I groan and hang up. I consider rolling over in bed, and ignoring his request, but I know I can’t do that.
Within a few minutes, I’ve dressed, brushed my teeth and thrown my hair back in a ponytail.
I climb the stairs to the fourth floor, pleased to see all the physical training no longer leaves me winded from doing so. I step inside the computer lab.
The bright lights glow overhead and McAllister has several computers pulled up to various screens charting the ship’s progress. I stand at the door for a moment, trying to get my bearings. I know it’s stupid, but I’d half hoped Colt would be here. I was more confused than ever after how our date had ended yesterday. I needed answers. I needed to see him, to see if he was going to be back to his playful, charming self or still brooding like at the end of our date.
McAllister impatiently motions for me to join him. I slide into the seat next to him.
“Today’s the day, Taylor.” He grins at me. I don’t trust the glint in his eyes. “I want you to set her off her current course by four degrees. He taps the screen indicating what he means.
I lean in closer. The ship will be closer to land if I do that, but not nearly enough to do any damage or send her ashore, I see with relief. Four little degrees. I could do that.
After all, I’d spent the last several weeks figuring out how to get inside the ship’s command center. And now that I had it cracked, I very much wanted to see if it would work. I stifle a yawn and lean back in my seat.
McAllister runs his hands together. “You get to work.” He stands. “And I’ll get you a Diet Coke. Colt told me it is your drink of choice.”
My gaze flashes to his. Colt talks to McAllister about me?
He’s out the door before I have the chance to ask anything else.
I go back to my assignment and begin working. My fingers tap furiously at the keys. I’m using multiple computers in the room, my heart thumping with a steady energy as I set everything into motion.
I sit back and wait.
I notice that somewhere in the mayhem, McAllister brought me a can of soda. It sits warm and unopened beside me. I look at the clock and notice that somehow two hours have passed. I send a quick email to McAllister letting him know that everything worked out perfectly.
I yawn again and rub at my eyes. Time for bed. Hopefully Bria won’t mind me missing Zumba…
When I wake up the sun is cascading through the dorm windows. I’ve slept way longer than I intended to. The room is hot and sticky and I kick off the heavy duvet.
I glance at the clock. I’ve missed both Bria and Colt’s classes, but if I hurry, I’ll be in time for lunch.
I take a quick shower, and dress, combing my hair into a simple bun so I won’t have to style it. Then I make my way to the cafeteria.
Right away I can tell that something’s different. The normal hum of conversation, the scooting of chairs, and occasional fits of laughter are missing. It’s dead silent.
I hesitate at the door, trying to figure out what’s going on. A group of students huddle in the corner facing the TV mounted on the wall. I make my way over to them. The news is on, showing a ship in the ocean, it is listing badly to one side. My blood goes cold.
I take a step forward and get closer to the TV. I have to hear what they’re saying. MJ and Logan and are amongst those crowding around the TV. I squeeze between the bodies, making my way to the front. I can hear them saying my name, asking where I’ve been, but my mouth is completely dry and I’ve forgotten how to speak. My head spins and I do my best to focus on the TV. The blood rushing in my ears is deafening, but I focus on the newscaster until her voice comes into focus.
“Breaking news…massive oil spill…oil tanker, Alliance has collided with a coral reef…”
I suck in a breath and my knees go weak.
“Officials for World Oil Corporation have no comment at this hour about how this disaster could have happened…”
Oh my God…
“Pending a full investigation…”
I turn and run. I hear my name being called, but I don’t stop. I push through the doors and stumble blindly down the empty hall.
My legs feel weak, but I can’t collapse here. I push myself to keep moving, trailing my hand along the wall for support.
This is no coincidence. I heard the news anchor – she said Alliance. The name of McAllister’s assignment for me. I push my legs faster, needing to get someplace where I can break down.
I’m only vaguely aware of footsteps behind me when I feel a hand clasp around mine.
Colt.
His strong hand encloses mine completely. His face is hard, serious. “Come on,” he commands, and pulls me down the hall.
Colt must have seen me leave the cafeteria and come after me. My heart fills and expands. Colt will help me fix this. He has to.
He leads me to the stairs and helps me climb up; stopping once we get to the second floor. He pulls me along. For a brief second I wonder where we’re heading. Then I realize: He’s taking me to his room.
I don’t put up a fight, thankful at least I’m not alone. He unlocks the door and holds it open for me.
I step around him and hear the door close behind us. All at once he’s pulling me into his arms, folding me into his embrace. I lay my head on his chest, letting myself fall into him completely, balling my hands in his shirt. It’s only then I let the tears come.
We stand like that for I don’t know how long. Colt doesn’t press for details, or ask any questions. He just holds me, rubbing my back while I sob into his neck.
After a little while, I lean back and meet his eyes, wondering why he’s being so nice to me, why he’s taking care of me right now.
When he meets my eyes, his hardened angry look falls away revealing his concern and worry.
“Are you okay? Talk to me,” he pleads. He takes my face in his palms, wiping the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs.
“I did that.” I sniff. “That ship. That was m-my fault.” A fresh wave of emotion hits me, racking my chest with sobs.
“Shhh.” He pulls me to him again, patting my back. “That was not your fault.”
“Yes it was!” I shout, pulling back from him.
He drops his hands, confusion all over his face.
“I need to go to the lab. I need my computer.” I wipe at my face with my shirt hem, knowing I look a mess.
“I’ll get it for you. Stay here.”
I blink up at him.
“I’ll be right back.” He turns and leaves me alone in his room.
I know it’s irrational. I know it’s too late to stop the commands I released, but I need my computer. I need to do something.
I pace Colt’s room, convincing my pounding heart to slow, and eventually coaxing my tears to stop. I find a box of tissues beside Colt’s bed blow my nose, and wipe my eyes dry.
When I’m slightly calmer, I sit down in the center of his bed and scan my surroundings.
The room is larger than I expected, I don’t know why but I was expecting a tiny dorm room with cement walls and a narrow twin bed.
His bed is large and at the far end of the room with his dresser and a small table, both in rich wood. The bed is neatly made in rich navy and crisp white bedding. I bet if my nose wasn’t so stuffy it would smell deliciously like him.
On the other end of the room, closer to the door is a seating area with a small couch and a desk with Colt’s laptop and files. A narrow book shelf leans against one wall with a few books – mostly textbooks stacked messily on the shelves. On the center shelf, at eye-level is a photo in a silver frame. The one personal artifact in his room. I walk closer to inspect it.
The boy – no more than eleven or twelve is clearly Colt. Messy, dark hair, a smile like he knows something the rest of us don’t and he’s tall, nearly as tall as the woman beside him. She must be his mother. She’s striking, and way too young to be gone. I can see where he gets his full, dark eyelashes.