Private North by Tess Oliver

Author:Tess Oliver [Oliver, Tess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00H8XT0GC
Publisher: Tess Oliver
Published: 2013-12-10T00:00:00+00:00

***

I’d spent another two hours on the computer and then went to my room to read. And all the while I listened for the uneven footsteps in the hallway. The afternoon passed and Dalton had not returned.

Professor North had prepared macaroni and cheese, but even as hungry as I was, I’d swirled the noodles around on my plate through most of the meal. At his dad’s request, Ethan had sent his brother several text messages just to see if ‘he was still alive’ but there had been no response. My mood bordered on despondent, and I could not have been angrier at myself for feeling that way.

I’d volunteered to do the dishes and took my time with the mindless task to pass the evening away. In my head I’d calculated the amount of time I needed to finish the boxes in the office. I’d been working at a rate of ten pieces an hour, and if the remaining boxes held the usual amount of samples then I should have all the artifacts entered in the data base in four days. It was not going to take the full two weeks that the professor had calculated and then I’d have no reason to stick around. Christmas was in eight days, and it seemed very likely that I would be spending it alone in my small apartment on campus.

I trudged wearily to my bedroom. Ethan and his father were deep in conversation in the office as I passed. They certainly had a lot to discuss.

The downy quilt on the bed felt like heaven as I tucked myself in and curled up. The quiet of the house and the peaceful sounds of a winter’s night helped me fall asleep quickly even in my blue mood.

***

My eyes popped open. I stared into the darkness of the bedroom trying to figure out at first exactly where I was and then what I’d heard. In my dream I’d heard an agonized yell. Muffled voices and footsteps pounded the wood floor in the narrow hallway. I jumped up and slid my feet into my fluffy slippers. A light flicked on in the hallway just as I opened my door.

I looked down the hall. Ethan was standing in Dalton’s doorway looking grave and upset. I could hear Professor North’s deep distinctive tone float out through the open door. I walked up to Ethan.

He turned to me and forced away his look of concern. “Everything is fine, Auggie.” He took my hand and led me toward my room. “Dalton had a nightmare. Something he’s been dealing with since Iraq, I’m afraid.” We stopped at my doorway, and the grim look reappeared on his face. “Can’t imagine the horrific visions and memories he has haunting his sleep. He’ll be fine in the morning. Try not to worry.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

I shut the door and climbed into bed. I sat up for a long time, my arms wrapped around myself to stop the shivering, but it wasn’t cold inside the room, it was cold inside my heart.

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