Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The homeowner stood in the living room absentmindedly picking at his nails well staring off at the small cross centered on the wall.

The past few days or the start of what was supposedly the end of the world with the sun exploding and zombie like parasites in the midst he decided it was best to at least be present. He was making a conscious effort to try and curb some of his antisocial behaviors now that his life depended on being a host and having to know people well enough to judge them on if they were in fact actually ‘people’ or parasite ridden visitors.

He was still extremely prone to falling back into his old habits as he’d only started to try and be social after the sun exploded. Though he still thought it was best not to try and learn the names of the people circulating in his home both because he didn’t care to and he’d already lost four people and he’d rather not get too attached like he did with neighbors daughter.

Unlike names, stories were something he could usually detach from people. Pretend they were things he’d heard in his past or on the radio so he would listen to his guests talk and tell their story but a name solidified people into individuals. It was something he struggled to detach a person from.

A rude and rather lanky man sat across from him on the couch holding one of his beers. The homeowner mentally took to referring to him as ‘Bar man’ on account of the man getting kicked out of one before coming here and his annoying habit of stealing beers. He’d only been here five days and the man was bold enough to take two though the homeowner didn’t say anything the first or second time it happened and imagined he wouldn’t care enough for the third, fourth or fifth time either, if he was even still around long enough to do so.

On the other end of the couch was a man in a purple bandanna sitting awkwardly, legs protruding and taking up far more room than necessary trying to look bigger than he really was but next to the bar man it didn’t do much for him.

The ‘bandana guy’ the homeowner mentally nicknamed, was far more physically expressive than he’d realized. Normally things like that go unnoticed to the homeowner but in his peripherals he could see him moving his arms about and gesturing with his hands well switching which leg was held up on which knee.

The guy spoke rather animatedly about guns with the bar man who seemed to hold up the other end of the conversation with a fourth of the amount of enthusiasm but still more than the homeowner would’ve expected out of the pessimistic man.

The bandanna guy was good at that, talking about guns. He had, on the first few days of his arrival, consistently pestered the homeowner about learning to shoot his gun. This wasn’t necessarily something the homeowner was against doing he just didn’t want to, especially because the first time he had agreed to it the bandana guy immediately backed out.

Originally he would’ve shot this same person as his teeth were white and his eyes were red, huge indicators of someone being a visitor but no one had died in the house from anyone other than the home owners gun yet so he was allowed to stay. Besides he had more energy than really anyone else in the house and although he was quite unique the homeowner used it to his advantage by walking off as the guy pestered others with his insistent questions and comments.

He truly was making a vested effort to learn about these people, to talk to them but he held grudges over the small perceived slights and shortcomings of his guests. He’d been raised to respect his elders and hosts, having his time so frivolously wasted was frustrating and so was having his beer stolen even if he had no plans to drink the beer and his days felt too long being trapped inside the house, the actions just irked him. Though he really didn’t even care about either of those things in the long run so he of course kept his mouth shut about his grievances and tried to be a good host.

He felt himself zone in and out, half listening to their conversation as the other part of his brain spiraled through thoughts too quickly to really process, what if his finger started to bleed and he had no more bandages left? What if he completely ran out of food and they had to resort to cannibalism, wouldn’t that in a sense make them visitors without the bugs? What would his ex wife think of him now; Forcing himself to stay outside his room and feeling proud of it, maybe he should go back to his room. When does this all-

“Yes, yes I think so I believe it’s a double-barreled shotgun, it looks older.. maybe 1960s. What kinda gun do you have there?”

He was snapped out of thoughts as the bar man spoke to him, nodding at him waiting for an answer as he gave the bandana guy a disapproving look. The homeowner could only assume he’d said something that the bar man had disapproved of or judged which could easily be anything and everything at least that’s usually the case between him and the bar man’s interactions.

“Hm?”

He followed their eyes to his gun and moved it from being strapped to his back to his hands, holding it up and looking it over, his right thumb tracing over some of the scuffs in the wood grain.

“It’s an over-under.”

His fingers continued exploring the gun trailing over from the comb, to the grip up to the chamber. He stared at it taking in each swirl of the wood grain as if it was the first time he’d ever seen it and he didn’t plan on looking away until the two went back to their old conversation or at least one he wasn’t a part of.

He may be making an attempt to be better at socializing but he’d already talked to four people one on one today and didn’t feel like being a part of an actual conversation.

“How uh.. how many people have you killed with that thing? Yesenin counted two. I've only been here for one… D....do you have enough bullets in case there are more visitors?"

The homeowner squinted at the gun, who the hell was Yesenin? He looked up at the bar man raising a brow at him which he in exchange gave a nod as a sort of silent confirmation to his unspoken question. He then turned to the bandana guy who originally spoke, he already seemed to be shrinking under the homeowner’s gaze.

“Only two and I have plenty more.”

He shifted the gun back to its strap and shuffled his feet once then twice before swiftly turning on his heel walking out. He’d been ‘present’ enough to learn a name today and be a part of a conversation with more than one other person so he considered this to be more than good enough for today.

 

He made his way toward the kitchen with the full intent of getting a drink and making some potato related meal then going to his room to sleep the rest of the day away only to pause at the sound of several voices.

Of course he had other guests but it sounded like damn near everyone else in the house was in there. He took a step back ready to turn around toward his bedroom when the door opened and a man in a FEMA outfit made eye contact with him.

The homeowner didn't like him but thus far he’d passed all his tests, the man may be a human but the homeowner still suspected he was with or had been with FEMA. He planned to push the problem further tomorrow, check his possessions but today he didn’t want to bother. He'd already done his rounds and he didn’t want to hold a conversation.

The man in the hazmat suit opened the door more, letting the hand that opened it drop to his side as he moved against the door frame giving the homeowner enough room to walk inside past him. It unnerved the homeowner with how well he held eye contact, he already didn’t like holding eye contact but the man was on another level.

He glanced Inside the room noticing the ‘gravedigger’ sitting at the table. Before the man came to his house he dug graves for a living, originally the homeowner had no intent on allowing him in with how obnoxiously he banged on the door but with a free energy drink and an extra pair of hands to dig a hole for the cat ladies body he didn’t mind his presence as much.

In fact the two of them had actually bonded well they dug after the first few minutes of nervous explanation from the man he seemed to pick up on the fact the homeowner preferred silence which led to them digging in silence and that was perfect for the home owner.

Across from him sat an oh to cheerful man, which is what the home owner called him, the cheerful man. His disingenuous smile upset him, he understood why he smiled, to an extent but he didn’t like the idea of living a facade even if it was to make others happy. No one was worth forcing yourself to do something on a constant day to day basis especially if it was something you normally wouldn’t do, like smile during the end of the world.

He didn’t want to tempt them with a conversation with his presence, so as the two spoke about cabinets or whatever else they were talking about he shook his head and turned, continuing his walk down the hall as though this is what he had intended on doing all along. Taking a final glance back he noticed the FEMA agent- no ‘the scavenger’ was still staring at him from the door way.

He came to a stop in front of the only other occupied room, the closet where a foreign man resided.

Originally he’d intended on checking on him today but the homeowner had gotten tired checking the grave digger and the scavenger then talking to those two and Yesenin- no, bar man and the bandana guy as well as attempting to be around other people for longer then he was comfortable with. He tapped his knuckles against the closet door still feeling eyes on him, he really didn’t like that little yellow man but his thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and he was faced with the tall foreigner he stepped inside the closet.

His eyes immediately went to the man’s lips, although unkind he’d mentally labeled him as ‘wire face’ on account of his mouth being sewn when he showed up but now it wasn’t and he was just staring.

“So, you cut the stitches off your mouth?”

He motions toward his own mouth then shakes his head in slight surprise. Of course the man would’ve taken the stitches out but the wounds were a lot more gnarly in the upclose.

“Gsrh rh z mrtsgnziv! Gsvb HVDVW NB NLFGS HSFG! Qfhg yvxzfhv gsvb wlmg fmwvihgzmw nv.”
(“This is a nightmare! They SEWED MY MOUTH SHUT! Just because they don't understand me.”)

Wireface spoke quickly, gesturing wildly with his hands a mixture of anger and frustration and to give some context to the homeowner he even motioned toward his mouth.

The homeowner tilted his head to the side and squinted at the man trying to make out words and pick out meaning from the gestures. He understood he was in general panic and that the man’s mouth had been sewn shut the night prior but he couldn’t pull any specifics.

“I can't understand you.”

He’d already given up on the idea of understanding him rather quickly; he didn't really want to exude energy on charades; he wished he was in bed right now.

Wireface slowed his frantic gesturing enough so that he could hold proper eye contact while they spoke

“R wl mlg fmwvihgzmw blf. Dszg xzm dv wl? Nzpv fk hlnv prmw lu xlnnlm ozmtfztv?”
(“I do not understand you. What can we do? Make up some kind of common language?”)

The strain on his lips from talking caused the small scars to reopen.

The homeowner visibly cringed at the intense stare and glanced down at Wireface’s mouth which also elicited a look of discomfort.

“Uhh your lips are..”

He extends his hand, his finger reaching for the reopened scars, he stops his hand about two feet away and awkwardly gestures at the man’s lips to play off his reaching.

Wireface arched an eyebrow, his eyes moving to the homeowner’s hand then he reached up to his mouth tracing over the new ridges on his lips pulling his fingers back he looked at the blood left on them and and let out a small huff.

“Gsrh szh yvvm szkkvmrmt zoo mrtsg, R zn mlg hfikirhvw rg hgzigvw ztzrm yfg rg rh zmmlbrmt.”
(“This has been happening all night, I am not surprised it started again but it is annoying.”)

He brushed his hand against his pants wiping some blood off then brought his hands up to rest against his neck.

“Blf wl mlg mvvw gl dliib zylfg rg, tvggrmt gsv hgrgxsvh lfg ozhg mrtsg dzh uzi dlihv gszm wvzormt drgs hlnv yollw. Blf xzm tl mld.”
(“You do not need to worry about it, getting the stitches out last night was far worse than dealing with some blood. You can go now.”)

As he spoke he gestured to the unpleasant pile of dried bloodied stitches neatly clumped up on the shelf behind him. The homeowner seemingly hadn’t noticed it before as he awkwardly stepped back.

“Uhh yeah still didn’t catch any of that but I’ll get you a rag”

He gave wireface an awkward nod as he turned around opening the closet door. He could feel Wireface’s eyes on him as he stepped out then he made his way to the kitchen for a second time in less than an hour.

He cracked the door open and made a straight shot toward the sink, actively ignoring the cheerful man and gravedigger. They glanced at him, staring for a second or two but they took the hint well enough and left him out of their conversation.

Well rifling through the cabinet under the sink he knocked over a few half full containers of random cleaning supplies that were damn near older than him. He grabbed onto a cabinet organizer pulling it closer to the front and pulling a rag out from it. Thankfully it was clean and free of dust and cobwebs from the mini organizer it was in. He dampened a corner of the rag and as he turned to walk back he snatched his Ener Jeka bribe.

Once to the closet door he stepped in this time without knocking and his eyes went straight to the man leaned against the wall picking at his scars well squinting at a small flippable vanity mirror his mother used to use for her makeup, it’d been stuffed back here so many years ago he forgot it existed.

Wireface startled and glanced up in the midst of picking at the scabs on his face.

“ls? Blf ztzrm? R nvzm rg rh blfi slfhv.” (“oh? You again? I mean it is your house.”)

His eyes dropped to the homeowner's hand holding the rag.

“dszg wl blf szev gsviv? Rh gszg uli nv, sld prmw.” (“what do you have there? Is that for me, how kind.”)

Wireface gestures to the rag in the homeowner's hands then wipes his hands onto his shirt. He attempts to make eye contact with the homeowner as he is handed the rag but the homeowner keeps his eyes locked on his lips seemingly checking over the scars from a distance.

“Still didn’t get a word.. you really shouldn’t pick at that, it looks pretty bad.”

His nail picks at the pull tab of his drink.

