Chapter 18: Chapter 018: New upgrades.

The rapping on the door was timid, barely audible. Lazaros's gaze flickered from it to me, then back, a silent question hanging in the air. "Expecting a visitor?"

"I am the visitor." My answer came out a grumble, more than a word. I pushed myself off the mattress, weariness clinging to me like cobwebs, and reached for the latch. As the door creaked open, Grace filled the gap.

"Oh, sorry to intrude," she mumbled, her eyes catching the clock briefly from her angle. "Oh shit, it's just four o'clock!" Then darted to my face, and down to my bare feet. "I…uh… I'll just, come back when it's daylight."

"Wait," I called as she turned to leave. She paused, face tilted towards me. "Is everything alright?" I asked carefully. She looked on edge, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts.