Praying for Grace by M. Lauryl Lewis Page A

that he could do that. It made me cringe and it startled the baby. I stroked Emmett’s forehead to soothe him in hopes of keeping him from crying.
    The crowd quieted and Gus explained what had happened and suggested precautions that should be taken. The bunker would only be used for Sharron’s daughter, Steffi, and those who had just come into direct contact with her. He included me in that group, since it was felt that I would be safest locked below ground. I knew they all meant my unborn child, rather than me. Gretchen was amongst those also to be quarantined. Danny and Abbey had just been in the bunker, but had not been in the same room as the girl. They would stay in a mobile home with Katie that would be set aside for those who had just been in indirect content with the little girl. Hand washing was stressed, as well as boiling clothing and dishes until all signs of illness were gone. The cluster of mobile homes would house everyone else, with one set aside for anyone who might come down with symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever. Gus explained that his main concern was that too many would become ill and our security could be compromised. I was in awe of his leadership skills, once again.
    Once he finished answering a few questions, Gus returned to my side and offered to take Emmett so that I could eat. I declined again, enjoying holding onto his warm little body. I was also already full from the small amount I had eaten. Alcohol had been brought out at some point and people were beginning to dance. A man off to one side was strumming a guitar. Candles were lit as daylight faded. The mood was one of excitement and I found myself wishing I could fully participate. Being drunk would be wonderful, but I had both Emmett to feed and a new life depending on my sobriety. Boggs eventually caught up with Danny and Abbey and the three left to settle into one of the small houses for the night. I looked up at the tops of the walls, taking note of several armed guards. All of them had been taken plates of food, preferring to not leave their posts until relieved by the next shift. I overheard a few people talking. They were worried about the smells of food and the sounds of the feast attracting the dead. Both would be unusual, and the dead often gathered when something changed in their environment.
    Emmett fell asleep in my arms and my shoulders grew stiff from holding him. I yawned and leaned against Gus, who was sitting close beside me.
    “Tired?” he asked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Let’s get you both to bed then. Maybe we should have Abbey take Emmett until we’re sure this isn’t going to spread.”
    “I need to keep him with me. If you think I’m ok down there, then he should be too.”
    “I’ll keep you both safe,” said Gus. “It’ll just be important to not hang out where Steffi is, ok?”
    I nodded.
    “Here, let me take him,” said Gus.
    I passed the sleeping baby off to Gus and stood. We walked to the bunker and made our way into the depths. The party was still going on behind us. Gus closed the hatch and secured the lid. “Straight to my room,” he mumbled. “I’ll check on Steffi and then be in.”
    I took the baby from him and went to our room, where I set Emmett on the bed while I slipped out of the uncomfortable dress. I changed his diaper before picking him up and took him to the couch with me. We nestled in together and I covered both of us with an afghan that I found draped over the backrest. Emmett seemed tired, and I wasn’t sure when he had last been fed. I nursed him while waiting for Gus, and the baby was fast asleep within just a few minutes of latching on. I held him close and closed my own eyes, taking a moment of silence to rest. The room was chilly and I welcomed the tiny natural heater that I held in my arms. Gus was gone longer than I expected, but he had been adamant about my not leaving the room. Eventually he returned, carrying the portable playpen that Emmett had used in the small