Ella Reese River Lynn __exclusive__ Now

“Cell service is dead,” River said, holding up a phone with a red ‘No Service’ icon.

It crashed through the back porch, shattering the glass door and sending a spray of rain and splinters into the kitchen. They all screamed. Ella grabbed Reese’s arm. Lynn pulled River behind the sofa. ella reese river lynn

Reese fell asleep first, her head dropping onto Ella’s shoulder. Ella didn’t move. She just breathed in the smell of rain, woodsmoke, and Reese’s cheap shampoo. “Cell service is dead,” River said, holding up

“You look tired,” Reese said, not as an insult, but as a worried diagnosis. Ella grabbed Reese’s arm

In the morning, the sun rose clean and cruel, turning the fallen tree into a monument of silver bark and shattered glass. Reese woke first, her head still on Ella’s shoulder.

She looked up. Ella looked down.