quiet in these final hours.

  Those who were out and about moved quickly, frightened of the shadows. As the economy had trickled to a halt, crime had risen sharply. Night wasn’t a safe time for people to be out in Minneapolis any time, much less the final night of a dying world. He pulled out his cell phone as he drove, dialing without taking his eyes from the road. Pinning it to his ear with a raised shoulder, he listened to it dialing.

  A voice spoke, “Hello, Jack?"

  "Greg, I'm glad I got you. Listen, I've initiated Archangel Protocol and the alerts are out. I'm on my way to my first pick-up. Are you at the place?" Jack asked.

  "Close enough, I'm out by the first outpost. I’ve been laying cable to get it on the grid, which isn’t quite done yet. I'll head back in and start tracking events,” he said before pausing, “you sure about this?"

  "Yeah, with them after the Japanese, the government won't feel it has any choice. This will start the final fires. I expect the first strikes to start landing within hours. Listen, who else is out there already?"

  "Shit, not many, and nearly all incidentals. A number of the construction guys who have been building this place, but they don't know what for. My assistant is up here, but I still haven't given her much information either. Her boyfriend is also up here, spending his leave with her. Damn man, it's just me and the help really. What's your ETA?"

  Jack thought, "Likely between 2 am and 4am. No way to make the window smaller, it will depend on events."

  Greg was silent for a while. "Look Jack... hurry ok. If your right...you have to get out of the city ASAP."

  "I will man, no worries on that front. Look, I gotta go. Communication may get tricky, so if you don't hear from me for a while, don't assume anything. I'll try and be there by 4am latest. You just be ready to lead these people when I get them there.
They are going to need you man."

  "I understand, between the two of us, we can protect them. Good luck Jack."

  Jack hung up his cell and tossed it in a coat pocket. He had been driving insanely fast for a little while, and was now approaching his destination. He wheeled the car into a quick stop, smacking the heavy duty tires against the curb before quickly hopping out.

  His target was the Starbucks at the corner of Franklin, and he made his way in that direction, stopping only to shut and lock the door behind him. Rifle left in the car, he still had his knife and 9mm. Surprised patrons and passer bys scattered in terror as he pulled the pistol out, moving determinedly forwards. He had considered going in holstered, but to his mind; leaving the rifle behind was nearly the same thing. No way was Jack Hightower walking into what he thought of as a military operation with a holstered weapon. All around him, people cried out or called for the police, unsure of what was going on.

  He ignored them, moving forwards.

  I can't save them all. I can't save them all. I can't save them all.

  That thought kept replaying in his head as he walked by the throngs of people that he knew would soon be corpses. They just don't know it yet.

  Hoping that Justin had received his Archangel alert and wasn't just sitting in his apartment, Jack headed in the front doors. He swung his head around, searching the store's interior.

  Instructions were for Justin to get to the store and await pickup, avoiding the possibility of us getting caught in the apartment building if I was late...which I am.

  Jack swung about, looking for his friend.

  "Umm... Hey buddy.....what's going on...?"

  Relieved at the sound of Justin's voice emanating from the corner, he looked over to see the man stepping towards him. Justin was a skinny male of average height. He had long dark hair, streaked with blue highlights, and short muscular bikers legs. He wasn't as strongly built as Jack, but he was still in incredibly good shape. He had found a much skinnier equilibrium then his more warlike friend.