THE HIVE
A POST-APOCALYPTIC LIFE
S.A. ISON
The Hive A Post-Apocalyptic Life
Copyright © 2019 by S.A. Ison All rights reserved.
Book Design by Elizabeth Mackey
Book Edited by Ronald Ison Esq. Editing Services
Book Edited by Lisa I. Ragsdale, Editing Services
All rights Reserved. Except as under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, without prior written permission of S.A. Ison
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the production of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons – living or dead- is entirely coincidental.
OTHER BOOKS BY S.A. ISON
BLACK SOUL RISING From the Taldano Files
INOCULATION ZERO Welcome to the Stone Age
Book 1
INOCULATION ZERO Welcome to the Age of War
Book 2
EMP ANTEDILUVIAN PURGE
Book 1
EMP ANTEDILUVIAN FEAR
Book 2
EMP ANTEDILUVIAN COURAGE Book 3
POSEIDON RUSSIAN DOOMSDAY
Book 1
POSEIDON RUBBLE AND ASH
Book 2
EMP PRIMEVAL
PUSHED BACK A TIME TRAVELER’S JOURNAL
Book 1
THE RECALCITRANT ASSASSIN
BREAKING NEWS
THE LONG WALK HOME
EMP DESOLATION
THE VERMILION STRAIN POST-APOCALYPTIC EXTINCTION
FUTURE RELEASES
SMOKEHOUSE SMILES From the Taldano Files
PUSHED BACK THE TIME TRAVELER’S DAUGHTERS
Book 2
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN
A BONE TO PICK
SHATTERED MIND
For Anastasia Aislyn
♥♥♥
PROLOGUE
Hogan Wrivier yawned, it was late, and he had a long drive, a long way to go. Roughly eight more hours and he’d be home. He was on the phone with Laura, his wife and with her, were Allain and Alexa, his four-year-old twin daughters. A soft smile creased his face. He was just leaving Kansas City, Missouri, and heading home to Denver, Colorado. He’d made a point of stopping over at Q39, one of the best places to grab some ribs. He grinned at the thought and patted his expanding waistline. He did a mental shrug, perhaps he should lay off the ribs for a while. Laura didn’t mind his love handles; he wasn’t sure she’d be crazy about a tire.
The lights of the robust city were behind him and the land was flat as far as the eye could see. The night sky was brilliant, and he described the beauty of the vastness of the heavens to his daughters.
“I see so many stars, and the Milky way. I bet that you couldn’t even count the stars, there are just so many out there.”
“I could daddy, I could.” Alexa crowed. She was his fearless little one. Allain was more reserved, but just as obdurate.
“So can I daddy.” Allain put in, not to be out done. His eyes crinkled, he could just see Allain’s mouth slanted in stubborn resolve.
“I know you girls can. I should be home before you wake up tomorrow morning. Make sure you give each other a big hug and kiss for me.” He said gently. They were the loves of his life. He and Laura had struggled for the first few years of their marriage, he’d been stationed in the Middle East for most of his time in the Army. Not a great marriage maker. But he’d gotten out when his hitch was up and he’d promised Laura he’d never leave her like that again. He’d been able to keep some of that promise. He drove long distance rigs, but he was usually home most of the week. The most he’d stayed away, was four days.
The money wasn’t great, but Laura was a pediatric nurse, so her paycheck helped a lot. Laura’s mom, Milly, watched the girls on their farm. His girls were growing up to be farm girls. He grinned at the thought of them in their small pink cowboy boots.
“Tell daddy goodnight girls, it’s bedtime.” Laura said and he could hear the smile in her voice. Then he heard giggling and goodnights. Their giggles faded as they went to their room.
“I’ll let you go honey, wake me when you get home.” Laura said in a seductive whisper. A broad grin spread across Hogan’s face. The tips of his ears heated up and he waggled his head from side to side.
“Hell yeah, baby. I love you. Kiss the girls for me and sleep tight.” He said in a husky voice. The call ended. He took the clip off his ear and put it in his shirt pocket, the smile still on his face. Running his hand through his chestnut hair, he shifted his body for the long ride home. His home was situated on the far outskirts of Denver, and roughly a ten-minute drive to his in-law’s farm. Laura was a country girl and he loved that about her. She was down to earth, sweet and patient. He’d met a lot of women while he had served in the Army, but none could match his Laura.
Living where he lived was convenient. It was nice because he had the large city near enough, but not too close. His wife didn’t mind the hour commute, since she enjoyed living out in the country. His job was flexible enough that it allowed him plenty of home time. Hogan also enjoyed the solitude of the drive; it gave him time to think. He was working on a book, and on the long drives, his mind would wander. Once home, he’d transfer his ideas to his book. He’d been driving for years now; it was like second nature. After serving in the Army and driving supply trucks in the dangerous expanses of Iraq, this job was easy. He’d been very lucky, but he had several close friends who hadn’t been.
Ahead, he could see the pinprick lights of distant towns and homes, across the gentle undulating terrain of the Midwest. He had a
