Page 28 of Hyde

Leslee

I felt completely childish, asking to play twenty questions, but I knew he had been dodging some conversation topics during the day and I wanted to know more about his life. Just as much as I wanted to hear what parts of my life he was curious about.

Although, from what Joe had said earlier, it seems my guy friends have been in touch with him over the years and have updated him from time to time.

Brushing my shoulder against one of the dirt walls, I slightly tilt my head to make sure there aren’t any insects in the area ahead of me. Since there’s only an inch or so above my head, I understand that he would have been uncomfortable as hell walking through this tunnel. I still can’t get over the details that Alex considered when she rebuilt the cabin. Most of all, I love that she kept the outside the same as it was.

Now, what to do about Joe?

I’ve felt his eyes studying me when he thinks I’m not paying attention, but short of getting him drunk and jumping him, I don’t know how to get him to touch me. And I’ll be damned if I’ll squander this opportunity—it would be way too hard to seduce him once we’re back home.

Continuing through the tunnel, I occasionally see or hear little animals scurrying around and I’m happy that there’s a string of lights. Being solely dependent on the flashlight would have merunning through here, terrified of some of the noises. I’ve lost track of time and suddenly hear my radio crackle.

“Le-Lee?” Joe’s voice sounds metallic as he checks in on me. “I’m here, are you close?”

“There’s a bend up ahead, so I don’t know,” I answer him.

“The hatch is right beyond that,” he tells me.

And in just a few minutes, I’m climbing out into the diminishing light.

“Was it everything you dreamed it would be?”

There’s the sarcastic beast I know and love.

“I hope I get to see Alex while I’m out here,” I tell him, earnestly. “It’s been a while since she’s been to Idaho and I’d love to pick her brain about things she would have done differently.”

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re building your own bunker in that crazy-ass mind of yours?”

“A girl’s gotta have a hobby,” I say, grinning at him with a shrug and turn to start back to the cabin.

“Where ya going?”

I look over my shoulder to see him still planted near the exit to the tunnel. Lifting a hand up, he simply points one finger in the opposite direction from where I was heading.

“Oops,” I more mouth the word, than put any real volume behind it.

Just then, Joe’s phone rings and I freeze, surprised at how foreign the sound is in this environment.

“It’s for you,” he announces, looking at the screen before handing it to me.

I smile, recognizing the area code.

“Hello?”

“Oh, thank God, Leslee,” Mom sounds breathless. “I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m alright, Mom. Hyde had impeccable timing,” I say, trying to keep things light with her.

“We don’t have much time to talk, so knock off the nonsense.” Mom’s voice is a fair imitation of Dad’s right now. “You do what Hyde and the others tell you—are you armed?”

“Not at this moment, but, Mom, it’s just me and Hyde. At least until the others think they aren’t being watched,” I tell her, not missing her sudden intake of breath.

“Your dad is signaling me. I love you. Be strong and careful, baby girl.”

“I love you, too.” I reply, more than a little relieved she doesn’t have time to question me about it just being the two of us.

I stay on the line, hating the thought of disconnecting. Just as I start to pull it away from my ear, I hear my dad’s voice. “I love you, sweet angel.”

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