Page 120 of The Last Session

“Well, we didn’t tell them we wanted to leave today, so it makes sense they didn’t keep the car here for us. And the second car doesn’t run, sure, but it’s not like it was running before. And the Wi-Fi—it’s really not working. I asked Grace to reboot it earlier, and I sat with her when she did it. Maybe we’re putting more meaning into all these things than we should.”

“But what about all this bizarre sacrifice stuff? And that conversation between Sol and Grace?” I shivered. “It’s creeping me out.”

“Moon said it’d be symbolic, right? And who knows what Grace and Sol were talking about. Maybe it’s a weird sex thing.”

“Oh god,” I groaned, pressing my hand to my eyes.

“And like I mentioned… I have protection for us.”

“Where is it?” I asked.

“It’s in my suitcase. Under the bed.”

I sat up, pulled it out, and opened it. I pushed aside the jumble of clothes. Underneath was a hard plastic case.

“Is this legal?” I asked, my stomach twisting. I’d never been this close to a gun, unless you counted the cops patrolling the subway. Friends’ parents had been hunters growing up, but my dad had never owned one.

“You think I’d be able to get a gun on the plane illegally?” He propped his head on his hand, watching me. “Yes, it’s legal. I just had to check the bag.”

“So you’re going to wear this on your person?”

“On my person?” He smirked. “Yes. That’s exactly where it will be.”

“Okay.” I shoved the suitcase back and lay down. “You think Moon and Sol have any?”

“Those hippies? You think they’re packing?”

“I don’t know.” The idea did seem ridiculous. I couldn’t imagine their drums and dried sage bundles swapped out with pistols or shotguns.

“I have a holster. Just stay near me until Steven gets back. As a precaution.” He rewrapped his arm around me.

“How do you feel about last night?” I asked in a whisper.

“Well… I wasn’t planning on it,” he replied softly.

“Me either.” Did that mean he regretted it?

“Have you done something like that before?” I asked.

“Group sex?” He chuckled, his chest vibrating against my back. “No way. I’m boring. But… there’s something about this place.”

“Yeah.”

“There’s something about you too.”

“Really?” I perked up.

“Yeah.” He kissed the back of my neck, which sent a jolt of electricity down my spine. “I think I like you. Can’t you tell?”

“I mean… not really.”

“I know I can be hard to read.” He was quiet for a second. “Can I take you out when we get back to New York?”

“Yeah. Definitely.” Maybe I should’ve played it cool, but the words leapt from my mouth. I waited for him to speak again, but then a snore rumbled in my ear. He was asleep.

The irony amazed me. The last thought I had before I drifted into sleep:

I’d come to this relational retreat to search for a missing woman.

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