Excerpts from The End of Refuge by Beth Martin:
I Want to Know Everything
Author Insight
The reader learns early on in the story about the grim future of Refuge but it takes a while for Juliet to get the news.I really love this scene because it reveals a lot about the characters through their reactions to the devastating news. Paul is sensitive and a bit dramatic, while Avery remains reserved.
This was another scene that I had to write over and over. I wanted the news of the shelter's demise to be poignant. I had to balance being dramatic with keeping true to each character. Originally, the characters got into a long argument, but I felt that detracted from the purpose of the scene which was to set up Avery to tell his side of the story.
Excerpt
Juliet sat on the sofa with Paul and he grasped her hand in his.“Your friend Lauren sent you a message that has me very concerned, which is why I shared it with the Captain. She… she,” his voice choked up unable to continue.
That’s when the door opened and Avery came and saw the two sitting on the couch. In his usual calm voice, he asked, “What’s going on here?”
Paul’s eyes were misty, and he let go of Juliet’s hand to clasp his head. Juliet answered Avery’s question. “Paul asked me to come here. Lauren sent me a message and the Captain brought me into his office to ask me questions about it.”
Avery looked at Paul who was just barely keeping his composure. “Have you read the message?” he asked.
Juliet said, “No” at the same time Paul said, “Yes.”
“What did it say?” Avery continued, asking Paul.
“It’s what you suspected,” Paul replied, a tear rolling down his cheek. He pulled a folded up piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Avery who unfolded it and read it over. Juliet tried to guess what was on the paper, but couldn’t read Avery’s stoic expression.
“What’s going on?” Juliet asked Avery, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get anything more out of Paul.
Paul said, “I think she deserves to know.”
Avery sat in the armchair nearest to Juliet and talked in a low voice. “Paul shouldn’t have asked you to come here. There’s nothing you can do. It’s out of our hands and up to the Captain now.”
“That’s bullshit!” Paul yelled, his voice so high it crackled. He stood up as he began to yell, “It’s only because of this young woman and her connections outside that we know about our imminent demise. I know you’re happy just to wait for everything to go under and for Refuge to be finished, but Juliet is young with her whole life ahead of her. Don’t you remember what that is like? She might be able to find hope for a future.”
“Imminent demise?” Juliet asked. She looked at Paul and asked again, “What’s going on? Is something happening to Refuge?”
Paul sat back down next to Juliet on the sofa and said to Avery, “She’d learn the truth in continued education eventually. If you don’t tell her now, I will.”
Avery looked at her skeptically, asking, “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes,” she answered. “I want to know everything.”
Dirty Secret
Author Insight
The last thing I wanted was to write a story about a grand conspiracy or government cover-up. Even though Juliet doesn't know that the shelter receives aid, I wanted to let the reader know early on.Of course, I couldn't give it all away in the beginning. Juliet has to uncover the deeper secrets of Refuge if she wants to survive.
Excerpt
During the night, while the residents were asleep in the bunks and dorms and the hall lights dimmed, some poor soul brought in the supplies from the regular shipments. The true secret that required the covert hours was that Refuge even received anything from the outside world, let alone large shipments of supplies. The details of how the shipment made it just outside the only exterior door were unknown even to Derrick.Derrick’s specialty was resource management, and he was still learning how much of each supply was required to keep Refuge functioning and how to request resources when they were running low. As far as all the residents knew, Refuge was self-sufficient and excellent at recycling resources. The reality was that there was a lot going on underneath the surface to keep the metaphorical gears running smoothly. The computer systems that were damaged in the fire a few days ago needed unexpected repair, and the parts to fix them had to be requested since they couldn’t be found or made in the shelter.
After the Blast
Author Insight
I couldn't set a novel in a bomb shelter without giving a solid reason for why people were there in the first place. The origins of Refuge are told from Avery's perspective.Right after he arrives at the shelter, the area is under attack. This scene starts after the last blast.
I enjoyed puzzling together not only why the people in Refuge were trapped, but also the circumstances for each character who ended up there. I didn't want the situation to feel forced or have things happen only because I needed them to in order to further the plot.
In the end, I'm happy with how organically all the characters in Refuge got there. Avery's journey feels authentic, and I hope readers will easily find themselves immersed in his world.
Excerpt
They waited a few minutes in semi-silence. A few people were crying, but not loudly. Paul whimpered in Wanda’s arms. Avery saw a few people lying on the floor, crumpled in pain, who must have been injured.“We’re waiting for confirmation that the threat is over. Everyone please keep yourselves secured,” Lieutenant Clark said. He held onto a bar mounted to one of the walls. The Lieutenant held a radio up to his ear, listening. They all waited for what seemed like forever. Avery didn’t even notice he was holding his breath. After a few more minutes a buzzing voice came over the radio. Lieutenant Clark hurriedly spoke into the radio, asking for an update from all his men. Satisfied that everyone was accounted for, he announced to the room and his radio, “I’m giving the all clear. Let’s proceed to bring all the wounded to the medical wing, and in twenty minutes I want everyone here in the center to do a head count.”
