MEMENTO

VII.

            Erica rose at noon, stretching her legs out from the cramped space. She hurried up the stairs at the sound of a TV drone along with bustling steps above her. Cecilia's mother was the first to greet her with a smile far too bright as she pointed towards Cecilia and Drew, murmuring, "You can go help them with the mashed potatoes if you'd like. I'm almost done with the turkey and Mr. Cartwick is on a run to get some cranberry sauce."

"Great," Erica replied, rubbing at her eyes as she made her way over to Drew and Cecilia.

"We're actually almost done," Cecilia informed her as she mixed the contents of the bowl with fierce concentration. "So, you can just take a seat."

"How'd you both sleep last night?" Cecilia inquired as silence fell over them. Erica and Drew exchanged glances, realizing neither of them looked well rested. "Erica, I hope the mattress wasn't too stiff."

"I was so tired I didn't even notice the mattress," Erica admitted.

"Yeah, you must've been pretty exhausted if you slept in till noon," Cecilia remarked, dipping her finger into the mashed potatoes, and bringing it to her lips before reaching for the saltshaker. "You slept for, what, fifteen hours?"

"She sure did," Drew remarked, biting his bottom lip.

*

"Bless us, O Lord..."

After Thanksgiving dinner, Drew and Erica sat in front of the TV, Erica's hands resting on her stomach as she struggled to contain all the food she'd just consumed. She glanced over at Drew and took in his drowsy form, eyelids drooping shut.

"Hey, Drew?" she piped up, tearing her gaze away when she began to admire the tranquility of his expression and the way his lashes fanned out.

"Hm?" he murmured, not even bothering to raise his head.

"Let's not go anywhere tonight, okay? I'm way too tired," Erica whispered to him, nearly knocking her head against his as she leaned down.

"Sounds good," he replied in a muffled tone, releasing a soft exhale.

*

The next morning, Erica stirred awake and shuddered slightly when she saw Elena's outline beginning to form on the edge of her bed.

"Good morning," Erica breathed, releasing a yawn. "What brings you here?"

Elena turned her head slowly, careful not to overexert herself. "I'm here to remind you why you came home with Cecilia. You need to find out why she's hiding these things from us. These people aren't your friends, okay?"

"I'm sorry," Erica huffed, wiping a hand over her face. "It's just been hard to sneak around with Cecilia breathing down my neck. It looks suspicious just leaving the house."

"Well," Elena murmured, flickering from Erica's gaze. "Figure it out, okay? We don't have much time." At that, she began to tremble slightly as she faded from the light.

Erica pushed herself off the bed, padding into where Drew slept on the couch. She stood there for a moment, examining his sleeping form. She enjoyed the look of sheer sleepy bliss that replaced his usual scowl or glance of indifference. She wrinkled her nose, feeling creepy for the observation, and shook him awake.

"Drew," she hissed, pressing her fingers into the bare skin of his shoulders. "Wake up."

"What is it?" he breathed, eyes still closed.