Separation

Cayden stirred, glancing accidentally to his left. When his gaze focused on the clock hanging on the wall of the living room, he scrambled out of the couch, where he dozed off.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” He asked Tori, who was sitting on the other couch accusingly, wiping his face off the vestiges of sleep as he did so.

Tori glanced at him, roused from her stupor, and smiled apologetically.

“You looked exhausted. I do not have the heart to wake you up.”

“But you should have. It’s late. I have to go home.” Cayden muttered, running his fingers to his hair as he did so.

He looked around him for his phone and key fob and stepped out without throwing another glance at Tori.

“Can’t you stay the night? It is already late. It is safer if you stay here.” Tori said, following behind. She was hoping he would sleep in the master bedroom with her.

Cayden never does that.

As always, when he needed to watch over her, he would sleep on the couch.

He stopped to unlock the main door. “I