Smoke and Mirrors: A Young Adult Novella (Smoke & Mirrors Book 1) Read online

  Smoke And Mirrors

  ©2018 Cj Evans

  All Rights Reserved

  Dedicated to,

  Those that have helped me in my writing

  Smoke And Mirrors

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  The End Of Part 1

  Authors Note

  Authors Bio

  Prologue

  March 1st, 2025

  A Massive EMP Occurs. The electrical grid dies.

  March 2nd, 2025

  The US and all other 1st world countries economies collapse.

  March 8th, 2025

  Mass panic breaks out. Riots start.

  March 21st, 2025

  The United States government collapses.

  March 23rd, 2025

  Most world governments collapse.

  May 19th, 2030

  In the main body of the former US, due to strong military presence, the former states form into independent nations.

  August 12th, 2030

  Some electricity has returned. The more developed nations most advanced technology is radio.

  January 3rd, 2031

  The Former Canadian Provinces form into independent nations.

  April 22nd, 2031

  Mexico has held strong until now. A civil war breaks out.

  September 30th, 2033

  The Mexican civil war ends. Mexico is now divided into two nations. North Mexico, and South Mexico.

  July 1st, 2035

  The State Nations of Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia all form together to form the United States of America. They bring back the old Constitution, and hold their government like it was before the EMP. No other State Nations agree to join.

  June 11th, 2036

  The Republic of Texas is formed. They annex Arkansas, and Louisiana.

  June 13th, 2036

  Louisiana forms a resistance. Louisiana declares war on The Republic of Texas.

  July 19th, 2036

  The Louisiana resistance is crushed by The Republic of Texas. Louisiana is officially absorbed into the Republic of Texas.

  July 22nd, 2036

  The State Nation of Iowa agrees willingly to be absorbed into the State Nation of Minnesota. Now called The Republic of Minnesota.

  November 3rd, 2036

  The State Nations of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine form together into a new nation. The New York Confederacy.

  November 5th, 2036

  The State Nations of North and South Dakota join together and form the new nation The Dakota Alliance.

  February 9th, 2037

  The State Nation of Colorado declares war on the State Nations of Nebraska and Kansas.

  March 7th, 2037

  The Republic of Minnesota signs a treaty with The Dakota Alliance absorbing them into The Republic of Minnesota. The Dakota Alliance government is abolished. The Dakota Alliance is now a part of The Republic of Minnesota.

  August 29th, 2037

  The State Nation of Nebraska has gone through major drought over the summer.

  September 22nd, 2037

  The State Nation of Nebraska surrenders to the State Nation of Colorado. The State Nation of Nebraska is absorbed into the State Nation of Colorado. Now known as The Colorado Republic.

  November 1st, 2037

  The Colorado Republic increases funding for its military campaign on the State Nation of Kansas.

  November 3rd, 2037

  The Nation States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan form together to create the new nation, The Great Lakes Alliance.

  November 5th, 2037

  The State Nation’s of Montana, and Idaho form together to create the new nation, The Montana Republic.

  January 3rd, 2038

  The State Nation of Kansas surrenders to The Colorado Republic. The State Nation of Kansas is absorbed into The Colorado Republic.

  January 5th, 2038

  The Northern part of the former State Nation Michigan is absorbed into the State Nation of Wisconsin.

  January 7th, 2038

  The State Nation of Florida renames itself The Republic of Florida.

  March 19th, 2038

  The State Nation of Wisconsin starts to go through an economic boom.

  June 5th, 2038

  The State Nation of Wisconsin declares war on The Republic of Minnesota.

  July 27th, 2038

  The State Nation of Wisconsin requests Military aid from The Great Lakes Alliance.

  July 30th, 2038

  The Great Lakes Alliance denies the request of the State Nation of Wisconsin.

  August 14th, 2038

  The Republic of Minnesota defeats the State Nation of Wisconsin, abolishes its government, and absorbs it into The Republic of Minnesota.

  September 5th, 2038

  The State Nation’s of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia all unite into one nation called The South Eastern Republic.

  September 6th, 2038

  The State Nation California renames itself The Second Californian Republic.

  September 7th, 2038

  The State Nation’s of Washington and Oregon collapse, due to civil unrest, the Governments are overthrown. Anarchy reigns supreme.

  February 5th, 2039

  A few small towns come into existence, in the former State Nation’s of Washington and Oregon, the region covering that area is named by The Montana Republic, the new name is The North Western Wilds.

  March 4th, 2039

  The Republic of Florida opens many ports, and starts trading with the Caribbean Nations. It immediately becomes the most successful New Nation Economically since the EMP.

  March 9th, 2039

  The Nation of British Columbia takes the State Nation of Alaska as a territory.

  May 10th, 2039

  The Nations in the Caribbean form together due to economic ties, creating the new nation The United Caribbean Nations.