“I might have some alcohol to clean it up. I might be able to help and do some testing. Well we are at it”

Wireface just gave him some glances along with nodding at his words. Clearly he didn’t understand but he nodded as a way to show he was listening.

“Gszmp blf” (“Thank you”)

Wireface lifted the rag and motioned at it well offering a small smile, one that didn’t stretch his lips much then he returned to dabbing at his lips.

“Yeah you’re welcome..”

The homeowner cracks open the energy drink and takes a single sip then sets it on the shelf nearest to him. Quickly he left the closet once more and walked basically straight across the room to the bathroom.

It was left ajar so he pushed it open, it didn’t open all the way but he didn’t question it and just stepped in. Once inside he rummaged through the shelves grabbing a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide for any possible stains in the carpet.

Once everything needed was collected he turned around only to jump back and let out a noise of shock. It was almost a yelp mixed with a sort of choking noise as he made eye contact with the FEMA man who stood damn near silently behind the door.

“Jesus Man! You couldn’t have said anything?!”

The homeowner took a deep breath feeling his hands shake.

“You didn’t knock but I also didn’t want to alarm you.. seems I’ve done the opposite. We need to-“

The homeowner quickly cuts him off and shakes his head.

“How in the hell is silently standing behind the fucking door and not saying a god damn thing meant to ‘not alarm’ someone?”

He pushed his practically buzzed hair back and let out a sigh.

The man wearing the FEMA suit stared at him, giving him a few seconds to add more which only added to the tense feeling in the room.

He finally spoke again,

“You didn’t test the man in the closet.”

He stared up at the homeowner, he seemed very comfortable in this interaction; of course the homeowner wasn’t the best with interacting with people and generally got uncomfortable from most things but he had to assume this really was abnormal.

The homeowner also stayed quiet for a few seconds before speaking.

“I know that…. That’s why I’m testing him but first I’d like to clean up some of his wounds, am I allowed to do that? Or do we need to talk.”

At the homeowner's tone the totally not ex-FEMA officer glanced off, finally showing some signs that the awkward tension in the room was getting to him.

“I mean yeah, he just is closest to the bathroom and I’d rather not be killed in my sleep, I already have to wake up for other people when they have to go to the bathroom. I’m on everyone else’s time and I’d rather not be killed by a visitor because I cannot, not answer the door.”

He seemed weirdly antagonistic towards the man in the closet and the homeowner couldn’t quite tell if it was truly because he had yet to be tested or if the man had a weird vendetta against him because he was foreign or some other reason.

The homeowner gave him one last look before he stepped out of the bathroom and shut the door fully behind him and walked to the closet once again and went inside.

“How’s the rag working for you? Do you need another one?”

He waited till Wireface looked over and motioned toward the rag in his hand to which he only got a thumbs up as the man continued to pick at the scabs through the rag pressed against them.

“You really shouldn’t mess with those but it’s your face, I brought you-“

He holds out the alcohol and watches the look of disappointment from Wireface.

“Zss gszg'h tlrmt gl yv evib fmkovzhzmg, gszmp blf ztzrm.” (“Ahh that's going to be very unpleasant, thank you again.”)

He moved the rag from his lips giving the homeowner a grateful smile yet his eyes looked troubled.

“Yeah I know it’s going to fucking suck but at least you won’t get an infection.”

He paused then mimicked picking at his lips.

“Well as long as you actually leave your lips alone.”

He let out a forced chuckle, he was trying to come across as light hearted and playful to hopefully ease some of the man’s discomfort.

Wireface in return gave him this look of hurt like he’d just betrayed the man.

“Ziv blf nzprmt ufm lu nv? R dzh svow wldm zmw nb nlfgs dzh hvdm hsfg zmw blf'iv nlxprmt nv?”
(“Are you making fun of me? I was held down and my mouth was sewn shut and you're mocking me?”)

He traces his fingers over the scars on his lips and turns away, really egging it on.

Under the man’s initial intense gaze the Homeowner was in immediate dismay over the mistranslation of his actions and comment. Clumsily he stepped back and started moving his hands quickly and defensively in front of his chest and swallowed.

“I didn’t mean to make you think I was making fun of you or anything- damn it I shouldn’t have tried to act that out! I..I was commenting on you picking on your scars! I wasn’t teasing, I mean in a way? but not about that and fuck, you don’t understand a think I’m saying!”

He frantically motions trying to emphasize the motions of picking on scars then points at Wireface’s scars and gives a thumbs up then cringes at his own thumbs up realizing that could easily be misinterpreted, it in fact would be hard to interpret correctly. He shook his head at the end letting out a frustrated sigh.

“That made no fucking sense to you..”

As the man speaks and acts out in all sorts of ways Wireface’s expression went from hurt to surprise to amusement then finally he gave the Homeowner a teasing almost catty smile and let out an amused half snort half laugh and gave him a dismissive wave.

“Blf ziv hfikirhrmtob vzhb gl gvzhv, blf'iv urmv zmw xfgv.”(“You are surprisingly easy to tease, you're fine and cute.”)

The Homeowner stared at him mid hand wave and slowly moved them down to his sides.

“Were you just?.. were you fucking with me?”

He stared at him for a few minutes before letting out a breath and reaching for his Energy drink then proceeded to chug half of it; it wasn’t beer but he could at least pretend it was for a minute or two. Once he set it down he let out a second breath that seemed to deflate him a little bit but he was still visibly frazzled.

“Gszg dzh.. ufmmrvi rm nb svzw. R'n zohl tivzgufo blf xzm'g fmwvihgzmw nv li vohv gszg dlfow'ev yvvm uzi nliv zdpdziw..”
(“That was.. funnier in my head. I'm also grateful you can't understand me or else that would've been far more awkward..”)

Wireface gave him a nervous smile before dabbing the rag which was now dampened with alcohol against his skin, he let out a hiss of pain but continued dabbing each and every hole as he did so he felt the homeowners eyes on him concern still etched onto his face; worried that Wireface wasn't joking and still found the perceived slight offensive.

“Nzbyv blf szev hlnvgsrmt orpv elwpz? Xovzm nb dlfmwh uiln gsv rmhrwv zmw nzpv gsrh z orggov ovhh.. fmxlnuligzyov”(“Maybe you have something like vodka? Clean my wounds from the inside and make this a little less.. uncomfortable.”

He gave an awkward chuckle at his own joke as he set the rag down and turned to see the Homeowner still staring at him. Of course the man didn’t respond much to his second attempt at a joke other than a tilt of a head and an even guiltier looking expression.

“R fs…wl mlg pmld dszg vohv blf dzmg? R zn hliib uli nzprmt blf mvielfh"
(“I uh…do not know what else you want? I am sorry for making you nervous."

He offers a smile and motions vaguely toward him hoping he'd pick up on the meaning.

"Dszg wl blf dzmg uiln nv?"(“What do you want from me?")

The Homeowner’s previously guilty expression slowly morphed to confusion with a twinge of irritation which was not necessarily directed at Wireface. He let out a small huff of annoyance as he squinted at the man as if the look would help him understand his language.

“I wish I had a translator.. Hell I wish I knew where you were even from. I still don't know what you're saying…”

He let out a quiet huff before continuing.

“Look I need to check your teeth” He points at his own mouth and gives a slight smile then motions to Wireface.

“The bug eyed bastard in the bathroom is right, I should’ve tested you right away.”

 

Wireface mimics the first part of his motion and points at his own mouth tilting his head to the side.

“Dszg? Nb MOUF? Wi R mvvw gl SMYAL?” (“What? My mouth? Do I need to smile?”)

It was an open mouth smile but one a person would give for a photo not enough for the Homeowner to see much especially in the dark closet. He takes a step forward and opens his mouth and smiles wider than him and then points at his own teeth.

“Blf szev z mrxv hnrov yfg R wl mlg pmld dszg gszg szh gl wl drgs nv? Wl blf dzmg gl hvv nb gvvgs?”
(“You have a nice smile but I do not know what that has to do with me? Do you want to see my teeth?”)

Wireface gives a wider smile showing off his yellowed and stained teeth along with his red gums.

“Dszg mld?”
(“What now?”)

The Homeowner took another step in and leaned in close to the point where his face was about a foot away from Wirefaces. His hand came up not quite touching his cheek but making the shape as if ready to cup it. As he closely examined the man’s teeth, Wireface twitched and his breathing picked up at the sudden closeness and the intense gaze

The Homeowner nods to himself but instead of backing away his eyes drift up scrutinizing each of Wireface’s eyes individually. After a second of some of the most extreme eye contact Wireface had ever experienced the Homeowner stood up straight and motioned for Wireface’s hands.

He was still somewhat shaken but lifted his hands for the homeowner to see. The Homeowner's hands moved from ghosting over Wireface's cheek down to his hands, once again just almost touching his palms; ready to hold the body part he inspected.

After looking them over he nodded and motioned for Wireface to keep them there. He reached for the rag Wireface had put down; flipping it around to find a spot not covered in blood then pouring some alcohol on that spot. He didn’t need to waste the alcohol but he needed something wet to wipe off the dried blood on the man’s hands and losing some alcohol was worth not having to go back to the kitchen or bathroom. He reached out and grabbed the man’s right hand and wiped some of the blood off his finger then handed him the rag.

He didn’t realize he was holding it but Wireface finally let out a breath as he watched the man completely change his focus, grabbing the hydrogen peroxide and starting to dampen the small stains of blood in the carpet with it. Wireface lifted his free hand to his cheek and mumbled.

“Gszg uvog.. fmmvxvhhzirob rmgvmhv..”
(“That felt.. unnecessarily intense..”)

He let out a very breathy almost laugh, a mix of shock and discomfort yet kept it quiet enough for the Homeowner not to ask about it. Then gave the Homeowner a smile when he still inevitably looked up at the sound of his voice.

Wireface turned to face the mirror and started to clean the blood off his hands every few seconds glancing over to watch the Homeowner as he grabbed a random piece of clothing, most likely a winter hat from the drawer behind him then he scrubbed at the ground. Once the homeowner seemed satisfied with the ground he stood up and grabbed the stitches Wireface had ripped out of his mouth with the hat and gave him a nod as he grabbed his energy drink and stepped out.

Wireface stared at the door letting out a second sigh that really seemed to get most of the tension in his body out.

“Dszg z hgizmtv nzm…”
(“What a strange man…”)

The Homeowner finished off the last sip of his drink and moved the can to the hand holding the other two things and crotched down to pet his new cat as he made his way to the kitchen. The two men previously in here were now gone, seemingly back in the office so he hurried inside. He tossed the hat stitches and can away and glanced at the stove. Someone had prepared a dish for multiple people, some mix of mashed potatoes and what looked to be a canned meat stew added in. He scoped himself up a bowl and gave it a shake or two of salt then walked to his bedroom. He stopped at the door and patted his leg with his free hand and made a quiet clicking noise with his tongue and listened for the cat's legs to pitter patter over then closed the door after the cat had entered.

He hopped up onto the bed and used one hand to eat and patted the bed next to him with the other and once the cat had jumped up he used it to give it the occasional pet.

“It’s already getting dark.. "How long did I spend in the closet?”

He tilted his head and met the cat's gaze and let out a small content sigh.

“He had nice eyes.. is that weird to say? Does it matter? Suppose not in here…”

He leaned forward and kissed the cat's head to which it let out a languid meow and moved to the side staring intently at the bowl of food in the Homeowner's lap.

After finishing most of it he set the bowl on the ground and turned off his bedroom light and let himself relax. He eventually fell asleep to the sound of his dinner scraps being eaten up.

Chapter Text

A quiet purr filled the room, tiny claws dug into the man’s skin just barely puncturing the top layer of it. The homeowner stirred, turning to his side. What seemed like only a second later he felt four tiny claws pawing at his nose. Gently he pulled the cat close. He let out a yawn and sat up then lifted the cat onto his lap.

“Hello to you too..”

He pet the cats forehead with his thumb as he mumbled his groggily ‘hello’ then ran a hand down the cat's back lazily. He turned to the side and tugged on the pull cord to his bedroom light and gently set the cat on the pillow nearest to the nightstand.

