The Callahan Archives (In The Shadows)

nine.

I've been staying at Cams for about a week now. It's definitely been interesting. She needs a lot of help doing almost anything, but it's all so her leg can heal properly. At least everything seems to be healing well and that's really all that matters here, right?

She's recently told me her leg is starting to feel better, but still painful. And her arm feels almost healed. The skin still looks tender around the burn, but it definitely looks a lot better.

[•••]

I flip the grilled cheese sandwich over in the pan and it makes a sizzling sound. I had already made Cams sandwich, and she was sitting on the couch eating it watching TV.

"Is he dead?" She thought out loud with a mouthful of food, seemingly talking about the show she's watching.

"Huh? I don't know, I haven't seen the show." I said turning off the stove and putting my sandwich on my plate. Cam groaned at me.

"The main guy, duh. You were here when I started it yesterday." She scoffed and rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the TV.

"Hm, guess I wasn't listening," I stated, taking a bite out of my food and walking over to where she sat.

"Sounds like you." She replies coldly. I gazed at her for a moment. Her brows were furrowed, clearly frustrated with me I guess. I have been somewhat quiet today, I think Im just tired. I sit down next to her.

"It sounds more like the opposite to me." I continue to eat my sandwich, and readjust myself on the couch.

Cam put her plate down on the armrest of her couch, as she continued to watch her show. Funny enough, I'd thought Cam would be the cleaner one but it's the complete opposite. She's quite messy.

"What's this show even about?" I ask as I finish eating.

"Eh, I don't even remember, some foreign show." She shrugged, not even glancing at me. She sat up a bit and then readjusted so she was laying down across the couch, using my lap as a foot rest for her bandaged up leg.

"Hm okay," I respond, "Could you hand me your plate though." I ask, she seems fixated on the TV and doesn't respond. And I cant reach the plate from the opposite end of the couch.

"Hey?" I asked again.

I leaned closer, so I was almost hovering over her to reach the dish on the other side, all still being mindful of her hurt leg. And that is when she decided to notice me. She looked away from the screen and into my eyes, with a shocked look on her face.

We sat there for a moment looking each other in the eyes, before I retreated back to my original pose.

"Sorry, I was just grabbing the plate." I sheepishly said.

"Ah, okay," She replied sitting up harshly. I then gently moved her legs off of me so I could go wash the dishes. She never turned to watch the TV again though.

As I washed the dishes, I smiled to myself. It was interesting to see her flustered like that..

As I finish washing the last dish, I feel a pair of eyes glued to me. I turn to look back at Cam.

"What is it?" I ask as she blankly stares at me. She then blinks out of her little trance.

"Oh, ahah, nothing," She clears her throat and turns away for a moment, then mutters something to herself. "I was going to say something funny but I forgot." She chuckles.

"It's alright." I smile at her and turn back to finishing up the dishes. That somehow reminded me of Soren. I haven't heard from him in a long time.

I wiped my hands on a tea towel, and pulled my phone out. The last message that I had received from him was over a week ago. I dialed his number, and it went straight to voicemail. It's not like him to ignore calls, especially my calls. And it's very unlike him to not message me for longer than a few days. Something is wrong.

"Hey, are you okay here by yourself for a bit?" I question, while grabbing a sweater of mine because the autumn winds were harsh today.

"What's wrong? Where are you going?" She asks and stumbles over her words as she tries to speak fast.

"I just need to check something. You'll be okay?" I ask once again as I unlock her front door.

"I'll be okay, could you toss me a water bottle though?" I grab a plastic water bottle from the case on the floor at lightly throw it across the room to her.

"Remember use the crutches if you really have to go anywhere. I'll be back soon." I opened the door and left with a wave.

The car ride was short since Cams house was a lot closer to Sorens place than mine.

I knocked on the door. No response. It's probably locked but thank the gods I have a second key.

I opened the door and all his lights were off. It's 5pm, he's usually home right now. Even though Soren is a reasonably neat guy, his apartment is way cleaner than it'd normally be. Absolutely spotless.
There was a note sat on his table. My eyes widened as I realized.

I don't need to read it to know what's going on.

I closed his door and ran up the stairs to the rooftop as fast as my legs would carry me.

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