Free Break Free The Night (Book 2): Loss of Light by E.M. Fitch Page A

to be there, had never seen a piece of machinery so large just hanging inert from a ceiling. The walls were the same plain concrete as the garage, but the top third transitioned to the bricks that Kaylee had seen from outside. And it was through the bricks that the large, rectangular windows were cut. The light outside the windows was fading to a dusky purple.
     
                  But even the size of the room with the crane hanging from the ceiling was less impressive and shocking than the contents.
     
                  Televisions, stereos, computers and lap tops, all the screens lit and different images flashing in the blocks of color. They were lined against the walls and in rows, creating a maze of electricity. Shelves filled with DVD cases and what Kaylee assumed were CDs, stacks of the old vinyl albums and at least two different record players, video games and consoles, all different kinds, it all cluttered the large room. There was a giant television, centered in the mess and facing a set of couches. Everything was muted and Kaylee could only hear a low hum that she immediately associated with electricity. She felt the muscles in her jaw slacken as her mouth hung open.
     
                  They didn't just have access to electricity, they were swimming in it, breathing it in the air around them, flaunting it. Never, not in their wildest dreams, could they have wasted the generators like this in the old firehouse. But fuel must not be a problem here. What did they use? It couldn't be gas; no one would waste it that frivolously. Kaylee tried to catch Andrew's eye, knowing he would understand what was going on. But his eyes were trained on his father.
     
                  Bill was breathing steadily, still held up between Andrew and Jack. He wasn't light, but the strain of carrying him wasn't apparent in either man. Kaylee thought they must have been trying to be stoic. Regardless, it would be better to find him a place to lie quietly so Anna could really check him over.
     
                  Danny didn't slow to wait for the group to take in the cavernous room. He strode on, oblivious to Kaylee's gawking, not speaking. But his weren't the only footsteps slapping the concrete floor ahead. Marsden was already ducking past a door and out of sight. And further down a set of eyes peeked out from behind an old fashioned pinball machine, Kaylee almost missed them in the haphazard blinking lights of the relic game, but they were there, sharp brown irises in a pale face framed by midnight hair. The woman was older than Kaylee, as was most of the remains of the living world, but not by much. She looked closer to Anna's age. She was thin though, petite. She watched the group approach with caution, and melted back into the silent fray of blinking lights and recorded shows and music videos before Kaylee could make eye contact.
     
                  How many were here, in this strange, large cavern, this museum of electricity?
     
                  "Up the stairs, straight ahead, there's a good sized room with some cots," Danny indicated, pointing the way. "Can you fellas manage?"
     
                  Jack and Andrew nodded.
     
                  "I'll follow you up." Danny pointed ahead and the group shuffled past in single file. Nick was still at the back, just behind Kaylee. She moved forward, stepping up the first stair. Danny stood close by, watching each of them pass. It made her uncomfortable, being watched. But beyond even that, it felt like she was on stage, being evaluated, being appraised. She didn't like the feeling and abruptly, even with the electricity, she wanted to leave. She wanted the clean open air of the forest and the lingering scent of pine and smoky fires wrapped around her like a security blanket. She blinked at the realization. Never before had the thought of being in the woods made her feel safe. Home was