Once awake enough he pushed himself to the edge of the bed with a stretch and stood up; he’d been too lazy to change out of his sweater last night so he didn’t have to do much as he left his room. He closed the bedroom door quietly behind himself after grabbing his gun.

His steps were quiet and considerate, staring at the ground careful not to step on wooden pieces of flooring that were warped as they tended to squeal under his weight the loudest. Usually he liked to check the windows but something in his gut told him it was best not to do so and he listened.

Once he’d made it past the living room he could hear the knocking he’d become so familiar with. He then glanced out of the peephole, it wasn’t just the person outside his door he was focused on this time, the entire city burned behind the man with crazy white hair.

If not for the end of the world this man would have the potential to make a rather good Grandfather Frost impersonator, maybe a bit short but the vision was there.

“Why hello there, dear boy.”

He stared passed the man his whole being mesmerized by the flames behind him but out of habit he spoke.

“Who are you?”

“Ohohoho! I'm just an old coot who knows a thing or two about mushrooms…. The mycelium told me something very troubling, oh yes… The Mushroom Festival….And…..my dear boy…. slipping through our fingers….listen carefully …. heed …. Words … well.”

He blinked a few times and held in a yawn, his eyes drifting back to the man illuminated by flame.

“Mycelium?”

“Yes, yes, I know it's hard for ordinary folks to understand. They speak in their own strange way….. Mycelium is how….the Book of Smiles…..not good…spoke of…Mushroom Festival…my dear boy…no good at all. No no no!”

He truly was trying to listen, he was at least looking at the man this time but he still couldn’t. His words made no sense and all he could think about was the overwhelming sense of dread, it felt like a physical pit inside him.

“The book of smiles?…”

“It's a special book ... .most special in the world…It will tell you…must be done….no time…big book…. time's not on our side!….most important pages. Here, my boy. ...Take them.”

Even though he’d been watching him before he finally seemed to notice the man’s frantic gesturing, his expressive movements and flails and the underlying fear in his eyes. He watched the man wave pages at the door and he squinted at them reading a sentence on it that sounded like nonsense.

“You keep them”

“But why? It's just a small part of the book...and I know it by heart…”

The man paused and shook his head in disappointment, his body slumping slightly.

“Feh...Mayhap I'm just wasting precious time with you young'uns…”

He watched the crazed old man scurry off looking around in every which way as if trying to find the next person to give his spiel too.

The Homeowner leaned against the door and let his forehead fall against it only to lift his head again and let it fall. He continued to do this making a rhythmic thudding noise as he stared out of the peephole watching the flames overtake the city as he remained safe inside his house.

His eyes drifted to the door handle and he stopped hitting his head. He opened the door and took a step outside sweeping the porch with his foot before sitting down on the steps. He let out a shaky sigh, it wasn’t nearly as hot outside at night as it was during the day as people could actually move around at night but now he could also feel the heat from the flames of the city.

“What the fuck am I doing?..”

His hands traced over the deck picking up a rock, he curled into himself his knees coming to his chest as he leaned against the support beam. Even in the heat he felt himself shiver. His fingers curled around the rock and he threw it as far as he possibly could then he quickly scrambled to his feet.

“FUCK THIS!”

He yelled out towards the city he kicked at the dried and shriveled grass at his feet.

“Just fucking end it then! Come on!”

He looked up at nothing in particular, his chest heaving.

“The fucking sun exploding?vistors, fema and this shit? What else is there?!”

He dragged a hand through his hair and tugged, pulling on it yet it was too short to rip. He let out a shaky breath and dropped his hands letting his arms wrap around himself as he stared at the city, his expression dropped. The pent up emotion was rebottled as he turned and walked back to his door and stepped inside.

He locked the door behind himself and quickly walked to his room, his eyes set on the handle as the floor squeaked underneath him. He tossed the gun against the bed then pulled off his socks throwing them in the corner of the room where the rest of his dirty clothes had begun to pile up then flopped down on the bed and pulled the pull string to his light.

His hand gently laid over the cat sleeping peacefully beside him and he let out a quiet laugh as his thumb pet the bridge of the flat faced cat’s nose, shallow breath followed soon after then tears as he curled up around the cat. His body shook with emotion. He kept his mouth clamped terrified that the smallest noise would alert the entire house to his emotional moment.

As he laid there in a constant state of dread, sadness, anger and panic he felt his eyes get heavier and soon he was asleep.

—————

He woke up to a knock on his bedroom door. He glanced at the window near his bed, even with the blinds and curtain the sun shone through and brightened his room.

He let out a deflated sigh and ran a hand through the cat's fur before standing up he stepped forward toward the door to only immediately jump back with a pained yelp. He looked down to see that he had stepped on the spoon from last night; it had been knocked out of the bowl as the cat ate the left overs.

“God fucking dam- YES IM COMING GIVE ME A DAMN SECOND!”

He yelled at the door and the knocks stopped instantly, he heard an awkward throat clearing on the other side.

He grumbled quietly and leaned down to pick up both the spoon and the bowl then opened the door to be greeted by Yese- The bar man and the bandanna guy who was holding a plate that had some sad variation of Drankiki that lacked egg and some other ingredients but on the side was canned greens.

“What’s this?..”

The Homeowner nodded at the plate and stared at it as though it was some complicated riddle or a sentence coming from the foreign man's mouth; intriguing yet unclear.

“It’s breakfast? Well mo..more of a thank you for not killing me.. or well preventing my death really! Or just you know- letting me stay in your house man and well it wasn’t just from me but you know..”

He swallowed awkwardly and moved the plate closer to the Homeowner waiting for the man to take it which he eventually did.

“thanks..”

Yesenin let out a low chuckle and set his arm on the bandana guy’s shoulder shaking him slightly as he laughed at the homeowner.

“You look as though you’ve never gotten a gift before, cheer up the sun hasn’t gotten us yet”

In response the Homeowner shut the door in their faces and set his dishes and plate of food down on the tv, he’d learned setting food on the dresser or bed with the cat around would result in losing said food, the cat was extraordinarily food motivated.

He slowly peeled off his old sweater with a yawn and moved some hangers around before finally grabbing a similar blue sweater and tossing it onto the bed. He then kicked off his pants and once again threw a pair of pants similar to the ones he’d just had on onto the bed. Next he grabbed the first pair of underwear and socks that were clean he could and changed out of the old ones and into the new ones then he followed with the pants and finished with the sweater the cat started to stir.

He picked up the hanger dangling it over the cat's head and got the cat to swat at it a few times before he gave the cat's head a pet.

He grabbed his meal and ripped a piece of potato pancake off and tossed it on the floor for the cat then grabbed his dishes and gun and stepped out he looked around to see the hallway was clear.

He pushed the door open into the living room to see Yesein and the bandana guy talking, the two paused and looked over at him. The homeowner just nodded appreciately and continued walking to the kitchen.

He opens the door and sets his dishes in an already full sink and his plate on the table then sits down. He couldn’t tell if it was early and everyone else was still asleep or they’d finished eating but it didn't matter to him he liked eating alone he was used to it.

Once he finished he set the plate and fork into the sink as well and started to rinse them off.

“Wrw blf mvvw z szmw?”(“Did you need a hand?”)

Wireface stood in the doorway then stepped in gesturing at dishes in the Homeowners hands. His scabs were red and raw. He'd definitely been picking at them at night, the homeowner squinted, staring at the man’s lips not acknowledging his words.

“Why do you keep picking at your mouth? Do you want an infection?”

He motioned at Wireface’s mouth, flicking some water at him in the same move.

Wireface shrinked back and wiped his face with his arm giving a playful glare before stepping closer once again and leaned to the side getting a good look over the Homeowner’s shoulder and motioned once again at the dishes.

“Dszg dzh gszg, z bvh? Kilyzyob mlg yfg R wl mlg fmwvihgzmw blf zmw R'n ylivw” (“What was that, a yes? Probably not but I do not understand you and I'm bored”)

Wireface took another step ready to help but The Homeowner began rinsing his hands, he shook them off and some residual suds and water flew back into the sink. He then bent down to grab a new rag from the cabinet.

He wet it down with a hum then spun around and stepped over to Wireface. He set a hand on the man’s shoulder and pushed him down onto one of the kitchen chairs, grabbing one of his hands to press the rag into it; he then guided the rag in his hand toward his scars.

Wireface let out a nervous half giggle and glanced off as his cheeks flushed

“Gsrh dzh wvurmrgvob mlg dszg R szw zhpvw gl wl yfg R xzm'g urmw rg rm nbhvou gl xlnkozrm qfhg bvg…” (“This was definitely not what I had asked to do but I can't find it in myself to complain just yet…”)

The Homeowner responded with a curious head tilt and released the man’s hand. He grabbed one of his freshly cleaned plates and grabbed a few potato pancakes still on the stove as well as a scope of greens and set it in front of Wireface before turning back to the dishes.

He’d occasionally glance back to make sure the man continued to actually clean his wounds. About half way through the dishes Wireface finished and once again attempted to help out, stepping up and walking over only to have the homeowner shake his head.

“No thats.. you should get the alcohol again, you picked at them last night so they need to be properly disinfected again. I shoulda had you use that first I just didn’t think of it, besides you should eat your breakfast before you even think of helping.”

He raised an eyebrow mimicking Wireface then let out a sigh and grabbed the rag and mimed holding a bottle and pouring something on it then handed the rag back to Wireface and pointed toward the door. He seemed to take the hint as he walked off.

Wireface was quick to return with a new damp spot on the rag.

“Rh gsrh dszg blf dzmgvw? Wl blf pmld blf'iv izgsvi kfhsb?” (“Is this what you wanted? Do you know you're rather pushy?”

“You can complain all you like but you are cleaning those up, I’d rather not have to bag your body up. Especially from an infection of all things”

He motioned for Wireface to sit which he did somewhat begrudgingly.

The Homeowner stared at the man, his own hands raised holding a plate in one hand and a soapy sponge in the other, he watched Wireface cringe and glare at the rag in his hands with each dab of the alcohol damped spot on his wounds.

He set the plate and sponge down and turned, pressing his back against the sink. He watched closer which changed Wireface’s focus though in a way it seemed to help him.

“I have some bandages but I don’t think you’d exactly like to have bandages covering your mouth no one would but you especially..”

The homeowner tilted his head as he spoke, his voice weirdly empathetic and soothing. His eyes followed each scar on Wireface’s lips as if reconstructing the stitches on them in his mind. His thumb nail dug into the sink as he stared.

“R gsrmp blfi ollph xlfow proo hlnvlmv nliv rmhvxfiv..”(“I think your looks could kill someone more insecure..”)

He shifted in his chair, his face getting even more color then before, he turned away trying to avoid the intense look and practically jumped out of his seat.

“I don’t think it would really matter if he had bandages around his mouth, it’s not like any of us can understand him. Just make sure he can breathe through his nose and take them off and put on new ones after dinner. Though I don’t think we should waste the bandages in the first place, if he’s still picking at them he’d just pick at the bandages and you really wouldn’t want to waste such a scarc-“

“That’s enough! God you just like… fucking appear! at the worst times!”

He stuttered through his words in frustration and ran a hand through his hair and opened his mouth to speak again only to be cut off.

“Well I’m just saying-“

“I heard you, the first time..”

He glared at the man in the hazmat suit who stood awkwardly in the doorway. Clearly he thought his words would be better received. Wireface looked between the two and very intentionally looked away, deciding it was best to eat his food and mind his business.

“I’ll come find you later today but for now get out of here, get breakfast some other time if you haven’t eaten”

The man in the hazmat suit hesitantly stepped back, his mouth open ready to add on but then gave a kurt nod and turned on his heel.

“Gszg hvvnvw.. fmkovzhzmg R pmld blf wl mlg fmwvihgzmw yfg R wl slkv blf ziv zoirtsg” (“That seemed.. unpleasant I know you do not understand but I do hope you are alright”)

“Yeah he is weird”

Wireface raised an eyebrow and let out a quiet laugh.

“R wl mlg gsrmp gszg'h- ls rg wlvhm'g nzggvi” (“I do not think that's- oh it doesn't matter”)

The homeowner turned back around with a huff and continued with the dishes and finished them off with Wireface’s plate.

