Uprising

  Uprising

  A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller

  Kellee L. Greene

  Contents

  Mailing List

  Books By Kellee L. Greene

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Final Note

  Books By Kellee L. Greene

  Mailing List

  About the Author

  Ravaged Land - Preview

  Ravaged Land - Chapter one

  Ravaged Land - Chapter two

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2018 Kellee L. Greene

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the author.

  First Edition May 2018

  Mailing List

  Sign up for Kellee L. Greene’s newsletter for new releases, sales, cover reveals and more!

  Coming Soon…

  Book two in the Falling Darkness series is in the works! Please subscribe to the mailing list to be one of the first to know when it’s available! And follow Kellee L. Greene on Facebook.

  Books By Kellee L. Greene

  Falling Darkness Series

  Unholy - Book 1

  Uprising - Book 2

  Book 3 Coming Soon!

  Ravaged Land: Divided Series

  The Last Disaster - Book 1

  The Last Remnants - Book 2

  The Last Struggle - Book 3

  Ravaged Land Series

  Ravaged Land -Book 1

  Finding Home - Book 2

  Crashing Down - Book 3

  Running Away - Book 4

  Escaping Fear - Book 5

  Fighting Back - Book 6

  The Island Series

  The Island - Book 1

  The Fight - Book 2

  The Escape - Book 3

  The Erased - Book 4

  The Alien Invasion Series

  The Landing - Book 1

  The Aftermath - Book 2

  Destined Realms Series

  Destined - Book 1

  1

  Kate had wanted to burn Simon’s office to the ground but eventually decided against it. She was afraid that knowing her luck, she’d burn the entire town down to the ground. Everything that had been inside his office, however, had been burnt to a crisp.

  Every piece of furniture had been replaced with unused items from around town. They’d found a nice sofa, several sturdy chairs that weren’t overly dirty, and a beautiful solid wood table that Kate used for a desk. She reluctantly used the building as her office because it was better than having the townspeople come to her new hotel room with their questions and requests.

  She forced herself to forget that Simon had ever been there. Besides, Simon had been the problem, not the building. It was just too bad that the things that probably had happened inside the building made her stomach churn.

  It had been about a month since Simon had been… eradicated, and things were actually running quite smoothly. The town was happier, and seemingly calmer, but Kate couldn’t help but wonder what else was out there. It was possible there wasn’t anything except for hordes and hordes of Unholy, but until she knew for sure, the thoughts wouldn’t leave her. For now, she simply ignored them because she was oddly, okay.

  Laura felt safe enough to emerge and help out in the kitchen. The improvements to the daily menu were the talk of the town. Folks acted as if they were dining at a five-star restaurant.

  Laura’s kids, Micky and Alice, stayed indoors while Laura worked. They weren’t allowed to leave because Laura didn’t believe the town was safe.

  Kate had given her some old books, pens, and paper to give to her kids, but even with that, they were probably bored out of their minds. One day, maybe Laura would feel safe enough to let them out, but she was still quite apprehensive about everyone in town. And Kate couldn’t blame her.

  Tommy and Wayne worked together to each the townspeople how to eradicate The Unholy. They were working on training everyone, except for a few of the older folks who didn’t want to bother.

  Several teams still went out daily to take out as many of The Unholy as they could. Even Kate and Ethan ventured out from time to time to keep their skills sharp.

  They’d held town meetings in the church once a week, but only a handful of people showed up. Kate stayed in the office throughout the day fielding random questions and directing the handful of guards of their daily duties.

  Most days were easy. Some days were really easy.

  Ethan spent most of his time at Kate’s side and even though she wouldn’t admit it to him, she was used to having him there. She liked it. She relied on him to keep her balanced. He’d grown on her, and Kate didn’t think for a second that she could have done any of what they’d accomplished without him.

  Kate’s thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on her office door. She put her feet on the floor and tried to straighten her wrinkled t-shirt.

  “Come in,” Kate called.

  The hinges squeaked as the door was slowly pushed open.

  “Hi Miss Kate,” the man said taking off his hat. He fidgeted with the clasp at the back while he avoided meeting her eyes.

  Kate tried to remember his name, but she failed. “What can I help you with, sir?”

  The man with thick, wavy gray hair tried to settle his hands. His mustache wiggled as he twitched his nose side to side.

  “A few of the folks, well, and me,” he said, as if adding himself into the mix was a selling point, “have been talking about starting up a garden. We’ve been wondering if that might be all right with you.”

  Kate folded her hands into her lap and smiled. “Yeah, I think that’s an excellent idea. What exactly were you thinking?”

