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Vestige Series
Vestige Series
Vestige Series
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Vestige Series

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About this ebook

To save humanity's future, he must unlock the secrets of his past.

Book One:
The Rapture has begun, and seventeen-year-old Micah has been left behind. His mother tried to prepare him for the Apocalypse, but she disappeared without telling him about the family legacy, his legacy. And as civilization slips into chaos and the line between dreams and reality blurs, Micah must uncover his mother’s secret before the souls of humanity are lost forever.

Book Two:
Heaven is closed, and the Apocalypse is at hand. The dead continue to walk the earth while the living face biblical plagues. Now that Clarke is gone, Micah’s dream of an ordinary life has never been further out of his reach. And as the Antichrist’s grip on humanity tightens, Micah begins to understand that he must embrace his legacy if he ever wants to see Clarke again.

Genre: Horror, Dark/Urban Fantasy, Apocalyptic Fiction.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherDeb Hanrahan
Release dateJun 14, 2012
ISBN9780983526681
Vestige Series
Author

Deb Hanrahan

Dearest Reader,  Thank you so much for checking out my profile. As you may have noticed, I like to write in different genres. I currently have three YA books and three Women's Fiction/Romance books published. I initially published the latter under the pen name Daphne Hargrow. But as you already know, life gets busy, so I thought it best to merge the two names. After a long break, I am back at it. I plan to have LSC: Hester out this summer and a new romance titled The Stars Awaken out by Christmas.  - Deb Hanrahan

