Broken

Chapter 12

I woke up to Cassie's gentle breathing on my face. My nose twitched and I opened my eyes. She was staring at me. I jumped in surprise and found myself not inside the store, but in our house. Cassie sat up and got out of bed. I grabbed her arm.

"Cassie, what are we doing back home?"

"What do you mean? We've always been home," replied Cassie.

"What about the store?"

"Store? Bethy, you're acting strange. Come on, Mommy is making breakfast."

"Why were we sleeping in the same bed?"

Cassie gave me a strange look. "We always sleep in the same bed."

I rubbed my temples and followed Cassie downstairs into the kitchen, where my mother was cooking breakfast. Andrew and my father were sitting at the table. My eyes widened when I saw my dad. He turned and smiled at me.

"Bethy! Come sit down!" he said happily.

I stumbled over to the table and stared at him. "What?"

"Don't be silly, Beth. Come on, sit down."

I didn't. Something wasn't right.

"No. You never smile. You only smile when you hit me."

My mom looked at me from the stove. "Bethany! What are you talking about?"

I shook my head and backed away from my family.

"Mama, you're dead! You too!" I pointed at Andrew.

The kitchen suddenly melted away and I saw Andrew get shot through the heart and my mother's head cracked open with a crowbar. My dad stood up and pulled out a kitchen knife, Cassie's knife. He stabbed Cassie through the heart. She gasped and reached out for me, but I fell into a pitch black pit. I was falling and I couldn't stop. I was screaming Cassie's name and reaching back up to the small pinpoint of light. Then, gravity reversed. I flew towards the light. My dad flew past, covered in blood and laughing. I was pulled into the light.

I sat up, drenched in sweat. I looked around and saw I was back in the store. I breathed a sigh of relief and pulled on my flannel shirt. I checked my knives and bat and secured them on me. I exited the house, still wondering about my dream. I was getting suspicious looks from Hank, who was still mad about last night. I was done with his crap he was giving me, as much as I liked the rest of his family.

I ignored him and walked right past him. I sat by Lux and smiled up at Mary Grace, who gave me a plate of burnt stuff (I still don't know what it is.). Lux hesitantly received his and sniffed it cautiously. I smirked and stuffed the charred food into my mouth. It tasted horrible, but it was food. Lux grimaced and coughed. Black particles flew out of his mouth and floated in the air. I started laughing and choked. Everyone looked at us as we laughed and choked. Hank gave Lux a disapproving look, shutting Lux up. Lux gave me an apologetic glance and continued to attempt to eat.

I shot a look to Cassie, who looked back at me, confused. I gave her a look that said, "Later." She nodded and continued to talk to Benjamin. Danielle came and sat by me. She smiled and said nothing. I patted her leg and looked at her expectantly.

"¿Como esta el... bebé?"

I asked her about the baby. Danielle's smile faded slightly, and she rubbed her tummy.

"Me temo que el bebé nazca antes de tiempo."

I nodded and looked to Lux, who was staring at her blankly.

"I asked her about her baby and she said that she's afraid it'll be an early birth."

Lux nodded and looked at me happily. "You're so smart."

I reddened only slightly, and then regained my composure.

"Thanks, Lux. So are you."

Danielle was eager to be in the conversation. She asked so many questions about America, which I answered and relayed it to Lux. I felt Hank watching us, and I could feel him begin to soften towards me. I just knew it.

I was definitely surprised when he came to me after breakfast and said,

"I'm going on a run. You wanna come?"

"We just went on one."

Hank sighed. "Yes, but you just need to trust me and come. We aren't going for supplies."

"Who are we bringing?" I asked, still curious about the mission.

"I'm not sure. I was considering the quiet guy; Charles said he is a pretty good shot. What do you think?"

"I don't mind him. What about Lux?"

Hank's eyes narrowed. "Honestly, I would take him on a regular run, but this one is something I don't want him to see. I want him here."

"Then let's take 'the quiet guy' and get a move on. I don't like being separated from Cassie for too long."

Hank's features softened. "It makes me pleased to see you so diligent in protecting and helping your sister."

"Thanks, I guess. Let's just go, okay?" The attention he was giving me was strange.

"Let's go."

I slung my bat onto my back and checked on my knives. I yanked on my combat boots and followed Hank to the front of the store. This time, Charles locked us out. Seth was his usual silent self, which made for a partially boring car ride. Hank finally spoke.

"I want to tell y'all our escape plan."

Seth and I perked up. Hank continued.

"There's an exit at the back of the bakery. If you go through the area where they stored the bread, there's a door to the left. If you go out that door, you'll find a dumpster and two cars, a minivan and a truck. That's where we'll go if something happens. We have this car parked out front in case something happens. All the cars have a full tank of gas at all times."

I spoke. "Then what's the purpose of this trip?"

"You said that you were attacked by an insane, right? Well, I want to go check him out, see if we can figure out how to avoid becoming like him."

Seth nodded. "Smart move."

Hank frowned. "Since when did you talk?"

Seth remained silent. Hank shook his head.

"I guess I'll savor that one sentence."

"We can make this house a safe house. It seemed secure when we were there," I suggested.

Hank nodded his approval. "Alright. We already have a safe house farther away from here. But, it might be useful."

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