Page 32 of Marek

So, I’m left with no other choice.

I’ll end him.

8

Iheard him, even though he thought I was asleep.

He said the word ‘hurricane’. While that word on its own, doesn’t tend to cause immediate panic, it was the tone he used that had me bursting out of bed and rushing over to where he was trying to talk on the phone. His head whips in my direction, but I’ve caught him mid conversation and he can’t stop it just because I’m here.

“How long?” he grinds out, his voice raspy.

Silence.

“Ok.”

Then, he hangs up.

“There is a hurricane coming?” I blurt, not giving him a moment to process.

“I do not appreciate being interrupted when I’m on the phone,” he mutters, his voice not holding its usual power.

Is he scared?

Should I be scared?

“Marek,” I demand, “answer me.”

Spinning toward me, his hand lashes out, splaying across my chest and pushing me backwards until I’m flat against the cold steel wall of the bunker. He leans down close, his voice like a razor when he growls, “You’re a captive here. You do not give me fucking demands.”

He’s scared alright.

“Just tell me if we’re in trouble here,” I whisper, curling my fingers around his wrist so he doesn’t push my chest any harder.

“Yes.”

I exhale loudly, almost a gasp.

“How long do we have?”

“If it doesn’t change course, twelve hours.”

“How did we not know this was coming?” I shake my head in confusion.

“It was being watched, it only turned at the last minute and now, it’s heading straight towards this island as it gravitates away from the mainland.”

“Do we have time to leave?”

“The seas are rough, there is no way we can get back to shore without running into it. We’re safer here.”

“How many people are out there?” I gasp. “You want to squash everyone into this bunker?”

“If I fucking have to,” he barks, releasing me.

“What about the ship?”

“Leave the small details to me. You stay down here because I’m not going to add looking after you on top of my many fucking chores.”

I huff. “I’ll help.”

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