Saw the Light: House of Light, #2

By A. R. Shaw

Monty's family is finally settled in their mysterious new home, but the thought of their enemy's friends still lingers. Did they see the light?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apocalyptic Ventures, LLC
• Release date: Dec 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215549384

A. R. Shaw

USA Today bestselling author, A. R. Shaw, served in the United States Air Force Reserves as a Communications Radio Operator. She began publishing her works in the fall of 2013 with her debut novel, The China Pandemic. With over 15 titles to her name, she continues the journey from her home in the Pacific Northwest alongside her loyal tabby cats, Henry and Hazel and a house full of books.

Book preview

Chapter

One

Phoebe’s dark almond eyes shined two months later as Onnie sang, The itsy-bitsy spider went up the waterspout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, and the itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.

Look. She's smiling, said Petra. She's only three months old. You are in trouble, Onnie. Smart one, that one. You better watch out, Mama. Petra made a clicking sound with her tongue and lightly pinched Phoebe’s cheeks.

I wish she'd sleep through one night, just one night. Onnie rolled her eyes to the sky as she carried the baby in a swaddle against her chest. Let's stop a minute. They laid the basket on the ground, holding one end each. Then she leaned over as she held onto Phoebe and adjusted the ties across her back.

Petra turned to the children trailing them and said, What are you doing?

I taught her the song, Sirus said, leaning into Onnie’s leg to hide his face.

Oh, Mijas. That's the way to do it, Petra said, smiling at her daughter.

When Onnie straightened, the song began again, only this time as Sirus sang, itsy bitsy spider…Marina held the tips of her fingers together and climbed the creature along an invisible thread.

Onnie smiled at the children.

Then she and Petra picked up the ends of the basket handle again and continued their short journey to the new neighbor’s house.

Sirus... sweetheart, look! Onnie stopped and whispered as they climbed the low hill and pointed at a growth of young Maple trees on a ridge. A small grey squirrel ran out of the tree and suddenly stopped. Sirus kept his eye on the squirrel as it stood frozen in midair. His eyes looked off into the distance. The frozen squirrel stood before them and stared for a few moments before it turned and ran away again into the trees. Onnie whistled, and the squirrel came back and looked up at her. Then Sirus whistled again, and the squirrel ran up the trunk of the closest tree, turned around, and chattered at them with something like a warning.

I love this squirrel! Marina said with a smile.

I do, too, Sirus said, holding his hands out in the air. Oh, look, the sky is so blue. He stretched his neck and pointed at the sky with his chin, his eyes gleaming. The wind whistled between the stocks of corn. And brought with it the scent of rotting leaves of fall. And as the sun brightened, Sirus and Marina spun in circles, watching the sky, feeling the fall wind blow on their cheeks, whistling. I love this weather, Sirus said.

Yes, I do, too. The wind sings to me, mama, Marina said.

Sirus laughed and looked to the sky. He smiled at the sun shining.

Soak it up while you can, little man. It's beautiful, and the clouds are so crisp today, but in a few short weeks, you'll have to cover that nose or lose it to Mr. Freeze.

At least it's not raining constantly anymore. I don't know how much more of that I can take. Onnie suddenly stopped. Oh, what was that? Is someone there?

It's nothing, Petra sat and shot her arm out, pointing at a cluster of trees, It's falling apples. Look.

What do you mean falling apples? I'm so paranoid lately, Onnie asked.

Off that tree, Mama, look, Sirus said.

Onnie pulled her newborn closer to her chest and squinted off in the distance.

Petra said, That's it. When we get back, you're taking a nap. I'll play with the beauty while you sleep.

Onnie nodded. I'm just so jumpy lately.

No one can blame us for being jumpy? Petra whispered and patted Onnie on the shoulder.

Onnie knew precisely what she was referring to but only smiled and eyed the path ahead. The house stood in the distance, and a few chickens were scratching in the yard. The only way to get through the day was to block the latest memory of her family’s near slaughter.

When they finally reached the house’s front porch, Sirus said, Now can we play?

Wait for Vixxie to invite you first, baby, Onnie said.

Sirus and Marina pretended to hide behind a bush while Onnie and Petra climbed the stairs. But before they could knock, Vixxie Charles opened the door, standing there with her midnight curls framing her face. Her brother Damien toddled up behind her, followed by their mother, Gretchen.

