Page 5 of One Impossible Moment
Since arriving, he has been closest to Moe because of their shared love of motorcycles.When they finished their work for the day, they often went riding around the perimeter of Everstill.He spent little time with the others because their whole focus was on their job.As soon as it hit five o'clock, they'd go inside their house and shut the door, not coming out until morning, when they'd start the whole process of working again.
Every single one of them was a recluse who needed nobody.Or maybe they were like him and had no one.He had no desire to know anyone deeper than their roles within Everstill.
Finn forked a piece of meatloaf."IsaidI don't know what's going on."
Moe rubbed the back of his tattooed neck."I thought this place was supposed to be closed.The seam, veil, or whatever let all of us in sealed behind us.You've tested it.We've all tested it.
"It wouldn't bring kids here.It had to be a mistake," whispered Finn."It's been a while since it opened."
"It's been years, man," muttered Moe.
"Has it?"He looked up."None of us know how long we've been here."
"It's gotta be."Moe pressed his back into the seat cushion."The girl coming here doesn't make sense."
Finn shrugged."She wandered in.She left.That's all."
"That's not all."Moe drummed his fingers on the table."A kid showing up means something's changing.And change is a threat."
Finn set his fork down, appetite gone."She won't be back."
"How do you know?"
He didn't hesitate."Because she doesn't belong here.She's not like us.She has people connecting her to the outside."
Moe studied him for a long moment."You sure about that?"
Finn nodded once.
Moe sat back.His expression was unreadable."If she or someone else comes through, it'll be a crack in the system.And cracks mean it's broken, which means there will be a way for us to leave."
Finn refrained from telling Moe how the girl had looked at him.She was fearless and trusting.He didn't tell Moe how wrong it had felt to watch Kallie walk away, or how part of him had wanted to follow her, just to make sure she made it back to wherever she came from.
He didn't tell him that when she'd asked if he was dangerous, his chest twisted almost painfully.
Moe was right.Something had changed.
Dishes clattered in the kitchen.Outside, the loose sign over the street quit swinging.It was dangerous for the child to come to Everstill.Every man living here had a past marked by wrongs.
Moe stood."What happens if she comes back?"
"If she comes back, we will deal with it."
Moe exhaled heavily and looked away."The men...she can't be around them.They'll hurt her."
"I know."
He watched Moe leave the restaurant, then looked down at his half-eaten dinner, which he couldn't remember tasting.
