Chapter Text
When Apollo started to come to he couldn't remember what had happened. His mind was just foggy, and he felt as though he had the worst cold in his entire life. It wasn't like him to get sick? What the hell had happened?
His mind started to wrack for the memories from a couple days back. Right! They got a client! Another murder trial. It seemed he was starting to remember all that had happened as everything came rushing back. Apollo had gone alone (his first mistake) to the lab where the defendant and victim worked to look for clues. The one employee that was still there seemed genuine. Answering all his questions, and even letting him look around. Though he did notice the man's change in demeanor when he pointed out that it seemed like something was missing on the victims desk, but was going to press it later during the trial. He was then offered a cup of tea (his second mistake), and all he remembered after that…..Oh shit. Did he get drugged!?
He shot his eyes open, instantly getting blinded by a bright fluorescent light in his face. His eyes shooting to whatever he could see with his limited movement. His neck, wrist, and ankles were chained to a metal operating table of some type. Wearing nothing but his boxer shorts, and golden bracelet. The accessory that had saved him many times now betraying him as it stopped him from trying to slip off the cuff. The hell!?
“I’m sorry Mr. Justice.” Shakily he turned to see the scientist from before. “I didn't want to do this, truly, but you had seen something much too incriminating. So it seems I can't let you live.” He stopped to place the doctors mask hanging snuggly around his neck back onto his mouth. “Oh well, it gets easier the second time. Hold still, you’re going to make a wonderful test subject.”
Apollo could feel his blood run cold. Watching with wide eyes as the doctor began to lean into him with a syringe filled with god knows what. He tried to struggle, he screamed, and jerked as much as he could but to no avail. He knew deep down that there was no way anyone could hear him anyway. Did anyone even know where he went!?
“You're in my underground lab. No amount of screaming will ever reach the masses outside my abode.” The syringe slipped into his skin easily, making the young man cringe from the prick. Feeling the substance run through his veins as though it was heated cement making him flail as best as he could from the sheer pain. What in the world!?
“We are going to be quite acquainted with one another soon. You’ll see.” With that he had blacked out again. Only the light ringing in his ears accompanying him. Mr. Wright, Trucy, and especially Klavier. He was so sorry.
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After what seemed like an eternity later Apollo began to come to. His body feeling like it had just been run over, and his mind made him believe he had cotton stuffed inside it.
He groggily looked around him to see he was in a cage. A dark, and cold metal cage barely tall enough to crouch within. So it wasn't all a dream? He tried to move, but his body refused to let him. Sweat making his skin stick uncomfortably to the metal surface. He could feel a sweat soaked piece of hair fall in his face, but was too lethargic to push it away.
"Oh, you're awake." He slowly moved his head to the side to stare at the scientist looming in the darkness. His headache seemingly getting worse with the action. “I’m shocked you survived. You are definitely a very interesting specimen.” The man leaned down, using a gloved hand to open up his little cage. He wanted to charge him, to punch this motherfucker, but his body wouldn't let him.
He felt his head all the sudden get pulled to the side by a gloved hand. The doctors scrutinizing eyes watching his every twitch.
“How are you feeling? Are you in pain? I must know so I may write it in my records.” Apollo struggled to even open his mouth, his throat feeling oh so dry. The words coming out being extremely gravely.
“F-Fuck you.” He was thrown against the bars of the cage for that.
“Fine, be that way. I can make your stay here much harder if that's what you prefer.” He did not prefer that, but he refused to give this guy the satisfaction of thinking he had broken the lawyer. He mustered up a glare to send his way as he watched the scientist retreat somewhere in the darkness. The only thing Apollo could muster to do after that was close his eyes once again.
He had to hold onto hope that someone will find him, he had to! Hope was all he had after all. He was Apollo Justice after all! Jokes on this guy if he thinks he will ever give up!
He was Apollo Justice and he was fine!
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He was jolted awake during some point in his sleep by a rush of water. The cold shock causing him to flail, and shiver as he pushed himself to the far end of the cage. Eyes wide, and jolting everywhere only to see the scientist standing above him with a bucket of water.
“There we are.” Not even an apology!? Apollo could feel his strength starting to slowly come back, and had an absolute urge to use his chords of steel against this guy.
