Chris Bostic [Bostic - Shadow Warriors

Shadow Warriors

CHRIS BOSTIC

First printing, May 2019

Copyright 2019, Chris Bostic

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 9 78-1097162390

Cover Design by Chris Bostic

All characters and events in this book are fictitious products of the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real.

DEDICATION

To everyone who wastes no time

picking up my new releases.

You guys are the reason

I keep living the

writer life.

CHAPTER 1

I blew on my hands, but it did little to loosen up my frozen fingers. Even flexing my knuckles didnt help. If anything, I was surprised my bones didnt creak like a rusty door hinge, or seize up tighter than an old truck engine.

Whats up, Zach? John whispered. Little chilly, isnt it?

This sucks.

Better get used to it, bud. Its not getting any warmer.

I admired the thick beard on Katelyns brother, and scratched at my own stubble. Although I hadnt shaved in weeks, my dark hairs amounted to little more than fuzzand spotty at best.

Unlike John, I wasnt technically an adult, yet everything about life on the mountain made me feel that way. The rifle on my lap and shoot to kill orders played oversized parts in that.

The rocky terrain made for a poor recliner. Worse yet, the early morning chill cut right through my jeans. It felt like sitting on a block of ice, but not numbing enough to hide the discomfort.

I kept hidden from prying eyes by scrunching up under the yellowing leaves of a mountain holly bush. Behind my position, a canopy of towering trees higher on the slope helped to complete the seclusion.

About fifty yards below, an even larger mass of vegetation blocked an asphalt road. Seeing how the trees had been purposely dropped over the road to block it several months before, their leaves had long since curled and fallen. Soon the rest of the forest would match the dirt brown appearance of death.

Were gonna need coveralls soon, I said, and blew out a steamy breath.

True story, John agreed. I thought about throwing them on, but it didnt seem so bad last night.

I didnt stay up that late. I scratched my head. I guess thats kinda weird. I shouldnt be tired. It seems like all we do is sit out here or sit back there.

Its good exercise, John replied. To think people used to pay to go to the gym. We get to hike five miles a day for free.

Yeah, free. I balled myself up inside my coat to conserve heat, and turned my thoughts to the way things should have been. There used to be a lot more freedom, eh?

Yep, and no more gyms. One day society wasnt healthy enough, and we needed to spend more time outside. Next thing you know, theyre dropping bombs on our neighbors for being out in the streets.

Well not exactly just out in the streets, I said with a chuckle. We mightve burned down a building or two.

Exercising our rights, John shot back. Thats the kind of exercising I like.

That brought a smile to my face. Our parents do, thats for sure.

And you dont?

I mean, uhmI dunno. I totally get how whats going on is insane. Nothings the way it used to be. I just dont like the idea of sitting here, holding this gun, maybe having to use it.

Look on the bright side, John encouraged. The roadblocks have been quiet for a long time. Id say so far so good.

My head bobbed, though my mind wasnt in full agreement. I knew firsthand the Feds had shown little interest in clearing out the obstructions farther back inside the park. Nevertheless, I couldnt help feeling concerned. I wish. Id say too quiet. With all the activity in the air, it seems like something big is coming.

Maybe John swallowed. I guess you probably know theres been talk about that.

Yeah, Im not totally clueless, I replied, though it seemed like my folks still tried to keep me in the dark as much as possible.

John retrained his eyes on the roadblock. His head turned to the side like a curious dog. I tensed immediately, straining my ears to attempt to hear anything other than the whisper of wind slowly stirring as the sun threatened to rise.

My companion turned to me and easily noticed the concern in my eyes.

Dont worry. That was nothingnothing at all. I guess thats one good thing about the cold. The birds take longer to wake up.

I guess so.

Anyway, just be glad youve got company.

I agreed with that statement. Still, I had to ask, Whats that all about anyway? Earlier this summer you guys were going out alone. Should we be worried about the soldiers coming?

John shrugged. Its the weather, I reckon. A persons probably more likely to fall asleep on duty when its cold.

All I can do is shiver.

Whatever it takes to keep you awake, John said with a laugh. Thats another reason to love the winterand dress light.

Forget that. I want a snow suit.

Thats coming soon enough.

My eyes turned to the lightening sky. The grayness of early morning still hung heavily over the mountain like a blanket, though not as wet and wispy as the usual haze that gave the Great Smoky Mountains their name.

A turkey gobble carried to us through the stillness of the frosty morning.

Thats my cue. John stood up and slung his rifle over his right shoulder. He reached behind me to retrieve a bow and a quiver of arrows.

I didnt know turkeys gobbled in the fall.

Sure they do. Its just for different reasons. John hung the bow over his other shoulder. In the fall they just gobble to talk. In the spring they want to get it on with the ladies. Kinda like you and my sister.

Whoa, what?

You dont think I see you strutting around?

I do not strut.

No, not really. John dropped to a knee. But we should talk about that whole situation sometime.

Uh oh. I had been waiting for that moment ever since Id started watch duty with John a couple of weeks earlier. I swallowed exaggeratedly, and couldnt meet the eyes of Katelyns big brother. Her much bigger brother, who made my thinner frame look scrawny in comparison.

Im just messing with you. John clapped me on the back so hard he nearly pushed me off my seat. Youre a good kid. But dont you dare break her heart.

I had no intention of doing that. Katelyn was the best thing that had ever happened to me. One smile from her made the drudgery of our primitive camp life seem like a picnic. The only thing she couldnt do was completely erase the fear whenever a bomb blast echoed across the expanse of the park.

I wont, I said softly.

Good. Id hate to have to hurt you.

Ill bet you could.

Anyway, Im gonna go put the hurt on a turkey now. We could use a good meal.

Despite the threat of physical violence, I wasnt ready for John to leave. I hadnt taken a watch alone, and felt an odd sense of foreboding about that one. Before he could step away, I asked, How does fall hunting work? Do you still call them in like the springtime?

Yes and no. The best way is to find a flock all bunched up together. You cant get close enough to pop one with an arrow, so you run at em all crazy like and bust em up. Its perfect when they scatter to the winds.

Really? What good does that do?

You sit quiet, right where they bugged out. Give it a few minutes and then start calling. Theyll think theyre getting the band back together, and try to regroup to the sound of your call. They get close and blammo! Winner winner turkey dinner.

Huh. Sounds easy enough.

You wish. Its more of a challenge than it sounds.

Sos guard duty, I suggested. Maybe its super boring, but were essentially sitting out here waiting to be attacked.

I suppose, but dont worry. Youre gonna be fine, and Im gonna be back here in no time.

I know. I hoped I sounded braver than I felt. Being confident wasnt always my strong suit, and I still couldnt quite overcome it. The less I had time to think about something, the easier it was for me to do it. Even better, if I had companyespecially if that company was a pony-tailed, round-cheeked, brown-eyed beauty who turned my heart to mush.