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Rating: 3.874999982142857 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I received this book as part of a LibraryThing Memeber Giveaway. I have always enjoyed reading novels about the end times, and I have also liked reading the young adult genre has there have been some really good fiction coming out of it. This book is young adult fiction about the end times, which I thought was an interesting take on the genre, since the rapture was seen through the eyes of teenagers. I thought the idea of one of the characters being a descendant of a fallen angel added an interesting perspective to the tale. The development of the characters I thought was a little slow. I almost quit reading the book because I couldn't relate to any of the characters as they all seemed very shallow and uninteresting. I did stick with it though, and the characters' personalities did develop over the story. I also felt the plot moved slowly. There is going to be a sequel, and at times I felt the plot was dragged out in order so there will be enough material to write a sequel. I felt that either the author should have added another subplot to the book to keep the action going a little bit stronger, or the story should have be told completely in one book. That being said, however, I did like the premise well enough that I do want to read the second book to see how the plot and characters develop.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I will start by saying thank you to first reads and goodreads, as i won this book free in a giveaway from them. I did enjoy the book, however was a little turned off by how similar it was to Tim LaHayes "left behind" series. I read all 12 of the left behind series books and can tell you the plot is pretty much the same. I did love the series, so of course i also really enjoyed this book. I felt the writing was perfect it flowed me nicely throughout the book and kept me engaged at all times at what was going on in the story. I loved the characters and felt really connected to them in the story which is always good:) Micah sounds like a hunk and is also the 'gaurdian' in the book the one who is to defeat the antichrist in the story which i though was a very creative idea as it wasn't just one person leading the army against the antichrist in the left behind books, but just the left behind undecided people who fought in the fight. I though it was neat to use the barcodes on people similar to "the mark" used in the left behind books. I am left with a serious need to read the next book just to compare the two series against one another and that is bad and good at the same time. I should want to read it because the first book was so amazing i just can't wait to read the next one when that isn't the case. I do think the huge cliffhanger at the end with the "to be continued" was genius of the author because anyone who reads it will be dying to continue on with the story in the next book. So I rated the book 3 stars and can say I honestly did enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories based on the book of revelations and the rapture, or anyone who just likes a good fantasy YA book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A very quick read. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. The rapture is a subject that fascinates me. This book is a work of fiction, it will not change anyone's religious beliefs and I don't think it could possibly offend anyone's beliefs. It is simply a dark fictional account of the rapture and it's aftereffects. The characters are strong. I was able to relate somewhat with each one of them. Micah is definitely my favorite. The book ends with a cliff hanger, be on the lookout for book two.I received this book from the author for an honest review
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    To be continued!!! I guess there will be the other half of the book coming out to conclude this book. Imagine taking the Left Behind Series and Stephen King's book "The Stand" and melding it into Vestige. I enjoyed the characters immensely. Especially the shift of narration between characters to glean the best idea of what is happening. Good book, I will definitely be on the look-out for the other half of the book!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A beginning to a good story though I believe the language in the beginning is a detriment. Good charactor development and interesting story line
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I found this book to have plenty of action and a plot spooky enough to keep your attention and give you a few chills. Written in the style of Ted Dekker, it is a story of good versus evil--where the enemy is sometimes too intangible to be battled head on. The story is told mainly from teenagers' perspectives on the strange disappearances and events that suddenly begin to unfold; the end of life as they once knew it. Micah comes from a family of serious survivalists who keep themselves prepared for the breakdown of society. He is somewhat ashamed of their extreme views and worried what his school friends would think if they found out; he just wants a normal life with normal people. But when people begin disappearing and no one can find the answers, Micah must fall back on his mother's teachings and a few new friends just to survive, and maybe even save humanity in the process.I am looking forward to the next book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I read this book and I love it. My rule of thumb is that if you can hold my attention from the first chapter you may just get it till the end. This book not only grabbed my attention but dragged me all the way to the end.I don't want to give out too much information and ruin the book so i'll try to keep thing vague so you can enjoy it. It's basically focused around two teens and the people around them have gone missing. I can't say why without ruining the book but as you read the pieces slowly start to fit into place. Each action and every introduction of another character in this book is relevant. So it's one huge guessing game of who is this person and is their role good or bad for the main characters.Trust me this book will absorb you into this world and keep you wanting more. Literally. From how it ends...I am sure from the others review you figure out it ends on a cliffhanger. All i know is that I will be in line for a digital copy. Highly recommend it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fine read indeed for adults and youngsters alike. Though the themes are not original (disappearing of most of population, battle Good-Evil), the storyline is intriguing and the characters are attaching. Micha and Clarke only begin to discover their destiny in Vestige, so i look forward to the sequel. Thanks for an entertaining LBT giveaway!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I received this copy free via a member's giveaway in exchange for a review.Vestige by Deb Hanrahan was a bit of a surprise. When i first started ready I understand the plot straight away basic Satin / anti Christ savior needed, but the author has brought this story up to date with embedded the evil in government and the savor a teenage boy they don't really believe or want to do anything.I really enjoyed this book and has defiantly left awaiting the second installment. I very enjoyable read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "Vestige" by Deb Hanrahan is spellbounding! Micah is the Guardian that must save earth from the Antichrist. The characters were well developed and actually very believable. If you believe in Heaven and Hell, God and the Devil this book is for you. Even if you don't this will make a believer out of you even though it is fiction. I found this book imspiring. My only critique is "to be continued" I need to read more right now! Come on Deb, please send me the sequel. I love this Novella! Fabulous writing! Good, good ,good!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Though it has moments of excellence, Vestige is, simply, yet another mediocre example of young adult fiction. While the unexplained disappearances and role of the antichrist as an involved character do add a good bit of tension and engagement, the main characters are far too simple to be compelling. The motivations for their actions are fuzzy, at best, and important plot points are just dropped and forgotten. Unfortunately, the book also suffers from substandard dialogues/inner monologues, especially when it comes to the teenage characters. One glaring example was an extremely out of place Hunger Games reference during an inner monologue. However, this may very well be due to an older author writing younger characters, and this is certainly not an uncommon issue. Finally, the overtly pro-Christian message of the novel is somewhat heavy-handed, and frequently took me out of the story.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    An entertaining read, characters are well done and the story keeps you reading. Far too short though, it only took a few hours to read, and the 'ending' is unsatisfactory, but that's always a problem with serial books.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I made the mistake of beginning to read this book as soon as I received it-which happened to be before work. It hooked me pretty quick, and I was almost late for work! I finished it as soon as I got home, and I'm definitely left wanting more-in a good way. The writing seems solid, the plot easy to follow but not boring. I'm looking forward to getting my eyes on the continuation.

Book preview

Vestige Series - Deb Hanrahan

Part One

Chapter One

Jon saw brightness behind his closed eyelids. The sun was up, and he needed to get going. But after a long night of constant shivering, his muscles ached, and he found it difficult to move. His makeshift cardboard bed had offered him little comfort atop the cold cement, and his blanket had been too threadbare to keep him warm. The balmy summer evenings were turning frosty. Before another sundown, they would need to find a warmer place to sleep.

