395

You check the time—9:15 am.

Your phone rings, and seeing it's Jaime's number, you answer.

"Hey, Luth," he says in a breathy voice, like he just yawned.

"Hello. You okay?"

"I didn't get much sleep last night, so I just woke up. I stayed with those people I met, and we've been scavenging for supplies non-stop. They're not really my kind of people, though, so I'm going to split up with them soon and come straight to you."

"Sounds good. One thing—"

"Sorry, before I forget, I need to ask a favor. My cousin Moses is in Nightfall for a meeting that he was attending when this mess happened. He's stranded but happens to be nearby. I told him to stay at your place for a few days. I hope you don't mind, but there's nowhere else for him to go. Hotels are booked or closed, shelters are overrun with people. He should be there soon. I promise he'll be no trouble."

"Um, well—"

"I owe you, big time. I should be at your place late tonight. What do you need me to bring?"

"I could really use…"