The Extinction Series by Ellis, Tara (best ebook reader for chromebook TXT) 📗

slowed as she began pouring it across the porch, pooled some inside the door, and then made her way around the whole structure. After loading the rest of the gas onto the Hummer, she turned to inspect the growing forest fire before taking a lighter from her back pocket.

Much like the Earth, Dr. Madeline Schaeffer needed to purge herself of her past. To eliminate the memories, the evidence, and the stains of her meager and pathetic existence from before.

As she ignited the flame and threw it toward the representation of all Mads used to be, she thought of the final words from Dr. Davies.

We have a lot of work to do.

She could have never anticipated the rapid and complete devastation The Kuru unleashed. In two week’s time, the world’s population had been reduced to either those who were immune, the Cured, and pockets of survivors that had managed to avoid exposure either by swift and effective containment, or isolation.

Flame’s erupted and blossomed to life from the porch, the shadows it cast mixing with the opposing ones of the wildfire. It mirrored the larger battle between man and nature. Or more adequately: man versus nature, and then man versus man.

Always the scientist, Madeline’s academic thought process was to constantly examine the outcome of the calculated manipulations. It was becoming increasingly apparent that mankind was reaching a checkmate.

Turning her back on the one thing in her life that had offered her chaotic and restless mind a reprieve, Madeline got into the Hummer.

She was still the pawn. However, a pawn could be promoted to a queen once it reached the other end of the board, and the Libi Nati was where Madeline planned to make her final move.

Chapter 26

JESS

Amazon Jungle near Kumalu, Suriname

Northeast interior of South America

“Jess!” Someone was shaking her. At first, Jess wasn’t sure who was shouting her name. The cobwebs of sleep clung persistently as she remembered Amisha was sleeping in her bed, while Kamla and Pikin took the spare room. It had been a long time since Jess had a sleepover, though the current circumstances certainly didn’t qualify. When they’d been figuring out where everyone would stay, the idea of not sleeping alone had sounded pretty good.

Rolling over, Jess struggled to open her eyes and focus on the other girl. After getting to bed so late the night before, and working hard all afternoon to catch up on chores, she’d fallen into a heavy sleep around midnight. Why was Amisha—

Crack!

The unmistakable sound of a rifle shot echoed through the open window, causing both girls to freeze and stare at each other in horror. The candle must have gone out, because they were forced to rely on the whites of their eyes to confirm they weren’t alone.

“Akuba!” Jess whispered, her dread growing. Akuba was on patrol with one of the new arrivals, Tufail. They wouldn’t be shooting unless something was terribly wrong.

“It’s the second one,” Amisha moaned, pushing herself up onto her elbows. “What should we do?”

Jess didn’t stop to wonder why Amisha was asking her for direction, when the other girl was four years older. Part of the reason might have been that the Libi Nati was still Jess’s home. In spite of her age and everything that had happened, everyone treated her that way. Akuba and Kavish were the ones organizing most things, but they took the time to include Jess in the big decisions.

Except, she didn’t know what to do. Kavish and Slaider were gone on their trek to the ancient village, and Paul was asleep in the Van’s house with Mavi, Slaider’s cousin. Without working phones and the black, empty space between them, it felt like they were miles apart.

Jess’s head reeled. It was hard to think straight with the adrenaline coursing through her body. Swallowing, she grabbed at Amisha’s hand in the dark and then pulled. “We have to help.”

Amisha didn’t resist, and together they scurried down the murky hall in their bare feet. Candlelight flickered in the foyer and kitchen, providing just enough light to navigate the furniture.

Crack!

A third shot. A man’s muffled scream.

Her breath catching, Jess stumbled the last few steps to the back door. One of their prized weapons sat on an end table, next to the couch, positioned for easy access. Paul had shown them all how to properly handle the small gun, but Jess fumbled nervously with it when she picked it up.

“What’s happening?” Kamla whispered from the shadowy interior of the house.

Spinning around, Jess nearly dropped the gun, but at least kept it pointed at the floor. Kamla recoiled when she saw the weapon, and took a step back. Wrapping her arms protectively around Pikin, she pulled the small girl along with her. Kamla’s bandaged hand was a grim reminder of the dangers they faced.

“Gunshots,” Jess said, gesturing toward the backyard with her head. “Three of them. We don’t know why.”

“You should lock yourselves in the room!” Amisha ordered, pointing back down the hall. “We’ll get you when it’s safe.”

Jess was already heading for the patio door, and she had to stop herself as she reached automatically for the light switch. Grimacing at the obvious sign that she still wasn’t thinking clearly, she looked at Amisha. “Grab a flashlight!”

With Amisha beside her, lighting the way, they stepped into the backyard. It was a moonless night, so the blackness was complete. Jess blinked, trying to orient herself. The flashlight was glaring, and while it illuminated the ground at their feet, it blinded her even more to everything else.

The girls traveled halfway across the lawn, toward the Van’s house, when another scream pierced the air. The flashlight faltered as Jess and Amisha clung to each other in a paralyzing terror. She’d never heard anything like it. The gurgling, agonizing shrieks went on for longer than should have