Before Dawn

It’s still dark outside.

She reaches her hand to the other side of her bed, feeling the cool, empty sheet. Caitlyn sits up, looking around the room. “Vi?”

“I thought I would make breakfast.” Vi’s voice was distant. She sits at the window, her knee up in front of her, with her chin resting on it as she looks out at the city.

Caitlyn gets up, pulling her robe over her nightdress. The floor is cold as she walks across it. “And what did I do, to deserve such a harsh punishment?”

Vi cracks half a smile. She turns her head, facing away from Caitlyn to watch the city. A heavy fog is over the city. With that and the dark, there isn’t much to see.

Caitlyn rests a hand on Vi’s shoulder, trying to find something to say. Vi leans into the touch, resting her cheek against Caitlyn’s hand, before pulling away. “I can’t just sit here. Not while… I need to do something.”

“You almost died,” Caitlyn reminds her.

“Yeah, well, what else is new,” Vi replies. She pushes herself up from the window seat. She crosses the room, grabbing her jacket from the floor, where she had tossed it the night before.

“You need rest,” Caitlyn says, watching Vi pull the jacket on with a small, worried frown.

“I’ll be careful.” Vi goes for the door but stops. She walks back, kissing Caitlyn. “I’ll be back before dinner.”

“You won’t find her alone.”

Vi pulls away, walking back to the door.

“Vi,” Caitlyn says softly, almost pleading.

“I’ll be back before dinner.” Vi leaves, closing the door behind her.

Caitlyn wraps her arms in front of her, hugging herself. Vi’s footsteps fade, and Caitlyn stands alone in the cold, dark bedroom.