Chapter 38: Ransom, Part 18

Charlotte

It hurts. Oh God.... It hurts.

Master. Where are you?

Michael...

Momma...

I'm cold...

I'm so cold.

They'll come. They'll come...

Stay calm...

The pain ripples over my stomach and I writhe, curling around myself as, inside, my body clenches and spasms... And with the contraction, my lungs pulse out another fit of coughing, racking my chest and throat.

Oh God... Come soon...

Please come soon...

*****

James

Back home, Klempner broods in silence, staring at the pinned-up face on the wall; the 'medic', as I tell the tale of our encounter with Finchby

"So, do you believe him?" asks Richard... "Klempner? Klempner... Are you with us at all?"