I could have told her that I had nothing to do with it, but I would have been wasting my breath. She wouldn’t have cared. She wouldn’t have listened. Mallory’s mind had been made up and I was the enemy.
It had been at least an hour before Austin and the others returned. I wished I would have been able to sleep, but my mind wouldn’t allow it. I sat up abruptly as they entered the room all wearing smiles.
“Where were you?” I asked.
Austin sat down on the mattress next to me. “Samuel and Lucas showed us around.”
“You should see the lights,” Marty said.
“I wish I could have but I had to stay with Bev and learn how to wash dishes,” I said clenching my hands.
Austin leaned back and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “They wanted us to know where everything was located just in case something should happen.”
“That makes sense,” I said with a groan. “And when disaster strikes, I’ll make sure all the dishes are sparkling.”
“He probably just thought you didn’t have any interest in any of it,” Marty said.
I shrugged and snuggled up closer to Austin. Being in his arms helped me feel better. It wasn’t like Austin couldn’t just tell me where everything was and what their routine was like.
“So we’re just trapped down here during the night?” I asked. “What are we supposed to do?”
“Sleep,” Marty said.
Noah was already pulling his cap down over his eyes. “He said we’re safe to turn out the lights if we want.”
“Oh, they do have one rule though,” Austin said pressing his cheek to the side of my head.
“Really? Just one rule? Something tells me there are a lot of secret rules here,” I said exhaling out the last of my frustration and letting tiredness re-enter my body. “Well? What’s the rule?”
“When it’s dark, we need to keep quiet,” Austin said. “No talking.”
Noah’s mouth stretching into a wide yawn. “Yeah, and we’re breaking that rule right now.”
“Shut up,” Austin said throwing a pillow at him.
Noah took the pillow and covered his head with it.
“Thought you could sleep anywhere?” I teased.
“I can,” Noah grumbled. “But it’s easier when it’s quiet.”
“What time do you think it is anyway?” I turned to face Austin with my nose scrunched up.
Austin looked at the invisible watch on his wrist and shook his head. “Not sure exactly but I bet it’s still early. Before eight?”
I yawned but I wasn’t sure I could sleep knowing it was dark outside. If there were creatures around us, I couldn’t hear them. If they were digging tunnels below us, it didn’t disturb the ground.
It felt safe inside the church but I didn’t know if we actually were. For all we knew, everyone inside had just been lucky. We’d been fortunate in our home for a long time before the creatures decided to tunnel into our basement.
“Want to take turns sleeping?” Austin asked. He must have noticed the concern that felt like it was oozing out of my every pore.
“Do you think we should?” I asked wanting his honest opinion.
I followed Austin’s gaze as he looked around the room. Bradley was lying on his side with his back to us, Marty’s eyes were closed but his breathing was much too quick, and Noah was either asleep or almost there.
“Maybe just to be safe,” Austin said. “I feel like we should keep the lights on.”
“I agree,” I said.
“Rock, paper, scissors to see who sleeps first?” Austin asked.
I shrugged. “You should probably just get some rest. It looks like you need it.”
“Ouch,” he said placing his hand on his chest as if I’d hurt his feelings.
I bumped him lightly with my elbow. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” he whispered softly into my ear.
“Your eyes are bloodshot, that’s all,” I explained.
“It’s not from tiredness, it’s from the incense smoke upstairs,” Austin said and I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not.
I grinned. “Go on, get some rest. I’ll wake you soon.”
“How will you keep your eyes open?” Austin asked.
“I’ll manage,” I said. “I’ve been doing it for a while now. Nothing has changed except for our location.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a shadow move into the doorway. Samuel cleared his throat as he pressed his hands against the insides of the frame and let his body swing forward slightly.
“I just wanted to make sure you were all settled,” Samuel said.
Austin sat up straighter. “Thanks, yes.”
“Good,” Samuel said cocking his head to the side. “Is there something wrong with your bed?”
“No, no,” Austin said shifting away slightly, clearly uncomfortable.
My cheeks felt impossibly hot. “Sorry, we were just wondering what time it was.”
“Yeah, no clocks. We lost track of time a while back,” Samuel said. “We just go by the sun.”
“But you can’t see the sun down here,” I said narrowing my eyes slightly.
Samuel stared at me but ignored my comment. “Would you like the lights out now?”
“No,” I said shaking my head. “We feel more comfortable with them on.”
“If you insist,” Samuel said. “It’s easier to sleep with them off.”
“Not for us,” Austin said. “We’ve been sleeping during the day since the creatures arrived.”
Samuel nodded. “You’ll get used to it with time.” He gestured to the air mattress next to mine. “Why don’t you go to your own bed now and get some rest. If you’re up for it, maybe you can go on a run with me in the morning.”
“Um,” Austin said glancing at me. “Maybe.”
“It’s a breeze. You’ll see,” Samuel said hitting the door frame with his knuckles. “Well, have a good night. See you for breakfast?”
