Kai's Journey; The New World Chronicles: Kai's Journey, #2

DEDICATIONA

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We dedicate this book to all who have helped us along the way to our publishing this book. We appreciate your help, your support and never ending faith in us. A sincere thank you to all of the following, The Animal Clinic of Marshalltown, IA., Reporter Mike Donahey of the Marshalltown Times Republican newspaper, Swift’s Greenhouse of Gilman, IA., Marshalltown Police Department, and Tri-State Lock of Marshalltown, IA., East Marshall High School, and Mr. Kozak the principal of the school, AEA 276, Especially to O.J.’s Diner where so many story plot lines were discussed over a wonderful meal there!

Thank you to the many family and friends who have seen us through the good times as well as the bad. Angie, Jim, Barb, Angel, Kelly, Buddy, mom and many others who have helped us along the way.

Kai - Chapter 1

Dirty and exhausted from his day’s travels of following a road north with a low mountain on his right side and open fields on the left, Kai shaded his eyes as the setting sun cast eerie shadows across the sky above making it look like the ribs of a dead man. Kai crested a hill that was barren of much of anything. This year’s drought had taken its toll on any weeds as well as the scrub brush that usually grew so tall. There were a few trees scattered here and there with bare limbs of stretching towards the sky. Fall had come early to this area. Kai could see a cluster of buildings up ahead of a once named town. He could see a few people moving among the buildings.

Time and experience told him they were the living dead. This town was just like every other place Kai had come across since the accident seven years ago. The landscape around him was dulled to muted hues of brown of an early fall. Kai spotted the bodies scattered in the field on the left side of the road and the right. With a sigh, he walked over to investigate their manner of death. Kai knew from experience that there were worse things in this new world besides the living dead.

Checking to see how they were put down could tell you about who or what else might be in the area around you. As Kai walked closer he could hear the fly’s buzzing in the afternoon air. The sound intensified as he walked closer to the bodies. The acrid, metallic smell of death reached him on the next breeze. Pulling a rag over his nose and mouth Kai walked up to the nearest one, using his boot to turn it over and knelt down. Kai could see it had once been human but had died as a zombie. There were bullet holes in the main part of the body as well as the arms and legs.

Kai had seen these kinds of wounds on these creatures before. Some, who called themselves the military, used them as target practice as if they were no more than animals. At one time though every one of these beings had been a human; someone’s mother, father, brother, sister or friend. Now they were dead for good. Some call them zombies. Kai call them a burden he alone felt responsible for.

Kai didn’t need to see any more. He headed back to the road in disgust to continue on to the town in hopes of finding a place of shelter for the night, maybe even a few supplies. From the town up ahead there was a sound Kai hadn’t heard in a long time. A single howl that reached down into his soul and stirred something he thought had long since disappeared. Momentarily forgetting his exhaustion Kai ran toward the town and the sound. Again the howl filled the air as Kai ran past dilapidated buildings with broken windows and sagging porches and front steps. The few of the creatures he had seen earlier going from building to building were nowhere in sight. Kai heard the howl again, coming from around the corner of an old store front building. Noiselessly he crept along the wall to the corner and peered down the alley to see a crowd of zombies surrounding a beautiful white wolf trapped at the dead end its hackles raised. A growl rumbled from its throat as it bared its sharp fangs. His stomach tightened in fear as Kai watched as the living dead moved in for the kill. It had been so long since Kai had seen any dogs or pets from the old world that he knew he had to do something.

Hey! Kai yelled.

They turned as one towards him as Kai charged around the corner with his sword raised. Deftly Kai severed the head of the nearest of the walking dead. Quickly Kai moved from one to the next thrusting my sword or slashing to keep them at arm’s length. Soon he stood next to the wolf. The wolf’s eyes never left the dead as she bared her fangs at them.

I won’t hurt you, I just want to help, Kai said to the wolf as if it could understand him

With their backs to the wall, Kai and the wolf kept the dead at bay as they fought them until soon the zombies lay unmoving scattered in the alley. Kai’s energy drained, he sank to his knees in exhaustion. Kai raised his head to look over at the wolf. Now that Kai was up close he could see her white fur was well groomed and cared for. Kai slowly eased into a sitting position so as not to frighten her away. The wolf’s blue eyes looked at him with a steady gaze. Kai made to raise his hand towards her and the wolf gave a low warning growl. She didn’t run from him but she didn’t let him touch her either.

Well, I guess we won this round huh girl? Kai said to her as if she could understand Him. Suddenly her ears perked up and she looked back up the alley as if she heard something coming. Kai looked but at first didn’t see or hear anything. Kai felt his stomach drop to his feet as more of the dead came stumbling around the corner. That's when something hard hit him in the head and Kai lost consciousness.

A throbbing headache woke Kai from his forced slumber. Kai gently felt his head until he found the goose egg sized lump on the back side of his head. Kai slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a barren, cave like room. He could see marks in the wall as if this room had been carved out by tools. It was dry and the only light came from a lantern on a rock shelf carved in the wall.

