Stealing Kat

Knowing Jenny wasn’t returning anytime soon and not knowing when Carol would be made me feel anything but comfortable around Brynn. I kept trying to assure myself that what I had was just a dream, but I couldn’t shake the unease. Brynn left me alone as I showered and tried to lose myself in a book. I kept glancing at my phone, hoping for a message. Nothing. The app said Carol had last been online early that morning. Feeling helpless, I eventually killed the lights and double-checked the phone volume. Tomorrow was Saturday. I decided that if she didn’t return overnight, I’d call the station to verify whether she’d gone to Kodiak. I listened. A faint sliver of light glowed under the door. Brynn was still awake. As much as I wished for sleep, I was too restless—too worried about Carol, and too worried about myself. Eventually, the lights went out. My body tensed even more, imagining Brynn coming into the room. Don’t be silly,I told myself. Women rarely do such things. Still, I mentally scolded myself and tried to relax. When morning came, I awoke relieved not to remember any dreams. See,I told myself. You were just being silly. I sat up and looked at Carol’s side of the bed. Still empty.