A New World: Chaos Excerpt

The one closest to the door, and hence me, opens its eyes, staring back at me through the light.  Rising with almost lightening speed to its knees, its mouth opens and lets out an ear-blasting shriek of alarm.  I pull the trigger and the gunshots join in this sudden escalation of noise, the flash of my rounds giving a quick strobe-like quality to the room and hallway, affecting my vision only slightly.  The burst of rounds stitch across its body from the chest upwards, hurling it back into the huddled mass; its scream changes in mid-shriek; from alarm to pain to nothing.

The smell of gunpowder wafts in the hallway as time seems to stand still for a moment.  The only sound that of the empty cartridges bouncing metallically on the floor.  The stillness ends with an explosion of activity and noise as the things all seem to rise instantly and as one, the shrieks from them deafening as they charge for the door.  Two more bursts lift the two in front off their feet and into those behind as the others streak for the door.  I am going to have to reload before I can take them all down therefore allowing them to pour into the darkened hallway.  With this in mind, I start backing down the hallway toward the stairway focusing on the room’s entrance and thumbing the fire selector to ‘semi.’

The first one appears at the door.  My round enters its head just beside the left eye, rocking its head backwards.  The back and side of its head explodes outward, coating the doorjamb with blood and bits of bone and gray matter.  It falls forward to the ground onto its chest and face, its momentum carrying it forward further into the hallway.  A second one appears leaping with a shriek over the body falling in front.  Another strobe of light and popping sound of a round leaving the chamber fills the hall.  The body is thrown sideways in mid leap from the round slamming into the side of its chest cutting the shriek off mid-way.  Hitting the floor, it skids across the linoleum, coming to rest against the hallway wall.

Three more enter into the hallway at an almost full run, turning toward me as they exit.  Three more rounds fly from my barrel, sending them all to the ground; the one on the right flies backward with its feet over its head, slamming head first into the floor with a meaty smack.  By the time the last one has fallen to the ground, five more have poured into the hall and launch themselves toward me.  I continue backing toward the stair door with the smell of cordite strong in the air.  I fire once at the one closest, bringing its forward momentum to a sudden halt.  It just stands there as if its body doesn’t believe it has just been shot in the sternum.  Unable to continue forward, it slumps toward its final resting place.  A movement brings the next one in line with my barrel as a loud, metallic crash erupts close behind me.

I’m so outta here, I think turning to bolt towards the fire door that stands between me and the stairs.  Racing to the door, my light catches the aftermath of the metallic crash.  An upended aluminum cart lies on its side at the hallway juncture.  Shards of glass on the floor glitter faintly in the light.  A beaker rolls in slow circles amidst small metallic shapes scattered about.  Three more of the things have rounded the corner running in my direction, the one on the right shrieking loudly.  I hear footsteps pounding behind me mixing with those that have now entered the hallway in front of me with more sounding from the hallway around the corner.

I reach the steel fire door at a run, throwing it open and race through it on the fly with those things right on my heels.  I can almost feel the warmth from their bodies on my back and hear their breathing seemingly inches away.  Launching down the stairs, I keep my light focused on the stairs themselves.  This would be the absolute wrong time to trip or stumble.  Rounding the corner of the landing and using my hand on the railing to help my turn, one of them enters into my cone of light just ahead on the stairs, having apparently jumped over the railing from the flight of stairs behind me.  Too close to bring my M4 to bear for a shot from the hip, I duck my shoulder and head and slam into its chest knocking it backwards.  It flies off the stairs and lands almost to the bottom, close to the second floor landing, hitting with the small of its back on the stair, sling shotting its head backwards to smack into the concrete landing with a sharp, meaty crack.  Blood spurts outward from where its head was introduced to the concrete and it slides backward into the concrete brick wall with another, slightly smaller, wet, meaty crack, coming to rest face up.  Blood immediately begins pooling outward around its head.

The impact slows my momentum.  I feel the brush of a hand against my left shoulder as my feet continue their flight down the stairs, the thing reaching over the stair railing directly beside me.  Leaping off of the second stair from the landing and over the prone body, I turn quickly in mid-leap facing both the next flight down and the flight I just traversed, thumbing the selector to switch to ‘burst.’  My light flashes to the stairs coming down, my direction reversed.  The stairs are completely filled with an ashen gray horde barreling toward me, a few scant feet away.  Just before my feet come into contact with the landing, three rounds exit my M4 at the nearest one sending it backward into its companions as the steel jacketed rounds pound into its chest and neck, spraying blood outward.  I feel a few warm splashes hit my cheek and forehead.  Flashes bounce off of the concrete brick walls as my feet contact the landing and gunshots echo in the stairwell, overwhelming the growling emitting from the horde.  My second burst slams into the next ghoulish thing setting foot on the bottom stair, spinning it to the right and into the arms of the one behind, gaining another foot of separation.  I launch forward, tearing off down the stairs toward the first floor.

