“I got a backup charger in the bedroom,” Tamara said.“I’ll be right back.”
Chapter5
Iwatched the numbers on my phone climb.It was an agonizingly, slow wait.After a few minutes, I went ahead and clicked it on.
Tamara and Joey were having a conversation about their shows.I rolled my eyes.Tamara could read me like a book… and I knew she knew I was annoyed.I felt handicapped.Why had I come here again?Just to have my hands tied?Well, I was trying to make sure she was safe.Wasn’t I?
“You’ll just get in the way.”I had heard that from so many people in the past few days.Who was I supposed to be again?What was I supposed to be?What was it people expected from me?
A series of texts flashes across my screen.
“Just got all seventeen of your texts,” I said to Tamara.“Sorry!”
A text from Brother Al, then: “Call me.”
I stepped into the next room and dialed.The phone rang and rang.Then Brother Al answered.
“Stacey?”he asked.His voice was frantic.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Where are you?”
“My friend Tamara’s apartment.What’s up?”
“Firstly.We need to have a talk about leaping from my arms in mid-air.Secondly.I’m happy to hear you’re alive, at least.”
“Where is everyone?What’s the latest?”
“We’ve heard no word from the Regional Council.Hartshome is safe, but we’re fighting a losing battle.Whoever is behind this seems intent on knocking out our safe haven.”
“What about Eddie and Vic?”
“Eddie’s here.Vic took the van back out and disappeared up North.I’m not sure where he is.”
“What about Nagisa and his guys?”
“The Civil Wyrd Corps roused troops to go check out Penn Square.I haven’t heard word from them.There are suggestions that… they may not have survived.”
“Is the Mall that bad?”
“I’m not certain,” Brother Al said.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Stay safe,” Brother Al said.
“I’m not exactly safe here,” I said.“I mean, I might be, but I keep finding ducks everywhere.”
“I’m not going to ask.”
“Did you not see them?”I asked.
“No.I did see Flittering Trazmynes.Flying beasts.Take the form of the thing one is most terrified of.”
I thought about this.
“Eddie says he saw ducks too.”
