"...eleven...twelve. Then I could... No turn around. Do it again. Don't think about it...One...two..."
He'd been pacing for hours. It was twelve steps to the lav, turn, and twelve steps back to the chair. He was supposed to be enjoying this. This was supposed to be his time. But, like the three days before, he sat and wondered at what there was to do. Pacing got his mind off of the hopelessness of his situation. The orange carpet pulled all thoughts out of his head as he walked back and forth. That same carpet pushed those same thoughts back into his head when ever he stopped.
The familiar vibrations were no longer with him. His chair was no longer the haven it once was. Now it was a prison. A death trap. Waiting for him to sit down again, wanting to suck more of his life away. The occasional thump in the night was gone. Life was over.
"...our...five...six..."
The phone rang. Probably the people from Karma wanting their stuff back. "Screw 'em" he thought. "I bought 'em. They're mine." The phone rang again. He turned, heading for the lav again. He closed the door, trying to block them out. Again, the phone rang. The faucet on the sink came on with a flick of his wrist, followed by the shower. Another ring.
He stepped into the shower and pulled the door to, trying to insulate himself from them. His cloths clung to his skin, weighing him down. Sliding down the wall, he landed on his butt with a *thump*. Another ring. He stuck his fingers in his ears, seeking some solace in silence. Rocking back and forth, the wondering thoughts came back to him.
"I could call up...no, he's busy. I could go to the...no one there. I could watch the...no, shot it this morning...I could..."
He didn't notice the water get cold. Didn't notice his skin go clammy. Didn't hear the front door open. Didn't realize he'd fallen asleep hours ago. Only one thing echoed in his mind, even as he slept. If this was retirement, what good was it?
Two Shivers pulled a bag behind them, down a down a nondescript hallway. One looked to the other, "Hypothermia!? Here?!?!"
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