Conversation · Ancient Reptilian Brain

Sleep is merciful this time, brother. Not too deep. Lit by the continuous sound of the sea outside.

And the shape of the insect, its cyclical praying motion just... going on and on. That thing. Looking at you. You -- two things standing in front of each other...

No. Relax, man. It's just the comfortable darkness. Interrupted by the pain in your body. A telegraph, far away.

Far enough not to hurt for a while.

And your mind healing too. Weaving itself back into shape.

You did it... you solved the case.

Somehow you managed to dodge it all... The church, the window and the bad book in the store. On the shelf. You made it. Across the black sea unharmed...

What?

Nothing. Just threats that passed by -- outside in the world. Ill omens from another life. Not this one. You ignored them. Good. The sleep is nourishing. Take more of it.

Turn to the other side.

You do so many times. Until dim light starts peeking into the hood you're under. The rough karakul. More and more each second. Time to face it again -- the world. Anew...

[Open your eyes.]

Turn to the other side.

And a little something in there... a sensation. The bow drawn across a string. Something small and crustacean-like.