,
though in reality it is only a split second. Leila’s expression
remains blank, and her appearance is as scruffy and illkempt
as ever. She’s still wearing that grubby trench coat,
and she looks desperately in need of a wash. Her hair is
greasy and lank, plastered against her head, and her eyes
are a dull brown, cloudy, and vaguely confused.
Despite the fact that my mouth has no moisture in it
whatsoever, I attempt to speak. “Hi. Leila, isn’t it?” I rasp.
She smiles, but it’s a disturbing curl of her lip rather than a
true smile.
“She speaks,” she whispers, and her voice is soft and
hoarse at the same time, an eerie sound.
hoarse at the same time, an eerie sound.
“Yes, I speak,” I say gently as if to a child. “Are you
here alone?” Where is Ethan? My heart pounds at the
thought that he might ha一ve come to some harm.
Her face falls, so much so that I think she’s about to
burst into tears—she looks so forlorn.
“Alone,” she whispers. “Alone.” And the depth of
sadness in that one word is heart wrenching. What does
she mean? I am alone? She’s alone? She’s alone because
she’s harmed Ethan? Oh . . . no . . . I ha一ve to fight the
choking fear clawing at my throat as tears threaten.
“What are you doing here? Can I help you?” My
words are a calm, gentle interrogation despite the
suffocating fear in my throat. Her brow furrows as if she’s
completely befuddled by my questions. But she makes no
violent move against me. Her hand is still relaxed around
her gun. I take a different tack, trying to ignore my
tightening scalp.
“Would you like some tea?” Why am I asking her if
she wants tea? It’s Ray’s answer to any emotional
situation, resurfacing inappropriately. Jeez, he’d ha一ve a fit
if he saw me right this minute. His army training would
ha一ve kicked in, and he’d ha一ve disarmed her by now. She’s
not actually pointing that gun at me. Perhaps I can move.
She shakes her head and tilts it from side to side as if
stretching her neck.
I take a deep precious lungful of air, trying to cal
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