by Jack McGlynn
“I love Sabs and the rest but... It’s lonely being the only hollow.”
“I know.” Rook admitted, truthfully.
“I figured we could keep each other company. Maybe share a giggle at all that nonsense they’re always crying about. Look out for one another, I guess. And before you start, yes, I believe even someone like you needs a friend to look out for them. Someone to, what’s the word-”
“Empathize?” Rook hazarded, pulling the spoon from his smacking lips.
“Bingo.”
“Empathy...” Rook daydreamed, wondering if he could actually appreciate the concept on anything beyond an intellectual level, “Sure, why not? Let’s give it a whirl.”
“You promise?” Joe looked up at him sceptically. She was instinctually disinclined to trust him. Chiefly because he reminded her so much of herself.
“Promise.”
“Are you upset about Molly?” She asked abruptly, finding no need to linger now the former subject was put to bed. Yawning, Jo was about to follow suit.
“Kid, I don’t even understand why I would be.”
“Awesome. Me neither.” Joe nodded, genuinely excited to agree with someone for a change.
“Good. Now go and get some sleep. Sabs has stopped whimpering.”
“Well thank Christ!” Joe exclaimed. And as Rook let out a delighted chortle, she bent down to kiss his cheek before scuttling off to bed.
Rook turned back, regarding the silence, the darkness. He didn’t resent the comfort and familiarity they brought as much now. And he was content to let the numbing mist of dopamine consume him until morning.
Castling 1.
Copyright: Jack McGlynn
Published: April 7th 2013
The right of Jack McGlynn to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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