“What gives jackass! My friends, and boyfriend are going to be looking for me at this point! I hope you know what's going to happ-” He felt a sharp jolt run up his spin at that, hands flying to something tightly secured around his neck. When did this get here?
“I never asked for your opinion subject 4. Now, give me your arm or you aren't getting any food.” Apollo just glared through the pieces of hair that had now fallen on his face.
“No.” He had gotten a shock from that too. His hand just being ripped forcefully away from his body as he tried to catch his breath. Something sharp being stuck into his arm again as he felt the mystery liquid flow through his veins. He couldn't stop shaking as he was locked away like an animal, a plate of food and a glass of water now sitting peacefully in his abode. He couldn't bring himself to eat at the moment.
Where were you Mr. Wright? Athena? Klavier? Apollo knew that out of everyone he’ll be the one bursting through those doors, and rescuing him from this hell hole. Yeah, he just needed faith.
“I’m Apollo Justice, and i’m fine.”
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There was no sense of time here. He slept at random intervals, and with less stamina it was hard to ever keep himself awake. He would have a loose idea at least. He would watch the scientist’s patterns. Keeping tabs on when he came down the stairs, what he did, and when he would leave. He would also take note every time he would smell the savory scent of a real meal (bread was starting to get old), and despite knowing it was being done on purpose he ignored it in hopes of using it for his advantage. The man seemed to realize what he was doing and began to completely change his routine in the spur of the moment, completely throwing everything Apollo learned out the window.
He had tried fighting back for awhile too, but gave up in what he guessed was a week. Everytime he tried to storm the man he would end up being electrocuted to kingdom come, and he had burns on his neck to prove it. He quickly realized that he needed his strength if he wanted to escape from this hell hole, and being withheld food for days would not help in the slightest. So his new plan was to wait for his moment. It wasn't the best plan, but it was all he had.
With some time to himself he decided to repeat his mantra. They weren't necessarily chords of steel, but it was a little thing that helped. If he kept doing that, and remembered the ones he loves then he knew everything will be ok! It had to be.
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Apollo wasn't sure how long it had been now. Weeks? No, surely it couldn't of been that long. But there was that nagging piece of anxiety that was telling him that it had been years at this point.
He was injected with something every day. The substance flowing through his veins and probably replacing his blood at this point. He still wasn't sure what the hell the shot was supposed to do, other than make him extremely tired.
His legs had practically turned to jelly too, and he swore he had lost some weight. He couldn't stand in his cage, so it wasn't like he could work out, and the small bit of food was not good for his health whatsoever.
Today his skin was unbearably itchy. His whole body felt as though there were tiny bugs crawling all around in his muscles, and bones. Making him twitch, and jump from sheer discomfort. He had finally had enough as he began to violently scratch at his skin. His nails practically digging into himself as he tried to find any type of relief. It was not helping, far from it. The moment he would scratch one place he would all the sudden have to move to another. Why wouldn't it stop itching!?
He all the sudden heard a ripping sound when he went to scratch his wrist, and he froze. Looking down with wide frightened eyes he was met with the sight of a flap of pale skin now completely hanging of him as though it was merely a ripped bandaid. W-What?
With shaking hands he touched it, causing the entire piece to completely fall off. He was screaming bloody murder now. His chords of steel now shrill as he flailed, and yelled for his life.
"M-My skin! Why the fuck is my skin falling off!? Mr. Wright, Klavier, dad, Anyone! Please! Please save me…." For the first time he had been here he had broken down, tears pouring down his face as he rocked back and forth in his little corner. Doing anything he could to gain a little bit of comfort. Quiety begging anyone to get him out of here.
His sanity was slowly breaking. He wasn't even sure if he'll survive.
"Oh my goodness!" Apollo stopped his rocking to slowly turn his head towards the scienti- no, the monster who did this to him-with wide eyes. He expected him to be shocked, but instead he looked overjoyed.
"The mutation! It was a success!" Apollo wanted to vomit when he saw the monster of a man's eyes begin to sparkle at the sight of him. Grabbing the young man's arm and practically tugging towards his face with a happy grin. "Yes! It's happening! After so many years I have finally succeeded." He finally let go, letting Apollo cradle his arm to his chest again. His eyes still wide with shock.
