“But you make it so much better,” I replied giving her my best grin.
“I put the grounds in the coffeemaker and press the start button,” Leah said.
“I now but you use the perfect amount of grounds,” I said with wide puppy dog eyes.
Leah stood, placing her hand on her hip. “Well, since I make it so good, I might as well just do it then, huh?”
“Thanks, babe,” I said.
Leah threw a dishtowel at me and rolled her eyes so hard I could have sworn I heard them moving. I turned my eyes back to my book, still smiling.
I’d never been much of a reader until recently but it helped to pass the time. Too bad we didn’t really enjoy going out to check out new books.
“Smells great,” I called out after reading the same sentence three times. We really needed new books.
“Does his highness want anything else?” Leah asked.
She enjoyed giving me a hard time but I knew she liked to take care of me. Leah made all my meals, brought me drinks, and even tried to make desserts she thought I’d enjoy.
I could put together a mean peanut butter and jelly but not much beyond that. And with the freshly baked bread the ladies in the kitchen made, they were quite remarkable too.
It was nice to have hot meals. It was nice to have three square meals a day. I wasn’t going to take being in the resort for granted but I also couldn’t help but feel as though our time here was limited.
One of the best things was being with Leah. Life at the resort would be nearly unmanageable without her.
I got up and walked into the kitchen. She leaned back as I slid my arms around her middle, crossing them in front of her stomach.
“I don’t think I tell you enough how lucky I am to have you,” I said into her ear before grazing my lips down the side of her neck.
“You tell me every day,” Leah said. I could tell she was smiling even though I couldn’t see her face.
She poured the rich smelling coffee into my favorite mug. “Want any sugar?”
“Oh, yes,” I said kissing her neck. “I always want sugar.”
“In your coffee?” Leah said.
“Sure,” I said taking the cup from her.
Leah poured her own cup. She held it with both hands and took a quick sip, wincing at the heat.
“I really do make a damn good cup of coffee, don’t I?” she asked. She kissed my cheek and set her cup down on the table next to her notebook.
“When are you going to let me read that?” I asked.
Leah shrugged. “When I’m done, I guess.”
“I don’t think I can wait,” I said. “Dying to read what you have to say about me.”
“I haven’t even gotten to the part where I met you yet,” Leah said tapping the back of her pen on the notebook.
“Saving the best for last?” I teased.
I went back to the sofa and set my coffee down on the table next to me. I exhaled as I picked up my book. My eyes scanned the words, quickly bringing me deep into the story.
The knock at the door startled me so much I shook, dropping my book into my lap. Leah was frozen, her wide eyes locked on mine.
I stood, wiping my palms on my jeans as I walked to the door. The pounding wasn’t something we’d ever get used to. My knees felt like they were made of rubber as I sucked in a breath and hoped my dad was on the other side.
I nearly choked on my own saliva when I opened the door and saw the four guards staring back at me.
3
Stevie
Every time I woke up, I wasn’t sure if I was still alive. I’d look around, carefully studying the room. The grayness was always present, which I hoped and prayed meant that I was still alive because I couldn’t handle an afterlife where the rain followed me.
It was a strange feeling but every day felt like I was starting over. The only thing constant in my life was Gage. I could count on him. Sometimes I wondered if him and I were trapped in the same nightmare.
Of course, there was Shawn but things were different with him. Gage was like family. Gage was my family.
It was weeks since we had helped the girl escape from the wild gorilla. Gorilla. It was bizarre to even think that we’d need to worry about that sort of wildlife. We had enough to worry about but sure, why not throw gorillas into the mix?
They hadn’t come around again since that day. We all hoped they had moved on. We did, however, find more survivors.
There were a few people living in the next house over. It was getting to the point I was struggling to remember everyone’s names.
Everyone got along well but still, I felt more pressure with each person that joined us. I felt responsible for keeping everyone safe. It was easier to just not think about it. I didn’t have a choice, though. It wasn’t like I could turn people who were in desperate need away.
All we could do was help them.
After the disappearance of Josh, I had to keep an eye on his wife, Kieran. I knew she was responsible after she caught him flirting with Winter, one of the other girls living in the house. I wasn’t entirely sure what she had done but I hadn’t been able to rule out murder.
Kieran had been nothing but helpful since that night I’d heard the gunshot
