The Lightkeepers

14

5. Worry I brought my knees as close to my chest as I could. I sat on the stairs on a rather dismal

day. The door was locked. My fingers were blushing, becoming raw and numb. Even my toes,

which were protected by my boots, were turning to ice. I couldn ’ t uncurl my fingers. It stung when

I straightened them. Icicles practically hung from my nose and eyelashes.

I wish I had my key, I ’ d thought bitterly.

I was the first one home. I called Ellie, as she was usually home before me, having no after-

school activities this time of year. Apparently, I was wrong. Something must ’ ve come up.

She had plans today; I remembered. Tires crunched over the salted roads and glided up

the driveway. I glanced up. My tongue swept over my chapped lips as I sprang to my feet.

“ Rae? ” my mother called behind me.

I faced her, her eyes searching me with worry. Her brows furrowed as she studied me.

“ Are you alright? We ’ ve been calling you for a few minutes. Lunch is ready. ”

I nodded, “ Go ahead. I ’ ll be there in a minute. ”

She frowned, lines creasing her forehead. Silently, she climbed down the ladder and

disappeared from sight. I walked back into the beacon room and shut the door. Surveying our

surroundings with the telescope, I spotted a cluster of zombies about a mile or two away. They

were moving toward us. I licked my lips. They were too far for an arrow. It would be a waste of

ammunition — and too dangerous — to shoot them. I could only hope for two things: they ’ d find

something to distract them, or maybe they would miraculously change direction.

Some smoke from our fire lingered in the air. I glanced below me, out the window, and

saw the pile of ashes of the cooking fire, some of the embers still glowing. Sighing, I dragged

myself away and down to the dining room, which was another landing that housed our pots and

pans and dishes.

“ I almost didn ’ t recognize you there for a minute, Rae, ” my dad joked as he passed me on

his way up to keep guard.

“ There ’ s a pack, about a mile or two to the southwest, ” I said dryly.

“ Hold on, Rae, ” He gripped my hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. “ Henry says

you ’ re getting nightmares. You wanna talk about it? ”