The Morning The World Broke

ile

ll That

ps cutting on and off. I do not know if we even have a generator, and I would no

el

d rough. "Put it on speaker. You both need

ears push at my eyes. Finn is already n

's... brea

rds tumble out while I press

cia will take... good care... of you. I love you-" Her scream cuts through the s

s. He pulls me into a hug and hides his

to know if she is still alive. Her scream was the worst sound I have ever heard. Our bodies shake while we ho

dy so I do not fall apart in front of him. "I need to do something in my room real quick." I walk down the hall,

Leo even though he is grounded

rything

more sobs come out. He stays quiet and lets me

hone," I say, voice raw. "It happene

is soft. "I can try to sneak over. My mom took my dad

l your parents. Tell them you love them. Do it for them ev

to go. B

e to

eephole, then

ia. Come in." I

paper bags. "I'm a little light-headed. Stores were

nn!" I call. "Get Ms.

ad worse." She lies on her si

take a nap? I can hand

vely." She yawns

rest, I tell myself. I put the groceries away and go to my room with a

le data is dead too. By the time I

y bowl. A low growl comes from the living room

hatters

cia? Are y

ith a green tint. Her head hangs low. Blood runs down her a

e blee

sound rolls out of her thr

es and explodes against the wall. The noise makes her turn f

whisper ha

e hall. She is right behind us now, growling louder. My heart pounds in my ears. Sweat runs down my back. Finn yanks me

our feet against the metal to keep it shut. Every impact makes us flinch. I put a finger to my lips. Finn nods and

ess all the way down and

the sick thing

e phone and

ay here. To

opens the dialer and calls 911. I shake my h

er," he

ng up. We are alone in a closet with something that used to be Ms. Patrici