Page 106 of Mountain Void

“Hey,” she replied.

His gaze moved over her carefully, as if he were checking her for injuries.

“Are you okay?”

He’d asked the same question last night, when he’d woken up for an instant. Then his eyes had closed. But this time, his eyes remained open, intent on her answer.

“Much better now that you’re awake,” she admitted softly.

“Good.” His eyes drifted towards the armchair and the blanket. “You slept here?” He didn’t seem happy about it.

“Yes. It’s quite comfortable, actually,” she defended.

“The guys should have taken you home.”

“They offered,” she said quickly. Kat had also offered her a room to sleep in. But there was no way Charlie would have left Lorenz here alone.

Suddenly, Lorenz frowned.

“Are you in pain?”

“What?”

“Should I call a nurse?”

“What day is it?” he asked, not answering her question.

“Thursday.” Crazy how the field trip felt like it’d happened a lifetime ago, rather than just yesterday. She reached for her hand. “What’s going on, Lorenz?”

“I need to tell you something,” he said, suddenly looking completely alert.

“What is it?”

Before he could answer, the door burst open.

“Honestly, the signs in this hospital are terrible—“

Charlie froze.

Her mouth fell open.

“Terry?”

Her sister walked into the room, dragging a small rolling trolley in one hand, a garment bag in the other.

Behind her stood Carmen, looking vaguely entertained.

“Good. You’re alive,” her sister said, looking at Lorenz.

Good?

Charlie launched herself into her sister’s arms. For a hug, because dammit she’d missed her—and maybe also to reassure herself that she was real. That she was really here.

“Terry? What are you doing here?”

Terry blinked.

“What am I doing here? What are you both doing in the hospital?”