Page 57 of Last Flame

---

ASHLEY

The reply is instant. Ashley’s phone is functionally a part of her.

what

THE MEN ARE REAL

what men

THE BOOK MEN. THE ONES FROM THE COVERS. THEY ARE IN MY APARTMENT.

elara have you been drinking again

I HAVE NOT BEEN DRINKING

THERE ARE THREE OF THEM

three of what

I DON’T KNOW

okay that feels important

ONE OF THEM HAS A TONGUE RING

okay now you’re definitely drunk

WHY DOES EVERYONE DECIDE THE TONGUE RING IS THE DRUNK PART

why are you yelling

THEY BROKE MY DOOR

The typing dots appear. Vanish. Appear again.

WHAT

I watch the dots pulse and try to work out how a person types four hundred what into a phone.

Out in the living room I hear them talking low.

It’s about me. I can feel it. I have zero evidence and I can feel it.

I lock the phone and put it face-down on my side table like that will help.

I am not okay.

I can’t go out there.

If I stay in here, I’ll fall asleep.

I yawn.

I am going to need significantly more coffee and possibly a priest.

Chapter 18

Erik

---