by G. K. DeRosa
Duke’s sudden bark turned my thoughts back to the present. He stood behind the barn, nose in the air, and hackles raised. I raced over and grabbed his collar. “What’s the matter?”
He kept barking, his big nose sniffing the air. I squinted, trying to see whatever it was that had him so upset. Then I heard it, the flapping of wings. It sounded like bees around a hive only louder—and drawing closer.
The steady drone increased in pitch, and I hazarded a quick glance back to the basement door. I could run; I might make it. But if I didn’t, my idea could backfire and end up drawing their attention to me.
Grabbing Duke’s collar, I yanked him against the outer wall of the barn and plastered myself to the red siding. “Shh!” I hissed at him as he eyed the skies, a low growl vibrating his throat. My heart thudded in my chest, each beat making me wince. The barn overhang was only about a foot wide, but I hoped it was enough to cover us.
They were over us now. I could feel it, even though I didn’t dare look up. I’d never seen an angel up close, other than on TV, and I hoped today wouldn’t be the first.
The seconds stretched on as I clenched my fingers around Duke’s collar, holding my breath. The buzzing reached its pinnacle, and a golden glow lit up the darkening sky. I glanced toward the light, still plastered against the wall and my mouth dropped. Luckily, even without full control over my body, I had the sense not to scream.
A troupe of at least fifty angels zoomed right over the top of the barn. They were so close I could make out the glint of their golden armor and deadly blades. I shut my eyes and bit down on my lip to keep it together. Somehow in my irrational mind, I thought if I couldn’t see them they wouldn’t see me.
Gradually, the eerie droning lessened. It had probably only been a few minutes, but it felt like time moved in slow motion. Opening my eyes a crack, I peered through the narrow slits. The unearthly glow dissipated in the distance as the mass of angel warriors headed south.
I jumped up and yanked Duke by the collar, not daring to breathe until I slammed the basement door shut behind me. Leaning against the cold metal, I sucked in air until my heartbeats returned to a normal rate.
My eyes met my mom’s, her light brows knitted together and I knew I was in for it. Her I-told-you-so face was on in full power. Petulantly, I awaited her wrath, but it never came.
Instead, she bounded toward me, wrapping her arms around me as tears slid down her cheeks. “I thought they’d taken you.” Her chest shuddered against my ear.
“I’m fine, Mom. Duke and I hid out until they passed—everything’s okay.” But everything wasn’t okay. It hadn’t been for a long time, and I wasn’t sure it ever would be.
I stayed up until midnight waiting for Dad by the window. My lids were heavy and began to slide closed without my consent. Where was he? Duke sat by the door, his eyes glued to it as if willing my dad to appear. A hundred different scenarios had run through my mind—most were rational explanations for his absence, but a few dark thoughts snuck in too.
According to Ash, rumor was that the angels were snatching humans. What they were doing with them was anyone’s guess. I shook my head, chasing the somber thoughts away. Not my Dad. He’d probably just gotten held up somewhere and decided to hunker down instead of risk being caught outside after dark. Yes. That was definitely it.
Holding onto the positive thought, I crawled into my cot and pulled the blanket up over my head. Dad would be back in the morning.
“Liv.” Pause. “Liv, wake up.”
My eyes snapped open, my heart leaping into my throat. “What happened?” I shot up and nearly rolled off the small cot.
“Your dad’s still not back yet.” My mom’s pale face and bloodshot eyes confirmed my worst fears.
I swept my hair behind my ears and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. The murky light of day seeped into the one window of the basement, casting ominous shadows across the space. I couldn’t just sit here and wait all day for him to show up.
Pushing up to my feet, I stepped into a pair of jeans and sneakers. “I’m going to look for him.”
“No.” Terror flashed across my mom’s light hazel eyes. “You can’t go by yourself. If something’s happened to him—”
I cut her off, pulling her into a hug. “Nothing’s happened to Dad and nothing will happen to me. I’m just going to run over to Ash’s and see what’s going on.”
