Page 431 of Eternal
I hesitate, I’m still tracking the guard shifts, but I answer. “Hello?”
Kat’s voice, muffled and whisper-yells, “She picked up! Don’t fuck it up, Vik!” Then, immediately: “Haaaappy birthday to youuuuu…” Vik comes in, way too early, “Happy BIRTHDAY to YOUUUU! No, wait, we weren’t there yet! Happy birthday dear AZRAAAAA!
Kat stops, and says, “You’re off-key and ahead of the beat, Viktor…”
I snort, almost choking. “You’re both horrible singers.”
“Thank you, we practiced,” Kat says proudly.
I laugh into my sleeve, trying not to spill my coffee. “You’re tiring.”
“Correct,” Kat says proudly.
“Did you like the part where I harmonized?” Vik adds.
“I liked the part where it ended,” I say, but I’m still smiling.
Kat softens. “Happy birthday,Visha.”
I click through another file. “Thank you Kat.”
“You doing anything today?” Vik asks.
I minimize the layout on my screen. The tunnel entry’s bookmarked in my mind. I just need the timing now.
“Damir said he’s got something for me later. A surprise, apparently.”
Kat laughs softly. “Well, have fun tonight. We’ll be at your place by eight tomorrow morning.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Eight is way too early.”
Vik’s voice is firm. “I don’t care.”
I smile. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”
“Love you,Visha,” Kat says.
“Love you,Kroshka,” Vik adds. “See you tomorrow,” he continues.
For a moment, I want to say it back, really say it, but instead, only “Me too” slips out, it sounds small, like a secret, almost insane to admit and I hang up quickly, cheeks warming.
I wasn’t ready to say it aloud, maybe never will be, but it’s there, under everything.
The call leaves a warm ache in my chest, one I can’t sit in too long, not today.
I turn back to the screen, that storage structure might be the only shot I have, it’ll be dark, no fireworks on that side of the property, if I wear black and get in fast…
I scroll to check the estate’s previous Fourth of July entries, and one article mentions a drone display last year, a big media presence.Good.That means noise, a lot of it, I can move during the finale.
My eyes flick to my jacket by the door, the note’s still in the inside pocket where Damir tucked it this morning, and I stare at it.
I wonder quietly what exactly my mother saw when she got this far. What she felt the night before she found this address.
Because tonight, I might find it too.
And then maybe, I’ll finally befree.The northern lights are waiting for us after all.
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