Watching the End of the World – the hostage
Caleb walked into the common room. Santiago was sitting at the table with Jordynn and Tamara. The women flanked him, both sitting quite close to him. Santiago was drinking a glass of Scotch and cursing under his breath. He looked up as Caleb entered.
���What about you?��� he demanded. ���Are you going to cry and moan for his life too?���
Caleb took a seat and reached for the bottle of tequila that was sitting on the table. ���Don���t talk to me like that,��� he growled.
���So you think we should let him go?���
Caleb threw back a shot. ���I didn���t say that.���
���What side are you on then?���
Caleb snorted. ���Is that what this is for you? Sides?���
���Are you stupid? It���s about living or dying.���
Caleb gave him a level stare. ���That���s why people don���t like you, Santiago. You say shit like that.���
���You mean I speak the truth.���
���Maybe. You could be less of a dick about it.���
���We let him go and it could be you he kills. Maybe Tamara. Have you thought about that?���
Caleb looked at Tamara, noting how close she was sitting to Santiago. ���I���m not letting him go so he can shoot me.��� Tamara frowned.
���You���ll back me tomorrow then.���
Caleb picked up the bottle, started to pour, then changed his mind and put it back down. ���Leave off, Santiago. I���m tired and I���m going to bed. We���ll deal with this in the morning.��� He stood up and looked at Tamara. ���You coming?���
Tamara gave him a pouty look. ���I���m not tired. I���m going to stay up with Santiago for a while.���
Caleb shrugged. ���Makes no difference to me.��� He left the room without looking back.
���Santiago, honey,��� Jordynn said. ���Maybe we should go to bed soon. You have watch in a few hours.���
���Thanks for the reminder, Mom.��� Santiago poured some more Scotch. Tamara held out her glass and he gave her some.
���Don���t let us stop you,��� Tamara said. ���You should get your beauty rest.��� Jordynn gave her a dark look. When Santiago didn���t look up Jordynn stood and hurried from the room.
Tamara took a drink of her Scotch, grimaced, then smoothed the grimace away when Santiago looked at her. ���Finally. I thought they���d never leave.��� She put her hand on Santiago���s chest. ���I���ve been thinking about you all day.���
He pushed her hand away. ���Not right now, Tamara. I���ve got a lot on my mind.���
A brief darkness passed over her face. ���Don���t be that way, baby. There���s nothing you can do about it tonight.���
He drained his glass and stood up. ���The hell I can���t.��� He picked up his rifle.
