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"What? How are—"
"A horde that big will linger for days. Going into the hotel would be a stupid decision now." Saff lifted her hand to her temple, gently massaging as she closed her eyes.
"But then how will we—"
"There is nowe," Saff growled, her stomach roiling with a sudden sense of nausea.
The girl went quiet for a few moments. “You're an idiot if you think it doesn't make more sense for us to travel together.”
Saff breathed slowly, deliberately, through her nose, closing her eyes.
The girl continued. “It makes more—”
Saff threw her head to the side, just in time for the vomit to come spewing out onto the tile floor. Blinding pain shot from the wound as every muscle in her abdomen tightened.
The retching continued relentlessly until there was nothing but stomach acid scorching its way up her throat.
Then, when the nausea finally subsided, she leaned back and closed her eyes, resting against the wall.
"Here," the girl beside her said in a much softer voice than before. "Take this."
Saff opened her eyes and shined the flashlight toward her. In her outstretched hand lay one small yellow pill.
"They're just for migraines," she continued, "so I don't know if they're good for a concussion or something but—" she paused, shrugging her shoulders.
Saff swallowed, wincing as the sides of her raw throat scraped together. She reached out and took the pill, swallowing it down dry.
"Thanks," she whispered, disgusted by the weak sound of her own voice.
They sat in silence for a few moments until the girl spoke again. "You know, it would have been a lot easier to yell for you out there if I knew your name."
If she hadn't been so out of it, she might have laughed. Well, maybe not an actual laugh, but at least a chuckle.
For some reason, it struck her as both ridiculous and funny that this girl could tie something so insignificant into a life and death situation. And then, on top of it, use that to try to get the information she wanted.
"You did fine without it," Saff muttered.
The girl—Maddie—her brain corrected, remembering what she'd told her earlier that day, chuckled beside her, mirroring the amusement Saff had felt a moment before.
"Right," Maddie said, her laugh still dancing through the word.
Saff took in a slow, deep breath, then gently released it, working to stave off a fresh wave of nausea. "Saff," she muttered.
"Hmm?"
"My name. Saff."
"Oh," the girl answered, genuine surprise in her voice. "Okay. Saff," she repeated, testing the word out in her mouth. "You're not exactly in great shape right now," Maddie said, her voice softening again. "I can help you—"
"I don't need help," Saff said, with enough bite in her voice to hopefully cut off any further discussion.
It worked for a few moments, then Maddie spoke again.
"You're right. You'll make it out of here fine."
Saff waited for the 'but'.
"But—“
