Free ASCENSION by EJ Wallace Page A

his ax was biting into his third tree.
                  “Jake,” Ben said finally. Jake looked over. Ben was pouring sweat. His ax looked heavy in his hands. Ben looked at the pile of wood next to Jake. “Aren't you tired?” Ben asked.
                  Jake shrugged. “At first, but I feel much better now,” he said, and swung his ax again.
                  Ben laughed. “Well, your form is terrible, and you've got the strength of an eight-year-old, but you've got stamina, I'll give you that. Now come on, boy. We've cut a week’s worth of wood at least today. Let’s load it up and get something to eat. What do you say?”
                  At the mention of food, Jake's stomach growled. He was famished. He hadn't even realized how hungry he was until now. “What's on the menu?” Jake asked.
                  Ben laughed as the two climbed into the truck. “My girl makes me pancakes and eggs erry mornin’, smothered in butter and maple syrup, with a side of ice cold milk. It's what the body needs, some good old daily bread.”
                  Jake's mouth watered at the thought.
    ****
     

(Sophie)
     
     
                  Sophie yawned and wandered into the kitchen. Her stomach was growling angrily. When she opened the fridge, however, there was nothing in it. She frowned, irritated. She wasn't a morning person, and being hungry always made her irritable. A grandfather clock chimed behind her. It read 7am. The house was very still, but then Sophie heard the patter of footsteps on the wooden floor. Her heart quickened. Was it Jake? A shorter male appeared, cramming what appeared to be a cheeseburger into his mouth.
                  “Good morning, Zack,” Sophie said.
                  Zack nodded. His hair was matted, and his eyes were glazed. He was wearing sweat pants and a sleeveless gray tank top. “’Sup,” he said.
                  “Where'd you get that?” Sophie asked, eying his cheeseburger enviously.
                  Zack laughed. “I stopped in town last night and picked up a few. Ben and Mary only eat what comes off of the farm. So good luck finding anything worthwhile in there.”
                  Sophie frowned. “Ben. You mean your father?”
                  Zack shrugged. “Whatever. Anyway, I'm going to the barn.”
                  “Okay... have you seen your dad?”
                  Zack nodded. “He's out chopping wood. He does it every morning. Tried to take me, but I told him that wasn't gonna happen. So he took your little boyfriend instead.”
                  Sophie's face flushed. “He's not my boyfriend. I don't even know him.”
                  Zack shrugged again. “Whatever.” he said, and walked towards the door.
                  “Don't you think you need a jacket? It's cold outside,” Sophie suggested.
                  “Nah, I'm hot enough to stay warm,” he said with a wink, then slipped out the door.
                  Sophie just laughed and shook her head. She wondered if that's how she acted at fourteen. Then her thoughts turned to Jake. She was surprised he agreed to go with Ben. He seemed so sullen, even worse than Zack. She wished she could help him. He seemed to be in so much pain, as if he were in some constant internal struggle. Most of all, she pitied him. How could a man with no past have no future? Even the fates hadn't given her an answer to that question. They had gone strangely silent as of late. Even her dreams had stopped. Which, truly, she was thankful for. They only tormented her. A sound of the door rustling snapped Sophie out of her thoughts. Mary walked through the door, covered in a thick coat, carrying buckets of water in both hands. Her cheeks were flushed ruby red. She smelled like outside, a brisk and bracing