She aimlessly roamed the empty halls for nearly a half hour without seeing anyone else. It didn’t surprise her. It was late and there weren’t a lot of people who lived on this level. The number of people living in the entire compound wasn’t very large for that matter. She tried not to let herself dwell on the people they’d lost just in her short term as an active agent. It seemed that no matter where she went, she couldn’t avoid the ghosts that haunted this place. Being alone with her own thoughts was proving to be too much tonight. Suddenly deciding on a destination, she picked up her pace and turned down the next hallway. She took the stairs down one level then turned right. Halfway down the corridor, she knocked on a door on the left. It didn’t take long for it to swing open.
“I wondered how long it would take you to show up,” Rowan said, his mouth curving in a half–smile as he held the door open to let her in.
She gave him a sad smile in return and walked past him, her arms wrapped tightly around her midsection. Rowan closed the door behind her and Sawyer walked over to the couch to sit. He looked at her for a moment without speaking before walking to the small kitchen where he pulled a bottle of whisky and two shot glasses from the cabinet. Still silent, he filled both glasses and handed her one. She gave him a grateful look and downed the shot, welcoming the burn that sizzled its way down her throat and into her belly. Rowan drank his own shot then poured two more. He moved to sit beside her on the couch. After they’d both drank a second shot of the fiery amber liquid, Sawyer finally turned to look at him.
“What happened to him, Ro?” Her voice sounded strange to her own ears and she hated herself for the tears swimming in her eyes. With tremendous effort, she kept them from spilling over.
Rowan turned to face her and sighed. He said, “He woke up 23 days after you left. Conrad wouldn’t let me come find you. Believe me, I tried. I had no way to contact you and you never called in. I wanted to send a team to retrieve you, but Conrad worried that it would give you guys away and put you in danger. He said we needed to wait. So, I waited. I’m sorry. Sawyer, I’m so sorry.” His brows were drawn low behind his glasses as he spoke. Sawyer nodded at him but said nothing.
Rowan went on, turning the empty shot glass back and forth between his hands as he talked, “I would go visit him every day while he was still out. Give him a status report, I guess,” he smiled down at the glass. “I didn’t want him to feel like he was missing anything. I made sure to tell him every time Conrad got your check–in. I knew he’d want to hear that you were safe.” With a sigh, he reached for the bottle to pour another shot. “I guess I thought he could hear me. I don’t know.”
Sawyer could feel the liquor starting to make her thoughts a little fuzzy, but she welcomed the sensation.
Rowan said, “If he could hear me, he didn’t remember any of it when he woke up. I was sitting there one day, telling him about my boring ass day in Operations. I looked over at his face and his eyes were just open.” Rowan smiled at her as he remembered the moment. “I was shocked. I mean, the medics kept telling me to prepare myself, to say goodbye, not to get my hopes up. Then, bam! He was just awake. Laying there, glaring at me.” He laughed. “I swear, I almost kissed his ugly mug.”
Sawyer smiled at the image. “I should have been here,” she murmured.
Rowan’s smile faded and his brow lowered as he thought back. “Don’t do that. You had a job to do, Sawyer.” She gave a small nod but Rowan could tell she still felt guilty. He hesitated for a moment and she gave him a pointed look.
“What happened next?” she asked.
Rowan sighed. He said, “He asked me where you were. I guess the look on my face made him think... I don’t know what he thought. He flipped out. Started ripping out his IVs and yelling your name, trying to go find you. I tried to calm him down, but he wouldn’t listen to me. One of the medics came over and shot him up with a tranquilizer before he could hurt someone or himself. They ran him through the MRI while he was still out. Gave him a clean bill of health.” Rowan shook his head, a bewildered look on his face. “I still can’t believe it, Sawyer. It was a miracle.”
Sawyer didn’t know what to say so she poured another drink instead. Rowan studied her for a moment. “I know he’s changed some, but he’s not the only one. None of us are the same people we were before. We’ve all been through too much, lost too much. Deep down though, Corbin’s still in there. Give him a chance.”
Sawyer looked at Rowan in confusion. “Me? Give him a chance?” she said, incredulous. “Rowan, he won’t even look at me! When I saw him step out of that van, I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was crazy. I ran to him, but he pushed me aside like I was a stranger.”
Rowan looked slightly uncomfortable. “He was a little pissed when he found out you left. Voluntarily.”
Sawyer kept her eyes down and didn’t speak for a moment. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was hushed. “I couldn’t watch him die. Not him. Not like that.”
Rowan reached out, taking her chin in his hand and gently turned her face up to look at his. “Hey,” he said. “I get that. I do. But he’s not dead, Sawyer. He’s here and he’s okay. I know you were scared. We all were. I know why you left. He might be pissed right now, but he’ll get over it. It’s just gonna take some time.” Sawyer nodded and took in a deep breath, releasing it in a rush. He released her chin and she lowered her gaze to the floor for a moment.
The silence stretched between them as they both seemed lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Sawyer leaned over and rested her head against Rowan’s shoulder. She said, “Thanks, Ro. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He gave a laugh and hugged her to his side briefly, planting a kiss on top of her head. “Well, you’re obviously very blessed to have me around.”
