Chapter 13

Saben's eyes were bloodshot. He had picked away a giant hole in the carpet, still faintly humming the same song.

Crimson walked into his room. "Saben, what the hell!"

Saben picked another small tuft. "What?" he asked, jolting upwards.

Crimson knelt down beside him. "It's not healthy staying up all night doing.... this!"

Saben shook his head. "I couldn't sleep..." he replied.

"You didn't try!" Crimson said.

"It doesn't matter. I'm ready for... Today..." Saben said drowsily.

"You're not going!" Crimson stated.

"Why not?" Saben asked.

"You didn't go to sleep and you are now tired. You need to rest." Crimson said.

"I don't need any rest." Saben yawned.

"Yes you do! I'll just... Go with Damien I guess." Crimson said.

"Please let me go with you." Saben pleaded, nearly falling on his face.

Damien walked in, already wide awake. "Where are we going?" he asked Crimson, not paying attention to Saben.

"Just around." Crimson told him. She looked at Saben. "No."

Damien smiled. "Great."

Saben smiled at Crimson. "Please?" he said, his mouth opening in a huge yawn.

"No! It's your own damn fault that you didn't get any sleep. Now you must pay the price."

Saben cast up one pleading glance before falling forward, curling into a a ball and hugging his crowbar close to him.

"Well, when are we going?" Damien asked with a sly smile.

Crimson sighed and looked down at Saben. "Maybe we should just go tomorrow...."

Damien frowned. "Why?"

"Because he seems to really want to come. And I don't feel comfortable leaving him by himself..." Crimson responded.

"He'll be safe in the refuge. Besides, I'm guessing he won't be too helpful if we run into a lot of zombies." Damien replied.

Crimson looked away. "I think we should just let him rest and go when he wakes up."

Damien sighed. "But we don't want him dying if he does come. He nearly killed himself with a skateboard."

"Crowbar. The skateboard was an accomplice. Anyway. He'll be with me. He can't be any safer." Crimson stated.

"It might slow you down though." Damien commented, looking down at Saben. "He'll be relying on you, it's hard enough trying to fend for yourself..."