He walked Wireface back to the closet and retrieved the rag from last night and paused at the doorway.

“Don’t pick at it again, I seriously would rather not have to bury you.”

Wireface stared back and for a moment it seemed like his words had made sense to Wireface, the look he received seemed like the man was agreeing but then the awkward chuckle told him Wireface just barely understood what he said if at all. The sound gave him a weird feeling in his stomach that he didn’t have the time or energy to think about.

He shut the door in the man’s face and turned and walked across the hall to the bathroom and chucked the two rags into the washer dryer. He turned to see the hazmat man standing beside the tub staring silently.

“I want to see what you have in your pockets”

He didn’t waste time, he made eye contact and turned holding his hand out expectantly.

“Excuse me?- I…I mean? Why? There isn’t?”

“A FEMA ID I need to see yours”

“What? What ID? Like I said before I just found this suit- in a car I scavenged it from a dead guy in a car? S..so I don’t have anything like that…”

He reached around grabbing his shotgun and held it to his chest, just reaching for it made the man flinch and reach for something in his pocket. By the time the gun was in his hands so was the man’s FEMA ID”

“Just- just don’t shoot.. look I’m.. I was with FEMA I’m not any more though so I really don’t think it’s a good idea to go telling anyone else, besides if I join up with them again I can put in a good word for you! You’ve shown-“

“You talk too much, do you realize that?”

He shifted the gun in his arms which made the man visibly flinch and recoil looking every which way but at the Homeowner.

The man’s mouth hangs open, it looks as though it physically hurts him to not explain something but he quickly clamps his mouth and watches the home owner walk away without another word and with his ID.

The Homeowner pockets the ID and puts the gun back on his back and walked to the living room stepping inside the cracked open door interrupting a conversation between the four other people in his house, he’d hoped it would just be Yesein and the bandana guy but he was in the room now and couldn’t just step out.

He stood there fiddling with his fingers as the four guests stared at him. He cleared his throat glancing down at the ground but turning his body to face the couch Yesein and the bandana guy usually sit at.

“Thank you for the breakfast. It was nice and I appreciated it..”

His voice was damn near void of any emotion like he’d rehearsed those words a thousand times and just wanted the moment to be over, which he did for the last part. He was speaking the same way he used to with his father.

Though he was stiff and his appreciative words sounded colder than a scolding, the tension in the room seemed to fade away and the bandana guy seemed appreciative, hell even Yesein and the cheerful man were smiling.

He didn’t know whether or not to count the cheerful man’s smile it felt like cheating in a way.

Yesein let out a belly laugh which seemed to crack the others as well but only made the homeowner flinch and shift under the sudden laughs.

“Did you get replaced? Have you checked yourself for signs of being a visitor?”

To this he finally looked up meeting Yesein's amused smile with a glare

“Nope.. same angry face, glad you’re still with us”

Before he could respond the bandana guy chips in trying his best to come to the Homeowner's aid.

“You’re welcome! I wasn’t the one who made the draniki that was all Yesein with Luka’s recipe! I just warmed and seasoned the vegetables!”

The attempt was appreciated but the homeowner instinctively started to grind his teeth, his eyes searching everyone’s faces.

He didn’t want to hear names, names made everything more complicated. As the bandana guy said the name Luka his eyes moved toward the cheerful man, two and two clicked and more disappointment washed over the homeowner. He would’ve rather the awkward tension, out of everyone else there he’d rather learn anyone else’s name compared to his.

His hands drifted down finding a belt loop on his pants. He pressed his thumb into it, tracing over the fabric and picking at the seams to busy himself. He knew far more about two people in this room then he’d ever had liked to.

“Well.. I appreciate it..”

At that he got some nods then slowly The Gravedigger and Yesein looked away then Luka then finally so did the bandana guy who started up their past conversation. The group left gaps in it for The Homeowner to join if he felt like it.

He turned away.

He quickly stepped out of the room and shut the door behind himself and paced around his room. Just getting out of the living room felt much better. He sat down on his bed and pet the cat who was now laying on his pillow.

————————-

 

He remained in his room for about five hours. He watched the first few channels of the tv that were still airing well cuddling the cat . When the channels were turned off he just laid down reflecting over the past few days. He knew he hadn’t seen the last of the monstrous pale man or the monsters in yellow suits who kept taking his people and that should have concerned him the most but he couldn’t stop thinking about his guests' names. It drove him nuts; it was one of the last things he wanted to know about any of them and
Now he knew two names.

He rolled onto his side laying his face in front of the cat who was peacefully curled up on the pillow beside him.

“I should probably make dinner.. maybe order some cat food too… don’t think they’d accept my order today though..”

He smiled as the cat pushed its face into his chin. He kissed its forehead and hulled himself up out of bed.

“I need to give you a name..”

He looked over the cat but gave up rather quickly and pushed the door open he noticed the activity in the kitchen and decided he could get dinner later.

He grabbed his clothes from the past few days and shoved them into a small collapsible basket he usually kept underneath the bed and made his way over to the bathroom.

Thankfully the door was wide open and when he looked on the other side of the door it was empty. He loaded the washer and started it then set the basket between it and the wall.

He decided it was time to check on Wireface again.

As soon as he stepped inside he was greeted with the other man half curled up on the ground.

“Tllw vevmrmt” (“Good evening”)

Wireface yawned as he spoke and quickly clamped his mouth shut letting out a quiet whine as he’d stretched his lips too much.

“You alright?”

He squatted down awkwardly and held himself up with his arm leaning against the wall. He pointed at the man’s lip and raised a brow.

“R zn zoirtsg ru gszg'h dszg blf'iv zhprmt zmw blf wl mlg szev gl hgzb gsviv, R xzm hgzmw-“ (“I am alright if that's what you're asking and you do not have to stay there, I can stand”)

He let out his first genuine laugh in a while as the homeowner slipped and fell on his ass. The first second was nice but he immediately felt the sharp taut pull on his healing lips. He once again covered his mouth and his laughs turned to slightly pained giggles as he playfully pushed the homeowner away.

“Blf qvip wl mlg nzpv nv ozfts rg sfigh!” (“You jerk do not make me laugh it hurts!”)

The homeowner was initially embarrassed and surprised but at the sound of the man’s laughter all he could do was stare, the small push brought him back and he let out a chuckle himself.

“Why’d you push me? I'm the one the one who fell and it’s not like I fell on you”

He elbowed him back in response with a smile on his face. Slowly the two calmed down and the calm silence quickly was ruined by the homeowner who started to avoid eye contact. He pulled himself up and offered Wireface a hand.

“I uh anyway.. I came in here to test you”

He smiles at Wireface, enjoying as much of that curious look as he could. Then pulled out his camera, shaking it slightly to get the man’s attention; it worked better than expected as he didn’t expect the smile he got but made sure to take the picture as Wireface was smiling even if the camera didn’t capture it, he’d know.

“dsviv rh gsv kslgl? Xzm R hvv rg?”(“where is the photo? Can I see it?”)

Wireface leaned over him trying to catch a glimpse of it as The Homeowner shook the photo. Wireface started up that same sweet sounding yet careful giggle as to not mess with his scars too much.

“Hey hey- give me some space!”

He couldn’t help but chuckle again and move his hand low and out of Wireface’s grasp.

Once the photo was at least finished developing, The Homeowner stepped to the side to let Wireface look at it, he of course looked it over himself noting there were no noticeable black spots. He noticed the two red marks around Wireface and a subtle rainbow between them. He stared intently at the man’s face, his thumb picking at the corner of the photo as he watched Wireface light up and reach for the photo. The home owner didn’t exactly understand auras but this one was his favorite thus far.

“Gsrh hslfow yv uiznvw! Xzm R pvvk rg? Xzm R gzpv lmv lu blf gsvm nzbyv blf xzm pvvk gsrh lmv?” (“This should be framed! Can I keep it? Can I take one of you then maybe you can keep this one?”)

The Homeowner snapped out of it and tilted his head but pressed the photo into Wireface’s palm assuming it was what he wanted which he was partially correct. He was a lot more surprised when Wireface out right took the camera out of his hands and snapped a photo as he went wide eyed.

“I- woah- you shouldn’t waste the polaroids on me”

He snatched the camera back but didn’t go for the photo. Wireface was happily shaking it in his hand though he was handed Wireface’s old photo back.

“I’m sorry but I’m not taking another one, you can have this one and the one you just took but I don’t have enough film to go around”

He tried to hand the photo back only for Wireface to grab his hand and close the homeowner's fist fully around it. He sort of got the hint and took a final glance at it before putting it in his pocket.

Once Wireface had finished shaking the photo of the Homeowner he grabbed a tack on the shelf and pinned it to one of the card board boxes and turned to give the man a cheeky grin and froze.

“Gszg'h mlg z tllw ollp? Dszg'h drgs gszg ollp wrw gsv kslgl nzpv blf gszg fmxlnuligzyov? R gsrmp rg ollph mrxv?”(“That's not a good look? What's with that look did the photo make you that uncomfortable? I think it looks nice?”)

The homeowner let out a sigh.

“God why does this last sign have to be such a weird one..”

He lifted his arm and motioned toward his arm pit then gestured to Wireface and pointed toward his which seemed to only confuse the man more.

“Fssss? Vcxfhv nv?”(“Uhhhh? Excuse me?”)

He could see the slight discomfort on the man’s face which was a valid reaction though the homeowner was disappointed by how quick the smile he had earned from the man had left.

He still needed to check, Wireface had passed the other signs which was good. He was genuinely happy Wireface had passed but it was only a matter of time before FEMA released more tests and he wanted to be up to date with them all.

He repeated the motion, his face resting to its normal no nonsense look which made Wireface slowly but surely lift his arm and pull his shirt up just enough to reveal his clean shaven pits.

The sight threw the Homeowner off at first, he definitely had been hoping to not question this man’s humanity at all but instead he stepped closer, his eyes drifted to the man’s stomach for only a second but the glance alone made his heart beat faster, the small bit of stomach that hung over the man’s pants made his mouth dry and he could hear his heart in his throat yet he shook the feeling off as he looked over his armpit. He saw small hair follicles and gave the man a nod and thumbs up in response, quickly stepping back.

“R wl mlg hvv dsb gszg dzh mvxvhhzib.. R wlm'g gsrmp blf'w nzpv fk xsvxph dlfow blf? Tlw R slkv mlg, R'w hgroo gzpv gszg levi nb nlfgs yvrmt hvdm hsfg ztzrm gslfts…. R nrhh nb xlfmgib”(“I do not see why that was necessary.. I don't think you'd make up checks.. would you? God I hope not, I'd still take that over my mouth being sewn shut again though…. I miss my country”)

He squinted at Wireface and gave an uncomfortable noise of acknowledgement as Wireface pulled his shirt back down quickly. The Homeowner had understood almost none of his words other than maybe a few ‘I’s’ in there.

“You’re good.. sorry that one was.. uncomfortable to say the least.”

He took another step back and gave an awkward nod before leaving the closet and closing the door behind him.

——————-

After eating dinner and being forced by social norms into a prolonged conversation about how everyone unanimously misses fresh foods or really any food other than potatoes with almost everyone in his house other than the man in the closet; thankfully after their last interaction. The homeowner was able to finally sneak off to his room once again.

He locked the bedroom door and set his gun against it. He set his bowl from dinner which had small chunks of canned meat still in it on the ground for the cat out of the way then set the FEMA ID and Wireface’s photo down on the dresser.

Usually the cat liked to lounge outside of the room and mess with the radio or other guests but for most of the day he’d remained in here on his own accord which did make the homeowner quite happy, he enjoyed his small fluffy companion.

He was able to sleep a lot easier than he imagined he would, his internal clock woke him up in the middle of the night and he gently untangled his arms out from underneath the cat and got up ready for another cycle to start.

He grabbed his gun and made his way to the door, stopping at each window as he made his way there. The first had a group of survivors, looked like there were around 8 people who started to hold up in his neighbors old place.

