Shadow Of The Day

To the beat of your heart

A/N: Hi all. Been way too long. This is not the last chapter, but almost. Sorry in advance.. :D

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"Morning", Brad greeted Mike, while walking past him to his small kitchen area.

Mike yawned and propped himself up on his elbows. There was a heavy feeling on his chest, like someone sitting on it. And it wasn't only that he knew what was coming later that day. But because of the shivering thing that was sitting on Brad's bed.

They had decided it would be the safest if Mike would sleep at Brad's for a few days. Mike was paranoid, even though Brad tried to make him realize the worst was yet to come, and most likely Kaden wouldn't hunt him down now, on those last days, just suddenly. If he would have wanted any of them dead, he would have done it when he had a better chance.

But it was also perfectly fine for them all. While Brad did the grocery store trips he kept company for Chester. And when either of them had to sleep, but Chester wasn't feeling well, the other stayed up. Which was really just staying alert and silent, since Chester rarely wanted people close to him when he was doing bad.

Chester was not only having withdrawal symptoms, but also flashbacks. To Mike it seemed like he took one step forward and two steps back, but Brad assured him he was getting better.

But on the cold nights when he woke up to Chester screaming in his nightmare and next at Brad to not touch him, he wasn't quite sure Brad was being honest. The only thing that kept him from not seeking any medical help was the good days when Chester talked with them normally and even sat down to watch some TV. And the reminder that it would all be over soon.

"Coffee?" Brad asked in the middle of pouring water to the coffee maker.

"Yeah. And toast", Mike said. "How was the night?

"Okay. He woke up maybe an hour ago. Ran to puke two times, but slept otherwise like a baby."

"Doesn't seem like it", Mike noted, watching as Chester pulled his knees to his chest and stared out from the window. The sun was painting his face with an orange glow, but his wet eyes were so bottomlessly sad that the combination only made him look more miserable.

"Yeah well..." Brad mumbled back without even looking at Chester. He knew it was bad. Really bad. But they had gotten through the last time, so they would get through this too. Right?The only thing was that now there was one more thing to mess with Chester's mind, and thus the recovery seemed to be miles away.

"So when this is over we will focus on him."

"And what makes you believe that it is soon over? I mean, I am assuming you think today is the last day you'll have to see Kaden."

"Well I have to. Or I would have given up already."

"You can't be sure Mike", Brad let out a soft, sad sigh.

"No, we can't. But, I have to have some faith. I'll just take one step at a time and try to make sure I at least do my part."

"And do it properly. Correctly."

Mike rolled his eyes at Brad's stern gaze but didn't say a thing to that. He knew quite well that he had to do it right. But a part of him also relied on Cody and his hunger to catch Kaden. The need would drive Cody forward and thus Mike believed that the chances for them to fail would be lower.

"When is Joe coming?"

"I think he should be here in like two hours or so."

"Good", Mike nodded. He didn't want Brad to be alone and Chester wouldn't really be good company in the state he was in either. Glancing at Chester who was still staring out from the window he let out a heavy sigh. "He needs help."