Shift!

Callum stood in the shower until his fingers began to prune. His three hours of sleep had not been kind to him. With the warm water’s cuddle, he almost fell back asleep.

“Get out of the shower, Callum! You’re wasting the hot water!” His mother’s banging on the bathroom door yanked him away from his dreams. “Callum!”

“I’m almost done! I’ll be out now.”

Callum switched off the shower and teleported to his room with his towel.

Sitting at the breakfast table, the family got ready for their days.

“Your dad and I have to go to work you know? And your dad has to drop Cassie off at nursery. You can’t be holding everyone up like that. If you’re going to take that long to get ready, make sure everyone has showered first.”

“Sorry mum.” Callum mumbled.

“Were you out fighting last night? I went to your room and you weren’t there.”

Callum shook his head.

“Where were you then?”

Callum quietly groaned. He didn’t have the strength for an interrogation that morning. His father noticed the boy’s tiredness and tried to be the hero.

“Wherever you were, maybe you should have stayed the night and gone to school from there.”

Callum dashed his father’s efforts with two words.

“…too far.”

“Too far-?” His mother almost squealed. “It’s a school night! Where were you that was too far for you?”

Callum sighed. He’d say one thing and hopefully it’d be enough.

“There was an earthquake in China. I was helping with the other Relievers.”

“Will you be on the news?” Callum’s father had excitement tugging his eyebrows.

Callum nodded. “Crimson was there too.”