Page 126 of His to Burn

“Are we all going? Or should some of us stay out here?” Bridget asked.

Caitlyn jogged up a moment later, a frown on her face. “It would have been helpful to know we were stopping,” she said.

“You should stay close,” Jack responded.

She scowled, and this time didn’t try to take the sting out with one of her fake-ass smile. “What did we stop for?” she asked instead.

“There’s a house there. We gotta check it out, see what we can find. There might even be a van or something,” Jack said.

“Shouldn’t somebody keep watch?” Caitlyn said.

“I think it’d be faster if we all went through together. Asia?” Jack looked at me.

I suddenly felt on the spot.

I had no freaking clue of the best protocolto search a house after the apocalypse. So I went with my gut.

“Sounds good. We can get in and get out,” I said.

“Or we can all go in while someone lays a trap for us out here,” Caitlin mumbled.

“Fine,” I responded, doing my best to keep my annoyance at bay. “Caitlin, you watch the house from the outside. The rest of us will go look and see what we can find. Signal us if there’s trouble.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She rolled her eyes.

I ignored the sarcasm and headed off with Jack. Together, we approached the house, the others trailing behind us.

The house shone, absolutely beautiful.

From far away, it looked old, but as we got closer, I could see that it wasn’t. It was clearly new construction, built to mimic old. Wide front porch with four rocking chairs and ceiling fans, the white clapboard still pristine.

“I bet this place cost a million bucks,” Elliot said.

“Or more,” Jack commented.

“Well, let’s see what kind of security a million dollars gets you,” Elliot said.

He stepped up onto the porch and went to the door. After peering around, he turned the knob. The door swung open effortlessly, and Elliot smiled.

“Apparently not much,” he said with a little chuckle. Then he banged on the door, waiting. I went to step on the porch, but stilled when Jack’s hand found the small of my back. His touch lingered briefly, a touch to steady or claim—I didn’t know which, but I felt it all through my entire body.

Only silence greeted us after Elliot’s knock, but I still wasn’t comfortable. I glanced at Jack, who nodded, and together we all went in.

“God,” Bridget muttered as she entered.

The cool air made the hair on my skin prickle. But the miracle of air-conditioning faded to nothing in the face of the repugnant scent.

I didn’t speak but breathed out a harsh exhale.

The heavy stench permeating the air was breathtaking, and not in a good way. I tried to ignore it, but it was nearly impossible.

My brain tried to sift through the smells.

Spoiled food.

Trash.

Rotted flesh.