Her lips trembled as she adamantly shook her head gripping my arms tight.
“Mom, if something did happen to Dad, we need to know. Ash and his dad can help us find him.”
Her jaw tightened, and she finally nodded. “You’re right. Just give me a second, and I’ll go with you.”
Duke barked and raced to the door. I guess we’re all going.
The heavy door creaked open, the metal hinges groaning in protest. Duke was the first out, treading lightly across the dewy grass to find his spot. Mom and I trailed behind him in a dense silence. The farm had never been so quiet before the immortal invaders came. Not a single bird or insect took to the skies. The ducks from the pond were gone, and they’d even managed to scare away the mice—probably the only thing I was thankful for.
We circled the barn and headed toward the apple orchard as tiny slivers of light broke through the thick cloud cover. Two forms materialized in the distance, shrouded by the morning fog. Duke let out a yip and took off before I could stop him.
By the furious wag of my dog’s tail, I knew who it was before his familiar figure took shape. “Dad!” My throat swelled, hot tears pricking my eyes and I took off behind Duke. My dad started running too, and within seconds his big arms were around me and I could finally breathe again.
“We were so worried,” I choked out.
“I’m so sorry, honey.” He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me harder. A second later, my mom’s arms came around both of us.
“What happened, Michael?” Even Mom’s voice was shaky. The past few months had changed her in so many ways. The strong, overbearing mother I knew all my life had been replaced with a new version that I just wasn’t sure what to do with.
“I got held up in town, and I couldn’t make it back in time. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I made it up to the St. John’s farm, and Melanie wouldn’t let me leave.”
My gaze lifted and met Ash’s. He stood behind my dad quietly, letting us enjoy our reunion.
“Ash offered to accompany me home last night, but I couldn’t let him do that.”
“But this morning, I wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Ash added.
Mom gave my best friend a warm smile and squeezed his shoulder. “Thanks for getting him back to us safely.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I released my dad to pull Ash into a hug. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him until just now. Not being able to call, text or move around freely meant spending much less time with my best friend.
Dad slid the backpack off his shoulder, and his face lit up. “You’ll see that my absence was worth the heartache when I show you what I got.” He unzipped the bag and pulled out two walkie-talkies. He flicked the power switch, and they crackled to life.
“Cool!” I snatched one from his hand and tested it out. “Over and out. Mayday, mayday.”
“We hear you loud and clear,” said a voice through the speaker, making my heart skip a beat. With eyes wide, I stared at my dad. He and Asher wore matching sly grins.
“The other pair is at my house,” explained Ash.
“That’s awesome!” I bounced up and down on my toes. “So now we can talk?”
Dad’s smile twisted. “Well, we can’t overuse them. They’re supposed to be for emergencies. We need to conserve the battery power as much as we can.”
My shoulders slumped as excitement trickled out of me like a leaky tire. “Oh…” I muttered.
Dad shook his head as he regarded me. “Don’t give me that look, Liv.”
I might have been throwing him my best puppy dog eyes. I could see his r
esolve faltering.
He huffed. “All right, fine. You kids can use the walkies as long as you keep it to a minimum and don’t drive me crazy at all hours of the night.”
“Deal.” I shook my dad’s hand and grabbed the other walkie, handing it to Ash. “Let’s go test these bad boys out.”
Dad and mom laughed, and Ash and I raced ahead toward home.
Chapter 9
“I missed you, Liv.” Asher’s deep emerald eyes regarded me across our makeshift dining table.
His words caught me so off guard that I dropped the small metal shoe I held over Park Place. We’d been playing Monopoly for the past hour, and I was killing him. “I missed you too,” I finally said. Things had been good between Ash and me for the past few months. After our failed date and almost-kiss three months ago, our relationship had thankfully gone back to normal. But there was something in his eyes now that sent my heart racing.
Sure Mom and Dad were just a few feet away on the opposite side of the room, but for a second I felt something.
