For a single, staggering second, the words didn't make sense. Then, its meaning finally hit Reidar. The crushing weight on his chest vanished, to the point that it left him lightheaded.
His lungs expanded, pulling in a breath that felt sharp and real for the first time in seven days. The dread that had kept him paralyzed in his room was replaced by a jolt of adrenaline that made his hands shake.
His hand was sweating as he reached out and took the device from Xy'tharr's chitinous grip.
The device nearly slipped through his fingers. He wiped his hand on his trousers, gripped the comms unit tight, and brought it to his ear.
"Martha? Is that really you?"
"Reidar?" "Reidar?" The voice was tinny, distorted by distance and interference, but it was hers. It was undeniably hers. A sob caught in his throat.
"Oh God, Reidar."
They spoke over each other for a second, a jumbled mess of "Are you okay?" and "Are you safe?"
