#Chapter 247: Protecting the Perimeter

I sit holding Mia for a time, as the brothers continue to check on things from the safety of the panic room. Steven continues to type away at his computer. Neil is on the phone. He called the electric company first, and now he’s speaking with someone at city hall. Archer and Beau are arguing about who should secure the perimeter. Neil pulls the phone away from his mouth to tell them, “Why don’t you both just go?” That resolves the argument. They unlock the panic room long enough for them to slip outside. Neil makes certain that the door is closed again behind them. I play with Mia for a while. Her giggling takes away some of the tension in the room, for which I am exceedingly grateful. I still feel like I’m wound up too tightly though. The slightest surprise might make me jump out of my skin. Even Neil and Steven seem to relax somewhat from the sound, their shoulders loosening slightly, though they continue to work diligently. When Neil finishes his phone call, having voic