For the Glory of Rome
an excerpt

“Doesn’t this scare you?” Terry asked, out of the darkness.

“No. Should it?” Sophie asked in return, letting her eyes fall shut. Honestly, the bright light of day sometimes hurt her eyes, blinding her for moments at a time. With Lucas beside her in the seat, his weight making the cushions bend toward him she knew there was nothing to fear, certainly not in the dark.

“Scares most people.” He answered, and she imagined him crossing his arms over his chest, uncomfortable.

“You can see in it.” Lucas retorted, watching both of them.

“Not well enough.” Terry answered. “Smears of movement, nothing that clear.”

“And just think, Sophie can’t see a thing and she’s not scared.” Which was true, Lucas thought. The small space was quickly filling with the scent of the three of them; Sophie at ease, Terry trying not to be bothered by his fear of the dark, and Lucas edgy about letting Sophie out of his sight. He shook his head and wished he’d brought his coffee with him. The smell of that would drown out anything and pleasantly. “It’ll get better over time.” He finally said to sooth Terry.