Page 260 of Eternal
“Under” by Alex Hepburn
Present
My body relaxes without permission, sinking deeper into the mattress.
Blanket pulled to my shoulders. The sun’s climbing higher outside, but I stay buried under the same one I always carry.
I have my water bottle next to me and take another long pull. Then, I dial Vik.
He picks up immediately, like he always does. “Morning,kroshka.”
“I have a lead, Vik,” I say.
“Tell me.”
“I talked to someone. A girl, she was in the background of those church photos Kat found. She was there for years. And then she vanished. Changed her name. Scrubbed herself clean.She’s been hiding since she was a teenager. But she said she wants to talk when I’m back.”
“Shit.” His voice drops. “That’s huge.”
“It was worth coming here. Zanae sent me a few files last night too. Things about the Veil.”
“You’ll go through her files when you’re back?”
“Yeah, I think.”
“Good.” A pause. Then softer, “I’m proud of you.”
That word always hits weird.Pride. I don’t know what to do with it.
“Thank you…” I say. It comes out small.
“Come back sooner if you can.”
“I will.”
Another beat. Then I say, “He came here yesterday.”
Vik doesn’t ask who. He waits.
“Brought me home. Said he missed me. Kissed my cheek. Then left.”
He’s quiet. Then, “And?”
“This morning, he brought back my bike. Left breakfast at my door.”
“You text him yet?”
“No.”
“Azra.”
“I know.”
“You should.”
“I will,” I say. “Eventually.”
He laughs quietly. “Alright. I gotta go. Mischka is threatening the delivery guy again. I’ll let you talk to Kat.”
