Before we fall

(Chp.10) Taking his Leave

Karl dident sleep that night, after all how could he? He had so much to worry about- though when he looked down to see the sleeping girl beside him (whom had tossed and turned throughout all hours of the night.) His worries dident seem so present. He just wanted to live in the moment with her, have fun and do things kids do- was that so much to ask?

The little girl continued to sleep, her legs currently sprawled across Karl's lap and her head resting upon the arm of the sofa in a rather uncomfortable looking manner- though this was soon to change without a doubt. All of a sudden Karl heard heard soft creek comming from the stairs, he looks behind him gently- careful not to wake the sleeping child.

"Why are you still awake?" Karl whispered to his house guest, whom was caught red handed in sneaking down the stairs.

"I could ask you the same thing, young boys need their sleep you know." Simon awnsered, though not in such a hushed tone as Karl had been. To this GC stirred a little and Karl quickly shot Simon a glance, putting his fingers to his pursed lips in a shushing motion.

"That is none of your concern, it is still storming so go along- scurry back up to the guest room to continue sleeping." Karl rushed his house guest back to his room without moving from his rather comfortable spot on the couch.

Karl never felt sleepy in the night, he quite enjoyed it; in fact, the night was the time he most frequently left the house- though usually just for a midnight stroll. He rarely ever went outside during the daybreak hours, it was much trouble for him to avoid the bright and over-glorified light of the sun graseing his pale, sensitive skin. Karl thought day time was a rather overrated concept anyways and never seemed to miss it; the night however, was when Karl came to life! Basking in the untainted shine of the moon's soft glow was something Karl loved to do, he adored the night time and practically worshiped the night sky. He couldn't imagine a life without it. Almost forgetting Simon to still be there- Karl was yanked out of his deep train of thoughts when Simon had walked into the kitchen.

"I always wake up this early." Simon replied, getting himself a glass of water, trying to ignor the kitchen's messy state. As if the cherry on top, the houses condition just proved to Simon more that thoose two kids really did leave here alone. The thought brought a frown to his freckled cheeks as he reminisced about his own family, they were so caring and sweet! Till they found out- then they had kicked Simon out, leaving him to survive by himself. Shaking theese negative thoughts Simon walked over to the kitchen and plopped down in a comfortable looking arm chair, gazing upon the two kids that sat upon the old sofa.

"She looks peaceful." Simon gestures twords the little girl, whom still laid fast asleep on the sofa- though now she had her head laid on Karl's lap and her legs sticking straight up, supported by the back of the sofa; that couldent be comfortable...

"I don't know how she manages to sleep like this, she changes from one weird sleeping position to another at least once an hour." Karl spoke with a slight chuckle, forgetting the anger he felt twords the house guest for a moment as they bonded over the laughter-indusing ways that the little girl slept. Quite the odd thing to bond over- however, it did the trick.

"Well, I do belive that the storm is letting up. I should be out of here by morning- I understand that it was rather inconvenient for you to house me and for that I do apologise. If there's anything I can do to help repay you just let me know, I pretty much owe you my life." The man stated, his voice unwavering as he looked Karl in his burdened and matured eyes; any sense of childlike wonder had long since left.

"To be honest I was going to let you freeze out there. You should be thanking GC, I don't think she would have let you stay out there if I had fought her every step of the way. It was easier to just give in- that way I didn't have to look at her puppy eyes all night" Karl spoke with a sigh, GC could be quite stubborn when needed and Karl was just beginning to learn the half of it.

"Haha, well still. It is your house and your property- I assume at least." Simon bowed his head in respect, to which Karl rolled his eyes and stretched his back slightly- hearing many cracks as he did so.

"Yes it's mine, and I assume you don't have a house under your name?" Karl stated blatantly, not taking any sympathy to how his question may effect Simon.

"No sir, Its just me and the clothes on my back." Simon replied, feeling a little hurt at the reminiscing of his old life- his old family. When he had told his family about his- fondness for men, they did not take it lightly. It was only his elderly grandmother whom had stood up for him; however, she alone was not enough to keep the family from throwing their own offspring out into the untamed harshness of society.

Just as Karl was about to speak once more there was a light grumble and slight movement comming from beside Karl on the sofa. GC had woken up and was adjusting to the atmosphere of the room, it was quite dark and a little akward- though GC felt rather comforted herself by the sounds of the snowy winds outside mix with the crackles of the warming fire; they were very contrasting yet they mended together so beautifully, as if entwined in a dance of lovers. She could listened to them dance for hours.

"GC, good morning, it is still early- around 2. So if you want to go back to sleep for a few hours you can." Karl spoke in a comforting and hushed tone, keeping his eyes fixed on the little girl as she shook her head as a response- fidgeting in her seat and trying to stay awake.

"G'morning kiddo." Simon stated, the rough and composed structure of his voice fleeting and now being momentarily replaced with a soft, protective one. Though Karl was also a child- he assumed, Karl was much more mature; having to take care or himself aswell as someone younger than him with none others help. That was rather imprssive to Simon as he couldn't even take care of only himself as a grown and fully functioning adult.

To their welcomes GC simply nodded, sitting in a criss cross manner with her head rested on the back of the sofa drifting in and out of consciousness as she struggled to wake up.

"So, Simon. Tell me more about yourself and how you came to be." Karl asked without hesitation as he folded his hands neatly in his lap, awaiting Simons response.

Word count: 1211