Caelyn Sandel

6. The Wait.

Added 2023-02-06 17:58:40 +0000 UTC

I step out onto the balcony and slide the glass door shut behind me. Half a meter away from closed, the door digs into its track with an earsplitting screech. I leave it.

Carefully lowering my butt onto an overturned milk crate, I wince as my trick spine sends icy jolts down both legs. I fumble for the radio sitting on the other milk crate and switch it on. Jangling music spills into my face and I jam the analog preset button at the far end of the radio and it's quiet.

Just the voice.

"Two. Eight. Three. Zero. Four. Two. Zero." Through the opened channel of the numbers station the soft automated voice reaches out, cradles my face, places me gently back into the present moment.

"Who are you?" I ask the radio in a hushed voice.

"Nine. Seven. Five. Three. Two. Seven. Eight."