I am unable to sleep.

Nights in new places never treated you that well. You stared at the star littered sky through the cracks of the building while your mind ran rampant with memories. Perhaps it was because you weren’t alone you felt comfortable enough to recall personal moments in life.

The first time you botched a contract.

The first time you killed someone.

The first time someone hugged you for finding their child.

The first time you...**** yourself on a girl…

You turned to your side. Ashley and the others were sound asleep. Even Arabella and the other girls. Did everyone else have a clear conscience besides you? If that were the case, you weren’t exactly happy with yourself. You reached out for your gun and made way for the exit to take a walk through the area. The snow that had previously fallen a few hours earlier was now covering the entire forest in a pure white color. The silence of the world was much more pronounced than what you were used to. No matter. You went ahead and started to lean against the structure.

The light was very prominent as it reflected off the snow. The ground sparkled as much as the sky did, giving the surface a very surreal impression. It was warmer than expected too. Your breath misted with every exhale, but the air didn’t snap or gnaw at your exposed nose or finger tips. You circled around the building and then paused in front of the entry/exit to lean against what was left of the front. The wall moaned, threatening to cave in at first, but when you eased your full weight against it, the integrity proved better than previously thought.

You stuffed your hands in your pockets, feeling wide awake. Strangely, you didn’t feel exposed or in danger. The forest was empty and the lack of noise assured you of that. It was a welcoming change to you since the last few days had been busier than usual. You couldn’t help but think of Delilah as you started to sink further into your own thoughts. You eventually drifted your gaze upward towards the dark sky. Stars, untouched by the disaster man had made for himself, looked as good as good as it did to the first man. What was Delilah up to? Sleeping, probably. Perhaps she was in bed thinking too?

You closed your eyes and relaxed. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Clearing your mind, you tried your best to find an inner peace so you could return to the others and find rest like the rest. You aren’t exactly sure how long you were out there when you heard something, the noise eased you back into reality. Mikko and Gwendolion poked their heads out.

“I hope you’re not trying to run away,” you sighed, noticing that they still had their wrists tied together. “What are you two doing out here?”

Mikko stepped forward. “You weren’t inside.”

Gwendolion stepped closer too, but she chose not to say anything. Mikko continued. “What’s wrong?”

You shrugged. You didn’t really want to talk to them, but then you supposed if they were going to be around; you best get used to it… “I got some things to think about.”

They both surrounded you. One your left and then another on your right. If they looked even remotely threatened you might’ve tried to break free of their pincher. “What are you thinking about?”

“Sex, ****, rocks and snow.” You sarcastically tell Mikko, which surprisingly prompts her to laugh slightly. She stuffs her hand into her breast pocket to present to you a pack of cigarettes. An older pack, perhaps from the 50’s? Anything that wasn’t from the 80’s now was deemed vintage…

You watch Mikko offer it. “Do you smoke?”

You looked at her - the brightness of her eyes twinkled in the current setting. You swallowed and looked around before looking at the pack she was handing you.