214 Near Disasters
Audio Post
[Audio begins four paragraphs down.]
[It's the same scenario as always. Niko doesn't thrash or yell, only goes for his knife and wakes with his pulse pounding in his ears. He sees the photograph of his brother in short order, though it's of no help this time, serving only to remind him of a cave-in beneath the supporting structures of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The clock reads 12:05. Niko tries to go back to sleep. He jerks awake at 12:17, the ghost of an unwanted touch lingering against his skin.
When a third attempt fails and leaves Niko with the echo of gurgling laughter in his ears, he gives up on sleep and goes for a practice sword. No live steel tonight, not with unsteady hands.
Fourteen hours later, and it's back to katas after a thirty-minute nap (he takes them these days, as he still tires easily) leaves him wound more tightly than when he stretched out on the couch. When he finally puts his sword up and lies back down, Hal jumps onto his stomach and starts kneading. Niko sighs and triggers the voice post option. The cat's purr is loud enough to be captured by the microphone.]
Let's conduct an informal survey. Raise your hand if you've been up since midnight. Put it back down if you haven't tried to sleep yet.
[He frowns at Hal when the cat's claws go through his tee-shirt.]
Also remind me why a cat sitting on top of you is supposed to be soothing.
[Audio begins four paragraphs down.]
[It's the same scenario as always. Niko doesn't thrash or yell, only goes for his knife and wakes with his pulse pounding in his ears. He sees the photograph of his brother in short order, though it's of no help this time, serving only to remind him of a cave-in beneath the supporting structures of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The clock reads 12:05. Niko tries to go back to sleep. He jerks awake at 12:17, the ghost of an unwanted touch lingering against his skin.
When a third attempt fails and leaves Niko with the echo of gurgling laughter in his ears, he gives up on sleep and goes for a practice sword. No live steel tonight, not with unsteady hands.
Fourteen hours later, and it's back to katas after a thirty-minute nap (he takes them these days, as he still tires easily) leaves him wound more tightly than when he stretched out on the couch. When he finally puts his sword up and lies back down, Hal jumps onto his stomach and starts kneading. Niko sighs and triggers the voice post option. The cat's purr is loud enough to be captured by the microphone.]
Let's conduct an informal survey. Raise your hand if you've been up since midnight. Put it back down if you haven't tried to sleep yet.
[He frowns at Hal when the cat's claws go through his tee-shirt.]
Also remind me why a cat sitting on top of you is supposed to be soothing.