At eight o’clock I walked through the door of my apartment. I was rather surprised not to find Elgin on my doorstep. Surprised and reassured.
I had thought about it the entire trip and obviously, I still hadn’t called him or even turned my phone back on. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t know what I was going to say to him. Yet I was aware that sooner or later—and sooner rather than later—it was going to happen right here.
Anguished and tired, I walked into the bathroom to freshen up before reaching my bed. Tarja must have already gone to college, but I was determined to sleep before lightning fell on my head.
In the bathroom, I emptied my pockets and put the amulet case on the shelf below the mirror. I brushed my teeth carelessly, slipped quickly into the shower and that was it. Ten minutes l
