Darkness swallowed the room as the only light came from the streets below. The cool breeze from the cracked window was felt as the body that once laid restless settled into the slumber that quietly invited her. She to her side allowing the warmth from her pillow to sooth her when the sound of light but audible tapping was heard on her window. She was facing that direction so it was easy to peek open her eye and see the youthful face that waited restlessly. It wasn’t the same face she saw every now and there. Although lately his presence seemed almost rare.

     She sat up as he pointed his long nimble finger towards her room. Nodding lazily understanding what he wanted she watched him push up the window ceil his long legs stretching into the room. Having her room by the emergency exit was booth a curse and a glory, ironically his presence wasn’t hated just his timing was off.

     She laid back down her head turning to watch his body move towards the other side of the room. He stripped himself of his Nike slippers as his tall stature moved to the right side of her queen-sized bed. He sat down tossing back the covers before shifting his body so he was laying in the bed. The moon revealed his eyes moving upon her as he spotted the older girl in front of him trying to read his quiet and still expression. “Dad came home late again” he breathed shifting his back toward her.

     Her lips stayed in a thin line all she could do was pat his arm before shifting so her back was toward him. Silence fell over the room once more as the sound of restless vehicles trying to get home buzzed through the city. All she could do was close her eyes wishing for the boy she saw as a brother to find peace in this life not the next.

     Sleep washed over the girl in a few minutes and time passed before it was disturbed once more. The heat from a heavy breeze was felt as she squeezed her eyes the puff of air coming from above her face was felt. Opening her eyes that moved in a lazy fashion she got a flicker of a big black hair form. This forced her eyes open once more but she didn’t dart up as they focused on the beast in front of her side of the bed. Her hand reached back in a slow steady pace. Taking in how calm it was, centering its attention on her. Reaching back, she touched the boy behind her as she felt his hand take her wrist. This allowed her to know he was wake and from the position of his grip she knew he was facing her way.

     Her breath grew erect as the things breath did the same. She felt her eyes water as her lip quivered. The low growl coming from it’s lips shook her being as her grip on his shirt tightened.