All Fall Down Read online

  Selected Praise for Megan Hart’s

  Precious and Fragile Things

  “Hart plunges into the mainstream fiction genre

  with this haunting, devastating, heart-wrenching tale.

  She masterfully weaves every off-hand mention of a seemingly incidental detail,

  every potentially eyebrow-raising plot point together in service to her story and the

  resulting dramatic climax, which then becomes believable, thanks to Hart’s skill. This story

  will stay with you long after you reach the last page.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “This isn’t like the previous books I’ve read from Ms. Hart

  and I’ve definitely learned to expect the unexpected from her.…

  I know this book will speak to others differently; it’s that kind of read.

  For me it was dark, disturbing, difficult, uncomfortable, heartbreaking,

  and finally, redemptive and life affirming.…

  It’s not easy to try and face those dark nooks and crannies

  in our hearts and minds we prefer to pretend don’t exist.”

  —Manic Readers

  “Precious and Fragile Things is an emotional ride

  where every page delivers a new facet of the story.…

  The details of each character are so honest and deep that

  they draw the reader in and keep you turning the pages.

  I found myself riveted, unable to put the book down and at the

  end of the book wondering, if I was Gilly,

  could I have taken the same actions.

  The book was very enjoyable and thought-provoking.”

  —Night Owl Romance

  “An expertly titled and disturbing tale

  about the complexities of motherly love, loss, and the

  relationships that change our lives.… I couldn’t tear away

  from the interaction between Gilly and Todd.

  The overall concept was fascinating…an excellent pick for the right book club.”

  —Reading for Sanity Book Review

  Megan Hart

  All Fall Down

  This book is dedicated once again to my family and friends—

  always there to support me. Special thanks to my sister Whitney

  for making time to read this book in advance.

  To my first pass readers, the ever fabulous Lauren Dane and

  the wonderful JNB, as well as my hardcore gang, The Bootsquad—

  I rely on you all to make sure I’m doing something right

  even when I feel like I’m doing it all wrong.

  To the readers who’ve given my books a chance

  and come back for more.

  To my agent Laura Bradford for holding my hand when I need it.

  To my editor Susan Swinwood

  for making me be better at this writing thing.

  To the MIRA art department for consistently giving my books

  the most beautiful covers, ever. All Fall Down is exquisite.

  To my children, who’ve long outgrown naps

  but are now blessedly able to make their own breakfasts.

  And of course, as always, to Superman,

  who listens to me talk endlessly about plot points

  and reminds me I CAN do this writing thing.

  Contents

  Arriving

  Prologue One

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Staying

  Prologue Two

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Leaving

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Questions for Discussion

  Acknowledgments

  Listening Guide

  ARRIVING

  Prologue One

  “Get up, Sunshine.”

  Sunny didn’t want to get up. She’d only just started dreaming. She hadn’t had more than a few hours of sleep at a time for the past three weeks. Tugging at the blankets, she shifted on the thin pad of her mattress and burrowed deeper into her pillow.

  “Sunshine. Now!”

  Sunny rubbed at her eyes, listening. No babies were crying. No alarms were ringing. She heard only the soft breathing of her sleeping children and her mom’s urgent whisper.

  “Sunny. Get up. C’mon. It’s time for you to go.”

  Sunny sat up then, eyes wide and blinking in the darkness. A tiny crack of light shone from under the door, then the unfamiliar glimmer of yellow from the flashlight her mom held tight against her body, fingers cupped over the lens. Her hand made a shadow like a giant spider on the ceiling. Sunny looked immediately to the crib where baby Bliss lay sleeping. Happy’s cot was empty.

  They’d taken him.

  Sunny was up and out of bed, across the room and tearing at the blankets before her mom could grab her.

  “Hush! He’s here, with me. He’s ready to go. You need to help me now, Sunny. You get the baby. I’ll take care of Peace. Now!” Her mom’s whisper hissed, harsh, not like her normal voice at all.

  Sunny’s heart pounded. Her palms were sweaty, and she scrubbed them against the soft flannel of her nightgown. The light from the flashlight swung as her mom set it on the cheap dresser missing a leg. The light wouldn’t stay steady.

  “Mama? Is it time for the rainbow?” The wobbling light hurt Sunny’s eyes. Disoriented, sluggish, she could think of only one reason why her mother would’ve woken them. “Is it time to leave?”

  “Sunshine.” Mama’s face was even harder than her voice. “Hush. You need to get yourself and the babies out of here. Don’t ask questions. Hush and do as I say. Listen.”

  Sunny hushed, going still and quiet. She listened with her heart, as she’d been taught. To obey.

  Her mother took both of Sunny’s hands and brought them to her lips. She kissed the knuckles. In the pale and trembling light, Sunny’s mom looked pale and trembling herself. She looked too thin, her cheeks hollow. There were shadows under her eyes that had been there for a while but now looked extra dark. She pulled