Page 58 of Burn Protocol

The nightshift walks in right after Elena has downed her third cup of coffee in that hour. After a brief transition, we get changed and find ourselves outside again. The cool night air brushes against my skin and I shiver slightly. It is rapidly getting colder now that the days are getting shorter, but that doesn’t bother me tonight.

As we walk to our cars, Elena stifles another yawn and that same heavy weight presses down on my stomach.

“El?”

“Hmm?” she turns to face me with a soft smile on her lips.

“Name five types of trees.”

“What?” she chuckles, but my lips stay pressed together in a tight line. She frowns. “Uhm… Pine, birch, uhm… the one with all the nuts, and uhm…”

“The name. I need the name,” I interrupt her.

She just stares at me. Her face blank of any expression, her eyes here but not really.

“You are dead tired.”

It’s not a question, but she nods anyway. She rubs her fingers against the back of her neck while she looks down at the tips of her shoes.

“It’s just been a lot today,” she admits in a whisper.

“Yes, yes it has,” I agree with her, feeling my own body heavy with the day. “But you can barely keep your eyes open. El, I don’t think it’s safe for you to drive right now.”

“Maya, don’t be…”

I put my fingers on her wrist and she instantly halts.

“I’m not being anything but worried. Please, let me drive you home.”

She stares at me and almost nods. Until she blinks and seems to wake up even temporarily.

“No, Maya. What about your car? How will you even get home?”

“I can grab the metro,” I say, clipped.

“No,” she shakes her head. “I don’t want you riding the metro all by yourself in the middle of the night. Especially not to just drop me off.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest and looks down at me, determined.

“Well, I’ll just have to stay over then,” I shrug, “because you’re not driving like this.”

“Please, I am a firefighter,” Elena huffs. “I have had worse exhaustion.”

“As a firefighter you should know the risks attached to driving while being sleep deprived,” I shoot back. “It’s worse than driving drunk, Elena.”

She grunts and throws her arms in the air, but I don’t budge. I simply lift an eyebrow and at the sight, all fight leaves her body.

“Fine.”

I hold out my hand and she hands over the keys, marches over to the other side and climbs into the passenger seat. By the time I have adjusted the seat and pull out, she is already fast asleep.

As I navigate through the streets, I can’t help but glance over at her every now and then. The streetlamps cast moving beams of light that trace over her, highlighting small parts of her. It’s almost as if the details of her face are being put on display, and I can’t help but admire her.

Elena has something so gorgeous about her that has nothing to do with her amazing bone structure. Yes, the high cheekbones and sharp jawline help, but her true beauty lies within. Her spirit, her soul, if you must. The fire in those dark eyes, the strength with which she moves those lips, the passion she emits while she looks at the world. I am drawn to her like a moth to a flame. And you are just as willing to burn for her. I am.

It only takes me twenty minutes to get to her apartment now that there is less traffic, and I take my time to find a good parking spot. As soon as I turn off the engine, Elena stirs awake. Her eyes blink open slowly and she looks around, a little dazed.

“Hi,” I breathe out and her eyes catch mine.

“Hi,” she says, blinking. “Did I…”