Riley doesn't remember when sleep finally dragged him under last night. The only thing he remembers clearly is lying awake for what felt like hours, his mind caught up in thoughts he couldn't control, waiting for something that never came.
And now, as morning light slips through the curtains, he stirs awake with that same heavy realization pressing down on him... whatever it was he had been waiting for didn't happen.
He forces the thought away as he pushes himself upright. Skye is curled up beside him, still asleep, his small frame rising and falling with soft breaths. Riley moves carefully, sliding off the bed with quiet steps, unwilling to disturb the his peaceful rest.
After using the bathroom, brushing his teeth and everything, he heads down the stairs.
The house is as quiet as always, the silence pressing in on him. Riley tries to convince himself that today he'll do what he came here to do: mind his business, play his role as an employee, nothing more.
