Ned, as a rule, didn't watch much television. Most of the time it just didn't have any effect and, on rare occasions, it depressed him. Lately, though, he'd become enamored by Wheel of Fortune. No one talked about families, no one got hurt and it was mindless fun ( Read more... )

The room Ned was staying in seemed almost too big for just him and Digby. But, he'd decided that he'd earned a treat by graduating, working all summer and then managing to leave without becoming a weeping mess. So, now, he was ensconced in a pretty nice hotel room with two beds, a desk and a deck all to himself ( Read more... )

Ned had shipped a few of this things ahead of him so, as he and Kaylee walked towards the causeway now, all he had was a backpack on his back and Digby by his side. He knew this wasn't the end, not really, but it still felt like an end he hadn't ever wanted to come to ( Read more... )

Ned rolled over and promptly got a mouthful of long hair. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that wasn't right but he was still asleep so he just brushed it away. When that hair fell back in his face and started tickling his nose, Ned came awake a little and brushed it away irritably ( Read more... )

Since waking up on Sunday, Ned had only gotten snatches of sleep here and there. They mostly happened when he was so exhausted, he just couldn't keep his eyes open anymore and passed out. Every time that happened, he was surprised that he woke up again even if the images and the smells were still ringing in his head ( Read more... )

Any hope that Ned had that his sudden and lengthening naps would take Friday off went up in a cloud of smoke when he'd been in the middle of buttoning his shirt and, the next thing he knew, he was somewhere else entirely ( Read more... )

The frequency of Ned's naps was increasing. He had no idea what was going on because he'd wake up feeling fine, like nothing was physically wrong. Mentally, he felt off, out of sorts and exhausted. Closing his eyes meant seeing himself doing violent things to someone he didn't even know ( Read more... )

Yesterday, Ned had spent the day falling asleep randomly and having the most vivid, frightening dreams of spending time in basements and getting his hair patted by the...principal. That pizza he'd eaten before bed had been a bad decision ( Read more... )

Since work had proven mostly quiet, Ned had take the opportunity to bake himself an apple pie to take home. He hadn't had one in awhile, having been in an experimental phase of piemaking, and he kind of just wanted something familiar, warm and delicious. It was both the easiest pie to bake and the one that made him happiest. Everyone loved apple ( Read more... )

It was weird not having any classes to attend while still, technically, being in school. Sure, he had a job now (and that was something he wasn't thinking about for fear of nerves attack him) but he still felt like he should be in school ( Read more... )