Dawn of Eve, MJ Howson [lightweight ebook reader TXT] 📗

His olive skin, silky black hair, and chiseled jawline were destined to carry on the family tradition of beautiful Italian-American men.

Caretaker had taken the children hiking in the nearby trails as part of Billy’s birthday celebration. Eve finished writing about the outing in her diary before closing it and tucking it beneath her pillow. She grabbed a folded piece of paper and then walked over and stood beside Billy’s bed. Like the rest of them, Billy kept his flannel blanket folded at the foot of the bed. The warm summer air meant only sheets were needed. Just like the blankets, the sheets were color-matched to the children’s robes. Billy, his dark green bedding wrapped tightly around him, immediately put a protective hand over his birthday cake.

“I don’t want any cake,” Eve said.

“Oh,” Billy replied. He briefly glanced at his piggy bank. “Then, what?”

Eve looked at the other three kids in their beds and then at the locked wooden door. She said, “You know she’s going to take you away. Caretaker.”

“Probably.”

“Are you scared?”

“Why would I be? I’m going home.”

“I guess.” Eve sighed as she sat next to Billy. “But why do they do it in the middle of the night?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s weird, right?”

“Everything about this place is weird.” Billy jammed his finger into the nearby cake and scooped up a bit of emerald frosting. He licked it and said, “Like that gate in the hallway.”

“Right?” Eve scooted closer to Billy. “What’s on the other side?”

Billy shrugged but didn’t respond and, instead, snagged a bit more frosting.

“I hate that everyone just disappears,” Eve said. “Caretaker keeps saying she’s trying to get us in touch with Anna and Charles, but I don’t believe her.”

“She said they’re safe. And it’s not like they could text us.”

“Phones are against the rules.” Eve lowered her head and sighed. “So many rules here.”

“Well, I’m just glad it’s almost over.” Billy inched closer to Eve. “I . . . I had a lot of fun with you today.”

“Me too.” Eve blushed as she recalled how much time she’d spent with Billy during the hike. “I wanted to give you something.” Eve handed Billy the folded piece of paper. “Don’t let Caretaker find it.”

Billy opened the note and silently read Eve’s contact info to himself. He looked up and said, “Thanks. Do you want mine?”

“I’m worried Caretaker will find it. I don’t trust her.” The snap of the door unlocking startled Eve, causing her to jump. “Hide it, Billy.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll put it somewhere safe.”

Eve stood up and was surprised to feel Billy take her hand into his. He pulled her closer.

“You’ve been a good friend,” Billy said. He held the note between them. “I promise to find you when we’re both free.”

Eve grinned and let go of Billy. He shoved the note beneath the blanket just as Caretaker entered the room. Eve quickly scurried back to her bed and dove beneath her bright red sheets.

“What are you doing out of bed?” Caretaker asked Eve. “You know the rules.”

“My fault,” Billy said. “I was trying to get her to have some more cake.”

“You?” Caretaker balanced her tray with the glasses and pill bowl as she used her body to close the door. “Since when did you start sharing?”

Billy looked across the room at Eve and winked. Eve felt herself blush as she rolled sideways to hide her smile.

Caretaker, dressed in her drab gray robe, walked to Hugo’s bed and woke him to get him to take his vitamin. She then went to Suzie, followed by Tina, and then to Eve.

“Time for your vitamin,” Caretaker said.

“So, are you going to get word to Billy once he’s gone too?” Eve’s tone was cocky. She grabbed the glass of water and the last pill from the bowl. “Like you did with Anna and Charles?”

“I don’t think I like your attitude.” Caretaker placed the wooden tray on Eve’s mattress and folded her arms across her chest. A nearby fan caused her robe to flutter in the breeze. She glared at the pill in Eve’s hand and waited until Eve tossed it in her mouth and drank some water. “Show me.”

Eve opened her mouth wide and handed Caretaker the glass. As Caretaker walked away, Eve rolled over and spat the pill into her hand, tucking it beneath her pillow.

“Did you enjoy the hike in the woods?” Caretaker asked Billy.

“Well, it was kind of hot,” Billy said. “But it was nice to be outside.”

Caretaker brushed Billy’s hair back behind his ears. She said, “No more vitamins for you. Get to sleep.”

Tina sat up and glared across the room at Billy and Caretaker. She opened her mouth to object, but Caretaker shot her a look and waved her a finger of disapproval. Tina frowned and dove back beneath her green sheet, mumbling something in Spanish.

Caretaker stood up and made her way around the room, collecting everyone’s glasses. Once she got to the door, she turned off the light and said, “Sweet dreams.”

The door closed with a thump, followed by the snapping of the lock. Light spilled from the gap beneath the door, bathing the room in a dim glow. The only sound in the room came from the rattling box fans as they struggled to stay in place on the lumpy uneven stone floor.

Eve’s heart pounded in her chest. She knew she had to stay awake until Billy was taken. She just wasn’t sure how long that would take. Eve tossed the covers from her bed and walked over to Billy. She knelt beside him, the rough cobblestones digging into her knees. Eve whispered, “Wake me when they come for you.”

“Wake you?” Billy asked. “Why?”

“I want to hear what happens.”

“Okay. Um, how?”

“I don’t know. Think of something. You’re . . . you’re smart.”

“Okay.” Billy reached out and fumbled until he found Eve’s hand. He squeezed her fingers gently. “And I promise to find a way back to you.”

Eve once again felt herself blushing as she skipped back to her bed. She managed to stay awake