All Chapters of The Goodwills: Adventure in an Apocalyptic World : Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
10 chapters
chapter one
The banquet hall glowed beneath warm golden lights, its marble floors reflecting the soft shimmer of antique murals and sculptures arranged with almost ceremonial care. The Goodwill family filled the room with hushed conversations and polite laughter.At the high table, Robert Goodwill, broad-shouldered with a thinning hairline and a voice that could carry through storms, rose to his feet.“Everyone,” he called, the smooth baritone slicing through the chatter, “may I have your attention?”The room stilled. Robert let the quiet settle before he began.“Every human life has a peak,” he said. “For some, it’s something earth-shaking, like the man who first stepped on the moon. For others, it’s wealth, fame, recognition. Whatever form it takes, a peak is still a peak, and it deserves to be honored.”He paused, scanning familiar faces, siblings, nieces, nephews, each one attentive.“Today,” Robert continued, “we celebrate a man whose peak keeps rising. A brother to some, a father to two, a
Chapter two
Victor groaned as he forced his eyes open. His head throbbed. The last thing he remembered was the celebration… the light that swallowed everything… and then nothing.He blinked at the brightness above him.‘Where’s the ceiling? Where’s the floor? Why is it so hot?’He sat up quickly, sand sticking to his palms. A wave of confusion hit him as he looked around. No marble floors. No family members. Just a long empty shoreline, the sun beating down, wind in his ears, and…“Is that… a tsunami?”A massive wall of water was rising in the distance.Victor didn’t think. He jumped to his feet and ran. He had never moved so fast in his life. Sand flew behind him as he sprinted inland, lungs burning.When he finally stopped and turned around, expecting destruction, he froze.The wave was gone.Just calm water touching the shore as if nothing had happened.“That makes no sense,” he muttered, breathing hard.He sat in the sand to steady himself. “Okay… I’m on a beach. I don’t know where. I’m alone
Chapter three
“Argh" Victor grunted as he tried to sit up. "Victor's awake!" He heard someone say as he sat upright. He hadn't fully gotten himself when he felt someone rush into his arms. “Victor" he heard and immediately he knew who that was.“I'm so sorry for making you worried, Ness.” Victor said“You're not to blame." Vanessa acknowledged with her face still buried in his chest.“Is everyone here?" Victor asked as he looked around, paying attention to everyone's face.Vanessa replied, “Yes, everyone is here." Relief washed over Victor’s face as he turned to see Robert and Caleb reunite with their wives. After the joy of reunion everyone sobered up. The thought of where they were made every thought seem bleak and dark. Drops of water dripping from the top of the tent, the. damp ground, the squeaking noise made as rats interacted, the decaying smell that filled the air, the bars made of bamboo that separated the cells, all of these pointed and a future not to be desired.Cough coughAn old
chapter four
The Goodwills sat in silence as they looked from one face to another. Questions upon questions heaped upon their minds as they sat.A while later, Victor began “We all heard what the old man said and have processed it. I'll ask some questions after which any other person with questions should signify then ask. Alright?”Everyone nodded in response as Victor looked around.“Let's proceed, has anyone noticed a scar on their body?”“Asides from the one that was there before, I haven't noticed a new one" one member of the Goodwill family said.“Others?” Victor asked as he looked around.The others shook their heads, faces tinted with regret."Okay that fine too. Let's keep being positive.” Victor in a bid to cheer them up said. "Does anyone have any questions?“ he continued.The Goodwills got deep in thought and did not respond for a while. Later, Robert raised his hand and loudly said “I have something!”Victor gestured for him to proceed and he did. Robert began, his rich baritone voi
chapter five
The dread that was to come since they left the camp has finally descended. The glow of the Sun felt chilly as they took measured and muffled breaths. “Let's go" the patrol whispered.They continued the walk silently, paying attention to shadows and the ruffling of leaves. Although they seemed slower, they covered much more ground than earlier. The Sun got to the midpoint as the journey continued, that was until they got out of the area fill with those oversized trees. Everyone sighed in relief except the patrol. "We've gotten through that, this is where most people die” the patrol said his eyes filled with dread. “Don't think I was sent to lead or protect you. I was also exiled, so it's each man for himself. I won't risk my life to save you but I advise that you risk your lives to save me else you'd be stranded in this terror." The patrol said as he looked from face to face.He looked away from their faces and said “Let's continue.”“This place is filled with snakes and some are v
