Waves of Fury (Surviving Earth Chronicles)

Epilogue

Kellen

O nce I successfully turn the dials on the combination padlock that’s never changed all these years, I unlatch the gate and then drive through, a sense of peace washing over me. Tyler was right. No matter what happens here this morning, I’ll still have him. I’ll still have our group of friends and his brothers. We have people who we can live with in Goodland. Not all hope is lost.

Uncle Mason and Aunt Beth’s farmhouse comes into view. So many fond memories came from our visits here. It was the country living part I loved without all the stressful hard work that came with living on Dad’s ranch. I’d always wished Dad would relax like Uncle Mason and live life rather than try to control its every move.

A man carrying a shotgun comes into view. Beside him is a woman with a ball cap that says “toxic positivity,” whatever that means. Both of them are tense as I drive the vehicle right up to the house, parking in the same spot Dad used to.

The man with the strong build and wide shoulders is the same one I held in my arms when I was just twelve years old. I’d marveled at the tiny little thing that had an impressive set of lungs as it wailed. When I’d spoken to him and said, “Nice to meet you, little brother,” he stopped crying and looked at me with wide, curious eyes. Right then, in the hospital near our house, I fell in love with the little guy. I whispered a vow to protect him forever and always.

Somewhere along the way, I forgot that vow.

Slowly, so as not to get myself shot, I climb out of the car. Recognition burns bright in Knox’s eyes and he gapes at me in wonder.

Not fury.

Not disgust.

Wondrous pleasure.

“Hey, little brother.” I yank the big guy to me, hugging him so tight I’m sure I’ll crack a rib or two. Thankfully, he’s as solid as an ox.

Knox doesn’t respond, just holds me tight, his entire body tense. I’m flooded with fond memories of our shared childhood and the bond we formed.

“I knew I’d find you,” I rasp out, though it’s a lie.

“I’m so glad you did.” His voice is deep and gravelly, reminding me of Dad’s, but there’s still a hint of the vulnerable kid lurking beneath. My kid brother.

I was filled with complete doubt I’d ever see him again until this moment.

But I did find him. We found each other.

“Where’s Dad?” I ask, pulling away to look at my brother.

His features pinch and he shakes his head. Dad’s not here. I’m sure I’ll get the full story later, but the unspoken words are: he didn’t make it. I expect to feel relief, but I only feel sadness. Despite his cruelty and controlling nature, he was still my father.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur and mean it. I glance up at the farmhouse. “Uncle Mason and Aunt Beth?”

He steps back and hands the rifle to the woman, who watches me curiously. “He died a while back. Cancer. Dad never told us.”

I wince at his words. Uncle Mason was the father I always craved to have. “Okay, wow. That sucks.”

The woman cocks her head to the side as she studies me. Still, Knox doesn’t introduce us.

“Aunt Beth is here. She’s still in her room. Harper is too.”

Finally, Miss Toxic Positivity steps forward and offers me her hand. “I’m Ava. Harper joined us recently. We’re looking after her.”

Knox’s cheeks slightly redden and the sappy grin that curls his lips up makes me chuckle. She’s more than just Ava. She’s his woman. From what I can tell, she’s fierce, protective, and beyond gorgeous.

“Didn’t know they made such beautiful women in Texas,” I say to Knox. “What’s more impressive is you found one to couple up with.”

Knox snorts, relaxing with the banter. “She had no choice. Lack of options.”

She rolls her eyes as though we’re the most annoying men on the planet, which makes us both laugh. Then she skirts her gaze over to Tyler, who’s quietly exited the car. “And you are?”

Before he can answer, I beam Tyler’s way. “Tyler’s my boyfriend. We’re in love.”

It’s probably shocking for my brother to hear and quite frankly it’s shocking that I blurted it out, but it’s the truth. I don’t want to hide who I am. I want to shout it from the rooftops.

“I’m the only one who can put up with his body odor,” Tyler says with a smirk. “He truly is the lucky one in this relationship.”

Everyone laughs and for the first time since I saw that wall of water while in my office, I’m flooded with overwhelming joy and peace.

I’m home.

With family.

And the love of my possibly short life.

After a hearty lunch Aunt Beth prepared, I once again marvel over Knox’s survival story. They went through so much to get here. His story, though different, isn’t that much different than mine. I’d been happy to learn that although Dad hadn’t made it out of there, Knox’s good friend, Tony, had, which was a miracle and one I’m grateful for. In fact, according to Knox, Tony and his mom are set up in an RV somewhere on Aunt Beth’s land. Even Knox’s loud-ass horse, Rooster, survived. That one I’m sure I’ll come to regret later.

“Tell me more about Pretzel.” Harper, the dark-haired little girl they pretty much adopted, is staring at me with pleading eyes. Though only seven or eight, she reminds me a bit of Hailey.

“He thinks he’s a mountain lion,” I grumble.

“But he’s scared of his own shadow,” Tyler adds with a chuckle.

Harper beams. “I love him already. When do I get to see him?”

“In a week,” I assure her. “Along with the rest of our people.”

Knox tenses slightly. I can tell his encounters with people have been just as harrowing as ours were. It’s hard trusting new people in this broken world.

“Tell us about them,” Aunt Beth says as she refills my glass with her spectacular lemonade.

I gulp it down, hiding a smile. Crystal Lite is still her secret.

