Shadow Mutation (Book Seven) [UNDER MAJOR EDITING]

Chapter 25: Eating Chicken Soup & Chocolate Cake

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Casey forces his eyes open and glances over his shoulder at his closed bedroom door. He stares at it for a long second before another soft trio of knocks finds him.

Seriously? He actually showed up? Why?

"It's unlocked," he mutters.

The door creaks open and Eustace pokes his head in. He wears his long blond hair in a messy bun, a few strands escaping to frame his face. He offers a tiny smile as he holds up the plastic bag in his hand.

"Hey, kid," he says. "Not feeling too good, huh?"

Casey grunts. "Yeah."

Eustace comes closer, bringing with him the scent of motor oil, gasoline, and broth. Casey's mouth waters a little at the last one, his stomach gurgling in agreement. He rolls over, letting out a sigh, and startles at a sudden touch against his forehead. Eustace frowns thoughtfully as he tests Casey's temperature on the back of his hand and guilt takes over any hunger in Casey's belly. He isn't that kind of sick. He didn't think Eustace would care enough to waste his time trying to help him.

"You don't seem feverish. That's good," he says. Again, the plastic bag in his hand crinkles as he lifts it. "Want me to make you a bowl?"

"You can just leave it," Casey says. "I'll be fine."

"You sure?" he asks. Casey doesn't answer, looking away, and he hears him blow out a breath. "Hey, I'm sorry if this was overstepping. I just...I know you haven't got a lot of family to help you out right now."

More like no family. His mom was estranged from hers and his dad's parents are just as dead as their son. Andy lives hours away enjoying the college lifestyle. The last time he saw or spoke to any of his older cousins was at Aunt Darla's funeral. Casey Jones has finally become the lone wolf he always pretended to be.

He feels the bed shift as Eustace sits down on the end, taking up as little space as possible as he props his elbows on his knees. He glances over at Casey with a sad smile.

"Things feel harder today, don't they?" he asks.

The sudden lump that forms in his throat threatens to choke him. Casey fights the urge to tug the blanket over his head, hide the wetness gathering in his eyes again. He feels Eustace pat his leg over the blankets before he stands back up.

"I know it's hard, but...how about you shower, get dressed, and I'll meet you in the kitchen? We can talk. Sound good?"

Casey sucks in a breath, lets it out slow, and nods.

----------

The apartment smells so good that Casey almost drools as he walks out of the hallway, towelling his damp hair. Eustace stands over the stove while, behind him, Harry does dishes, his long sleeves pushed up to his elbows.

"Who's watching the shop if you're both here?" Casey asks as he drops the towel on a pile of other laundry on the living room floor.

"There aren't many appointments today, nothing our other guys can't handle," Eustace says. "Soup's almost ready."

"How are you feeling, Casey?" Harry asks over his shoulder as he scrubs a pot, forearms covered in suds. "A shower can work wonders, huh?"

Casey purses his lips. Getting clean did make him feel better and the hot water felt amazing, but a shower can't wash away everything. He shrugs as he sits down at the kitchen table.

"Sure," he says. "You...uh, you guys don't have to clean."

"We needed some bowls," Eustace says. "Harry just goes above and beyond."