Page 95 of Monsters within Men
There was no power inside the dark building. They climbed the central staircase, eyeballing various debris scattered on each level: a blood-soaked sleeping bag, three scurrying rats, torn cardboard boxes. When they reached the penultimate floor, Noah hesitated.
“We’ll wait here,” said Frankie, throwing herself on the floor. She, like Zeke, was slightly out of breath. They were still a far cry from the super soldiers they needed to be, but he could only imagine what state they’d have been in if they’d tried to climb the staircase at this pace months ago.
Zeke threw Noah a quick glance. “I think I saw a sign for a toilet on the last floor. I’m going to take a look.”
“I doubt it still works.” Frankie said. “May as well go and shit in the corner.”
“No thanks.”
Leaving Frankie on the floor, Noah and Zeke climbed the final set of stairs together. As soon as they turned the corner, Noah said, “You’re not coming in with me. I need to see him alone.”
“I just wanted a second alone with you.” Zeke scanned the corridor for any sign of cameras.
Noah reached to lace his hand with his as they walked. There was only one door on this floor, waiting ominously at the end of the corridor. When they were a few steps away, he stopped them. Pushing him against the wall, Noah kissed him softly for a moment before pulling away to press their foreheads together. He seemed to be delaying the moment he faced whatever was on the other side of that door.
“I’ll be right outside,” Zeke whispered. “If you shout, I’ll come running.”
Noah’s grimace twisted into a smile, no doubt imagining how little use he would be in any scenario where Noah was shouting for help. Noah kissed his forehead before shuffling back, holding both of Zeke’s forearms as he looked deep into his gaze.
“Hopefully, I won’t be long.”
“Are you guys… okay?”
Noah sprang away from him. Frankie stood on the top step, her eyes wide.
“I thought you were waiting downstairs?” Zeke said, cringing at his evident panic.
“I decided to wait outside the toilet for you. That stairwell was creeping me out.” She looked between them, then to the wide space they’d created between their bodies. “What’s going on?”
Noah sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I’m about to go in. I’ll see you shortly,” he said. He opened the door and slipped through, leaving them alone in the hallway.
twenty-six
Noah
WhenNoahenteredthespacious, empty room, he almost didn’t recognise the figure standing near the wide window as his uncle. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen him out of uniform and his uncle’s casual clothes transported him back to childhood weekends when he and his father were on leave. They were often spent at De Biesbosch National Park: early morning jogs along the rivers, followed by pancake breakfasts, his brothers spooning chocolate spread directly into their mouths, to their mother’s dismay.
Taking a tentative step towards him, the light streaming through the window highlighted the crow’s feet etched deep in the corner of his dark, baggy eyes. His customary service cap was noticeably absent, revealing the steaks of peppery grey that littered his hair.
As Noah met his unwavering gaze, his uncle let out a breath, making the sign of the cross.
“Uncle Nathan.” Noah hovered a few feet away from him, unsure how to greet him. Neither of them were one for hugs, but a handshake felt odd. “Where have you been? What’s going on?”
“What part ofalonedidn’t you understand?” were his first words, although there was no real malice behind them. “You’re going to need a cover story for why the three of you ventured over here, if they trace your trackers.”
Noah’s eyes flickered to his uncle’s left arm.
“Mine’s been removed,” he said. When Noah only stared at him, his uncle let out an unsteady sigh, running his hand over his face. “That kid found you then? I wasn’t sure if he was going to take the money and run. I just watched you smash open that door, by the way. Didn’t he tell you the key was in the plant pot?”
Noah wasn’t in the mood for any more chatter. “Why are we here, Uncle?”
His face looked pained as he replied, “I’ve… left the military.”
“No shit.” Noah folded his arms. “What happened?”
“Things got tense between myself and the Chief General. We had several…”—he rubbed his eyes—“disagreementsthat escalated into him issuing an arrest warrant.”
“What?” Noah’s stomach clenched as a wave of dizziness struck him. He tried to say something else, but words failed him. Murphy’s odd interest in his uncle finally began to make sense.