It was kind of nice to see in a way, he never left the house much before the end but he’d been over to the neighbors house a few times. Seeing that it could possibly help more people made something within him a little less angry at the world.

He stepped away from the window and made his way down to the next one. The reassuring feeling from the past window was immediately taken away as he saw a man with an assault rifle decorated in human body parts; teeth and fingers. He slowly stepped away from the window. He was careful not to draw attention to himself.

Then he looked out the last window. He saw a man swing from a pole with a sign that read ‘you took everything from me.’ He couldn’t tell if the sign was aimed at visitors, FEMA, the sun or a mix of the above.

He had woken up with hope today, the last two windows quickly ruined it but he couldn’t go back to bed yet. He stepped up to the door and looked out the peep hole to see man dressed rather formally he looked to be around the same age as the bandana guy in his living room.

“Hello. You have a beautiful home here! It's much quieter out here. In the city everything screams. I was hoping I might be able to impose upon you.”

The man had a certain accent, almost forced a lot like an actor when they’re on stage. The voice just wasn’t correct but there wasn’t anything he could put his finger on to explain it.

“What’s so beautiful about this place?”

He listened to the man rant poetically. He caught about half his words, the man’s arm was messed up, gangrene and he was in love with the girl but the girl wasn’t with him anymore. He was a bit much for the Homeowners taste but he was younger and he had room in the house. He nodded to himself as he decided he would just reject the next few people that came to his door.

He opened the door and stepped aside, letting the weird poet in. He had hopes that maybe he’d even entertain the others.

—————-

The Homeowner paced around, there was bound to be another knock soon and even if he planned to reject whoever showed up at his door he still wanted to answer it so people didn’t think his house was abandoned.

He glanced out of the peephole and saw a woman there with her head down, she seemed to be preparing to knock but he beat her to it which made her jump slightly. The woman at the door then spoke quickly, nervously.

“I'm sorry to bother you... but do you have a moment? I just feel so awful. Could I maybe talk to you?”

He didn’t really want to but maybe talking with her would help him feel better rejecting her later.

“Who are you?”

He listened to women speak, telling another story of just how mad the world had become. Parents taken by FEMA and leaving kids, parents abandoning their kids and adults burning children who they think are visitors. The world was sick and he knew that but hearing the story, watching the women barely keep her composure; he opened the door and led her to the office.

“I know there's nothing I can do to bring them back… But thank you... for listening. And for letting me in.”

He nodded and offered her a smile. Both of them knew it was shallow and it didn’t help but she mimicked the gesture in appreciation.

He made his way back to the door and let out a sigh, he didn’t really want to let her in but after hearing her story he just couldn’t reject her.

It was odd he could kill a person, or something that looked indistinguishable from a person but a sappy story gave him an open door policy. He used to be better at not caring, he didn’t like that that had changed.

With the next knock he was quick to look through the peep hole ready to immediately tell the person on the other side to leave but the words died in his throat before they could come out.

He stared at a man so badly burned around his body he couldn’t find a patch of him that looked like normal skin.

“Hey.”

The man’s voice was beyond hoarse and he let out two coughs, his whole body shook as he did so, they sounded god awful and painful but he didn’t show too many signs of pain. He’d probably grown used to it, to some degree. He gave himself a second or two before continuing, the homeowner could hear his shallow breaths through the door.

“Can you let me in, pal?”

The homeowner probably could’ve said just about anything less blunt but the words came out before he could think.

“What happened to you?”

 

“I got caught in the midday sun while putting out forest fires. I'm the only one left from my squad. The rest, they... The boss just wouldn't let them leave. Now they're on shift eternally.”

The man let out a few coughs between words, he seemed to be trying to fight them off.

“Why aren't you at a hospital?”

The homeowner knew the question was stupid as he said it, he’d watched the city burn down but he still asked it.

“A hospital? There are no more hospitals, pal. When the Visitors came, the whole point of hospitals went up in smoke. Hard to get treatment if you can't trust who's treatin' ya. There's no helping me now. I'd have been better off putting out those fires and dying out there with my buddies.I don't have much time left, anyway.”

He cringed at each cough the man made every so often, it looked like it already physically hurt to talk but the coughing seemed to be doing a number on him as well.

“Come in”

“Thanks, pal. I don't think I'll be in your hair for too long. At least I won't have to die alone in the dirt.”

He’d let out a few more coughs as he spoke and took a second to regain himself

“They gave us this slip of paper at work before we went to put the fire out.
It's a mandate telling us to report to a FEMA quarantine zone. But why go if everyone who does ends up dead?”

He took another pause letting his body rest after taking.

“Here, I don't need it anyway. You can throw it away or use it for something else I also got another one from my buddy before he.. well.”

He led the man to the living room after taking the slips.

He’d only planned on letting one person in tonight. He didn’t even really want one but now he had at least two people in his house that he needed to check.

He was willing to bet the firefighter was a safe bet for being human but he would need to dedicate time and effort into helping him and waste supplies on a man who was already going to die. He already regretted letting him in. God he wished he’d slept in, slept the rest of his life away.

He walked back to his bedroom and tossed the gun on the ground near his door and locked it. He set the FEMA notices on the dresser near his bed, he planned on reading them later, see what they entailed in the morning but he didn’t have the energy to do so. He then climbed into bed and laid his head next to his cat and let himself drift off.

Chapter Text

His body jerked and twitched as he slept. His hands shook and clawed at the sheets until his eyes shot open all of the sudden.

He let out a half heave and sat up practically clambering to the edge of the bed and in the panic he didn’t notice the hiss of the cat as he pushed off of its tail to get up. His eyes squeezed shut and his breathing regulated yet every ounce of him was filled with this overwhelming sense of dread.

Holding his hand out he tried to calm both himself and the cat down with a pet, eventually his hand was butted and he was able to partially make amends for his deeds against the cat's tail.

His free hand reached around aimlessly and he managed to grab the tv remote, although it was early he still turned it on. It took a second for his eyes to adjust to the sudden light, the background was vaguely similar to the regular news outlet but it was a lot more vivid and incomprehensible text flooded the screen. It was a sort of uncanny version of the symptom alerts, a warped picture of bugs crawling out of ears flashed on screen and he quickly turned off the tv.

It had only made the feeling worse, not that he thought it was a proper announcement but if he did see bugs in people’s ears it was kind of a given that something was wrong even before seeing that.

After he finished making up his misdeeds to the cat through pets he walked over to the door. He was still planning on sleeping for another hour as it was still dark enough outside where he could glance near the windows without hurting his eyes but he also needed to walk around, get some water and calm himself.

As soon as he stepped outside of his room his eyes were drawn to the living room door; it was open and the handle seemed to have some viscous liquid dripping from it, just the living room being open told him all he needed to know but the sense of dread only got worse.

He pushed open the door and took a quiet breath, the Firefighter laid curled up asleep near the entertainment center he was breathing and so was Yesein.

He stepped over the puddle of blood already seeping into the floor boards and crotched down, the boy wasn’t in his usual place on the couch, he was laid on the floor in front of the armchair.

The homeowner didn’t even know why he bothered checking, the boy’s skin was too pale to be alive. He pressed two fingers against the bandana guy’s neck then wrist only to gain confirmation, he’d let a visitor inside last night and this was the consequence.

He ran a hand through his own hair and took a quiet deep breath. He glanced over and caught Yesein staring at the body, he’d sworn he was just asleep.

The two looked at each other, the last time they spoke Yesein seemed much happier. Maybe it was front to calm the nervous boy who lay dead in front of him now so there was no reason to pretend anymore.

He grabbed ahold of the boy's arm and hoisted him up over his shoulder struggling somewhat, he was lucky the boy was rather lanky and skinny.

Normally he’d take care of the body in the same room it had died in but he had yet to deal with a human and it felt.. incorrect to deal with it in front of Yesein, the two had grown close. He wouldn’t be surprised if Yesein had even found someone to pass his skills down to after the end of the world had passed and not just his drinking ones.

After hoisting the body onto his shoulder he gave Yesein an apologetic nod and walked out of the room quietly shutting the door behind him.

He knocked on the bathroom door and after a few seconds the door opened, the ex FEMA employee’s eyes were squinted into a glare right as the door opened enough for his face to be seen but his face quickly changed when he saw the body.

The home owner watched as he backed out of the door he said something to the Homeowner but the words didn’t quite make it to his ears.

The body was set in the tube. The homeowner had made a few trips, he first had brought an old towel to the living room and before he could start cleaning it Yesein had taken the towel.

Next he grabbed a small axe he kept by the door. This next part was never pleasant but from stories he heard from the gravedigger it felt necessary. Especially to avoid having the bandana guy knock at his door once again.

He put the toilet seat down and sat, staring at the body in his tub. His thoughts were everywhere but in the bathroom across from the bandana guys unmoving body. He pushed himself off the toilet lid and onto his knees beside the tub.

His axe connected, once, twice, thrice and a hand disconnected. His body worked like a machine, his actions calculated, quick and efficient.

As he worked his thoughts were brought back to the two FEMA notices in his room. Two people were leaving his house tonight. Whether an employee came or not he was handing them out so he had people to send off when they did come, he didn’t want to be blind sighted.

Yesein was of course off the table, he had been here the longest, dealt with almost the same amount of shit as him and he couldn’t send him off knowing his name. It felt.. wrong.

Luka was the next guest he couldn’t bring himself to kick out, he wasn’t particularly fond of the man but he’d also been here awhile and the homeowner couldn’t quite stomach sending him off especially as he seemed to try around him.
When he first came to the house he was so talkative asking the home owner all sorts of things and trying to raise his spirits but the last few days he kept his interactions to a minimum and the homeowner noticed and appreciated it.

The Firefighter wasn’t exactly someone he’d fight to keep but he felt bad for the man. He didn’t know his story yet but even before all of this he had a deep sense of respect for firefighters and the man had clearly been through hell and back already but he didn’t see him exactly being a permanent fixture in his house.

The homeowner didn’t hold any ill will toward the Gavedigger; he actually quite appreciated the man’s help when he did need to bury bodies. Though if he wasn’t useful he would get a notice, he’d woken up the house the day he showed up and although he was rather meek the man could be as loud as an elephant if he wasn’t actively trying to be quiet when he spoke however he could sit in silence unlike most of the people in the house.

The Kindergarten teacher clearly had been through it but he held no loyalty to her, he of course offered his house but he wouldn’t stick his neck out for her if it came down to it maybe if he still had his neighbors daughter she’d be more important but for now she wasn’t a high priority and she could be a visitor.

The poet hadn’t done anything wrong as far as he was aware but he could be a visitor as of now he was untested and new. He also had a bad arm and most likely wouldn’t be much help if something bad happened and although he only heard about 10% of his words last night that 10% didn’t exactly make him giddy to learn more about him. It was reckless to let him in under the guise of him being hurt and young.

Though the one and only person he could calmly hand a notice too finally came to his mind. The ex FEMA employee would be getting a notice there was no work around for that. He did not like that man and it was funny to think about sending the man back from where he came, maybe he’d get his old job back though he doubted he would be able to manage something like that.

His eyes dropped, red stained the tub. He set the axe down and bagged up the rest of the parts and tied the three trash bags up then rinsed his hands in the sink.

He pushed open the door and walked to the kitchen and grabbed a beer, he stood in the empty kitchen and drank half the can before walking to the bathroom again, across from it the closet was wide open and he watched Wireface stumble out of the bathroom wide eyed and frantic.

Hmm Wireface? He hadn’t even thought of him when thinking about the notices... he could think about that later though as the man’s quick unintelligible words caught him off guard. He forgot the man hadn’t been there for any previous deaths.

 

“Dszg gsv svoo szkkvmvw?! Dsl rh gszg? Rh gszg Raskolnikov?! Ziv blf lpzb? Gsrh rh nvhhvw fk... ure uoe o..kae?....”
(“What the hell happened?! Who is that? Is that Raskolnikov?! Are you okay? This is messed up... ARE YOU OKAY?....”)

