Nox went inside. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted.” He set the bags on the dresser. “And what you don’t want I can eat.”
Luca held up the bucket. “I scored some ice from a very reluctant ice machine.”
“There are some cups and plastic forks in the bag with the clothes.”
“Wow, you thought of everything.” Luca took out the cups and poured them drinks.
Luca peeked in the containers. “What happened to a sandwich?”
“Couldn’t find anywhere that had sandwiches not consisting of three pounds of greasy meat.”
“This isn’t exactly light on grease either.”
Nox lifted a shoulder. “It has vegetables. I figured one out of three was at least something. If you don’t think you can eat it, I can—”
“No, no it’s fine. Besides, I haven’t had Chinese in a really long time.” Luca was about to say never, but he was sure he had at some point and just couldn’t remember.
“Know what you want?”
Chicken, beef, with a collage of vegetables. “It all looks the same.”
Nox shrugged. “It’s Chinese food, it usually does. Mostly you just have to decide if you want mild or melt-off-your-tongue.”
“Mild. I like my tongue where it is.”
Nox picked up a Styrofoam take out tray and handed it over. “That one should be safe.” Luca grabbed a drink and sat cross-legged on the bed. Nox used the end table and sat on the other bed across from him.
Luca managed to put away almost the entire box before his stomach protested. “That was good.” He drained his cup.
Nox started on the third container of food.
“How do you eat like that and not weigh eight-hundred pounds?”
“I have a really high metabolism.”
“There’s high then there’s nitrous oxide.”
Nox shrugged. “Maybe that’s what the NOX tattooed on my wrist means.” He laughed, and so did Luca.
“Hey.” Luca opened one of the cell phone boxes. “I got the computer set up.”
“Do you need Wi-Fi?”
“Nope, that’s what the phones are for. The battery won’t last long on them, but we can plug the charger into the van while we’re on the road.” Luca took out the card and dialed the number on the back.
Nox carried the empty food containers over to the trash.
After punching in a long line of digits, Luca received the activation confirmation. “There. One down one to go.”
Nox stared down at the trash can. Cracks and dents creased the Styrofoam box crushed in one of his hands.
“Nox?” Luca walked over.
Nox tracked something with his eyes Luca couldn’t see.
“Nox?” Luca waved a hand in front of Nox’s face. He brought his head up, but his gaze was distant.
“Phase three.”