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The door opens and Melissa breezes back in She hands ets here with it”

“She texted she could probably be here tonight,” Patrick says, reading from his phone

“Perfect,” she’s focused, all business “Marcus needs everything we have on Derek—medals, service awards”

“I can personally vouch for his conduct in the line of duty,” I say

Melissa’s brow relaxes, and her eyes glisten with tears “Bring him home, Stuart”

I touch the salty drop off her cheek “I’ll do everything in my power”

Chapter 13: Inside

Derek

My lunch tray has just touched the long cafeteria-style table when I feel hi over me So far it’s been pretty quiet, but I kneas a matter of time before the population would start to feel e form takes a seat across from me

The food is shit A flat sandwich, bologna on stale white bread, sits in front of me A banana and a plastic cup of juice complete the meal

“We’ve had t guys since you got here” My lunch guest pauses, but I don’t look up “You still have your own cell”

Silence

I pick up one half of my sandwich and inspect it Mayonnaise and what I can only assume is fake cheese join the flat processed meat My stomach turns and I put it back down

“You a uy isn’t deterred

“No,” I say, acknowledging him