With some effort, Jon rolled over and ran his hand across the ground beside him. Feeling only empty space, the old-looking young man opened his eyes, sprang to his feet, and scanned his enclosure. Huh, where was Bob? Jon slipped out from the nook between the two buildings and into the alley. He turned his head left and then right. But his companion was nowhere to be found.

Bob? Here, boy. Where’d you go? As he waited for his dog to appear, Jon wrung his hands. Where had his best friend gone?

The brown pit bull mix had been with Jon for many years—ever since that night Jon found him lying next to the train tracks with blood pooled around the place where his tail used to be. Even though Jon didn’t like animals much, he did his best to nurse the wounded creature back to health. Once Bob was on his feet, he followed his caretaker everywhere. Jon grew to love the fleabag. They made a great team.

Jon put his head down and walked in a tight circle. Bob had never run away before today. Never, never, never… Something terrible must have happened to him. Terrible, terrible, terrible… He needed to find his dog, but would the voices allow it?

They were already squawking, insisting he get to work. According to the voices, he had no time to look for his dog, no time at all. As their shouting intensified, Jon struggled to understand their instructions. They were loud and rude, constantly interrupting one another.

Warn them—

It’s time—

The end—

He ran his fingers through his lice-infested hair and yanked at the tangled mess. Get out of my head!

They shouted names at him, so many names. Save my husband, Jack—

Warn, June, my wife—

Tears welled in Jon’s eyes. Be quiet. I need to find Bob first. What did these people want from him? But he knew they wouldn’t stop until he did as he was told. So he dried his eyes, retrieved the sign from his nook, and headed up the alley toward LaGrange Road. The entire time, he kept a lookout for his best friend.

Even though it was early, the street was already jammed with cars and people. The noise from all the traffic mixed with the voices in Jon’s head to create a deafening hum that reverberated in his brain. He covered one of his ears with his free hand and continued to walk. He passed Starbucks and Palmer’s Place and then crossed the train tracks before finally stopping at the corner in front of the gas station.

The voices liked this spot. They usually wanted Jon to preach here because so many would receive the message. After all, the whole neighborhood seemed to walk through this intersection—commuters hurrying to the train station, parents walking their young kids to school, and teenagers traveling in their packs.

Jon held the sign up to his chest as a man, surrounded by a white light, approached him.

Good morning, Jon. Bob sleeping in? Have you had your coffee yet? The man slipped Jon a couple of bucks. Say hi to Bob for me and have a great day.

Thanks. Jon tried to smile as he took the money.

For as long as Jon could remember, he could see a halo of light around everyone he encountered. And lately he was convinced Bob could see it too. As a child, Jon didn’t understand why he saw these auras. And the variations in the colors of light only added to his confusion. But once he figured out that the radiated shade revealed the purity of a person’s soul, he knew this ability was a gift, maybe even a blessing.

Jon always liked the people with the white lights. Bob liked them too. These people were kind, often giving him money or food. They would greet Jon with a smile and pat Bob on the head. Very few adults gave off a white aura, but all the young children had one. Bob had one too.

Jon didn’t mind the people with the colored lights. For the most part, they kept to themselves. Every now and then, one might glance at him and Bob, but—more often than not—they would hurry past with their eyes fixed on some imaginary point in the distance.

Jon and Bob feared the people with dark and murky lights. Jon could not only see the gloom surrounding them, but he could also feel it. Without a doubt, every single one of the dark lighters was mean, angry, and lost. Frequently, they seemed to go out of their way to make Jon’s life more difficult. Sometimes they ridiculed him or stole from him. Other times, they hurt him by throwing garbage at him, tripping him, or kicking him. He tried to avoid the people with the wicked auras. He didn’t even like to look at them.

Each morning a group of teenagers, dressed in black leather and ripped denim, walked through the intersection. The group included three boys and two girls. One of the girls had pink hair; the other had jet-black hair. Two of the boys were tall and thin; the other was short and stocky.

One of the tall boys had a snake tattoo. On a warm day, Jon could see the body of the snake slithering down the boy’s arm from under his T-shirt sleeve. The snake’s head covered the back of the boy’s left hand. The serpent’s forked tongue extended out from its mouth and down the boy’s middle finger.

A black aura surrounded each of these teens except for the tall, blond boy without the tattoo. Instead, a golden halo of light shimmered around him. Jon had never seen anyone with a golden hue before, so he had assumed this boy was bad just like the other teens were.

