Page 105 of Mountain Void

Behind her, someone muttered in relief.

The corridor went blurry around the edges. Her legs, which had been fine until now, wobbled.

Val took Charlie’s arm and gently guided her back to another plastic chair. Charlie understood why everyone was treating her so carefully, but she didn’t want to sit. She wanted to see Lorenz. But the tears were rolling down her cheeks now, and she couldn’t seem to stop them.

“Can I see him?” Charlie asked.

“I’ll bring you in to see him in a minute. But first, some water.” A glass appeared in front of her, as if by magic. “He’s still asleep,” Val continued, “but he woke up briefly before we moved him to recovery.”

Charlie’s hand shook around the paper cup.

Val nodded. “He asked whether you and Théo were safe.”

Of course he had.

“And then he asked to see you. Repeatedly. Which is impressive, considering he was barely conscious.”

Beau walked up to them. “Figures. You’d better get in there, Charlie, before the fool tries to discharge himself.”

“Not going to happen,” Val said, but she was smiling as well.

Charlie finished the water and rose.

“You okay?” Val asked.

Not really.

Her body—her mind, too—felt wrung out. She could still smell the thick, choking smoke. She was nowhere near okay. But there was only one answer that would get her to see Lorenz.

“Yes.” She pulled on her sweater, straightening it. She had no idea where she’d left her jacket—maybe in the helicopter. “I look terrible, don’t I?”

“You do,” Val agreed, turning towards the door. “But he looks worse.”

Charlie laughed, following her.

29

Charlie

Morning light filtered weakly through the hospital blinds.

Outside the room, she could hear the clanking of trays, telling her the nurses would be here soon.

Charlie sat in the armchair beside Lorenz’s bed, her legs curled underneath her. At night, Val had brought her a blanket. She’d known Charlie wasn’t leaving.

Val and Beau had sat with her most of the night, refusing to leave her alone for an instant. About an hour ago, Charlie had finally convinced them to go home, even if it was just to shower and see their daughter before she went off to school.

Since then, Charlie had been staring at Lorenz, willing him to keep breathing. It didn’t matter how many times Val had explained that he was stable, and that he was going to be okay—seeing him so pale and still, and that swelling near his temple, which looked worse in daylight … it was impossible not to be scared.

Charlie rubbed tiredly at her eyes. She hadn’t gotten much sleep, maybe because every time she closed her eyes she was back up in the snow. She could still hear the gun. Still feel the way Lorenz’s big body had tackled her, taking the bullet that had been meant for her.

Lorenz shifted slightly.

Charlie straightened instantly.

His eyes opened slowly, unfocused at first, then more aware as they settled on her.

“Hey.” His voice was gritty.