The Orphans (Book 5): Civil War Read online

  Civil War

  The Orphans Vol V

  By Mike Evans

  Dedicated to my wife, children, I love you more than anything. To all my fans and supporters I would not have the energy to go at this pace without you.

  ****

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  © 2016 Mike Evans, All Rights Reserved

  Edited By Aurora Editing

  Cover by Covers by Christian

  Thanks as well Rosa Thomas-Mcbroom, Karen Dziegiel, Jon Spielman, and Leslie Morrison Bryant for beta reading it is not a small deal and I thank you much!

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  Books by Mike Evans

  The Orphans Series

  The Orphans: Origins Vol I

  Surviving the Turned Vol II (The Orphans Series)

  Strangers Vol III (The Orphans Series)

  White Lie Vol IV (The Orphans Series)

  Civil War Vol V (The Orphans Series)

  Zombies and Chainsaws

  Zombies and Chainsaws 1

  Dark Roads (Zombies and Chainsaws 2)

  The Rising Series

  Deal with the Devil Book 1

  Gabriel Series

  Gabriel: Only one gets out alive

  Pitch Black (Gabriel Book 2)

  Body Count (Gabriel Book 3)

  The Uninvited Series

  The Uninvited Book 1

  The Stranger Book II of The Uninvited series coming soon

  Buried: Broken oaths

  Chapter 1

  Eleven months from day 1, April

  Greg made his way across the base, nodding to the other teens that he knew. They knew he was one of the survivors, the ones that were not scared of the Turned. He was not looking for sanctuary; he, like the original orphans, was looking for revenge against the Turned. They did not simply want to survive they wanted to thrive and take back the state, and the world.

  From the minute they had heard the announcement that there was no cure, they had been training. The teens spent each day learning how to better train with any weapon that was available.

  Their casualties had been low until they left because of what had started out as telling a white lie, and ended up being a day of hell unleashed for Shelman, Phillip, and Andy. The stupidity of the stunt had done little to help Greg’s credibility. The trust that the Seals had for him had been seriously damaged as a part of that. Greg had only wanted to get off the base for two reasons. The first was that he still wanted to believe that there were other survivors out there. Clary and Aslin had not been against it but they had not wanted to leave during the Iowa winter. Greg had ignored the signs of horrible weather and set off anyways, confident that he could make it back safely. The second reason was that of being a teenage boy being cooped up for far too long without an opportunity to stretch his legs. Thankfully, they left armed to the teeth, which was one of the only reasons that they had survived the ordeal.

  Greg made his way through the base, and when he finally got to the infirmary was amazed at the number of kids lined up. He walked by a few of them that he had been helping on the range. Greg tapped one on the shoulder to ask, “Hey, guys, are you all here so that you can donate blood? I mean, I can’t believe how many people showed up for this. How long have you been here?”

  Harry said, “I don’t know man, it’s kind of pointless keeping a watch when you got someone telling you what to do from the time you get up until you go to sleep.”

  “Fine, smart ass,” Greg said, “how about your best non educated guess. Have you been here for six hours, three hours, or what?”

  “We came after lunch so I can’t think we’ve been here longer than an hour. I don’t understand what’s taking so long though.” Harry said

  “Really, are you kidding me? You can only bleed so fast. I think the only way that you can get that much blood going out that quick is if you lose a limb, or are stuck in an artery. I have a feeling that isn’t something that you guys want to happen, right?”

  Harry shook his head no, as did Will. Will said, “So are you going to donate? I can let you cut in line. I doubt anyone would say anything if you did. They’d rather you not have to waste your time standing in line if it means you could be out with a gun.”

  “Nah, I’m not going to do it today. If we get all this I can’t imagine we’ll be hurting for it. Besides, I’m not doing anything that is going to leave me weak. I never know when they’re going to come up with something new for me to do. I’m sure as hell not going to go do it when I’m not a hundred percent. Those Turned don’t care if I’m tired or not so there’s nothing I’m going to do to give them a chance at taking me or anyone else out.”

  “So, what are you out doing?” Will asked.

  “I was trying to find Shaun, but he’s nowhere to be found. Have you two seen him today? He was supposed to be at the range earlier but he never showed.”

  “No, we haven’t seen him. Did you check Ellie’s room? I can’t imagine he’d be anywhere else if he isn’t working. She’s pretty hot… he’s so lucky. There aren’t enough girls to go around here,” Harry said.

  Greg patted Harry on the shoulder. “You know that if by some small chance Shaun finds out how you feel about Ellie, that he’s probably going to knock more than one of your teeth out, right?”

  Harry’s joking manner faded like someone had flipped his switch. He gripped Greg’s shoulder and said, “You aren't gonna say anything are you? Shit, Greg, I was just kidding. You know that, right?”

