SSSD - Don't share suspicions

Ro keeps quiet. She’s not in charge of this situation, and she doesn’t want to screw things up. Besides, making an enemy of the woman in charge isn’t usually a good idea.

Someone sniffles; it’s the smell of smoke. Everyone’s done a little coughing. The small fan in the corner whirs while the lights click gently overhead. The refrigerator stops humming, deepening the quiet in the room while the storm rages outside.

Linda’s looking at Niv. Niv notices.

<What?>

Niv has her holster and everything situated at her hip there; she doesn’t wear the pistol very comfortably. Linda lifts her gaze from the gun to Niv’s face.

<It doesn’t bother you?> Linda asks.

<What?>

<That I didn’t tell you about Iskald.>

Niv hesitates. <It does, but don’t we have bigger problems?>

<We’re safe now, right?> Marit asks.

A moment passes and Linda slowly shakes her head, still staring at Niv.

<No,> she replies. <I don’t think we are.>

<Linda, stop this,> Golda pipes up.

<Be quiet,> Julie tells her sharply. Golda falls silent.

<Where is your (unintelligible)?> Linda asks Niv. <You always wear it. Where is it?> She presses, tapping her chest.

Ro thinks she understands; Niv is usually wearing a necklace of some kind. Ro only noticed it… in the shower when Niv was naked. Sure enough, there’s no sign of it now.

<I was sleeping,> Niv replies.

“Move away from her,” Linda says to Ro.

Mouth dry, Ro goes over to Marit, joining the others in staring at Niv.

Niv doesn’t look happy.

<What is this?> Niv looks to Golda.

<Don’t look at her,> Julie says.

<You think I’m like Birgitte?>

Linda sort of squints at her. <I’m starting to.>

<You are acting strangely,> Julie notes.

Marit lets out a bark of laughter, almost doing a spit take. She coughs as she pours herself more vodka.

<Acting strangely? After what just happened? Who the hell wouldn’t be acting strangely you stupid cunt?> Marit snarls.

Linda is unmoved.

<This is not the time for us to attack each other,> Niv says evenly.

<Put the gun down,> Julie says. <Who are you going to shoot?>

Niv looks down at her hip, then at each of them. She places her hand on the pistol and unsnaps the holster. Slowly, she pulls the pistol free and lays it on the pool table.

<Do you trust me now?> she asks.

It doesn’t look to Ro as though Linda does. Indeed, Linda seems even more troubled. These Norwegians know each other well, although Marit’s got a point: no one is acting like themselves at the moment. Everyone’s traumatized and in shock. They’re all tired and confused.

The quiet is painful.

<If there is something here that does not belong, perhaps we should talk to it,> Julie suggests.

<Perhaps.> Linda doesn’t sound interested in that option. <Niv, I want you to spend the night in Golda’s office.>

Niv’s expression becomes one of annoyance. Her nostrils flare and she looks around the room again. <Is that what I have to do?>

“It can’t hurt,” Ro says before she can think better of it. “I mean… it’s OK to be careful, right?”

Niv takes a deep breath.

“OK,” she says. They all watch as she steps into the corridor. Golda follows her. Linda throws some kind of signal to Julie, and then hurries after her as well. Marit just stands there, staring vacantly. Ro follows the group. Niv makes her way down to Golda’s office, pausing with her hand on the knob. She opens the door and steps inside, turning to face them.

Linda closes the door in her face as Julie emerges from the rec room, carrying a chair. Golda watches as the two of them jam it under the knob to block the door.

“How long are we locking her up?” Ro frets.

“One thing at a time,” Julie replies distractedly, moving to confer with Linda.

Ro heads back to find Marit, who is sitting again. As soon as Ro joins her, Marit hugs her and breaks down. Panic? Grief? Generally being overwhelmed? Ro doesn’t know. She holds Marit and lets her cry, grateful for the sense of shock that’s keeping her from melting down the same way. She hopes that it’ll last.

But Marit has pounded probably half a bottle of vodka, and it doesn’t take her long to pass out. Ro positions her safely, covers her with a throw, and heads to the bathroom. She feels gross in every possible way, but she doesn’t want the vulnerability of being naked. It’s not that she expects anyone to attack her in the shower, it’s just… she just couldn’t take her clothes off even if she wanted to. She cleans up as best she can with a washcloth and brushes her teeth, but she still tastes smoke and fumes from what happened down below. She’s going to help herself to Marit’s stash; an edible or two might make it possible to sleep and reduce the nightmares that seem inevitable. Maybe she should be helping Julie and Linda or something, but… she feels even more like unwanted dead weight now than she did before all this.

She spits out her mouthwash and wipes her mouth, turning around to come face to face with Linda.

Linda’s holding Ro’s coat.

“I need you to come with me,” Linda says.

“Huh? Where? Outside?”

Linda nods.

Should Ro go with her?

Or refuse?