Repose

[Local internet service providers report unavoidable periodic interruptions in connectivity to local residences and businesses. Maintenance continues, but apparently leakage over time damaged Cat 5e cabling at crucial points throughout the county.]

Who: Atticus & Daniel
What: A pleasant interaction
Where: A dusty old manor on the lake
When: Nowish
Warnings/Rating: V for Vampire

Wasn't sure how much time had passed. Hours? Days? Atticus always lost time after the haunts drained him. After, he usually spent a few days in bed. Was like a bad flu. Aches. Exhaustion. Had happened a dozen times in Atticus' life. Usually meant someone, somewhere, was dead. Woke up wondering who was dead this time. Memories of the party and after were hazy.

Place smelled old. Musty, dark, cold. Could see shapes of things. Fridge. Table. Mattress. Wasn't his cellar. Wasn't his attic. Could smell water on the air. Atticus had grown up in a fishing town. Not his entire life, but once his parents went to jail. His foster home had been in a fish town. Knew the smell of water and fish. It was an old memory lodged in his nostrils.

Sat up from his corner slump. Wasn't strong enough to stand. Scraped his shoulders against the moldy wall. Touched his fingers to his neck. Remembered. Wasn't sure if Daniel was anywhere around. Patted his pockets, looking for his phone. Wasn't there, but he was fairly sure he saw it over there, by the door. Thought it was a door. Could see the faint glint of a knob.

Assessed his conditions. No haunts at present.

"DANIEL." It was a growl, a rumble deep in his chest. Sounded like he'd smoked a pack a day since he was fifteen, because he had. "Wouldn't mind something to read. A lamp. Some music. Own the music store, don't you? Heard there was some decent R&B in there. Not my favorite, but would be better than nothing. Know people will come looking for me. DANIEL."