Charity crushed the plate before she even realized her hand had tightened.
Porcelain cracked like a gunshot.
Lanre paused halfway through tying his boot.
The kitchen smelled of soap and stew. Evening light filtered through the window and turned the shards glittering in Charity's palm.
Lanre chuckled nervously.
"Charity… relax."
She stood with her back to him, shoulders still, breathing slow. A jagged piece of the plate remained in her hand.
"You said her name wrong."
Lanre swallowed.
"Tell the girl I'll be back—"
"Her name," Charity said quietly, "is Darasim."
Silence settled between them like dust.
Lanre grabbed his helmet and pushed the door open.
"Tell Dara I'll be back."
The door slammed.
Charity exhaled slowly and stared at the broken porcelain in her hand.
Lanre stepped into the hallway and slipped his phone from his pocket.
The call came almost immediately.
He answered.
"Hello?"
A man's voice spoke through the speaker, bored and impatient.
"I hear you've found something."
Lanre nudged a vase beside the door as he leaned against the wall. It tipped over and shattered.
"Yes," he said, excitement creeping into his voice. "The locals believe it's the resting place of a deity. We may finally prove some of the divines existed and that sacrifices were made in exchange for—"
"Lanre."
The interruption was sharp.
"Details bore me. Get to the site and show results. You're the only one excited about the dolls idiots pray to."
The call ended.
Click.
Lanre stared at the dead phone.
"…Yes, sir."
Behind him, something moved.
He looked down.
The broken vase lay in pieces across the floor.
Then he looked up.
Charity stood there.
Her hair fell across her face.
"You're getting a new one," she said calmly.
Lanre forced a smile.
"Of course."
"With flowers."
"Of course."
She stepped closer and raised the shard of the broken plate.
The edge rested gently against his throat.
Lanre didn't move.
"Pick your calls," she said quietly. "It's reassuring."
"I will."
His smile trembled slightly.
I love her, he thought.
Charity lowered the shard slowly.
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
"Come back early," she whispered.
I love this idiot, she thought.