Page 67 of Wild Oblivion

I moved to the window frame, crunching over broken glass. I shouted down to the first responders below and waved my arms. "Need some help up here!"

One of the deputies saw me. It wouldn't be long now.

We were too high for ladders. They’d have to do a helicopter extraction.

I took a seat behind the desk.

Emily coughed, the air still thick with dust and debris.

There were all kinds of toxic materials floating around. These were newer buildings, so I didn't think they were loaded with asbestos, but who knows what else was in there.

"This bomb is bigger than the last one," Emily said.

"That's the only thing the bomber was honest about.”

"Still, this is nothing compared to what's possible with true Oblivium.”

"Well, we better hope he never gets hold of that stuff."

"I feel responsible."

"Did you build the device? Did you plant it in the building? Did you set it to go off?”

She shook her head.

"Everybody's responsible for their own actions. You created the technology. How other people use it is on them.”

She nodded. "I guess. But I still can’t help but feel like it shouldn’t have been created.”

“We talked about that, remember?”

“I know,” she said with a grim frown.

Emergency lights flashed and flickered below. More emergency responders arrived on the scene.

The building rumbled, and something shifted. The office shook, and we shared concerned glances.

This building could topple at any moment.

35

“Okay, I’m beginning to think this was a really bad idea,” Emily said.

“Don’t worry,” I assured. “We’ll get out of here.”

She nodded, trying to convince herself of that.

“I guess congratulations are in order,” I said.

She gave me a blank look, then realized. Emily splayed her fingers and admired the sparkly gem. Uncertainty crept into her gaze. “Yes. I’m a lucky woman,” she said, trying to convince herself again.

I bit my tongue. “When’s the big day?”

“I don’t know. This all happened so fast, my head is still spinning.”

"You seem uncertain."

Her brow knitted. "No. I'm not uncertain at all. In fact, I've never been more certain about anything in my entire life."