The Final Countdown

In the dim light under the trees my phone casts an eerie, blue glow. I can't take my eyes off those words.

...I'll come get you.

We can initiate you tonight.

Beside me, Chase hacks an awful cough, then clears his throat a few times. When he reaches for me, he croaks, "What is it?"

Our eyes meet over the light of the phone. Shining from below, it creates odd shadows in his face—his eyes glow, his cheekbone, nose are highlighted, but the rest is black as tar—like a skull. "Kate, what's happening?"

Our fingers touch when I hand him the phone.

He coughs as he takes it, but I'm relieved that he's starting to breathe more comfortably.

He reads it once, twice. His breath pulls deeper and he hacks again. "Will you do it?" he asks quietly.

"What?" My jaw drops and I snatch the phone from him. "Seriously, Chase?"