He shook his head, and the sparkle in his eyes vanished. Clearing his throat, he set the silver hat game piece on the board. “I should probably get going.”
“Already?” Even I could hear the twinge of disappointment lacing my tone.
“Yeah. I promised Dad I’d help him out in the fields today. We’re harvesting the last batch of corn.”
Glancing out the basement window, I eyed the murky daylight. “It’s still early. Can’t you stay for a few more hours?”
I hadn’t realized how desperate for company I really was. My parents were great, but hanging out with my best friend was incomparable. I’d never been a fan of my classmates, but I was even starting to miss school.
Ash leaned back in the chair and stretched out his legs. He shot me an indulgent smile. “Yeah, I can stay for another hour.”
A huge grin pulled at my lips. “Great! That should give me just enough time to beat you again.”
The hour went by much too quickly and before I knew it, Ash was trudging toward the basement door. I followed him up the steps and out the door with Duke trailing behind me.
“When do you think you can come by again?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound too desperate. We’d gone from seeing each other daily to once every week or two. It wasn’t enough.
He shrugged, leaning against the wall. “I gotta help Dad around the farm for the next few days, but I’ll call you.” He grinned as he eyed the walkie-talkie hitched to my waistband.
“Okay. Sounds good.”
He headed toward the orchard, and I accompanied him part way. Duke had to go to the bathroom anyway so it was a legit excuse. I opened my mouth to say goodbye when a crack exploded across the sky.
Both of our gazes shot up in time to see a ball of fire streak through the gray clouds. The furious flapping of wings came next.
“What the he—?” My words were cut off as Ash’s big body flung itself on top of me.
“Get down!” he shouted. The air siphoned out of my lungs as I struggled to suck in a breath pressed between the earth and the bulky body of my best friend. From my peripheral vision, a dozen more fireballs sailed across the sky. Asher’s chin dug into my back, but I bit back the urge to squirm.
“Are you okay?” he panted into my ear.
I could feel the rapid beating of his heart against my back like a frenzied tribal drum. “Yeah.” I tilted my head to get a better view of the sky. Brilliant orange and yellow flames lit up the gray above.
“Get inside now!” My dad’s voice filled the air, appearing from nowhere. Big arms yanked me off the ground and hauled me to my feet. I ran, or more like was dragged, back inside the basement. The door slammed behind us with an ominous bang.
I took a second to brush the dirt off my clothes before racing to join everyone else huddled around the small window. Ice skated through my veins as I stared at the firestorm overhead.
“Stay back,” Dad warned. No one moved an inch.
I squeezed in next to Ash, my shoulder brushing his. Tension rolled off his body in thick waves. His jaw clenched as he stared through the glass, his eyes so wide the white practically glowed in the dim lighting. Dark plumes of smoke billowed in the distance, lifting higher into the sky. I gulped, my throat tightening as I finally grasped the direction in which the fireballs were headed. Asher’s family’s farm.
A troupe of angels whizzed over the barn, their swords shooting fiery flames. The beating of their wings vibrated in my head, almost drowning out the frantic thundering in my chest. Almost.
“I can’t just sit here,” Asher hissed and spun toward the door.
He didn’t get far before my dad stopped him. Wrapping his hand around Asher’s straining bicep, Dad forced him to turn around. “You can’t go out there, Asher. I’m sorry, but I won’t allow it.”
I’d never seen that look in my dad’s eyes before—his whole expression darkened. It chilled me to the bone.
Ash grunted and wriggled free of my dad’s hold. He eyed the door, but shaking his head, moved back to the window with the rest of us. Dad grabbed the walkie-talkie from the side table and switched it on.
Hope kindled in my chest. In all the commotion, I’d completely forgotten about our new means of communication.
Dad held the walkie to his mouth and pressed the talk button. “Xavier, it’s Michael. Are you okay?” Static crackled across the speaker as we awaited a response. “I repeat, are you okay?”
Nothing but dead air.
Dad tried a few more times before lowering the handset. “I’m sure they’re fine. Maybe they just can’t hear the call over the noise.”
