Catch up on the story with Chapter One!

There was a flash and a zap. Molly jumped back from the bathroom door. The doorknob crackled slightly and there was a smell of ozone.

“What was that?” she called.

“Sorry,” she heard Billy call through the door. “Sorry! Just come back later!” Molly backed away from the bathroom, her heart pounding. She went back to the room that she and her mother were sharing.

“Mom, I just tried to go to the bathroom and almost got electrocuted. We can’t stay here.”

Her mother looked up from the pair of jeans that she was patching. “It would be nice to have more space but we just don’t have the money to go anywhere else. It’s very generous of your Aunt and Uncle to let us stay here with them.”

“Why couldn’t we have moved in with Cousin Darrel?” Molly asked. “He has a guest house on his farm.”

“It isn’t safe. His kids… well, they're not safe enough to keep around other people.”

“Not safe enough?” Molly asked incredulously. “Every time little Tommy cries something catches on fire. How can Darrel’s kids be more dangerous than that?”

“Listen, we’re here now.” Molly’s mother sighed and stood up. “It would be a lot of work to move again. Plus, Darrel lives in Montana. Do you really want to live in a state with more cows than people?”

Molly rolled her eyes and walked out of the room.

“Where are you going?” her mother called.

“To see if Billy can strike me dead with a stray lightning bolt.”

Molly wandered down to the kitchen. She saw the two-year-old Tommy sitting at the table and gave him a wide berth, just in case he was in a choleric mood. Aunt Sandy was nowhere to be seen, nor was Uncle Ben. Little Tommy ignored her, playing with the cereal on the table in front of him. Molly pulled out the blender and some fruit to make a smoothie. Billy came into the room. His hair was still wet from a shower. He patted Tommy on the head as he walked past.

“Hey, little man, you keep that cereal in line,” Billy said. Tommy playfully pushed several pieces to the floor. “Woah, don’t make a mess, or else you’ll have to clean it up.” Tommy frowned but didn’t start crying. “Good man, you’re really starting to be a big boy.” Billy shifted his attention to Molly. “If you want to add some protein powder my mom keeps it in this cabinet.” He tapped one where Molly had seen some cold medicine and vitamins before.

“Right, thanks,” she said. “Do you know if the bathroom is free?”

“I think it is, but I would wait a little.”

“Dare I ask why?” Billy shook his head. “Fine.” Molly put all of the fruit in the blender, added the protein powder, and some carrots. She pressed the go button and the mechanical whir rang through the kitchen. Behind her, there was a thud and a wail.

Molly let go of the button and the blender stopped. Billy had already rushed to where baby Tommy was sitting on the floor, tears running down his face. The whole bowl of cereal was on the floor.

“Sh,” Billy said. “It’s OK. You don’t have to be upset. We’ll get this all cleaned up, and look, you aren’t even hurt.” Billy was trying desperately to calm Tommy down but it was too late. Molly flinched as a roll of paper towels to her right burst into flames. The heat was intense. Molly backed away.

“Should I do something about this?” Molly called over her shoulder. Billy didn’t get a chance to say anything before Aunt Sandy appeared. She threw a damp towel over the burning paper towels.

Molly looked at Tommy. There was still a tear rolling down one cheek but he had stopped wailing.