"Cal? Where are you?"
On the ground. Somewhere in New York. Black sky above me, black grass beneath my hands and knees. Somehow I managed to hold the phone to my ear.
"Nik?" I asked hoarsely. Hearing his voice broke something deep down. Hearing him say my name. I just wanted him with me … why the hell was I so alone?
There was silence on the other end. "Cal," he said tensely. "What happened."
I rested my head down, in the grass, against the ground, and tried to find words. "Nik … I. I need help."
His voice was gentler now, but I could hear the layers of panic underneath. "I'm coming to get you. Where are you?"
I lifted my head up. I didn't know. Slowly, achingly, I got to my feet and looked around. There was grass, there were trees, there were buildings. I knew I couldn't be too far from the apartment …
"Cal," Niko continued, responding to my silence. "Ishiah called me. I know what you did. And I'm sorry. I should've … made it different. But whatever you're feeling, whatever is going on, we can work through. It doesn't matter how big it is, or what you've done, we will work through it. Do you understand?"
No. "Yes, Nik."
"Tell me where you are."
"Central Park," I said, although I knew I wasn't. Why was I lying to my brother?
"Have you been there this whole time? Ishiah said you left the bar hours ago."
My heart thudded sickly in my head. "I've been at Robin's," I said numbly.
"Robin's?" he echoed. "Strange. I called him several times at his apartment and he didn't answer …"
didn't answer didn't answer didn't answer
"Cal?"
I stared at my phone, and watched it drop slowly to the ground.