Angrboða awoke the next morning having no idea what lay in store. She always felt she could trust her father. He had never lied, never stole, and his advice and counsel had never led her astray. So when Dane came down for breakfast with a sullen face, Angrboða could never have guessed what was weighing so heavily upon his mind.
Posted by Jacqueline on December 11, 2024
https://justonetake.com/2024/12/11/angrboda-awakes/
Old man Erickson was a hasbeen long before he ever had the chance to become anything of note. This wiry grizzled man had somehow survived his twenties, into his thirties, and beyond his fortieth year. The only son of Erik Johnson was tired. He had been tired for twenty years – tired of all the brawls, the endless parade of women, the tedious labors of life. He was well and ready for these old bones to be put to rest. lt was that thought he held in his head when he walked out into the woods carrying nothing but an axe.
Posted by Jacqueline on November 30, 2024
https://justonetake.com/2024/11/30/old-man-erikson/
In case you missed it, here is chapter one of my novel “Zombies North of Normal.” Thanks for reading and I welcome reader feedback in the comments!
Chapter One: Outbreak in Aurora
She had been staying at the shelter just a little more than a week when the outbreak took over the city. It was utter chaos. Murder in the streets – if you could call slaughter of the dead “murder.”
View original post 810 more words
Posted by Jacqueline on July 10, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/10/zombies-north-of-normal-6/
Chapter Six: The Story of Sarah
Though she didn’t see it, she heard the helicopter approach and make its landing close to the building over on the east end. She contemplated whether or not to make her presence known in some way. She was on the south side of the building and would have to either venture out into the hall with those monsters or make her way through the window and down the wall from the second story. It was easy for her to decide that she would choose the latter if she decided to leave her room at all. She did not care to encounter those things again so soon.
Posted by Jacqueline on July 10, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/10/zombies-north-of-normal-06/
Chapter Five: Rescue
Slowly rising to her feet, hand clutching her knife, she prepared to look whomever had arrived firmly in the eye and tell them to leave her be. She had everything she needed to survive and didn’t need or want anyone’s assistance. Specifically, she didn’t want to be in anyone’s debt or employ – that was her old life and she was determined to enjoy a long life of freedom and independence.
Posted by Jacqueline on July 10, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/10/zombies-north-of-normal-5/
Photo by Pexels.com
Chapter Four: The Helicopter
As Jackie put the store behind her, she felt a sense of both relief and pride wash over her. Not only had she survived her first outing, but she had also nearly encountered her first zombie. She praised herself for making the wise decision to pass up that opportunity, knowing she would encounter one of them soon enough – but hopefully no time soon.
Posted by Jacqueline on July 10, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/10/zombies-north-of-normal-4/
Chapter Three: Compassionate Gestures
With all the precautions she had taken, Jackie knew she didn’t need to be out scavenging for supplies. She figured with what she had, she could survive a good two or three years without needing anything more from the world outside her window, which was now her door. However, she also knew that as time wore on the scavenging would be increasingly sparse and she wanted to take advantage of the opportunity while it remained present.
Most of the dead had flocked to the areas of town where the emergency sirens had wailed, drawing most of them away from the shelter. This was an unexpected benefit of her location. So it didn’t require much bravery on her part to venture out that first day. Throwing down the rope ladder she had made, she climbed down the wall to the empty parking lot below.
Posted by Jacqueline on July 10, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/10/zombies-north-of-normal-3/
Chapter Two: A New Normal
Bella was very vocal about Jackie’s long departure that afternoon. She smiled back at her feline companion and answered her by pulling a can of salmon from her backpack. Upon seeing the can, Bella chirped in excitement. Tiger stretched out his back from his place of repose utop the dresser.
Posted by Jacqueline on July 9, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/09/zombies-north-of-normal-2/
Chapter One: Outbreak in Aurora
She had been staying at the shelter just a little more than a week when the outbreak took over the city. It was utter chaos. Murder in the streets – if you could call slaughter of the dead “murder.”
Posted by Jacqueline on July 9, 2018
https://justonetake.com/2018/07/09/zombies-north-of-normal/
Reese’s eyes flew open the the next morning. Looking around, she could see that she was home and in her own bed, wearing last night’s clothes. Breathing a sigh of relief, she started puzzling the pieces of the night before together.
Posted by Jacqueline on September 25, 2017
https://justonetake.com/2017/09/25/whiskey-nights-tequila-sunrises/
Just One Take 