“Of course,” Austin answered but it felt more like Samuel had been asking me the way he had his eyes glued to me.
The others grumbled their responses only because they were half asleep not because they were ungrateful. Hopefully, Samuel had realized that.
Samuel disappeared from the doorway and turned off a light down the hall. It suddenly felt as though we were surrounded by darkness, but that was because we were.
As long as the lights stayed on outside and the sounds the creatures didn’t like continued to play I had to hope that we’d make it until morning.
“Good night,” Austin said placing a kiss on my forehead.
I grabbed his collar and pulled him back for a second before he could get away.
“It seems I’m required to sleep in my own bed,” Austin said as if explaining why he was leaving.
It had been painfully clear that sharing wasn’t going to be allowed, not that anything would have happened with our brothers across the room. It just would have been nice to be near him.
I sighed. “Good night.”
“I love you,” Austin said into my ear.
I bit my lip wanting him to stay in my bed even more. “I love you too.”
And with that, Austin crawled onto the air mattress and laid on his side. He stared at me for a moment but his eyelids became heavy. His lips were curled upward as he drifted off to a dreamland I hoped was altogether creature free.
Chapter Twenty
Something was tapping my shoulder but it sounded like metal clinking and clanking together. My eyes opened and latched onto Marty who was standing next to me, tapping me at a steady beat.
I sat up and my ears registered the noises coming down the hall from the kitchen. Either Bev was preparing breakfast or I had missed it.
“Oatmeal,” Marty said sticking out his tongue. “Made with water.”
Marty hadn’t ever liked oatmeal. He could have added six tablespoons of sugar and it would have still made him gag.
When he’
d been six or seven years old, he’d thrown up peaches and cream oatmeal and ever since then he hadn’t been able to stomach any oatmeal. I understood because I felt the same way about hot dogs.
“We still have the supplies in the SUV,” I said. “You should go help yourself to what’s in there before they move it to the safe garage or whatever.”
“Austin’s going to do that?” Marty asked.
“Yeah, I think so but I’m not sure. Why? Shouldn’t he?”
Marty shrugged. “So, we’re staying here then?”
“I think so,” I said squeezing my eyebrows together. “It’s not like we have a lot of options. Do you not like it here?”
“I don’t know. It just kind of gives me the creeps,” Marty said looking around the room as though checking to make sure the room wasn’t bugged.
I nodded. It was almost like I didn’t want to respond verbally in case it was.
“Well, if you have a better idea I’m all ears,” I said stretching my arms over my head as I sat up in the bed.
“I wish I did. I’ll work on one,” Marty said jerking his head to the side. “Come on, they’re waiting. They seem,” he lowered his voice, “impatient.”
Breakfast was quiet but it was filling. My stomach hadn’t been that satisfied since my mom had been the one to prepare the meals.
Bev asked Mallory and me if we’d be willing to help out again. She said it had gone so much quicker than when she has to do everything on her own.
I helped with a smile. Mallory helped but gritted her teeth the entire time.
Samuel and Lucas took Marty, Noah, and Austin out on a run. Bradley had declined, saying he didn’t feel well.
Every minute they were gone was agony. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d do if they didn’t return. If I’d be stuck with Bradley and Mallory, it would be worse than being eaten by a creature, at least it sure felt that way.
When we finished in the kitchen, I went back to the room. I wanted to sleep a little longer while it was daylight because I didn’t get enough sleep taking shifts with Austin during.
Bradley was lying there on his side with his legs curled up to his chest. He didn’t look well.
His eyes were closed and I was pretty sure he had no idea I was even in the room. I looked around as if checking to make sure no one was watching before I placed my hand on his forehead.
“Holy shit,” I said pulling my hand away to cover my mouth. Pretty sure I wasn’t allowed to curse in a church.
Bradley was on fire.
I stood and leaned back against the wall. I didn’t know what to do to help him but I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.
He’d been fine. It was like night and day how quickly he’d gotten sick. At least it had seemed that way.
Since his break up with Mallory, he hadn’t said much.
“Bradley,” I said as I shook his shoulders. “Wake up!”
He groaned as he tried to open his eyes. “What?”
“You’re burning up.”
“Yeah, I don’t feel so good,” he said with a long moan. “Think it’s something I ate.”
“How long have you felt this way?” I asked.
His head rolled to the side and he mumbled something I couldn’t make out.
“Bradley! How long have you felt sick?” I asked.
“Not long. Started yesterday after we ate I guess,” he said. “I just need rest.”
I glanced toward the door wondering if I should talk to Mallory about it. Although I was likely the last person she wanted to talk to about anything including Bradley.
There was always Lucas. He was running the place, he’d probably had a suggestion or maybe they even had medicine that could help.
It felt like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I could talk to Mallory, Lucas, or do nothing. Maybe Bradley was right. Perhaps all he needed was rest.
I looked down at him. His hair was slicked loosely to the side with dampness.
A long sigh escaped from between my lips as I pushed myself away from the wall and toward the door. The only thing I was sure of was that I couldn’t do nothing.