The homeowner watched as Wireface stuttered and sputtered, frantically glancing from the bathroom to the blood on the homeowner’s sweater. Then slowed his words down as he calmed down, finally understanding that the home owner hadn’t killed the bandana guy/Raskolnikov if that was his name. The homeowner wasn’t sure if that was his name or how Wireface knew his name but the last few words in botched Russian stood out to him the most.

He looked down at his hands and took a breath and nodded as he mumbled to himself.

“I need a shower..”

He considered the nod to be enough of an answer for Wireface’s question and he stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.

He turned on the shower, he first moved the shower head around cleaning up all the blood, thankfully he was careful enough not to spill any innards and they were all neatly packed away.

His clothes fell to the floor and he quickly pulled out some clean clothes from the washer dryer and tossed his dirty ones on top of the rest of the clean ones, he wasn’t exactly concerned about the water bill at the moment and planned to rerun it all.

With a quiet sigh he stepped into the bath, although it was clean now it had just been red and he couldn’t stop thinking of the dead body that was just in it.

His nails dug into his arms and dragged down leaving marks he held his breath. The water spilled down his face and after almost three full minutes he stepped back and let himself breath. He scrubbed his body meticulously, lathering soap in his hair and once again stood in the water; mouth and eyes shut, holding himself there until he couldn’t take it anymore.

————-

After he’d finished his shower and dressed himself he made his way to the living room. It didn't look like anyone had died in it. The ex FEMA employee sat where the bandana guy- Raskolnikov usually sat.

He imagined that didn’t sit well with Yesein but Yesein seemed preoccupied, he and Luka sat on either side of the fire fighter tending to his wounds. Maybe it was best that Yesein was distracting himself.

He took a few steps forward and loomed over the man on the couch then spoke quietly.

“Did anyone enter the bathroom last night?”

“No, no one entered the bathroom last night, don’t you think I would have said something when you came in carrying a dead body? Do you think I like living with visitors because you have bad judgment? No, no I do not, no one came in but I’d check that man in the closet he’s always sneaking around..”

The ex FEMA’s voice was both raised but also quiet at least quiet enough where Yesein and Luka seemed to have no trouble ignoring their conversation.

The homeowner squinted at him, giving him a half hearted glare. The man did seem to have a weird vendetta against Wireface but he also didn’t expect the ex FEMA employee to just know who the visitor was; he didn't actually think anyone would have entered the bathroom either; it made more sense for them to clean up in the kitchen where no one else was.

With an audible huff of annoyance the homeowner left the room.

He opened the door to the office and saw the Gravedigger, teacher and the poet all quietly talking.

He was sure they’d found out about Raskolnikov by now. He stood in front of the kindergarten teacher and motioned to her hands, she seemed to have heard of the checks as she held them up without so much as an eyebrow raise or questioning look.

His brows furrowed as his eyes, instead of looking at her clean nails were drawn to the burns on her hands.

“I tried... I tried to open the doors, to break the windows. But the fire... it spreads so fast…”

He watched her hands tremble and he took a seat on the table behind himself, so far her hands were human. He listen to the woman whimper and watched her shudder apparently long enough for someone else to step in and speak for him.

The grave digger leaned over from the otherside of the table on the ground.

“Are you okay?..”

The homeowner's jaw tightened subconsciously hearing the question even though it wasn’t for him. He watched as the woman tried composing herself, taking deep breaths. Eventually she folded her hands neatly in her lap and took a deep breath.

“Yes, I suppose…”

She paused her voice cracking.

“ I don't know…”

“I... don't understand how grown, supposedly rational adults could let their emotions make them do such a thing.”

Even though the homeowner hadn’t asked the question she looked up at him. Her eyes watering the look gave him a familiar sense of dread once again but he stomached through it and tried his best to hold eye contact and not make a face.

“Were they really so terrified they would kill a child?”

“In chaos, reason is the first thing to go”

He knew it wasn’t what she wanted to hear but it was the truth and it made her end the stare that was making his skin practically crawl with guilt for actions he didn’t commit.

“But don't people realize that killing children is... I can't even find the words…I feel as though it should be obvious..”

The feeling returned without the eye contact, he felt his mouth go dry as he thought about the neighbors daughter, he had in a way killed her. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to compare him to the monsters who killed the children she spoke of.

Yesein and Luka were there when she was taken, neither of them had really ever mentioned the girl sense or brought it up to the others at least he hoped; he didn’t know what he’d do if this woman knew what he’d done the look he would get even if he deserved it.

“Hardship unmasks us. Perhaps we are the real monsters, not the creatures that crawl up underground”

As he listened to her speak and even resonated with her words he looked down to see his cuticles were bleeding, he hadn’t even realized he was picking at them. He couldn’t quite stomach the idea of talking to this woman anymore so he turned his attention to the poet.

Normally after half a beer he’d be too tired to do more than one check but the adrenaline of the events today and the cold shower woke him up enough where he believed he could do even more than usual.

He nodded toward the man’s hands the same as he did with the kindergarten teacher but he only got a head tilt of confusion back.

“Youre hands.. er.. hand”

He looked down at the man’s hands, one visibly shriveled and grotesque especially compared to the other. He had perfectly fine nails, human enough thus far.

“How’s your other hand? Does it hurt?”

“Though it beats, it is barren of feeling - no warmth remains, only the dolorous ache, the spectral chill.
But such, alas, is to be expected; for I wish to delay the most exquisite moment. It is no longer mine. Decay takes it...little by little. The left still clings on. See the nails? Neat. Clean.”

The two remained in silence after he finished talking. The homeowner didn’t know what to say in response to whatever the hell that was though he did prefer it to the guilt of his last conversation but if he had to pick anyone to be around that he didn’t understand he’d prefer the man in the closet.

The homeowner opened his mouth ready to ask another question but was cut off.

“There was a girl I once adored…I cherished our time. Silent we sat, yet I understood her fully. Then it suddenly dawned on me. I deceive myself. I never truly knew her. Perhaps I merely wished to believe I did. Yet I hope that one day we may love with a love that is more than love.”

The homeowner stared at him for a second taking in the words, he was never one for passion but this seemed to be too much even for a regularly emotionally available person.

“She had such tender hands. At times I feared they would dissolve into mine, like she was a ghost…”

He didn’t really understand any of his comparisons, with everything he’d understood of her she seemed
rather distant with this man.

The homeowner motioned toward his eyes after a silent moment passed.

“Can I see your eyes?”

“Even the memory of her eyes unsettles me so… Forgive me, you wished to see my own…”

He leaned forward to let the homeowner get a look at his red eyes.

“They say those who weep over much see the world in deeper shades. But I have not wept in a long time. I no longer search for her face. Acceptance is truly the hardest decision.”

The homeowners scrutinizing gaze subtly dropped to his teeth as he spoke, perfect and white. His pointer finger twitched and he reached for his gun. That last sentence hadn’t made sense. He spent all this time talking about her but he accepted her being gone or dead or wherever the hell she was? He knew he was being paranoid, maybe he’d just be the cause of another innocent death but he didn’t let himself think.

A shot rang out and his senses were overloaded. It was as though a physical weight was lifted from his shoulders yet his vision swam with colors and faces for a split second. Normally he’d assume he was seeing things but this wasn’t the first time it happened, he saw and heard the same thing after he’d killed the lady who brought him his cat.

His thoughts are cut off as the kindergarten teacher let out a quiet sob. He shouldn’t have done that in front of the two of them. He stared at the body and put the gun on his back and began to clean up the mess.

He had killed a monster today and that didn’t make up for any of the other deaths he’d caused but it brought some amount of peace to him.

——-———

After he finished cleaning the living room and bagging the body he brought those bags to the bathroom as well. Never in his life did he imagine wishing his bathroom had more room so he could fit bodies in it easier.

The smell of some variation of cooked potato wafted through the air, he hadn’t eaten all day and had been quite physical.

Opening the kitchen door he saw Luka at the stove, Wireface sat at the table next to the ex FEMA employee. It was an odd group but he didn’t question it.

Luka handed him the first plate with a smile on his face but the smile didn’t make him uncomfortable this time. It still felt forced but more in an empathetic way, which wasn’t what the homeowner wanted but that was better then full forced positivity.

“Thank you..”

Luka nodded and handed off the rest of the plates, Wireface next then the ex FEMA employee then he was in and out pretty consistently.

“So did you test him? I know you found one visitor but he could still be one”

The ex FEMA employee stared at the homeowner then nodded at Wireface who in turn gave a confused look to him then the homeowner.

“Nv? Dszg wrw R wl? Wl R szev hlnvgsrmt lm nb uzxv?”
(“Me? What did I do? Do I have something on my face?”)

The home owner picked at his food and gave a look to the man in the yellow suit then shook his head at Wireface.

“You’re fine, he’s just being a cock”

His eyes narrowed at the man as he spoke about him.

“He can’t even understand you and I’m just being cautious”

“Why aren’t you in the living room?”

The man let out a quiet huff and picked up his plate.

“I was just asking myself that..”

He quickly walked off which made the homeowner chuckle and steal his chair, pulling it to the other side of the table and sitting down. He ignored the feeling of being stared at and kept his eyes down focusing on his food.

“R wlm'g pmld dszg dzh hzrw qfhg mld yfg R rnztrmv R ldv blf z gszmp blf”
(“I don't know what was said just now but I imagine I owe you a thank you”)

He glanced up as Wireface spoke, the look in the man’s eye caused him to choke slightly but he recovered quickly though the look in the man’s eyes wasn’t the biggest shock, he caught a glimpse of something on the man’s ear and without a second thought he reached out and grabbed his face and physically turned Wireface’s head to the side then leaned over the table.

Wireface let out a panicked yelp and froze staring at the man out of the corner of his eye.

“Z-ziv blf ollprmt zg nb vzi? B..bvh R wl szev rg krvixvw R pmld rg nzb hvvn orpv- dvoo- blf xzm'g fmwvihgzmw nv R xzm'g orv li xlevi gsrh fk kovzhv qfhg.. rg'h lmv lu gsv uvd gsrmth R szev ovug lu srn! Kovzhv wl mlg gzpv rg zmw ovg nv hgzb!”
(“A-are you looking at my ear? Y..yes I do have it pierced I know it may seem like- well- you can't understand me I can't lie or cover this up please just.. it's one of the few things I have left of him! Please do not take it and let me stay!”)

He knew his pleas couldn’t be understood but he was desperate, so far the homeowner seemed fine in fact Wireface had started to feel quite safe around the man; the armpit thing was odd but he could look past it and deep down he kind of already assumed the homeowner knew he liked men but this sudden action and how intensely he stared at the earring shook him to his core.

He didn’t want to leave or have it taken from him he in the very least didn’t think the homeowner would physically harm him. His thoughts continued to spiral but came to a sudden halt as the homeowners grip became oddly gentle.

His fingers slowly brushed down his cheek to his chin as the homeowner’s gaze became oddly appreciative.

Wireface didn’t know if it was the look or the sudden gentleness of his touch or his own confusion and whiplash but he couldn’t help but let his mouth hang open a little as his cheeks went a shade of pink.

“Sorry.. I thought it was a bug.. it’s uh.. nice..”

The homeowner sat back down and very casually went back to eating leaving Wireface in a slightly dazed state. After only about a minute he picked up his fork and the two ate in silence.

Meanwhile the homeowner was pissed, he shouldn’t have ever doubted that man; he was perfectly human and the asshole in the bathroom was FEMA, fired or not the words shouldn’t have held any weight whatsoever..

——————

About an hour went by, he’d finished eating a while ago. Most of that time was spent pacing around his room holding the FEMA notices he knew where one was going but he couldn’t decide what to do with the other. He pocketed both of them and finally left his room.

Quiet talking and laughter stopped him on his way to the bathroom and he peaked into the living room noticing Yesein was once again sitting on the ground near the firefighter and Luka was in Yesenin's usual spot, he was about to step out but he got waved in by Luka.

“Come on, don't be a stranger, we were just talking about you anyway!”

He stepped in and raised an eyebrow waiting for him to elaborate.

“So, how are you managing?”

Of course he wasn’t going to get his question answered without verbally asking it.