I hit the magazine release button before reaching the third stair down, the magazine clattering down the stairs, its clatter mixed with the growling right on my heels.  Clearing the bottom of the upward flight of stairs, I grab the hand rail with my left hand and vault over to the final flight, concentrating on landing square on a stair.   Hitting a stair edge could cause a trip, stumble, or twisted ankle and that is something I can’t afford right now.  Several shrieks fill the enclosed space as I land with bent knees and race to the fire door.  Reaching into the vest pocket, I withdraw a fresh mag and slam it into the receiver.  I hit the door at a dead run, slamming into it with my left shoulder and spin through the opening.  Planting my right foot out, I shift my momentum toward the emergency room lobby and exit.  The first of the many things streaks out of the still opening door before I have even taken my second step.

The lobby opening just ahead, the glare of the light outside pouring through the glass doors.  I feel something swipe across my back and am jerked backwards slightly, the back of my flight suit in the grasp of a hand for a split second before being released.  Fucking A!  These things are faster than I am.  This may not end well, I think focusing every bit of energy into my legs.

I sweep into the dim grayness of the emergency room lobby, the light growing brighter the closer to the exit I get. Almost across the lobby and to the doors, I slide down to my knees, do a 180 across the linoleum, and face back toward the hallway as I slide to a stop bringing the M4 to my shoulder.  The roar of seemingly a thousand shrieks fills the room.  The ghostly outlines of gray faces mill agitatedly at the edge of the radiating light.  I fire a burst into the milling crowd, concentrating on one face that is thrust toward me, its mouth open and emitting a loud, shrieking roar, and watch its head explode as it falls backward into the darkness beyond.  “Motherfuckers!!!  Come and get some you assholes!”  I yell back into the gloom.  Adrenaline-rushed fear seems to refocus itself towards anger in me once a situation has stabilized to a certain extent.

I rise to my feet and step toward the darkened hallway, firing another burst into one of the dimly outlined bodies only to watch it too launch backward into the darkness.  More popping sounds combine with the roar of the crowd beyond as I continue stepping toward them squeezing off bursts.  The cordite smell once again fills the air, mixing with and then overwhelming the previous stench.  My barrel makes slight alterations in the air as I focus on one target after another, cartridges clinking as they bounce across the tiled floor.  I reach the halfway point in the lobby and a single, unified shriek sounds out.  The ghostly faces disappear seemingly as one.  The only sounds are growls and pounding footsteps as they run away down the hallway, diminishing in volume as the darkness swallows them up.

Break time is over!

I have been taking a break from pounding away at the keyboard lately for a few reasons.  One is that the sun has come out and, if you have ever been in the Northwest, you know that is must be taken advantage of.  The sun has a filling effect within and, with the top down on the Jeep, it is hard to stay away from.  Plus, my son has been over quite a bit and I am enjoying time spent with him as he is headed off to college soon.  Happiness and sadness with that.

Additionally and the biggest aspect was one of a creativity block.  The book and writing have been weighing on me to get to and to finish.  I was taking the approach of trying to write it from a mental point of view from the outside rather than living it.  I realized this late last night that I have not been living in it and trying to force it.  This caused very straight forward, linear writing, the result of which I was not very happy with.  The writing yesterday caused a twist in the story which I am not to happy with but may keep anyway and weave it in.  Realizing where I was coming from caused the block to vanish and I am now eager to get back into the story.  That is the place I was in writing the first book and it just flowed.

Well, the sun is out again and I’m going to go play for a little bit and then sit back somewhere, possible with the sun beating down on me, and go on with the story.  I hope everyone enjoys their day and it treats them well!

 

I’m Back!

A bit of a break and now I’m back at it.  The book is gaining a little momentum now that I’ve reached the first action scene.  The characters are set the dialogue necessary for the interactions set.  Well, at least I hope so.  They are some gabby folks.  Still locked on the Island in the book but should be venturing off to new places shortly.

The book sales for the first one aren’t the greatest and I haven’t retired to the beaches as yet.  But, then again, it’s not about the dollars, it’s about telling the story and hoping everyone enjoys it.  The reviews that have come back have been great so I am hoping those that have read it enjoy (ed) it.  the second should be just as good and the third and subsequent are filled with the action – at least in my head.

I do need to figure out how to use all of the characters that have come into the book.  In order to keep them involved in the story, the main character Jack has taken more of a delegation role.  I’m not overly thrilled about that and the editing will have to change that.   From here though, I am changing that to a large degree.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!  Spring is out and Summer is coming!

A Day In the Sun

Well, it’s time to get started back on the book.  Took a couple of days off as the sun, warm weather, and friends beckoned.  Took the top down on the Jeep Friday.  These days were just meant for heading out with the top down.  Music cranked, top down, sun out – priceless.  Not to mention BBQ’s, bonfires, and “there I was stories.”

Now the high clouds have rolled in for the moment – still a pretty day – and so it’s the laptop in the sun for a day of writing.  Well, that’s the plan anyway.  If the sun comes out full time, then all bets are off.  The Puget Sound waters are beckoning as well.

Ach!  The clouds are thickening as I write this.  It should only be a temporary thing though.  Okay, I left the book just into the first action sequence and I think Jack is getting impatient.  Happy end of the weekend all!