"W-What did you do to me?" For once the scientist went silent. Turning to stare with a sly grin.
"Now don't be so grim, Lawyer! You're apart of a scientific revelation! Your name will be remembered forever!" Apollo felt like the entire room was starting to spin, and his head feeling like it would burst at any second.
"What did you do!" He got laughter in response.
"I guess I owe my prime subject an explanation. You, my friend, are the results of my research. Years of trying to master superb mutation in humans has been perfected with you! This is a joyous day, so try and show a little appreciation to what I have done. You are far above a measly little human now." Apollo had no idea what he was talking about, and wasn't even sure if he wanted to know. Slowly he peered down at his arm again, and with as much strength as he could, he kept himself from staring away. There in the place of his skin was a patch of golden scales. Quickly he went back into whispering his mantra, he knew it was worthless, but he had a little hope that it could help.
“I’m Apollo Justice, and I’m fine. I’m Apollo Justice, and I’m fine. I’m Apollo Justice, and I’m fine. I’m Apollo Justice, and I’m fi-” He was interrupted when bile all the sudden rose up his esophagus, and he vomited all over himself. Dry heaving as the mad scientist just watched with glee.
No, he was not fine. This couldn't be real. It had to be a nightmare! His vision slowly began to black out, and before he was dead to the world he heard the laughing monster of a scientist. The voice even following him in his dreams.
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His skin was falling off in large clumps now. Red and gold scales replacing them all. A lot of them were on his legs, and a few on his arms. He was becoming accustomed to them. Not even cringing when a flap would peel, and fall off. Honestly he now scratched at his itchy legs as a form of comfort at this point. The peeling becoming something almost therapeutic. Not even phased at how fucked his thought process was now.
He stopped his picking when he heard his cage get unlocked. Instinctively he shoved his arm to the side. Letting the man have what he wanted so he could get back to his own thoughts. He didn't even blink at the prick.
"You are coming along so nicely subject 4, I must say I'm impressed." He didn't respond, or even peek out from the blanket of hair that now covered his eyes. It hasn't grown super long, and he appreciated that. Maybe it meant he hadn't been here as long as he thought.
"Soon you may undergo a metamorphosis stage." He paused, and Apollo visibly tensed. "I must prepare. I can not lose my best subject now." He didn't listen to the rest of the rambling. Instead opting to go back to scratch at his neck. There being the spot that had been annoying him as of late. The itchiness just refusing to die down.
"Ow!" He yelped at the sudden sting that ran across his neck, and he was shocked when he pulled his hand away. Had his nails always been this long? Or had time just made then grow this way? They looked razor sharp, and had a bit of blood on them from what he presumed was his neck. They couldn't of been that sharp, right? He wasn't even sure what was normal at this point.
He was a freak.
A monster.
He shouldn't even be alive right now.
What he wanted more than anything was to be put out of his misery and see Clay on the other side.
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He missed baths. It was a weird thing to miss, but it was the reality of his situation. He felt so gross, and he swore his legs were starting to stick together from the grime on him. He had never been this dirty in his entire life, and was beating himself up for every time he took a shower for granted.
His legs, and neck wouldn't stop tingling. Not itchy, just tingling. It was like the white noise static that a TV would give off, but flowing through his bones.
He was sleeping a lot too, well more than usual at least. Only waking up for short intervals to eat before going back into slumber. He felt like a bear during hibernation.
He once woke up to find that he had symmetrical lumps on the side of each of his wrists, but he didn't have time to ponder over them before the scientist began to freak out and snap pictures of them. He didn't want to imagine what they were.
Today something was different though. He felt so ...off? Was there a word for this feeling? He just wanted to curl up and shake away this sensation. His legs felt like they were sticking again, and the skin on them was chipping away fast. God! What the fuck is happening!?
"I-It's happening!" What? He felt like he was in a wind tunnel. Barely able to hear the words coming out of the man's mouth. His consciousness drifting in and out before he fell back asleep like he had done for awhile now.
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He was…..floating? It felt that way at least. He sighed in relief as for once he didn't feel cramped within that metal cage. Had he finally gotten his wish? Was he dead?
