A Labyrinth With No Exit - A Maze With No Prize

CHAPTER 3 - ONLY IN MY DREAMS

It's warm, comfortable... at peace. Henry lays in bed, on his side with his arm underneath the pillow firmly supporting his head. Part of him was becoming aware, a gentle ease as he can hear in the distance- movement in the house. He wanted to lay there for much longer, but a creeping thought came forward in his mind. It felt almost as if he laid there for too long... it was too safe, too calm... He opened his eyes suspiciously to get a better look at his alarm clock. Sure enough he overslept, feeling a little silly for not recalling the alarm ever going off at all.

He let out a sigh, sitting up in bed and stretching a little. He was thankful for the little sleep he had, but ultimately just wished for more, feeling a little sore from moving about so much yesterday night. He got up and headed out of his room, peeking his head down the hall.

"Is everyone up?" Henry called out, listening closely. Charlotte, who had in turn peeked out of her doorway, tilted her head.

"Yeeep, I've been up. Sammy's in the kitchen."

Henry sighed in relief. "Oh good! I overslept, so I'll be getting ready- did you still want to come with me to work today?"

Charlotte nodded, sneaking back into her room. "Yeah!! I'll put my shoes on, want us to wait in the car?"

"If you don't mind, I appreciate it!" Henry had leaned back into his room, before shutting his bedroom door and locking it while he dressed. He thought to enter his bathroom, rinsing his face a bit with cold water. He looked sleepy, but he knew today was just a sleepy kinda day. Tonight he'd surely make up for it and get some great rest, but for now he had somewhere to be.

Henry considered calling William and letting him know he was running late, but as he continued to move he felt as if, if he had time to call, he had time to finish getting ready- so he ultimately decided to just get dressed and head out as quickly as he could.

He slipped on a pair of shoes, and headed out his bedroom. As he passed through his home, he didn't catch sight of anyone around, assuming at least Charlotte was in the truck by now, though as he stepped out and locked the front door, he was pleasantly surprised to see Sammy in the truck as well. Henry stepped up and got into the front seat as Sammy handed him the keys from the back.

"Coming with us today, bud?"

"Yeah, Michael could use a little help with homework today- we're gonna work on it together." Samuel set his backpack down between his legs, as Henry started the car. "I didn't mean to let you sleep in though, sorry dad. I thought maybe you were getting some good rest for once."

"It's okay, I didn't mean to but I'm sure Will has it figured out- He's one to call if he needs me."

"Oh, he did."

Henry glanced at Sammy from the rearview mirror.

"Well, I called for Michael actually- but he answered unexpectedly. He said he'd wake him but he also asked about you, dad."

"Oh yeah?" Henry couldn't help but to smirk a little, he knew William wasn't the best with phone calls.

"I told him you were passed out still, and he said that was good and hung up."

Ah, there it was. Henry couldn't help but to chuckle, just as William couldn't help but to be awkward.

"He probably didn't mean to, did you call back?"

Sammy tilted his head lightly, scratching his cheek before laughing a little too. "I wasn't sure if I should, but it worked out. Michael called me back a bit later so I at least had the chance to talk."

"That's good! I'll ask him about it, I'm willing to bet William's embarrassed about it."

Sammy and Charlie both giggled a little, though she was looking out the window intently, sort of lost in thought as she carefully held her stuffed toy. Henry noticed she was a little quieter than usual, but remembered they both had a short amount of rest. He hoped they'd both get their good nights rest tonight.