The morning was really calm. Eva woke up a minutes before her alarm went off. She was already staring at the ceiling. Her heart was beating in a way. She was feeling scared and really alive at the time.
Kevin was awake beside her. He was sitting up. Watching her. He said "Morning climber" in a voice that was rough from sleep.. He was smiling and he looked tired and warm.
Eva said "Morning guard dog". She stretched. Her back made a sound and she let out a little groan.
Kevin liked being called "guard dog". He thought it was a nickname. Eva told him he had earned it. He had been watching out for her for nine days straight.
Kevin said somebody had to do it. Eva. It did not last long. She was feeling something. Kevin noticed. He had been paying attention to her feelings lately.
He said "Talk to me". Eva said she was fine.. Kevin knew she was not fine. He said "Eva".
She sat up. Pulled her knees to her chest. She said it was not fear that she was feeling. It was like she was standing at the edge of something. If she started climbing she could not stop halfway. She had to keep going. She would not make it back down.
Kevins face got tight when he heard that.. He did not say anything. He just took her hand. He said "You are not going up alone. I will be at the bottom the time".
Eva said she knew that. She said that was the reason she was not more scared. They got up. Got ready. The room was filled with the sounds of them moving
They went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. It was almost empty. Eva ordered coffee and toast.. She could only eat half of the toast.
Kevin said she needed to eat more.. Eva said her stomach was upset. She was feeling sick.
Kevin covered her hand with his. He said "You have done climbs before".
Eva said this one was different. There were cameras from four countries.. Kevin was standing at the bottom.
Kevin asked if that made it harder or easier. Eva thought about it. She said it was harder because she had more to lose.. It was also easier because she knew why she was climbing.
Kevin did not say anything. He just kissed her hand.
They left the hotel. Went to the tower. The streets were crowded. There were a lot of people watching.
Kevin asked Eva if she was ready. She said "Born ready".. Her hand was shaking a little.
Kevin. He covered her hand with his. They walked to the barricades. The tower was really tall.
There was a man in the crowd who did not look like the people. He was not taking pictures. Cheering. He was just watching Eva.
He had been watching her for months. He knew her schedule and the layout of every place she climbed. He had a folder of pictures and notes.
He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to get close to her. He did not know how he was going to do it.. He was going to try.
Eva started climbing. The crowd got quiet. The man did not watch her climb. He watched the ground crew and the trailer where she would change.
He had a plan. He was going to use it today. Eva was. The man was watching. He was waiting for his chance.
Kevin was at the bottom of the tower. He was watching Eva climb. He said "I will be here".
Eva said she knew. She kissed him. Started climbing. The crowd was quiet. They were all watching her.
The man in the crowd was waiting. He was watching the ground crew and the trailer. He was waiting for his chance to get close, to Eva.