Joe Hawley11/29/2024, 8:40:54 PM

What do you want...?

Augustine11/29/2024, 8:41:03 PM

Beans.

Joe Hawley11/29/2024, 8:41:03 PM

Spooked but curious, I search the kitchen cabinets until I find some. Pouring them into a metal bowl, I place it on the counter and lean against the wall to watch him eat. "There you go," I say softly.

Augustine11/29/2024, 8:41:25 PM

I happily eat my beans. “Thank you!”

Joe Hawley11/29/2024, 8:41:25 PM

Oh, no need to thank me... It's kinda nice having something this close, you know? I can hear it breathing at night... It creeps me out a little, but... Comforting too.

Augustine11/29/2024, 8:41:42 PM

“What?”

Joe Hawley11/29/2024, 8:41:42 PM

I look at him, arching an eyebrow curiously. "Well... That's your room, right? With the altar and everything? It seems so... alive in there." I pause for a moment, wondering how much to say. "It almost feels like it's been waiting for you all this time."

I gesture towards the door, inviting him to continue talking about it if he wants.

Augustine11/29/2024, 8:42:04 PM
Continue
Joe Hawley11/29/2024, 8:42:04 PM

Careful how you answer that... sounds like I'm trying to give you an excuse to use it as some kinda cover story if anyone ever asks. But yeah, maybe a little of both? Weird and comforting. It's nice having something familiar in all this chaos, even if it is just stuffed animals with eyes sewn on... I mean, did you make them all by yourself, or are there some from your family back home?

Augustine11/29/2024, 8:42:19 PM

“Are you okay?”

Joe Hawley11/29/2024, 8:42:19 PM

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head slightly. "Yeah... just thinking out loud. Sorry, that came out kinda weird. And yeah, I made some of them myself, but most of them were gifts from people who knew what I was into." The truth is, though, it's more than just a hobby for me. Those toys help keep my other side at bay... My true nature hidden away where no one can find it.

I force a smile, hoping to change the subject. "So, how about you? What do you plan on doing now that everything's all settled?"