The sun tucked itself beneath the horizon, retreating into its burrow, and with its retreat came an unsettling darkness. The sky dimmed into a brooding ink-black curtain, pierced by eerie stars that blinked down over quiet streets, lights flickering from every household, people already tucked into their homes after the weight of a busy day. And among those homes, Asher sat restlessly on the couch in their sitting room, his foot tapping the floor, chin buried into his hands. Across from him, Sharon sat with a pudding bowl in hand, less anxious than he was, but still unnerved by his energy.
"Don't beat yourself up so much! I know you're excited about the birthday present Mom and I promised, but you don't have to act like a twitching raccoon over it." Sharon muttered, taking a bite from the banana pudding she'd made.
"It's not the damn present," Asher growled. "The sun's been down for three hours, and Mom still hasn't come back."
