– He’d w o k e n in the night suddenly, the dreams that he wanted to have evading him, and the nightmares that he wished to avoid finding him. Lawrence knew that he’d have to act quickly; otherwise, he would remain beneath his blankets for hours, frozen in his fear and unable to sleep. Throwing a robe on his quaking body, and a slipper on each foot– one prosthetic, one flesh– Lawrence traveled to the lobby of his apartment building. His first instinct was to have some tea, and it seemed that another shared his idea. “Can’t sleep either?” he asked the other softly, hoping that his wish to chat would be reciprocated.
carl rarely ever got a peaceful sleep. he usually stayed up, often as a preference to actually sleeping. he’d lay in bed and stare at the ceiling, or he’d watch tv or play video games. he’d been in washington with his father and sister for six months now, but he felt like he’d never get adjusted. he’d never settle in. tonight had been no different. he’d been up since... well, he’d lost track of how long he’d been awake for. how long he’d been laying in bed doing nothing for. at least, until a small figure pushed his door open and walked into his room, making a bee-line for his bedside. “can’t sleep, jude?” he said as he sat up, before he decided maybe a walk would help her fall back asleep. he picked her up and left the apartment, his hat, oversized, resting on his sister’s head. he’d planned to put it on himself, but she had ultimately decided she wanted to wear it. out of habit, he still has a knife on him, and his hand almost goes for it when someone else enters the lobby. he relaxes ever so slightly at what was hopefully a friendly face. he hadn’t seen too many of those back in his world. “i don’t usually sleep period. was hoping fresh air might help my sister go back to sleep.” he replied as the toddler in his arms eyed the man curiously, before pointing to his feet, which carl quickly realized was a prosthetic. “judith,” he sighed, pushing her arm down before his gaze returned to the man. “sorry.”












