Linda Andrews - The Meltdown

Tina pushed off the counter and landed on the floor with a thud. “The Redaction changed everyone.”

And the metamorphosis wasn’t over. Audra stared at her reflection in the window pane. What would she become? She stared at her cracked nails then at the bars. “Eddie says he did time.”

She slapped her hand over her mouth. Oh bother, she hadn’t meant to share that. He deserved a chance at a new life like the rest of them.

“Relax. We already knew.” Tina cocked her head. “The question is how do you feel about him now that you know his dark secret.”

How did she feel about him? She… She liked the man. Really liked him. “He’s a good guy.”

“And he didn’t deserve to go to jail for it.” Becky dropped the sheet with a splat. Water rained down on the parquet floor. “He beat up his dad for beating up his little brother and mom.”

Audra propped her hip against the counter. “Eddie was abused?”

How could that be? But Becky would know. She’d been friends with Eddie’s brother. And why would any kid lie about that?

“Apparently the whole family was.” Becky returned to poking the sheet with the spatula. “One day he’d had enough and beat the dad so much he had to be hospitalized. Because he was sixteen, he ended up in Florence.”

“What happened to the dad?” Tina crouched by the tub.

“He ran away from the hospital because the police wanted to arrest him.” Becky shrugged. “Eddie’s mom lost their house because she couldn’t pay the hospital bills and they had to move away. I was really surprised to see them at the school.”

Audra swiped at the tear blurring her vision. Poor Eddie. He didn’t deserve to be punished. Sighing, she stared out the window. A black blob moved across the pane. She wiped it clear. Her heart slammed against her sternum. “Someone’s coming.”

Laundry forgotten, Becky and Tina jumped to their feet. “What do we do?”

Shoving away from the window, Audra headed for the hallway, grabbing the spatula from Becky’s hand as she passed. “Let’s join the others. “

They stood a better chance if they stood together.

Audra entered the sick room just as the man’s silhouette shimmered across the window.

Six women congregated by the last occupied bed. The oldest drew the sheet over the boy’s face. Sadness hung heavy on her pale features.

“Get in the hallway.” Using the spatula, Audra pointed to the space behind her.

The women grabbed hold of each other as they tromped en masse around the bed. Tina and Becky shuffled them against the linen closet.

Two more broad-shouldered silhouettes crept into the sick room.

“Get your coats on.” Audra backed slowly away from the boarded up door. The handle of the spatula bit into her palm. Really, what did she think she was going to do with it? Flip them flapjacks or make them eggs?

“We’re ready.” Tina draped the coat over Audra’s shoulders and smoothed the fleece.

“Look!” Becky squeaked and pointed to the door near the kitchen.

And take her eyes off the front door? No way. Audra shook her head when movement in her peripheral vision snagged her attention. Sweet Jesus! There were more at that door. She held out one arm and backed up until she hit warm flesh.

“They’re going to rape us.” Someone sobbed.

“Hush now,” Audra hissed. They had to be strong. They had to get the hades out of here.

Someone pounded on the wood covering the sick room door.

“Knock. Knock.”

Her skin crawled at the sing-song voice.

Tina wiggled out from behind Audra. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, the teacher’s assistant raised her fists.

Becky appeared on Audra’s right and mimicked Tina’s stance.

“Go for the eyes, throat, knees and genitals,” Audra whispered. “They’re the weak spots.”

Two more girls shuffled forward. Instead of curling their fingers they pressed them to a point like duck bills. “I heard this way is best.”

Audra nodded. It was best, if you went for the eyes. She didn’t correct them, they’d stood up. It was all she asked. “Remember your elbow is the hardest point on your body, so ram it into their gut if you get the chance.”

“Oh, ladies!” the man chorused in falsetto. “You have visitors!”

Audra flipped the spatula in her hand until the flat part rested against her upper arm. If she could thump someone upside the temple, she might be able to do a bit of damage. Swaying from side to side, she warmed her muscles for the action to come.

Keys jingled. “Now, ladies, don’t be difficult. We didn’t mean to neglect you for so long, but we wanted everything prepared for your welcome.”

A face pressed against the window next to the door. Hands cupped around it, casting the features in the dark.

Glaring back, Audra raised her chin.

“You’re going to regret your attitude,” he taunted.

The bolt slammed home.

Becky jumped.

“Why don’t we rush them?” Tina rasped.

“Because they have guns.” Audra wouldn’t have anyone getting shot on her watch. But was standing by while they were raped any better? Did she have a choice. At least alive, there was the possibility of escape. Eventually. “Besides where are we to go?”

Their rides had taken off. They were in a strange town. Add in the weather, and they were screwed. Audra flinched. Poor choice of words. Add in the weather, and they were up a shit creek with only a spatula to help them.

Metal scratched metal. They were opening the second lock.

“I hope you’ve taken good care of our boys.”

Tina hissed. “Oh, God, they’re their children.”

Their dead children. Were they going to be punished for not saving the boys? Or killed? Damn. Audra eyed the sickroom door then the one by the kitchen. “We’re going to rush them.”

“But you said—”

“It’s a chance we have to take.” Audra shuffled forward. Someone stepped on her heels as they shadowed her. “I’ll go first.”

If anyone would be shot, it would be her.

Tina locked elbows. “We’ll go together. And we’ll scream. Everyone scream as loud as you can. That’ll scare the bejeezus outta them.”

The door knob turned just as Audra cleared the entryway into the sickroom. “On the count of three. One.”

The latch cleared the plate. Hinges creaked as the door started to open.

“Two.” She hunkered down. Her throat closed and she labored for breath. Just a little wider. A little wider.

A boom rattled the windows.

The door slammed back in the jamb.

“What was that?” Tina jerked upright.

“Cole. Lucas. Ralph. Check it out.”

Audra shivered. She recognized that voice. That was the thug leader; the one who claimed her as his…bitch.

“But the women,” someone whined.

“Did I stutter?” the leader barked.

Audra strained to hear over her breathing. Had they locked the door? The shadows moved away.

Another boom sounded. Closer this time. Hands clawed at her back, pulling her collar against her throat as the women behind her shrank away from the sound.

“Sit tight, ladies,” The leader shouted. “And think about what I said. I’ll be back.”

One lock turned. Then another.

But it came from the sick room door, not the kitchen one. Audra pulled free. Maybe, just maybe they could use the explosion to their advantage. “Becky, check to see if they’ve left.”

The teenager tiptoed in the kitchen and leaned over the sink. “I see four men walking away.” She rocked back on her heels. “There are buildings on fire.”

Good. Misfortune couldn’t happen to more deserving people. Audra’s hand shook when she reached for the door handle. Cold metal pressed against her palm as she turned the knob. The latch cleared the plate. Now if they’d forgotten to set the deadbolt. She yanked.