Delta-Victor by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page A

meal, than Deefer could stop barking or the sun could stop shining.”
    “I mean it.” He hardened his voice. “You need to eat to fight this infection.”
    She sighed heavily. “Fine. You win. I’ll eat. But just a little bit. Too much turns my stomach and then I lose the whole meal, which kind of defeats the object of the exercise.”
    ~*~
    Lou sat with her back against the tree.
    Jim stoked the fire.
    The cup of water next to her had been vibrating for the last hour or so, the concentric circles getting bigger and bigger. So much for the tremors having stopped—it seemed they didn’t listen to her either. But then no one else did, so what difference did it make?
    The ground beneath her began to move noticeably. She glanced at the others, but they didn’t comment. She rubbed her leg, then stopped as that just increased the pain level. She glanced up at the volcano, blinked twice, thinking for a moment she saw smoke issuing from the crater. But the next moment it was gone, so maybe she’d imagined it. The steep slopes were silhouetted against the setting sun. It’d make a lovely photo and she reached for the waterproof bag, wincing as it was just out of reach.
    Staci glanced over. “You OK?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine. Could you pass me the camera, please? I want to take some shots of the volcano.”
    Staci reached for the bag and then staggered as the ground moved. “Great, the tremors are back.”
    “They have been for a while,” Lou said. She held her hand out for the camera. “At least the last hour, if not longer. But they’re getting stronger again.”
    Staci’s eyes widened. “Does that mean we’re in trouble?”
    “I hope not.” Lou took several pictures of the volcano. “Like Jim said, we can’t outrun it. Well, I can’t. And I wouldn’t expect you guys to stay here if she does blow her top.”
    Staci gasped.
    Lou took her hand. “We’ll be fine. Now go get your dinner, Jim’s dishing up.”
    “OK.” Staci rose and went over to the others.
    Jim came over with two plates of food. “Grub’s up.”
    Lou inhaled deeply.
    Staci sat on a fallen tree with Ailsa.
    Lou looked down at the plate. “Smells good.” She really didn’t want it, but she’d told Jim she’d eat.
    Jim sat beside her. “Maybe you could help cook one day,” he said.
    “Maybe.” She glanced at him for an instant. Was he sitting here to make sure she ate? She took a small bite, fixing her gaze on the volcano. “If you all want food poisoning.”
    “You ain’t killed anyone with your cooking yet.”
    “There’s a first time for everything. Besides, I’ve never cooked on an open fire.”
    Jim stretched his legs out, tucking into his meal with his usual gusto. “Nor had I. It’s not that hard. Just like using a gas hob, only not so easy to turn it up or down.”
    Lou closed her eyes as the ground moved again. “Tremors are getting worse. I’m no expert. But I’d say they were starting to swarm. And I’m sure I saw steam or smoke at the crater.”
    He paused. “So have I, a couple of times now.”
    “Jim,” she said seriously. “I want you to promise me something.”
    His brow furrowed. “I’m not leaving you here. So don’t even suggest it.”
    “Listen to me. If that thing blows, and I mean really blows, I don’t want you to wait for me. Take Staci and Ailsa and run. We both know I can’t keep up on a good day, and me running anywhere for the rest of my life is out of the question. I won’t have you or them die because of me and my stupid leg.”
    “Lou…” Exasperation tinged his voice and the scowl she loved so much crossed his face.
    But he was Ailsa’s now, whether either of them wanted to admit it or not. Not that he’d ever been hers, other than in her mind.
    “Promise!” she said fiercely.
    “OK, OK, have it your way.” Jim paused for a moment as he ate. “That’s if they want to leave you. And you know full well that they won’t do that. At least, not willingly.”
    “Don’t