"What's next on the itinerary?" Janus asked. He, Itzel and Gurk secured a ride on a public carrier that made a stop just outside the Refinery Sector. Due to the late hour, the inside of the vehicle was vacant save for them. All three took seats at the very back of the vehicle with Itzel and Gurk sitting on opposite sides while Janus sat himself along back end

"Sleep." Itzel leaned her head all the way back and shut her eyes. "I don't want to think of plans. I just want to lay down in my bed and not wake up for the next two weeks.

"Same," Gurk groaned.

"Did Brielle ever send you that money?' Janus asked. Itzel didn't open her eyes.

"Yeah. But I declined it. That's a lot of money and I know a hard-working officer like her deserves every bit she can get. Besides, all of the Exterminating done tonight combined with what Eni gave me for that Ogre kill from back by Grub On put me in a good spot in regard to Tokens." She then opened one eye to look at her crocodile friend. "Gurk should be too. If he knows how to spend it properly."

"I do," Gurk replied.

"You say that now. But watch what happens the moment we pass by a diner. Guarantee you that money is going into cauliflower."

"So?" Gurk moaned back.

"I knew it."

Janus could feel his eyes becoming heavier. He leaned forward in his seat, struggling to keep his entire body from tipping forward. "Now the more that I think about it, the better the sound of a long sleep is." With a long and drawn-out yawn, Janus rested his head on the empty seat next to him. He blinked, his eyes becoming heavy as the low hum of the carrier's engine soothed him.

"Not quite yet Janus!" Itzel said. She tugged on his arm and pulled him upright. Janus winced and placed his hands over his eyes to block out the light that came in through the carrier's windows.

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"Why not?" Janus groaned.

"Because we're almost back home. We're not dragging you through the lobby, into the elevator and onto the sofa."

"Fine. I can stay awake until then."

A long silence ensued. All three had their attention drift away from conversating as they struggled to stay awake. The public carrier they were on slowed down before landing on the ground once more. Itzel was the first to get up from the warm comfort of her seat. She took Gurk's hand, pulled him upright and started towards the front of the vehicle. Janus hesitantly got up, his hands hanging limp by his side as he followed the other two.

Every aspect of the trip back home, from the walk through the lobby to the ride inside the elevator, dragged on. All three remained silent as they waited for the sweet comfort on their bed. Once they had reached their own floor, their speed increased a small amount as they hurried as fast as their exhausted legs could take them. Itzel fumbled with her UIC to get the proper code to deactivate the lock.

"Gurk!" Itzel lazily cried as she shut off her screen. "You get this thing open. I'm too tired."

The crocodile wobbled to the panel. He activated his UIC and within seconds was able to get the door open. He went inside first and took his mask off as soon as he stepped inside. Gurk then hobbled over to his blanket, laid his mask down on the floor beside and curled himself up in his own personal section of the room. There was the sound of a low growl, indicating that he had found a comfortable position.

Itzel entered next, kicking her boots off as she walked towards her room. The moment she was in front of the hallway, Galo stepped blocked her path. His eyes were large as he looked at Itzel.

"Are you alright?" he said with shock.

"Yeah dad. I'm fine. Gurk is okay. Janus too. We found Ven. Everyone else is fine. Missing Exterminators. All good," Itzel yawned as she leaned onto the side of the wall with one arm. "We'll give you the full details tomorrow. But we could really... use some rest."

Galo nodded. "Of course, of course. As long as everything is okay, I'll let you three get some sleep. You all seem exhausted!"

"We are." Itzel walked past her father and gave him a wave. "See you in the afternoon," she said sluggishly.

Janus heard the door shut. He made his way to the sofa. The glasses came off first. Then the boots and jacket. He hopped onto the sofa, resting his head against the arm of the chair while his feet dangled over the other side. He closed his eyes and placed his forearm over them to block out the little light there was in the room.

Hasn't even been a week...