No Shelter Left novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: 412

Aisling stepped out onto the landing and pulled the door shut behind her.

The night air was cold, and it smelled of wet pavement and dryer lint.

Kaitlyn stood under the single bulb, with the hood of her coat pulled low and her hands shoved in the pockets.

"I'm sorry it's so late," she said. "I didn't know where else to go."

"How did you get here?"

"I took a cab. Mom thinks I'm asleep."

She did look terrible. Her eyes were swollen, and her breath came in small hitches.

Aisling waited.

"I watched your video," Kaitlyn said. "The one from the bar. Nine hundred thousand people."

"It's more now."

"It's wonderful. It really is." A tear slid down her cheek. "You're so good, Aisling. You've always been so good."

"What do you want, Kaitlyn?"

"I want to fix this."

She pulled a hand out of her pocket and wiped her face with the back of it. The sleeve stayed tight over her wrist.

"Colby is out of control. He's been on the phone with lawyers all night. Mom hasn't eaten since the livestream. Brodie won't speak to anyone."

"That isn't my doing."

"I know." Kaitlyn's voice cracked. "I know it isn't. That's why I came."

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