He slowly opened his eyes to see a multitude of bubbles flying around in his vision, and pieces of hair just floating in front of his face. Water? WATER!?
He burst up, clutching at his throat for any signs that he was drowning. But...it never came. He didn't feel his lungs begging for air, or any difficulty breathing for that matter. He was still taking deep breaths as though nothing was different. He had to be dead.
"This is not what I was expecting." He jumped at the voice. The scientist sounding a lot more muffled than he normally did. Apollo turned to the side to see him quite miffed looking. A tablet in his hands as he typed away, and the room once shrouded in darkness now completely visible. Had it always looked like this?
He cringed when a flash all the sudden blinded him. The asshole now taking a multitude of pictures without a care to how annoyed his model was.
"I'll have to make some adjustments for the next subject." Apollo froze, and paled at his words. Next subject? There was going to be a next? No, no one else should have to go through this! If he can help it.
"Though I have to admit you puzzle me subject 4. This end result is more than I ever thought." End result?
That's when Apollo's eyes caught what he now realized was glass. A foreign face staring back at him without a single care.
They had messy brown hair floating about in the water as they laid on their bare stomach, glittering gold patches of scales running up their arms and cheeks like tiny stars, and the most striking features were a pair of gills on their neck and a long red tail. A mermaid? No, those didn't exist after all. It was impossible. He raised an arm up only for the other person to copy, he wouldn't have thought anything of it if the mermaid didn't have a golden bracelet. A golden bracelet that was completely identical to his own.
Oh no. Oh god no. This could not be happening.
He did a multitude of movements only for his double to do the same. His mind only being able to come to one answer. He's a fucking mermaid.
He jumped again when he heard the other man began to climb what sounded like a metal ladder. His thoughts proved right when his ugly mug poked out from above water. A large flapping fish in one hand.
"Here, you've been sleeping for days so you need to eat. I can't have you dying now." This is when Apollo Justice, master defense attorney, had a brain blast. His eyes filled with rage as he got a spark of determination. Hands flying to his now bare neck. Watch out! Here comes Justice!
The moment that smug asshole held his hand even an inch over the water he propelled himself forward. Bursting from the top layer, and sinking his now sharp teeth into the soft fleshy hand. The scream that erupted was oh so satisfying he would like to add. He only nipped him, but damn he was proud. Unable to hide his toothy smirk as he sunk back in. Who had the power now?
"You son of a bitch! You should be thanking me! I changed you for the better!" Apollo's glare returned at that. How dare he. How dare HE! Changed him for the better? Look at him! He was a fucking abomination! With a wave of emotion he could feel those exact words start to sink in. He was a freak of nature now…..
"Goddammit." He looked up again to see the scientist staring at his tablet, the flashes of green lighting up the dark room. He seemed torn as he stared between the tablet and his bleeding hand before letting out another curse and storming back up. A loose bandage wrapped around his wound. What was that about?
Apollo hid under the little rock cave after that. Waiting for the scientist to return, but after awhile he realized he was left alone again. Sighing he turned to stare at his reflection again. Wow, he never would of recognized himself if not for his bracelet.
His tail was red like his courtroom suit, the fins shaped in a perfect U and looked like what you would see from a stereotypical mer, identical looking smaller fins on the side of his head and wrists, and lastly little golden scales that decorated other parts of his body. He ran a now webbed hand through his hair. It was weird not seeing it spiked up, but he doubted he could keep any hair gel in it.
He was drawn away from the dilemma when a shadow passed by. Peeking his head out to see that the fish from before was just swimming about carelessly in the water, and drifting in and out of the man's watchful gaze.
He all the sudden felt very hungry.
No! He couldn't just eat the fish! It was raw, and still flapping about. Living life like any other fish.
The pain in his stomach all the sudden got worse at the mere mention of the fish. Its glistening scales, bright eyes, and lean meat making him drool.
N-No! Snap out of it Apollo! He was a human! He shouldn't have to stoop down to something so primal!
Though he could just imagine the flesh in between his teeth, and the sweet blood touching his lips. The damn thing was teasing him at this point with how it swam in perfect little circles in his vision. His brown eyes completely locked onto its sleek body. He could feel all of his logic being thrown out the window as he entered into an almost trance-like state. Left, right, left, right, and finally his eyes followed as the fish slowly swam downward. Inching itself towards his hiding place.
