[ Thankfully, nothing happens in the night. The car comes by again, slow and steady like the first, and Royce nearly wakes the two of them up. He can hear voices coming from the car, no words he can make out, but voices nonetheless. Arguing.
It's unsettling, but it passes. They drive down the road and further, and Royce doesn't see or hear them for the rest of the night. It's a relief, but a small one. They went in the direction that Royce, Alfie and Mercy had been planning on going, and Royce wouldn't be surprised if they crossed paths again.
The night passes. Mercy sleeps okay, but there are a few times that she squirms or makes little distressed noises as she sleeps - nightmares, like always. She quiets on her own, but it twists Royce up inside every time she does. He trusts Alfie to protect her, but it doesn't stop the ache of wishing he could do it himself. The ache of wishing he could be as good at handling her as he perceives Alfie to be.
When there's enough sunlight to see, Royce climbs out to the roof. He doesn't see any sign of danger, doesn't hear anything, and so he wakes Alfie up cautiously, reaching to touch Alfie's shoulder with his free hand defensively protecting his face. ]
Solomons. Morning. [ Royce says roughly. He looks and sounds exhausted, but it doesn't stop him. ]
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It's unsettling, but it passes. They drive down the road and further, and Royce doesn't see or hear them for the rest of the night. It's a relief, but a small one. They went in the direction that Royce, Alfie and Mercy had been planning on going, and Royce wouldn't be surprised if they crossed paths again.
The night passes. Mercy sleeps okay, but there are a few times that she squirms or makes little distressed noises as she sleeps - nightmares, like always. She quiets on her own, but it twists Royce up inside every time she does. He trusts Alfie to protect her, but it doesn't stop the ache of wishing he could do it himself. The ache of wishing he could be as good at handling her as he perceives Alfie to be.
When there's enough sunlight to see, Royce climbs out to the roof. He doesn't see any sign of danger, doesn't hear anything, and so he wakes Alfie up cautiously, reaching to touch Alfie's shoulder with his free hand defensively protecting his face. ]
Solomons. Morning. [ Royce says roughly. He looks and sounds exhausted, but it doesn't stop him. ]