Steamy Storms

Chapter 6 (Finn)

"Got it. Glad for you."

"No word." His finger does the warning when he stands up. "I better get my phone. Sure it's Liz inviting me back in her domain."

"Right. You succeed to let me feel more single than I am."

Ten minutes later, Finn looks up when Kristof enters their room, his fingers combs the lost hair to the back. "It was Ruth, Kris."

"You're packing. What's up?"

Finn fells seated on his bed, his head bowed in his palms. "Gabby is in hospital, in theatre. Run over by a car." The fear strangles his voice. "I'm scared, bro. Not again."

"Shit. Hurt a lot?"

Finn lifts his shoulders, unable to speak. Fresh in his mind lies the heart brokenness and desperation when he and his two sisters lost their parents, ran over by a drunken driver in a big truck. Very excited, they departed on a road trip and while changing a flat tire, the maniac took their lifes. Since then, Finn became the big brother.

"What did Ruth say?"

Finn snores. "Calm down, cowboy, your sister lives." He imitates his older sister. "You know Ruth. She can simplify horrible to adorable.

"Did you talk to Brent?"

"Yes. Must be back tomorrow night. Can't get hold of Liz. Will try on my way to airport."

"I will drop in at the Pharmacy and make sure she is updated. Can ask her to keep me busy tonight."

Finn snores. "As if she will wants you."

The next day after 16:00, Finn enters the guesthouse. "Hey," he greets the group watching a soccer game on the big screen.

Graham decreases the volume. "How's your sister."

Finn is not in a mood to chat. "She's okay. The broken ankle got attention and the bruises will heal." He winks Kristof out of the room.

"You're upset. Does it look bad?"

"It's not Gabby. Ruth will look after her. It's Liz. Since you were there, she didn't answer my calls or texts. Was she okay when you were there?"

"Yes, super cool, except that she was worried about you."

"I need to shower and will pick her up after work." Finn looks up when Brent knocks on the open door.

"Welcome back. Early morning meeting at seven tomorrow, to discuss the day's program."

"Sure. Excuse me." He closes the door of their en suite bathroom, not in a mood to make talks. Elizabeth is the one he wants to talk to. He was drained by conflict to be with his younger sister and to leave earlier to get to Elizabeth. What is wrong with her? If something was wrong with her phone, there is other ways to contact him.

Finn waits in the street in front of the pharmacy, but Elizabeth doesn't come out with the other personnel. With a frown he enquires inside, to hear she called in sick. That kind-off explains it, which means she is really sick not to attend to her phone. The uncertainty reflected by his frown. He drives to her flat.

"Liz, it's me. Can you open up?" After a third knock, her neighbor next door opens. "Did you see Elizabeth today?"

"Not really, but I heard her talking and crying a few times. The walls are not that thick, you know."

O crap. Then she was probably deaf after his and Liz's orgasm cries. There is something wrong. Her dad perhaps? But why cut him out then? Soft knocks are not applicable anymore. "Elizabeth, please open the door. I know you are there." After several more attempts, more neighbors come out of their flats. "Liz, the whole floor is out by now. Open the door, please." The door flings open so sudden, that Finn is dumfounded.