Soon, the cell phone on the coffee table buzzed again.
She lifted her eyes to glance at it.
The caller ID was still unknown, but the number was familiar.
Perry Reed.
With her uninjured hand, Flossie Wright reached for the phone and answered.
"Hello."
There was a pause from the other end, then a voice seemingly accompanied by the sound of a television asked, "Where are you?"
"In the city."
"It's about the Forces?"
"Right, out training."
Silence.
After a moment, Perry Reed broke it, "There's been an earthquake in Vernon City."
"Just saw the news."
Flossie answered somewhat ambiguously, her mind seeming elsewhere.
"Your home…"
"Uh, saw it," Flossie cut him off, then added, "It's collapsed."
She said it calmly.
Perry Reed paused, his voice weighing down, "If you want to go back, I can help you."
Flossie chuckled lightly, sounding nonchalant, "No need."
"Erina Taylor!"
Her name was called out, more forcefully.
"I'm here."
