Caden
Location: Outside Cassi’s – Chicago, IL
Skills:
I smirk, unable to help my amusement of Nero trying to empathize with the human. The rest of the car ride is relatively quiet. Cassiopeia talks to Mr. Wu here and there to keep him awake, I think. We reached Cassiopeia’s relatively quickly, and I parked the car. I shift in my seat, my left hand on the steering wheel and rest my right arm over Nero’s seat to look into the back.
”Do you need a hand, Cassi?” She gets out of the car, helping Mr. Wu out, and shakes her head.
”I’ve got it from here. I’ll call you in the morning.” She gives me a look and glances at Nero.
”Have fun,” she mocks before closing the back door.
I chuckle and remain parked, making sure Cassi gets into her house. My fingers are close to Nero’s head, and I find myself twirling a piece of his hair around my finger while I wait for Cassi’s light to turn on.
”Shall I drive you home?” I ask Nero.
Cassiopeia Claire Alistair
Location: SUV —> Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills: Witchcraft;
It takes some time to help Mr. Wu up my stairs and into the living room, where his son is passed out on my couch. Mr. Wu drops to his knees and starts to cry, squeezing his son’s hand, but Nic doesn’t stir.
“What is wrong with him?” he asks through his growing tears.
”Nothing. I’ve just put him under to sleep through the night. He’ll wake an hour after sunrise perfectly fine. He’s just been so worried about you, and after he found out about me and my companions, well, he didn’t take it so well. I wanted him to sleep. He’ll be glad to see you in the morning. I have a spare bed if you would like it, Mr. Wu,” I offer. The older man shakes his head.
“Just something to lay my head on will be fine. I want to be by my son’s side when he wakes.” I nod in understanding and get him an extra pillow and blanket.
Glowing yellow eyes greet me in the hallway. I smile and brush Maxamillian with my foot as I pass.
”How is he, Maxi?” Max grumbles at his nickname. The poor cat never liked it when I called him that, but I couldn’t help myself either. I get a vision of what Nic dreams about, but it fades quickly. I sigh and relax.
”Good, good. Thank you, Maximilian.” He meerps in approval before going to the bedroom to retire for the night, his work completed.
I return to the living room with the pillow and blanket to find Mr. Wu fast asleep. I gently lift his head to lay the pillow down and spread the blanket over him. I step back and momentarily look at father and son, feeling joy and sadness simultaneously. My eyes linger on Nic’s relaxed face, and I sigh. At least his father is still alive. He’ll be able to leave in the morning happier, I hope. So why do I feel miserable about the idea?
I shake it off and turn off the lights. I glance out my window to see the parked SUV still there and shake my head. I don’t like where
that relationship is going but I might not have much say in the matter. I let the curtain fall close before finally walking to my bedroom to sleep.
