Page 15

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Rayleigh

It’s been almost two weeks since Phantom gave me my first tattoo. Since I see him daily, he made sure it was taken care of properly and healed like it was supposed to. Cassie liked it so much, she’s decided she wants one too. Every day brings about something new for me to learn. Today, I guess it’s how to survive without power while living on my own. Overnight, a snowstorm blew in, knocking down some of the powerlines and dumping nearly a foot of the white crystals as far as the eye can see.

“Guess I’m not going to work today, boys,” I say, my teeth chattering as it dawns on me just how cold my apartment has gotten. “I should probably figure out how we’re going to keep warm, huh?”

Hobbes snuggles closer, purring, which makes me giggle. He makes almost a nest in my hair against my shoulder every night, while Calvin curls in my arms. Both of them have finally started growing, although the vet did say since their mother was a stray, they might never be all that big. Regardless of how big or small they are, I know they’ve already brought me so much joy just watching their antics. “Let me get dressed then we’ll see if y’all need your food refilled yet.”

I give them wet food in the morning and at night, but have dry food available all day. I also did some research and found out cats don’t always drink enough water, so I bought them a fountain which they seem to enjoy. “It’s a good thing your water fountain has a battery backup, boys,” I murmur as I begrudgingly get out of bed. The cold air slaps me in the face as I hurry into the bathroom to take care of my morning routine.

“Nope, no shower today.” Seems whatever heats my water isn’t working since only cold water is coming out of the tap. After cleaning up as best as I can, I quickly pull on some fleece sweats, a pair of fuzzy socks, and my slippers since the hardwood floors feel icy on my feet.

Moving into the kitchen, I refill the dry food, add water to their fountain, then try to figure out what I can make to eat since my stove is electric. “Well, this definitely sucks,” I grumble out. “Cereal it is.” I remember I shouldn’t open my refrigerator too much since the power’s out, so after pulling out the milk and a few drinks, I reach under my sink for a bucket.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes, guys,” I tell the two kittens who are now voraciously attacking their wet food. Pulling on a hoodie since I don’t have a winter coat, I head down the stairs and outside where I fill the bucket with snow. “At least now I can keep the milk and my drinks cold,” I reason out loud.

The wind blowing soon has me shivering as I hurry to finish my task then head back inside. “I guess I should send Brew a text,” I say once I’m upstairs with the door locked. “Surely he’ll understand why working today is going to be impossible, right?” For starters, with no power, I can’t actually see what I need to clean.

I locate my phone which is exactly where I left it, on the nightstand next to the bed and notice it didn’t fully charge and is only at twenty percent. “Great, the power must’ve gone out shortly after I fell asleep,” I mumble, opening up my texts and selecting Brew’s name. “It’s your own fault, Rae, you just had to play your stupid game until it was almost dead.” Cassie downloaded it on my phone saying I’d enjoy the challenge. She’s right because every night, before I fall asleep, I play until I’ve used all of my lives.

Grumbling, I send both Brew and Phantom a text letting them know the power’s out in town, then drop the offending item onto my bed before I start gathering blankets. Right now, I’m grateful as hell that Cassie talked me into getting extra throws and things since she’s more familiar with what happens regarding the electric whenever a storm blows through.

Taking my pillow as well as an armful of blankets back into the living room, I proceed to set everything up on the couch. Once I’m content I’ve prepared as much as I can, I eat a bowl of cereal, then snap my fingers as I remember something my mother would do whenever we lost power. Grabbing a large bowl, I head into the bathroom then fill up the sink and bathtub, so I have water to flush the toilet.

Satisfied I’m as prepared as possible except for a flashlight, I head back into the living room then burst out laughing when I see Calvin and Hobbes already snuggled into the throws, passed out and purring loud enough I can hear them in the quiet room. “Silly babies,” I whisper, easing myself in place then picking up my e-reader. “Good thing this was fully charged because Cassie says it’ll last a long time due to the kind of battery it has.”

I must’ve dozed off, but my stomach growling wakes me. Working my way out from underneath the blankets, I shiver as the apartment has grown even colder than it was earlier.

Right now, cold, hungry, and alone, I can feel terror start to build as my mind flashes back to being Enoch’s prisoner. “No, no, no,” I chant out loud as I maneuver to the bathroom to take care of my insistent bladder which also woke me up. “That was then, and this is now, Rae. You’re safe, you’re in your own space.”

Over and over, I repeat my mantra as I quickly go to the bathroom, use the bowl to add water so it flushes, then wash my hands. Deciding to check my phone, I fumble my way to the bedroom and grab it. Seeing Brew’s response has me rolling my eyes as he tells me to stay safe and warm. I slip another sweatshirt on over the one I’m already wearing then add a second pair of socks as well. I don’t have any gloves but do have a hat, so I pull it on over my ears, giggling at how I must look. “At least only Calvin and Hobbes can see me like this,” I snicker out loud.

I decide to bring it to the living room with me so I can at least see what time it is until it dies completely. Peering out the window in the living room, I notice all of Main Street is dark so at least I’m not the only one with no power. “Boys, I’m going to make myself something to eat,” I say, walking into the kitchen. Thank goodness Cassie just took me to the big box store to shop because I’m not exactly scrambling for food. I just hate opening the fridge again but when I do, I notice it’s not completely warm yet, so what’s inside should be okay to eat.

Fixing a sandwich, I grab a drink out of the bucket, realize the snow is nearly melted, then have the brilliant idea to add the ice from the freezer since it’s probably going to melt anyhow. After completing that task, I grab a banana and bag of chips tucking them under one arm while I carry my sandwich and soda in the other then head back to the couch.

As the hours pass and the temperature continues to drop, I start wishing I was with Brick. With him, I always feel safe and secure. “Warm too,” I mumble, dropping off to sleep once again, both kittens now underneath the covers so I can keep them as toasty as possible.

The next time I wake up, I see from the blinds I left open earlier for light that it’s fully dark now. Grabbing my phone, I notice the battery power has dropped to five percent. Since I don’t know how long this outage is going to last, I figure I should reach out to Brew or Phantom since I don’t want to bother Brick, and let them know I need some help.

It takes a few minutes for me to get my chilled fingers to work, but finally satisfied with the message and assuring myself I don’t sound like a pathetic dork, I hit send, only to see my phone shut off.

“Well, this is quite a pickle we’re in now, boys,” I grumble, both kittens now between my two sweatshirts, their little heads peeking out through the neck hole as they contentedly purr. “Now what do we do?”