Page 166 of Claimed

“Okay. I was gonna sleep in Jared’s trailer, so I’ll just go grab my clothes and toiletries and bring them back here and ask Misty or Caroline to make room for me on their mattress.”

“Take someone with you, from the Falls and preferably an alpha. And straight back, yeah?” he says.

He’s now on the move, heading toward a few of the men coming in this direction and one is calling his name. They’ve all got shovels in hand.

“Someone opened the valve on the water tanker!” I hear called out.

This throws me. Why would someone do that? That’s got to be why we’re in such a mess, adding water to the already flooding sewage? Everyone is busy, but I see the silver of Jared’s trailer being pulled in just on the other side of the fence. I go inside to look for an escort.

“I hafta pee, Stacy,” Little Lara asks, standing beside me now, bouncing on the balls of her crossed feet. “What do I do?”

It’ll be a few minutes before there’s an outhouse ready.

“Um… just zip into the bathroom in the mess hall, but don’t flush, okay? Just leave it.”

She rushes away looking like she’s afraid she won’t make it.

“Got room on your bed for one more?” I ask Caroline and Misty who are putting away the dice game.

“Room beside me. I’m on a double,” Misty says.

“Great,” I reply.

“I’m up now,” Cat says. “You can take my airbed. I got six hours so I’m up. I’ll check on those still healing.”

“Awesome.”

I step outside and see Jase is helping erect an outhouse. Lincoln is on the move, heading back toward the homes with Brody. Everyone is busy.

Maybe I should just leave my bag and crash in my clothes. But I’d really love to brush my teeth, floss, and I’ve got some face wipes that were in the gift basket Mase’s mom sent over, which I packed.

I hear wailing coming from inside, so I look back. There’s commotion at the back of the mess hall by the restrooms.

“I forgotted! I just… I forgot. I’m sorry!” Lara is bawling.

“Don’t worry about it sweetie,” Addy placates. “Just use some sanitizer and get back to bed, okay?”

Brody rushes in, looking alarmed.

Lara hides behind Addy, looking terrified.

“What’s wrong?” Brody asks.

Addy replies. “Lara flushed the toilet by mistake and now she’s worried you’re angry with her.”

Brody squats and crooks his finger.

Lara buries her face in Addy’s long cardigan.

“Lara?” Brody inquires.

Lara turns to face him, and she’s absolutely petrified. She stares at her bare little feet and tips her head to show her throat.

“I’m very sah-sorry, suh-sir. It was a… a accident.”

“I’m not upset with you,” he says gently. “You don’t have to be afraid. I shouted before because it was messy, and it smells bad and because I don’t want it making anyone here sick or sicker. It’s going to be a pain in the ass… the neck to deal with it and we have a lot to deal with right now, but I’m not upset with you. You made a mistake. It’s automatic to flush after you use the toilet, right?”

She nods, chin trembling.

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