“I?-“

His eyes narrowed in confusion, two people had died today and he had to cut up two bodies, the way he asked the question so genuinely and just the question in general seemed so ridiculous.

Clearly his pause and bewildered look brought the mood in the room down as the quiet chatter between Yesein and the firefighter slowed to a stop and Luka’s smile faltered slightly.

“So you and the foreigner?”

Yesein had a sly grin as he spoke though his eyes looked damn near empty, he seemed to actively be forcing himself to participate and the only way he chose to was by making fun of the homeowner.

The homeowner didn’t even really comprehend the question, he had heard plenty of innuendos in his life but this practically soared over his head as he was still trying to figure out a way to answer the first question. It took a second or two before his brain kicked started and all he managed to come up with was:

“Excuse me?”

The firefighter stayed quiet as Yesein let out a laugh and Luka chuckled.

“Luka saw you two in the kitchen not too long ago, I didn’t think you had it in you to make a move on him especially after all of this death but good on you. Enjoy yourself before we all die.”

A hint of bitterness seemed to fuel that last comment which made Lukas' laughs awkwardly taper off.

“I thought he had a bug crawling out of his ear, I’m not…”

He was cut off by Yesein, chuckling again and giving him a pointed look.

“Bugs in ears? Is that a new sign? I haven’t heard that anywhere else”

He glared at Yesein and felt himself begin to pick at his fingers once again, reopening some of his small scabs.

“Do you think I find this at all enjoyable?! Having to test everyone, make sure I have humans in my house and humans only? I didn’t want Raskolnikov to die, I just..”

He ran a hand through his hair and let out an annoyed noise that wasn’t quite a huff.

“You know what? It doesn’t matter because when I fuck up I can just lock my bedroom door, if you want to act like I’m some callous idiot I will be one it isn’t my life on the line..”

His chest was heaving slightly and the three other men stayed silent. He took a second to compose himself and wipe the blood off his fingers.

Luka awkwardly cleared his throat after about a minute and stood up and made his way over to the homeowner slowly as if approaching a stray cat ready bolt.

“We were only joking, we truly appreciate all you’ve done for us... thank you”

He set his hand on the homeowner's shoulder only to have it immediately shrugged off and for the man to turn away ready to leave only for the living room door to open.

The gravedigger peaked in and looked around the crowded room and decided to make his way over to Luka.

“Why’s everyone in here?”

“We were just having some conversation riling up our ever gracious host”

Yesein’s snark definitely didn’t go away and before the gravedigger could get a word in, the homeowner spoke, deciding it was time for a topic change and to ask an obvious question he’d neglected to ask yet when he first had found Raskolnikov’s body.

“Did anyone leave the office or living room at all last night?”

The question only amplified the remaining tension in the room as it made everyone think of what happened again.

“Didn’t you already kill the new kid? What’s with all of the questions?”

Once again Yesein targeted his attitude toward the homeowner. He knew he fucked up letting in the musician, he was to blame for Raskolnikov’s death and he understood that the two were getting to be close but it still annoyed him with each and every comment Yesein made he continually bounce from annoyance to guilt.

Before he could respond to Yesein Luka spoke up.

“Well I think you’d know that better than anyone at least the office part.”

He gently nudged the grave digger who sat curled up next to him.

“Well yeah, Yeseins right, that poet did it but- wait why would I have seen him leave the room?”

Luka looked genuinely confused at the gravedigger's question for a second and gave him a confused smile.

“When you sleep walk your eyes are open, I always just assumed you could see what you were doing and that’s why you didn’t bump into things like the table. The first day you did it, it scared me half to death.”

“I don’t sleep walk?..”

Luka chuckled and nodded as he spoke.

“I promise you, you do, you’ve done it since you’ve arrived. It’s probably just stress”

As the two went back and forth the homeowner stared at the gravedigger getting that sinking feeling once again as he watched him adamantly deny the sleep walking allegations.

Normally he’d struggled to just out right leave a room but his mind became preoccupied and he left without a word.

He walked to the bathroom and paused at the door when he remembered no one living would be in there. He turned back around and walked into the office and found the Ex FEMA employee sitting at the chair across the table looking through the magazine he’d left on the table for the past few months.

The kindergarten teacher sat curled up on the couch and made a quiet noise when the home owner entered. She still hadn’t recovered from seeing the homeowner kill so casually in front of her and quickly got up and left the room.

The FEMA man looked up from the magazine at the sound of the door shutting to see a FEMA notice in his face. He quickly snatched it from the homeowner and looked it over.

“What? Do you not understand it? Are you?”

He looked down at it again then up at the homeowners cold expression.

“What the hell?! Are you giving this to me?!”

“Thought you’d want to visit your old coworkers”

“Oh go fuck yourself man! I’m just doing what I can to survive and I’ve done nothing wrong! I don’t even work for them anymore!”

“Then apply when you’re there”

He threw down the magazine and stormed off squeezing the notice in his hand.

He watched the ex FEMA employee walk away and bent down to pick the magazine, he looked it over and tossed it back onto the table. He needed to finish the beer he started drinking that morning and he remembered seeing it on the fridge during dinner.

Inside the kitchen he saw Yesein hunched over sitting at the table drinking. He saw his beer still on the fridge, sure he hadn’t gotten along with him today but the man had been through a lot and didn’t deserve to drink alone.

Grabbing his drink from on top of the fridge he stared at the man and let out a quiet noise as he debated how to start this, he pulled out the chair across from Yesein and sat down taking a drink before he spoke.

“You and that Firefighter seem to be getting along, I think he probably appreciates all that you’ve done for him.”

He waited for Yesein to say anything, after a few seconds of silence he continued.

“I didn’t really get the chance to talk to him today but he seems respectable…”

He swallowed and fidgeted with his hand as Yesein stayed quiet, drinking his beer and staring down.

This was normally exactly the thing he wanted, silence but for some reason he couldn’t stop talking he felt a need to fill the quiet for once.

“…..Are you okay?..”

The question felt uncomfortable on his lips, he watched Yesein sip his beer slowly, thoughtfully. Yesein remained silent.

It had seemed like the right question to ask, the standard question everyone eventually gets when they go through any sort of loss and he knew the two were getting close. He’d gotten that question at least a hundred times after his father passed away even though he despised the man, he probably would’ve gotten it that much more for his mother but at that point there was no one left to ask him the question.

He honestly didn’t know how it worked. Yesein had asked him that same question the second time FEMA had shown up at the door, when he knew they weren’t going to return his only friend's daughter, when he’d failed his neighbor’s last request and doomed that poor little girl.

The thought of the neighbors daughter sent a chill down his spine and a sense of dread dredged up once again making him physically shudder. He sipped his beer to calm his nerves and let out a sigh as he set his hand on the table and pushed himself up.

“It's too cramped for me in here. This whole planet is too cramped for me.”

The Homeowner sat back down as Yesein finished off his beer and continued

“At least the bar had a high ceiling... You could hang yourself from it, no problem.”

The Homeowner watched as the man pushed himself out of his chair and lumbered out of the room and to the living room. He had a new beer in his hands, he didn’t even see Yesein swipe it.

——————

He stayed there sitting for a while contemplating everything that had happened today and life in general as he finished his beer. When he did eventually get up he set his can in the sink and got a rag from underneath it then left the kitchen after wetting it.

He paused in front of the closet then walked past it over to the front door and picked up the phone and dialed the for rest number and waited for a minute or two.

“Would you like to place an order?”

“Cat food, cigarettes and any beers you have.”

It was an odd order and he didn’t know if he was even allowed to order multiple things or alcohol for that matter but he remembered hearing the delivery man complain about much bigger orders, even still he didn’t give them time to deny his order as he quickly put the phone down and walked over to the closet using the small amount of adrenaline from the weird order to make himself knock on the door.

Halfway through his third knock the door opened and his hand almost knocked on the foreigner's forehead. He immediately stepped back and held the hand up.

“Sorry.. uh Here.”

He held up his other hand for Wireface to take the rag and took a step inside as Wireface motioned him in.

“They didn’t look too bad at dinner today but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have a new one.”

Wireface listened to him talk and dabbed at his lips enjoying the cold water on his scabs. He noticed how expressive the man was today moving his hands nervously and picking at them. He was unsure if the homeowner still felt weird from their interaction at dinner or just all of the events today even so he found the nervous ticks to be endearing.

“Gszmp blf”
(“Thank you”)

“You’re welcome”

His eyes narrowed and he smiled yet he hid his lips behind the rag, he was just pleased that the homeowner truly was picking up on some of his words.

Wireface pulled the rag back and reached for the alcohol bottle left in the closet and dampened a dry side of it then held out his hand and waited looking down at the homeowner.

“What?..”

Wireface reached for his hand but paused letting the homeowner close the gap and offer his hand and when he did so he started to clean off some of the dried blood on his fingers.

“Zmw blf hxlow nv uli krxprmt zg nb orkh blf sbklxirgv..”
(“And you scold me for picking at my lips you hypocrite..”)

Wireface looked up at the man’s confused expression with a smirk and let out a little chuckle which got a small awkward laugh in response though he only found it more endearing. He was also a little surprised as the sting of the alcohol didn’t seem to get much of a reaction from the man.

“R kilyzyob hslfowm'g yv zh zggzxsvw gl blf zh R zn yfg dsvm vevi dv szev nlnvmgh orpv gsvhv R xzm'g svok yfg dzmg gsvn nliv.. gl gsrmp lu gsvn gsilfts lfg gsv wzb. R wlm'g gsrmp blf hsziv nb uvvormth yfg blf ziv lmv lu gsv uvd gsrmth gszg yirmt nv qlb gsvhv wzbh, R slkv R xzm wl gszg uli blf gll..”
(“I probably shouldn't be as attached to you as I am but whenever we have moments like these I can't help but want them more.. I'm beginning to think of them throughout the day. I don't think you share my feelings but you are one of the few things that bring me joy these days, I hope I can do that for you too..”)

Wirefaces kept his head down and continued gently cleaning the man’s finger wounds and rubbing the dried blood off the man’s cuticles. He was even more surprised that the man had yet to pull back as he didn’t seem like the type to enjoy being touched.

“I got.. just about none of that”

He looked down and watched the man work.

“Today fucking sucked.”

The sharp tone in his voice caused Wireface to suddenly look up and pause for a few seconds. The homeowner shook his head calmly and waited for Wireface to continue before he spoke again.

“You’re fine it’s just.. two people died today because of me and I just have this feeling like there is another visitor and I’m going to be the reason that everyone dies….”

He let out a shaky breath and then just started talking, airing out more than even he expected.

“If it weren’t for that tall fucking freak outside I wouldn’t have people relying on me in the first place but that shouldn’t even matter! It’s not like I care, I mean, I have nothing, really truly nothing. This house is shit, my life is shit I don’t want any of this and I sure as shit shouldn’t be expected to keep other people alive when I hardly know how to keep myself alive! Fuck I- I’ve just been running off of adrenaline-“

Wireface set the rag down yet the homeowner's hand still remained in his palm and with each word that the homeowner emphasized he would unintentionally give Wireface’s hand a little squeeze.

Wireface just listened to the man speak, staring at his lips intently and every once and awhile he’d look up at his eyes even as the man stared down and gestured wildly with his free hand and even though he didn’t know what he was saying.

“- since my wife left me. The only person who actually wanted to be around me, who promised to be around me left when I had no one else-“

The home owner started to struggle with his words, struggling to make sense of his own rant. His voice broke a few times and his breathing got shallow and shaky and he squeezed Wireface’s hand in his own, not too tight but enough to help ground himself.

“-I’ve just been waiting to die and of course Instead of being able to die at the end of the world like most people I decide now is when I need to fight for my life because my only fucking friend asked me to help his daughter and I couldn’t even- and..”

His words fizzled out as he started to borderline hyperventilate, his vision started to blur as tears threatened to spill and he just barely saw Wireface’s concerned look.

He quickly let go of the man’s hand and turned away trying to compose himself, being seen like this was so much worse then having his emotions spill over.

He reached for the door well biting down on his bottom lip desperate to keep himself silent and not completely break in front of Wireface.