She straightened. “And not just because you have the good whisky,” she said as she reached to pour two more.
The two of them talked, laughed, and drank late into the night. They talked about her time away from the compound, the Warrens, Declan, the outside world and everything she’d missed during her time away. As the hours wore on, Sawyer could feel the tension falling away from her. She could feel herself sliding back into the familiarity of this place and her camaraderie with Rowan. Eventually, her lack of sleep caught up to her and she fell asleep on the couch. Rowan covered her with an old quilt, placed a bottle of water and two aspirin on the coffee table in front of her and found his way to his own room. As he fell into bed he had two thoughts: it was great to have Sawyer home and he was going to feel like shit when he woke up.
Chapter 8
Bree found her way to Medical the next morning with Gwynn’s help. The older woman had noticed her confused expression as she’d gotten off the elevator on Level 4 and taken pity on her.
“Come on,” she said with a smile. “I’ll take you to see your dad.”
Bree flashed her a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. This place is enormous!”
Gwynn gave a small laugh. “You’ve barely scratched the surface,” she said. “There’s plenty more to see here.”
Bree thought of how few people she’d seen as she walked around the compound. For a place this large, it didn’t seem to have the population to support it. She wondered who kept everything clean. Who maintained the electrical or plumbing? This place was massive and it seemed like every resource was devoted to stopping Ephraim and his army. Gwynn must have sensed the question because she said, “This place was meant to house several hundred people at a time. Right now, our population is closer to 80.”
Bree was shocked. “This war has cost you all a lot,” she said softly.
Gwynn’s normally friendly face took on a haunted look. “Some more than others,” she said in a sad voice. “Everyone here knows what loss feels like. We’re all tired of it.” She didn’t elaborate and Bree didn’t ask any more questions. They walked the remainder of the way in awkward silence. When they rounded the last corner and the doors leading to Medical were visible, Gwynn smiled a
t Bree, although her eyes still looked sad. “Here we are,” she said.
“Thank you,” Bree said. “And I’m sorry for prying.”
Gwynn’s smile became more genuine as she waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t be,” she told her. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Bree smiled back and nodded before turning to walk toward the doors.
Jon was sitting on the side of his bed when Bree entered his room. He looked impatient and slightly uncomfortable in the green hospital gown and white bathrobe they’d given him to wear. “I like your dress,” she told him with a crooked grin.
Jon rolled his eyes. “Shut up, kid.”
Bree laughed. “I’m serious, Dad. That green works wonders for your skin.” He threw his pillow at her. She laughed again as she caught it and threw it back at him. “Where’s Mom?” she asked.
Jon gave a genuine smile now. “She’s talking to whoever’s in charge of this place to see if they’ll let me out of here.”
Bree rolled her eyes. “You’re such a lousy patient.”
Jon looked indignant. “I am not!” he said. “Besides, I feel fine. Like I was barely even blown up.” His words hit Bree hard and her smile faded.
“That’s not funny,” she said in a sharp tone. Jon immediately looked contrite. He stood and walked over to her, pulling her into a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll stop joking about it.”
“Good,” Bree said. “I was so scared. We almost lost you.” Her voice cracked and she tried to clear her throat as she pulled back from him.
“I know,” Jon said, his expression serious as he studied her face. “Your mom and I tried to keep you from all this, you know? We never wanted you to have to do the things you did yesterday. To see the things you saw. That’s why we left here. We never wanted you to know this world existed, let alone be a part of it. I’m sorry it found you anyway.” His expression was troubled when he looked at her. Bree knew he was worried about her.
“It’s not your fault, Dad,” she said. “I don’t blame you or Mom. I just don’t want to lose either one of you.”
He smiled. “You can’t get rid of me that easily, kiddo.” He cleared his throat and looked slightly embarrassed when he said, “Speaking of me and your mom, we talked last night.”
The door opened behind Bree, interrupting whatever Jon had been about to say. They both turned to see Rylee entering, holding a bag of Jon’s clothes in one hand and wearing a huge smile. “Good news!” she said brightly. “I’m springing you from this joint.”
Jon turned his gaze upward and said in an exaggerated tone, “Thank you!” Bree rolled her eyes again at his theatrics.
“You are a terrible patient,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll give you some privacy to get dressed,” she said. “I’m glad you’re okay,” she said and kissed his cheek before she turned toward the door.
Rylee looked at Jon in his hospital gown and let her gaze travel up and down the length of his body. Raising one eyebrow, she said in a mischievous voice, “I think I’ll stay. In case you need help with…anything.”
Jon smiled back at Rylee and winked. “Yeah? You see something you like?”
Bree looked back and forth between the two of them, trying to understand this new byplay. They’d always been playful with one another but never flirty. She noticed the look in her mom’s eyes as she looked at her father and realized what she was seeing there. Her face broke into a smile and she said, “You two?” She gestured, pointing back and forth between the two of them.
Jon’s smile grew even larger and he said, “Not yet, but I’m working on it.” He waggled his eyebrows at Rylee who giggled. Giggled! Bree hadn’t known her mother was capable of giggling. It was time to leave.
