Bloody Sunset by Gwendolyn Harper (classic books for 11 year olds TXT) 📗

Caitlin turned to Nicole. “Chapter?”

Holding up the high school chemistry book, Nicole grinned from ear to ear.

“She’s through half the book already,” Nicole said. “If the world hadn’t ended, she probably would be in all advanced placement classes.”

“She has what it takes to graduate high school before she’s even able to get her driver’s license,” Scott added proudly. He then paused, tilting his head. “Well, if that were still possible, that is.”

“No wonder she’s a smart ass,” Caitlin chuckled softly. “I can’t wait to tell Booker.”

Before she could leave again, Nicole whistled for her attention.

“What happened this morning?”

The sour feeling returned to Caitlin’s stomach.

“Someone mutilated six of the Geek’s used along the perimeter,” she said, keeping her voice down. “Sister Agnes found them and showed Booker and I.” Taking a deep breath, she added, “I think whoever did it is bunking on the east side of the school.”

“And you think the same person who did that also caused the herd attack?”

“Only way to answer that is to find out who it is,” she said. “And we’ve got a long list of people to ask.”

* * * * * * *

Meeting Booker halfway between the cafeteria and the school lobby, Caitlin instinctively reached for him the moment he was close enough.

“I haven’t been able to find Donna anywhere,” she said with a sigh.

Booker shook his head. “Me neither. I checked with her work detail, but nobody’s seen her after ten o’clock this mornin’.”

Caitlin was sure her frown was going to etch itself permanently into her forehead.

“I don’t like this,” she murmured. “Donna’s not one to ghost people.”

Rubbing his thumb along the side of Caitlin’s wrist, Booker said, “She’s prob’ly helpin’ somewhere else and we just keep missin’ her. We’ll find her at supper and ask her about what happened then.”

“Maybe Trish or Luna confided in Donna,” Caitlin offered. “She’s trustworthy and attentive. Maybe they wanted her to know to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior.”

Booker nodded. “Maybe. It’d make sense.”

Chewing the inside of her lip, it took her a moment before she realized Booker was staring at her.

“What?”

“Thinkin’ too loud again, songbird.”

Sighing through her nose, Caitlin shifted her weight.

“Desi saw the Geeks outside,” she told him quietly. “The gutted ones Sister Agnes showed us.”

Cursing under his breath, Booker ducked his head to glare at the floor.

“I don’t think it traumatized her any worse than it did us, but… I hate that she saw it at all.”

“Where is she now?”

“I told her to take Fancy to the gym to play,” Caitlin said. “I figured it would get her mind off things.”

Nodding, Booker continued to stare at the tile work for a beat.

“That child’s seen too much already,” he murmured, voice close to hoarse. “Drives me crazy we can’t protect her from seein’ more.”

“I know,” she whispered, running a soothing hand up his bicep. “But at least we know she’s resilient enough to handle it.”

Grunting at the back of his throat, Booker jerked his chin in a nod.

Lifting onto the balls of her feet, Caitlin leaned close, kissing him warmly.

It took a moment, but soon the tension left his shoulders and Booker was wrapping an arm around her waist to hold her to him.

Pulling back to catch her breath, Caitlin grinned.

“I never get tired of that,” she said, bumping the tip of his nose with hers.

“Good. Wouldn’t want ya bored with me too soon.”

Sinking her fingers into the thick hair at the back of his head, she said, “Never.”

Booker slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her like he had all the time in the world.

Breaking away a second time, he took half a step back and Caitlin inwardly pouted.

“Why dontchu go play fetch with Fancy and Desi and I’ll meet up with you in a bit.”

Caitlin frowned. “Where are you going?”

Booker’s expression softened and he flashed her a lopsided grin.

“Figured I better talk to Scott before things get too hectic,” he murmured. “See if he can screw my head back on straight.”

Surprise and pride blended together, blooming in Caitlin’s chest and making her breath catch.

Booker would be okay.

They’d be okay.

Reaching up to wrap a warm hand at the back of her neck, Booker tugged her closer for one last kiss that sent sparks dancing over her skin.

“’N if I’m a good patient maybe I’ll get a treat later, huh?”

He winked at her and Caitlin had to fight not to giggle.

“What’ve you got in mind?”

His gaze flicked down to the curve of her breasts beneath her long-sleeved shirt, and a blush rose high up on her cheeks.

“Wouldn’t say no to that thought ya had when we were on the road,” he murmured, dragging his lips to the shell of her ear.

Caitlin shivered, involuntarily tightening her grip on his waist.

“Anythin’ you want, darlin’,” he told her. “As long as I get to watch you.”

Mumbling an agreement as she turned her face to kiss him, Caitlin wondered absently how she wasn’t going to combust during the day while she waited.

Playfully swatting him on the ass, she laughed, “Better get going then.”

Grinning, Booker started down the hall towards the clinic.

And if Caitlin didn’t know any better, she would have said he put a little extra swagger into his walk just for her.

* * * * * * *

By early afternoon, the camp was buzzing.

The gossip mill had churned out story after story, all with tidbits of the truth, but never the full explanation. Each managed to one thing well, however—instigate fear in everyone who heard some variation of what happened.

As Caitlin wandered, still searching for Donna or someone who’d seen her, she could feel the tensions rise with each group or family