Shh, part 11

“Come on, man. Just move. I'm not leaving the cat out here in the storm.” Lenn said. “There's no food, it's wet, and it has nowhere else to go.”

Ruger hunched down. “I told you, I'm not letting you bring your damned cat inside.”

Lenn didn't move any closer. The big man still held a cleaver at his side but Lenn didn't think that Ruger would hit him with it in cold blood.

Another round of coughing erupted from the apartment. Lenn resisted the urge to run in. He was sure that was Liv but trying to push past someone holding a weapon could end in an accident.

“Ruger? Who's out there?” Lenn recognized the light lilting voice as belonging to Anneke.

“It's me." Lenn said.

“Oh! Come inside and close the door.”

“He brought a cat.” Ruger called.

Anneke sounded exasperated. “So what. If I don't pet it, I should be fine.” She showed up in the doorway, gently guided a glaring Ruger out of the way and led Lenn in. As they walked by Ruger, she shook her head. “I love you but you are giant pain in the ass sometimes.”