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He checks the cupboards

for spices. Slams the doors shut.

“This is the whitest kitchen I’ve ever been in,” he says. “I was going to make some food at the bar, but I can’t work with this Brady Bunch shit.”

“If I live, I’ll pass that on to Abbot. In the meantime, have some bologna and mayonnaise.”

He does an exaggerated shudder.

“You’re going to turn me into a vegetarian.”

Everybody eats and tries not to listen to the argument in the living room.

Soon, Allegra comes in and stands next to me.

She says, “Candy doesn’t have a concussion.”

“That’s great news.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Of course not,” says Brigitte.

She passes me a plate and I hand it to Allegra.

While she piles on food, I try to eat another piece of sliced turkey. It gets halfway to my mouth before I drop it. My stomach cramps. I run into the bathroom and vomit. All I can hope is that what came up is just food and no important organs.

Allegra comes in as I’m rinsing out my mouth.

“What happened?” she says.

“I don’t think my body likes food anymore.”

“That might be why the pills didn’t work. Your digestive system has shut down.”

“Meaning the drugs aren’t going to work on me anymore?”

“It’s doubtful,” she says.

“That’s good to know.”

I go to Kasabian.

“Do you have any cigarettes?”

He pulls a pack from his pocket and slaps them into my hand.

“Thanks,” I say as he walks away.

I open one of the egg-shaped windows and light up.

Candy and Alessa continue their tense conversation. Everybody else retreats to the kitchen.

About halfway through my first cigarette, I notice movement on the hillside. I keep smoking but watch the rocks and scrub below. Something metallic flashes for an instant and is gone. A gun? Another piece of equipment? Someone is definitely coming up the hill.

I crush the cigarette and toss it out the window.

“Everybody listen up,” I yell. “I think there’s somebody outside, which means we can’t stay. Grab whatever shit you need and get ready to move.”