Dust tiredly rubbed his forehead. Shortly after the battle, he and Randolph had wrapped Beau’s body in an old furniture blanket that Raymond had found in one of the storage closets. There hadn’t been much time to say goodbye. The storm had grown closer and more intense. Sammy held Josie up while Denise stood next to Randolph. Raymond held Martha. Each person said a quiet goodbye before Dust knelt and touched the ground, opening it just far enough for Beau’s body to disappear before resealing it again.
He watched as everyone but Sammy and Josie turned and slowly walked back to the shelter of the gym. Walking over to the two girls standing silently nearby, he stepped between them and wrapped an arm around each one of them in support. Sammy leaned her head against his shoulder while Josie st
