He'd found somewhere on the corner of the street to hunker down, peering out into the river. Deep breaths, a half a pack of cigarettes, and he was more or less fine. Still shaken, feeling exhausted, but not as bad as he had been. Still, Alice's panic had egged his on. He felt like the only time he could breathe fully was when he spotted her car coming down the street, felt her nearing.
When she stepped out, he was already moving toward her, shoulders rounded and hands in his pockets until he reached her. There, he wrapped her into a heavy hug, exhaling over her shoulder. His heart was still hammering.
Just. For a second, he didn't say anything. Just let the raccoon chatter fondly, and move to wrap its arms around her narrower shoulders, pulling her in tightly.