Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
She shrugs her shoulders and says nothing. With a sigh, she rests her cheek on her palm and continues to draw the forest outside.
“You don’t believe me? I promise, Macy. We’re fine. I’m not worried at all.”
It’s strange but true. I’m not worried. I know Jack is going to keep us safe as long as we follow his direction and do what we’re told. I glance over at my phone. That’s the one thing that bothers me. I know he has unimaginable things on his plate, but I long to hear his voice. I want him to comfort me and tell me it’s all over now.
I’ve just put Macy to bed, and I take a seat in the chair by the window. Even though it’s off-season, the mountain is lit up and I consider how majestic it looks. Yes, our lives may still be in danger, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. If it wasn’t for Jack, I might have gone my whole life without seeing it.
I hear a commotion outside and leap to my feet. I put my ear to the door and hear voices on the other side. I step back and wait to see if there’s any gunfire. There isn’t. Maybe this is a shift change or something. Maybe there’s no reason to yank Macy out of bed and hide in another bathtub.
I chew my lip and scrape a hand through my hair. My heart rate speeds up as I fidget with the hem of my shirt.
The doorknob rattles and I step back, so I’m between Macy’s sleeping body and the door. I may not be able to put up much of a fight, but they aren’t going to take her without getting through to me first. My legs shake and I lose my breath as I watch the door slowly open. I’m dizzy and think I might just pass out, but I have to try to stay on my feet for Macy.
The door swings open and a tower of a man steps through, outlined in a bright white aura from the lights outside. The room is so dark that I can’t make out his face, but then, he speaks. “Baby girl? I thought you’d be sleeping.”
My heart beats so fast that it causes pain in my chest and my eyes fill with tears. He’s here. He’s here. Despite my wobbly knees, I rush to Jack and launch myself into his arms.
“Does this mean it’s over? Can we come home now?”
“Yes, sweetheart, it’s over but I’m beat. We’ll stay here tonight and head home in the morning.”
He takes my face in his hands, kisses me, and the whole world around us disappears. He looks over at Macy and smiles. “She okay?”
“She’s one tough little cookie.”
“The boys are out by the door. They can keep an eye on her for a little while. Put some clothes on and let’s take a walk.”
I waste no time tossing on my jeans and shoes. I didn’t think I’d have a chance to see the mountainside unless it was through a window.
Jack takes my hand and leads me out to a wooden bridge. Beneath it, the river rushes, sending crisp, cool air onto our faces. I take a deep breath and smile. I’ve never tasted air this fresh. This world is entirely unknown to me. Even the night sky seems cleaner and brighter here.
“I read a story once about a place where things go for renewal and rebirth. In my imagination, that place would be a lot like this,” I tell Jack.
He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close.
“A place for new beginnings. That’s perfect. This is our new beginning.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that from now on, everything is going to be different. The weight of the world is gone from my shoulders, and you won’t ever have to be afraid again. We can travel. You can see more of the world. Maybe Macy can go to school instead of spending all of her time cooped up in the compound. Do you think she’d like that?”
“Spending time with other kids? I think she’ll love that, but what will I do all day if she’s gone?”
“I have a couple of ideas,” he laughs. “I can have you for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack. We can just make love all over the house.”
“Now, that sounds good, Daddy.” I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my head back on his chest. “But right now, we should go back. I don’t want Macy to wake up and see that I’m not there.”
“Yeah. I need a shower and a bed and…you.”
We return to the room and slip into the bathroom, trying not to wake Macy. I help Jack out of his gear. He has a long bloody gash on his left arm.