‘Twas a good day!

It was a good day of writing yesterday.   The characters are on the move at long last and I have the vision of events.  There will be more accomplished on that today – a short bit this afternoon and then tonight.

One of the hard things is splitting time between writing and marketing.  The marketing aspect can take on a full time status as there are a lot of avenues to cover, but, that takes away from the writing.  I am hoping the sales portion gathers momentum and reviews come in.  As of now, there have not been a lot of reviews but the ones I have had are quite favorable.  The stats on Amazon show that over half of those who looked at the page purchased the book.  Now, to get folks to look at the page.

The first in the series went out to Sony, Kobe, and Apple the other week and should be published there soon.  The publisher also sent another to Barnes & Noble so I had to withdraw the copy I had out there.

Well, off to wear my keyboard down some more.  Enjoy your day!

Back to it

Memorial Day has come and gone but I want to give a quick thanks here to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we  can continue.  Thank you!  And to the families who have lost loved ones.

I spent most of Memorial Day writing.  I have been writing and writing but the characters haven’t moved.  They are apparently a gabby bunch.  I think it may be more that I am stalling for the next action sequences as I haven’t played them through my mind as yet.  I’ll be interested to see what happens next.  I know the where’s and when’s but not exactly how it will go down.  Hopefully I will get there today.

I’m only about 15,000 words into the story.  I had hoped to be further, like almost done, but the weather has been rather nice and so I played a little this weekend.  Well, played on Saturday and recovered on Sunday.  No, not hangover but I’m afraid the age thing is catching up.  Sore muscles and such.

Okay, I’m off again to see what happens to Jack and his merry band.  I hope everyone has a great day!  Happy hunting!

 

It’s a Monday!

Well, the nice weather the past few days have not been very conducive to writing.  I ended up spending a sleepless night with other books to write running through my head.  I have to hold onto those and concentrate on the one in front of me.  I’ll be writing more on that one tonight.

The sales on the first one are not all that impressive but, it’s not really about the sales and money per se, it’s more about the writing and getting the story down.  Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to sell a ton but more so on people reading my story as opposed to the money.  Obviously it’s not the entire case or it would be out there for free.

I have Jack a third of the way back from his trek half way across the world.  He’s a bit tired but about to launch on another leg of the trip with one additional stop on the way.  More information to gather before he begins the final leg.

The writing is taking on a different mind as there is one part I want to get to but so much has to happen prior to getting there.  I also find my mind venturing to stories and events that are in the next book in the series.  There is a slight impatience that goes along with that and I have to keep focused on the current moment in the book.

Enjoy your day all and happy reading!

A Good Day

Had a good day of writing yesterday.  I ended up writing quite a ways into the evening as the creative juices were flowing.  Funny how that creativity seems to flow in the evenings better.  It’s almost like the story takes off on its own in moments like that.  Like the story is writing itself and I am merely the conduit.  I am just as interested in the outcome as the reader.  And, you would think as the writer, I would be in charge.  I do find myself having to wind guide the story back to the plot line or character development at times as I look at it and wonder where I went.  All in all, a good day and made it quite a ways through a place where I was stuck.  Funny how you can write for hours and find your characters in the exact same spot as they were when you started.  I sometime wonder what the heck I wrote if they’re still there.

Well, the sun is out and I am off to play!  There will be some writing today but it may be one of those with the laptop out side in the sun.  This is one of those rare days to be taken advantage of.

A happy day to all and I hope your day is filled with enjoyment!

Onward

Well, more writing today.  I have been stuck on one part and am going to try and motor through it.  The thing about writing is that there are the not so interesting parts as well.  Parts that need to be included but are tougher to write.  It’s like reading the book when  you get to a boring part only it takes longer to get through.

The goal is to finish – or at least be close – with the rough draft by the end of the month but we’ll see how that goes.  The weather is getting nicer so it’s harder to stay and write as summers are so short.  Well, short blog today as the book isn’t going to write itself – if you anyone knows how it will, please let me know.

Enjoy the day and happy reading!

Another day of writing

Well, had a great start at the second book yesterday.  However, I did find out that the 10,000 plus words that I had written had disappeared down to a little over 1,500.  I’m going to write that off to the word gremlins.  I think I’ll have to set traps out for them.  I wasn’t too upset with that though as I wasn’t all that happy with the start anyway and gave me a chance to write a better beginning.  I’m glad the Prologue was still there as I did really like that aspect.

Finishing up this writing session today and made it through a dialogue  aspect that was giving me a hard time.  Sitting at just about 5,000 words as we speak.  I am not sure where the next part of the book will lead.  It will be interesting to find out.  Sometimes the book just seems to head in its own direction.

The sun has come out and it’s hard for me to not go play in it. So, I think I’ll succumb to its call.  I started getting my road bike ready for a quick pedal down the roads but found the front tire flat.  Apparently the gremlins were very busy.  I’m not really in the mood to find my spare and change it so it’s off to work on the Jeep.

Life is good! I hope everyone has a great day!