Night

Thunder cracked.

It jolted them awake. Alice lurched upright. Her body tensed instantly, eyes wide, disoriented in the dim light.

Betty clung to Zed’s arm. The room flashed white. Lightning.

-The hell was that?

Alice’s voice was rough.

-It's just the storm, Betty whispered. I guess it found us again.

Zed opened his eyes. He looked at the window. The wind rattled the pane. He remembered the strangers. The rain. It wasn't a dream. It was evening now.

-It's kind of nice that we didn't know this would happen, he suggested.

Alice let out a shaky breath. She relaxed back against him. A faint, rueful smirk.

-Yeah. Suppose it’s better this way. Not knowing.

Betty nestled closer.

-It feels fateful. Like we were meant to be right here.

-It's getting late.

Zed sat up. Re-orienting himself.

Betty protested softly. She grabbed his arm.

-Already?

Alice sat up straighter. Tense again. Alert. She ran a hand through her hair.

-I don't want to send you out in that, he said, nodding to the window. You two could share my bed. I can sleep on the couch, he sadded. I do it a lot anyway.

Betty’s eyes widened.

-Oh, we couldn’t ask you to do that.

Alice laughed.

-Your bed? What’s the catch, Zed?

Zed looked at her. He held her face gently.

-No catch.

Alice’s eyes widened. She rose slowly.

-Bullshit, she muttered. There’s always a catch.

-The sheets upstairs are clean but I can get you fresh ones. Go take a look for yourself.

-Fine, Alice said as she headed to the stairs. Don’t try anything funny.

She disappeared up the stairs. A moment later, her voice drifted down. Quiet.

-They’re fine. Smell like you.

Zed stood up. He went to the linen closet.

Betty flushed. She twisted the hem of her shirt.

-She doesn’t mean it... not like it sounds.

-I meant exactly how it sounds, Alice yelled back down. Your sheets smell like cheap detergent and you! It's not... terrible.

Betty laughed.

-See? That's her way of saying she likes it.

-I get it.

Zed grabbed a blanket for the couch.

A pillow flew down the stairs. Thudded at his feet. Then another hit him in the back.

-These for me?

-Yeah, she yelled down. Don’t get used to it.

Alice leaned over the railing. Smirking.

-Don’t get too comfortable down there.

Betty smiled softly.

-It’s sweet of you to let us have the bed, Zed. Maybe we could all just share?

Alice went still at the top of the stairs, gripping the bannister now.

-The couch was big enough, Zed whispered to Betty. Anywhere can be. But you need space, too.

Betty slumped.

-You’re right.

Alice released a breath. Her voice was low.

Zed kissed Betty goodnight. She melted into it.

-Goodnight, Zed.

She went upstairs. The bedroom door clicked shut.

Zed lay down. He pulled the blanket up. The couch sighed under his weight. The rain kept pattering.

A floorboard. Then the soft click of a door.

Zed opened his eyes halfway.

Two figures descended. Silent.

Alice was first. Clutching a pillow like a shield. Betty followed.

They stopped beside the couch.

Alice dropped her pillow. She settled stiffly onto the cushions. Her back to him.

Betty sighed. Approving. She lowered herself onto the other side. Curled against him.

-The bed was too big.

It was barely a whisper.

Zed turned. He lifted one leg over Betty's hips. Pulling her close. A tangle of limbs.

Alice stiffened. Then relaxed. Her back pressed firmly against his side.

The three of them drifted off again. A knot in the dark.