"The Manors own us, Max."

What did he mean by that? I don't recall the Manors being in our lives when we were together. Or…was I missing something? I tried so hard to blank away my past as nothing more than a tragedy. So, the details, and a lot of the precious moments that we had shared, no...our time within these very walls, were gone. Searching for what was lost and wracking my brain until I felt my mind contort was only making the situation worse.

"What?! What do you―" I started, only to hear my phone ring.

I looked down, seeing it was Agent Kriss. I decided to table our talk, but only for the moment. Soon the day shift would come to relieve the midnighters, and even though Kai and I had a lot more to discuss, I couldn't neglect my duties.

I picked up the phone, taking my hand off Kai. "Yes?"

"Sir, Charles is approaching. I remember you asked about him earlier."

Shit.

"Roger that, thanks Kriss."

I hung up the phone, looking at Kai. By his dulled expression, he overheard.

"Let's talk later. I'm still going to send a doctor to look at your arm, regardless if you want that or not."

Kai didn't respond for a while; his eyes were locked onto mine. Almost as if he was asking me to not leave him...almost as if he wanted me to stay. Those helpless pupils reminded me of myself when I was younger. The way I had looked at him when he rescued me from that horrible house. My mind was taken aback to the situation until I heard Kai mumble something, but it wasn't audible: even from where I stood.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing, you should go. Just let me know when they arrive."

"Yes...sir."

I turned, leaving first. My formalities almost went out the window. Everything did...after that kiss, but regardless of what had transpired, I wanted more time with him. I needed to fucking understand what was going on. However, I didn't want to be in-between a lover's quarrel just to get my answers.

Charles...had he really harmed Kai? Even if he had not, the reason for the doctor was to prevent anymore incidents. Hell...maybe I should keep a closer eye on them. The house has cameras, everywhere but their master bedroom, guest bedrooms and bathrooms. If I alert my team to notice anything out of the ordinary, they will notify me immediately if anything is off. Hell...you would think that Agent Wyatt would have done so. There's no way, if Kai made a sound, that he had not heard him. That is, if he was actually paying attention and not watching Netflix.

Shit...why am I so annoyed by this. I knew my frustration showed, enough for Charles to move out of my way when I passed him on the stairs. It wasn't often that Charles stood mum, but when my eyes brighten it can frighten even the most formidable foe. Still, I did notice medical supplies in his hand. I suppose that is something of note.

When I reached the front door, I dialed White House Medical. The cool morning air splashed my face like a hose as I stepped out into the light dew dawn.

"Hello?"

"Yes, this is Agent Ray. I'm the DL for Lotus. He will need to be evaluated. His wrist and forearm are sprained if not broken. I was not present during the incident, nor do I know how the injury occurred. He is sensitive to the touch but is able to move his arm freely. So, please arrive at your earliest convenience."

"Yes sir, are you with him at this time?"

"No, his fiancé, Charles, is with him."

"Ok, sounds good. We will be there within the hour."

"Thank you."

The operator hung up as I placed my phone in my pocket. I walked over to the CP, seeing Agent Wyatt munching away on popcorn, legs up on the in-table, as he watched a true crime documentary. The sign of the squeaky back door opening sent him soaring to the ceiling as he spilled his treat on his clothes: standing up to greet me.

"Sir!"

I waved him off. "Don't overreact. I need you to send comms to Agent Kriss that medical will be here within the hour to check on Lotus. Also, pass that information on to days when they get in."

Agent Wyatt shuffled from his spot, heading to the radio. "Yes, sir."

"Also," I said before he did so, "did you hear anything last night? Lotus seems to have injured his arm."

Agent Wyatt looked nervously at me, mainly because we both knew he wasn't monitoring the cameras.

"What?! No...no, sir. I didn't hear anything."

"Right. As I stated in the initial brief, I don't care if you entertain yourself. Midnights are rough, but I do expect you to do your job. Am I clear?"

He nodded immediately, sweat pouring down his brow.

I turned to leave, tired of repeating myself to my team. "Oh...and tell Agent Kriss I'd like to speak with him upon completion of his shift."

"Yes, sir."

I heard him put out the comms as I headed to my room in the CP. I kept most of my field equipment on site just for times like this when I was unable to return to my apartment. However, at this time, almost as I latched onto the door, I felt the haint hang onto my shoulders.

"You don't remember, do you?" He asked playfully,

"No."

I was annoyed. The weight of my past, the words Kai said…why could I not remember. What had happened that I had permanently sealed behind a trap door.

I sighed, having about an hour alone before the day shift arrived. I found myself sitting on the plush but small mattress of my bed. I let my body fall back against the pillows: my head sinking into the cotton.

The haint sat playfully on my stomach, feeling like a bowling ball sinking into my gut.

"You must remember! It's not a coincidence that the two boys who framed you are members of the Manor Gang. You're just missing…"

My eyes felt heavy, as if I was fading into my mind. I hadn't slept much these past few weeks. Sometimes I'd just get a few hours and now it was catching up to me. Fifteen minutes, just fifteen minutes…

"...one big piece of the puzzle."