Chereads / The Sun in the City of Night / Chapter 13 - Sleep

Chapter 13 - Sleep

As I walked down the stairs, returning to Dok's work area, my heart felt like it weighed tons. I rarely showed my emotions to anyone. I usually did not get so vulnerable. I miss her. Still, with a heavy heart, I walked back downstairs to see Draco putting his shirt back on. I noticed that for a rich young man, he was still rather defined. While he was no bodybuilder, he certainly did visit the gym. Dok was reorganising his equipment. His diligence and work ethic was always admirable. Everyone's was. They all worked hard for my selfish goal, hidden behind the facade of bringing down a corrupt empire.

I was still deep in thought as Draco called out to me and waved. " Hey man! Your doctor is amazing! Feel fresh as a baby!" He caught me while I was still drowning in my thoughts. I barely responded, absent-mindedly humming in agreement. He noticed that my mind was elsewhere. He tilted his head to look at me with inquisitive eyes. " Hunter? You aight?"

That question finally brought me back to reality. I jerked up, as if reawakening from sleeping, refocusing my eyes on Draco. "Oh...yeah. Right." I could tell that Draco was still curious, but he held his tongue. " We have a room prepared for you, second last door, end of the corridor."

Draco simply nodded and walked upstairs. My eyes followed him for a few extra seconds. I could feel the eyes of my men following him as well. They were still skeptical of his intentions. I smirked internally, he definitely is not going to catch a break for a while.

Dok walked up behind me and placed his left hand on my soldier. To his surprise, I jumped, not expecting his action. He was stunned for a few seconds. "S-Sir? When was the last time you slept?" He stammered still surprised that I did not suspect his approach. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, between my eyes. Only with his question did I realise my own exhaustion. It was true, sleep has not blessed me as of late.

"Couple days? Bout a week at this point maybe?" I answered, still holding the bridge of my nose. Dok's expression filled with concern and a tinge of disappointment. It hadn't been the first time I neglected sleep.

"Captain. You have the sleep once in a while. We talked about this..." He walked away back to his workstation. He filled a syringe with a solution. "I'll put you under during your check-up. Maybe then you can actually get some much-needed rest." I still didn't respond, still contemplating everything that has happened, especially what just happened in the room. Perhaps with some rest, I would control myself better. However, I still have reservations. Not sleeping was a choice. I have my reasons for it.

"Cap, you have such capable lieutenants and sub-ordinates. You can share the workload with us. I'm sure you aren't worried about betrayal. You really need rest..." Dok continued to lecture me. Finally, I put a hand up to make him stop.

"Alright, alright I get it Dok. I'll try. Let's just get this done and over with aight?" I said with exasperation. I lumbered over to the operating table, taking my shirt off and lying down. I inhaled, preparing for the embrace of sleep for the first time in a long time. Though it will be induced and forced in some manner, it will be sleep nonetheless. I felt a syringe enter my left arm, unflinching. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier. My eyelids closed as the world around me descended into darkness. But with darkness, comes fear. Mine was spiking.