“Dan’s a dentist.” I set my glass down and look at Harper. “Have you been brushing and flossing?”

She makes a sour face at me that makes us all laugh. Cute kid.

“Dan’s daughter, Hailey, is around fifteen, I think. You’d like her, Harper.”

Tyler goes on to fill in information about his brothers. “Aaron’s my older brother. He used to captain a deep-sea fishing boat. Our parents were moonies.” He pauses when Ava flinches and then quickly continues. “Anyway, after they died, my brother got custody of me and my younger brother Jesse. Been taking care of us ever since.”

“How old is Jesse?” Harper inquires.

“Sixteen,” Tyler says.

“Then there’s Hope,” I add. “She worked with me at my company but then fell in love with Aaron.”

“They all sound normal,” Knox finally concedes, relaxing his shoulders. “It’s a good thing because we could really use the extra hands.”

Me and Tyler sit up, eager to hear what Knox has to say.

“Harper,” Ava says, interrupting Knox. “Why don’t we go check on the animals and leave the boys to talk?”

“If it gets me out of cleaning up the kitchen,” Aunt Beth says with a grin, “count me in.”

The three of them leave us. After a beat, Knox delivers the news.

“Things are getting worse, not better.”

Both me and Tyler nod in agreement.

“FEMA is nonexistent. The government seems to be gone.” I scrub a palm over my face. “We’ve come across two good towns the entire journey from the West Coast and one of those towns was delusional. It’ll only be a matter of time before they’re taken over by assholes or their own naivety. Good people are few and far between.”

Knox frowns. “Which is why we need to be prepared.”

“Prepared for what?” Tyler asks. “Tornadoes? Earthquakes? Lightning storms?”

“All that, yeah, of course. But we need to be prepared for desperate, starving, and crazed people. Time will only intensify these things. It certainly won’t get better.”

“Goodland will help us,” I assure my brother. “Whatever we need, I’m sure we can trade goods or services to get assistance. They’ll be a good alliance.”

Our discussion eventually circles to Dad. Tyler excuses himself to clean up the kitchen, giving us our privacy. I’d left Knox with Dad after Mom died, but he survived just fine despite having to deal with that man all on his own. In fact, Knox turned out to be a strong, hardworking man and I’m proud of him.

Before long, the girls return, and we spend the rest of the afternoon meeting their animals, walking the property, and making big plans for our uncertain future.

We’re home.

Finally home.

I’m not sure if it’ll ever fully sink in.

One week later…

“Turn right at the next dirt road,” I instruct Aaron via the radio Tyler had stowed away in the car. “Right. Over.”

“I don’t see it. Over.”

Then I say, “Your other right. Over.”

Static crackles and then a vehicle comes into view.

“Yeah, yeah,” Aaron grumbles. “We’re here now. Over.”

Everyone is on pins and needles as the SUV drives down the dirt road, kicking up dust behind it. Eventually, it makes its way to the farmhouse and parks next to Mary’s car.

They all pile out in a chaotic, frenzied rush of arguments, laughter, and the unmistakable sound of a yapping Pretzel.

Tyler tosses the keys to Mary’s car at one of the Goodland people—both of whom I don’t know—and Aaron hands off the other set to his friend. The men help everyone unload their supplies and gear before heading back home, taking their vehicles with them.

Once they’re gone, I introduce our group to my family, Ava, and Harper. Aunt Beth, having heard of Dan and Hailey’s loss, jumps into mother hen mode, urging Dan to come inside for a bite to eat.

Harper, who already stole Pretzel for herself, quickly drags Hailey away. Jesse follows his girlfriend, walking much better than the last time I saw him. Aaron and Hope stay close by us, watching the kids as they head for the barn.

“Fisherman, eh?” Knox says to Aaron.

Aaron turns back to him and nods. “There’s not a body of water I can’t coax a fish out of.”

Knox grins. “We better get this man some gear then.”

“Finally,” Hope says to Ava, “another woman. The testosterone on this journey has been strong. It’s been difficult for me and Hailey. Our soft, feminine hearts can hardly take it.” She smirks at Ava, the two of them sharing a knowing look. “Wanna show me around?”

As the two women walk off, Aaron shakes his head. “Don’t let Hope fool you. She’s no damsel in distress.”

“From the looks of it,” Knox says, “they’re heading off to plot how to take over what’s left of the world.”

I shrug, grinning. “Wouldn’t be the worst thing that’s happened.”

Knox agrees and then motions for the supplies piled up by our feet. “Let’s get this stuff carried inside before it rains again.”

The four of us men head inside so we can join Dan and Aunt Beth. My brother has a plan for our future survival and I’m eager to hear it.

Finally, I can rest easy. The entire world doesn’t rest solely on my shoulders. I have a strong, fierce brother, an incredibly resilient partner, a knowledgeable aunt, and a found family who will all do whatever it takes for not just our survival, but for our happiness too. We owe it to everyone we’ve lost along the way to do more than survive. We must thrive, love, and find joy wherever we can get it.

Things are finally looking up.

Thunder rumbles in the distance and the wind sends dust whirling around us. For once, I don’t succumb to anxiety. We’ll face whatever Mother Nature throws our way.

Head on.

Ready to fight.

Together.

The End

Read Knox and Ava’s journey in Skies of Fire by Lindsey Pogue .