Whenever those teenagers passed through Jon’s intersection, Bob would growl at them, and if they came too close, the pit-bull would bark and snarl. As a result, the teens kept their distance. Now that Bob was missing, Jon worried they might cause trouble for him. He dropped the sign down to his side and shuffled around in a tight circle. He wanted to go back to the alley and wait for his friend. I have to go, go, go…

No! You can’t leave, the voices yelled. What are you waiting for? You’re almost out of time. Preach!

Okay, okay. Jon balled his hand into a fist and punched the side of his head. With that, all the voices melded into one perfect voice. Jon lifted his sign again and repeated their words aloud. "Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that this is the last time.

As Jon’s voice boomed over the sound of the traffic, some passersby stared while others crossed to the opposite side of the street. Nevertheless, he carried on until the bad teenagers arrived. When the teens saw Jon, they pointed at him and laughed. Jon’s stomach twisted into a knot. He tried not to react as they advanced toward him, but with each step, his urge to run grew.

You must continue, the voices insisted. There isn’t much time.

The group of teenagers encircled Jon.

What does this say? The boy with the snake tattoo jerked the sign out from Jon’s hands.

Jon closed his eyes and continued to recite his lines. Fear God and give glory to Him—

The shorter boy with the green hair laughed.

Snake Boy joined Jon and read the sign along with him. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Then, Jon stopped and looked at the ground.

Come on. Why'd ya stop? Snake Boy rolled his eyes and tossed the sign into the oncoming traffic.

The voices in Jon’s head grew unbearably loud, but Jon couldn’t continue. Snake Boy’s darkness consumed the empty spaces inside Jon. A heaviness filled his chest; he couldn’t breathe. He was drowning in Snake Boy’s despair. He needed help, or he would surely suffocate.

Jon looked at the boy with the golden light and found some relief. Golden Boy wasn’t as scary as Snake Boy or the others for that matter. Sure, he looked angry—never a smile—but he also had a glimmer of something, something good. His gray eyes flashed something…hopeful. But as soon as Golden Boy noticed him staring, Jon cast his eyes down.

Snake Boy flicked his lit cigarette toward Jon, hitting him in the chest. So, you think it’s the end of the world, huh? He reached into his pocket and pulled out several wadded up bills. Why don’t you party with us then? We have money—a donation from my kindly father. Only he doesn’t know about it. Snake Boy laughed. They all laughed except for Golden Boy.

Snake Boy waved the stack of bills in front of Jon’s face. I bet you’d love to have this much cash.

Jon put his hands up defensively. The Kingdom of God is at hand...

So why don’t you take this, go into that gas station, and buy us some beer or vodka? We’ll share it with you, said Snake Boy.

The girl with the black hair grabbed Snake Boy’s arm and cooed, Cody, I’m out of smokes.

What Amber wants; Amber gets. Snake Boy grabbed the girl from behind.

Golden Boy shifted his weight from foot to foot. His eyes darted from one person to another. For a second, it seemed as if Golden Boy was going to stop Snake Boy. But instead, Golden Boy turned and walked away. I’ve got to get to school.

The girl with the pink hair ran after the boy with the golden light. Micah, wait! I’ll go with you.

Don’t go, Jess, begged the girl with the black hair.

Yeah, Jess, you’re gonna miss all the fun, said the shorter boy. A green chunk of hair fell over his right eye.

The girl with the pink hair looked back and shrugged but continued to follow the boy with the golden light.

What a pussy. Let’m go. Snake Boy patted Jon’s back. More for us, right, buddy? Then he forced the money into Jon’s hand.

The gloom of Snake Boy’s touch penetrated Jon’s being. He was overcome with darkness. For the first time in years, the voices in Jon’s head fell silent. He didn’t know what else to do, so he went into the gas station and bought a case of beer, a fifth of vodka, and a carton of cigarettes.

Chapter Two

Micah stood in front of the gas station. Like any other weekday morning, people came and went. But unlike any other weekday morning, no one seemed to notice him. Micah’s subconscious nagged at him. He needed to do something, but he couldn’t remember what. He struggled to pull the thought to the front of his brain. He reached for it. He brushed his fingers across it. But, unable to grip it, he finally let it go.

He felt something flat and smooth in his hand, so he glanced down—a tattered piece of cardboard. He lifted it up to take a closer look.

