Free Life After: Episode 2 by JJ Holden Page A

more. They have no idea about the incinerators. They don’t
know of the gas chambers, nor of what they do to the unfortunate
souls who are born into such horrible places.”
    “We were stationed at a camp a few months ago,” Jeff
said. “I was a sharpshooter before they made me go to that
horrendous place to do their dirty work. I couldn’t do it, though.
I couldn’t kill innocent people. And so I fled along with Clark. I
still think about those people there. I have nightmares to this
day…”
    Clark turned to the look at the boy. “I’m sorry all
of this is happening. I really am. We need to find other survivors
and do something.”
    Jeff shrugged “If we don’t then who will? Canada and
Mexico have their hands tied. They fear that Skelton will invade
their countries after he is finished liquefying the dissenters in
his own.”
    “And what about the United Nations?” Charles asked.
“Why aren’t they stepping in at a time like this?”
    “The member states of the UN have their own problems.
Besides, Skelton has convinced them that there are no concentration
camps,” Clark said.
    Charles’s voice raised slightly and his face grew
red. “I find that hard to believe,” he said. “They can easily see
satellite imagery that shows—”
    “Not since he nationalized the mapping companies and
the tech companies who release those images with their mapping
programs,” Clark said. “They are only showing older aerial photos.
It’s a big cover-up. If anything, countries like France, Germany,
and Russia might even send troops over to help Skelton. They think he’s
trying to save the world or something, though he’s trying to use
the worldwide calamity to further his reach. To further his
empire…”
    Gunfire erupted nearby.
    “Over there,” Jeff said, pointing to a group of trees
that were situated near the edge of a drop-off.
    “Stay here,” Clark said to Charles and Thomas. He and
Jeff approached the trees and peered down the hill. Near the bottom
of the hill were four soldiers, all looking down at several bodies
that lay near a stream. A boy remained standing near the adults
that were slaughtered.
    “My God,” Jeff said.
    Clark heard the booming voice of the commanding
officer as his three subordinates aimed their guns at the boy.
“What the hell are you waiting for?”
    None of the soldiers answered. They just stood there,
aiming. All waiting for someone else to pull the trigger. Obviously
they were fine with killing the adults in the group of rebels, but
were hesitant to kill the brown-haired boy who shivered
uncontrollably.
    “We need to do something,” Clark said.
    There was silence.
    Finally, Jeff spoke meekly. “We’re outnumbered. Even
if we do something, they’ll kill the boy, then us…”
    “Remember,” Clark started, “we are wearing the same
uniforms as them. I have an idea.”
    Without hesitation, Clark stepped to the edge of the
hill and fell to his knees. Waving his arms in the air, he yelled
to the soldiers. “Help!”
    All of the soldiers looked up at Clark.
    “I’m out of ammunition, and I’m being chased by
rebels,” he screamed. “Help!”
    “Come down here,” the commanding officer said.
    “I can’t,” Clark said. “My right leg is busted up
pretty bad. I won’t make it down in time before they catch up with
me.”
    “I’ll kill the boy myself,” the officer said, pulling
the boy towards him. “Go take care of those rebels.”
    The three soldiers started up the hill. Clark turned
around to look at Jeff, who remained behind a tree. “Take out the
commander,” he said.
    Moving out slightly from the tree, he saw that the
boy was in the way of his target. He steadied his aim and waited.
“Move, you bastard,” he said under his breath.
    Just then, Jeff saw the commander throw the boy to
the ground and aim his pistol at him. Jeff squeezed off a single
shot that pierced the commander’s skull. The commander’s pistol
dropped to the ground and hit the ground