In a blink of an eye he tore off its tail. Blood staining the water, and his pearly white razor teeth. Claws making quick work of the retreating prey as he ripped its side open in a quick swoop. Indulging himself on its soft inside as though he had not eaten in years. Ripping, tearing, and swallowing until there was only bone left in his wake. He barely registered what he had done until he was already gnawing on a piece of rib left behind.
"Ah!" He clumsily did an underwater backflip, waving his arms about in hopes of getting away from the complete massacre that had just occurred.
He-He did that? He watched the blood slowly dissipate, and the bones fall to the tanks sandy floor with wide eyes. He remembered being the one to rip apart the poor fish, but he just didn't want to believe it.
He didn't want to believe he was capable of something like that.
He slowly floated to the bottom, settling inside the tiny rock cave again. Geez, how was he able to swim so fast when he bit the old man? Now it seemed so impossible to do the simple act. His new body refusing to cooperate. Every once In awhile he would catch a glimpse of the culprit, jumping at the sight of the sleek red tail.
So, he was some weird mermaid mutant now? Reaching back he used a clawed hand to touch it, pulling back as though it was burning hot. Hand shaking as the depth of what had just happened had begun to sink in.
Feeling an overwhelming wave of emotion hit him all of a sudden as he could only curl up and cry. Tail pulled up to his chest, and just laying there pitifully.
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Apollo spent a lot of time lost in thought. Trying to practice his terrible swimming in the tiny space he was given, while also using the time by himself to get used to this new body of his. Don't get him wrong, he hated it. He wanted more than anything to cut off these damn fins, and burn them. He had already scratched off a few scales with his now sharper nails during a fit of rage he had that morning. So now he was sloppily swimming circles to calm himself.
He began to think about his friends. What would they say if they saw him? Would they be disgusted with his looks? Afraid? Honestly he would feel all those things if he was them. Maybe it would be best if he never saw them again at this point. He paused to let what he had thought sink in. Yeah…..He doubted they even remembered him anyway.
Then he thought of Klavier. His heart growing heavy at the thought of him. They may not have been dating for long (only a few months), but Apollo had always liked the blonde. He may never admit such a thing for as long as he lives, but it was the truth. So imagine his surprise and excitement when the rock star/prosecutor asked him in his own, eccentric, way if he could take him to dinner. One dinner turned into two, and two dinners turned into daily dates which brought them to now.
Honestly he felt like those memories are what helped him through all this hell. Kept him sane. One small thought of Klavier’s warm smile during some of the worst moments of pain helped him gain the strength to keep going. Klavier reminded him why he kept going, and took his pain away. He couldn't do his chords of steel underwater, so he needed something to keep him going. So his new bit of training was just making sure he always remembered why he needed to escape soon.
He brought up his usual memory of Klavier smiling over a cup of coffee. Their first coffee date after a long trail they had was one of his favorite memories. Both of them delirious as hell from late nights of prep, and dark circles under their eyes. Klavier’s hair had completely given up at this point, blonde locks no longer in their normal spiral and instead messily hanging over his shoulders. That day was the first time they actually kissed one another. Their breaths visible in the cold morning air. Normally that's where this memory would go when he would recall it. That didn't happen this time
Klavier’s kind smile had begun to morph into a face of complete disgust. Mouth agape in fear, and standing up to get away from him. Apollo had to slap himself to get those thoughts out of his head. Even his own fucking mind was against him now!?
He sunk back to the ground. Drawing unintelligible shapes into the sand with a sad expression. Drawing the courtroom, Trucy, Mr. Wright, Athena, and of course Klavier. They were terribly done of course (he was not an artist), but it was the act of doing it that was somewhat therapeutic. Strange, he never would of thought he could enjoy something like this. It was calming, and he continued to do this for hours before getting tired enough to sleep.
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The scientist still hasn't returned. This isn't a bad thing per say, but being that he was Apollo’s main source of food made it a nuisance. Maybe it had been two days by now, and he was shocked how much that fish kept him filled, but now he was starting to get hungry.
