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“Come with me?” Banks asks “I don’t wanna leave you out here alone”

I nod “Scared a big bad ill devour me?”

He turns the doorknob and shakes his head “You were raised by wolves If anything, you’re going to devour some poor bastard one day”

I can’t take ive to kno Banks actually seesfind out

Opening the door, he tellsalone I don’t like the idea of you standing out here waiting for him by yourself”

That literally causes words to evaporate inswells inside my throat, my chest, and I walk dazedly behind Banks while my heartbeat sputters

Thanks for not leaving me alone, I want to say

Words are trapped, and instead, I focus on where he’s going I follow his footsteps into the darkly lit living rooalore), then over to the nearby tiny kitchen

The low over the counters Banks opens several drawers Quietly shutting them

“What are you looking for?” I try to whisper

“This” He snatches a bottle of Tylenol, then tries to twist the childproof cap “It’s just a small headache”

Doesn’t see his teeth He grunts out a frustrated breath, struggling to open the bottle His headache must be like a rock concert in his temple

I come closer and take the Tylenol from his hand He lets me, and I easily unscrew the cap “How many?”

“Three”

I dole three pills into his palm

He tosses them back, and I hand him my water bottle

Banks takes a sith a short nod and thanks, then washes down the pain meds He wipes histo eat?” He rests against the counter “I was et the door”

I notice the bread bag near the toaster “Rigott’?” I ask, picking up the canister of what looks like sour cream

“Ricotta,” he enunciates

“You’re eating ricotta cheese on toast?”

He tries his hardest to look at aze “My brother is the good cook This is the best I got”

“Seems like a weird combo for breakfast”