Page 38 of Trigger

“Areyou sure you’re okay, darling?”

“Yes,”I replied and kissed Vic’s forehead. “I promise. Don’t worry so much.”

“Andyou’re sure you don’t want me to stay with you?”

Ishook my head. “Thanks, but no. I ate, I showered, and I took my antibiotic.I’m more than fine.”

“Ifyou say so but please call me if you get worse.”

“Iwill. I promise.”

“Talkto you tomorrow?”

“Ofcourse.”

AfterVic left, I breathed a sigh of relief, despite her being more than considerate.She didn’t ask me a bunch of questions like Shelly and Bruce did.

Howwas it down there?Awful.

Whatdid you do?Prayed.

Didyou think you would die?All the time.

Howcome you didn’t kill Thorsen?A stroke of luck.

Whenmy phone rang, I picked it up, biting my lip when I saw the caller ID.

“Hey,”I answered, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Areyou okay?”

Thedeep voice sounded different over the phone, and the accent thicker.

“I’mfine,” I replied. “You?”

“I’lllive.”

Thorsensneezed before blowing his nose.

“Chiefwas pissed,” he said, his voice muffled. “As if it was our fault that we endedup in that bunker.”

“Whenisn’t he pissed?” I said when he sneezed again. “Are you sick, Thorsen?”

“Idon’t think so,” he replied, coughing. “How is Shelly? She seemed shaken up.”

“She’sfine. You don’t sound good, though. Where are you?”

“In aparking lot behind McDonald’s.”

Istood up, stifling the need to hit the nearest wall.

“What’swrong with you, you imbecile?” I bellowed. “You’re sick and sleeping in yourcar? Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

Hechuckled. “You sound like my chief in New Mesa.”

“Comehere before you get worse.”

“Whatfor?” he said, sneezing again. “Just so you can yell at me in person?”

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