From The Ashes (Life After War) (90 page)

Letting out a defeated whimper, Angela sank into the grayness, surrendering. There was something she had to show him, something he had to understand.

Adrian stared over the side of the tall cliff, not worried even though he was ten stories up and the hard stone was slick from the salty sprays of the angry waves below. The ocean roared at him, seduced as it pulled him closer. If he could just touch it…

“
You must be strong.”

Angela’s concern cut through his daze, and Adrian turned in slow motion.

The water crashed onto the rocks below angrily, protesting her interruption, but Adrian appeared not to notice.

“
Why is the water only blue going south? Why isn’t all of it red?”

Angela smiled, appearing much like an angel with her white pajamas and flowing black curls.

“
That is your path. Venture into the red, and death has you.”

“
But where does it go?”

She shrugged, realizing the water was trying to demand Adrian’s attention from her, calling to him.

“
It understands what this means, as well. Know now that it will never willingly let you cross, and yet, that is the way you must go.”

“
Is there no place left here?”

She shrugged, timbre a soft, eerie echo. “That has not been revealed.”

“
What about the blue? Where does it go?”

“
That also has not been…”

“
I need to know!” he shouted over the water’s roar. “I can't keep them alive here!”

Adrian’s frustration fed the waves, and the sprays crashed harder against the rocks.

“
Go away! Kill you! Never let you pass!”

He could hear the rage now, the buzzing in his ears. Below them, the red water began lapping the edges of the blue until the entire ocean as far as they could see, was as red as blood. Scarlet drops sprayed them from the crashing waves.

“
There’s not much time.” Angela was fading, floating away from him. “You have to get ready!”

Adrian snapped awake, but sank down into his dreams quickly, the ocean distantly calling as the shadowy form of a sorceress danced for him.

Interactive Bonus

This book has several interactive features. Links will take you places, and allow you to interact with the world I've created.

Would you like to vote in the camp meeting? Or maybe hear Safe Haven's eerie radio call? Both are in here. It's up to you to find the links in the text. Some are blue, indicating their presence, while others are the same color as the words and can only found by following the tidbits I've provided or obsessive tapping. Good luck!

I
nteractive Tidbits

These are the interactive features you'll find in book Five... if you look hard enough.  A few will be difficult, but most of the answers are either given or the clues are simple to solve.

You'll notice most items are based on the things you've learned while reading this series–such as channel switches. Have you figured out what 'by' means? That's crucial.

To figure it out, skim back through. A good chapter for this is during the final battle with the Slavers. They do a lot of channel changes on the way to the rest stop.

Ready? Here's your first challenge–solve the clue below.

Channel 18, by 1, minus 3=?

If you just scowled, I suggest doing the skim or even sticking to the easier interactive features.

If you guessed, I still think you should skim, but that's your choice.

If you know the answer: I challenge you! Two of the hidden scenes are in the back of the cage you've just entered. Find them for a pass.

*These two are noted with PC!–personal challenge labels.

1.) View FTA's Route of Travel & Extras on Google Maps

*The link to this is in the blue text of the 'This is Safe Haven' chapter number.

There are 9 main stops that Safe Haven makes in From The Ashes. Click the icons on the map for tidbits, unknown facts, apocalypse extras, and more.

2.) Hidden Scene#1

Clues: Black text/...a restless sleep with a grimace of pain on his face.

3.) Hidden Scene#2

Clues: Chapter of the Slaves/mobster, by 5, minus 5.

4.) Visit the Cutting Room

View scenes that were cut entirely from the story, as if they never existed. It's where what once was, but isn't anymore, still exists. Be warned! Scenes on this floor may be dead, but they don't rest easy.

Clue location: Aftermath ghost/ The link is black.

5.) Found Poetry Writing Challenge

Take sections of the Life After War story and create a found poem; then post it
here
: The one with the most votes at the end of the series will be featured in the final book!

Not sure what a found poem is? Here are
some details:

6.) Hidden scene #3

Clues: Hole chapter/Limps/shot in Little Rock, by 5.

7.) Hidden Scene #4

Clues: Chapter after hole/Teenager's friend, by six.

8.) Listen to Safe Haven's Radio Call

*The link is in the text of the first radio call for survivors in the book. The text is black.

9.) Gender Writing Challenge

Pick a scene from LAW and rewrite it (using exact text) from the other side of the gender field.

For example: Marc and Angie in the training tent after his test. Imagine that she was dangerous to him–that Brady was the one afraid of being hurt! Grin. Post it
here:

10.) Hidden Scene #5

Clues: Chapter after all the heat/Rebecca's abuse

11.) Vote in the Monthly Camp Meeting

You can find the ballot link, in blue, in that chapter.

12.) Hidden Scene #6 -PC!

Clues: The man gaining ground in Angela's heart, hay room activity

13.) Hidden Scene #7 -PC!

Clues: Location opposite of drive, the condition

14.) Place an Interactive Review

This is my first attempt at an interactive book. Did you like it? Hate it? I'd love to know, and the best way to reach me is through online reviews. Please, won't you help me make future books better?

Go to the Table of Contents.

All Angela White Titles

Life After War series

The Survivors

On The Road

Safe Haven

Adrian’s Eagles

From The Ashes

Bachelor Battles Trilogy

The Change

Changeling Winds

Flash Fiction

Twisted Shorts

Alexa’s Travels

A Prelude

Bone Dust & Beginnings

Upcoming Releases

The Network

The Killin’ Fields of Nebraska

Book 6 of the LAW series