Stay Together Chapter 22 by Maira Dawn
Chapter 22
(COPYRIGHT©2024 MAIRA DAWN)
The air in the parking lot smelled like sour milk and old garbage, making Emily’s stomach twist. The bright sun lit up the outside of the convenience store, making the inside seem even darker and more foreboding. Gone were the days when a building like this seemed a welcome break during a long trip.
Up ahead, Andrew moved almost too fast, swinging the hatchet back and forth like he owned the world now. She wished he would just disappear into it.
Once they were inside, her dad swept his flashlight across shelves that were stripped nearly bare, catching dust motes that danced like tiny ghosts.
James snorted. “Gotta love a country that uses a national emergency as an excuse to shop.” He shrugged a shoulder. “But, hey, we’re here too.”
Emily nodded. This may be the last supply stop before they got home. “Can’t pass up the need to add to your prepper pantry?” she teased.
“Semi-prepper. It was supposed to be just in case. I thought maybe a layoff or another pandemic. I never figured on all this.”
“I know Mom was fed up with it, but it’s pry a good thing we have everything from bandaids to bubblegum. And it’ll last for months.”
“I did take a good chunk of her basement,” he said with a chuckle. Then, he ran a hand over his face. “Maybe she’ll forgive me now. But I’m worried it’s not enough with all this happening. What will we do next month or next year?”
“It’s okay, Dad. We’ll worry about that after we get home. I’m sure you’ll come up with a plan.”
The beam of James’s flashlight caught Andrew standing across the store. He stood in the shadows. Emily noticed her dad’s eyes narrow. She felt bad that he had one more thing to worry about.
“Check every nook and cranny,” her mom whispered from one aisle over. “Some good stuff might have gotten shoved into weird places.” It had become a habit now—to whisper—just in case.
Michael crouched near a toppled display, his small hands digging through scattered packages. “Dad! Look!” His excited whisper carried too far in the empty store. “Snickers. The wrapper’s still good.”
“Quiet,” James warned, but softened when he saw his son’s face fall. “Good find, buddy. Grab a few.”
“Dad,” Emily said. “I think I’m going to check out the pharmacy.”
“Okay. Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll check out over-the-counter stuff, too.” On Emily’s way to the pharmacy, she passed Andrew.
“Found something back there,” he murmured, using his thumb to point over his shoulder. The door behind him opened to utter darkness. “Medical supplies, I think. Come see?”
“Um.” Emily glanced toward her family, who were preoccupied with their own finds. “I should check with Dad first.”
Andrew’s hand closed around her wrist. “It’ll just take a second.” He pulled her closer to where the shadows gathered, thick and black. “Could be important. You might know better than me.”
Emily stepped back, trying to break his grasp without seeming to panic. If she panicked, he would think he won.
Andrew’s face twitched like a smirk was trying to escape. He gave her arm a hard pull, then dropped it. It surprised her, and she stumbled forward through the grimy door into the storage room.
It was a mess. Shelves knocked over. Boxes smashed open. Two small windows let in a little light. And worst of all, it smelled like rot, like old fruit and wet cardboard.
Andrew turned into the room. “I got first dibs,” he says.
“What do you mean? We’re supposed to share everything,” she snapped back.
Andrew laughed like he thought she was joking. “You worry too much.”
He pushed ahead.
Her pulse thrummed. Something told her to leave—get out now. But she couldn’t let him win.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“There’s more back here,” he said, weaving past more boxes, these still taped up.
She followed, but stayed on the opposite side of the stuff, nearer to the door. An escape route.
“We should get Dad.”
“If we grab some stuff, we can show him.”
It sounded reasonable. And when he stopped and rifled through a box, it seemed like the medicines were right there.
But then she glanced from the box to the far wall, realizing how large the room was. Shadows shrouded the back area of the room.
“Wait up,” she said. He hesitated, but something in his stance seemed too ready. It unnerved her.
She glanced at the door—still close enough for her to make a run for it.
She glanced at Andrew. He stood there, staring at her. “C’mon, Em. It’s safe.”
“It’s okay. I’ll hang back here.”
“Suit yourself,” he said with a smirk.
A long pause hung between them. He began to move toward her, casually at first. Then, with more intention, closing the distance in long strides.
Emily’s gut told her to get out of there. Fast.
She stepped back, eyes darting to the door. Ready to make a run for it. He planted himself in her path, blocking her escape.
Her heart stuttered, skipped, then hammered in panic.
“What are you doing?” She tried to sound steady, but her voice cracked.
He grinned, but it wasn’t the same as before. It’s sharp now, unsettling. The face of someone who knew he’s in control.
“I’ve been watching you,” he said. “I always have.”
“What?” Her voice was faint, disbelieving.
“I watched you at school.” His eyes flickered in the half-light. “Thought you were too good for everyone. Too good for me.”
The room spun, and the space between them seemed to shrink.
“But now,” he added, low and satisfied. “Everything’s changed.”
“Stay away from me,” she warned him. Gearing herself up, she tried to dart past him, but he moved and blocked her again.
“You like running so much,” he said, mocking her. “But where are you gonna run now?”
Panic built in her throat. “I’m serious. Let me out.”
“You don’t get it.” His voice dripped with amusement, like she was too stupid to understand. “The EMP—this world—it’s the best thing that could’ve happened. Now there’s no one to stop us. No rules.”
Frantic, she glanced around for something to use against him. “You’re sick.”
“We can do whatever we want.”
“No,” she argued. “You can’t.” Emily shoved at him with all the strength she had.
He laughed as he grabbed her wrist. “I knew you’d get scared. But you’ll get used to it. It’ll be okay.”
Terror choked her words. “Help!” she yelled, hoping someone would hear. But her voice sounded weak even to herself.
Andrew twisted her arm, turning her so he could cover her mouth.
She screamed.
“You’re just gonna waste your breath.” His expression shifted, became more intense, darker. “Nobody can hear us in here.”
“You’re wrong!” She struggled to get away from his constraining hand so someone would hear her. She fought him. He slammed her back against the wall, leaving her breathless.
He brought his face close to hers. “No, Em. You are.”
Continued . . .
Please remember this is a developing story and in a rawer state than what I publish. As such, it has only been self-edited and you will see some errors.
In addition, some changes may occur between now and publishing, including major storylines. I try to avoid this, but it sometimes happens.
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