A slow fall

Chapter 2 - Caleb

We pulled up in front of a two-story house, its outward appearance similar to that of its neighbours.

Maybe not... but honestly it was dark, I was drunk, and the last thing on my mind was the neighbourhood's architecture. The first thing was food. The second sleep. The third, final and most important was figuring out in what order.

The three of us thanked the driver as we climbed - or practically fell on my part - out of the car. I gave him one final salute as he drove away down the street before following the two boys up the walkway towards the front door.

The inside surprised me, its cleanliness unsurprising based on its inhabitants. Though I could only see into the front room from where I stood beside the door, taking my shoes off before placing them beside the overflowing shoe rack. 

"Do you want anything to eat?" Lucas asked as he led me into the kitchen. 

The kitchen was bright, the large windows casting the room in a silver glow soon replaced by artificial yellow light. Plates waited beside the sink to be washed, and bottles of alcohol and empty cups littered the table giving the place a typical 'frat' house vibe. Still, there was organisation to the chaos.

"Hmm, what do you have going?"

Lucas rummaged through some cupboards in quiet contemplation before providing me with options.

"Are you having anything?"

"I might make a sandwich."

"Okay, make that two." I said to make things easier for him. At this point To be honest I would eat just about anything if only to quickly sate my hunger and then go to sleep.

"Make that three." Bates said as he came into the kitchen.

Lucas grumbled under his breath, but began making three sandwiches nonetheless. We ate in silence, the early hours of the morning calling for nothing more. Lucas' other flatmates where nowhere to be seen, a distant memory form a time that seemed so long ago. 

I stood lent against the kitchen counter, the other two boys beside me, as we quietly ate. My food was gone faster then I could comprehend, the emptiness in my hands contrasting the fullness of my stomach. The pace in which I inhaled the sandwich received looks of amusement from the two boys, theirs barely half gone.

In the stillness of the night, my mind was still moving; something made prevalent when I was stood in a silent room with no distractions. I enjoyed the feeling of motion even though I was stationary. I knew I wasn't moving, but my mind played tricks on me that I easily accepted. 

It felt like I was on a fair ground ride. A pirate ship that swung from side to side, gentle but steadily rocking. I let my eyes drift shut as I gave into that feeling of motion. I don't know how long I stood lost in my mind before I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I blinked my eyes open Lucas stood in front of me, and Bates was no longer in the room.

"Hmm?" I questioned, words feeling too much for my sluggish mind.

"Let's get you to bed, yeah?" Lucas said, the bright smile on his face overshadowing his tired eyes. He didn't wait for a response, simply guiding me up the stairs and into a bedroom. When Lucas turned the light on I let out a sound of annoyance as the harsh light hit my eyes, a stark contrast from the dark hallway we'd just left. 

I gave the room a brief scan, though I wasn't really in the right frame of mind to perceive anything. It was warm, cosy, and the bed look inviting. My eyes closed almost as fast as they opened, the darkness calling me back.

"I'll get you some clothes that you can change into, and then you can stay in here."

It took a few minutes for his words to register and then question, "Where will you be?"