Darkness Ahead of Us | Book 3 | Darkness Lifting

by Spencer, Leif

  “If I ever found out what?”

  Chris flinched at the interruption and turned around. Tom stood in the doorway behind her, his jaw set.

  “Sweetie—”

  “There is something you’re not telling me. Are you talking about Dad?” His eyes were blazing with anger. “What did you do?”

  “I…I don’t know…I don’t know how to tell you—”

  “You never do,” Tom spat and dropped her bag. It thumped onto the carpet. Without another word, he ran down the stairs.

  “Tom?”

  “What did you expect?” Sarah said softly. “He knows that you’re hiding something. You have to tell him.”

  “He won’t forgive me.”

  Sarah raised a hand as if to comfort Chris, then let it drop to her side again. “He doesn’t know what you’re hiding, and in his mind…he thinks you hurt his dad. He deserves to know the truth.”

  Chris wiped her nose with the tissue. “I just sat there next to my dead husband, his blood soaking into my clothes. How can I ever tell Tom what I said to his father before he died?”

  “I’m sorry that happened to you. It must have been hard.”

  Chris pressed her lips together. “Thank you.”

  “We won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.”

  “I know.” Chris clenched her fists.

  Sarah gave her a long look, and her features softened. “We can discuss the distribution of chores after dinner. It should be almost ready.” Without waiting for Chris’ reply, she left the room and closed the door behind her.

  Chris exhaled slowly as some of the tension left her. Tears sprung to her eyes and before long, her shoulders were shaking with sobs. For the first time since Lester’s death, her tears were real.

  After finishing organising their supplies, Chris stared out the window, wondering whether Tom would ever forgive her.

  She had to face him. Delaying it wouldn’t help.

  Cautiously, she exited her room and made her way out of the large house. After weeks of eating nothing but baked beans, she hoped Sue and the others had a more substantial meal. Her trousers were falling off her hips.

  Graham stood on the kerb outside, a large crate of potatoes by his feet. She nodded to him, but he didn’t notice her. He was too busy wiping the sweat off his forehead. Picking up the crate, he crossed the road, disappearing into the hedges of the house opposite theirs.

  Where was Tom?

  She closed her eyes, trying to push the image of Lester to the back of her mind. Why did Sarah have to bring that up?

  Guilt and dread rose in her stomach, and she hurried away from Graham and Rose’s house towards the little cottage. Laughter and smoke were drifting towards her across the hedges.

  Luke was sitting on the small lookout platform, holding a bowl of something steaming with one hand.

  When she opened the gate and stepped into the garden, she spotted Tom sitting in a camping chair next to Rachel, giggling.

  The fire crackled and spat. Mosquitos were buzzing nearby. Chris lingered at the edge of the garden, one hand still resting on the gate. Her heart gave a jolt as Tom laughed at something Sarah had said.

  She didn’t belong here.

  She never belonged.

  Before she could turn around and leave, Bob looked up and waved her over. “My hero!” He got to his feet. “Do you have everything you need?” He looked better now that he’d slept for a few hours.

  Flustered, Chris approached the fire and nodded, turning her attention to his sling. “May I?”

  “Please.”

  She repositioned his elbow, tightened the sling. “Make sure to keep it still.”

  “I will.”

  Tom pointed at the telescope on the patio. “Is that yours?”

  Bob shook his head. “That’s Sue’s.”

  Tom’s face lit up with excitement. “Do you know if it was a solar flare?”

  Sue shook her head. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t think it was the sun.”

  “You can sit here. You must be starving.” Bob gestured for Chris to sit down. “I need to check on my traps. It’s been a few days, and I’d hate for good meat to go to waste.”

  Sue frowned. “You’re not thinking of going out alone after what happened the other day?”

  “Will you come hunting with me, Tom?” Bob scratched his dark stubble and grinned. “I need someone who is allowed to move his shoulder to help me. We have a few hours of daylight left.”

  Tom wiped his mouth and handed his empty bowl to Sue before nodding eagerly. He didn’t acknowledge Chris, didn’t ask for her permission. Bob, however, turned to her. “If that’s all right with you?”

  It wasn’t like she had a choice, and Tom had been looking after them for weeks. She nodded.

  Bob patted Tom’s shoulder. “You can show me what you’ve learned while taking care of your mother.” He tilted his head, grinned at Sue. “Better?”

  Sue rolled her eyes. “You’re—”

  “Stubborn as a goat. I know.”

  Chris watched as they left through the gate at the back of the cottage. Oreo followed them to the fence, then settled down by the gate, no doubt waiting for their return.

  Bitterness deepened the lines around Chris’ mouth. Sarah was right. She had to talk to her son. Had to tell him the truth.

  Or she would lose him.

  Digging her nails into her palms, she sank into the camping chair. “Bob’s looking a lot better.” Frustration gnawed at her, but she suppressed the anger that usually accompanied it, and smiled at Sue instead.

  “Thanks to you.” Sue handed her a steaming bowl of cabbage soup and a slice of crusty bread.

  Chris lifted the bowl to her nose, inhaling deeply. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a hot meal.

  “Soup! My favourite.”

