Breath Of Life

“His eyes scare me. There’s no humanity left in them. He’s a wild animal ready to lash out, hunt, and kill. He stared me down the entire time I spoke.”

“Did you look back?”

“No, I was afraid I’d freeze up,” I admit sheepishly.

“He terrified me. There’s no shame in being afraid of a dangerous man. That’s survival instinct kicking in.”

“We’re not going back to the hotel. We’re concerned it might be compromised,” Carter says.

“Great,” I mumble.

“I’m guessing you’re not going to tell us where,” Ollie says dryly.

“You’re starting to learn,” Carter shoots back.

“I think that’s the nicest you two have been to one another,” I mutter.

Ollie snickers. “’Cause we both know our time together is coming to an end soon. Thank God. Are you feeling well enough to get into a seat?”

“I think so,” I answer as he pulls back and we untangle our limbs.

THE NEW ROOM WE’RE settled in is worse than the last one. Small, off-white, and mid-grade in quality, the first thing I do is ditch the comforter I know hasn’t been washed in months. My mouth waters. No. I place a hand on my stomach.

“Still feeling sick?” he asks.

“Yes, and the stale smell of the room isn’t helping me.”

“You know we can’t open the windo

w.”

“I know,” I whisper.

“How’s your head feeling?”

“Throbbing, but not as bad.” Sinking down on the bed, I stare at the bathroom.

“Let me get you a cool washcloth.” He stalks off, and I lay down on my back and try to decompress.

Carter and Johnson are in the connecting rooms making phone calls and checking in. They’ll run to the store for food and clothing, and then one of them will be bunking with us in the double bed on the other side of the room. Suddenly I’m longing for the cabin.

“Come on, sit up, and I’ll turn on the television, so you can have a distraction that’ll help you stay awake.” He presses the cold compress to my forehead and the throbbing eases. I lean my head against him and stare at the screen without focusing. The connecting door opens.

“We’re coming in, guys. They got the scene settled, collected evidence, and rescheduled the court date for tomorrow,” Johnson explains.

“Did they catch anyone?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not yet. Carter went on a clothing and food run, and we have a doc coming out to check on you, okay?”

“All right.” By now, they know what we eat and what we don’t.

“So, what happens next?” Ollie asks.

“We wait to see how the trial goes and buckle down. It could’ve been his people taking a pot shot because of the opportunity or it could’ve been more personal.”

Meaning they’re still trying to kill us.

“Our testimony’s been given. They can’t undo that,” I say, confused.