The Third Moment

Screams. Blood. Death. Evinna threw her body up, wide awake. Early. Should she get up? Her hands shook. Her ears still heard the screams from the nightmare. No noise came from the other bunks. Well, nothing except gentle snores, growls, soft farts. Sleep sounds. Wintery light filtered a green hue through the dirty glass window, highlighted the feet that hung off the end of the bunks. Hands dangled to the floor from under the doonas. Five other bunks had doonas and lumps. All here for this Eartch course. She wished, once again, that the accommodation was decent, rather than an old scout hall. One of those lumps was Billy. She'd like to share a room with just him. Her breath deepened as her mind drifted to last night. His hands, his lips, his eyes. Soft brown skin that sent her senses flying in all directions. A slight touch here, there, a whisper as skin slid on skin. The magic of their evening drifted over her like an aura. It enfolded the air, warmed her, brought a flush to her cheeks. Pushed the nightmare into insignificance. Her tongue licked her lips, rubbed at her teeth. First, coffee. A piercing squeal as she opened the dormitory door. Crap. The floorboards squeaked when she stepped into the middle of the hall. She'd forgotten they squeaked. Had anyone heard?No movement from the bunks. Evinna tip-toed close to the far wall to avoid any more noises, made her way to the common area. The long table was clean, the plates and cups set for six. The urn was quiet. She tapped the side. Full. Flicked on the switch, waited until she heard the crackle and hum of start-up. She dragged the cupboard doors open, another tooth-bending squeak - must have been a long time since this place had been used -found the coffee, tea bags, chocolate. She would have coffee mocha. The best drink for. she swung her body in a circle, arms flying, body singing. Her eyes caught on the large wall behind the table.A tanned skin hung there. Had it been there last night. Maybe, maybe not. The onl