Dispocalypse by Michael A. Rothman

Title: Dispocalypse
Author: Michael A. Rothman
Genre: YA Fantasy

In a post-apocalyptic world ruled by a Governor who is both feared and worshipped, Willow is a seventeen-year-old girl who is just trying to get through her last year of studies. But when her father dies, she experiences strange dreams that change everything about how she looks at the world and at herself.

Haunted by the tragedy, Willow begins pushing herself beyond anything she could have imagined she was capable of. It’s only when she catches the attention of some of the Governor’s minions that her world is turned upside-down.

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Willow planted her hands on the ground and popped up onto the balls of her feet, glaring at the student who’d had the nerve to ask her to leave. “How about this,” she pointed at him, “make me leave.”

He blinked up at Willow as other students laughed and jeered.

“Steve, she’s threatening to kick your ass….”

“You can’t fight a girl….”

“She’s got to be kidding….”

“…I dunno, she looks serious.”

With a shove from one of the other students, Steve grudgingly stood, face red with embarrassment.

Willow smiled and placed herself in a ready stance. As she tensed her legs and upper body, a sudden calm washed over her.

Steve moved deliberately as he circled around Willow, arms hanging limply at his sides. She could tell that he was studying her, trying to figure out if she was serious.

Willow motioned him toward her with the tips of her fingers. “Come on Steve. Make a move.”

The teasing from the others got louder and he grudgingly brought his arms up and slowly approached.

He was short for a guy, maybe only an inch or two taller than Willow’s five-and-a-half feet. His reach was about the same as hers, and the stance he’d taken was a boxer’s stance.

He was barely out of jabbing range when Willow ducked low and swept out her right leg, sending one of Steve’s legs out from under him.

Willow leaped forward as Steve stood off-balance and she smashed him in the chest with a front kick.

Steve flew backward and landed on his back, breath whooshing out of him as a deep male voice yelled across the field, “What the hell is going on here?”

Everyone but Steve, who was gasping for breath, turned as the heavily-muscled combat teacher approached with frustration etched on his face. He was followed by a handful of other students.

Zeno stood, and the giant of a student glanced sheepishly at Willow and addressed Mister Krauthammer. “Sir, Steve and Willow were settling something between each other. No harm done, right Steve?”

Willow extended her hand to Steve, and he grabbed it. She pulled him to his feet. His face was brilliant red and she wasn’t sure if it was from lack of oxygen or sheer embarrassment.

Steve grimaced as he rubbed his chest, turned to the teacher and nodded. “It’s all done. I was just getting to know our new classmate.”