Free Lunatic Revenge by Sharon Sala Page A

others? I mean—”
    Once Tara was no longer focusing on Gracie there were voices coming at her from every direction.
    “All I can handle is one at a time.”
    “I won’t leave you,” Nate said, and then couldn’t bring himself to look at her. The devastation in her voice was enough for him to know what this was doing to her, and he was right.
    Tara was shutting down her emotions. She already knew it was the only way she’d be able to get through this. Millicent was absent, and Tara hadn’t seen Henry at all. The energy of what had happened here still lingered to the point that it was beginning to feel like she was walking in mud. Her legs felt heavier with every step. It was good she wouldn’t be doing this alone.
    She started walking, following the pull of earth-bound spirits and walked until she saw the roof lying upside down and the spirit beside it.
    When he saw her, the relief on his face was evident.
    You came back.
    Tara nodded. “I told you I would. I’ll tell them where you are.”
    My name is Tom Lewis.
    “Tom Lewis. I’ll tell them,” Tara said.
    The light. It’s for me, isn’t it?
    Tara nodded. “You can go now. I won’t leave until they find you.”
    And just like that, the spirit was gone, absorbed within the flash of light that she’d glimpsed.
    Tara pulled out her cell phone and turned to Nate.
    “Do you know the name of this street?”
    He looked around for a street sign, but they were either bent to the ground or completely missing. Finally, he noticed a daycare sign on the opposite corner.
    “No, but we’re on the same street and just a little west of where the Little Toddler Day Care used to be.”
    Tara called the police but kept getting a busy signal. That left her with no other option than to call her uncle again. He answered quickly.
    “Hi honey. Did you find the girl?”
    “Yes, but now I need your help for something else. Is there a rescue crew anywhere close to the north side of Stillwater where the Little Toddler Day Care used to be?”
    “Hang on, honey. I’ll find out.”
    Tara looked back at Nate. “He went to ask.”
    Nate kept staring at the roof and the debris. “I don’t see the body anywhere.”
    “He’s under the roof,” Tara said, and pulled her raincoat a little closer up under her chin.
    He shuddered and looked away.
    “Tara, are you still there?” Pat asked.
    “I’m here, Uncle Pat.”
    “There’s a crew heading your way right now. It’ll be a few minutes, no longer, okay?”
    “Yes, thank you. I have to go.”
    She dropped the phone back in her pocket and turned her back to the wind. “Help is on the way,” she said, then turned and looked across the street.
    “What is it?” Nate asked.
    “Another voice. Watch for the crew, will you? I’ll be right back.”
    Before he could stop her, Tara was running across the street. Someone was trapped, but she wasn’t sure where. Then the moment she touched the debris, in her mind she saw a face—and felt a heartbeat. This one was alive.
    “Nate!”
    He heard her and came running. “What’s wrong?”
    “A woman is trapped in here and she’s alive. Help me look.”
    He stopped her. “No, you’re gonna get yourself hurt. Look. There comes the search crew. We’ll tell them, okay?”
    A truck pulled up on the street. The driver, a man named Joe, hit the brakes as the crew in the back jumped out.
    Tara ran to meet them and pointed to the upturned roof. “There’s a body underneath that roof. The man’s name was Tom Lewis. But there’s a woman trapped across the street who is still alive. We need to hurry. She’s in shock.”
    “Where is she?” Joe asked, as they moved toward the wreckage.
    “I’m not sure. I just know she’s here.”
    Joe stopped. “Look, kid, this is serious business. We don’t have time for jokes.”
    Tara felt sick. “I’m not joking, please. You have to believe me.”
    Then one of the men from the crew stepped forward. “Hey, I know you. You’re Tara Luna,