James
“There!” Michael points, the beam of his torch flashing over something lying on the ground.
Charlotte tries to push ahead, but I slam my palm onto her chest. “We go together. And Michael stays in the lead.”
Closer to, we can see: the something resolves into detail. It lies, prone… unmoving.
“Christ, it’s a body. James…” Michael dashes ahead, and over the flickering black-and-bright concrete.
He doesn’t need to warn me. Charlotte skids to a halt as I grab her arm. “No! Wait until Michael’s checked it out.”
She slashes me a look, then subsides as I raise a finger. “We brought you along on the condition you behaved.” Her shoulders sag, but she nods.
Michael calls back. “It’s him… I… I think he’s dead. Charlotte… I’m sorry… I’m so…” He turns, hands outheld…
The something moves… S
