He ignores me and switches on a television that looks like it was manufactured in 1985. “Don’t matter how desperate you are.”
An anchor finishes speaking, and suddenly the screen is filled with images of raging wildfires.
“This is just over the hills. It’s coming like a pincer towards the river,” he says. “The roads are closed in both directions. No evac orders yet, so I don’t think we’re in direct danger, but no one’s getting in or out of here for a while.”
“I can’t stay,” I whisper.
“Sometimes we don’t have a choice.” He switches off the television and nods towards the door. “Now, if you don’t mind.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
It’s dark by the time I reach the driveway to Pine Ridge, but the sky burns orange, giving the world the aura of a permanent hellish dusk. The wind picks up, whistling through the trees as though it had a message to deliver.
And what would that be, I wonder? My childhood sermons come back to me.
Repent. Repent while you still can.
That was Mom’s religion. It was never just love and charity. It was fire and brimstone, guilt and sin. I walk slowly towards the house. Bradley’s car is there, but the house is dark.
Why would it be dark if they’re both home? Fearing the worst, I dump my bag and sprint towards the house.
“Bradley!” I yell, pushing through the door. I find Grace sitting on the sofa in the living room, surrounded by candles, like a witch leading a séance. She’s wearing a red cardigan, and it makes her look almost normal. “Where is he?”
“Where’s who?”
“Bradley?”
“I have no idea.” There’s an ironic lilt to her voice. “Why do you want him?”
“Have you hurt him?”
“And why would I do that?” Her voice drops even lower. “Why would I hurt anyone?”
I don’t know what to say, so I wave my hand along the wall and flick the light switch up, but nothing happens.
“Power’s out, darling. Though I suppose you wouldn’t notice.”
“Just tell me where he is.”
At that moment, Bradley emerges from the darkness of the hallway, a bottle of wine and two glasses in hand. He looks frantic.
“Brie! Where have you been? We need to stick together. Evacuation orders could be issued at any time. Let me get you a glass.” Before I can object, he places the wine on the coffee table and retreats to the kitchen.
“Looks like you found your man,” Grace says icily. She unscrews the cap on the wine and pours two glasses. “Here you go.” I don’t move, and she waves it at me in frustration. “Go on. It’s not poison.”
“How can I be sure?”
“Because I wouldn’t do that.” She swirls the wine. In the candlelight, it looks like blood. At that moment, Gabriel trots into view. He nuzzles his chin into Grace, then hops onto her lap.
“You did it once.”
“That wasn’t serious.” She hesitates, as if there’s more she wants to say. For the first time, she almost looks nervous, and it gives me courage.
“It felt serious to me. I’d only been here a few days. How could you?”
“You need to grow up.”
I reach into my pocket and take out the photo from her shooting range. I screw it up and toss it at her. “Isn’t this serious?”
