Keeper

X. Exhaustion and Contagion

"Go home, Morgan."

The human keeper looked up, rubbing at her eyes. She'd been staring at the crime scene report and the kappa's recorded statements about their potential warlock for hours, sometimes drumming her pen on the edge of her desk in a frustrated staccato or worrying at her lower lip. Stheno was standing in the doorway of her cubicle. "I'm fine," Morgan said, swiveling in her chair to face her supervisor.

Stheno sighed, minutely adjusting her mirrored shades. "You look terrible."

"I'm okay, Stheno, I promise." Contrary to the assurance, Morgan's aching eyes and heavy head were proof enough that she was exhausted. It was just hard to roll down her sleeves and call it quits for the day, knowing that there was someone out there actively hunting Unseen. They didn't have forever and there was already one confirmed victim. It didn't help that she had spent the last few hours consoling Q, before having Katsuo escort the grieving angel back to his place.

"You've been up for how many hours?" The gorgon looked anything but convinced. "You need some sleep. Your eyes are red and you've got shadows under them."

The human tossed the remnants of her meal into the trash. She didn't remember if it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Time didn't always flow normally in Hamistagan Plaza and if she was being honest with herself, she had no idea when she'd last slept. "Eh, a few dark circles never hurt anybody."

"Morgan, yours are like a raccoon staring out of a burnt log," Stheno said. 

It did make Morgan laugh a little. "Missed your calling as a poet," she said. She rubbed at her eyes a little bit, sighing. "Alright. I'll head home. A proper shower sounds real nice." She'd taken one after the scene, but it had been intermittently cold and the soap was industrial grade.

"I'm glad you think so. Can't have you polluting the place," the gorgon said, watching as Morgan shoved everything into her briefcase. It looked fit to bulging, but that wasn't out of the ordinary when the human keeper was on a case. "We should try and find you an enchanted one of those."

"This one's got sentimental value," Morgan said as she closed it. It was almost a satchel, leather with straps. "Besides, I think it is magic. At least the pens, anyway. Now away I go."

"I'm coming with you," the gorgon said.

Morgan frowned deeply. "I don't need a babysitter, Stheno. I'll be alright. You have more important things to do."

"You have been attacked by a barghest and some unknown entity already," Stheno said. "If anything is to happen to a keeper, it will be you. You should not be alone without the protections of either Hamistagan or your home." The gorgon had never looked more serious, though it was impossible to see her eyes.

"Yeah, and who's going to walk you back, Keeper Corey Hart?" Morgan said. Even as she spoke, though, she was grateful to the gorgon. After all, Stheno was the only reason she'd even become a keeper. It was also pulling her out of her current mood.

Stheno laughed. "Is that a critique of my wardrobe or your musical request for the drive to your place?"

Morgan grinned. "Do you even know the words to that song, Stheno? It was a little after your time."

"Please, I know every word to that song. The 1980s were delightful. I treasure my memories of stereos that people carried on their shoulders and the style, the class, that was Miami Vice. The fanny packs, I could do without," Stheno said as they started walking. As the last two out of the office, she shut off the lights as they walked through the door.

"I'm not sure if I believe you," Morgan said with amusement.

Stheno cleared her throat. "I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can—"