There was no furniture, just a clean swept floor. Kai craned his neck up towards the rock shelf where he could see light glinting off something metal. My sword! Kai thought excitedly to himself. Kai sat up only to have his head spin for his efforts. When his head settled Kai got to His feet to claim his sword. Kai heard a sound at the doorway and turned. That’s when he saw it: the pure white wolf from town, walking gracefully into the room. She stopped just in front of the doorway and watched as Kai lowered his sword so as to show he meant her no harm. Seeing that Kai was awake and on his feet, she appeared to be satisfied and turned to leave.

Wait! Don’t go! Kai called to the wolf.

She looked back as if she understood what he said. Then turned and walked out of the room. Kai belted his sword and followed her.

Kai and the wolf walked down a long, curving corridor and into another short hallway. Kai could see where parts of the tunnel had been carved out in more recent years but a lot of it was old and had lichen on the wall that gave off a soft glow. Kai followed the wolf through a catacomb of tunnels and hollowed out rooms. There were doors here and there along the way. The walls were smooth so Kai knew this wasn’t one of those mining tunnels he had seen as a child on some of the trips they had gone for family vacations. Kai’s dad loved caves. In this region of the country many of the caves were damp or had streams in them. This one was curiously dry and comfortable. Lichen that was scattered on the walls gave a soft glow, making it easier to see. The wolf paused in front of a heavy wooden door and Kai watched as she slipped through a small covered opening. Kai grabbed the handle of the door but found that it was locked. Kai knocked and waited for an answer. When no reply came he considered crawling through the small door. When Kai leaned closer to listen for any hint of sound, he heard a crash coming from inside.

I am coming in! Kai yelled and slipped through the door the same way the wolf had gone.

The room was sparsely furnished with a bed, a table and a couple of chairs. The cave walls were smooth for the most part and Kai could see tool marks here and there where they had widened out a portion of the room. There were a few shelves chiseled into the walls and there was an empty fireplace with a small stack of logs nearby. Kai could see that an end table had been knocked over. Kai caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye. A door shut as he stood up.

Curious, Kai said to himself.

Softly, Kai knocked on the door.

Who are you and why have you come into my room? said a female voice.

I'm sorry! It's just that I was knocked out and then I woke up here, Kai explained. After I came to, I saw the wolf in the doorway and I followed her to this room. Is she in there with you?

There was a pause.

No, she replied. There’s no wolf in here.

Kai looked around to try and find where the wolf could have possibly gone. Other than the door he came through and now this one that Kai was talking to someone through. He didn’t see any other way out.

I need my robe. Would you get it for me, please? It’s in there, on the bed. said the female voice from the other side of the door.

Kai found the robe, placed it next to the door and then stepped across the room so she could retrieve it in peace. Kai again looked at the small fireplace with wood stacked next to it.

Would you mind if I started a fire? Kai asked.

Thank you, that would be fine, she said.

Kai heard her step into the room behind him as he built the fire.

Kai turned to see the most beautiful young woman standing before him; she looked pretty close to his age, about eighteen or nineteen years old and had beautiful white hair that flowed down her back. Her blue eyes glowed with a soft sapphire light. The life he saw in her face took his breath away. For so long now people all had a dead look on their face. They had lost all hope and seemed to be just trying to survive one more day. This girl radiated life and had a spark in her eyes. On her feet Kai saw what looked to be slippers.

She noticed him looking at her feet and said, We wear these slippers here so we make our way softly. There are over fifty people living here. If we wore boots then our heavy footfalls would be felt and heard on the outside. We don't want to attract too much attention from zombies or military people to our home. We shall get you a pair of them too. She said with a smile on her face.

I can explain what happened to you and why you are here. Boris found you in an alley and he brought you here. He had been in a store when he heard you fighting those dead things, she said with a shudder. Anyway, when he burst through the door in the back unfortunately it hit you and knocked you out. He pulled you inside just as the other dead ones were coming down the alleyway, She sat on a chair near the fireplace.

Kai shook his head trying to remember if he had seen a door in that alleyway. Kai couldn’t remember a doorway, but then he had been a little busy trying to save the wolf.

I’m sorry, I have forgotten my manners. Boris would be disappointed with me. My name is Clover, and you are? Clover asked.

My name is Kai, he said, feeling a bit awkward.

I apologize for the abruptness of your arrival here but we felt it wouldn’t be safe to leave you there in town, Clover said.

Kai shook his head. The motion made him wince in pain. I would rather be here then dinner for the dead. Kai said in what he hoped might pass for levity. And it would explain the knot on my head as well.

Kai gazed at her more closely; her skin glowed in the firelight. Though her skin was pale like her hair she still gave off the air of someone who spent a lot of time outside. Kai liked that in a person. There was always danger out there but you couldn’t let that keep you locked inside somewhere.

Why is your hair the same color as the wolf I saw a moment ago? Kai asked her curiously.

She gave a shy smile that seemed to light the room and replied, It’s merely a coincidence. She stood and walked toward the door.

Now, I think it’s time for you to go back to your room. Please don't leave your room again until you‘re sent for. Again she smiled that shy smile. We left you with your sword because these are dangerous times. You never know when you will need it." She said as she opened