C. Henry Martens

A plague has destroyed Earth's population, killing an incredible amount of people around the world. If you were part of the 10% or less who survived, what would you think would be the greatest commodity? The story takes place twenty years later and follows a brother and sister through the wastelands, sometimes meeting new people, evading others, and always foraging.

The siblings and an accompanying female friend stumble upon a former hospital converted into a fortress and stocked with years of food. A vegetable garden thriving on the roof, a single entrance guarded by two mean looking dogs. The current owner extends his hospitality to the siblings and friend and also three other strangers who arrive at the same time on electric motorcycles. Two of the three bikers go into a drunken stupor, disarm the siblings and send them away - keeping the female friend behind to party. Their host did not interfere and remained neutral when the brother and sister were excommunicated, however, he also had secrets and plans of his own.

When the siblings returned the following morning intent upon revenge against the bikers, they find their friend raped and brutily murdered and the three strangers gone. So the chase begins...

They come upon a single older man who arrived with the two bikers - a loner, and unaware that the two men he accompanied had killed their friend. He takes an interest in the two siblings, and agrees to help them in their quest. There is death everywhere, empty shells of former human beings who either succumbed to the plague or took their lives, because of starvation, loneliness or the inability to forage.

Excellent read without cliffhangers at the end. The story would also fit into the genre of mystery and suspense as the story progresses. This story is stand-alone and lends itself to another installment if the author so desires. Great job C. Henry Martens!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel… (altro)