Jenna nodded. “We should talk about something else.”
“Or if you prefer not talking at all, that’s okay too,” I said.
“Sorry you don’t like my company,” Jenna said with a grin.
I laughed.
“I can tell the subject upsets you,” Jenna said.
“Of course it does. I was shot at,” I said. I blinked several times. “I can still picture his lifeless eyes staring at me every time I close my eyes.”
“That’s why I said we can talk about something else,” Jenna said. “To get your mind off of it all.”
I shook my head. “My mind never goes anywhere else. And they’re both out there right now. What if they’re made to do something that could put them in danger? Or what if they get shot at? I just hate it.”
“They’ll be okay in town, don’t you think?” Jenna asked as if he hadn’t given much thought to the fact that things could go wrong inside our town.
“I hope so,” I said. “But I hate when we’re all apart. It’s hard to get used to. Caleb and I have been together since this all started.”
Jenna opened her mouth to reply but the sounds of someone pounding on the door interrupted her. I walked over to the door and checked out of the peephole. Both Caleb and Robby were standing out there looking more anxious than usual.
“It’s the guys,” I said before opening the door. “What are you guys doing—”
“Bad news,” Caleb said stepping around me to make his way to Jenna.
“What’s going on?” I asked crossing my arms as I turned to face Robby.
He closed the door and locked it. Robby ran his fingers through his wet hair. Cool droplets of water sprinkled on my face.
“They caught someone sneaking around town,” Robby said as he placed his hand on my back, guiding me toward the middle of the room.
“Well, that’s good, right?” Jenna asked.
“Why is that good?” My nose wrinkled.
She bit her lip. “Good that they caught him.”
“They’re interrogating him right now,” Robby said. “Nearly everyone was sent home as a precautionary measure.”
“Why?” Jenna asked.
“In case there are others,” Caleb said. “We don’t know what their intentions are.”
Jenna pressed her lips together. “Rex and the others will find out.”
“They will,” Robby said turning to me. “I’m supposed to go back.”
“What? No!” I said my eyes popping wide, pleading with him to rethink the idea. “Why would they want you to go back if people are supposed to go to their homes?”
“I’ll be inside the town police station,” Robby said. “It’ll be safe. I just need to guard the cell. I’ll be with several others.”
My mouth filled with a metallic taste. “This is a terrible idea.”
“I’ll be okay,” Robby said reassuringly kissing the top of my head. “We’ll be armed.”
“I’d rather you stay with us,” I said.
“Caleb will be here,” Robby said squeezing me quickly before his arms dropped away. He walked toward the door, glancing toward Caleb. “Lock the door.”
Caleb saluted him. “Always do, chief.”
“Can I come with you?” I asked.
“You should stay here with Caleb and Jenna,” Robby said. “I’ll come back when I can, okay?”
I sighed and his lips curled slightly. Anger squeezed my brows.
“Nothing is even a little amusing about this,” I said.
“It’s not, but I like that you worry about me.”
“Of course, I do,” I said with a minuscule scowl. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Robby shrugged. “Never mind.”
“What were you going to say?”
“One of these days you’ll realize I’m nothing special,” Robby said.
“Oh, knock it off!” I lightly punched him in the shoulder.
Robby looked down. His voice soft so that Caleb and Jenna wouldn’t hear him. “Well, let’s not forget how you felt about having children with me.”
“Robby,” I said crossing my arms. “It doesn’t have anything to do with you. It’s this world.”
“Let’s not talk about it now, okay?”
“Yeah, because you have more important places to go.”
Robby sighed. “See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I said locking the door behind him. Caleb appeared suddenly and reached around me, checking the lock. I stared at him… blinking once. “I know how to lock a door.”
“Sorry,” Caleb said. “Just wanted to check.”
“You’re nervous about what’s going on out there, aren’t you?” I said.
Caleb wouldn’t meet my eyes. “A little.”
“You don’t think he should have left?” I asked.
“I don’t think he felt like he had a choice in the matter. His job is to help the guards or police or whatever they call themselves,” Caleb said. “If any of us can take care of themselves, though, it’s Robby.”
“Officers?” Jenna wondered softly.
Caleb nodded. “Yeah, maybe.”
I exhaled and went back to the window. I stared out, watching as if I’d be able to spot spies and intruders lurking in the shadows.
Nothing seemed at all out of the ordinary, except there were fewer people milling about. Everyone who wasn’t essential had gone home.
Robby should be here too. We should be in our room, staying safe like everyone else.
“I think he kicked,” Jenna said placing her hand on her stomach.
“Really?” Caleb asked.
I tried not to stare at them as they both gazed at Jenna’s stomach, trying to feel for the baby inside to move again. It felt as though I was the intruder… I was in a special moment with them I didn’t belong in.
I turned back to the window, twisting my fingers as I watched the raindrops smack into the glass. Down the street, there was some commotion.
I spotted Robby along with several other guards. “What the hell?”
“What’s going on?” Caleb asked jumping out of the bed.
They were dragging someone down the road. The man was putting up a
