“Yes.I’m not certain how I got there.I was wide awake in my bed, resigned to the fact I wouldn’t be getting much, if any, sleep.Next I know, you’re waking me up outside your trailer.”
“So, you’re saying I caused you to lose control over your body?”
“I’m unsure if I lost control or lost the fight to stay away from you.”
“You gotta know I didn’t do that on purpose.I didn’t make you come here.”
“No, I know that now.When you said that this phenomenon happens to you as well, I began to realize that neither of us has control over what’s happening.”
“Whatishappening?”
“I’m still not one hundred percent sure, but I’m willing to see it through and try to figure it out.What about you?”
Whatabouthim?Did he want to stay and figure this out?Or should he cut his losses now and head out at first light?
Before Rocko could answer, there was another knock on the door.It opened without waiting for an answer.Griffin stood on the other side.
“Apollo, there’s been a development,” Griffin announced.
He didn’t bother coming in or explaining further.Apollo stood and walked to the door.
“We’ll continue this conversation later,” Apollo said, and then he was gone.
Well damn.Revelations, confessions, and alone again.
He and Mr.Daniel’s were going to get well acquainted tonight, if he had any hopes of blocking this shit from his mind and getting some rest.What a fucking life.
CHAPTER SIX
Rocko
After Apollo left, Rocko spent the rest of his evening alone with his thoughts and concluded his best course of action was inaction.
Yes.He’d decided to do nothing.To make it through the remainder of the time he had left at the compound, return to Florida, and determine what the hell to do with his life after that.Here he could do the work— the construction site setup was like any other he’d ever worked on for his uncle, so helping wasn’t a problem for him.Hell, he’d spent many summer breaks working for his uncle’s construction company to make a little extra money and help his family out.
With his decision made, he made breakfast in the trailer, then headed to the construction site.Whether or not he and Apollo had some freaky effect on each other, it made no difference.The wind may have affected the water, making waves, but each survived separately.
With that thought in mind, he was ready for some physical labor.A hard day’s work was what the doctor ordered.
“Where do you need me?”Rocko asked Griffin when he arrived.
“There’s no need for you,” Griffin growled.“But if you’re hell-bent on helping, go over and carry those shingles up to the roof.We need to get the place watertight in case we get any more snow or rain.”
“Good fucking morning to you too,” Rocko muttered while giving him a two-finger salute.He went over to where the shingle bundles were stacked on large pallets.He figured he could easily shift them, weighing between fifty and eighty pounds each.He lifted more in the gym.
Hendrix welcomed him in his typical good-natured way, grabbed a couple of bundles of shingles, and headed for the ladder.Rocko did the same.The hard work was welcomed after the stress of his normal life.
It was refreshing to not think for a while and simply work his butt off.Soon, his jacket was off as he began to work up a sweat, and Rocko breathed deep, taking in the fresh, crisp air before grabbing another couple of bundles of shingles.Slugging up and down the ladder gave his legs one hell of a workout, and the burn was welcomed after years of working as a detective and riding a desk.
Hours flew by as he worked in silence, and Rocko quickly picked up the routine and kept up with the team easily.He’d be damned if he shirked his duties, but knew he’d be feeling the strain tomorrow.Muscles he hadn’t worked this hard in a long time gave their all, and Rocko loved it.
“How you holding up?”Griffin scoffed.“Need a break?”
“Doing good, thanks.Don’t need a break yet, but I’ll let you know if I do, boss,” Rocko said, as Griffin gave him an annoyed look.Sorry to disappoint, Beast Boy.I’d rather put myself in traction than admit defeat to you.
Rocko was down on the ground about to grab another bundle when he saw Ellen, Renee, and Francine walking up from the main cabin with trays of sandwiches and drinks.Surprised it was already lunchtime, he wiped his hands on his jeans as his stomach growled in anticipation.Food would be good.As Rocko changed direction toward his lunch, he noticed a stack of shingles had been left teetering on the barn roof’s edge above the women approaching on the trail.Shit.That’s a fucking accident waiting to happen.As he thought this, the stack began to fall.Renee was in their path.Christ, that could kill her!
Running forward, he managed to shove Renee back and out of the way as the bundles fell.One hundred and sixty pounds fell two stories onto Rocko’s back, flattening him into the still-frozen ground.
