Chapter Text
She wakes with the sound of the door. It is long, long past midnight. A night-draft, cold, the curtains rustle. A click, the door is closed again. A thump. Body against wall. A back perhaps, or a shoulder. Steps, uneven, heavy. Passing her room, slowing, quieting into almost complete silence. Almost. Brother is trying so hard not to wake her. The faintest of creaks. Muted breathing. Through the air, the ugly stink of gun smoke. Another creak, then steps retreating. The hiss of a door, and the sound of a body collapsing. He is home now. She can follow after.