  Chris flinched. She hadn’t heard the gate. Graham dragged a camping chair over to sit beside Rose. He took the offered bowl from Sue and grinned. This was the first time Chris saw the man sporting anything other than a frown.

  “Is there anyone living in the houses across the street?” Chris asked, wondering where Graham had taken the crate of potatoes.

  “The two houses on the left are empty,” Rachel said. “The white house opposite Graham and Rose’s place was empty too, but the guy who lives there, Neil, came back a few days ago.”

  Sue grimaced.

  “He’s been hostile to us in the past,” Anna explained.

  Chris dunked her bread in the soup, took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. “And you’re happy with him living right next to you?”

  “It’s just one man,” Sarah said, giving her a sharp look. “If he tries anything, we’re armed. Oreo will warn us if anyone comes near.” She set her bowl down next to her chair, picked up her notebook and turned to Sue. “Tom could go with Bob from now on.”

  Sue nodded. “I like the sound of that.”

  “And you Chris…Rose needs help in the garden tomorrow morning.”

  Chris nodded. “I can do that.” She watched the group as she continued eating her soup. Everyone had their responsibilities and contributed. These people were driven.

  Organised. Determined.

  They knew what they were doing.

  Perhaps she’d fit in better than she’d thought.

  11

  Anna folded the duvet back and turned, mindful not to wake Sarah who was breathing softly next to her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the image of Chris adjusting Bob’s sling.

  Chris is here.

  And I let her stay.

  Coldness spread through her, and she held her breath for a moment. Chris was a nurse, she reminded herself. Drawing her bad knee into her chest, she stared at the ceiling.

  It was still dark, but with the inky black sky slowly turning grey outside, she knew dawn wasn’t far off. She tried to savour the peace and quiet while it lasted, but her mind was a whirlwind of worries.

  “Anna?” Sarah
’s voice was sharp with frustration.

  “Hm?”

  “Does your knee hurt?”

  Anna stretched her leg, tensed her muscles, then relaxed. “No. I think it’s finally getting better.”

  The feathers in the duvet rustled as Sarah turned to face her. “I wouldn’t have said yes to Chris staying, if I’d known it would keep you awake at night.”

  Anna huffed.

  “It’s almost morning,” Sarah muttered. “And you’ve been tossing and turning for hours.”

  Anna gave her sister a sheepish smile, then realised Sarah couldn’t see her face. “I’m sorry.” Sitting up, she yawned. “It’s been weirdly quiet without the cockerel.”

  “Why are you changing the subject? I can tell you’re worried about something. It’s Chris, isn’t it?”

  Anna ignored her sister’s comment. “Do you think Neil killed the cockerel?”

  Sarah chided Anna’s attempt at changing the subject with a click of her tongue. “I don’t know. If someone broke in, surely they’d have taken something? Stolen food or medicine?”

  Anna shrugged and fumbled for her shirt in the darkness.

  “Why kill the cockerel and leave? And how did they get past Oreo? It must have been the rats.”

  Anna remembered Graham’s words: Everything is empty. People are getting desperate. They’d easily kill for food. “I hope you’re right. Perhaps we should take the chickens inside after all.”

  “I’ve already told Bob that we should ask the farmer for another cockerel and a few more hens. Bob spotted some sheep in a field that he wants to check out with Tom. He said that they’d looked abandoned.”

  Anna pulled on her socks first then her trousers. “Sheep?”

  “Yes. Milk, meat and wool.”

  “Does anyone know what to do with them?”

  “No, but they’re sheep. Humans have kept them for centuries. I’m sure we can figure it out. Bob said that he would look for a book on keeping them in the Braintree libraries.”

  Anna smiled and slid into her trainers. Whenever one of them had a question, Bob searched for answers in the libraries.

  Her thoughts drifted back to the dead cockerel. “How many have you put on watch for the night?”

  “One on the lookout. Two patrolling the fence. We can’t be too careful with Chris here.”

  “Who’s out there right now?”

  “Rose and Rachel are on patrol together with Oreo. Bob is on watch.” Sarah propped herself up on one elbow. “Have you spoken to Luke yet?”

  Anna didn’t reply, picked up her torch and clipped it to her belt.

  “You can’t just ignore me every time I mention something you don’t want to talk about.”

  “You’ll find that I can.”

  Sarah reached out and placed her hand on Anna’s. “I know you. I know you’re worried about Chris, and I know you worry about liking Luke, but he clearly likes you too.”

  Anna bit her lip. “And what if it doesn’t work out? We’re living in his spare room.”

  “Deal with it like adults. You are both adults, aren’t you? It’s not that hard.”

  “Says you.”

  Even in the dimly lit room, Anna could see her sister’s mouth tighten. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Anna pulled back her hand and gave Sarah a long look. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just…a bit tense.”

  “Because of Chris?”

  “She seems different. Meeker? Looks like a gust of wind might knock her over.” Anna smiled. “Bob was very impressed with Tom.”

  “Did he say where they’d been?”

  “In a log cabin somewhere in Hatfield Forest.” Anna stood and tied her hair into a loose ponytail.

  “Where are you going?”

