<i>“Not going back tonight.” </i><br/><br/>Suddenly, his gaze lifted and he took in the small shack that surrounded them. The structure would do for a simple dinner, but sleeping? He flicked his eyes towards the small bed behind Dusty. There was a single, twin mattress atop a handmade wooden bed frame. He eyed the small slice of a mattress beneath the bed frame, a makeshift trundle for all intents and purposes. Caelan itched his face and gave a nod without comment. Dusty was right. He couldn’t swim, thus making their journey back all the more risky.<br/><br/>Caelan popped the top off of his own beer and took a swig of the warm liquid. He set the bottle down easily and ran his hand over his thigh, feeling the coarse denim beneath his palm. “Your way of living is not the only way of living. Your word is not gospel.” His eyes found Dusty’s through the flame. “I have made it through the same five years of bullshit that you have.” He repeated, trying to keep his voice level. “I have made mistakes, sure. I have done things that should have gotten me killed ten times over.”<br/><br/>“I am not afraid of death. I would do anything to be with my friend again. I would switch places with him in a heartbeat.” Caelan felt his throat thicken with emotion. “I may not be cut out for this world, your world, but I am trying. I would rather not be reminded how much of a fucking invalid I am every time you open your mouth.” His jaw clenched and he shifted in his chair. His fish was getting cold as time went on. He didn’t have much of an appetite anymore. “If you think that I am such a ticking time bomb, then I suggest you stop coming by my apartment.”