As the sun began to creep through the windows he blinked awake. Sitting up on the couch, he took stock of his body. He ached all over but a deep soreness called out to him from beneath his shoulder blades. His head was heavy with the lack of sleep.
As he attempted to shake the cobwebs, he couldn’t help but wonder why they had come for him last night. He thought the last time he’d seen them he’d made it clear he was done with their foolishness; that he wouldn’t participate ever again.
Now he couldn’t remember what they’d asked of him – what he’d done. He was still dressed in the ripped jeans and vest. His hands appeared clean, but that never meant a thing. When they came for him, anything was possible.
A creak of the floorboards on the third floor told him Shannon was awake. There would be no chance of sneaking into bed and saving her worry. He removed his costume and pushed it under the couch. If she came downstairs, she’d question what he wasn’t wearing, but not why he was on the couch – he moved down there on many a sleepless night.
He pulled the blanket over himself and sat with his head in his hands. He wanted to make sure he looked the part if she descended. She deserved so much better than the demons who kept him awake. He trusted her with everything, but he owed her more than these secrets.
He heard the flushing of the toilet and the creaking of floor boards as Shannon made her way back into the bedroom. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
A cold shower. That was what he needed to clear his vision and distance himself from whatever last night had been. He climbed the stairs to the second floor bathroom.
He felt their eyes on him; watching every step he took. He turned the water on and sighed, knew the shower wouldn’t do anything. They were always with him.