The Need for Sun
Author Insight
When drafting THE END OF REFUGE, I tried to think about what I would miss most about the outdoors if I were trapped in an underground shelter. But Juliet has never been to the surface, so she doesn't know what she is missing.I would miss autumn in the Appalachian mountains the most. The rolling peaks of warm colored trees are breathtaking every year.
Without a notion of changing seasons, I tried to think what someone living in a shelter would miss out on. The obvious conclusion was sunlight. You don't get the feeling of warmth on your skin from the sun beating down from lightbulbs.
Juliet yearning for sunlight also gave me the opportunity to show the conservatory where she decided to work and give the reader an inside look on how the shelter supports itself.
Excerpt
She walked down the hall out of the residential wing and passed through the double doorway leading to the main hallway, following it until she reached the conservatory door to the right. She loved the conservatory because it had light, lots of it. The special lamps lining the ceiling of the large room emitted light that was supposed to mimic the full spectrum from the sun. This was the closest to being outdoors Juliet expected to get in her life. She knew there wasn’t much sunlight outside since the surface was probably covered in black clouds and debris that the sun simply couldn’t get through. Before the war, there was sunlight, and these lamps mimicked it. The only way to get regular access to the conservatory was to work here. When she toured it while still deciding which vocation to pursue, she fell in love with the idea of sunlight, and that motivated her decision to work here.More Than Blackjack
Author Insight
Isolated from the rest of the world, Refuge holds it's own holidays and celebrations. One of those is Harvest Homecoming, a fall holiday that culminates in a Vegas style casino night.Juliet's really gotten her hope up for her first casino night, but so far, the evening hasn't gone well. She lost track of her friends and her date and hasn't done well at any of the games.
I'm not a fan of "insta-love", when two characters fall in love upon their first interaction. I wanted to make all of Juliet's relationships feel genuine. This is her second interaction with Avery, and we get to see their relationship unfold as the book goes on.
Excerpt
Juliet found Wanda playing cards by herself at one of the tables.“Hi, Wanda,” Juliet said, glad to find a friendly face.
“Hey there missy,” Wanda said. Juliet started to sit next to Wanda. “You sure you want to play this table? Young folks don’t like the chip table as much. No skin in the game.” Juliet looked at the small sign on the table that read “no credit bets.”
“I think this table might be my speed,” Juliet said. She was curious to try blackjack and already lost enough credits for one evening paying the entry fee for the poker tournament.
“I was just leaving, but I know Avery will enjoy your company. Oh, I’ve also found that with no credit involved, this is the only table where you can win.” “Okay,” Juliet said as she took a seat. Avery Graves dealt her two cards. He had his black hair combed back in his usual hair style. He smiled at her and his light eyes crinkled at the corners to smile with his mouth. He had a bit of shadow on his square jaw which reminded her that he was a little older than her friends and actually did shave every day.
Seeing Red
Author Insight
I enjoyed writing this scene because it was a chance to develop Juliet's character. She's an unlikely hero: she starts out timid and emotional and throughout the book has to find her inner strength.I've definitely been that girl in the dressing room, trying on item after item, hating how all the clothes made my body look. Often times I'd have to settle on something I wasn't really thrilled about.
It's amazing how many scenes drew from my personal experiences, but as they say, "Write what you know."
Excerpt
Finally, after countless dresses, Cass was fed up. “Juliet, you have to wear something! Here, try this on.” She grabbed a dress from the growing pile of dresses that Linda kept coming back and adding to. She thrust forward a bright red dress.“I can’t wear that!” Juliet exclaimed.
“Why not?”
“It’s… it’s…” Juliet stumbled on her words. It looked like the tiny little dress Cass had in their closest, only in a shocking color.
“What?” Cass pressed. “It’s red? Like a tomato? I happen to know on good authority that Jim likes tomatoes. Just try it on.”
Juliet could feel her cheeks grow hot and was sure her face became as red as the dress. She snatched it from her friend and stepped back in the dressing room. When she came back out, Linda had just returned to add even more dresses to the huge pile.
“Oh, wow, Juliet,” Linda exclaimed. “Oh honey, that dress is perfect.”
Juliet didn’t want to admit it, but this might really be the perfect dress. She turned to the side to let Cass and Linda see her from every angle. It did have the same thin ribbon straps on the shoulders as Cass’s dress, but Juliet didn’t have bad arms, and the neckline was much nicer than she expected. The whisper-thin fabric draped nicely on top, covering her cleavage. It fluttered down to mid-thigh, showing off her figure underneath without being skin tight. She would have never picked it on her own but liked how she looked wearing it. “I do like it,” she finally said.
