Chapter 2 A Taste Of Before

Charlie’s phone buzzed against the kitchen counter before she’d even made it back to her list. A text from Atlas.

Flights booked. We’ll be landing in Kingsport in a few days. Would’ve been sooner if the base wasn’t run by paperwork-loving lunatics. The Commander has also approved leave for the team, so just rest up and don’t do anything stupid before we get there.

She huffed a laugh, thumb hovering over the screen.

No promises, she typed, then deleted it. She settled for something safer. Love you. See you soon.

She glanced at the empty noodle cup on the counter, a pathetic substitute for a meal. No more.

She was going to eat real, hot food, and she was going to eat as much as she could before it was all gone.