[This post is from Bryant Tapping’s point of view.]
“Open the door,” David murmured. “They’re almost here.”
The sound of his friend’s voice startled Bryant—he’d been half certain David had fallen asleep again, sitting there with Isabelle. She had her arms around him, holding him protectively, cradling him against her chest since he’d refused to lie back down all the way—though he hadn’t told any of them why. Bryant had chalked it up to his friend’s normal stubbornness and tried to get on with preparing for what he was certain was going to be a day filled with more questions from the village’s leadership.
Regardless of what the healer who’d come had said, he expected that there were still going to be a lot more questions asked of him and his friends. He couldn’t blame them—he’d have questions, too, if their positions had been reversed.
“Who’s almost here?” Bryant asked, his brow furrowing. “What are you talking about?”
“Just—open the door,” David said again, pushing himself up just a little bit straighter in the bed. “They have as many questions as we have for them.”
“More questions,” Isabelle said, shaking her head. “You’re not up for that.”
“I am up for it,” David said firmly. “And if you’re not going to open the door, I’ll do it myself.”
Bryant cursed under his breath as David started to shift toward the edge of the bed. Isabelle tried to keep him still, but even the slightest glance told Bryant that she wasn’t going to be able to stop him—not only was her angle bad, David was just too determined.
“All right, all right,” Bryant said, crossing toward the door. “You win, fine. I’m opening the door.”
“They’re part of why we’re here, Bryant,” David said quietly, going still as he watched. “It’s important.”
“I believe you,” Bryant said.
He opened the door.
