The U.S. of After Chapter 34

Ralph I watched the barrels of the guns rise up and level off at their targets after that fat Captain, got nailed.  Everybody started pulling triggers.  I watched those automatics shoot flames out of their black metal barrels and people started falling down who stood in front of them.  I felt as if I was

The U.S. of After Chapter 32

Howard Prayer, especially fervent prayer, is fascinating to watch. Clayton knelt in the sand next to Amy.  Ralph stood still, watching the both of them.  The Spirit within Clayton and Amy, a piece and persona of the Living God, translated their meager prayers into a song of beautiful light that danced above their heads, putting

The U.S. of After Chapter 30

Amy Standing a few feet behind Ethan in the crowd, waiting for access to the water that somehow poured out of the large boulder, I couldn’t breathe knowing what that liar had just told that poor woman.  Other people had heard it, too, and were moving toward him, all of them looking sour.  I was

The U.S. of After Chapter 28

Ethan That lady knew something about me. I could see it on her face when she looked at my shirt. I knew that I had to put as much distance between myself and these people as possible and I had to do it soon.  I thought I’d wait until nightfall, see what I could find

The U.S. of After Chapter 27

Clayton I was bound and determined to get Jacob alone so’s I could talk to him. It seemed as if people really liked him here at this camp.  I don’t think he’d ever really been here, but I figured he just had a way with people.  Boy, was I shootin’ in the dark.  He had

The U.S. of After Chapter 26

Howard I acknowledged my new friends, but they only nodded back.  They were doing their job, following orders.  It was like a strange reunion, but not necessarily a happy one.  Things were getting ugly.  The battle on the highway was only the beginning.  I had seen this kind of thing many times but there was

The U.S. of After Chapter 23-24

Ralph His-a-kit-a-mi-si caught the bullets while the old man smiled his smile of peace. Ethan We all rode the horses without talking for some time.  I don’t know when someone started speaking, but it must have been after traveling for nearly a day.  We all rode in a line, me first, then old man Jacob,

The U.S. of After Chapter 22

Clayton We didn’t even hear the four militia guys who walked up behind us with guns drawn.  The only way I knew that somethin’ was up was when Amy turned and gasped and then all the blood ran out of her face.  I’d heard stories about these types, mostly told by mothers to scare their

The U.S. of After Chapter 20

Jacob Thanks be to God. I rest in his mercy and grace. The morning dust blew across the vacant highway.  Grass, once green and now the color of wheat before a harvest, grew up between the cracks of the unkept pavement.  I hadn’t seen any vehicles in a while and that was a good thing. 

The U.S. of After Chapter 17

Clayton There stood Gabe in front of me. He looked a little cleaner this time, and I started to say somethin’, but he cut me off. “Clayton,” he said, his voice soft and deep as if it came from underground somewhere.  “I thought I told you that your destination should be Jerusalem.” I stood still