In Pursuit Of ✔

Everything Changes

Whether or not Nick had noticed the tension between them at the oak tree, Henley couldn't tell. They fell back into their usual pattern for the next couple days, mostly keeping to themselves and only really conversing at dinner. That being said, Henley thought the moments they spent together had gained an extra level of comfort to them. However, there was also a part of her that thought she was just imagining things, and nothing had actually happened between them at the oak tree. Maybe it was all in her imagination and what she really needed was to talk to someone other than Nick.

The good news: Henley's nightmares had finally begun to abate slightly. She came downstairs the morning after her second night of no dreams, humming quietly to herself. Nick was already down in the basement, so she made her own coffee and wandered into the living room, plopping down on the couch, grabbing the remote, and turning on the tv. Henley paid little attention to the morning cooking show, however, and instead sipped her coffee and enjoyed the sunlight.

Henley turned her head as she heard footsteps coming up from the basement. Nick appeared in the doorway, and Henley noticed he had dark circles under his eyes. "There's coffee ready," she commented.

Nick nodded in appreciation and went to pour himself a cup. He brought it over and sat down on the couch next to Henley.

"What's up?" she asked. "No offense, but you look horrible."

He glared at her. "Thanks," he said sarcastically. He shook his head. "No, it's nothing, D.C. called me in at four in the morning wanting an update. They have people working all night in that office, so it was five for them."

"Couldn't they have waited until a reasonable hour?"

Nick shrugged. "Honestly, I've worked those night shifts and eventually you just lose track of what normal hours are for normal people."

"So what now? More work?"

"Ugh, coffee first." Nick took a sip from his mug. "I haven't been up this early in weeks, my sleep schedule is so messed up."

In Henley's opinion, getting up before seven every morning wasn't a messed-up sleep schedule, but that was just her.

Henley had just turned her attention back to the television as Nick leaned his head back on the chair, closing his eyes, when his phone started beeping. His eyes shot open, and he banged his coffee mug down on the table, grabbing his cellphone.

"What is it?" Henley asked as Nick's eyes glued themselves to the screen.

"Go down to the basement."

"What?"

"Henley, go!" he said sharply.

Henley turned off the tv and put down her coffee before getting out of the chair. Nick walked her quickly over to the door.

"It's a perimeter alert," he explained quickly. "There's a car coming. It could be nothing, it's probably nothing, but you need to get down there and lock the door. Do you have your phone on you?"

Henley pulled it out of her pocket.

"Don't unlock it until you see me on one of the screens and get a phone call from me. Not a text. A phone call. Understand?"

Henley nodded.

"Go."

"Nick—" Henley hesitated at the top of the stairs.