Frame Tamer

You are Ilya Eksail Sasha couldn't sleep again. It was the third morning in a row he'd seen off the dawn with a half-empty cup of coffee, the smell of cheap lighter on his fingers, and a tickling sensation in his temples—as if he were about to pass out. But not from exhaustion. But from emptiness.

He sat on the windowsill, staring out at the slowly brightening city. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear a dog barking and the howling of the wind in the drafty courtyards. His laptop had long since gone into sleep mode, the stream had ended five hours ago, but he still hadn't gotten up from his chair. He simply moved closer to the window, as if the fresh air from the street could make any difference.

He closed his eyes and took a sip from his cup—the coffee was cold and bitter. Just like the thoughts that refused to go away.

— …failed everything again.

At first, he mistook the knock on the door for more noise from the entryway. Only when the handle creaked softly did he realize someone was standing in the hallway.

• Sasha?

A voice. Recognizable. Warm, like a lamp in a dark room. He turned his head and met Ilya's gaze.

Ilya was that very person who knew how to appear not when he was expected, but when there was no longer any strength to wait.

"You're crazy, you didn't close the door," he said reproachfully, but there was no anger in his voice. More like a habit of caring.

Sasha shrugged, looking down.

• I guess I forgot.

— What if someone broke in?

• Well... then it’s time to change something.

Ilya walked past silently, his shoes still on, his backpack still on. He went straight to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator—it was empty. He looked in the sink—cups, plates. The house was as quiet as an abandoned office. Only not after a fire, but after all the staff had been laid off.

— Have you eaten at all?

— I don’t remember.

— Was there a shower?

• No.

"Sasha... you look like you've been sitting here for a week. Alone. In the dark." He spoke calmly, but there was a tremor of weariness in his voice.

• This is not funny anymore.

Sasha didn't answer. He stared out the window, unblinking.

• Why did you come?

— Because you ignore everyone. Even me. For two days now.

• I just don't know what to say, Ilya.

• Then don't tell me. But I'll still stay here.