He nodded once, and we proceeded. When we reached the blast door, we noticed the security team was slow on the draw. Soon, it became evident they weren’t there at all. Trex pounded on the door with the side of his fist while I leaned forward, looking through the thick glass at the empty commons area.

“What the hell?” Trex said, looking up. “Gibbs?” he called.

My heart began to thump so hard that I was sure Trex could hear it. What if there had been a fire? What if there had been a gas leak? What if one of their experiments had gone horribly wrong? What if they were all dead—including Zeke?

“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” I said.

He shook his head, still looking up, adjusting the toothpick in his mouth. “Something’s up. Maybe they’re training?”

Zeke walked across the hall wearing his navy blue fire uniform. He passed the tables and chairs in the commons with something thick and oblong in his hand covered in foil.

I began pounding on the glass. “Zeke!”

Zeke didn’t appear to hear me, instead unwrapping the burrito and placing it inside the microwave. He pressed a few buttons while I continued to bang and scream.

Trex used the butt of his rifle, but Zeke didn’t seem to be able to hear us.

“Zeke!” I yelled again. “Why can’t he hear us?”

“Blast doors and glass are too thick. We’ve always used the security’s speaker system before.” Trex look around then reached out to press a button.

Zeke turned to look, his eyes wide. He left the burrito unattended, running to the glass, placing his hands against it. He mouthed my name, but I couldn’t hear his voice.

I shook my head, trying not to cry. “Where is everyone?”

Emergency training, he mouthed. They’ll be back any minute. He held up three fingers. Three years.

“I know,” I said.

He outlined my face. I’m sorry. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the glass. When he finally looked at me again, I spoke.

“I’ll see you soon.”

He shook his head, and I nodded mine. He seemed confused.

I offered a reassuring smile then winked.

Zeke glanced around then looked at me, his eyebrows shooting up halfway to his hairline. He pointed at me then the ground.

I nodded.

When? he mouthed.

I held my finger to my lips.

Don’t come here, he said.

I pointed at him, then me, then jerked my head to the side, gesturing that we were getting out of there together.

How?

I winked at him again. “Are you okay to hide for a few hours? Small space?”

His brows pulled together, but he nodded.

“See you in a few days,” I said.