Damien stopped in the doorway. His eyes were darting between them. He smiled, and Gretchen scooped him up into her arms. Not sure where you're going, mister. The toddler giggled when she tickled him.

Come on in and settle down, ladies. That looks heavier this week. Let's shut the door. It's getting cold out already.

But Vixxie stopped her and said, Momma, can we go play?

Of course, you can play, but what are the rules? Tell me. I want to hear you say them, all three of you at the same time, Gretchen said, eyeing the little ones.

In unison, they repeated the rules in a monotone chorus. Stay in the backyard. No yelling. If you see someone, hide. Then run inside and tell an adult.

Gretchen nodded. Good. That's good. And when you're a little older, I'll give you another rule to add. Now go along.

Vixxie tumbled down the stairs in her boots and ran to catch up with Sirus and Marina to swing in the nearby tree.

Inside the house, Onnie said, Smells good in here. She and Petra set the basket on the kitchen table.

It should. I've been canning the last batch of apples we cleaned last week, Gretchen said and opened the oven door. I even made an apple pie with a cornmeal crust.

Onnie’s eyes grew large. Do not bring that around, Monty. He'll trade me in for a better model. She laughed.

Petra said, Never. He only has eyes for you.

That's okay. I baked another one just for you ladies to take home. She nudged Onnie on the shoulder. Tell him we made it together if he gets suspicious.

Well, I'll have to. Monty knows I'm a terrible baker. He makes great bread, though.

Gretchen closed her eyes and made a sound. Lord, a man that can bake. Now that's sexy.

Onnie and Petra laughed.

Well, not to rush things, but what did you bring me this time? Gretchen said.

Onnie lifted the basket’s lid, revealing a messy array of random fruit. Apples, pears, and plums were set in smaller baskets on a whole chicken and a pork roast. Along the sides were more baskets of dark ruby beets with their vitamin-rich greens attached, golden carrots, and potatoes.

Gretchen looked at them, I swear I could cry.

None of that. We have too much work to do, Petra said and began unloading the haul.

You people. I know I've said this before, but I can't believe our luck, running into you here in this place. If it wasn’t for your husband’s generosity that night in the rain, I don’t know what would have become of us, Gretchen said.

Onnie touched her arm because Gretchen's eyes were welling with tears. We all work hard together. I don't know what we would do if it weren’t for you and your husband. He has all these skills only taught in the military. As a veteran, he's invaluable. We do all right on our own but teaching Monty and the rest of us about security...well, we can't thank you enough. We're happy to farm our land and provide for you in return for the hunting and security your Chuck does for us. Also, you teach and care for the children so that we can work without them underfoot all the time. That gives us peace of mind as well.

Gretchen nodded.

Petra added, Also, knowing our kids will know how to spell their names if they ever get a chance. That's something to be grateful for as well. Because we sure don't have time to teach them ourselves.

But then Gretchen looked as if she had just been stung by a bee and held a hand over her tears.

Petra put an arm around Gretchen’s shoulder, There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We know. We've been there before. It's shocking to stay in one place for more than a few days at a time. We're also used to running and hiding from one another. It's hard to trust others after everything we've all been through in the last decade.

Cold air from the outside blew in as the children ran indoors and up the stairs. Onnie lifted one of the baskets of carrots from the table. I'll have to wash these and put them away for you.

You'll do no such thing, Gretchen said, wiping away tears of joy or sadness from the present or the past…it didn't matter. It was all mingled together now. You must be exhausted. I bet Phoebe's not sleeping, is she?"

You've got that right, Onnie said, rubbing Phoebe’s head, These two AM feedings...

At least she's a healthy baby. Look at her. You'd never know she was born in an apocalypse, Gretchen said.

Onnie joked, These new apocalyptic babies are made of some demanding stuff.

Well, ladies, I'll put this week’s rations away and get the class going for our little ones. Damian, get away from the fireplace, son.

And just as the toddler was about to press his little hand against the hot metal, Petra took two steps and scooped him up into her arms. Not today, little man. Not on my watch. No injuries, please.

Gretchen held Petra’s eyes for a long moment. Thank you for that. There are no urgent cares, open the last I heard. We were so dependent on them for any little scratch. Remember?

Petra nodded and handed the boy to his mother.

Gretchen sat him in the highchair at a safe distance and then