Darkness Ahead of Us | Book 3 | Darkness Lifting by Spencer Leif
Author:Spencer, Leif [Spencer, Leif]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | EMP | Survival
Published: 2021-07-06T22:00:00+00:00
10
An awkward tension had settled over the living room. Chris stood behind the sofa, one hand squeezing Tomâs shoulder for support, and focused as Sue introduced everyone, fervently trying to memorise their names.
âThese are Rose and her husband Graham. Youâll be staying with them.â
Overwhelmed, Chris gritted her teeth against a wave of light-headedness. Sheâd made an impression by fixing Bobâs shoulder, but Annaâ¦Anna would be watching her every move.
âMum?â
âIâm fine.â Chris turned her attention to the couple standing next to her. Graham was studying her with narrowed eyes, his grey hair cropped short. Rose stood a step behind her husband, one hand on the small of his back. Black curls framed her round face, greying at the front. âPleased to meet you,â Chris said.
Graham didnât look pleased, but he forced himself to smile.
âThank you for taking us in,â Tom said.
Chris let go of his shoulder. They should be thanking her, she thought, only to remember that she needed them more than she liked to admit. She swallowed her bitter comment.
âItâs nice to meet you.â Rose stuck out her hand.
âThank you.â Chris shook Roseâs hand. âThis is my son, Tom.â
Tom had settled on the sofa and was absentmindedly stroking Oreo while listening to the introductions being made around him. He looked up at her, a small smile playing on his lips, and Chris allowed herself to hope.
Donât fool yourself. Youâre not welcome here. This time it was her own voice chiding her, but Chris chose to ignore it. She could do this. Seeing the relief on Tomâs face was worth facing Anna and Sarahâs scrutiny.
I can do this.
Looking up, she noticed that everyone was staring at her. She cleared her throat and wrapped her arms around herself, her gaze darting to Tom for help.
She wanted to yell, Iâm not dangerous! I promise. But that would only make matters worse.
Finally, Sue broke the silence. âWeâre so grateful youâre here.â She took off her glasses and started cleaning them. âI know it doesnât feel like it right now, but weâre a friendly bunch. Weâre justâ¦â
âCautious?â Chris shrugged. âI get it. I would be, too.â
âRight.â Sue put her glasses back on. âDinner is in an hour. We usually eat in the garden.â
âIâll show you to the guest room.â Rose gestured for Chris to follow her. âOur house is down the road.â
Tom gave Oreo a final pat and got to his feet, shouldering his backpack. Chris bent over to pick up hers, but he shook his head at her. âIâll get yours later.â
Once outside in the warm afternoon sun, they walked along a cobbled path that led them through the makeshift gate in the hedge and past a bungalow. Chris slowed, but Rose gestured for her to keep going. âThatâs Lukeâs house. Anna and Sarah are staying with him.â
They continued along the path until Rose paused in front of a large house. Unlocking the door, she gestured for Chris and Tom to enter.
âWhere are you from?â Rose asked.
âHarlow.â
âDid you walk all this way?â
Tom nodded. âWe stayed in Hatfield Forest for a few weeks.
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