when night comes ━━ mike schmidt

𝟬𝟬𝟰 nightmare

WHEN NIGHT COMES / Chapter Four

The next afternoon, Zion trudged into her home with a sigh. She was fatigued and all she wanted was to lay down. Quite the opposite, Mía whizzed past and rushed straight toward their mom's room.

Zion was about to head into the kitchen to fix her sister a snack when she noticed crumpling underfoot. Her tired eyes glanced down.

Letters.

Two letters with very familiar handwriting were waiting beneath her feet. She scoffed to herself and picked them up, "Mía, your letter's here!"

The kid was beside her within an instant, snatching the letter out of her hands and ripping into it during an excited frenzy.

Zion glanced down at her own letter. Could she really deal with this right now? Her entire body ached and she could barely keep her eyes open. Zion had attempted to nap in the free time she had after cleaning some houses, but she had no luck. She'd had a horrible headache that felt like hammers smashing her skull; and her anxious thoughts wouldn't quieten no matter how loud she played her rock music.

Zion had never been this exhausted before. Did she have the energy to read it at that moment? But as much as she hated the letters she received, she couldn't help analysing every single one.

Retreating to her bedroom for privacy, Zion laid down on her bed and slowly opened the envelope, careful not to rip the paper inside. She was disgusted at what was written. It was the same damn thing from her father each time, just phrased differently.

How are you? I hope you're okay. I also won't stop writing to you even though you never respond, because I can't take a hint. I hope your mom's okay. I only know what Mía tells me about her, which isn't much, because Mía doesn't understand it at all. But I also don't care. I left your mother and your family when you needed me the most. Anyway, here's what I've been up to. I'm doing well, better now without you! And my wife is great, too. I love her so much, especially because she's not ill and a burden. So I guess I'm writing to say, don't ever be vulnerable. People will leave you. Don't depend on anyone. They don't love you.

Well, not exactly that. But Zion could read the subtext.

She sighed heavily. She wiped away the tears before they could fall. Then, Zion carefully placed the letter back into the envelope and placed it inside the box under her bed, leaving it to collect dust with the others.

Her heart felt heavy. She wanted to ignore it. She needed a distraction.

Zion headed into the living room and collapsed onto the couch, grumbling at how uncomfortable the old thing was. She put on a movie. She tried to relax. She tried to get immersed in the story she knew inside and out.

But she was restless.

Before she could stop herself, Zion was pulling out her phone and tapping on the contact 'Mike :)'. She didn't know why. She had the urge to talk to him about anything and everything at all.

Zion: Im tired
Mike: Welcome to the club.
Mike: What if I just sleep through tonight's shift?
Zion: I wont snitch
Mike: Thought you were taking the job seriously
Zion: Thought you didnt care
Mike: What are you doing?
Zion: Watching the princess and the frog
Mike: Why?
Zion: Because I like the princess and the frog
Mike: Why?
Zion: Because Tiana is a hardworking badass like me
Mike: That's true.
Zion: Omg I feel so complimented rn!
Mike: Is that sarcasm?
Zion: Youll never know