Remnants — Episode 15

“Light it,” she said.

He tentatively lowered his hands then reached toward the matchbox.

“Sit down first.”

He complied, then struck a match to the candlewick. His hand only shook a little. He looked up, was startled by her beauty in the guttering light. A redhead. No surprise there.

Taking several quick steps, she closed the solid front door, locked it, muting the storm. Harold looked from the door to the woman. Had he just fallen into a trap?

She held the gun by her side, pointed at the floor.

“My name’s Susan.” One corner of her lips lifted. “Some called me Suzie.”

He laughed. “Don’t look like no Suzie to me.”

She waved the gun loosely, looked at him in mock earnestness. “Shut up, Harold.”

Something struck the house, and they both flinched. After a moment, the tenseness in his shoulders eased a little. She wasn’t going to shoot him without cause.

“What do we do now?” He looked at the gun she still held at her side.

“You ever go by Harry?” she asked. He nodded that he had. “Okay,” she said, “call me Sue then.”

“Okay. What now, Sue?”