Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Author:Mary Hooper
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781599906058
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Published: 2010-02-14T10:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

I woke cold, even though Gus was still beside me and had a leg draped over my body. I could hear Boggs in the background, his voice loud but not angry.

“Gus,” I whispered as I nudged him.

“Hmm?”

“I hear Boggs.”

“No, darlin’, we’re in the hidey hole remember?”

“Wake up.” I shook his shoulder.

“Zoe? Gus?” It was Nathan’s voice this time. “You guys down here?”

I struggled to get out from under Gus’ leg, and in the process tumbled to the floor with a loud thud.

“Ow,” I grumbled.

“Zo? You in there?” called Boggs’ voice from right outside the door.

“Be right out,” I managed to choke out. “Where’s my nightie?” I asked in a strained whisper as I lay naked on the floor.

“Here,” mumbled Gus as he held it out for me, draping it across my shoulder.

I took it gratefully and fumbled in the dark to slip it over my head and arms. I could tell Gus was doing the same with his clothes. I could see a sliver of light coming from under the doorway and made my way toward it. Boggs knocked again.

“Coming in.”

The door opened and light from a battery operated lantern half blinded me. I put a hand up to shield my eyes. Whoever held it had the good sense to lower it. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Mack standing beside Boggs, with Nathan just behind them.

“How’d you get here?” I asked, not trying to hide my smile. I was genuinely glad to see our friends. “Where’s Susan and Abbey? Are they ok?”

“Slow down, one question at a time,” said Mack as Boggs wrapped his arms around me. “Marnie and I went to the motel and found them there, safe and sound. When we mentioned your names they came back with us.”

“Susan’s alive,” said Nathan. He sounded so tired. “She’s weak though, and hasn’t spoken since she came to. Abs is ok, just fighting a cold and pretty scared.”

I sensed Gus step up behind me and felt Boggs’ relax his embrace.

“Bobby’s with you?” asked Boggs.

“No,” said Gus. “She died.”

“Fuck,” said Nate. “The dead?”

I shook my head back and forth. “The living.”

“He’s not living anymore,” said Gus with irritation in his voice.

Trying to lighten the mood, I changed the subject slightly. “Agnes is with us though.”

“Agnes?” said Nate. “’Agnes-and-Linus Agnes?”

“Ayup.”

“Linus didn’t make it. She’s pretty devastated.”

“Ok, kids, if you’ve gotten enough rest let’s hit the family room. We can talk over supper,” suggested Mack. “Danny and Mimaw have thrown together a feast.”

The thought of food caused my stomach to growl. “We should wake Agnes,” I said.

Mack chuckled. “She’s been awake for a while. She said you two were too loud.”

Boggs glared at Gus in the dim light. He might even have worn a look of rage, but it was hard to tell. Gus reached down and took my hand in his and gave it a little squeeze. I was grateful for the dark, since I knew my face was flushed with embarrassment.

***

Gus had been kind enough to fetch a blanket from the bed for me to wrap in.

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