  “Oh, Miss Kate, that’s entirely up to you.” He grinned.

  “But what do you think? I don’t have a green thumb.” Kate flashed him a matching smile.

  His fingers started to twist against the clasp of his hat quicker. “I was thinking maybe over by the east gate on that empty plot of land. I think we could prepare that section and turn it into a beautiful garden.”

  “I’m sold. Will you be in charge of this project?” Kate asked.

  “Yes, Miss Kate. If that’s what you’d like. It’s something that would keep an old man like me busy. I used to farm before the, you know… problem,” the man said, shifting his hat from one hand to the other.

  Kate nodded. “Sounds like you’ll be perfect for the job then. Let me know if you need others to help you get started. I’m sure I can find a few that would love to help you out.”

  “Thank you, I will,” the man said, and his mustache started to twitch again.

  “Is there something else?” Kate asked.

  The man looked down at his feet. “W
ell, there is still the matter of seeds. I know we don’t have any in town, but I do know where we can get some.”

  “Where?” Kate asked cocking her head to the side.

  “My old farm.”

  “And how far away is that?”

  The man shook his head as if he knew he was about to ask too much. “A solid thirty miles. If I could just borrow one of the—”

  “No,” Kate said shaking her head. “It’s not safe out there. When is the last time you’ve been out there with The Unholy?”

  “It’s been quite a while, Miss Kate, but I know where to find the seeds.”

  Kate let out a breath as she turned toward the window. Having fresh fruit and vegetables available would be incredibly helpful to the entire town.

  “Could you give directions to your place?”

  The man shook his head. “I could, but it would be far easier if I came along. Signs could be down. I wouldn’t want anyone getting lost out there.”

  The door opened, and Ethan kicked the mud off his boots before stepping inside. He was halfway across the room before he realized the man was standing there.

  “Oh shit, sorry,” Ethan said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “It’s fine,” Kate said tilting her head slightly to the side. “Actually, your timing couldn’t be better.”

  “Oh?” Ethan asked.

  Kate wished she could remember the man’s name. “So, it was suggested that perhaps we start a garden.”

  “Okay.” Ethan looked back and forth between Kate and the man. “Was this Percy’s idea?”

  Kate nodded. The nod was partially her way of thanking Ethan for mentioning the man’s name.

  “I used to have a farm ‘bout thirty miles north of here. Plenty of seeds out there,” Percy said twisting the clasp.

  “Who’s going out there to get the seeds?” Ethan asked narrowing his eyes.

  “That’s what I was just trying to figure out.” Kate drummed her fingers on her desk. “He wants to go get them.”

  Ethan grinned and stared at the man for several moments before shaking his head. “That’s not going to happen.”

  Percy frowned. His fingers twisted against the clasp again as he scrunched up his nose.

  “Maybe you should take me, Miss Kate? Ain’t nobody better than you at killing those Unholy creatures,” Percy said with wide eyes. “It’s just that this garden would keep folks out of trouble and give us fresh produce. Could be real good for all of us.”

  Kate hadn’t needed convincing on the garden part, but maybe Percy’s idea wasn’t that bad. She hadn’t been outside the fence in a while, and things inside had been going rather smoothly. They definitely wouldn’t miss her for a few hours.

  “I’ll take you,” Kate said.

  Percy’s fingers stopped moving. “That would be real kind of you, Miss Kate. Real kind.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Ethan asked, his voice low as he took a step closer to Kate.

  “It’s thirty miles. Won’t take much time. You can handle things around here while I’m gone,” Kate said, leaning back in her chair.

  Ethan’s head moved up and down as his lip curled up at the end. “I could, but I won’t be able to because I’ll be driving.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Kate said holding up her palm. “I need you to stay here.”

  “Can you give us a moment, please?” Ethan asked barely glancing in Percy’s direction.

  Percy lowered his head. “Not a problem, I’ll wait outside.”

  The second the door closed, Ethan crossed his arms and stared into Kate’s eyes. “I’m coming along. This is not something I’m going to negotiate.”

  Kate blinked. “Oh, please.”

  “If you’re going, then I’m going.”

  It would be better for everyone if y—”

  “Tommy and Wayne can manage just fine without us for a couple of hours,” Ethan said taking another step closer. His jaw was stiff, and his eyes were glued to Kate’s as he approached.

  The chair squeaked as Kate moved it back. She stood, and they were face to face with only inches between them. Kate could tell Ethan wasn’t going to back down, or away, even if it meant he’d run after them and jump into the bed of the truck.

