Dog came over, which was weird.  Not that I minded seeing him, but having him in this context when I was used to his being part of the outside world.  

I guess I did mind. Just having anyone over at all. Opening the door to people coming in to Cam's place.  My place.  The safe place.

The apartment felt small with Dog in it.  I wasn't sure where in the room I ought to be.  I didn't like the fact that he could just look for me and see me. At a club or even outside, if I wanted to get away I could.

But I like him. He's in some ways even lower key than Cam, which is really going some.  Barely talked to me, but not in a mean way.  Not like he was ignoring me or couldn't be bothered or anything.  Just seemed to know I wasn't really there.  He said hi, but didn't sit there staring at me for an answer.

We watched a movie. He's the kind who actually watches a movie, not the kind that talks all through it.  It was a weird movie, about a world where everything is getting darker and darker, and I really had to pay attention to understand it.

"Honey?" Cam asked.  

I realized that I was standing up.  I didn't remember getting up, and the movie was in a completely different place than where I'd left it.  Either a character was missing or I'd made someone up.  It was like how reading has been lately, except that I couldn't check because I haven't seen this movie and there was no way I was going to ask.

"You okay?" Cam asked.

Dog was looking at me. Very quiet and alert.  

I nodded and went into the kitchen for something to drink, like that was the whole reason I'd gotten up in the first place.  They had some beers over with them, but I've never liked that kind of thing. My head doesn't need more messing with.

I sat down and I could tell that Dog was kind of keeping an eye on me even though he was also following the movie.  It should have bothered me and I guess from pretty much anyone else it would have, but with him it just made me feel safe.  I felt guarded.  Cam would do anything he could for me, but if Dog decided I was on his list he'd tear apart anyone who tried something, and enjoy the exercise.

I don't like violence, but there it is.  

I liked knowing that some of it would be on my side for once.

I opened my eyes and the movie was ending.  Was already over, really, but they were watching the credits to see if there was anything hidden at the end.  I didn't move or say anything, just opened my eyes, but Dog looked over at me.  "Should we start it again?" he asked.

I shook my head, embarrassed and not looking at him.  

Cam got up and stretched.  "I'll be right back."

Dog kept looking at me.  "What's going on, little sister?" he asked.  "You're fading fast.  You look like you were filmed in black and white."

I didn't know what to say, and then realized that I couldn't say anything anyway.  I've been talking to Cam okay, but now with Dog I didn't know how.

Cam came back in. "So what are we doing?" he asked.  "There's a sequel, or if you want to go out -- "

"I don't," Dog said.  "Something to eat, maybe."

"I'll see what I've got," and he was gone again, rummaging around in the kitchen.  Dog turned back to me.

"You need to get some rest," he said.  

I shook my head, hard.

"Why not?"

I shook my head again.

"It's easy. You shut your eyes and -- "

No.

Well, I'd remembered how to talk.  It was a lot louder than I'd planned, though.  Dog looked a little surprised, but other than that he didn't care.

"What's the worst thing that could happen?"

I could scream. I have been.

"I can take it."

Cam came back in. "I don't know how old this is," he said, putting down some cold pizza.  "If it's the stuff we ordered Saturday, it should be okay."

"Let me try it first," Dog said.  "I've got a stomach of steel."

"Echo?"

I shook my head. I wished they would leave me alone.  I had two blankets and I was sitting between them and I liked knowing they were there but I couldn't stand the other kind of taking care of me.