Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
If circumstances had been any different, if it hadn’t been for his parents pushing him to follow in their footsteps, maybe he would have ran into Taron at some point. Maybe they would have hooked up. Maybe the intensity of the encounter would have made Colin try to turn this whole thing into a date? Maybe Taron would have talked about the gospel of prepping for Yellowstone over lunch. Maybe they would have fucked the second time and arranged for Taron to teach Colin a skill that was really just an excuse to meet up again.
Maybe.
But if the supervolcano did erupt, this bunker would be the perfect ark for survival. It was one thing to live in the woods above, but being buried underground with a single person as the only companion forever? Taron wasn’t annoying or noisy. He knew how to entertain himself, and his quiet demeanor complemented Colin’s chatter.
What would it have been like to live here forever? Just the two of them.
If the tornado had actually been something more deadly, more extreme, what would Colin require to live a fulfilling life down here? Taron did have a point about people being a threat in uncertain times. The bunker, however, was well-hidden, and only a select group of people knew about its existence. In an apocalypse-style situation, Colin would rather stay far away from gun-crazy bible-bashers who decided it was their time to make the rules.
Taron lazily stroked his back, and the tender touch was an invisible chain, much stronger than the threat of the shock collar. Still, Colin felt safe in those arms.
It was cold underground sometimes. Maybe he could take up knitting as a way to pass the time in winter? It would be a useful skill in the future, one of the ways to show Taron that there were many benefits to having a companion.
Colin hadn’t expected that Taron not needing him would be such a blow, but maybe he needed to rethink the size of his ego.
Next to him, Taron’s chest expanded, and he then sneezed.
“Bless you,” Colin said flatly but was surprised when Taron enfolded him in a tight hug that lasted for several seconds.
The embrace was strong enough to make Colin’s ribs ache, but then he let go and kissed Colin’s cheek as if nothing happened.
He was confusing. Like a cat.
Colin smiled and let his head roll over Taron’s shoulder, staring at the flush on Taron’s face. “Wow, there’s more?”
Taron put his arm over Colin’s shoulders and led him along the wall. What else could he have here? A shark tank? Ten freezers?
When Taron opened the door to the next container and turned on the light, words died on Colin’s lips. Walls covered in small shelves would have been baffling if it wasn’t for the handmade cat trees around them, the green carpet floor, cat toys, pillows and tiny beds scattered around the place.
He had no doubt this was Taron’s addition to the compound. His fingers entwined with Taron’s, and he grinned at him. “Really impressive. Do I also get a pet room dedicated to my needs?”
Taron leaned over to whisper instead of signing. “If you stay.”
As if Colin had a choice in the matter.
Colin smiled at him, once again wondering if maybe there was some kind of middle ground. Technically, he could send his parents a letter informing them that he was leaving, or go to a police station to explain he’d been lost in the woods. Or maybe he could go back to his old life and keep in touch with Taron. Have a fresh start. He could alternate between staying at his parents’ and with Taron while going to med school.
“I’ll consider it, depending on your offer.”
Taron pulled away and Colin already missed his hand. < Let’s go and see if the tornado hit us, or if we were lucky and only have to clean up after the storm.>
Colin let Taron lead him, but his brain still lingered on the possibilities this place offered, on the cat room actually getting some use, and on that nice bed they’d slept in last night. Together for the first time.
“Or maybe… not?”
Taron raised his eyebrows and sneezed again as they walked the endless shipping containers that created a maze of rooms and compartments. He was getting ill and shouldn’t be out in the wind and running around to fix things. Colin had already noticed Taron had the tendency to overwork himself. What he needed was bed rest and chicken soup.
“Since we’re already here, maybe we could give this hiding underground thing a trial run? You know, just to see how we would cope.”
Taron cocked his head, but the hook was in.
Colin swallowed, entranced by the hope in Taron’s pale face. “I’m to stay, right? So I need to learn everything there is to know about this place. Just in case.”