Page 54 of Five Survive

The sound of Red’s breath from the speaker at the bottom of her phone. Rustling as the image on-screen went from light to pitch-black, inside to out.

“Is every—”

“—Is everyone r—”

“—Is everyone ready?”

Red brought the screen closer, studying the pixelated darkness.

“N—”

“—NOW—”

“—NOW!”

Red didn’t blink.

“Wai—”

“—Wait—”

“—Wait!”

The three layers of Arthur’s voice in a frenetic rush, splicing together.

“Arthur—”

“—Arthur, now—”

“—Arthur, now! Open the door!”

“Fu—”

“—Fuck—”

“—Fuck!”

The Arthur from here and now turned; Red felt his eyes on her, but she didn’t look away from the screen because it was coming, itwas—

Cr—

—Cra—

—Crack.

A tiny flash of light in all that black as the three shots split the air. But it had only been one, and she had it, right here. Red had it. She paused the video, spooled it back.

“I’ve got it,” she said, looking up at Arthur. His eyes looked drawn, mouth tight. “I’ve got it.” Louder now.

“Let me see.” Oliver rushed over, leaning to watch behind her shoulder. “Play it again.”

Red pressed the play button.

“Fuck!” Arthur’s voice said one more time.

“It’s there,” Red said. “Wait one second.”

Crack.

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