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Chapter 61
By Shell97
Nakano stepped back into the living room. He had just left for a minute to show Anika and Cisia to the bathroom but somehow Phoenix had already managed to fall into a deep slumber. From where he stood though, Phoenix's dreams weren't at all pleasant. The young hunter was thrasing and kicking like he was fighting for a golden glove. For a second Nakano debated over whether on not to leave Mark to deal with his demons, but the expression of anguish on Phoenix's face changed his mind.
Nelson bent over the couch and nudged Phoenix. The hunter came up swinging and Nakano found himself flat on his ass. Nakano picked himself off the floor and rubbed his jaw, "Jeez, that's some right hook you got there."
Even though he had just knocked Nakano on his ass, Phoenix didn't look the least bit repentant. "What were you doing?"
"You looked like you were having a bad dream, so I woke you up. You alright?"
"I'm fine," Phoenix said roughly. "Where did Cisia and Anika go?"
"They wanted to clean up so I showed them to the bathroom."
"It seemed so real," Phoenix mumbled to himself.
Nakano had to lean in to hear him. "What did?"
"My dream," Phoenix explained without knowing why. "I used to live in this neighborhood. Before I became the Ministry's property."
"I'm sorry. If I had known..."
Phoenix stood. "That's alright. It doesn't matter."
"Hey, why don't I get you that beer."
"That'd be nice."
Dried blood flaked off of her shirt as she unbuttoned it. Anika wondered morbidly if it was Merrit's or the kid's. With a deft flick of her wrist the shirt sailed into the trash bucket.
"Are you sure you want to throw that shirt away?" Cisia asked. "The sonic shower could probably get rid of the blood."
Anika smiled. "Trust me. I never want to see that shirt again. You really don't mind if I use the tub?"
"I'm okay with using the sonic shower. It's what I'm used to."
"Thanks," Anika said as she walked into the other bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Steam filled the room as she filled the clawfoot tub. Bathing with water was a luxury that few could afford, but Nakano said it was alright since he probably wouldn't be able to come back here anyway.
As Anika sank into the tub, she wondered what Darian was doing.
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