It was cold, and that was something that for some reason didn't make sense in Caim's head. I went in to flowers, and out to slush. Then he laughed to himself. At least it'll make falling into the gutters softer. He cringed then, as a gust of wind slapped him in the face and slid its way unpleasantly down his jacket. He had just gotten into the city as a thick blanket of clouds covered the sky, and he was trying to find a suitable place to hunker down. The center had given him the address of a group home he could stay at for a few days while he got his feet back under him but there was no way that he was going there.

Turning down an alley he noticed a familiar mark on the wall and stopped in his tracks. Should I?

A part of his brain seemed to come up with an answer before the organ as a whole could, because instantly his legs began to move in the direction that the mark indicated. As he walked he couldn't see any abandoned churches, nor any rec centers so he became increasingly curious as to where the meeting was to be held.

That's when he saw the propped open back door of a newly abandoned building. Well that answers that question. Going over and quietly slipping inside he realized that the meeting had already started. Up at the front of the room and projecting his voice to be heard was none other than Dr. McCoy.

"-and we hope that you make the decision that is in your best interest. Several of my colleagues requested that I not share this information with you, but it's your right to know and your right to decide." He paused and glanced over his shoulder at a woman seated behind him and just to his right. From Caim's position at the back of the room he couldn't make out exactly who she was, but for some reason she seemed familiar. Was she one of the specialists at the center? A doctor's aide or something?

Dr. McCoy cleared his throat and wiped his tiny spectacles off on his jacket before continuing. "The cure has been deemed ready for use-" Instantly chatter broke out across the room and Dr. McCoy had to raise his voice to be heard. "-and they have scheduled a free vaccination date for all those that wish to receive it. Two days from now, on Friday, at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene building on Worth Street, you can attend one of several clinics between six in the morning and six in the evening to get the injection." The chatter rose to such a level that Dr. McCoy seemed it impractical to keep talking. Stepping back the woman stood and touched his arm, speaking to him.

Caim couldn't focus on that though, no matter how much his eyes looked her up and down, trying to figure out where he had seen her. His thoughts were conflicted as well, and the noise in the room wasn't helping.

Maybe she was a nurse?

Friday. Six to six. Wonder if they have six clinics. Six, six, six. They're kind of combating the devil now aren't they.

A visitor? Someone's parent or guardian?

Worth Street. Wherever that is. Downtown most likely. Sounds familiar – the building's name sure does.

We met somewhere public. We didn't speak. Or did we?

Worth Street. Health Building. Friday. Six to six.

His thoughts got cut off there when he heard his name faintly across the loud crowd. Looking around, his body tense, he finally spotted someone walking towards him through the mass of people. Riley.

He couldn't move. He tried – oh how he tried – but his brain suddenly stopped and wouldn't let him move. And Riley was getting closer now, just a few feet away.

And then he was against him, his arms around him, holding Caim tightly against him with Caim's head on his shoulder. And what did Caim do? Nothing. Partially because his arms were pinned to his sides and partially because he didn't know what to do. He hadn't planned on seeing Riley again; finding out about Aaron had hit him a little too close to something vital that didn't need further damage.

Please let me go.

A little voice whispered, as though hoping Riley could hear it: It's ok, I missed you too.

Caim quickly squashed that voice.

"Where have you been?" Riley asked, pulling back though he kept his hands on Caim's shoulders.

"Away," Caim replied simply, focusing on a spot just over Riley's shoulder.

"Where? We've have ssssssome meetingssssss in ssssssome of the sssssurounding ssssstatessss but I haven't sssssseen you at any of them."

Caim shrugged a shoulder a little. "Guess I missed them."

Riley smiled. "Yeah, well at leassssst you're here." He paused for a moment, his smile fading a little. "You heard the big announcccccccement?"

Caim focused on the flicker of Riley's snake tongue rather than the words. In response he simply nodded.

Riley's smile faded a little more. "And…?"

Caim didn't reply to that, just remained silent, returning his gaze to the spot over Riley's shoulder.

"Are you feeling alright?" Riley asked him.

I want Friday to be tomorrow, and then I want to sleep for a thousand years. He nodded. "Yeah, fine."

"Ok…"

Caim nodded again and focused his sight as Dr. McCoy's lady friend stepped into the space he was staring off at. As she turned back to face the doctor she faced him for a second, and he automatically recognized her. He remembered the soft smile, and the way that the wind caught the strands of hair that had come free of her braid. The lady from the graveyard.

Coincidences are stupid.

"I have to go," he blurted out, gently stepping back and out from under Riley's hands.

He didn't step out from under his yellow-eyed gaze though, which stayed trained on Caim as Riley's eyebrows met. "Are you ssssssure you're ok?"

"Yeah, fine," he repeated. "I just need to go."

"Where are you going? I could walk you-"

"No, no, it's alright." He was turning to the door even as he spoke. "I'll see you soon, I promise," he aimlessly threw over his shoulder. He wasn't even sure if Riley heard him as he shouldered open the door and stepped out into the alley.