Artemas looked out the blurry window at the mountains as he walked around the living room.

The
latest headlines included a person he knew and loved, and the world seemed bleak as death.

Bee was always a bit all over the place. Dysfunctional.

He was a carnival worker. A wildcard, off seeking glory, and that kind of occupation doesn’t fit well
for a man hiding a deep secret. He spilled too much information, ran too far and climbed too many
heights, with no thought of how it would affect the people around him.

Artemas went to sit down, angry at Bee and everything he’d ruined, but was interrupted by
someone banging against the door.

“Why do you always have the door locked, cuz?” said Bee, prancing into the room with unwarranted
gusto. “So uptight.”

“Bee. You know I never wanted to see you here again. You’re not welcome.”

He laughed.

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

Artemas looked out the blurry window at the mountains as he walked around the living room. The
latest headlines included a person he knew and loved, and the world seemed bleak as death.