“Sorry,” said Vern, and hurried past her inside.
A gray-haired lady with a black shirt sat behind the desk and answered the phone. “Vital Springs Inn, this is Linda, how can I help you?” she asked, then shortly later, “No, we can’t do reservations without credit cards.” She hung up.
The woman sighed as she took in Vern’s appearance. “I don’t see a purse, and those leggings don’t have pockets—so no wallet. This isn’t a charity,” she said.
“It’s an emergency,” said Vern.
“Then take your ass to the sheriff.”
Vern tensed, flexing her muscles. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
The woman’s face broke into a startled smile and she laughed, but her amusement faltered when Vern stepped closer and unsheathed the outer flanks of her carapace.
Vern wasn’t unused to being stared at. That came with being Black and albino. But the way this woman’s mouth hung open slack was something different.
Vern grabbed the telephone.
“You got to dial nine before the number,” said Linda, shaking.
“Go outside and break that woman’s ten,” Vern commanded.
Linda nodded and rushed outside, leaving her purse behind on the floor by her chair. Vern snagged the wallet from inside, then pressed nine and Gogo’s cell. Gogo answered before the first ring finished sounding.
“Vern?” she whispered.
“Yeah. It’s me,” she said. “Howling? Feral?”
“They’re safe. We’re all safe,” Gogo assured. Vern closed her eyes and let the relief wash over her as Gogo filled her in further. “When Bridget and I got home, we saw the living room all torn up, and thought … we thought the worst. Then we heard Feral and Howling hiding in the kitchen cabinets. And you? You’re okay? It’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve been praying nonstop.”
Vern gripped the plastic of the telephone receiver hard, glossing it up with her sweat. “I’m okay. For now.”
“Fuck, don’t say shit like that,” Gogo said.
“It’s the truth, much as I wish it wasn’t.” Vern didn’t know how hot Ollie was on her tail; and though Queen had helped Vern with the hunters, when it was a direct choice between Ollie and Vern, Vern wasn’t sure who Queen would choose. Tortured into complying, she was what Vern would be if Ollie and the feds ever found her.
“I wish I was with you. Then I’d know how to act. I could actually do something instead of sitting here worrying uselessly. Fuck,” said Gogo.
“I’m all right, promise—better for hearing your voice,” said Vern, and even though it was the truth, her nerves buzzed like she’d just told a lie. It still hurt to reveal her softness. “Where are you now, anyway?” asked Vern. “You can’t stay at the cabin.”
“Way ahead of you. We didn’t even pack, just split. We had go bags in the pickup, anyway. What about you? Where are you calling from?”
“Hell if I know. Some motel. I’m using their phone.” Vern looked around to get her bearings, but the place was indistinct.
“You got to pick up a couple burners,” said Gogo, sounding more like herself. Now that she knew Vern was safe, she was letting the crisis invigorate her. She was like Vern in that way, more at home in conflict than in peace. Tragedy sharpened you. It was the quickest way to turn yourself into an edge.
“I’ll try to find a store and pick some up,” said Vern.
The motel manager Linda returned. The woman with the waist-length hair and the toddler followed behind her.
“Can you ask someone at the motel what city you’re in?” Gogo asked Vern.
“It doesn’t matter where I am. It’s not like we can meet up. It’s not safe. I gotta put distance between me and the children. Between me and you. Or you’ll die. I can’t have y’all caught up in this.”
“Sorry, but that ship has sailed. We’re way beyond caught up already, and I’m not going to leave you stranded alone,” said Gogo. “Fuck that. You know, that’s your problem. You still think you’re the only girl who can solve the world. That’s not how it works. Don’t shut me out.” After a pause, she added more gently, “I need to be with you.”
Vern gripped the receiver tightly. “It’s just for now. Until this is over.”
“It’s never going to be over,” Gogo snapped, her usual calm gone.
“It will be if I end it,” said Vern.