40 To Go - Sample Chapter

 40 To Go

- Novelization-

Based on the web series by

Corey A. Burkes

Sample EBook Edition

PUBLISHED BY DESKTOPEPICS Entertainment at Smashwords

PO Box 1841

Marietta, GA 30061

http://40togo.desktopepics.com

Copyright © 2011 Corey A. Burkes

Discover other titles by Corey A. Burkes at Smashwords.com

All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious,

and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced, edited, changed or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. A free short story does not equate to ‘public domain’. The publisher has used its best efforts in preparing this book, and the information provided herein is provided "as is." DesktopEpics Entertainment makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. If you purchased this version of the 40 To Go Sample Chapter eBook (with NO ISBN and only one chapter included) at any cost, other than any nominal download fees, if applicable by a third-party distributor, you should be aware that this eBook is 100% freely downloadable. Please report any sites offering this eBook at a retail cost.

Cover Design by Corey Aaron Burkes

All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America

January 18th 2012

First EBook Edition

10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3   2   1

Before All Hell Broke loose …

Two Years Ago:

The City only had one orphanage.

In a society that practically rid itself of the concept of one location that held multiple unwanted children (discouraging that ideal since the early depression), The City Orphanage was a rarity in its gothic, gargoyle perched design and prison-like steel bars on three floors of windows that lasted a complete four square city block.

It was rumored that this was the old military armory and the city officials cut an underhanded deal when the feds decommissioned The City Guard and vacated the premises; leaving a stock pile of weaponry, various forms of explosives and unregulated asbestos lining in the walls and floors. Except for the removal of the firearms, everything else was pretty much left intact.

Including a stick of dynamite or two.

So on the night of the massive explosion that leveled the building to a pile of rubble, killing 744 children, twenty-nine administration staff members and three janitors, no one was surprised when the finger pointing directly aimed at the military and their negligence. Court papers were filed. Funerals for the lost carried on for months and long lost parents, who expected an easy payday, miraculously appeared to claim a child—any child—now that the wee ones were buried and attached to the largest civil suit against the feds ever presented.

Most called it a landslide ruling that favored any parent that could claim rightful birth of a deceased child. Some called it a travesty that these so-called parents came out of nowhere when they died, but never bothered when they were alive.

743 parents suddenly claimed parental rights.

Only one was true and, as a result of the explosion, that very day, she not only lost her son …

She lost her mind.

She was only a mere six hours from arriving at the orphanage with her six months of legal red tape and administration paperwork that would allow her to get her son—out of the system—and back in her arms. Living in The City wasn’t easy and giving him up to the Orphanage was not something she did willingly. She was extremely poor, her ex was abusive and it took time and expense to incarcerate that man in order to save both she and her son from certain death at the hands of a crazy man. Putting him the system was the only way she could secure his health, meals and protect him while she worked three and half jobs to make a life for them once she was able to get her son out.