Ryan's Luck Page 5
“So, tell me. What cool drink would you like this time?” her mom asked with a teasing grin.
Lucy thought about it. “A Fanta.”
“Yeah? What flavor?”
“Grape. No, orange.”
“I thought you liked Cream Soda.”
“Not anymore.” She’d gone off the color green weeks before when she stepped on a caterpillar and its green innards squished between her toes. She’d told Mommy, of course, but her mother rarely remembered anything Lucy told her. She didn’t bother reminding her now.
“And the sweet? Which one?”
Lucy thought about it with care. It was not a decision to be made lightly. She never got sweets at home, so this was her one chance to get it right. The key lay in choosing something that would last for a few days.
“Sour worms or…I know!” She jumped up and down. “Marshmallows!”
Her mom nodded in approval. “Good choice. Tonight, I’ll even make you a cup of hot chocolate with a mallow on top. How’s that?”
They continued talking until they reached the town, their chatter easy after the tension of before. By now, Lucy had forgotten all about the fight earlier and looked forward to the day. She craned her neck to look out the windows, ever fascinated by everything she saw.
Even though her mom called it a dump, seeming to hate the little community, Lucy loved it best out of all the places they’d stayed so far. It was a small but busy town, with everybody knowing each other by name. The neighborly women baked cakes and smothered her with kisses and the odd sweet when her mother wasn’t looking, while the men were jovial and courteous.
Lucy stared at the people in the street, taking in the bright colors, sights, and smells. Her nose twitched at the odor of fresh bread wafting from the bakery, accentuated by the tang of citrus from a roadside stall. As ever, she enjoyed it all.
Today, though, something was different. Lucy frowned as she looked around, trying to pinpoint what was wrong. At first, nothing came to her, until she noticed the lack of animal life. The birds are gone, and the dogs.
The pigeons that roosted in the eaves and the sparrows that scavenged the sidewalks for scraps were missing. As were the usual skinny runaway dogs that rummaged through the trash. Even the people were less. A lot less.
Her mother drew to a stop three parking spots down from the hardware store and turned to Lucy. “Come on, sweetie. I’ve got a few things to get in here first.”
For some reason she couldn’t define, Lucy felt scared. “I don’t wanna.”
“None of your nonsense now. We’ve got lots to do still. Hurry up,” her mother said, growing impatient. Without waiting for a reply, she unbuckled Lucy’s seatbelt and got out. When Lucy still didn’t move, she slammed the door shut and walked around, yanking the passenger door open. “Get out. Now.”
Her tone brooked no argument. Neither did the hand that hovered above Lucy’s head, ready to deliver a smack.
Despite her sudden irrational fears, Lucy climbed out with a duck of her chin. With her mom holding her hand, they entered the hardware shop while Eleanor fretted and clucked. “Honestly, Lucy. I don’t know what’s gotten into you today.”
The door swung shut behind them, sealing them inside. Lucy shivered as goosebumps rose on her skin. Something was very wrong. She knew it, felt it in her heart. It was almost as if she had a superpower all of a sudden. As if she could sense things no one else could.
From behind the counter, they were greeted by Jasper, the owner. He smiled at them through a graying beard and said, “Good morning, Eleanor. How can I help you?”
“Morning, Jasper. I’m looking for varnish and a brush.”
“Sure, sure, come right this way.” His bulky frame led the way into the shadows, and Lucy’s heart beat faster at the thought of going into the darkness.
As they walked further into the store, Lucy kept her eyes trained on the door. Though the glass was dirty, it was bright enough to make out the shape of a man shuffling toward them. He looked like he was hurt. One leg dragged behind him while blood stained his white shirt with the bloom of a red flower. The man reached the entrance and paused. His eyes locked with Lucy’s, and in them, she saw…she saw a monster.
He bared his teeth and snarled before launching himself at her. The door shook and shuddered in its hinges, groaning beneath the weight of the man trying to batter his way through.
“What the hell?” Jasper said, his head turning toward the ruckus.
“Oh, my,” Eleanor gasped, one slender hand fluttering at her throat.
Lucy didn’t hear a word. All she saw was the hunger in the monster man’s eyes. Eyes that wanted to eat her, swallow her whole. Just like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.
Her lips parted, and a shrill scream burst forth. It shivered through her throat in a non-stop litany of terror, refusing to stop despite her mother’s pleas for her to calm down.
“Lucy, quiet down, please. It’s just a man.”
But Lucy knew what she saw.
“Lucy.”
The scream knew what she saw too.
“Lucy, stop screaming!”
It was death, and there was no stopping it.
End of the Sample - Available Here!
https://www.amazon.com/Lucys-Chance-Deaths-Children-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B0796FKZYV/
About the Author
South African writer and coffee addict, Baileigh Higgins, lives in the Free State with hubby and best friend Brendan and loves nothing more than lazing on the couch with pizza and a bad horror movie. Her unhealthy obsession with the end of the world has led to numerous books on the subject and a secret bunker only she knows the location of. Visit her website to sign up for updates, freebies, and more!
WEBSITE - www.baileighhiggins.com