Page 15 of Captive Hearts
Seven
Ashley couldn’t believe she’d almost left. Just when things were getting, well, she didn’t want to say exciting, because people’s lives were on the line, but she couldn’t change that, nor was it her job to. Her job was to report the news. And news was still happening. She had to stay.
Only Gina seemed less keen.
‘You said you’d stay,’ Ashley reminded her.
‘Yousaid we were going to leave.’
‘I’ve changed my mind.’
‘Then maybe I’ll change mine,’ Gina shrugged.
Ashley waited to see if that was an idle threat. ‘So are you leaving?’
Gina looked uncertain. ‘Will you come with me?’
‘No. I’ll stay here,’ Ashley said obstinately.
‘What’s the point without a camera?’
‘I’ll just have to shoot on my phone,’ Ashley said with resignation.
Gina looked longingly at the van. But then she sighed. ‘For fuck’s sake.’
Ashley was surprised into a small smile. ‘You’re gonna stay?’
‘If you are, I guess I have to.’
‘Why?’
‘Because like you said, I agreed to. And you seem… This seems to be quite important. To you,’ Gina said simply.
Ashley felt slightly overwhelmed. What did Gina care about what mattered to her? ‘I guess,’ she said, feeling oddly shy. Odd because she had never felt shy in her life.
‘So are you finishing your piece to the camera or what?’ Gina asked.
Ashley thought it over. ‘I think I’ll wait, see if we get anything more to report on.’
‘Back in the van, then?’ Gina suggested.
‘Yeah, alright. But maybe keep the window down, poke your mic through, in case we get more audio.’
‘Kay,’ Gina said, and they climbed into the van.
Some time passed, and they heard nothing. Ashley was happy to simply sit in silence, but apparently, Gina wasn’t. ‘So, seems like maybe you want to go a bit bigger than local news?’
Ashley grimaced. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’m making conversation.’
‘What for?’ Ashley asked, peeved.
Gina rolled her eyes. ‘Because we work together. I know you’re not a small talk type, but perhaps you’ve seen people doing this on TV? Trying to get to know someone you’re gonna be spending time with?’
Ashley gave a dry little smile. ‘You won’t last.’
Gina laughed. ‘No?’
