Scars

Sleepless night

I lie in bed tossing around every minute or so. Sleep just doesn't seem to be an option tonight. After meeting with Nish and Temperance, I feel confused about everything around me. So much happened these past days and I can't really make sense out of any of it right now.

Giving up on sleep all together at the moment, I grab a light cardigan, slide it on me and head out of my room. I start walking in the hall, with no set destination in mind, as I think back on the recent events.

What Nish and Temperance said about PHASe and their shady experiments, what Four told me also, I am starting to seriously doubt why I am here.

(Why are any of the other operatives here? I mean, there must be some good, right? Knowing Nine, he is intelligent enough not to be working for an evil organization, right? Same goes for Zero, Three, Four, Five, Six, Eight, right? Well, I guess Zero never really decided himself now that I think about it. Actually, I really don't know much about Zero or the Zero initiative as it is. But Angmar... what Four told me..)

My train of thoughts lingers on Four. 'Enzo Kang' I repeat to myself.

At first, I thought he was very cold and mysterious, but now.. I'm not sure what to think anymore. I know that we have been partners for awhile now, and that we trust each other but...

'Seven'

I jump back startled at hearing my name and turn around to see Four standing in a doorway. I look around at my surrounding and quickly realize that I am standing in front of his room. Unable to come up with anything coherent to say, as my heart is still racing from the jump scare, I faintly wave my hand at him, avoiding his gaze.

'Couldn't sleep?'

I nod and smile sheepishly, again looking anywhere but straight at him. For some reason I just can't bring myself to look at him, I feel like I might just die of embarrassment. Looking down, I realize that I am in my pajamas, wearing sweatpants, a tank top and a cardigan barely covering any of it.

(Well now that's even more awkward.)

As I am about to turn on my heels and leave running down the hallway, Four moves from his doorway and motions for me to come in.

'I'll make some herb tea, it might help'

As much as my brain is telling me to run away, I just cannot resist his invitation right now. I could really use something to change my mind, or so I try and tell myself as he is obviously what is on my mind right now. A small sound of agreement escapes my lips and I follow him inside his room.

His room is very much like mine. The only difference is in the decoration, or lack thereof in this case. I see Four go in the corner of his room to boil water and I keep scanning the room. I find one picture frame on his desk and start looking at it. I can faintly recognize a much younger Four with what I would assume is his brother he mentioned. I look at young Four's beaming smile and wonder why I have never seen him smile like this.

'Were you also unable to sleep?' I ask mindlessly trying to fill the void of sound, and trying to keep my thoughts from drifting too far.

My eyes shift to look at Four who is quietly preparing tea in the corner and I now realize that he is only wearing sweatpants. My cheeks start feeling slightly warm and, as much as my brain is telling me to avert my eyes, I find myself looking at his back. I think I am gapping like an idiot right now as I take in the view of his back muscles.

He moves his left hand to his head. 'The augs..' he starts and pauses.

'They were activating on their own?' I ask, to complete his sentence. He nods softly, barely visible if I hadn't been paying attention.