Rewriting Scene One
Author Insight
This is the opening of THE END OF REFUGE.This scene got rewritten many times. Originally, I started the book at the conservatory to show Juliet at work. It was an awful slog of exposition and not a great beginning. I decided to change it up and have a little action, so I decided to have Juliet run through the halls, late for work.
Once I was well into the first draft, I had a sudden flash of inspiration for the opening. Fire! Well, not literally fire, but a fire alarm. After tucking the baby in bed, I stayed up late and completely rewrote the first scene for a second time.
Of course, I could leave it at that. I decided it would be more dramatic if there actually was a fire. You'll see fire pop up a few times in the book and it helps make an exciting conclusion.
Excerpt
Juliet Morse ran down the hall. She didn’t need to check her watch to know she would be late again. She knew these halls like the back of her hand, the unchanging landscape of her entire life. The green painted cinderblock walls blurred in her periphery as the tired fluorescent lights lining the ceiling flickered, threatening to go out for once and for all.This is where Juliet and everyone she’d ever known lived. The residents called it Refuge.
She was in her first year of work after general education and still learning how to do her new job. Just last year, Juliet would have gotten off with just a warning or maybe a detention if she had been late for class. But being late for work? She would for sure get a credit cut and a notice. She had already been late to work twice and with two strikes on her record, the third would definitely lead to stiffer consequences. Three strikes and you’re out. Baseball metaphor, not that she’d ever played baseball.
She didn’t even remember getting out of bed and turning off the shrill ringing of the alarm on her micro tab. She must have, because the alarm was off when she finally did get out of bed, forty-two minutes later. In her rush to get out the door, she didn’t even take time to shower or brush her teeth.
Suddenly, the ringing that should have woken her earlier this morning sounded all around her. RING RING RING RING. Red strobe lights flashed down the hall, promising to keep it illuminated even if the fluorescent lights died. Avery Graves was taking notes on his micro tab while walking down the hall toward Juliet when the alarm broke his attention. His pale blue eyes glanced at the flashing red lights. He remained calm like the alarm was gently tapping him on the shoulder and not actually screaming at the top of its lungs. Juliet stood frozen in fear, her brown eyes fixed on the flashing lights.
Next came the pre-recorded voice. “Warning. Warning. Everyone, please proceed to the closest safety destination. Warning. Warning.”
Bomb shelters like Refuge were built to be immensely strong and withstand a variety of potential disasters, but there was always the possibility of a fire.
What the Future Holds
Author Insight
Juliet has suspected for a while that Avery has been hiding secrets about the shelter they live in from her. After getting a strange message from her pen-pal Lauren, she starts to wonder what those secrets might be.In this excerpt, Juliet has just shown Avery her most recent message from Lauren, a message which warns about some future event. Avery either doesn't know what Lauren is trying to say or is unwilling to share what he knows with Juliet.
At this point, the reader is familiar with Lauren and the message she's trying to get across. Writing the scenes where Juliet figures out what's really going on was really fun.
Excerpt
Avery approached her and placed his hands on her shoulders and gave them a little squeeze. “Juliet, can you face me?” He let go of her shoulders and she slowly turned to face him. He reached out and held her hands in his own and said, “Look at me, please.”Juliet looked up at his face. He had such an honest face. That was why she had thought of him when she was so troubled by the message. “Your friend is concerned about you, and I’m not sure what she is referring to, but it isn’t anything I already know about. I think it would be wise to ask her for more information. There is no censorship on outgoing messages, so ask her questions or come up with code words. I wish I could tell you the answers to all your questions, but I either can’t, or just don’t know enough.” Juliet pouted. She hadn’t really thought about asking Lauren for more information or making a code. Of course, she should have done that first if only she had stopped to think before showing the message to Avery.
“Don’t be mad at me,” Avery said just above a whisper. “I can’t stand to have a beautiful young woman mad at me.” Being called beautiful had the immediate effect of making Juliet smile. Avery placed a finger under Juliet’s chin and smiled back. “There’s a smile,” he said. He pulled her into a hug saying, “I really am so proud of you, Juliet.” Juliet could feel his scratchy stubble against her cheek. She held onto him, not wanting to let go.
Refuge: More Than It Seems
Author Insight
Juliet has lived her entire life in Refuge, a large bomb shelter housing 300 people. In this scene, she notices strange things about the shelter she doesn't yet understand.I wanted to show that there was more to the setting than Juliet is initially aware of. In the next scene, another character also hears the noises, but he is familiar with the sounds and knows exactly what's making them. He's also tasked with keeping their source a secret.
