Tess waited for several minutes. Finally, Dr. Armitage emerged from the vault by himself. He closed the gate and turned around.

“She says she's going to be a while, another forty-five minutes at least, and you should just head home without her. Sorry, Miss Roe.” The old man's face was crestfallen.

“It's okay,” she promised him, “Guess I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Alright, Miss Roe. You take care ‘til I see you again,” he said with a nod.

Tess smiled at the old man one last time and made her way toward the exit.

Please subscribe to keep reading.