Sympathy For The Devil (On Hold)

vi) Roll Away Your Stone

-Artemis' P.O.V.-

My eyes dance from each of the different floor plans and photographs on a large corkboard rested on the wall above my computer desk. I'm sitting cross legged on the floor letting a blunt dangle out of my mouth not smoking it, but more for the habit and feel of it in my mouth.

The wheels in my mind spin, as I really do have to plan this caution. There is no room for any amount of slip ups, especially since this isn't my own case.

I told you Artemis, this is what happens when you take on mercenary work. You should have listened to me. Now you're just going to be stressing out over this case, hell you haven't even left the room in three days and you haven't eaten either.

"Shut up I don't need you nagging right now ok! I'm anything but a mercenary."

A frustrated sigh slips from my throat and I let a hand gently rub over my eyes.

Ok, where is my bloody book... 

I take a quick glance around the dim and forsaken room. Uselss since I already know where it lies.

It's down stairs. The one place I've been avoiding.

I reluctantly lift myself off the floor and run a hand through my silky hair. As much as hunger and sleep is neglected, I always make sure my personal cleanliness is attended to. Maybe because it's the one thing that reminds me that I am a human being and not some robot. 

My eyes shift around the room once more before dropping the blunt onto its metal tray and I make my way to the bedroom door, quietly and slightly pushing it  open. My head peeks out just enough to see if anyone is out, and once I see no one is there, my feet lead me with soft steps, to and down the stairs.

My body is suddenly made away of the coolness inside of the cabin, first in my feet, numbing them pleasantly. Then sending chills up and throughout my body reminding me that this is by far the coldest and wetest October that Big Bear has ever seen.

As I sneak through the house towards the table, my eyes shift to every corner I can lay my eyes on. Looking for signs of life still here. It's been a week and perhaps a half, since I last confronted Adam and I want to keep it that way. Yes, it may be selfish, but it's called self-persevation. I can't spend to much time around him or he might catch on.

Good girl. You're finally learning.

A huff is exhaled from my chest as I proceed towards the table and rummage through the books.

"It's alive!" A gleeful voice booms from the top of the stairs.

My eyes flutter close with a sigh of annoyance,"Hey."

"I thought you died. Or worst, left me," He says, with a melodramatic tone, with the sound of his heavy steps following after him.

I don't bother turning around and just ignore him until I find the botany book I'm looking for.

"Why does it matter to you what happens to me?" I say rather cross, however this time I swing around to get a look at the gnat. He looks tired, like he hasn't slept well for some time.

"It doesn't. It's just I'd hate to wake up one morning to the smell of a dead body," he says with a snarky tone.

"The only body I'd be worried about is your own," I snap back. Jesus, I need to lay off the weed so early, I get irked too easily.

He puts his hands up defensively, but starts to chuckle again,"I just love how snappy you get in the morning.

An old habits gets the best of me, and my eyes shoot him a deadly glare. I don't mean it of course, but my subconscious does.