Children of a New Earth Read Free

gardening manual they had. 
    The ranch had been built several years before the collapse happened. By the time things started to unravel, their contact with the outside world was already limited. Could they have been misinformed? And if so, what did that mean for them? Had they lived up in the mountains for years, hiding from a threat that wasn’t there?
     
    About half a dozen kids were already lounging in front of the community hall when Amy and Luke arrived.
    “Well, look who’s joined us today,” Mary Gatlin drawled as Amy threw herself down on the steps. Mary was short with curly, brown hair that she wore tied up with a faded red ribbon. She had brown eyes and a short upturned nose on her rounded face. Her eyes sparkled with malevolence as she watched Amy. “The tomboy’s come to school. Did Mr. Deaton have to threaten your dad again?”
    Amy glowered at Mary but didn’t answer.
    “Amy did better than you on the last reading test,” Luke said in her defense. Mary just snorted.
    “Today won’t be ‘so bad,” another boy put in. He was slightly taller than Luke and had the same lanky look about him. His hair was a darker brown; his face less angular. His name was Daniel. “After all, we have Mr. Deaton for third period.”
    Both girls groaned. Education at the ranch was simple. They had one class where the older kids helped the younger ones. The first two periods were taught by Lucille Posch. She had been a schoolteacher before the collapse. She taught reading, writing, and math. Third period varied, with different people coming in each day. Adrian Posch taught Bible study twice a week. Larry Gatlin taught farm management. Matthew Zachary, Luke’s dad, taught social studies (the great American way of life), and once a week Amos Deaton, their leader, taught history.
    After third period, they were released to go home for lunch. After lunch, the girls stayed at home and helped their mothers around the house. The boys over thirteen went back in the afternoon for combat training with Isaiah Hall.
    “Hey, there’s something you agree on,” Luke joked, looking at Mary then Amy. “You both don’t like history.”
    He was glared at from both sides. It was true; none of the girls liked history. Luke had read the one history book that the ranch owned. Actually, he had read it more than once. It was one of his best subjects. Amos Deaton didn’t often go by the book, however. His version of history was filled with lurid battles, often greatly embellished, and long rants about who hated whom and why. It was one of the most popular classes among the boys.
    Luke realized that a few things were missing. He had read about the Civil War. The book mentioned nothing at all about the resistance after the war—the resistance that eventually led to the Nations, and by default, to the ranch. In fact, the book seemed to assume that the North’s victory had been complete, and even proper.
    It was not a subject he was willing to discuss with Mr. Deaton, however. Surely in time their leader would explain this himself.
    Two women were approaching the community hall. The short and plump form of Lucille Posch was flanked by Theresa Deaton’s taller form. They were talking in low, worried whispers. They stopped talking as they came up to the children.
    Theresa looked at them uncertainly for a moment and then said, “Amy, your father needs you, up by the array.”
    “But she has school,” Mary protested. Mary hated that Amy got away with things that none of the other kids did.
    Lucille gave a disapproving look at Amy’s already retreating back. “She’ll be excused, for today only.” She shouted this last part. Amy had already broken into a run.
     
    The second Theresa had spoken, Amy realized what was wrong. Her premonition came back to her full force. She knew exactly what hadn’t seemed right. She had subconsciously missed the razor-thin line of the lightning rod on the horizon.
    She raced through the tiny settlement. She