The Shattered Earth (Surviving the Fall 3)

In a battle between the armored Humvee and the thick steel door frame and reinforced concrete exterior of the building, the building came out victorious. The Humvee sputtered and choked from the impact and all of the men inside groaned, rubbing their necks to try and relieve the pain from the severe whiplash. The front end of the Humvee was severely dented and one of the tires had nearly popped from the impact, but otherwise it was still drivable.

Inside, Rick listened as the sound of the Humvee’s engine receded and he breathed a sigh of relief. “Bunch of idiots. What are they trying to do?”

“Maybe they found a way in?”

“It sounds more like they were trying to ram the building to bring it down on us.” Rick snorted and shook his head. “Whatever they’re doing, I’d rather not be nearby if they happen to succeed.”

Chapter 4

The Waters’ Homestead

Ellisville, VA

“Mom! Mom, wake up!”

Dianne groaned and opened her eyes, blinking against the dawning sun’s light. She wondered why the curtains in the master bedroom were open until she saw the beaming face of her young daughter pop into view. Josie wore a huge smile on her face as she leaned in close, rubbing her nose against Dianne’s nose in an affectionate greeting.

“It snowed, mom! It snowed!” Josie bounced across the bed on her hands and knees and landed on her feet on the floor. Dianne closed her eyes for a few seconds then opened them and sat up, finally processing what Josie had just said.

“It snowed?”

Outside, the sloping field, outbuildings and trees were covered with a thin blanket of snow. It was difficult to see much beyond the small lake at the base of the slope due to the falling snow that was rapidly growing thicker and more intense. Patterns were beginning to form in the snow beneath the trees as it fell from branches and leaves. Beneath the eaves of the outbuildings there was the faintest trace of grass and bare earth, though that was rapidly vanishing as gusts of wind blew the snow every which way.

The peaceful serenity of the unexpected snowfall was punctuated by the shouts of Dianne’s three children. She slowly got out of bed and rubbed her arms and hands, realizing just how cold it was in the house.

“Mark?” Dianne called out as she went to stand next to Josie at the window.

“Yeah, mom?” Mark bellowed back from downstairs. Heavy footsteps came pounding up the stairs and he stepped into the bedroom a few seconds later.

Dianne glanced at her son and raised an eyebrow. “Shorts and a t-shirt?”

Mark shrugged. “It’s warm downstairs. Jacob and I got a bunch of wood inside and started a fire a little while ago.”

Dianne beamed and embraced her son. “Thanks, kiddo! I was going to ask you if you could start getting the wood together for a fire.” Dianne looked back out the window and shook her head. “I didn’t expect snow this early in the year.”

“It’s happened this early before, hasn’t it?” Mark stepped up next to his mother and crossed his arms.

“Yeah, but not for several years. I hope this doesn’t mean a particularly bad winter. So much for checking the weather forecast, huh?”

“Hey mom?” Jacob came running up the stairs next. “Breakfast is… sort of ready.”

Mark turned around and glared at his younger brother. “Jacob!”

Dianne turned and raised both eyebrows. “What’s this about breakfast?”

“Uh… you can tell her.” Jacob raced back out of the room and down the stairs, leaving Mark to sheepishl

y turn to his mother.

“Mark?”

“We sort of had an accident while making the eggs. You might want to come and see.”

Dianne rolled her eyes and gave Mark a playful shove towards the door. “Get whatever mess you made cleaned up and I’ll be down there in a few minutes.” Josie followed Mark out of the bedroom and Dianne looked back out the window, taking a moment to try and soak up some more of the beauty before she had to turn her attention to more mundane matters.

Chapter 5

Four Days Before the Event