Kael sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall.

  He couldn't sleep. Hours passed and his body still wanted to, but his mind wouldn't shut up. Same thoughts. Same conversation. Circling and circling.

  He stood up. Might as well move.

  The room was a little bigger than his hideout, and cleaner. No mold on the ceiling. No rats in the corners. A window with actual glass, even if the glass was cracked. Through it, the dim glow of Sector Four's cheap lanterns flickered against the smog.

  He opened the door and stepped into the main room.

  Cole's place was bigger than it felt from inside the bedroom. A table for eating sat near the window—the big one, with more light. A bookshelf against the wall, stuffed with old, worn books. A chair that looked like it had been repaired more than once. And a bed in the corner, where Cole was already asleep.

  'How does he fall asleep that fast?'

  Kael stared at him for a moment. Breathing steady. Face calm. Like burning an alley and saving a stranger was just another Tuesday.

  'Crazy guy.'

  He went back to his room. Sat on the bed. Pulled his knees up. Leaned against the wall.

  'Thinking about it, that guy is really weird.'

  His mind drifted back to dinner.

  "You ever thought about becoming an Awakened?"

  Kael was drinking water. He almost choked.

  He coughed, sputtered, wiped his mouth.

  "What—" Cough. "What did you just say?"

  Cole tilted his head in curiosity.

  "I asked if you've ever thought about becoming an Awakened."

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  Kael froze.

  "What the hell? Only an idiot would think about that. Why would I try to hunt a monster when I can't even protect my ass from street gangs?"

  Then his eyes widened.

  'Wait.'

  "You... impossible. Don't tell me—"

  Cole burst out laughing loudly.

  "Of course I'm joking. Damn, the look on your face. I can't."

  Kael scowled.

  "To hell with your jokes. I nearly choked to death."

  He made a face. Disbelief. Annoyance. But his thoughts kept running.

  'I don't think he's joking.'

  'This guy has some weird shit running through his brain.'

  'He might actually do it.'

  Then something clicked.

  'Damn. How did I forget that?'

  He hesitated. Then asked.

  "That alley. The one you found me in. It was the first thing I visited this morning. Half of it was burned. Who did that?"

  Cole smiled. No hesitation.

  "Me."

  Kael's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

  "What the—"

  Cole shrugged.

  "It was hard to carry you out without getting caught. So I used a lighter. The oil from the old equipment did the rest."

  He paused. His eyes went distant. Reflective.

  "It was like fireworks."

  Kael went pale. Words didn't come. He opened his mouth, closed it, tried again.

  "O... oh. What a great plan."

  Cole grinned.

  "Right?"

  Kael's thoughts screamed.

  'Crazy. This bastard is really crazy.'

  'Who turns half an alley into ashes and says it looks like fireworks?'

  'Fuck. Why do I always end up with weird people?'

  Cole's tone turned more practical.

  "Borias and his gang are still looking for you."

  Kael's body tingled.

  "This is the first time I've seen them be this serious about something," Cole continued.

  Kael muttered. "I think I know the reason."

  Cole nodded.

  "So my advice? Hide for a week or two. Until they get bored."

  Kael thought about it. Then nodded.

  "Fair enough."

  Cole clapped his hands, smiling.

  "All done. It's late. You can use the room from this morning. I'll ask you to help with my job once the search cools down. Oh, and I'll keep an eye on them for you."

  Kael's eyebrows pulled together.

  "Your job. It's not dangerous, is it?"

  Cole raised an eyebrow.

  "You think I'm some kind of psycho?"

  'YES.'

  Kael stared at him.

  Cole sighed.

  "Okay, okay. I'll give you more details later. Now, good night. I have work early in the morning."

  Kael turned away.

  'That only makes it more suspicious.'

  Back in bed. Same position. Same wall. Same ceiling.

  'A job, huh?'

  'That's something rare here.'

  He made a face. Disgust? Confusion? Maybe both.

  'Come to think of it...'

  'How did my life turn into hell this fast?'

  'First, the thugs I stole from turned into some badass gang with that giant Borias leading them.'

  'Then I got saved by a psycho.'

  'Am I cursed or something?'

  He sighed into the darkness.

  'Ah, damn it. I'll think about it tomorrow.'

  It's been a long day.