There were hundreds of people up in the three stories, working in the gardens. There had also been a section set aside for poultry. They were raising their own chickens, using the eggs to feed the people below. The stench from the huge chicken houses were horrible and he was glad he didn’t have to work in there. He was sure they had the chickens in small cages, to live out their lives producing eggs or meat. He shifted again; his mind angry at the thought.
His family had hundreds of chickens, but they were all free ranging. When the bombings had first happened, his family had sent most of the eggs to local foodbanks to help. They normally sold their eggs to local supermarkets, but also donated a generous portion to the local foodbanks. When people started showing up to the farm, looking for food, his parents had given them eggs, dozens of eggs. His heart twisted at the thought of never seeing his family again. Never hearing their laughter or teasing. A soft smile creased his lips at the thought of his brothers teasing him. He chuckled softly. They were always pranking him.
He had to get out of this place. He had to escape. He didn’t want to be here, trapped. This whole thing smelled of government control. He’d read about Agenda 21, something the UN had cooked up in 1992, at a conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His parents had discussed it over the years. He’d just been a baby himself during that time. But, now, thinking about it, could this be the government’s way of controlling the remaining population of the United States? Part of the country was destroyed, so, why not contain and control the rest? Could his own government be that sinister? Against its own people? Christ.
These Hive things had popped up so quickly. How had that happened? Who was behind it? It was said to be a philanthropist, but no one knew who. The government wasn’t that fast, he knew that, then again, they moved swiftly enough when it was something they wanted. So, was it bullshit? There were Hives all across the remaining country now. In large cities. A shiver ran through him. Did North Korea even bomb the United States? Or had the U. S. done it? His mind wouldn’t shut off and he shifted and turned again.
The thought that his own government had slaughtered millions made him shudder, made his heart race wildly. He’d not cared for the military, but he knew the military fought for American’s right to freedom. That freedom was now being taken away, under the guise of housing the refugees and the homeless. He wasn’t homeless, nor was he a refugee.
He’d read a lot of the conspiracy theories out there, about Agenda 21. Some of the conspiracy theories suggested that the plan was to depopulate the world by ninety five percent by 2030. They weren’t far off from that date and he was sure that the United States had lost millions in the attack on the west alone. Starvation and violence were taking more. Infractions at the Hive too, even more lives.
Christ. How would he get out of this place? His mind screamed over and over. Both Megan and Tilly were terrified and rightfully so. No one had bargained on this prison. What had looked like a godsend, had now turned out to be a controlled nightmare. The worst part was that no one on the outside had any idea what was going on behind the tall fences. If they did, would they care? Refugee had become a dirty word. Resource sucking people. No. He was on his own, if he wanted out of this place, he was going to have to do it himself.
SEVEN
Franktown, CO
Quinn and Laura were out at the barn, they’d just fed the cow and pig.
“You think your dad will butcher the pig?” Quinn asked, looking down at the potbelly pig, it lived with the cow, in the same stall. The pig could leave when it wanted to and tended to go out into the fenced pasture that was out back of the barn. There was a small hinged door, like a dog door, that her father had built for the pig.
Laura laughed and shook her head.
“No, my father loves that pig, like a pet. Wilber, he calls the rascal.” She laughed and tossed an apple core to the pig, who scooped it up quickly.
Quinn grinned down at her, he loved her laugh. He stood shoulder to shoulder with her and she’d not moved away from the contact. He’d volunteered to milk the cow; it was normally her chore now. Sometimes, there was only a little milk given. Once the girls got older, they’d take up the care of the animals. For now, he and Laura did it. He grinned down and bumped her shoulder and she smiled back up at him. He then leaned down and kissed her gently, her lips were warm and receptive. His hand came up and cradled her face. She didn’t resist.
He knew she was lonely, as lonely as he. They’d been flirting over the last few weeks. He knew she missed her husband, but they both knew that she’d never see Hogan again. It was a
