It was late by the time we finished cleaning, as was expected. Most of the time was spent getting the smoke from the room, and that proved difficult with Aaron's usual ditz. How fanning the air leads to chairs being toppled, I will never know. But, by the time everything was cleaned and I made us a quick meal of baked pasta, it was nearly 10 pm.
"Hey, if a person with the exact characteristics you are looking for simply appeared in front of you, what would you think?" I slurped up a noodle as I pondered aloud.
"Well, I'd think that's awfully convenient. Maybe too convenient." The man across from me shrugged, the chair creaking a bit under him.
"Right? Almost like someone wants you to look at that person." I leaned back in my own chair, pushing against the table leg with my foot to balance.
"Stop leaning… but yeah, I agree. Like that Agatha Christie book, you can't trust something just presented to you on a silver platter!" He grinned at me, proud of himself.
"I don't think that book exists, but alright. I agree with you regardless." I sighed and picked up the plates to put in the dishwasher.
Aaron jumped up to help, "Does this have to do with Nox?"
That name sent a jolt through me, "Don't say his name. I don't want to talk about him right now."
He flinched back a bit and I immediately felt bad, but he hung his head, "Right… sorry. Does it have to do with your Vendetta?"
"No, just a case." I couldn't meet his eyes. Of course it all led back to Nox, no matter what I did, it was always Nox. My precious brother. The one everyone wished survived.
Maybe even Aaron wished that, a voice whispered in the back of my mind. After all, Aaron looked up to Nox, at least before the Creepers killed him.