Last Days (Last Days Trilogy #1) Read Online Free PDF

think this stuff is right or wrong, he needs to know that you’ll...”
    The sound of breaking glass and children’s screams erupted from the living room. Reggie ripped her hand from Eliza’s and jumped up. “What was that?” she asked, running toward the children.
    A small fire was burning just inside the broken front window; bits of glass were scattered about the floor.
    “Get the extinguisher!” Reggie shouted, racing to the fire. She began to stomp it with her foot until she saw the extinguisher in Eliza’s arms. She grabbed it, stepped away and blasted the small fire. She heard engines revving and men hooting outside, and walked toward the broken window.
    “Reggie, be careful,” Eliza said, holding Seth and Kathleen close.
    Hiding behind the right-side window pane, Reggie peered out. Four pickup trucks driven by men in white hoods sped in circles around the large front yard. “What is this? 1966?” Reggie shook her head. “Eliza, where do you keep George’s shotgun?”
    “Above the mantel in the dining room.” Eliza said. Reggie ran from the living room. “Reggie, no.”
    Reggie returned to the living room with the shotgun folded open. “Shells. Where are the shells?” She lifted her head when she heard shots from outside. “Now, Eliza!”
    “Uh...” Eliza had to stop and think. “Top drawer of the bureau.”
    Reggie ran from the room, returning moments later, loading the shotgun as she moved to the front door.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Ending this. Get the kids in the back room and call Sheriff Thompson. This is ridiculous.” Slamming the shotgun shut, Reggie flung open the front door, stormed onto the front porch, swung the shotgun strap over her head, and jumped onto the porch railing. With a pivot of her body and a short leap, Reggie gripped onto the roof and pulled herself up.
    She glared at the pickup trucks, whose occupants were now tossing more flaming torches towards the burning cross in the front yard. Reggie raised the shotgun above her head. She fired once. They didn’t stop. Angry, she lowered the shotgun and aimed. Reggie was a great shot. Kyle taught her well. Her first shot exploded the right front tire of the second truck from the back of the line. It swerved back and forth out of control until the driver jumped the curb and came to a stop. The other three trucks also stopped.
    A man’s voice called out from the dingy-blue lead truck. “We have no quarrel with you, Reggie Edmunds!”
    “And you have no quarrel with these people!” Reggie thundered back, holding her aim.
    “Their son...”
    “Their son is not here!” Reggie shouted. “If you have a problem with Marcus, then I suggest you go to London and take it up with him! These people did nothing to you! And right now you’re breaking the law. And don’t think I don’t know your voices. I serve you coffee.” Their laughing response infuriated her. “Leave the property.” They didn’t budge. Reggie fired again, taking out the back tire of another truck. She pumped the chamber and fired once more. Another tire blew up, this time on the off-red pickup farthest from the house.
    With that, the men leapt into the back of the trucks and sped away riding on rims.
    The dust covered their tracks as they drove down the dirt road. Reggie lowered the shotgun, and then sat on the edge of the roof, her legs dangling over the side, her heart and thoughts racing. She dropped her head in relief when she heard the distant sirens.
     

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    “And you’re sure?” Marcus asked over the phone. “Tell me the truth.”
    “I did,” Reggie told him. “Everything’s fine. Sheriff arrested twelve of them. Bunch of drunks jumping on the bandwagon.”
    “Oh, God, Reg.” Marcus lowered his head into his hand.
    “Marcus, stop it. It’ll be fine. They weren’t out to hurt your parents, just scare you.”
    “They did.”
    “Are you gonna stop?” Reggie asked.
    Silence.
    “Marcus?