  April 7th, 2040

  The Colorado Republic invades the State Nation Oklahoma.

  June 9th, 2040

  The State Nation Oklahoma officially surrenders to The Colorado Republic. The State Nation Oklahoma is absorbed into The Colorado Republic.

  July 17th, 2040

  The Colorado Republic starts to go through an economic boom, second only to the Republic of Florida.

  August 10th, 2040

  The State Nation of New Mexico has a food shortage, their economy is on the verge of collapse.

  August 14th, 2040

  The State Nation of New Mexico sends out requests to either join The Colorado Republic or The Republic of Texas.

  August 17th, 2040

  Each request is answered. The State Nation of New Mexico must chose which Nation to join, based on the proposals offered by each Nation.

  August 21st, 2040

  The State Nation of New Mexico decides to join The Colorado Republic.

  August 23rd, 2040

/>   The State Nation of New Mexico officially joins The Colorado Republic.

  September 3rd, 2040

  The State Nations of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona merge together to form The Desert Alliance.

  October 5th, 2040

  The Colorado Republic declares war on the State Nation of Wyoming.

  January 24th, 2041

  The State Nation of Wyoming surrenders to The Colorado Republic. The State Nation of Wyoming joins The Colorado Republic.

  May 3rd, 2041

  The Republic of Florida signs a trade agreement with The South Eastern Republic. The Republic of Florida is now trading with The United Caribbean Nations, and The South Eastern Republic.

  March 5th, 2042

  The State Nation of Missouri requests to join The Colorado Republic.

  March 7th, 2042

  The State Nation of Missouri joins The Colorado Republic.

  September 12th, 2042

  The Republic of Minnesota goes through its first year of drought, with mostly failed crops.

  March 8th, 2043

  The Colorado Republic declares war on The Desert Alliance.

  September 14th, 2043

  The Republic of Minnesota goes through its second year of drought, with mostly failed crops.

  April 6th, 2044

  A man calling himself, “The Prophet,” first appears in Minneapolis, the twin capitol of The Republic of Minnesota. Many people in the Nation are tired of the food shortage. The Prophet gets his first few followers. He claims to speak for six war gods.

  July 10th, 2044

  The Prophet’s influence grows.

  March 9th, 2045

  One fourth of the population of The Republic of Minnesota now follows The Prophet.

  May 3rd, 2047

  The Prophet and his followers start a civil war in The Republic of Minnesota.

  October 31st, 2048

  The civil war continues in The Republic of Minnesota. Three people emerge leading a fight against The Prophet and his followers. They are nicknamed The Hunter, The Lover, and The Philosopher. The Lover and The Philosopher are brother and sister, and The Hunter is married to the Lover. Not much is known about these three individuals except their age, The Hunter is 27 years old, The Lover is 25 years old, and The Philosopher is 32 years old.

  March 5th, 2049

  The Hunter, The Philosopher, and The Lover each write a book describing how they each think life should be after the war, and how life should be conducted.

  April 9th, 2050

  The Republic of Minnesota collapses, The Prophet is killed, most his followers go north of Minneapolis, they form into war tribes, all of them worship The Prophet and his teachings. The Hunter, The Lover, and The Philosopher are killed.

  June 9th, 2053

  The Hunter, The Lover, and The Philosopher are loved by many, so much a new religion is formed centered around them. The religion is called The Triade.

  July 12th, 2053

  The Former Republic of Minnesota is now called The Northern Wilds. No Nation attempts to claim the land, for fear of encountering a war tribe. A few small towns exist.

  August 6th, 2055

  The first report of cannibalism by a war tribe is reported.

  August 9th, 2055

  It is discovered only three of the war tribes practice cannibalism.

  July 5th, 2057

  The Desert Alliance’s Government is thrown into exile, being over powered by The Colorado Republic. The Colorado Republic takes control of all the land that was controlled by The Desert Alliance, merging the new land with The Colorado Republic.

  July 17th, 2057

  The exiled Desert Alliance Government is given refuge by The Second Californian Republic. The exiled Government hopes to one day take back their home country.

  July 21st, 2057

  The Colorado Republic Renames itself The Colorado Empire.

  November 2nd, 2061

  The USA makes first contact with Europe since The EMP. The Europeans tell the USA that the European Nations have gone back to using Monarchies. The Europeans are from The Kingdom of England. A trade relationship is established between the USA and the Kingdom of England.

  February 9th, 2081

  I am born. My parents name me Maxine. My grandpa was the Head Historian in The Republic of Minnesota, my uncle was a General. My grandpa taught my dad history, he loved it. We follow The Triade religion.

  March 1st, 2086

  My brother is born. My parents name him Thomas.

