"Angel whispers in my ear

Silver music I can hear

Moonshine softly fills our room

In the desert flowers bloom"

"What was that?" Kian sat up abruptly from his relaxed position resting against Graham’s chest.

"What?" Graham said, half asleep.

"Just now. Like, a thump or something."

"It was probably something by the door… a stray dog or a fox or something…"

Kian shook his head. "No. That wasn’t a fox or even a big dog! I’ll go check."

"Kian, don’t-" Kian disappeared into the hallway and Graham gave an exasperated sigh.

Kian opened the door a little bit. The night outside was still, and freezing cold, the blue moon casting eerie shadows over the landscape.

"Hello? Is there anybody out there?" Kian’s eyes searched, but there wasn’t any movement at all. Not even the slightest gust of wind.

Kian continued to search the area for a while, then shrugged. He was about to close the door again when a soft whimper made him look down. His breath stuck in his throat and he thought he would pass out.

"Kian, where-" Graham froze. And, it wasn’t because the door was wide open and the bitter cold from outside was filling the hall, it was because of the figure Kian was crouched over.

"Oh my God, Shane!" Graham helped Kian bring Shane into the living room. His coat was damp, he was barely conscious and his skin seemed blue with cold. Kian found a big duvet and removed the coat from Shane before wrapping him in it, pulling him into his arms in a bid to heat him up.

"I’ll call the hospital." Graham made for the door.

"No…" Kian looked down at Shane, then back up at Graham. "Call my house doctor."

"Kian, don’t you-"

"He’s had enough of hospitals I think, if there’s a way to keep him from getting into one again I’m happy. The numbers on the notice board by the phone"

Graham nodded and went to make the call.

Kian turned his attention to Shane as Graham left. He pulled him closer, rocking him slowly. "You’re gonna be ok now baby… I promise you." He doubted if Shane was conscious enough to hear him, but it made him feel more confident to say those words out loud.

Shane could hear him though, and his cold body seemed to heat up in an instant. Kian had called him baby… maybe he felt the same as Shane?

Chapter 15 >>