Ash’s lips twisted, and his eyes dulled as he returned his gaze to the window. Tentatively placing my hand on his shoulder, I gave him a squeeze. He shrugged it off, his jaw still ticking. Folding my hands across my chest, I shoved away the pang of hurt his rebuff elicited. He’s just upset.
An ear-piercing explosion cracked in the distance, and the concrete shuddered beneath my feet. My hands shot out to keep myself from toppling over from the quake. “What was that?” I stammered. I got up on my tiptoes to see more from the small window, but dark smoke filled the air blotting out my vision.
“I don’t know.” My dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and all I wanted to do was sink into his embrace. Like I did when I was little and scared of monsters under my bed. Only these monsters were real.
The thick smoke grew, curling high up toward the clouds. There was no mistaking it now, it was directly above Asher’s home. Anxiety swirled in my gut, growing larger and denser until it felt like a boulder in the pit of my stomach.
I couldn’t tell you how long we huddled by the window watching the fiery light show. What was going on? The angels wouldn’t just be burning our farms for no reason.
A small voice in the back of my head whispered the answer, but I refused to listen. I didn’t want to hear the truth. If the angels were here, it meant the vampires were too.
The fighting continued all day and well into the night. Asher never left the window so neither did I. He hadn’t said a word—not when three more explosions rocked the very foundations of our home, not when another horde of angels flew by, and not even when I couldn’t control the tears from rushing down my cheeks.
I rolled my neck, eliciting a domino of cracks down my spine. Sleeping on the cot was bad enough, but falling asleep on the floor while sitting up against the wall was torture. I’d fought the exhaustion from dragging me under for as long as I could, but eventually I’d lost the battle.
From the dark circles under Ash’s eyes, I’d guess he hadn’t slept a wink. It was finally quiet—the flapping had stopped and fire no longer painted the sky in vivid reds and oranges.
“When did it stop?” I muttered to Ash.
“Just about an hour ago.” His voice was completely devoid of emotion, matching the haggard expression on his face.
I glanced out the window, and my lungs deflated. The smoke had c
leared leaving behind acres of charred earth in its wake. Most of the apple trees still stood, but they were burnt to a crisp. The grass had fared no better.
Fear’s clawed fingers wrapped around my heart, tightening with each inhale. “We have to go to your place.” I jumped up as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I had to do something—sitting still and wondering what happened wasn’t an option. Tugging on Ash’s hand, I tried to yank him up.
He didn’t move. His face was like stone.
“Ash, come on! We have to go check on them.”
He shook his head, refusing to meet my eyes. “There’s no point, Liv. They’re gone.”
“How can you say that?”
“I tried calling them all night. They never answered, Liv! Dad had that walkie glued to his hip in case of an emergency. There’s only one reason he wouldn’t answer.” Ash’s voice was shaking now, and I could tell it was taking all his will power to hold it together. He was holding on by a thread.
The cot creaked and the shuffle of my dad’s approaching footsteps drew my attention toward a haggard-faced man I wouldn’t have recognized as my father. He crouched down on the floor and met Ash’s gaze straight on. “You need to have hope, son. The walkie-talkie could have been destroyed. There could be a million reasons why they’re not answering. And we’re going to find out as soon as I get dressed.” He turned and disappeared into the bathroom. My mom was huddled on the cot with the blanket pulled up to her chin. Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks splotchy.
I quickly looked away. A piece of me broke that day—seeing her like that. The rest of me broke after Dad and Ash came back from his farm later that day.
Chapter 10
Asher lost everything in one day—his sisters, his mom and dad, his farm, his home. His whole life burnt to the ground. He hadn’t spoken a word in three days now. Worse, he wouldn’t even look at me.
I didn’t know what to do. I stumbled around the small basement, trying to give him space that didn’t exist. Dad didn’t want any of us leaving the safe room—not even to let Duke out. He’d have to take care of his business on his own and paw at the door when he was ready to come back in.