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The homeless guy’s sign. Why did Micah have it? And why was he on the homeless guy’s corner?

Micah jumped at the sound of barking. The bum’s nasty pit bull appeared next to him; its eyes locked onto Micah’s. Then, the sign dissolved, leaving Micah’s hand empty. Something across the street grabbed the dog’s attention. As its gaze shifted, its body stiffened, its fur stood on end, and its lip curled up, exposing a row of yellow pointy teeth.

Micah followed the dog’s line of sight to the opposite corner. A tall, dark-haired man stared back at him. The guy looked normal enough, wearing a suit and tie. He was probably on his way to work. But after several seconds, the man hadn’t moved at all. There he stood, just standing and staring. What was he doing? The back of Micah’s neck began to tingle so he looked away. That’s when he noticed all the other people were gone. Only Micah, the dog, and the stranger remained at the intersection.

"Weirdo, Micah muttered to the dog. Why is he staring at me?"

The dog stopped growling, looked at Micah, and tilted its head. Had it understood Micah’s question?

Micah glanced back toward the corner. The man’s mouth moved as if he were speaking, but no sound came out.

"What? I can’t hear you." Micah stepped off the curb and into the street. But before he could go any farther, the dog grabbed Micah’s hand with his teeth and pulled him back onto the curb.

Then the man opened his mouth wide and screamed like a woman.

Micah snapped awake to the sound of his mother’s screams. He immediately forgot about his dream as he tried to understand the wailing coming from the other side of his bedroom door. He sat, motionless. Jesus, what had he done this time? Had he forgotten to lock up the house last night? Had he left the milk out on the counter? Had his parents found his weed? After several seconds, Micah threw back his covers and jumped out of bed. No matter what he had or hadn’t done, a scream like that meant trouble. He needed to get out of the house quick, or he’d have to endure the wrath of his mother.

Micah sifted through the carpet of clothing on his bedroom floor, looking for something clean to throw on. Within seconds, he found a wrinkled Slipknot T-shirt and a pair of old jeans. He pulled on his beat-up black Converse without undoing the laces, picked up his weathered leather jacket, and grabbed his pack of cigarettes. He checked his pocket for his phone and then, without hesitation, climbed out of his second-story bedroom window onto a large branch. He inched his way across the massive oak limb until he reached the tree house. When his family first moved to LaGrange, his dad had built this tree house for Micah and his brother. But Micah never liked it much, not until he realized it made a handy escape route.

After stepping off the bottom rung of the ladder into the yard, he ran along the side of the house and down the driveway toward the street. But he paused when he saw the empty police car sitting at the curb. Shit! Whatever he had done this time was big. So he took off as fast as he could run.

Once Micah was a couple of blocks away from home, he stopped to catch his breath. Craving his morning dose of nicotine, he pulled a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. As he watched the black tip of the cigarette turn red, a pit formed in his stomach. His mom had sounded so upset. Why was he always disappointing her? Why was it so hard for him to follow the rules?

Micah let the smoke rattle around his lungs before he forced it out along with his guilt. No, his mom deserved it. After all, everything was her fault. Okay, so maybe she tried to be normal, tried to make their family life normal. But how could she be normal after growing up on a survivalist compound? Because of her, their family would always be a freak show.

As far as Micah was concerned, he was the only sane person in the house. His dad and Owen embraced her nonsense, playing along with her drills and contributing to her conspiracy theories. Yeah sure, Owen was just a kid, and maybe someday, he’d grow out of it. But what was his dad’s excuse? He should be a voice of reason. He should be able to control the crazy.

At least Micah felt normal when he hung out with Cody, Dustin, and the girls. Like him, they understood crazy. They all had insane families too. When he was with them, he didn’t have to cover for his parents or make excuses because no one ever talked about family. Yeah, sure, Cody and Dustin gave him a hard time about other things like his clothes or his sex life but never about his parents.

Micah comforted himself knowing he’d turn eighteen in less than a year. Then, he could leave that asylum and get a place with his friends. It would be so awesome. They could do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. And he would finally get some quality alone time with Jess.

The thought of being alone with her without having to worry about who was going to walk in on them excited Micah. Once he had his own place, they could be together whenever they felt like it. Amber and Cody were always screwing around. They had been for years. Both of their houses were empty almost all the time. But Micah and Jess weren’t as lucky. His psycho mom was always home, and Jess was the oldest of five kids.

