"Caliban, are you feeling alright?" that was Promise, sitting in my living room when I got home from work. My eyes flickered from her to Niko, who was sitting beside her on the couch, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk.
"Yeah, sure," I said, ignoring the nagging sensation that Niko was looking at my hands knowing exactly what they'd done hours before.
"I was just telling Niko about a job I found for us," she said. "It's very well-paying, and shouldn't be too involved. However, just to be safe, we might need Goodfellow's help. I'm sure that will not be an issue, once he hears of the cut we have for him."
I was drowning her out now, but nodding anyway. "Yeah. Okay. Sure." Not one of my more eloquent moments, but let's just say I was slightly distracted.
Niko pinned me with one of his death stares and said, "Cal, come here."
But I would not be interrogated. I couldn't let Niko know. "I'm tired, Nik. I'm going to bed." I turned and headed for my bedroom, leaving stunned silence behind me. I didn't usually disobey a direct order from my brother.
I fell onto my mattress and buried my face in the pillow, trying to relax my brain – but not enough to fall asleep. Somehow I knew that if I fell asleep, I would have more nightmares. Even worse than the night before. So I just laid there and waited for Promise to leave, and Niko to come drag my disobedient ass out of bed.
Promise left, but Niko didn't come. I had to force myself to be relieved.