That he picked out a bag for, and neatly folded, and remembered to bring with him.
Nothing more.
It means nothing.
I repeat that mantra as I stare at my silent phone, waiting for something.
Worry gnaws my gut as time tips into the early hours of the morning.
I can’t sleep—won’t—until one of them comes back.
And then I feel Ezekial.
Calming waves of warmth roll through me, blending with the soothing coolness of his brother’s hoodie. I groan, sinking deeper into the mattress under the mix of sensations, edging closer to the wall.
The wall—my newest nemesis in my ever-growing roster.
I reach out, fingertips reaching cool plaster, then flatten my hand fully. Wisps of emotions are all I’m able to grasp, but it’s enough to know the overwhelming dread no longer drains him. He’s more at ease, calmer—
“You should be asleep.”I shiver at Ezekial’s soft internal voice as it slips into my mind.
I don’t even remember dropping my mental wall…
“How was he?”I ask, shifting a little closer.
“Better. I was able to help him clear some of the dark. For now.”The uncertainty in those last words seeps through the brick.“Thank you for making me go to him.”
“Can I help?”
“You already are.”His voice softens, threaded with gratitude.“Just knowing you’re here... it helps more than you realise.”My fingers curl against the wall.“Sleep. We’ll speak more tomorrow.”
***
I wake up with my knees, nose, and lips pressed against the wall. But there’s no warmth.
Ezekial isn’t there.
Kacey’s gentle knock comes before she slips inside, another peace offering—a black coffee.
With a hoarse thanks, I sit up in bed, inhaling the bitter scent as I reach for my phone. A flood of notifications waits, my stomach swirls with a mixture of apprehension and… excitement.
It’s only been hours since I last saw Ezekial, barely a day for the others, yet it already feels too long.
Like weeks have passed, like the thinning threads are tugging harder than ever before.
I smile again at the ridiculous chat name as I click it open.
Sai: Nah mate, if you’re gonna spend the day with her, I wanna take her.
Kane: No.
Ezekial: You both know this isn’t up to us, right?
Me: Good morning. Take me where?
Sai’s typing a response but two messages pop up.
Ezekial: Stop, Sai!
