No Turning Back

Chapter Eighteen: Burning The Midnight Oil

Hours had passed since Primis and I began our work. Honestly though, I was really there for assistance by trying to locate paperwork and make sure he did not overwork himself too much. We set up our workstation at the desk with the Richtofen matroyshka doll in the nearby building. It allowed us to keep an eye on the slumbering men nearby without our work disturbing them.

Periodically, Primis and I would turn our heads to check up on them outside like protective parents. We had been starting to get used to the welcome absence of the undead but that did not cause our survival instincts to cease entirely. If we were all being honest; none of us truly slept. There would always be that part of our brain which remained sentinel and on alert - always listening for the slightest stir or howl of the wind.

It was well into the night as the surrounding silence hung heavily in the air. Nothing stirred to indicate any signs of life except the occasional belch and grumble from Nikolai. The cool dead air engulfed everything it touched as the facility lay in a pulseless slumber. An endless sea of cluttered papers lay sprawled out across the desk. Primis and I immersed ourselves in the task at hand as we furiously checked and cross-referenced our findings.

His usually well ordered hair became more and more dishevelled and unkempt each time he ran his fingers through it. Thin strands of his hair sprung forward across his forehead which strangely softened his angular features. The sight caused me to remark to myself at just how handsome he is as my eyes traced his strong jawline and comandeering nose. His features were so incredibly unique.

I was also beginning to feel tired as my eyelids tried to make curtainfall on the night's endeavours. And it was clear that Primis felt the same spectre of exhaustion creeping up on him too. I rested my chin on my hand as I sleepily watched him manically scribbling down equations; which, in my current state, began to look more like otherworldly esoteric sigils and incantations.

Then, Primis' pen suddenly crashed down flat against the table. I jumped slightly before watching to see what he would do next. He was not one to give in so easily but the frustration was now painted across his face for all to see. I fully expected Primis to jump back into the ring for another round - in his usual manner. But, instead, he bowed his head before breathing a defeated sigh.

I had been trying my best to help him with sime of the calculations; but it had been rather eye-opening to realise just how long ago my physics career had been - as well as realising just how inept I truly was. I clearly was not much help to him but it was clear that he took some comfort in simply having me around. I happily obliged even though I was feeling fairly useless with my rusty knowledge.

The reason I had left physics all those years ago was because I had been so sick of burying myself in equations. Yet, here I was trying to do the very same thing. And if I was being honest with myself; it seemed that my brain had decided to erase much of the knowledge that I once knew. But, that time in my life was best forgotten - quantum mechanics and all.

Back in the present, I realised that Primis was now looking over at me.

"Is everyzhing okay, Kiana?" Primis asked softly.

"Y-yeah, I just feel bad that I'm so useless. I'm ashamed to ever say I was a physicist!" I tried to joke lightheartedly to mask my feelings of inadequacy.

"Bitte, zhere is no need to apologise! I am just happy to have jou here", Primis reassured as a small smile formed at the corner of his lips.

"I know you're just saying that to be nice!" I laughed sarcastically as I rolled my eyes.

"Oh bitte, do I ever say anyzhing just to be nice?" Primis beamed back with a smile.

My exhaustion was now impossible to hide and, with the inevitable bags under my eyes, it was obvious that Primis could see it too. He smiled and let out a roaring yawn before tidying away the paperwork. I sat forward in surprise and raised an eyebrow as I could not believe how easily he was willing to call it a night. When I agreed to help him I had expected to have to have to tear him away from the desk - kicking and screaming!