The Summoning (Sleep Token FanFiction)

II pt. 1 - Higher

We escorted Hayley and Isla back to the limo. Only when Hayley was out of earshot did I ask if IV knew where Vessel was. He was MIA. Anxiety festered in my chest. He wasn't in the limo or in the venue when IV had checked. I even felt guilt when Hayley asked where he was and I lied saying he had already gone home. I had at least hoped that he had gone home on his own.

I kept an arm draped around Hayley as she pulled III's obviously larger coat over herself when we stepped into the car. 

"Do you need anything?" IV had asked her, leaning his elbows on his knees as he watched her. I almost smiled at the simple question. He had a way of fiddling with his hands when he didn't know what to do with himself. Acts of service to him were as much for himself as anyone he wanted to help.

"No, thank you." She answered quietly as she huddled in the corner of the car. Isla sat on her other side, offering a tissue from her purse to help with the makeup streaked down Hayley's cheeks. Hayley gave a small, grateful smile when she accepted the tissue and cleaned the mascara that had bled. 

What did big brothers do in situations like this? I guess it wasn't too different from having three brothers like I had. The only thing I could do was be here for her when she needed it. I hadn't even had experience with it as an only child. Did I really remind her of her own older brother? 

We got into the house and, when Hayley had taken off her stilettos, I offered to carry her up the stretch of cement stairs through the front gate. She hesitated for a moment before accepting. She seemed exhausted. I didn't know how the memory recall worked, but I was sure it took a toll on the body with the emotional stress. 

IV held the door for us when I slowly carried her to the front entryway. I tried not to think of how happy we all seemed when we had gotten ready earlier that day as I passed by the living room and headed to her room, wondering if Vess really was here. 

"Thank you." She croaked when I laid her on her own bed and stepped back. She curled up into a ball and began taking out the little pins in her hair. She decided to keep III's jacket, using it as a blanket instead of crawling under the ones on the bed. 

"Please, tell me if you need anything. I'm here, anytime." I tried, fighting to not say more, fighting to say as much as I could. It was always a constant battle to find the right words. I could at least hope she knew that I was genuine in my offer. 

She nodded, curled into a ball as she gazed off into the distance. 

Figuring that was as much as I could do, I started for the door. "Do you want your door closed?"

It was dark in her room, but was quite obvious to see her vehemently shake her head in refusal. 

"Okay." I said so quietly that I was sure she didn't hear me. I guess it was the thought that counted. Anyway, I was hoping she would go straight to sleep and not have any nightmares this time. 

~~~~~~~~~~

I checked Vessel's room on my way back to the front room to find it empty, letting go of the small hope that he had come straight home, before closing his door again. 

III and Isla were sitting on the couch together, waiting for me. 

"How is she? Is Vessel here?" He couldn't help himself from blurting the questions, leaning forward impatiently. 

"She's asleep and... no." I kept my gaze to the floor, bouncing my knee as I slouched into the loveseat. 

III opened his mouth to speak, worry written in his brow. 

"Go to bed." I stated, looking up to him as I interrupted whatever he was going to say next. "I'll stay up and wait for Vessel. I don't think I'll be able to sleep, anyways."