Sighted

Chapter 6: Dead Ends, Abs and Radio Silence

Owen

     My shoulder is killing me, my back feels stiff from being hunched over my keyboard for hours and a frustration headache is starting to pound behind my eyes. I think of Gin, cramped on a stake out without any sleep the previous night, and try to push through. I straighten out my spine and try to stretch out my arms from my shoulders to my fingers. Moving my sore shoulder causes me to wince and I long for Bowden.

     At least, I long for his magical touch.

      When asked about his surprising healing capabilities last night, after coming home from the hospital and getting Dylan settled, Bowden was just as confused. It is another mystery without an answer that we're finding out about the bracelet. After that, Bowden has stayed close to my side. He made the decision to stay here last night, which helped me, because I didn't have to ask. I took the painkiller I was prescribed, but I preferred the pain being completely eliminated when Bowden touched me.

     It was great for a while this morning. After having my hand held all night, the pain slowly trickled back. After Gin left, Bowden sat next to me while I looked into DemGen Corp, and I utilized his touch while working. I didn't expect to find much from them. It's not like they're going to have details to their demonic plan on their website's About Us page.

     The pictures Gin took would ping my email occasionally and I would stop to check them out. None of the demons were any that we have met before. Even Bowden, who was looking over my shoulder as he softly rubbed my injured arm below my short sleeve, hadn't recognized any. It's a big city and holds a large magical population, part of why Gin and I located here years ago. Unfortunately, it's easy enough for evil spirits to hide among the city dwellers too.

     Dylan got up eventually and Bowden left my side to fix him breakfast. The demon was easily won over with the boy's enthusiastic response to food. Apparently, I can almost be burned to a crisp, but if Dylan praises some culinary skills, all is forgiven. I mean, I also like the food. I've never said so to Bowden, but it is probably obvious.

     After the boy had eaten his fill and was watching TV, Bowden cleaned up and joined me again at the computer. I couldn't hold his hand, but I pressed my arm against his, bared in another tank top. When the pain faded away, I could feel his warm skin against mine. Every time he shifted, I felt the bunch and release of his muscles, emphasizing how much bigger he is than me.

     For a while, I assumed I was having a normal amount of difficulty hacking into a new system. As the morning dragged into the afternoon, I became increasingly agitated. It was like I was trying to hack into an empty lot, there was nothing there. Occasionally, usually when I was grumbling to myself about the issue, Bowden would run his hand consolingly along my back.

     Eventually, Dylan got bored with television and wandered over. He started to lean against the desk on my other side and I had to shoo him away to be separated from me by Bowden's large form. I know I was partially at fault for startling the kid yesterday, but I really don't need another ER visit. Not today.

     Soon, the halfling was peppering the demon with questions. I only listened with half an ear as I focused on the large problem at hand. I found I was slightly curious, as I've come to realize that I don't really know all that much personal information about Bowden, however I couldn't focus as they talked today. I know that they discussed cooking and favorite foods, as well as their own powers.  I knew from researching Bowden months and months ago, that the large demon had incredible power as well as strength, coming from two powerful lines of demons. His main power was destructive, the power of wind.

     As the afternoon continued, I grew more and more frustrated. The cheerful banter of the two next to me started to grate on my nerves. After snapping at them, Bowden offered to take Dylan and get some ingredients for dinner. I snagged a promise from Bowden that the halfling would be absolutely safe, or else Gin would kill both of us, before all but kicking them out of the apartment.