She woke to a pounding heart and crackling walls. Like a weight on her chest a pressure in her bones, scraping everything but fear from her thoughts. She couldn’t think of running or fighting, only it. Its unseen feet clicked against the stone shell protecting them. How hard would it be to break?

The thing passed and cleared room for her thoughts. She noticed her ragged breaths and unsteady glow. The room exhaled, and they sat in terrified silence.

“That certainly one way to wake up,” her partner dryly noted through half-mastered breaths.

Her shudders twisted into stilted laughter, “It certainly is.” She said and slumped into pilfered blankets.

The room didn’t relax, but that was okay. She’d see to them as soon she gathered the strength to stand.

“You have horrible senses of humor,” Tessa said with forced levity, Summer huffed her glow steadied.

It was nice having others to lean on.

In time they crawled to their feet. Luck the concept struck her as she gathered her things. Was it misfortune that brought the creature near, or was it summer luck that ensured it hadn’t stumbled upon them when they were searching for this small group? She didn’t know but more than ever she felt lucky to be alive.

Things were going well, in the end, it was a reminder of how bad they could get. They exited the building and a lone street light illuminated the deep cracks lining their shelter’s wall. They stared then moved on, following Tessa’s direction and the faint light silhouetting the tallest buildings.

During her march, after Stace had declined her help in favor of Jeremy’s. She carried Jess on her back, the child held a fascination for Summer’s locks or perhaps it was her black hair’s glow. Either way, the girl was happy and Summer was tempted to see if her spit glowed.

Ruffled cloth drew her attention and she glanced to see Mensha remove his sling, she almost stumbled. Their little protector eeped

“What happened to.” He pressed a finger to his lips and winked. Her bafflement grew as he stretched and tested his limb, he lifted his sleeve to reveal the absence of a scar.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

She stared at him for a time and wondered what else he’d been up to. She noticed his very un-nauseous expression. Had he messed with his brain? She squinted at him.

She mimed vomiting, mindful of her package, and pointed at her head. He shook his head with an amused glance and tapped his nose. She sighed and squeezed his healed hand. At least he was better.

She returned her attention to the road. A few more days, she whispered in her mind’s recess, then she could unpack everything.

Their trek carried on with little to break the tense silence except anxious breaks filled with chatter and Tessa’s willful positivity. She was so different from her source of encouragement.

While Mensha dealt in nihilistic hope and quietly reveled in the world’s absurdity. Tessa tried to smile with every word she gave her wards, and most of her words were the kind of empty assurances Mensha loathed. There was a pull to her dogged pursuit of hope, and she wondered if this was how Mensha felt following her. An end to believe in.

They stepped into an emptied storefront. She watched Tessa’s shoulders slump before turning around and ushering the children in with a bright smile. She glanced at her partner and they helped organize the group for bed in a more enclosed room.

She glanced at the store’s windows before following. The street was lit like a dim moon shone. The passing shades were clearly defined in sharp suits and flowing dresses despite the heavy crowd.

She sighed, entered the room., and snuggled beside Mensha. She drifted to sleep with mindless chatter and Mensha’s fingers trailing through her hair. Would tomorrow be the end, the thought hounded her into oblivion

The next day found her tired despite her rested body. Her eyes fluttered open to Mensha’s concerned gaze. “I’m fine,” she muttered without thinking.

He stared unimpressed, and she took a moment to gather herself. “I will be fine,” she stated and rose.

He glanced at the striating room with a slight frown. “A journey’s last leg is often its most dangerous.” He said.

“Always the philosopher,” she said and checked her bag, she glanced at him. His eyes weren’t smiling, chuckling, or, annoyed just focused.

“I,” he shook his head and turned away.

That was a very big problem, she took a deep breath “What up,”

“His eyes returned to hers and his lips pursed, “I have something to say that I think is important but it might do more harm than good.”

She closed her eyes, Mensha had told her all his concerns and doubts with little resistance but he warned her now. She was afraid to ask, but what was the point of coming this far if he couldn’t trust her?

Her eyes snapped open. “Tell me,” she held his stare.

He sighed and his focus broke into wan amusement, drifting atop love. He smiled, “Don’t get your hopes up, Summer.” He said and kissed her.

She stood frozen as he sat, her gaze drifting across faces in various phases of wakefulness. It landed on Tessa’s and the desperate lethargy that marred her before she lurched to attention and pasted unconvincing cheer over it. Her heart ached.