Chapter six
“Ness." Victor whispered as he gently shook Vanessa.Her lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes and looked at him."I need to go.” Victor said as he pointed using his head towards the patrol sitting on his own.Seemingly understanding what Victor meant, she hummed softly as she lifted her head from his chest.He kissed her forehead while standing up and said “Don't miss me too much.”Victor moved towards the patrol whose eyes were closed as he took measured breaths. As though trying not to disturb, everyone tactfully gave a certain distance from the patrol.As Victor got closer, the patrol opened his eyes but Victor was undeterred. He continued walking until he was at arm's length from the patrol then he sat on the grass. “I am Victor Goodwill,” Victor began."And the fourteen of us over there belong to one family.” Victor pointed as he continued, the patrol listening to him."We will be sending four volunteers for the watch tonight but before that I thought to speak with you.” Vic
Chapter seven
Silence ensued, both Karl and Victor weighed down by the information. After a while, Victor said, “I'll be going now, I'll gather the others from my end and come back here." "Okay then.” Karl replied.Victor got up, patted away the grass pieces on his clothes and walked towards the goodwills. On getting to where Robert, Katie and Vanessa were, he sat, his face still looking solemn because of the information her got.“I'll join Aunt May now.” Vanessa said, giving them privacy for their discussion.Knowing Vanessa, Robert said “Take a good rest Vanessa. I know you like pushing your limits but these are dangerous time.” concern etched on his face.“I will." Vanessa replied, as she walked away.After Vanessa had gone away, Victor, who had silent the whole time began."The patrol’s name is Karl and he shared some basic information about the world with me.”He continued, telling them all that Karl had told him. Robert and Katie's expressions darkened as they listened to Victor. Properly
Chapter eight
The night that was thought to long disappeared quite quickly as they rested and morning came.The ground was damp from the dew, as people woke up. After huddling together for warmth overnight, people began to separate. Somewhere in the distance, something howled, it was low, drawn-out, not quite an animal sound, not quite human either.Victor woke with a stiff neck and sore shoulders. He sat up slowly, careful not to disturb anyone. Around him, bodies stirred, other members of the Goodwill family, some awake already, others clinging to sleep like it might protect them.Karl was already on his feet.He stood near the edge of the temporary camp, scanning the tree line with a calm that didn’t match the tension in the air. His wooden spear at hand, not raised and not relaxed either.“Wake everyone up,we are moving in soon,” Karl said quietly. “Muster as much strength as possible, we will encounter fruit trees not too far ahead.”Robert groaned softly as he pushed himself upright. “You eve
chapter nine
“My group is in charge of watching tonight,” Victor said as he stroked Vanessa's hair. Vanessa hummed and nodded in response.Victor got to his feet shortly after. As though it was planned, Nathan, RJ, George got up as well.The four walked towards Karl. Derik seeing them, got up and joined. Too tired for small talk, they all walked in silence.Getting close to Karl, Victor said, “How is tonight's watch going to be?" “Considering the cave has just one entrance, that's where you guys will be stationed mostly." Karl responded, after thinking for a bit.“At least two people will be on watch at a time, the rest can use that opportunity to rest.” Karl said."Okay then, we'll be going now.” Victor said as he nodded.The watch was uneventful as though the night decided to be merciful. Still their vigilance did not wean. The moon sped into hiding as morning crept upon them."Let's move, we're close to the frontier already.” Karl boomed as the day dawned.Everyone stirred from their sleep a
Chapter ten
The camp quieted down as the fatigue of the day overcame his desire to think. Victor and the others quickly fell asleep.For the first time in a while, the night felt long. They all felt fully rested as sounds of people moving about stirred them awake.Victor sat up, rubbing his sore shoulder as he looked around. Men and women alike were going about their business. Some sat before fires as they warned themselves up, some were fully armed, preparing to go out. Some sat together, discussing in hushed tones.The day had begun, and no one was slack. As he looked, Victor noticed Karl walking towards him. “Good morning." Karl said as he got closer“Oh, you acknowledge that this is a good morning" Robert, who was not too far from Victor, resorted.Karl chuckled as he sat beside Victor. Victor waited as He thought for a bit before he began.“I've not heard much about the frontier but I've always known the treatment is worse than at the safe zone. Our advantage here is our numbers but that's