  Kate stepped away from him and looked out of the window. She knew it wasn’t a battle she was going to win. She sighed as she studied the nearby building.

  Ethan stepped up behind her, and she sensed that he was inside her space again. Kate didn’t turn around to verify that she was right.

  “I know you can take care of yourself, but Percy can’t. He never took the training, and now he wants to go out there… It’s just better to have someone watching his back,” Ethan said placing his hand on Kate’s shoulder. She ignored the warmth that radiated out from his touch.

  “I can watch his back.”

  “Then I’ll watch yours.”

  Kate rolled her eyes and smirked. “If it makes you happy you can tag along.”

  Ethan chuckled. He looked down at his feet for a moment, but when his eyes shifted up to meet hers, he was wearing a smile that heated her body just as much as his touch had.

  Kate forced herself to look away. She cleared her throat and straightened her spine.

  “It makes me happy,” Ethan whispered close to her ear.

  Kate let out a breath and walked across the room. She stopped at the door and placed her hand on the knob. She turned halfway and looked over her shoulder in Ethan’s direction.

  “Go tell Tommy and Wayne they’re in charge, and I’ll tell Percy the good news,” Kate said. She started to open the door, but Ethan’s hand clamped down on hers. Kate turned and looked up into his dark brown eyes.

  He shook his head. “Nice try, Kate. Let’s tell them together.”

  2

  Kate climbed into the truck and slid in close to Ethan, making sure to give Percy enough space. Percy was a thin, older man, but she still felt squished between the two men.

  “Ready?” Ethan said inserting the keys into the ignition.

  “Yep,” Kate said, but noticed Percy twitching out of the corner of her eye. She turned to him, her eyes narrowed.

  “My son,” Percy said jerking his thumb back.

  Kate looked over her shoulder just as a man who looked like a thirty-year-old version of Percy climbed into the back of the truck. He waved and smiled at Kate before sitting down with his back against the side of the truck bed.

  “You didn’t mention anything about your son,” Kate said, her eyebrows squeezed tightly together.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I… I didn’t think it would be a problem,” Percy said as he adjusted the brim of his hat. “I can tell him to skidattle if you’d like. He always helped me on the farm… knows it like the back of his hand.”

  Kate glanced at Ethan, and he shrugged. She forced a smile at the man in the back of the truck, and he tipped his hat in her direction.

  “What is your son's name?” Kate asked.

  “Robby, er, well, I guess he likes to be called Rob now, but it’s been thirty-two years, and I haven’t been able to stop calling him Robby yet.” Percy shook his head as he laughed at himself. Probably reminiscing about a time when things had been different with his family.

  Ethan shifted the truck into drive, slowly making his way to the gate. The guard swiftly opened it and saluted as Ethan drove by.

  “Haven’t been out of that town since the day we arrived,” Percy said looking out at the horizon. “It’s much the same only different.”

  “How long had you been there?” Kate asked too curious to keep her mouth closed.

  “Oh, not long after those things started roaming the countryside,” Percy said pressing his lips together tightly. “Robby helped Simon build and set up the town.”

  Ethan stretched his arm out on the back of the seat behind Kate. She stared at the dusty dashboard pretending not to notice.

  “They were there even before I arrived,” Ethan said glanci
ng in Percy’s direction. “Didn’t you say you used to attend that church before everything happened?”

  “Sure did. Marge and I drove into town every Sunday. Course, back then mass was led by Father Cyrus, not Simon. He was a good man. Those were the days.” Percy gripped his hands together tightly, making his knobby knuckles even more noticeable. Kate figured the condition of his hands was probably due to years and years of working on a farm. “Yep, yep, yep, I’d give anything to go back in time even if it were just for a day.”

  Kate smiled, but she didn’t agree with the man, and oddly, neither had Ethan. She didn’t want to go back to her life before… answering phones so she could live paycheck to paycheck. Although she did miss movies. And electricity. Indoor plumbing. Running water. What she wouldn’t give for a warm shower.

  “Which way?” Ethan asked as he approached an intersection.

  “Oh, that’s right.” Percy chuckled. “Suppose you don’t know the way. Take a left. It’ll be a solid twenty before we need to worry about the next turn.”

  The road was clear for as far as Kate could see. If there were any Unholy in the area, they kept themselves well-hidden which was a good thing. The further they stayed away from Percy and Robby the easier their adventure would be.

  Ethan made his way down the road, slowing to go around a large tree branch that stretched out into the road like a gnarled finger. Percy seemed far too interested in the scenery to even notice. Kate wondered if in his mind, he was seeing things as they’d been before the outbreak.