Regeneration (Mad Swine Book 3) Read Free Page A

tracking inventory. Winter was also a time for
repairs, when farmers finally had time to mend fences, paint the
barn, and make small repairs around the house.
    This winter, we were busy making the
repairs that would save our lives. Although the vast property was
fenced, the four-foot wood frames were not formidable enough to
keep out the infected. The harsh temperatures and thick snowfall
early in the month had kept the infected activity minimal. However,
as the temperatures became mild, the crazies had become more
active, like bears waking from hibernation and seeking out their
first meal. One morning we awoke to a few of the infected wandering
around in the garden, which enraged mama Cleona as she swore the
creatures would poison her soil.
    Lara came up with the idea to dig
trenches outside the fences, pits that the infected would fall into
before reaching the fence. The pits needed to be deep enough that
the crazies could not easily climb out. Kieran later contributed
the idea to wrap barbed wire around the tops of the fences as an
added defense, hopefully, snaring a crazy and trapping it before it
could make it over onto our side of the field.
    So it was during that warm stretch
when temperatures reached mid-thirties and lower forties when Ian
demonstrated how to use the backhoe. Over a period of five days, we
spent twelve-hour shifts digging the ditches around the farm—which
was much larger than I expected. At first, we used the machinery,
but later there was concern about fuel consumption, so we continued
to dig with shovels to conserve precious fuel that would be needed
come spring, when it came time to plant new crops.
    At the same time we were digging
ditches, we were also raising a new barn on the ashes of the old.
The new barn was more than just symbolic; it would be used as a
place of gathering and learning, space that would be much needed
now that Randall Oaks had joined the family. Come spring, we would
be adding to our ranks when Kat, Sam and those who remained at
Randall Oaks would also join us.
    More than just building, fixing, and
maintaining, there was much to learn about farm life which was a
lot harder than many of us expected. Although we still had the hard
days of planting and harvesting ahead of us, just basic chores of
everyday life on the farm took getting used to. Waking up before
the sunrise, learning to work with equipment, feed, and livestock
was a new experience for all of us, but the Finnegans were
excellent teachers and were accustomed to working with those new to
their lifestyle.
    The former residents of Randall Oaks
were not the only ones tasked with learning new things that first
month. As we were learning skills needed to sustain the farm, we
were teaching the Finnegans the art of war, teaching them the
skills they needed to help defend the farm from invaders, whether
alive or undead. From the youngest on up to mama Cleona, the
Finnegans were taught firearms and tactics from Brian, while Justin
taught them close battle with blunt or edged weapons. Lara taught
them patrol movements and formations and we ran drills for
different attack scenarios.
    I coordinated schedules with mama
Cleona and Maureen, combining our work and security details to
ensure everyone had time to train and learn their new crafts, while
still ensuring that we were keeping watch and protecting our
interests in land and family. Each day I grew closer to these women
and to the Finnegan family. This was true for all of us. Finnegan
Farm started to feel like a home for us all, and as each day went
by, we all began to feel like one large, extended family. We felt
safe here and as each day passed, Randall Oaks felt more like a
distant memory.
     
    * * *
     
    One night, near the end of January, I
stood outside the communal kitchen, looking out at the stars that
were so clear in this part of the world. The night was quiet save
for the sounds of those gathering the dishes and cleaning up after
our meal. It was cold, but not the