He had tried to escape earlier, but his tail felt more like 100 pounds of weights tied to his legs, so it was impossible to lift himself out of the tank. Just another reason to hate this fucking situation he was forced into. His mind slowly went into a dark place as he wondered if maybe he had been abandoned. No, that couldn't be the case. As much as he did not want to admit it, he was important. So he doubted he would be left purposefully.
That's when he heard it. A loud thud from somewhere above him. He had never heard anything from the unknown space above ground so he was instantly alert. He heard more crashing, and banging making him retreat into the small rock cave. Peeking out to try and figure out what was going on. Though he was not expecting to hear a familiar voice.
“Apollo!” He perked up. No, that couldn't be. There was more crashing before he heard the voice again. “Goddammit! Where is he!?” It was him! Mr. Wright! Holy shit, he never thought this day would ever happen. He swam to the top, scratching the glass as he gripped at the edge. Feeling a surge of determination he decided it was time to bring his chords of steel out of retirement.
“MR. WRIGHT I’M HERE! PLEASE! I’M HERE! I’M HERE!” There was nothing but silence, absolute dread washing over the man. D-Did they not hear him? No….They should of! Damnit! He was so close to getting out of here. He had almost given up hope, until he heard the voices again.
“Help me get this door open!” Holy shit. Was this actually happening? He watched with wide eyes as the door aggressively kicked in. The muffled voices of a multitude of people becoming clear when the door was finally wide open. The first person rushing down the stairs being Mr. Wright with his familiar blue suit, and spikey hair.
Apollo watched with his face half submerged in the water. Should he say something? He had been waiting for this for so long, but now that it was here he wasn't sure how to feel. How was he going to explain THIS of all things!
Phoenix continued to look around wildly before his eyes finally landed on the tank in the corner of the cellar. Apollo watching as his reaction shifted from shock, confusion, and lastly realization.
"A-Apollo? Is that you?" He took a few steps forward. The young man just peeking out a little more. Head fins downcast, and fear plastered all over his face as he gave a shameful nod. Apollo feeling more and more like a freakshow as detectives piled in to gawk. That's right! Come stare at the monster! He was here all week folks. Phoenix thankfully seemed to notice how uncomfortable he was with so many strangers.
"Hey! Give him space!" At that he moved a little closer, Phoenix taking very small steps towards the tank, only to jump when Apollo dove back down into the water. He had never felt so humiliated in his entire life, and wanted to just curl up in a sand pit and disappear. He wanted to swim off to his hiding space, but couldn't bring himself to do so. Instead Apollo just watched as his mentor gave him the most pitied look he had ever seen from the man, his eyes scanning over the drastic changes with a calculating look. Apollo tried to use his hands to cover himself as he sank lower.
"Apollo. You have no idea how worried I've been." Apollo looked up again at that, shocked to see a smile on the mans face. Had he ever seen his mentor so soft looking? Apollo wasn't sure at this point. He swam up, head breaking through the top so he could stare down at him.
"M-Mr. Wright-" It had been awhile since he actually used his voice, so it came out much more gravely than he intended. "I-I'm sorry. I-" He was interrupted by a hand ruffling his hair affectionately. The young man shamelessly leaning into the touch as the hand moved down to cup his cheek. At this point Apollo wasn't sure what was tears of joy, or water.
"Hey. No apologizing. None of this is your fault, ok? Let's just be happy we found you alive." Alive!? He called looking like this alive!? He was an overgrown fish! "Don't give me that face. I had convinced myself that I would be finding your body. Though you may have some-" His eyes were locked onto the red tail. "-changes, the fact that I'm able to talk to you means the world. God I'm thankful." Apollo's eyes widened, and a wave of giddiness washed over him. Phoenix's voice was nothing but genuine, and it definitely had an effect on his already stimulating day.
"Hold on Apollo, let's see if we can get you out of here so we can go home." He could only muster a yawn, and a nod. He felt like all his worries were flying away the moment he heard those words. Feeling the most relaxed he had ever been in so long. Thank you to whatever god was looking out for him. Slowly his eyes lidded, and with one last quiet rumble he had fallen asleep. Mr. Wright’s arm still pulled close to his body. Home. That sounded perfect.