Newcomers

TABITHA POV

I count each one of my breaths as my family waits around me for the rest of the pack to arrive. All of our eyes look dry and bloodshot as we stare at nothing around the room.

Hearing that Carmen was safe and Nick was dead brought us all very little relief. Now that the fear is gone all that is left is the grief. Heart-wrenching grief that seems to have suspended us into a permanent state of shock and sadness. Sleep isn't even something that was mentioned when we all climbed the stairs from the safe room. It's as if we all knew rest wouldn't be coming to any of us soon.

"They're here," Benji announces unexcitedly from his seat next to the window and we all stand up slowly.

Sam takes my hand as we walk to the door and when it opens to reveal a bloody Carmen another wave of tears begins to fall down my face. Nick hurt her and probably said hurtful things while doing it.

Images of my mother's tortured body flood my mind. I swallow down the pain. I refuse to lose anyo