After a devastating world war, our government has manufactured genetically altered humans. These ‘creations’ are designed to manage and enforce law and order amongst the citizens. Creations don’t know fear or pain. Their sole function is to fight the enemy and live to battle again.
Orphans Kylie Alexander and her twin brother, Lukahn were born for this purpose. Dedicating their lives to sharpening their deadly skills and forfeiting the chance of love and freedom. They ready themselves for Separation, the deadly rite of passage where the oldest teens are drafted into the final preparation for war.
When Kylie and Luke are shipped off to separation three months early, questions arise. Who is the real enemy? What is really happening beyond the fractured sanctuary of the training compound?
Humans and creations alike have become lethal foes when a plague of the living dead becomes the number one hazard. Strategies change as the twins discover they may not be the saviors of humankind after all.
They may be the real enemy of the people.
A reflector shines in the room and charges forward.
I shoot. Two shots fire. A soft thump comes from something falling lifeless onto the floor.
We cautiously approach it.
“Good job, Ky, you saved us from an attack by a coyote.”
“I didn’t know it was a coyote,” I say mildly. He’s being sarcastic and I don’t like that. “If I did—”
“Shh,” he hushes urgently.
The annoying sound of nails scraping along the wall jerks our heads to the left. I’m not one to panic, but my heart rate spikes, startled by the unexpected sound. We’ve let our guards down.
The coyote must have only been a diversion.
We examine the area, seeking the thing or person that caught us by surprise. Nothing’s here.
“You heard that, right?” I whisper.
“Yes,” he whispers. “Let’s move.” He faces the door and I face the room, with him walking forward and me backward. My left shoulder blade is to his right as we creep quietly out of the shadowed room.
More sun is present in the open area of the house now. The wall has brightened, displaying the floral wallpaper. It depicts flowers falling from an early-bloomed tree. It’s nice but looks old and outdated.
Luke abruptly stops behind me, causing me to almost stumble over him.
He doesn’t breathe or move. He nudges my back, telling me to do the same. But I have to see what has caused him to hesitate. I turn around, shoulder to shoulder with Luke, staring at a man and two children in the shadows near the door.
They are . . . not average for humans. Their grey skin is beaten, scratched, broken, and torn covers their bodies. Some wounds need stitches but they do not bleed. Their hair’s matted with dirt and rubbage I’m assuming they have picked up along their journey. The two little ones growl at us.
My brows hitch, hearing the unanticipated sound. The angry faces suggest we are the weird looking ones, the ones who will cause them damage.
The corner of my mouth twitches upward holding back a grin as I realize, we are the ones who will cause them damage. They’re right to growl.
“I’m going to shoot them,” I say low to Luke but sure, at this distance they can hear me. I just don’t care.
The little boy screams and charges at Luke and me. Teeth bared, canines sharpened into skin-shredding points. Tongue black with white buds. His lips have splits displaying red under his colorless skin.
Luke kicks him back before he can reach us, foot ramming into the boy’s chest. Not killing him but knocking him off-balance.
At least it was supposed to. The boy only takes a step back and charges again, shrilling. Luke kicks him harder and the boy stumbles backward into the legs of one who may be his father.
Jord and the man from the truck rush through the door. The girl disappears into the shadows but the father and son remain, mouths open, teeth bared, drooling growls escaping them. They crouch like animals preparing to attack.
I don’t do well with things I don’t understand.
Raising my gun, I cock it back, aiming at the man. I fire as he jumps for Jord.
Peiri Ann shares a love in the creation of new worlds, different creatures, and unwritten possibilities.
Writing is a passion. I fell in love with it when i was a child and I am privileged to share it with you. I love writing fun/tragic adventurous novels with strong romantic elements from YA to New Adult. (reachme@peiriann.com)
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