The Facility by Alex Luddon

Author:Alex Luddon [Luddon, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AlexLuddon.com
Published: 2022-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

The next morning, we repeated our ritual of walking up Pleasant Hill. We each took our bags with water and food. She stopped twice along the way for me to catch my breath, but otherwise we didn’t speak. I’d noticed that Selma didn’t usually want to talk until she’d had breakfast.

As we climbed, all I could think about was the note and everything I needed to tell her. My time was running out. Soon, Lisa and Steph would find me. And when they found me, I knew I’d have to leave.

Every day, I was risking my life. But I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want it to ever end.

When we got to the summit, I followed her lead and stretched out my calves, before sitting down next to her on the bench. She spread out the breakfast foods between us, and then we ate, looking out at the sunrise.

Once, my thumb brushed against her little finger as I reached for a slice of apple.

Another time, I touched her palm as I passed her a muesli bar.

And then, I brushed her hand again—and this time, I had no excuse. And I didn’t move it away. After a minute, she lifted her hand and placed it over mine.

“Jeremy.” She sounded sad. But there was also something of a warning. I knew exactly what she was trying to say. She could give me this—but she couldn’t guarantee anything more.

For now, though, it was enough. We sat there for another ten minutes, her hand in mine. I didn’t dare move, for fear of breaking the spell.

Eventually, she gave an exaggerated shiver and moved her hand away.

“I’m freezing.”

“It is winter.”

“That's what I like about you, Jeremy. You always say such insightful things."

"Shut up," I muttered, smiling. As we stood, she pulled me into a brief hug, and then marched off downhill without saying another word.

I followed her, my heart racing.

This was maybe the worst thing that could have happened. I knew it could ruin everything. There was every chance that when we got home, Selma would kick me out of the house.

I couldn’t push too hard. But I couldn't hold back.

It was right. We were right.

I waited until we were halfway down the hill before I took her hand again. She gave a small murmur of disapproval, but she didn't pull away. We stayed like that until we got to the bottom of the trail, at which point Selma pulled her hand free.

"Sorry. No offense. Someone might see us.”

"Someone like Joanna?"

"Someone like anyone. You've forgotten how small this place is. People talk.”

I hadn’t forgotten, of course. I just didn’t care. But instead of protesting, I gave a lame nod and continued to follow her down the suburban streets, back to her house.

And the whole time, I thought about what would happen when we got inside.

When we were in private again.

In her room. With the door closed. Where no one could see us. Where she would have no excuse.

As we walked in silence, I formulated my speech.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.