Gunnar was already at the door and Bryn was right behind him. In the corridor he could breathe. Gunnar squeezed his shoulder. “How are you doing? You need a bucket?”
Bryn snorted. “I appreciate the thought, but no. Head hurts. Can we get some water?”
“Sure. We can wait in the lobby. I spotted a vending machine when we came in. Agent Bell will find us when he needs to.”
Gunnar guided Bryn to the lobby and left him on a couch while he raided the vending machine. He returned with a cold bottle of water and some candy bars. “Thought you could use the sugar too. I also have Tylenol.” He popped two pills from a packet and handed them over. He also unscrewed the bottle cap. “That was rough, huh? That guy gave me the creeps.”
“He enjoyed what he did, Gunnar. Loved it. Those poor fucking kids.”
“And he’d have carried on doing it if not for you. Did you look at his future?”
“I’d seen enough. Him cutting flesh. Blood rising from the wounds.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” Bryn swallowed more water.
“Sick fucker.” Gunnar unwrapped a candy bar then shoved half of it in his mouth.
“I reckon he thinks he’s still going to be released. He’s deluded. Gimme my candy.”
“You want to touch him again, take a look at his future intent?”
“I’d rather stick my hand in a nest of tarantulas.” Bryn chomped the candy in three bites. “I couldn’t have done that without you.”
“I didn’t do anything. I just stood there. Wanted to rip the guy’s head off, so go me for restraint.”
“You made me feel safe,” Bryn muttered. “Fuck, my head hurts.” He took his shades off then knuckled his eyes. “On a scale of cat to freaky alien, where am I?”
“Oh, you’re up there with ET at the moment.”
“Frig.” Bryn slammed his shades back on.
“What did you see when you touched me?” Gunnar asked.
“We were on the bike together, on the open road somewhere. Freedom.”
“When we’re done here, I’m going to take you on a ride out to the coast. Get some sea air into your lungs and lobster in your belly. First job together needs celebrating.”
“That sounds…”Perfect.“Warden will never allow it.”
“Who said anything about asking?” Gunnar grinned. “Don’t look now, but Special Agent Bell is approaching. He seems animated.”
“Is it too late to make a run for it?”
“Not a hope.”
“I thought I’d lost you two!” Agent Bell beamed. “The doctor is safely locked away. His attorney is still spluttering and making empty threats. We need to go upstairs for a debrief.”
“Sure thing.” Gunnar grabbed Bryn’s arm and pulled him to his feet. “Let’s get this done.”
“Bryn, I can’t tell you…youare a walking miracle. There are a lot of people keen to meet you.”
“Oh God.” Bryn looked for the nearest fire exit sign.
“Oh no you don’t.” Gunnar gave him a disapproving glance. “Don’t need to be an augur to know what you’re planning, sunshine.”
“Spoilsport.”
