Past Lives: Part Four

Little Dresden, Freedom House

CB opens his eyes to see sunlight streaming in through an old, dirty window. He’s lying on a mattress, wrapped in thick wool blankets. The air is cold against his face.

“Welcome back.”

He’s in a small, bare room, with cracked plaster walls and plywood subflooring. The doorway is an empty door frame with a heavy curtain hung in front of it to give the room a little privacy. Standing in the doorway is Joan, wearing an army jacket, blue jeans, and thick boots.

“Back whe...