As Micah felt the first effects of nicotine, he started to walk. Maybe, he should skip the park. After what had happened with the homeless guy yesterday, he didn’t want to see Cody. Cody would definitely give him shit for bolting, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.

Micah had seen the fear in that homeless guy’s face. He couldn’t just stand there and watch Cody take advantage of him. Micah would have been okay with Cody asking someone to buy them beer. He could have even looked the other way if Cody and Dustin stole it. But intimidating a crazy homeless guy wasn’t cool. They might as well have forced a little kid to do their dirty work.

His mind was made up. So instead of meeting his friends as he usually did, Micah headed straight to school. Besides, he was already in trouble with his mom for...whatever. He didn’t need to catch hell for being tardy too.

Micah did have one problem though—Jess. She would probably be mad at him for deserting her. She hated being around Dustin without Micah. Dustin hit on Jess right in front of Micah, so what was he like when Micah wasn’t around? At least Jess didn’t hold a grudge. If she had had a good morning, she might even forget all about Micah ditching her before lunch rolled around.

When Micah reached the gas station, he paused and looked for the homeless guy but he wasn’t there. The cardboard sign still sat in the middle of the street, covered with tire tracks. That poor guy was probably too scared to come back to this corner.

Micah took a final drag from his cigarette and flicked the butt toward the curb. Since there was no traffic, he walked out into the street and retrieved the sign. As he studied it, he recalled his dream. He lifted his gaze and peered across the intersection, picturing the man in the suit. Goose bumps covered his arms. What a crazy dream? He tossed the sign back into the street.

Huh, still no cars. For the first time that morning, Micah noted the emptiness. On weekdays, this corner was busy but not today. A few commuters walked toward the train, but that was it—no parents, no kids, and no cars. Was it a holiday or something?

He continued his walk to school. As he approached a large red brick bungalow along his route, he noticed a woman standing on the porch. She still had on her pajamas—red flannel covered with pictures of puppies. Her short hair stuck up in all directions, and her makeup smeared into a black mess under her eyes. A ginger cat sat on the top step next to her. It stared at Micah and flicked the tip of its tail up and down.

Charlie…Charlie… The woman yelled, over and over. But when she saw Micah, she stopped. Excuse me. Have you seen a large yellow lab?

Micah looked around to make sure she was talking to him. Adults didn’t normally do that. Uh, sorry...No. For a moment, he considered helping her look for the dog, but that cat gave him the creeps. As he passed the house, the woman resumed her yelling. Charlie…Charlie…

After walking several more blocks, Micah reached the junior high. Usually, the playground overflowed with kids. He had always thought that from a distance, the kids looked like ants, marching around in constant motion. But today, not a single ant. The playground was empty.

A single police car sat outside the school. Micah couldn’t resist the opportunity to entertain himself with outrageous theories. Had there been a bomb threat? Or maybe a shooting? Maybe his mother’s outburst had something to do with this. Maybe Owen had been shot. Or maybe Owen was the shooter. All the conspiracy theories and doomsday talk had finally driven his little brother over the edge.

Micah lit up another cigarette and leaned against the chain link fence at the corner of the lot. Maybe if he waited long enough, something would happen. Micah hung around the school for about ten minutes before a car pulled in and parked. He walked toward it. One of his old teachers stepped out but paused when she saw him approaching.

Hey, where are all the kids? Micah asked. Is it a holiday?

No. Why are you here? You’re not supposed to be here. Get to school, or better yet, go home. The woman turned and walked toward the building.

What a bitch, he muttered under his breath. He retreated to his fence corner and finished his cigarette. When he finally realized nothing good was going to happen, Micah decided to move on.

By the time he reached the high school, the grounds were empty. Great, he had skipped the park, and he was still late. He hurried toward the entrance. As he pulled the door open, the first bell rang. Micah ran the rest of the way to his locker, hoping to beat the hall sweep. He didn’t want to spend the afternoon in detention even though Cody and Dustin would probably be there. He had promised Jess he’d help her babysit after school. Spending time with those little kids beat detention any day as long as he was with her.

*****

As the clock struck five-thirty a.m., an incessant buzzing filled the hollowness. Clarke poked her hand out from under her blankets and slammed the off button. She opened her eyes long enough to register the time.

