What Peace Feels Like
Leo whispered in his ear, "That was a fake bomb. Mostly sound. Some glitter. I call it the 'Friendly Panic.' Let's hope it buys us twenty seconds."
A black car pulled up fast.
The window dropped.
Leo was in the front seat.
Wearing sunglasses.
At night.
In winter.
"You look terrible," he said.
Dmitry opened the back door and got in.
Leo hit the gas.
They sped into the empty road.
Sirens wailed behind them.
No one followed.
Not yet.
Leo glanced at the rearview mirror. "You want music?"
"No," Dmitry said.
Leo turned it on anyway.
It was a soft piano cover of a pop song that sounded like heartbreak.
Dmitry leaned back.
His jaw still hurt. His ribs still burned. But for the first time in hours, he was outside. Free.
He closed his eyes.
Leo spoke again. "I should charge you for this."
"I will pay you with silence."