Apocalypsis: Book 3 (Exodus) (40 page)
Read Apocalypsis: Book 3 (Exodus) Online
Authors: Elle Casey
Derek stepped through and walked up to me, putting out his hand. It was cut and bruised, covered in calluses. I tipped my helmet back and shifted the shield off to the left so I could shake it.
“Welcome to Haven,” I said.
“Thank you for letting me in. I swear my oath to you.”
“Not to me,” I said, shaking my head, “to the people of Haven.”
He smiled. “To the people of Haven, then.” He nodded at Jamal and Ronald and then stood next to Jamal, watching as each one of his group came through and did the same as he had done.
There were kids as young as twelve, some no bigger in size than children of eight because they’d been without food for so long. I battled tears as they came shuffling by, many unable to walk without help from others.
They’d come from so far and battled so many adversities, just to find a place they could call home again. And they were all counting on me to make it happen. I should have been stressed beyond measure, but all I could feel was love swelling my heart until it felt like it was going to burst.
When the last kid limped up to me and grabbed me in a weak hug, because that’s all he could manage, mumbling, “Thank you,” in my shoulder, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. The sadness and anger and fear and hope and joy all came crashing together, an emotional grenade, exploding out from inside me.
The tears flowed down my face and sobs wracked my body.
Bodo saved the boy from my breakdown by appearing behind me, detaching me and taking me into his arms, just as I was about to collapse. He picked me up and carried me like a baby through the throngs of kids in the lobby who were talking in hushed tones, some of them lying on the floor now, but all of them smiling and looking relieved.
I heard one child-like voice cut clearly through the murmur of the crowd as Bodo carried me in his big, strong arms.
“Why is she crying?” the girl asked.
Someone I didn’t yet know answered. “Because she cares about us. That’s why.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elle Casey
is an American writer who lives in Southern France with her husband, three kids, Hercules the wonder poodle, and Monie the Bouvier. In her spare time she writes women’s fiction and young adult novels (you can find her Women’s Fiction work under the pen name
Kat Lee
.)
A personal note from Elle …
If you enjoyed this book, please,
please
consider leaving positive feedback on Amazon, Goodreads, or any book blogs you participate in. More positive feedback means I can spend more time writing! Oh, and I
love
interacting with my readers, so if you feel like shooting the breeze or talking about books, please visit me. You can find me at …
www.Facebook.com/ellecaseytheauthor
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Other Books by Elle Casey
War of the Fae: Book One, The Changelings -
FREE!
War of the Fae: Book Two, Call to Arms
War of the Fae: Book Three, Darkness & Light
War of the Fae: Book Four, New World Order
Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 1, After the Fall
Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 2, Between the Realms
Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 3, Portal Guardians
Apocalypsis: Book 1, Kahayatle
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I always acknowledge my readers first. It’s for you that I write, and without you, I’m not sure if I could technically even be a writer. So, thank you for making my wonderful life as a writer not only possible, but incredibly fulfilling. Your emails, posts, comments, and tweets keep me going, even when I’m not in the mood to go.
To my writer friends who are always there with a quick joke, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to bitch into … thank you! Jason “Muskrat Head” Brant, Dalya Moon, Samantha Young, Kary English and many others.
To the book bloggers and readers who take the extra time to review my books and share those reviews with the world. Thank you!
To my readers who make an effort to tell their friends and family about my work, thank you! I am well aware of the huge compliment that is, and I appreciate what you do for me very much.
To my Facebook friends and “likers”, thank you! I love our little community we’ve built there, where you all come by for visits and laughs, to share thoughts on my books and others, and to play my goofy games. Interacting with you guys is something I look forward to every single day.
To the talented musician, Sarah Jarosz. Your music is incredibly inspiring. I listened to it the entire time I was writing this book. I hope I can see you perform live someday.
To my beta readers and editors: Maggie, Theresa, Aidan, and Craig … you guys are the you-know-what. You have no idea what a great team you are, even though you toil alone, in the dark as to what the others are doing. You each find something different that needs fixing. You’re my superheros. All of my happy readers need to know what a crucial role you play in making me look good.
Last, but oh so very not least, to Aidan, superfan extraordinaire from Down Under, who made the cover of this book. Now, that might seem cool in and of itself. But what you don’t know, that I’m going to tell you now, is that he learned how to use Adobe Photoshop
just so he could make me a cover
. For months, he toiled over his computer, while also working full time, taking care of a 2-year-old who doesn’t like to sleep much, and a pregnant wife. Now THAT, is dedication. Love you, Aybee!!! Stay away from the snail wiener porridge!