Once you let the darkness in.. It never goes away.

There’s as much newbies as there are some who leave town. At least that’s what i’ve noticed but, maybe there are more, I’m not sure. I don’t usually get to encounter new people coming in. Speaking of threat, you seem fine, but might as well get you checked with the medics afterward. Cautious is all.

Yeah.. Of course. Do whatever you need to do in order for me to stay.

I guess its been about a month now for both. I haven’t kept track so I don’t know exact numbers or anything, but I got here and then within a couple days moved in with Declan.

How's Demi? I haven't seen her in ages.

"I'm fine. See?" Peyton danced around a little and made sure he breathed deeply in and out before letting out a chuckle. "I'm alive and I'm here." He smiled as he held onto the strap of his bag along with his brother's. "I didn't know if you wanted to keep her with the farmer or not."

Sure! I’ve only been around for a little while, but I can fill you in on at least some things about him. Just follow me and ask away on what you want to know.

How long have you been in town? Have you been with Declan long?

“No suburbs means no where to live, guy. You either lived in the city, the suburbs, or the country. Which were you?”

"Desert. You can't really call them cities because a lot of the towns barely have things to do in them. Carson was a small place that maybe one movie theater and a couple bowling alleys. Suburbs are fancy, well that's how I think they probably are and country is possible in Nevada but we didn't live on any."

“We did it,” he mumbled, letting his hands lift off Peyton’s shoulders as he brought them back to run them over his own face. “She’s even cuter, if you believe it.” The initial shock of his brother’s return had passed, now replaced by a wave of weariness as the memory of abandoning Peyton came back to Declan. “I’m so sorry, kiddo.”

Peyton chuckled and could feel himself getting his positive back, his zen. It must have been the aurora that Declan always gave off but it was peaceful, it was the most peaceful he had felt in months. "Can I see her?" He asked as he leaned down, picking up the bag that Declan had dropped. He froze for a second before fully standing up again, gripping onto the strap of the bag. "Don't be. You had a little girl to look after, Dec. I'm not mad at you."

If you want I could show you our house so you can find him later? Or even wait inside until he gets back? He wasn’t there when I left so he must be on duty right now, but his shifts are usually relatively short so it wouldn’t be too long of a wait. 

Yeah that would be great. Maybe you can tell me about him.

Glad to hear someone’s enjoying themselves. How’d you find us, anyways?

I've been searching for it since they said there was a safe house in Colorado but I had to guess where. I just got lucky, I guess.

A long time, I’m guessing.

Yeah but I'm here now and it's like a dream come true, really.

“Nevada, huh? Damn, the good times I had there. Did you live in the suburbs or deep, deep into stripper territory?”

"Where did you go? It all depends on where you go and how much you enjoy Nevada. A lot of people think it's all about Vegas, they miss the little things. Nevada doesn't really have suburbs. We do have bunny ranches.. Well we did. Do you know what a bunny ranch is?"

“Listen, we have people pouring in here almost every week. I’ve lost track of everyone at this point, and you’re probably no different. Sorry, but that’s just the way it is.”

"I don't need to be remembered as long as my brother and his daughter made it here. That's good enough for me."

Immediately forgetting the cuss, Declan lifted his hand to cup the side of Peyton’s face. He gave a slight shake, patting his younger brother’s cheek as he sadly smiled. “Yeah, she’s here. She’s with a friend - one of the Farmers. We’ve been here a little over six months. I know because I’ve been counting the days so I know how long I waited to see you again.”

Peyton let a smile come across his face as his older brother cupped his face. "Hey. No sad smiles. We did it, Dec. We really did it." He looked at Declan's face to check for any hidden emotions but he knew that Declan was never the kind of guy to hide things. "Is she still cute as ever?" He moved his hand to his older brothers shoulder and nodded his head. "You were going to see me again, man. I wasn't going to break that promise."

Why do you say that? I haven’t lived with him for very long, but Declan doesn’t strike me as the kind of the guy who wouldn’t want to see his brother or whatever relation you have to him.

Nothing. I'm being way too negative for myself right now. It's been a long few months and I knew he would get here. I think I'll feel better once I see him myself.

About as long as we’ve been trying to hide it from you?

A fellow smart ass. I enjoy it.

Yep. Part of being here is living with other people, usually strangers. But you’ll eventually learn to get along with whoever you end up with.

Oh, I don't even know if he would want to see me. I'm sure he assumed I was dead like I did with him.

Huh. Didn’t know they were broadcasting about this place.

It was a long time ago. I doubt they are doing it now.