Page 17 of Sixty Meters Under

“Sure. Rest while you can. I’ll try to stay awake. Just in case there’s an announcement, or something.”

Ayame smiled, and Ryosuke placed a small kiss on top of her head. He felt a bit sleepy too, but also firm in his decision to stay alert. He couldn’t sleep in such a position anyway.

?

Lennart left Hugo and Nils to welcome the newcomers into the bunker. In the meantime, he turned on the cameras to monitor the situation from his room and began to unpack his belongings.He remembered that he hadn’t checked on his mother in a while, so he took his phone out of his pocket and called her.

“Hey!”This time Anna answered quickly,“Did you arrive?”

“We’re here. I already have bags in my room. You?”

Lennart heard her sigh.“I’m still in the hospital.”

“What? Why? I thought you’d be on the way here.”

“No. Not yet. Not all the volunteers came in, so I had to stay. I’m needed here. I will stay to help as much as I can, then I’ll come.”

Lennart sighed. He didn’t like the sound of that. “Just don’t stay too long. If things get worse, I want you to be here.”

“I know. But the most important thing for me is that you are safe.”

“We want you to be safe too. You deserve it the most. You always care for others before yourself.”

“Well, that’s my job.”

“Okay. I won’t keep you. Stay safe and call me when you leave the hospital.”

“Agreed. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Lennart ended the conversation and looked towards the screens. He saw that the hall was more crowded than it had been a few minutes ago. Hugo and Nils checked thenewcomers one by one. Lennart turned away and continued to unpack. He didn’t want to go up there and risk being recognized.

Chapter 6

Two hours had passed, and Lennart’s anxiety rose. He hadn’t heard from his mother, and he worried that something terrible might have happened. Sometimes under the pressure it was hard for him to control his imagination.

I wouldn’t bear it if I lost her too…Lennart remembered the day he learned his father had died and ran his hands over his face as he tried to regain his composure. He grabbed his phone to call her again but saw a message.

I’m on my way home to get what’s left from the stuff. See you soon.

Lennart sighed in relief, but at the same time he was annoyed that she had to go home as well. He put his phone down, and finished unpacking.

His work room was next to his private room with a connecting door separate from the main corridor. Lennart looked around, his eyes landing on the guitar on the couch. He took it and slumped to the floor while running his fingers over the strings, creating the first notes. He needed to calm his nerves somehow, and the guitar always helped.

He picked the strings playing a song he hadn’t played in many years, and the memories of his younger days resurfaced before his eyes. He remembered his old dream to become a rockstar and form his own band. He was only seventeen when his life turned upside down and his vision of the future changed.

Leaning over the guitar, Lennart closed his eyes and continued playing. His heart clenched at the memories; his father was alive, and his own life was perfect. Then one day it was all ripped away from him, and it felt like a never-ending nightmare.

Lennart tightened his grip when all of a sudden, a doorbell buzzed. He snapped his eyes to the source of the sound. Annoyed, he rose from the floor and went to open the door as the buzzing repeated.

“Hey, man!” His friend smiled and raised his hand to greet him. But as soon as he saw Lennart’s sour face, his smile faded, and he hid his hands in his pockets. “What’s the matter, Lenny?”

“Liam.” Lennart sighed and stepped to the side. “Nothing. You’re lucky I didn’t punch you in the face.”

“Haha! Why? I am interrupting something already?” The young man sauntered into the room and looked around.

“No, it’s nothing like that. I’m just… feeling under the weather.”

“Yeah, I totally get you. Everyone’s like that right now. But it’s only to be expected.”