Claire had felt Kate’s hands on her back and in her hair when she threw up. It would normally have made her feel a bit better, but she doubted anything could improve the situation. She had drunk too much and now witnessed the horrible murder scene of a neighbour.

“I can walk myself.” Claire muttered when Elijah touched and pushed her. 
She began to walk faster, but felt someone grasping her hand tightly. Claire thought it was Elijah again and was about to chew him out, then she noticed it was Kate holding her. She raised an eyebrow, surprised that Kate would hold her hand, but she realized she didn’t mind it as much as she would have if it had been anyone else. She let Kate squeeze her hand in hers, but didn’t return the gesture.

“Water would be nice.” Claire answered Elijah, feeling her stomach begin to turn again at the thought of drinking any more liquor. “Thank you.”
Kate threw her arms around Claire when Elijah had left them alone, and she couldn’t help but think that she was being very handsy all of a sudden. She supposed it was natural as her friend was genuinely scared for Claire’s well-being.

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about me.” Claire said, trying to laugh it off and act like she wasn’t affected by what had happened. She failed at it though, fear showing itself in her voice. “Let’s sit down, I feel so tired.” 

She waited for Kate to sit down on the grass nearby, then placed herself in her lap. This way she would hopefully calm Kate down and assure her that she was not going anywhere. At least that was what she told herself when she decided where to sit.

“I’m not going anywhere, sis.” Claire said, and leaned her head against Kate’s shoulder, breathing against her neck. She finally felt like she could get some rest, despite having seen that shocking scene her body was not able to catch up fully to the events.  “I promise.” 

“I doubt Solomon would be much help though.” She laughed weakly. “You were right with what you said earlier, He is too much of an oversized housecat. It would be better if I taught one of the others the command. Maybe Sheila, she can be quite hostile to humans when she feels like being left alone.” Claire smiled. “Or maybe I should get a gun or something else to protect myself with. Still, I am not the only one at risk. Maybe they will strike again, somewhere else entirely…”

Claire continued talking, but it turned into soft murmurs as she felt her mind and body relaxing for a nap. She moved a bit, to get a more comfortable sleeping position, accidentally pressing her body and chest against Kate. 

“Fluffy pillow.” Claire murmured, some of the few words that were understandable among everything that she mumbled. 

She just wanted a short nap so her body would get better from the hangover and the tiredness, then they could do what seemed best to deal with all these problems happening around them. She wished things had remained in the same state they used to be in forever, but now the peace had been disturbed at its roots.