  Greg winked and smiled as he walked away, saying, “Geez, guys, I don’t know, he is my best friend in, like, the whole world. I’d hate to have to tell him that there’s a bunch of guys looking to try and date Ellie. I don’t think he’d feel that’s too awesome. His temper kind of gets a little wild when you screw with her. But you haven't ever done anything like that before, and I know that because you are both around a lot.”

  Will slapped Harry hard across the chest. “Really, you couldn’t shut up. I mean seriously, you couldn't keep your thoughts to yourself. Fox is freaking crazy when it comes to her. You’ve heard the stories, and there’s more than one of them, man. Maybe you’d like to go and hold a match under a fuse for a while. How would that treat you?”

  Greg laughed as he pushed past them and walked through the line. When he went in through the main sickbay, he saw where the line finally ended. Lou was there and the stream of sweat he had running down his forehead in a building whose heat was not very warm was impressive. Greg walked up seeing the rows of teens they had in there donating and dripping. Lou said, “Oh, thank god, are you here to help Greg?”

  Greg smiled, shaking his head no. “Are you kidding me? I don’t do blood, if that is your thing than be my guest. I can keep people coming in as you need them if you want, but more than likely, I should probably keep moving. I have a meeting with Clary and Aslin today, and so does Shaun. He already forgot about one job he w
as supposed to show up for. The last thing I want is for him to miss a meeting with the two of them.”

  “There’s always tomorrow for the meeting, Greg. It isn’t like the dead are going anywhere, right?”

  “True story, Lou, but think about this… What happens if today is your last day on earth? Besides, Clary and Aslin have zero patience. If I told them that we can’t do it today they’d think that I was up to no good. I’m trying to turn a new leaf, last thing I need is a reason for them to give me a hard time. I wanted to make sure you were doing all right. I can see that you aren’t, so at least I know. Where are your daughters and how come you don’t want them helping you?”

  “First, I have no idea where they are, and second, don’t worry where in the hell they are. It is absolutely none of your business, Greg. You stay away from them.”

  “Lou, come on. You know how many boys are on this base. They’re going to end up dating someone. You might as well have it be someone that knows what he’s doing with a gun. I mean you don’t want them off on their own with someone that doesn’t know how to protect them, do you?”

  “No, Greg, I can’t say that I do. But there is one important thing to keep in mind when I’m thinking of this.”

  “And that is?”

  “You remind me of myself way too much.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “I know what I wanted to do at that age, and it’s amazing that I remembered to eat and do my homework. Now take into account that you don’t have homework or for that matter anyone telling you what to do and that doesn’t do much to give me peace of mind.”

  Greg, not meaning to say it aloud, said, “I wish I had someone looking out for me. I miss my dad, Lou. This isn’t a choice. It is a situation we all got forced into. Shaun and I had to start dealing with all this crap early on and that was only because we already knew how to use weapons. There were so many of these newbies coming in that it was have us on duty or have no one. Clary and Aslin are good, I mean really good, but they aren’t invincible and at some point they have to sleep.”

  “I know, Greg, and sometimes I speak without thinking. I know there isn’t anyone here that wouldn’t love to have their parents to watch out for them. The sad thing is that it is remarkable how well everyone has done since they’ve had to be on their own. It is impossible to know if someone is going to be able to make a go of things, and you guys have done impressively well. It’s amazing to me, really, and we adults are pretty fucking proud of you guys.”

  “But you still don’t want me dating your daughters, right? I mean, that is what you are saying?”

  “Nailed it, buddy. But you can do one thing for me, won’t take any work and it isn’t hard to do at all. You think that you could do it?”

  “I can do a lot of things, Lou. I just don’t know that I’m going to want to do it.”

  “So, when I think of you and then of my two beautiful daughters you think it is a good thing to think ill of you, Greg?”

  “Fine, what can I do to make your life easier, Lou?”

  “You can take Joey with you. I’ve known that kid a month now, just like you, and I love him. I mean anyone that doesn’t love that kid has some serious issues.” Lou said.

  “Then why do I need to take him with?” Greg asked. “I mean, he’s going to get bored of whatever he is doing eventually and come find one of us. Is he doing something bad?”

  “It isn’t that he is doing something bad, but honestly I can’t get anything done. Every time I’m ready to move out a donor, he runs over pulling up their blood bag and showing it to them. He’s been here for two hours and I’ve already had six kids faint on me. I mean at some point I’m honestly worried that he’s going to pick the wrong kid and they’re going to fall out of the bed and crack their head open. I don’t have time for stupid mistakes like that and after Ellie’s head wound taking so long to get better I don’t want to recycle her bed with someone new, if you know what I mean?”

  Greg looked around Lou’s massive frame and saw Joey walking around looking for a filled blood bag which he raised up in front of the boy’s eyes just like Lou said. He watched as the kid, who already looked pale, passed out after his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Joey set the bag down slowly and backed away, turning to look for another bag. Greg couldn’t help but laugh at this. He pointed to the downed teen and Lou said, “Christ, Greg, please take that kid with you. Like I said, I love him but we need a break from kids passing out. Do you think that you could take him with? I’ll owe you a favor.”

