Nature

Dawn hadn't yet broken when Carmen
pulled up outside Falk's flat. He was
already waiting on the pavement,
his
backpack on the ground. His hiking boots
felt stiff from lack of use.
"Let's hear the message,
she said as he
climbed in. She had the driver's seat
pushed back. Carmen was one of the few
women Falk had met who was tall enough
to look him in the eye when they stood
face to face.
Falk put his phone on loudspeaker and
pressed a button. Static filled the car.
Five, ten seconds of nothing, then the two
words emerged, tinny and thin. A few
more mufled seconds, and the call cut
out.