Stay the Night

.Nineteen

19

Mason's POV

Groaning, I lifted my head from resting on my arms. Where was I? Glancing around I could instantly make out it was nightfall, we must have fallen asleep while studying. Leaning back in my chair, I stretched out my sore back muscles. This was exactly why they created beds.

The opened curtains brought in the eerily light of the moon, illuminating the empty room. Where did Evie go? Her chair was pushed back and empty, her phone and shoes still in their place. She most likely left me here to go to bed. How thoughtful she was.

Slowly lifting myself off my seat I carefully maneuverer my way around the stack of books laid all around the floor till I left the room behind me. Growing up in this house I knew every inch of it like I knew the back of my own hand. Everything had its place, the familiar sounds echoing around the house. The soft sound of the fire alarm every so many minutes, the odd buzz of the sink and the neighbours dog randomly howling in the background. Everything was familiar and in order, everything except for the continuous tapping sound coming from the front side of the house.

The sleep quickly cleared from my mind as I followed the trail of sound to the location of the front door. My nerves suddenly heightened at the thought of a burglar trying to break in. I was unprepared with no weapon or item to defend myself. Turning the corner to enter the opened foyer I came to the picture of a small figure at the door no doubt trying to break through but instead of a normal burglar coming in, this one had the intention to escape.

Her small slim hands were wrapped around the knob, jiggling it with all her sleepy might. It was like watching a child trying to open a child proof lock. Letting out a breath of relief as the figure wasn't an intruder but only Evie, I stepped closer towards her. Gently grabbing onto her arm I twirled her around to face me. Her eyes were big and glossy with a blank look covering them. Her mouth slightly agape as her chest rose and fell very gently with each breath. She was sleep walking again.

Carefully I tucked my arms under her knees and back and picked her up, her weight was nothing I couldn't handle. Turning us around I walked towards the stairs, cautious not to make too sudden movements to jostle her awake. She needed her rest for tomorrows events. Closing the distance between the top of the staircase and Heath's room in record time I reached for the handle, twisting and slightly pushing it forward. Peeking in I could the chaotic mess of clothes and personal items were still exactly in their place on the floors and about despite Heath's intention of cleaning it up. The owner of this disgraceful room sprawled out on his bed, groaning and siting up.

"Mace?" his voice was thick with sleep. He rubbed at his eyes trying to get a better look at us. Once he eyes focused on Evie in my arms he hopped off his bed and hobbled towards me. Staring down at the girl now deep asleep into my shoulder.

"Was she sleep walking again?" he asked, sighing, glancing down at the girl. He looked oddly concerned for this to just be a normal occurrence of sleep walking. I nodded my head stepping around him and heading towards the mattress. She needed to get proper sleep. Gently placing her down into the bed I slowly let go of her, wincing as she made a noise of complaint placing her hand on my arm before it fell slack and she was out again.

"She must have fell asleep studying and forgotten to take her pills" Heath noted, leaning against the now closed door. Turning, I moved closer to him.

"Why is she taking sleeping medication?" I couldn't help but ask, Evie never needed medication to sleep. I could still remember our younger years when she could fall sleep anywhere and everywhere for any amount of time. She was our own sleeping beauty. She loved her sleep, this Evie now, she almost seemed like an imposter, a faker. She didn't need pills to lull her to sleep.