Excerpt
It was the middle of the night, and Juliet lay awake in bed. She didn’t wake with a start but just found herself lying there, staring at the ceiling of her dorm. Did she hear something?She held her breath for a moment to limit any sound she was making herself as she tried to focus on the noises happening around her: Cass’s shallow breathing as she slept, the hum of electricity in the hall keeping the temperamental fluorescent lights illuminated, the slapping of rubber soles on concrete as someone walked slowly down the hall. It was probably just a worker on the maintenance team returning from the late shift.
That! There it was again, that sound.
The sound swelled louder. It sounded like a person moaning, but it was too deep to be made from a person. Maybe Juliet was just imagining it.
Then she heard another sound, like a slow vibrating. This was even lower than the moaning sound. Click click click click click. The moan came again, closer this time. OOOOOooooOOOoooohh. Bwub Bwub. It didn’t sound like a painful moan, but almost melodic.
Juliet stared harder at the ceiling, willing the strange sounds away, afraid that maybe she was going crazy. She was hearing things or imagining them. What else could that moaning be? But then she heard a second voice make a similar moan. This one was much higher pitched, higher than a human voice could reach. The high squeal seemed to be answered by the low voice. Bwub bwub. Ooohhh.
She was definitely not imagining it. This was unmistakable. There were voices down the hall. She assumed they were coming from the hallway. Juliet rolled onto her side, facing the wall. Which direction was the singing moan coming from? She could hear it clearly now like it was right overhead. Click click click click click click. The two voices high and low vibrated and warbled together.
They were coming from directly above her
The Pen Pal and the Politician
Author Insight
While following Juliet in Refuge, THE END OF REFUGE also follows Julie's pen pal, Lauren. Lauren gives her viewpoint from outside of Refuge, giving a contrast between what Juliet believes and how the world actually is.Although Refuge is completely isolated, I still wanted there to be some connection between the shelter and the outside world. When I was in third grade, one day our teacher brought in an envelope filled with letters from students in another state. I enjoyed writing letters back and forth with my new pen pal. Drawing from this fond memory, I had the same thing happen for Juliet and Lauren, except these two keep corresponding long after their assignment was over.
This scene also introduces Senator Stanley Kane. I thought a charismatic politician would make a good antagonist. He authors a new bill to rebuild the destroyed city of D.C. But like many bills, it contains parts which are less pleasant.
Excerpt
Lauren wasn’t a particularly politically charged individual, and she always found politicians’ speeches too vague for her to discern any actual meaning. Senator Kane was always good at getting a crowd riled up and excited, but she wasn’t entirely sure what kind of policy he supported or any real difference he was making in the big picture. Still, she found it amusing watching Senator Kane talking on TV like he was the president of the United States. Maybe if he made himself sound important, people would believe he was important and therefore continue voting for him term after term.“What I want for our capital, what everyone in the United States wants for Washington D.C., is for us to return this city to greatness. We, as a nation, defeated our enemies from overseas over 20 years ago. It is time for us to rebuild it.”
A Sense of Danger
Author Insight
In a community like Refuge where there's no way to get out, a disaster like a large fire could quickly destroy the entire shelter.In the very first scene of The End of Refuge, Juliet is caught off guard by the emergency alarm. As she waits in a darkened hall for the alarm to end, she recalls the previous fire which happened when she was a child and the damage it did.
I wanted to let readers know at the very beginning of the story that there is an ever present sense of danger. The people living in Refuge never feel truly safe.
Excerpt
He informed her class that this had not been a practice drill. There had been a real fire in the cafeteria kitchen. Juliet’s stomach clenched. Her head started to feel dizzy. Her father worked in the kitchen.“I need to speak to Juliet Morse,” the officer said.
“No, no, no, no,” Juliet thought. The officer led her outside of the classroom into the green painted hall to talk to her one on one. He crouched down to Juliet’s eye level. She could read his badge, Perry, and smell the coffee on his breath. He told her that John Morse, her father had tried to put out the fire. It was started accidentally by one of the newer cooks, and John got too close to the flame. He sustained burns over most of his body and was being treated in the medical wing. He wouldn’t make it. Officer Perry had come to take Juliet to the medical wing, so she could say goodbye to her father.
She didn’t want to see her father. Her mother sat in a chair next to the gurney crying, “Don’t leave me John. Don’t leave me.” Seeing her mom like that was hard enough. Her mother had her hands clasped in prayer, head down, and tears free falling onto the side of the pillow that supported her father’s head. She didn’t see her father on that gurney, but rather a blackened man, a shadow. It wasn’t her father on that gurney, just a shadow. There was nothing for Juliet to do here. Her father was already gone.
“I’m sorry,” the nurse said to the grieving widow and the little girl who still hadn’t walked past the door into the room.
“It’s not my father,” Juliet said to herself, sitting on the cold floor of the pipe. “It’s just his shadow. It’s just a shadow.” And what Juliet could see right now, here in the long passage of almost complete darkness, was that shadow.
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