Chapter Eleven
We woke up, 5 o’clock as usual, but for Jamie, at 6. The little princess thinks she’s so much better than everyone else.
“Y’all ready?” Milo looked each and every single one of us in the eyes.
“I think so.” I nodded. A part of me wanted to smile, I was so excited to go out. Another part of me realized that Milo hadn’t smiled since Skye had died.
“But wait, like, aren’t we not ready, though?” Jamie whined, stomping her foot. I rolled my eyes.
“Listen, Jamie, you can stay back here all alone if you’d like. We’re going up there.” I stared at her, unmoving.
“So-rry. Jeez.” She smacked on her never-ending supply of gum and rolled her eyes.
I wanted to punch her. She’s so obnoxious.
We gathered our things, each got a gun from the closet, and began to climb up the stairs. I could tell Milo was still a bit reluctant about the whole thing.
“You okay?” I put an arm on his shoulder, cocking my head to one side.
He shrugged, looking away from my eyes.
“Milo, are you alright?” I followed his eyes with mine.
“Not really, but I’ve learned to lock feelings away. They only cause trouble.”
I pressed my lips together, a habit I’d taken from Landon. I walked next to him, in front of everyone else. I was eager to see what was beyond the doors, but I didn’t want to leave his side. He didn’t have anyone to be with him. Landon and Milo had never been close friends; Landon only shared a close bond with Ashton and Jack.
When we had gotten to the top of the second flight of stairs, my heart was in my throat. My fingers were shaking, knuckles white.
Milo punched in the different codes, checked out the peephole to make sure nothing was there, and unlocked everything.
“Can I?” I smiled as Milo reached for the handle.
He nodded. My hand gripped the cold handle and twisted it, almost ready to jump back if anything came at me. I held my breath as I heard the click from the door. I pushed it open and light flooded in, stinging my eyes. Fresh air filled my lungs, wind blowing softly on my skin.
And it was quiet.
So eerily quiet.
There was only a distant, calm, crashing of waves. No hovering of cars, no sign of life anywhere. The houses seemed abandoned. The lights were on in some, off in others. There were cars in streets, stopped in awkward positions. Some were turned over, others on the sidewalk. Glass was broken in, blood stains on the now empty streets. The grass and plants had grown too much, vines now wrapping up and down the houses and running up and down the streets.
This calm was something that belonged in the rural part of Free Eagle Country. Not suburban YI. The absolute silence sent shivers up and down my spine. I stepped out into the now cold, desolate wind. The one that no longer carried the scent of foods or the enchanting sounds of music.
“What... what is this place?” Landon breathed, his eyes wide.
I shook my head. There was no way this was home. No way.
I was going to wake up soon.
This was all a dream.
I ran my hand through my hair, shaking my head.