  “You said Bob was on watch? I’ll go and chat with him for a bit. I’m sure he’ll be glad for the company.” She bent over and placed a kiss on her sister’s forehead. “Go back to sleep.”

  Anna never slept well when stressed, and right now there was far too much on her mind. Even though Sarah was certain rats had killed the cockerel, Anna wasn’t convinced.

  The air was cool, and her shoes got wet with morning dew as she walked through the overgrown grass. She missed lawnmowers. So many things she’d taken for granted…

  Inhaling deeply, she made her way towards the large oak tree in front of the cottage. Sarah was right about one thing: Luke. His bright eyes were always smiling at her, and the rugged stubble on his chin together with his tousled brown hair made her stomach flutter.

  She let out a long sigh, chiding herself mentally for allowing this to happen.

  Now was not the right time for a new relationship.

  Despite the moon and stars shining brightly, she couldn’t make out much more than silhouettes in the dark, but it didn’t take long before she spotted Bob on the platform. She waved at him.

  “Anna? Is everything okay?”

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Climb up. I’ll make room for you.”

  Anna reached for the ladder and climbed onto the platform. She settled with her back against the oak tree. “I’m trying to process everything that’s going on but…”

  “We had a few quiet weeks and suddenly—” Bob mimicked an exploding bomb with his hands. “Everything happens at once. Sue said that you and Sarah were apprehensive about Chris…”

  Anna nodded.

  “Do you know her well?”

  “Not really. That’s the problem.”

  “She was great with my shoulder and Tom is eager to learn.”

  “Did Sue tell you what she’s done?”

  Bob shifted around, turning the stool so he could see both the road and Anna. “She poisoned someone?”

  “A soldier who’d robbed her at gunpoint, yes.”

  Bob scratched his beard. “Is there anything else you haven’t told Sue?”

  Bob would be disappointed if she told him that she’d omitted vital information. She remembered Chris threatening her with a carving knife and sighed, but Bob didn’t know about Anna either. Didn’t know that Anna had tried to poison someone.

  “What is it?”

  Anna hugged her knees to her chest. Bob had gone out of his way to help her. To help everyone. They needed someone with medical knowledge. She’d done the right thing.

  And Chris seemed weaker, more fragile. Graham would keep an eye on her, and Tom—

  “Anna?”

  “It’s nothing,” Anna said.

  Bob smiled at her, the moonlight illuminating his face for a moment and highlighting his kind features. “I trust you.”

  Guilt settled in the pit of Anna’s stomach, but she ignored it. “How’s your shoulder?”

  “Chris gave me some exercises. Said I’m supposed to do them three times a day. Something about strengthening the muscles. And she told me what not to do so it wouldn’t happen again.”

  “Unless you fall again…”

  “One day at a time.” Bob shrugged, then gave her a cheeky grin. “You should talk to Luke.”

  “Everyone keeps saying that.”

  “It’s been obvious for weeks that you two like each other and neither of you is taking the first step.”

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  “How about right now?”

  “It’s too early,” Anna muttered.

  “It’s never too early for love.” Bob nudged her playfully, and she rolled her eyes in response. “What are you so worried about?”

  “I live in his spare room.”

  He chuckled. “You know we have other options. There are always the empty houses across the street. It would make sense to move into them eventually.”

  “Sue is right, though. It’s much easier to defend the settlement if we stay together.”

  “I’m just saying that we have options. You should talk to him.”

  “Maybe you’re right.”

  He stood, stretched his legs and stared into the darkness. Dawn was fast approaching wit
h the first rays of light visible on the horizon. “Sue is going to ask Chris if she wants to help her grow some herbs. We were thinking about extending the vegetable garden and making a small patch for her on the side.”

  “Why would Chris know about herbs?” Anna lifted an eyebrow. “She’s a nurse and not some kind of medieval witch.”

  “I was going to—”

  “Get some books about herb remedies from the library?” Anna laughed. “Of course you were. Sarah said that you’d found some sheep?”

  “Isn’t that exciting? I want to get them before anyone else takes them. We don’t actually have enough room for all of them.” He turned back to Anna, leaning against the trunk. “I was going to ask the chicken farmer if he wanted the rest of the flock, and if he would let us have another cockerel in return for taking the remaining sheep to him.” Bob grinned. “Do you think Oreo could help us move them?”

  “He’ll bark at them, for sure, but I can’t tell you if he’ll be of any practical help.” Anna rubbed her face with her hands. “As you said, we’ve had a few quiet weeks, and I think I’d started to forget…that we’re in a life-or-death situation. But then Graham said that people were getting desperate and that they’d happily kill for food. And he’s right…”

  Bob shrugged. “As harsh as it sounds, I still think winter will take care of that. It’ll have been six months. With no heating and no hospitals, diseases and the cold will…” His voice faltered and he swallowed.

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “We’re not the only armed settlement out there, but…we’re prepared, Anna. We can defend ourselves. And if not—” Bob narrowed his eyes. His shoulders tensed, and he placed a hand on the gun holstered at his hip as he stared in the direction of Graham’s house.

  Leaves rustled on the cobbled path, and Anna spotted a silhouette approaching.