Domino Falls Read Online Free PDF Page B

of light, and seemed to see the same thing. All of those stars were connected by threads of light, of gravity, of love, and I realized that there were only two types of people: those who cut the threads, and those who wove them together—”
    â€œTurn that crap off,” Ursalina said.
    â€œThreadies aren’t so bad,” Sonia muttered. “More like Trekkies than Scientologists.”
    Piranha interrupted. “Sorry, baby, but if staying here means we have to listen to that noise all day, we need to bounce as soon as the Beauty’s fixed.”
    If the Beauty could be fixed, Terry thought. He turned off the radio. As if the radio had been keeping the bus on life support, the engine finally seized and sputtered out. Ahead, the pickup’s brake lights went on. Darius and Dean buzzed around the bus like flies.
    â€œCome on, sweetheart,” Terry whispered to the steering wheel. “Just a little more, darlin’.”
    Piranha laughed. “I already told you—get a room.”
    â€œPromise her the world,” Ursalina said.
    The engine started again, but barely. Every few yards the bus shuddered again. Terry was relieved when the pickup truck’s turn signal came on and the driver motioned for them to followthem left. More houses dotted the roadway now, hinting that they were closer to town.
    Dean and Darius sped ahead, veering into the driveway of the mechanic’s shop. The shop looked like a regular ranch house, except for the repair bays in the two-car garage. Rows of junk cars were parked to the side, hoods up, many of them stripped. Terry hoped the Blue Beauty wasn’t arriving at her graveyard. A Christmas wreath hung on the front door.
    The pickup honked twice, although no one could miss the Beauty’s racket. She finally hissed and shook, the engine dying again.
    Jackie hopped out of the truck. “Myles!” she called. “Customer!”
    â€œYou made it,” Terry whispered to the Beauty, stroking the dashboard. Damned if she didn’t seem like a living being. He felt as happy as he would have if he’d taken a loved one to the ER. “Thank you for getting us here, old girl. We owe you everything.”

Four
    A black man with a narrow face walked out of the house, wiping his hands with a red rag. The petite woman who followed him was also black; she looked a little like Queen Latifah, but three sizes smaller. Both were about her parents’ age, in their late forties. A boy who might have been thirteen wandered out with them.
    A sharp twinge of envy assailed Kendra— Why couldn’t this be MY family? —but she was glad to see any family that might have been hers. Sudden hope flared so brightly that it took her breath away.
    Jackie approached the couple, giving them both quick hugs. Another good sign. “These folks are headed to quarantine, but they wanted you to look at the bus.”
    â€œI’m lookin’, all right,” Myles said, frowning as he circled the Beauty. “Could smell it from the house.”
    As they climbed out of the bus, the mechanic’s wife shook her head as she stared at them one by one. Her eyes glistened.“Oh my goodness, you’re just kids,” she said, gazing at Sonia and Kendra in particular. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through!”
    To Kendra’s surprise, the woman leaned closer to give her a hug, resting her palm gently across the back of Kendra’s head. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin . . .” she whispered, as if she were to blame. She hugged and soothed Sonia next. She made a move toward Ursalina, who backed away. Not the hugging type.
    â€œCareful, Deirdre, they haven’t been through quarantine,” the man in the yellow shirt snapped. The woman gave him a sharp look but didn’t argue, taking a step back.
    No one messes with the guys in the yellow shirts, Kendra noted. She searched the woman’s face for more