Chapter Twenty-One
I stepped into the church squinting at the amount of bright light coming in through the stained glass windows. Although there was light downstairs, it hadn’t quite been the same.
I stopped at the back of the church. Lucas wasn’t there, but a small group of women, including Bev, was.
One of them stared at me before whispering something to the others. I turned but I didn’t make it far before someone placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Can I help you with something?” a tall woman with round glasses asked. I couldn’t for the life of me remember her name.
“I’m looking for Lucas,” I said biting my cheek. His name tasted salty on my tongue.
“He’s out with the others,” the woman said. She cocked her head slightly and narrowed her eyes. “I’m in charge while he’s out. It’s Lucy, right? Do you need something? You look troubled.”
I grabbed my elbow. “Do you have any medicine here?”
“What kind of medicine are you looking for?”
I bit my cheek. “Fever reducer.”
“Oh, no, dear! Are you sick?” The woman reached her hand forward and slapped it to my forehead.
“Not me,” I said shaking my head. “My friend.”
“Oh,” she said letting her hand fall away. “Take me to him.”
I turned and started down the stairs but I stopped. “How did you know it was Bradley?”
“Sorry?” she said her forehead creasing.
“You said take me to him. How did you know it wasn’t Mallory that was sick?” I asked.
She stared blankly and then gestured for me to continue. “Because she’s not in the same room as you. I talked with Lucas a bit and it seems as though she wanted her own space so I just assumed it must have been Bradley that was ill.”
“Oh,” I said. “You’re very good with names.”
The woman beamed. “I used to be a teacher. In the school across the street in fact. I had to be good with names.”
“I’m terrible at them,” I said. “Although I didn’t really realize it until just recently.”
The woman laughed. “Does that mean you don’t remember my name?”
“Sorry,” I said.
“It’s Laurie,” she said still smiling. “So, what’s going on with your friend.”
“He’s lethargic and has a fever,” I said.
“Hmm,” Laurie said slowing her stride as we neared the room. “Maybe you should wait out here, dear.”
I nodded even though I wasn’t sure why it was necessary. Laurie entered the room and stared at him with her arms crossed. After a long moment, she offered me a thin-lipped smile and closed the door.
Hinges squeaked behind me and I turned sharply. Mallory was standing there staring at the closed door.
“What’s going on?” she asked softly.
“Bradley’s sick,” I said keeping all emotion out of my voice and refusing to look at her.
She stepped out of the room with her arms crossed.
“Is he okay?” she asked with a softness to her voice. It was clear she still cared deeply for him.
“I don’t know,” I said. “He was sweating a lot. Really lethargic. I think he had a really high fever.”
“Oh,” she said. After a moment she sighed. “I know it wasn’t your fault.
“What wasn’t my fault?”
She looked at me blinking several times. “It wasn’t the first time Bradley hit on someone else while we were together.”
“Why did you put up with it?” I asked.
“There wasn’t anyone left. I figured it was finally over,” Mallory said. “I know he never loved me but I thought maybe he could.”
I felt sad for her even though I was almost positive that hadn’t been her intention. Mallory was gorgeous but her self esteem seemed to be nonexistent.
; “Anyway,” she said shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter now.”
“I don’t have an interest in Bradley that way,” I blurted even though it seemed like she hadn’t wanted to continue the conversation. “Yes we’d been a couple but he cheated. I’m over him.”
“I know,” Mallory said.
The door opened and Laurie stepped into the hall, closing the door behind her with a click that echoed in the hallway. She looked back and forth between Mallory and me with a sadness in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, he seems quite sick,” Laurie said. “I’m going to get him some water but I don’t really think there is much we can do but to wait for him to fight whatever it is off.”
“So you don’t have any medicine?” I asked.
“Not that will help him,” Laurie said lowering her head. “Excuse me.”
She turned and dashed down the hallway. Moments later she returned carrying a tall plastic water bottle with a bent straw poking out of the top.
Laurie didn’t say anything as she slipped back into the room.
“Can we see him?” Mallory asked after Laurie had closed the door. “Although I’m probably the last person he wants to see.”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged.
“I’m worried about him,” she said.
“It’s probably just a bug. He’ll be fine,” I said offering her a reassuring smile.
Mallory nodded. “Just seems so sudden. I usually can feel it coming on but he hadn’t mentioned anything.”
“He hadn’t been talking much lately,” I reminded her.
Several minutes passed before either of us spoke. Mallory took several steps forward and placed her hand on the wall next to the door.
“I want to see him,” she said frowning. “Why does it feel like we’re not allowed to go inside?”
I shook my head but felt relieved it wasn’t just me feeling that way.
My thoughts were disrupted when the front doors of the church banged open loudly. Feet pounded aggressively as someone came down the stairs. It wasn’t long before a wide-eyed Lucas came into view.
“I heard about Bradley. How is he?” Lucas asked as he slowed his pace.
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