Shadows of Desolation

Chapter 10-London

As I stirred from sleep, the absence of Nicholas beside me was the first thing I noticed. I glanced around the room, searching for any sign of him. Instead, my gaze landed on a piece of paper lying on the nearby table.

Frowning, I reached for the note, unfolding it with growing concern. Nicholas had left a message, explaining that he had gone out for a walk and urging us not to worry. But worry was exactly what I felt as I read his words.

"Where did he go?" I whispered to myself, my brow furrowing with unease. Nicholas was always responsible and stayed by us, but his sudden disappearance left me feeling unsettled.

Shaking off my apprehension, I cast a glance at Damion and Lou, both still sleeping soundly nearby. They don't seem to know that Nicholas wasn't here, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Pushing aside my worries, I dressed quickly and prepared for the day ahead. I told myself to trust in Nicholas's judgment, to believe that he would return safely.

As I got dressed, there was a knock on the door. Relief flooded through me as I opened the door to find Nicholas standing there.

"Nicholas, where have you been?" I asked, unable to conceal the concern in my voice.

He offered me a reassuring smile, though there was a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Just went for a walk," he replied casually, as if his absence were nothing out of the ordinary.

I wanted to press him for more details, to ask where he had gone and what he had seen. But something in his demeanor told me not to pry, so I simply nodded and let the matter drop.

"Are you okay?" I asked, noting the fatigue in his expression.

Nicholas nodded, though his smile seemed strained. "I'm fine, just a bit tired," he assured me.

I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his story, but I chose to trust in his words.

Damion rubbed his eyes sleepily as he sat up in bed, blinking in the morning light. I watched as Nicholas approached him, a subtle expression of discomfort crossing his face. It was fleeting, but it didn't escape my notice.

Nicholas sat down beside Damion, and for a moment, they exchanged silent glances. There was a tension in the air, a heaviness that hung between them, but neither of them spoke a word.

I hesitated, unsure whether to intervene or to let them sort things out on their own. In the end, I decided to respect their unspoken exchange and focused on getting ready for the day ahead.

As I moved about the room, tidying up and gathering our belongings, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Nicholas remained by Damion's side, offering him a reassuring smile despite the discomfort I had sensed earlier.

It was as if he were trying to mask his own pain, to shield us from whatever troubles he might be facing.

I made a mental note to check in with him later, to see if he needed someone to talk to. For now, I would simply be there for him, ready to offer support and comfort whenever he needed it.

As a I turned away, Nicholas cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "Hey, Damion," he began, his voice hesitant yet determined. "I, uh... I wanted to talk to you about something."