“Are these yours or Mom’s?” Mirabelle asks, scooting closer to look at the screen where I’m adjusting the lighting on a wide portrait of sunlight coming through the trees to reflect offthe marsh.
“Mine,” I say, feeling myself get flustered because in no world would I ever expect my photographs to be compared to Mom’s. She’s a world-renowned photographer, and already had her work featured on major publications when she was my age.
“It’s really good, B,” she says, and I feel pride swell in me.
“Thanks,” I say, moving to the next picture where I tried a different lens for some lily pads, but I didn’t get the focus right. “I’ve got a lot to learn.”
“Is this what you want to do?”
“I think so. I signed up to take my GED, so that’s probably what I should be working on right now instead of editing these,” I admit, and Mira bumps my arm with her elbow.
“Dude, that’s huge. I’m really proud of you.”
I think she means it. It feels good to not be a huge disappointment.
The windows rattle with a strong gust of wind, and Mirabelle groans. “Do you think you can help me up? I have to pee, and I’m not sure I can get out of here on my own,” she admits, laughing, but I’m just glad she’s not trying to do it herself.
I notice Kaitlyn’s stopped reading after Mira goes upstairs, claiming she needs to grab something after. Kait’s watching me with a pretty smile, and if Javi weren’t sitting right next to her, I’d kiss her.
“Can I have a snack?” Javi asks with a yawn, and I chuckle, nodding.
“Yeah, buddy.”
The lights flicker as I grab the Goldfish out of the pantry, then the entire house is plunged into darkness. I wait for the generator to kick on, reaching for one of the flashlights I left on the counter earlier. “Kait? Javi? You okay?” I call out, moving back toward the living room. The power is restored a few seconds later. A crash sounds from upstairs,and all the color drains from Kaitlyn’s face as she appears in front of me.
“What was that?” she asks, and panic floods me.
I bolt up the stairs, taking them two at a time. “Mirabelle?” I can hear the panic in my voice, and Kaitlyn’s hot on my heels behind me.
If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself. Henry trusted me to stay here to help keep everyone safe, and if I failed him?—
No. She’s okay. I can’t go worst-case scenario.
Rushing into the master bedroom, Mirabelle is lying motionless on the ground, and I drop to my knees next to her.Fuck, shit, what the hell am I supposed to do?
“Holy shit,” Kaitlyn whispers, and I scan over my sister, looking to see if there’s anywhere she’s obviously hurt.
“What do we do?” I ask, hearing my voice climb higher in pitch.
Mirabelle groans, her head lolling to one side. “Ow, what happened?” she moans, and I’m so relieved I think I could cry.
“Bailey,” Kaitlyn says, and I turn, noticing the blood in Mira’s hand.
“You passed out from seeing the blood,” I say, connecting the dots. It’s not the first time it’s happened, and it’s probably not the last.
“I—what?” Mirabelle asks, trying to sit up, and Kaitlyn gently pushes her back down.
“Just give us a second to help you. Does anything hurt?”
“Just my hand, I think?” she says, and I walk into the bathroom, checking under the sink for an emergency first aid kit because that’s the first place I can think of one being. It’s exactly where they’ve put it too, and I’m trying to figure out what the fuck she was doing to cut her hand open? She was supposed to be going to the bathroom?
Mira’s leaning against the bed with a shirt thrown over herhand to keep her from fainting again, and she’s rolling her eyes.If she can do that, she must be feeling better, so I’ll take it as a good sign.“Guys, I’m fine. Stop fussing over me.”
“Shut up and let us fuss,” I say, the adrenaline starting to fade as I take her hand to wipe away the blood.
“Did you just tell me to shut up?” Mirabelle asks, and I snort because I absolutely did. She can kick me in the balls later for it if she wants, but right now, I don’t care.
“Did you just pass out on the floor and scare the shit out of us?”