“Ew! You guys are gross,” Bree said as she left the room, closing the door firmly behind her.
She walked a short distance down the hall and sat on a chair to wait. Her parents were flirting with each other. She shook her head, an involuntary smile spreading across her face. She didn’t know what had changed between the two of them but she was happy to see them finally giving into their feelings. It was strange for her to see her parents being romantic toward one another. Growing up, she hadn’t noticed that they were physically affectionate. She’d just always thought they were private people. Once again, she had the thought that everything she’d ever known had changed. She wasn’t sure how she felt about all the other changes in her life, but her parents finally being a true couple was something she was happy about. She shook her head again as she thought of their playful banter. It was good to see them both so happy. There was something in each of them that had been missing and she hadn’t even noticed it until now.
Bree was startled out of her thoughts by a male voice saying, “Good morning.” She looked up to see Rowan standing in front of her wearing a friendly smile. His black–framed glasses were on his face this morning rather than sitting on top of his head as they’d been the night before. Bree thought they made him look even more approachable. He was once again dressed casually in jeans and a Modest Mouse t–shirt.
“Good morning, Rowan,” she said with a smile. She thought he looked tired, despite the cheerful smile he wore. His hair was a bit messier than it had been the night before and she noticed his face was unshaven. He carried a steaming mug of coffee in one hand and a stack of papers in the other.
He used the papers to gesture to the chair beside her. “Do you mind?” he asked. She shook her head.
“Please,” she said, nodding to the empty chair. “Have a seat.”
Rowan sat in the chair with a groan. “Rough night?” she asked, one brow raised. Turning toward her, he gave her a pitiful look.
“Whisky,” he said without elaborating further. Bree gave a knowing nod.
“Ahh,” she said, trying not to smile. “I can sympathize.”
Rowan furrowed his eyebrows and peered at her over the rims of his glasses. “Are you even old enough to drink?” he asked her.
“Um,” Bree began, feeling her face redden.
Rowan cut her off with a wave and a laugh. “Your secret’s safe with me, B,” he said.
Bree laughed and was struck again by the feeling of comfort when it came to Rowan. He was easy to talk to and not intimidating in the slightest, unlike everyone else she’d met at this place. Rowan was open and outgoing and funny. Bree thought she understood why he and Sawyer were friends. He was so easy to like.
“I appreciate that,” she said in a wry voice. “I’m a soldier in a war between the forces of good and evil but I don’t want my parents to find out I drank alcohol.” She gave a chuckle.
Rowan nodded as though this made perfect sense, his brown hair falling over his face as he did so. “Completely understandable,” he said, reaching a hand up to tuck the hair behind an ear.
The door to Jon’s room opened just then and he emerged dressed in jeans and a dark blue t–shirt, his arm around Rylee’s shoulders. She had her arms wrapped around his waist and her head rested on his shoulder. Rylee’s expression was one that Bree couldn’t remember seeing on her mother’s face before. The happiness was plain to see, but there was something else there that made Bree’s heart constrict. The love between her parents was so obvious now. Bree wondered how she’d never noticed it before. Then she had the realization of how close she’d come to never seeing them like this. She swallowed down the lump in her throat and smiled at the two of them as they approached.
Jon looked at Rowan’s mug with obvious longing as he approached them. “Is that coffee?” he said excitedly. Bree understood how he felt. Her quarters had been stocked with basics, but it seemed that coffee wasn’t among them. She’d searched the kitchen after she woke and dressed this morning but came up empty so she’d come to find her parents instead.
Rowan raised his cup slightly and smiled. “Yes sir,” he said. “I can show you all to the cafeteria. They’re still serving breakfast.”
Rylee smiled back at Rowan and said, “If you’re going tha
t way, we’d love to walk with you. It’s been a while. Everything looks so different after 20 years away.”
Rowan dipped his head to the right and said, “Absolutely. This way.” They followed him as he led the way. Bree walked alongside him as her parents trailed slightly behind. As they walked, Rowan described the rooms they passed, explaining their purpose. There were offices for the Medical staff as well as store rooms for various equipment. Many of the rooms were empty, their former use forgotten.
She noticed that they were taking a different route from the one she’d taken with Gwynn earlier. She asked him about it. “There are two elevators on this level” Rowan explained. “Well, three actually. One comes straight from topside to the trauma room. It’s for emergencies only. There’s the one you used. The one I’m taking you to will come up directly across from the cafeteria. If we took the other elevator up to 3, we’d have to take a winding route around the library. This way is more of a straight shot.” Bree’s attention snagged on the word “library” as he said it.
“What sort of library?” she asked. Jon and Rylee both chuckled at this.
Rowan turned to face her, eyebrows raised. “Do you like to read?” he asked. Jon laughed aloud at that.
“It’s rare to see Bree without a book within arm’s length,” he told Rowan.
Rowan laughed in a knowing way. “Sawyer is the same way,” he said. “She used to get in trouble for reading when she was supposed to be asleep.” Bree was shocked and her face must have shown it because Rowan chuckled at her expression.
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