  May 3rd, 2087

  The Second Californian Republic and the Montana Republic sign a Military and Trade agreement, promising to protect each other, and trade fairly between each other.

  June 5th, 2088

  The Colorado Empire and The Republic of Texas sign a Trade and Non-hostility agreement.

  April 5th, 2099

  My camp is attacked by a war tribe. Our camp was located about 50 miles north of Minneapolis. My parents and grandparents are killed. A few of us escape; my brother Thomas, my boyfriend Cryton, and myself. We head about 25 miles south. We make camp. This is where we are.

  APRIL 5TH, 2100

  Chapter 1

  I was sitting by the warming fire, watching the flames dance around. The brightly shining sun had only been up for about an hour. Thomas was still sleeping and Cryton went out hunting. He was using a light weighted compound bow that was given to him as a gift by his father, my uncle’s best friend. I was thinking about my parents. They didn’t deserve to die as horribly as they did. The war tribes rarely ever show mercy upon those who are unlucky enough to become their victims.

  My father always thought history was important, he taught me all he could. When Thomas, Cryton, and I escaped the camp I at least got the chance to grab a large duffle bag, which was the color of the forest, and a backpack, which also had the same colors. Most of my supplies were inside the duffle bag and backpack. I still keep track of the date in one of my fathers notebooks. I still have the calendar my father made, and almost all of his notebooks; the ones that are filled, and the ones that aren’t. I’m still keeping track of history. He would be so proud.

  My Uncle would have liked to see me train instead. I still do. Though not as much as he would have liked me too.

  “How long have you been up?” Thomas asked.

  “About an hour,” I turned to face my brother. He was still laying down.

  “Where’s Cryton?”

  “Hunting.”

  “When did he leave?”

  “I don’t know Thomas, a little while ago. Maybe a half hour.” I answered.

  “Alright,” he said seeming to accept it.

  “And before you say anything. No, we are not having breakfast until Cryton comes back,” I said.

  “Damn it. I’m hungry. Couldn’t you steal some bird eggs or something?” He asked.

  “There aren’t any birds around our camp. Besides, you know that I’m not very good at climbing.” I stated.

  Thomas sighs, then he said to me, “Okay.”

  I decided I would take inventory of our small weapon supplies. It has been a few days since we last checked. Out of the duffle bag I pull out three knives. One of them was a medium sized survival knife. The other two were large Karambits, I love how the blade curves. They were a delightful gift from my uncle. We also have a pistol, though we only have three bullets left. Cryton and I should make a supply run for more ammunition soon.

  I heard a twig snap and I turned my head towards where the voiceless sound from the forest came. I grabbed the cool pistol, and loaded it quickly, then I brought up the gun.

  “Don’t shoot, it’s me,” Cryton said.

  “Damn you Cryton! You know you shouldn’t sneak up on us like that!” I yelled.

  “Sorry, I didn’t know that I was.”

  I lowered the gun and put the bullets away. Then I said to him, “Well... What did you catch?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing? What the hell do you mean, ‘n
othing’?” I said very pissed.

  “By nothing, I mean nothing... zip, zero... nothing.” He explained.

  “Did you at least see any game?”

  “Nope, but I found some wild blueberries, a lot of them actually. Here,” he held up the bag.

  Cryton handed me the bag, which is somewhat heavy for the bag, maybe a pound or two. I opened it and looked inside. The bag is about half full. I sighed then said, “At least you got these. They’ll do for breakfast.”

  I heard Thomas chime brightly in, “I was kind of hoping for some eggs... or maybe a rabbit!”

  I replied to Thomas saying, “You and your damn stomach,” I held out the bag towards him saying, “Here, take a handful.” Thomas reached into the bag and took out what I would call a little more than a handful of the wild blueberries. I give Cryton a handful as well. Then lastly I give myself a handful.

  I looked towards Cryton, “ We’re starting to run low on bullets, how many arrows do you have left?”

  “Five,” he answered.

  “Remember that town we got supplies from about a month ago?” I asked.

  “The one that’s about seven miles south of here?” He questioned.

  “Yeah, that one. I think I saw a gun shop.” I said.

  “It’s probably already been looted,” he responded.

  “Yeah... most likely. Though, it’s worth a shot, isn’t it?” I asked.

  “Eh, what the hell. It wouldn’t hurt to check it out. When do you want to go?” Cryton remarked.

  “I was thinking tomorrow, after the sun comes up.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Thomas spoke up, “ I’d like to go with you guys.”

  Cryton and I both look at each other, our eyes locked, we have the same thought, then we looked at Thomas, and in unison we said, “No.”

  “Why not? You both have been teaching me how to fight ever since our old camp got attacked.” Thomas stated.

  I replied calmly, “You’re still not ready. Especially since it will be an open area. You have no idea how to fight in that kind of terrain.”