Every morning for the past three years, Clarke recited the same prayer to herself before rising. Dear God, please let this be the day my life returns to normal. Please, let this be the day my troubles disappear. Please, let this be the day I start to feel happy again.

At last, Clarke sat up, kicked her covers back, and scooted to the edge of her bed. She scanned her room and cringed. The pink walls, the shelves lined with American Girl dolls and Taekwondo trophies—they were all relics. Slivers of light tried to filter through the pink vinyl blinds, but the window coverings did their job, concealing the gloom from the hope of a new day. This room was nothing more than a tomb—her tomb.

She stood, crossed the room, and grabbed Samantha off the shelf above her desk. She gathered the doll’s long, brown hair into a ponytail. With one hand, she held its hair in place. With the other, she opened the top drawer and pulled out a pair of scissors. In one chop, Clarke cut the ponytail off, and the doll fell to the desk. She left Samantha facedown, threw the hair in the trash can, and returned the scissors to the drawer.

Of course, her act of vandalism hadn’t improved her mood, so Clarke summoned the courage to move forward with her morning ritual. She had already wasted enough time. Her dad was probably awake and waiting for her. If she didn’t get in there soon, he might try to get out of bed by himself.

Since she would probably have to change again before she left for school, Clarke threw on her dirty clothes from the previous day and hurried down the hall. When she entered her dad’s bedroom, the smell of urine and bleach filled her nose. In the beginning, she used to gag at this toxic cocktail of scents. But now, she found the smell ordinary like coffee in the morning, fresh wood chips in the spring, or burning leaves in the fall.

Dad? Dad, are you awake yet?

He didn’t respond.

Come on, Dad. Clarke walked over to the window and opened the blinds. It’s time to wake up.

As the daylight poured into the room, the dust danced in the stale air. When Clarke turned back around, she gasped. The bed was empty.

Come on, Dad! She marched over to the bed, threw the covers onto the floor, and then headed toward his bathroom, Dad! You shouldn’t be doing that alone. What if you fall? Dad?

He still didn’t respond.

Clarke paused and took a deep breath before she opened the bathroom door. It was empty. Her heart raced as she ran out of the bedroom and down the stairs. How could he have gotten down the stairs by himself?

Once on the first floor, she searched every room but couldn’t find him. So she flew out the back door and scanned the yard, her eyes stopping on the in-ground pool.

Oh God, no…no, no, no… She raced to the edge but struggled to see through the brownish-green muck. So she quickly retrieved the skimmer from the garage and used it to remove the debris. Finally, convinced he wasn’t in the pool, she returned the skimmer, gave the garage a thorough once-over, and headed around the house to the front porch.

Where could he have gone? Out of options, Clarke went back inside and picked up the phone. She dialed Mary’s number first. Clarke’s dad had hired Mary three years ago to help care for him. But Mary had become much more than a home-health aide. She was the housekeeper, the cook, and Clarke’s only friend.

Her dad had to be with Mary. Maybe he had an early doctor’s appointment. That was the only explanation.

The phone rang several times before the call went to Mary’s voicemail. Mary, I don’t know where my dad is. I’m hoping he’s with you. Did you come by early? And if he’s not with you...then…I don’t know what to do. Should I call the police? Can you call me either way?

She moved her thumb to the switch hook and disconnected the call. She stared at the dial pad for a moment. Slowly, she moved her thumb to the nine, then the one, and then she stopped. He had to be with Mary or maybe…No, God didn’t operate that way. He was with Mary. Clarke hung up the phone and walked back up the stairs to her room. The morning was hers.

First, she would indulge in a long shower and relish every drop of water that touched her pale skin. Usually, she was grateful to have a few extra minutes to rinse off the vomit, urine, and feces. But today, she would stay in the shower until all the hot water ran cold.

After Clarke was dressed, she spent the next twenty minutes trying to do her makeup. She didn’t have much experience with makeup application, nor did she have her own supplies. She didn’t even own a tube of lip gloss. Consequently, she had to use the old stuff her mom had left behind. Okay, so maybe wearing three-year-old makeup was bad for her skin, but for once in her life, she wanted to look like all the other high school girls.

Clarke spent the next twenty minutes taming her wild auburn hair. She pulled and yanked at it until her scalp hurt. She couldn’t remember the last time she had had a professional cut. Once detangled, she twisted her mane into one long, crooked braid that draped over her shoulder. Clarke inspected her work in the mirror. Blah. I look like a polygamist.

