Read HOOD: A Post Apocalyptic Novel (American Rebirth Series Book 1) for Free Online Page A

unsettled from the nightmare. He saw the lifeless faces of his family so vividly, and his own face staring back at him, so impassioned, accusatory. Why did you do this? He shivered, wanting to shake the thoughts out of his head. Even though he knew dreams weren't real, there was an unpredictable unconsciousness to them that made them hard to ignore.
    He grabbed his gear and headed off into town. Sitting around and doing nothing gave him anxiety. The fear of being caught unawares was strong in the new world. It was still too early in the day for any signs of life. The deep blue haze of early morning hung over Clearwater, along with the lazy branches of the trees that encompassed it. The houses were still quiet, though knowing the townspeople were safely asleep inside gave Hood a feeling of comfort. Obscurity was the hamlet’s greatest defense. Unless you knew where it was, it was pretty hard to find by accident, nestled deep in the woods.
    The church stood empty and in disrepair, as churches usually do without a pastor or a congregation. Hood walked down the aisle, past the altar into the rectory, and then up the stairs that led all the way to a hatch into the bell tower. There was no real bell, just a defunct loudspeaker and slatted walls they had long since removed.
    Of course, no one was on watch. The chair sat empty save for the binoculars and the Remington hunting rifle. Glad to see the townsfolk are taking their civic duty seriously.
    Maybe the people relied too much on Hood and Whiskey and the crew. Reality was, though, that many of the townsfolk probably wouldn't survive very long without them.
    Where the hell is Whiskey with the rest of them? They should just leave the damn truck behind if it really did break down again. It’s getting to be more of a liability than it’s worth.
    The sun rose, and slowly the murmurs of everyday life filled the town below. Many of them worked hard to farm the open tracts of land they had cleared, but without much farming knowledge and trees taking up much of the room and the soil’s nutrients, they didn't have a lot to work with.
    Hood pressed the binoculars to his eyes, looking out as far as he could. He could see almost all of the small town, but not very far beyond. In the distant west horizon, he could make out the faint outline of the Shenandoah mountains.
    Something glinted in the bottom of his field of vision. He focused on it. Atop the trees, sunlight seemed to be reflecting back at him. . .
    Get down, his mind screamed.
    He dropped to the ground as the shot splintered the wood behind him. Suddenly, horribly, it all made sense. The Kaiser wanted us to raid the Sheriff’s stockpile It was bait. The few men who showed up at the cabin were only sent there to spook us into going home.
    The Sheriff’s men followed us. The crew didn't have truck trouble. They've been attacked. The goddamned Kaiser wanted us to come home. He wanted to track us back here.
    Hood picked up the foghorn from on the floor and fired it twice, plugging his ear with his other hand. He hustled down the stairs, through the aisle and out of the church.
    Already he heard the sound of gunfire not far in the distance. Lucky stumbled down the street, clutching his side, wet with blood. Hood sprinted towards him, and Lucky collapsed into his arms.
    “You gotta tell everyone to run,” Lucky said, choking on his words.
    “Where’s the crew?” Hood struggled to hold him upright, but he was slick with his own blood.
    “They're not gonna make it. There's so goddamn many of the bastards. It's just you, Hood. You gotta get them all out of here.” He coughed violently over Hood's shoulder. Hood felt the blood on his neck.
    “Lucky! Lucky, stay with me. You can make it through this.”
    “Let me lie down. I just need to rest.” Lucky slid off of Hood, down to his knees, and then lowered himself to the ground. There already was a large pool of blood at their feet.
    “Get them out of here,” he repeated