  “I don’t know, Lou. I mean, you trust me with Joey but not with Karen or Theresa, seems kind of like a bum deal, man. I’m sure if you let us go out just once you might be happily surprised with what they tell you about how much of a gentleman I can be.”

  “I have no issues thinking you can be good, besides Joey’s twice as big as you and not your type.”

  “But?”

  “But the good can be bad, and well, I hate the idea of having to strangle you because of the one time that you are bad. Now, are you going to take Joey or not?”

  “Nah, he’s not hurting anything.”

  “Greg, please.”

  Greg turned around already smiling. He ignored the pleading Lou and yelled to Joey, “Hey, Joey, you want to go with me? I could use your help with some stuff today.”

  Joey came up giving Lou a quick hug. He said, “Sorry, Lou, I got me some zombie stuff to do now. I think you got lots of blood like they asked for.”

  Lou, not wanting the kid to think that he wasn’t appreciated, said, “You swing back by when you’re done if you need something to do. I mean if you aren’t too busy, kid. I appreciate your help.”

  “Oh don’t you worry, Lou. I promise that I will be back!”

  Lou’s smile turned into an awkward frown, he looked more like he had diarrhea than a happy grin. He nodded, watching the last kid Joey had made pass out starting to come around. Lou unclipped the bag and took it down to the storage cooler. He had to walk sideways at this point to get the blood bags into the cooler. They had expected a good turnout but the number of kids that had faithfully been filing in over the last two months was impressive. He had been keeping track of the kids with donations. By his count, he realized many were making their second rounds for donations.

  The stories started to become something he heard, each first time blood donor had told him about Shaun, and how many of the Turned that he’d taken out. As the days turned into weeks the stories grew into legends. Shaun had at first shot fifty, then a hundred, until Lou no longer was worried about ever running out of something to do. He knew well, though, that as long as the kids believed in Shaun, and the idea that they could take back the state, that it at least gave them the one thing that mattered, hope.

  After Lou met Shaun, he almost felt bad for the Turned. Lou knew that he had seen and worked with a massive number of people, during his time at the hospital position, who survived on hate. He had watched Shaun and Ellie over the last few months as she recouped and thought the only thing keeping the boy balanced was the love that they shared.

  Lou found a spot for the most recent additions to the cooler. He never thought he would be busier in the post-apocalyptic world than in his previous days with a standard shift as a nurse. Lou couldn’t have been more thankful for the gates that kept him and his daughter’s safe. He never complained about being asked to do anything; he knew how many people had to still be on the outside. He had been thankful for the work and it did his heart good knowing that he could do something to contribute.

  No one said anything about it but he’d heard the mantra, “if you want to stay you need to contribute.” You need to be a part of the community where no one was there to babysit anyone. You made good decisions, you had some sort of self-worth, or you didn’t have to worry about staying. People that stole or had immoral calibers pushing them in the wrong direction received invitations to leave. There were only a few in the time he’d been there, and they had
been sent out stocked heavy and with a vehicle.

  *****

  Greg waited by the door for Joey as he stripped off his rubber gloves. The hug didn’t surprise him. Greg gripped the rifle making sure the trigger wasn’t squeezed. He had never been one to have any issues with it, but the fact that they had lost Shelman a few months ago because of irresponsible firearm handling leading to him getting shot through the head had made him more conscious of carrying a rifle.

  Greg had been one of his instructors since they got back and had never had an issue with Hammond from that day on. He could handle the stress now and made damn sure that nothing ever went wrong when it came to him holding his rifle.

  Greg patted Joey on the shoulder, “Okay, before you break me, put me down.”

  Joey who couldn’t help himself said, “Well, at least you are in the hospital, Greg.”

  “You got that right, Joey. How ‘bout we don’t test that out though. I think Lou has enough going on that he doesn’t need any legit wounds to have to deal with on top everything else. I think we have enough blood that we could paint the entire base with it.”

  Joey was nodding slowly and Greg could see that it might have gone over his head. He said, “We’ll be able to take out a shit-ton of the Turned when we finally go back out, Joey.”

  Joey nodded, “Don’t say shit, Greg, it isn’t nice.”

  They passed the boys who had given Joey a hard time in the lunchroom and for the most part had very little issues with since Greg had put a hurt on them. Chris couldn’t help himself sometimes and he whispered just loud enough for Greg and Joey to hear, “Looks like Greg finally brought the ‘tard down for some help.”

  Greg looked over and saw Joey’s face go into an immediate sulk. He knew that the kid was emotional, maybe more than the others, but knew that he didn’t like being made fun of either. Greg dropped his pack and rifle on the floor and turned around to head back. Joey tried to grab his arm but missed. He said, “Greg, they aren’t worth it, okay? Come on, I wanna go see Ellie. Today’s her get out of hospital day.”