She undid the braid and tried a simple ponytail. But the rubber band couldn’t contain her unruly tresses, and it snapped apart. Finally, she fastened the sides of her wavy locks to the top of her head with a tortoise-shell clip. This time, when she looked into the mirror, she was satisfied. She wouldn’t win any beauty contests, but at least she didn’t look as if she lived in an underground cave.

Finally, Clarke opened her sock drawer and pulled out an antique heart-shaped locket. It was heavy, but the chain was long and thick. She slipped it over her head; its weight pulled on her neck. She opened the heart and looked at the two faded pictures inside, one of her father’s mother and one of his grandmother. Her dad had given her this locket on her sixteenth birthday, but she had yet to wear it. Before this, she hadn’t received a gift in years.

Maybe she shouldn’t wear it today. What if she lost it? She couldn’t bear the thought, so she closed the heart and returned the heirloom to her drawer.

Clarke made her way down the massive walnut staircase, past the living room, and back to the kitchen. Every morning after changing her dad, she fed him. Since he had trouble swallowing, this ordeal could take forever. Some mornings he gagged on his food and threw up. Whenever that happened, Clarke had to change his clothes all over again. On those mornings, breakfast for her was an afterthought. But today, she had plenty of time.

She made a pot of coffee and poured herself a cup. As she sipped her steamy beverage, she made a batch of pancakes. It had been years since she had had pancakes for breakfast. Her mom used to make them all the time before…

Clarke ate five huge pancakes smothered in butter and syrup. She poured herself a second cup of coffee and did the dishes.

Almost an hour had passed and Mary still hadn’t called. So before Clarke left for school, she tried her one more time to no avail. Then, to be on the safe side, she dialed 911.

Hello, I’m not sure if this is an emergency or not, but my dad is missing. He’s in a wheelchair and can’t get around by himself. I’m starting to get worried.

Ma’am, we’ll send a car over as soon as one’s available. We are receiving a high volume of calls this morning. Let me get your name and address.

As Clarke hung up the phone, she felt as if she had been released from prison. Even if it had lasted only a couple of hours, she was free.

Chapter Three

At the beginning of first period, an unfamiliar voice made an announcement over the PA. More than half of the administration and almost all the teachers are absent today. Therefore, your regular classes have been canceled. Students with last names A through J should report to the cafeteria, K through T to the auditorium, and U through Z to the library. Please bring your work because you will be expected to remain quiet and busy for the duration of the day.

Micah made his way to the auditorium. He had forgotten his backpack at home, so he didn’t have his books or homework with him. Too bad, this would have been a good opportunity to catch up on some late assignments. At least he had his phone. He would be able to text Jess and smooth things over before lunch.

Once in the auditorium, Micah took a seat in the last row of the balcony, as far away as he could get from the two teachers stationed on the stage. He pulled out his phone and saw a text from his mom.

You need to come home. It’s started. I have so much to tell you. You’re not ready. Get home before

Before what? That’s it? Had her battery died mid-text? She had reached a new level of drama. His mom was crazy to think he’d go home now only to deal with another one of her imaginary crises.

Micah looked around making sure no one saw the text. Then, without responding to it, he deleted his mom’s message and sent one to Jess.

Hey babe sorry i skipped the park plz dont be mad c u at lunch luv ya

Micah put his phone back in his pocket, slouched down in his seat, and closed his eyes.

By the time the lunch bell rang, he was certain Cody and Jess had chilled. So he made his way to the school courtyard and to their usual table. As he approached his friends, he could see that Jess was crying. And then he noticed Dustin’s arm draped around her shoulder.

Hey, Jess. What’s going on? Micah put his hand on her shoulder and pushed Dustin’s arm off.

Dustin grinned at Micah. Just comforting your girlfriend.

Jess, seriously. What’s wrong? Micah wedged himself between Jess and Dustin, forcing Dustin to slide over several inches.

My family...my little brother and sisters are gone. The police think some cult kidnapped them...all of them. Jess buried her face into Micah’s shoulder and continued her sobbing. Oh Micah, what am I going to do? This is the worst day of my entire life.

Micah put his arm around Jess and kissed the top of her pink head. So...I guess we’re not babysitting.

Jess

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