Praying for Grace by M. Lauryl Lewis Page B

reading room earlier in the day.
    “I wiped it down with Clorox wipes,” he said in a whisper. “I figured we could use it in here. It’ll just take a minute to set up.”
    “Thanks.” I watched as he unfolded the playpen and snapped the edges into place. “Oh, do you mind setting out a couple receiving blankets?”
    “Sure.”
    “How’s the little girl feeling?”
    “Steffi? She’s sleeping. Sharron said she got her to drink a few ounces of water and a bit of broth, so that’s good. The way she’ acting, I’m starting to rethink that it’s something contagious.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “She only threw up twice, and she doesn’t feel feverish anymore. She already seems a lot better.”
    “Well that’s good.”
    “Ayup, very good. Is Emmett asleep?”
    I nodded.
    “Mind if I swaddle him and tuck him in?” asked Gus.
    I yawned and shook my head side-to-side. “Can I borrow a shirt?”
    “They’re in the dresser. Help yourself, babe,” he said as he took the baby from me.
    I stood, keeping the afghan wrapped around myself, and found a large t-shirt to wear for the night. I climbed into bed, exhausted.
    “It’s cold down here,” I mumbled.
    “I’ll make sure the baby has enough blankets.”
    I closed my eyes and curled into a ball, hoping the bed would warm soon. Once Gus settled in beside me, I fell asleep in his arms.
    ***
    The sound of something scraping a surface woke me from a deep sleep. The room was bathed in complete darkness. I listened intently. Gus breathing deeply beside me. The horrible scraping. I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Gus turned over, causing the box spring to groan. For a long drawn-out moment a silence followed that was disturbingly deep.
    “Gus.”
    He didn’t respond. I reached a hand back to where he slept and shook him. He responded by sitting bolt upright.
    “What is it?” His voice was alert and concerned.
    “I’m not sure. Maybe just someone using the toilet?”
    “I’ll go check on Steffi and make sure everyone else is alright.”
    Subtle scraping, this time closer, followed by a wet sloshing sound.
    “Did you hear that?” I asked.
    “Yeah. Doesn’t sound good,” he whispered into the darkness. “Stay here with Emmett.”
    I stood and fumbled for the battery operated lantern that I knew was on the floor beside the bed. I knocked it over, resulting in a crash that was louder than I cared for. Quiet was a general rule to live by in this day and age. Soon, my hand found the device and after a slide of the switch, the room became illuminated in a gentle yellow glow.
    As Gus walked to the closed door of the room, he turned to face me. “Gretchen’s awake too,” he said quietly. “It’s not good, babe.”
    I shrugged, my way of asking what “it” was.
    Dressed only in boxers, he picked up a hatchet that he kept on top of the dresser. I knew then that something was down in the bunker with us, lurking nearby. I also stood, wanting to be prepared for whatever we were about to face. I quickly peeked into the playpen and saw that Emmett was still sound asleep, and breathing. I looked back to Gus, who held a hand out for me to stay back.
    “There’s a knife under the mattress, darlin’. Near the foot of the bed. Go ahead and grab it. Be prepared to defend yourself, but also stay behind me. Gretchen’s ready for us to open the door.”
    I did as instructed, locating the blade quickly. I took a position just behind Gus, and prepared myself. He looked back one more time and nodded. I took a deep breath and watched as he opened the door.
    The hallway was lit by dim orange bulbs, providing just enough light to maneuver the hallway in the dark. He stepped into the passageway and tensed. I followed him.
    “Aww, God…no,” he mumbled under his breath.
    “Steffi…” It was Gretchen’s voice, coming from the doorway just behind us.
    A low growl formed to the left and Gus took a step forward. The hairs on my arms rose. The stench of