His bones ached. Kieran didn't know how he was always surprised by this, but his bones ached. He pulled on his shirt and trousers, cracked his wrists, and left the attic, taking account of the new purple bruises where his limbs had pulled against the chains. But having his bones ache and the shackles attached meant that he had not killed anyone last night - had not burst through the attic door and ruined Jude's life.
He trekked down the stairs, moving slowly, and sat in the chair across from Jude without really looking at him; they had a routine. He took a sip of the tea and then slid his gaze over as the warmth slid into his lungs.
"Morning," Kieran said, voice cracking. "I hope you slept last night."
He was never sure if Jude slept or not, during the nights; he always looked anxious in the morning, regardless.
He trekked down the stairs, moving slowly, and sat in the chair across from Jude without really looking at him; they had a routine. He took a sip of the tea and then slid his gaze over as the warmth slid into his lungs.
"Morning," Kieran said, voice cracking. "I hope you slept last night."
He was never sure if Jude slept or not, during the nights; he always looked anxious in the morning, regardless.