Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Novel
(W.I.P.) Firestorm — Synopsis
Author Shirley Bigelow DeKelver
White Lake, BC
The year is 2034, and Vancouver has been devastated by a huge earthquake and tsunami. Carlie Fleming is barely surviving on her own. She rescues twin brothers Rusty and Eddie Coleman; stumbles upon Willie Arbuckle, mean and lazy, but having a knack for finding food; then discovers Mai-Li Wong and her ward Debbie, who has Downs Syndrome. This motley crew of misfits gravitate together for protection and survival.
The last to join their group is their protector Taylor West. He does not divulge that he is the past-leader of the Phantoms, one of the most dangerous gangs in Vancouver.
Food and water are scarce, there are violent storms, rising temperatures and ashfall from the volcano making it difficult to breathe. Realizing they have no choice; the small group leaves, hoping to find a safer asylum in the Interior.
They cross the Fraser River, crawl over rockslides and detour across the Wastelands, where they almost lose their lives in a catastrophic firestorm. They find refuge in an old rusted train and are attacked by the Desert Rats, who live in an abandoned mining town. Not realizing the cache of guns and ammo in the train is their property, a struggle ensues, and they manage to escape, but at a devastating cost, Rusty is seriously injured.
They head towards the foothills, finding refuge in an underground burrow, which is the den of a black bear. Taylor kills the bear. Rusty does not improve, Mai-Li forages for wild herbs, but they cannot save him. Eddie becomes withdrawn, and refuses to leave the site where they bury Rusty.
They eat flowers, berries, squirrels, and rabbits. The first snow falls, and they head towards the mountains. It turns bitterly cold, and they discover an abandoned rundown cabin.
Food is rationed, and the long winter days and nights prove challenging. Willie is caught stealing food, and Taylor forces him to leave the group. Willie returns to the Desert Rats and joins their band, swearing to seek revenge on both Carlie and Taylor.
MORE ADVENTURES TO COME!!!
(W.I.P.) Firestorm,
Copyright © Shirley Bigelow DeKelver, 2020
Photograph © Shirley Bigelow DeKelver, 2020