33. Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter thirty-three
Hummingbird
Even though I’d been staring at my phone, waiting for a message from anyone on my team, I still jumped when one popped up on my screen.
Momma A:
My eyes went wide.
Hummingbird:
I was already walking across the room to where the phone was, making it there the same time it started ringing. Nervously, I picked up the receiver. “Momma A?”
“Oh, Hummingbird.”
The heaviness of her voice broke my heart. “I’m about to have my life completely flipped upside-down again, aren’t I?”
She let out a sigh. “Yes.”
“Is it full extraction time?”
Another sigh. “Yes.”
I nodded, not that she should see me. “And how long until this one?”
“Shield is prepping as we speak and will be on his way within the hour. When we had to pull you out of the Indiana safe house, it was an emergency extraction. There was no time to grab anything outside of your safe room. I’m glad you have more time today.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Me, too.” Silence stretched on for a few seconds before my brain caught up again. “Where am I going this time, or do I not get to know until I physically roll up again?”
Lynette let out a hum. “Somewhere I would trust my children to stay.”
“Well, that’s a ringing endorsement I’m pleased to hear.” I knew there were no guarantees in life, and this was as safe as I was going to get. “Will I be on my own again?”
There was a pause. “No. Shield will be with you. There will also be a couple more trustworthy people. I’m still finalizing details.”
I was both delighted and terrified at the prospect of living with people again. My brain was also spinning with everything I had to do. “Do I need to be bug-out ready when Shield rolls in?”
“Oh, heavens no. He’s been told to help you pack and move out, as well as clear your digital footprint on your end. As soon as that is completed, Tech is going to do his thing from here.”
“Okay.” As much as I didn’t want someone else in my space, I knew it would get me out of here and to somewhere else safe the fastest. I glanced at the screens on the wall, taking in the mess upstairs.
“Part of me wants to go upstairs and clean up, but…” I trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence.
“I’d prefer you stay in your safe spot, but you are a grown woman.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ve got enough things to do down here to keep me busy.” When my focus landed on the kitchenette cabinets, I paused. “What about the food?”
“The food?”
“I don’t necessarily want to leave it out here, but I don’t want it to slow us down.”
Lynette was quiet for a moment. “I’d like you to at least pack any of your favorite snacks. There’s room for more this time.”
I nodded, happy I would still have my whiskey later. “Anything else?”
“Nothing that can’t wait until later. I’ll be calling once you’re safely ensconced in your new safe place. Stay safe, my hummingbird.”
“You, too, Momma.”
I hung up the phone and let a few tears of frustration and sadness spill over and roll down my cheeks. It was one thing to live here without Derek, but I still felt his presence everywhere I looked. Leaving here entirely meant I was leaving him behind.
No. I can’t.
After letting out my emotions and then pulling myself back together, I looked around the bunker, staring at everything, debating where to start. I had already put all my cherished items from upstairs into the duffle bag, but it wasn’t full or packed efficiently.
Remembering some of his clothes were down here, as well as his cologne and the silly comb he loved to use when styling his hair, I realized I could pack and bring them with me.
I can still keep pieces of him close.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before walking into the tiny bedroom to grab the few clothing items still in there.
Wanting to conserve space, stay warm, and feel a bit less freaked out, I put on one of Derek’s flannel shirts.
My hand hesitated over his bottle of cologne, but I packed it instead of spraying it on the shirt.
As soothing as the scent was, I didn’t want to make myself any sadder.
I’d been packing like a maniac until the first proximity and motion sensors went off, and I consciously had to remind myself to breathe. From that point on, I’d be glued to monitors, watching the now-familiar SUV roll into view.
Shield:
Hummingbird:
As much as I wanted to go up right away, I couldn’t convince myself to unlock the doors and do it. I’d chatted with him for a few weeks now, and while I was fine with that, it was an entirely different thing to be in the same room as him.
My phone dinged, and I opened the encrypted app.
Tech:
I shook my head at the message. He would be watching, too.
Hummingbird:
Tech:
Not only had I been watching Shield, I’d been keeping an eye on the weather.
The forecast has been calling for rain and a wintry mix of rain and snow.
In other words, I was in for a very interesting ride, pending where we were going.
Edith had told me a few times how quickly one of the roads leading here washed out during a rainstorm.
I found myself torn whether or not I wanted us stranded here for longer.
No. Then they can come back and kill both of us.
Swallowing hard, I shoved down all the anxiety and fear that came with even thinking about losing Shield. It surprised me how quickly I’d added him to my list of important people.
He’s risking his life coming out here to walk the property and drop off supplies.
Just like Derek had.
Needing something to distract my wild thoughts, I watched as Shield walked the property, pausing at different places, taking pictures of everything. When he walked up to the front door of the house, he paused, looked up at the camera, and waved at it. “Consider this me ringing the doorbell.”
As I let out a tense breath, Shield slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Show time.
I opened the blast door and slowly made my way up the stairs, making sure to take even breaths.
I was listening for anything, but unless he started shouting or shooting, there wasn’t much I’d be able to hear.
When I made it to the tiny upstairs landing, I rested my hand on the biometric lock and typed in the passcode, unlocking the door.
I can do this.