“Nb uirvmw, R yvorvev sv rh wvzw”
(“My friend, I believe he is dead”)

The thought was something Wireface had never verbalized; he hadn't even allowed himself to think about it and now he was using it to comfort the homeowner.

“R olevw srn gll, zg ovzhg R szw uli hl olmt. Sv fhvw gl orev rm Tvlitrz-“
(“I loved him too, at least I had for so long. He used to live in Georgia-“)

Wireface watched as the tension slowly started to release in the homeowner’s shoulders and watching the man calm down was almost as cathartic as finally telling someone his story even if it wasn’t understood.

“R ivnvnyvi yvrmt hl zmtib zg gsv dliow dsvm sv glow nv sv dzh nlermt gl Ru-sh-uah, dv dviv hgfkrw prwh yzxp gsvm zmw rg uvog orpv gsv vmw lu gsv dliow, tlw ru lmob dv szw pmldm..”
(“I remember being so angry at the world when he told me he was moving to Russia, we were stupid kids back then and it felt like the end of the world, god if only we had known..”)

The homeowner perked up at the broken Russian as he tried to pronounce the word Russia properly. He slowly turned around and took a few deep breaths, Wirefaces eyes immediately landed on the man’s red ones and he glanced off continuing his story, in his peripherals he could see the man visibly relax even more at lack of eye contact.

“Dv hgzbvw rm xlmgzxg hgroo lu xlfihv. Dv fhvw gl dirgv gl vzxs lgsvi ivortrlfhob zg ovzhg lmxv z dvvp fmgro R dzh low vmlfts gl erhrg srn dv dlfow hvmw vzxs lgsvi ovggvih yzxp zmw ulfigs, R'n hfiv lfi kzivmgh pmvd gsviv dzh nliv gsvm qfhg uirvmwhsrk gsviv R gsrmp gszg nzb szev yvvm kzig lu gsv ivzhlm srh kzivmgh nlevw. Gsvb mvevi wvhvievw srn zh z hlm…”
(“We stayed in contact still of course. We used to write to each other religiously at least once a week until I was old enough to visit him. We would send each other letters back and fourth, I'm sure our parents knew there was more than just friendship there. I think that may have been part of the reason his parents moved. They never deserved him as a son…”)

He let out a quiet sigh as he spoke and his hand unconsciously came to his ear tugging at his earring as he was speaking.

“sv lu xlfihv olevw gsvn hgroo, rm uzxg sv zwlivw srh kzivmgh ru gsvb dviv prmwvi gl srn R gsrmp R dlfow'ev ulfmw rg nliv vmwvzirmt slmvhgob... Sv orpv kslgltizksb, krxgfivh lu zmbgsrmt zmw vevibgsrmt zmw gsviv dzh z grnv dv olhg xlmgzxg zmw R ivxvrevw gsrh- dvoo hvevizo qfhg vmeolk ufooh lu gsvhv krxgfivh lu zoo gsv srpvh sv'w yvvm lm, gsv kozxvh sv dlfow tfhs zylfg gsilfts ovggvih zmw hlnv lu gsv kozxvh sv'w gzpvm nv zmw lm gsv yzxp lu vzxs dviv mlgvh tfvhhvh zmw slkvh lu dszg R'w wl ru R dviv gsviv drgs srn. Rm srh svzw dv dviv wzmxrmt lm nlfmgzrmh zmw xfwwormt rm slg hkirmth.”
(“he of course loved them still, in fact he adored his parents. If they were kinder to him I think I would've found it more endearing honestly... He liked photography, pictures of anything and everything and there was a time we lost contact and I received this- well several just envelopes full of these pictures of all the hikes he'd been on, the places he would gush about through letters and some of the places he'd taken me and on the back of each were notes guesses and hopes of what I'd do if I were there with him. In his head we were dancing on mountains together and cuddling in hot springs.”)

He looked around as he spoke, still generally trying to avoid eye contact but a few times he accidentally caught the homeowner’s eyes and each time he felt his heartbeat speed up as the man stared at him intensely, truly listening to each and every word. He felt lightheaded under the man’s gaze but he thought the story itself might also be playing a part in how he was feeling.

“R dzh erhrgrmt srn dsvm gsrh zoo szkkvmvw.. R gslftsg dv nrtsg…”
(“I was visiting him when this all happened.. I thought we might…”)

His hand drops from his earring to his lips as he feels his own breathing pick up and tears pricking at his eyes.

“Srh kzivmgh dviv levi- R R wrwm'g pmld.. R... dv prhhvw zmw gsvb tlg hl nzw.. sv... wvmrvw gszg sv dzmgvw rg zmw gsvb ivkligvw nv gl gsv nvm rm hfrgh orpv gsv nzm rm gsv yzgsilln... sv.. sv girvw gl svok zmw gsvb gllp srn gll.”
(“His parents were over- I I didn't know.. I... we kissed and they got so mad.. he... denied that he wanted it and they reported me to the men in suits like the man in the bathroom... he.. he realized what he’d done when they came and tried to help and they took him too.”)

His words were cut off as he suddenly tasted copper, his tongue ran over his top lip and he tasted blood and tears, his eyes swept over the homeowner and he watched the man nervously picking at his hands staring at him. God they both had horrible habits.

He let out a shaky laugh and smiled at the homeowner. He already felt foolish, yet the words; being able to speak to the man like this and let it out was more than he could’ve ever asked for but he was feeling greedy and was willing to take the risk for more.

Though he didn’t even get the chance to try and prompt a hug. The homeowner out right beat him to it and his arms wrapped around Wireface pulling him close to his chest. Wireface expected the homeowner to dodge any hug attempt he might make or just sit there not hug him first but he never expect the homeowner to hug him, but god he needed this more then he realized.

Wireface pressed his face against the homeowner’s chest and he felt himself laugh once again as his hands came up behind the man and held on tightly to the back of the man’s sweater.

The two stayed like that for about a minute before the homeowner moved his arms and stepped back.

“Thank you for.. this… I don’t know what you were saying obviously but it was nice to listen and please”

He reached up on the shelf grabbing the rag Wireface had set up there and pressed it to Wireface’s lips waiting for him to grab it.

“Stop picking at your scabs”

He took another step back and turned around quickly leaving the closet and Wireface standing there red faced, rag to his lips.

———————-

He stayed in his room for another hour before the sun finally stopped shining through the windows. On his way to the front door he peeked into the office and noticed the gravedigger wasn’t there he turned and half jumped when the man was right next to him shovel in hand and waiting. He must’ve grabbed a shovel from outside already, the home owner planned to ask for help but didn’t really expect it so this was nice.

The two went outside and dug in mostly silence. Every once and awhile the gravedigger would try and get the homeowner to talk or he’d complain about how hard the dirt was here, how it was impossible to dig up which he was right about as the sun being as hot as it was had completely dried up the first few layers of dirt so it felt like digging up concrete. The worst part is the very few times the homeowner said more than one word it was to insist on digging two holes, one for the visitors and one for Raskolnikov.

The gravedigger had attempted to make conversation a few times now but he’d only get yes’ or no’s or even just a shake of the head or nod. The homeowner noticed how he seemed nervous, more desperate to talk. Of course the gravedigger would sometimes stop his questions and overall the dig was generally silent but he seemed guilty.

Once the holes were finished the two walked to the bathroom and the homeowners eyes were drawn to the man’s hands as he grabbed three bags. Sure they were handling dead bodies now but he was sure he saw some old blood caked under the man’s nails and he just acted. He slipped the last FEMA notice in the man’s pocket and grabbed the three other bags.

Half way through burying the bags familiar yellow suits showed up. Usually it was only one.

“Fine evening tonight boys”

The gravedigger slinked back and looked down, continuing to push dirt back into the graves as the homeowner stuck his shovel down and walked over meeting them half way without a word.

“What have you got going on over there?”

The man in the yellow suit twisted himself to get a good look over the homeowner’s shoulder eyeing up the gravedigger most likely seeing if he was a potential threat.

“We’re Digging”

“Yes I can see that..”

He waited for the homeowner to elaborate and only got a glare in return. He let out a playful whistle to tease the man and amp up the tension subtly.

“Soo.. we need more subjects, two this time and the sooner the better..”

The homeowner gritted his teeth, he knew what he was about to do was fucked up and that he should feel guiltier about it but he couldn’t show it.

He had already been the reason for so much death he was a horrible person and nothing would redeem him in his mind. It was best to just do what he must to survive.

He glanced over at the gravedigger who was pointedly avoiding the other FEMA officer’s gaze and nodded toward him.

“Well you got one over there, I’ll get your other one..”

———————

He was in a bit of a daze. Every part of him felt like it was rejecting itself, rejecting being apart of him. He understood why; he was humanities filth. He wasn’t a religious man, maybe he was but if this sun really had any sentient thought and was trying to perish the world of evil he was just avoiding his fate.

He pushed the last bit of dirt over the two graves and patted them down. He felt sick but he stayed stone faced.

The string of curses he received from the ex FEMA employee hadn’t phased him much but the genuine fear in his eyes and the gravedigger’s made him want to throw up. He couldn’t get their faces out of his head, at least when he shot people he only had to see their fear for a split second and that was if they knew he was going to shoot.

The feeling only got worse and he decided he would test himself for signs of being a visitor in the morning. After all only a monster could watch, could offer, could out right bring people to FEMA and that is what he did. He handed out fucking slips, no he didn’t even let the gravedigger know what fate he had decided for him, he just decided he deserved to be taken by FEMA because he might have been a visitor because he might have had blood under his nails and because he sleep walked.

He walked to the doorstep and sat down taking a few deep breaths and holding his head up trying to cure the nausea.

The sound of talking made him glance down, three black robes and a priests uniform how fucking great for him, more people.

He turned his head letting out a huff and walked over.

The man in the priest attire spoke first, raising his head up to a weird angle so he was looking at the homeowner through his bottom lashes.

“Your house… it’s perfect I can feel it….”

“What exactly is it that you feel?”

His annoyed tone didn’t seem to affect the man in the slightest. The people in robes behind him though did shrink slightly at his voice. He really didn’t have the energy to even pretend to care about this or whatever they were.

“...Death.”

He moved his head down meeting the homeowners gaze and continued.

“Death hath taken a liking to your house. She's quite fond of it. I don't know how many have died here...but Her presence is strong.”

“You look like some kind of cultist freak.”

The homeowner's eyes narrowed and he walked toward the door, annoyed that the conversation was still going on and that they were followed him onto his deck.

“Perhaps I do. Is that such a bad thing? This is my shroud. There will be need of it once I die. This way, there's no need to find cloth to wrap our dead. We don't believe in salvation. Not unless it comes from Death Herself. She's already near. We're simply helping Her cross the threshold.”

“So what then? What the hell do you all want?”

 

He leaned against the front door and stared them down as the people in robes stood awkwardly behind the man who was already on the second step.

“We must perform the burial rites. In ways anew. Your house is perfect for it….. yesss.. Death's influence is strong here.”

He paused and looked around his eyes sweeping over the fresh graves then back at the homeowner.

“What's been happening here, anyway? In any case, let my brothers trespass here. Protect them. They must survive long enough to complete their tasks.”

“Look I'm not exactly burning with excitement at the prospect of helping you lot and I have enough people in my house as it is, the answer is no”

“Perhaps you'll end up burning after all. Watch over my people. And remember, if one of them dies... your house will be reduced to nothing. Forgive me, but there would be no other way to accomplish our divine mission.”

He stood there silently, he already hated this man and he felt himself reach for his gun. Swiftly it was off his back and pressed it to the man’s chest he pushed it forward sharply pushing him back with the barrel and stepped forward with each of the cultist’s step backs.

“I don’t think you quite understand, I do not want your people, I’m good. I have enough but for your sake let’s say I do take them in, yeah? The very second I see a yellow suit, do you know who is leaving my house?”

He pushed the man back harder and stayed put as he watched the man stumble backward being caught by one of the robbed figures. He then aimed at one of the robbed figures behind him.

“The second any of my other guests mildly dislike anything they’ve done or god forbid there is a death in the house All three of them will taste shotgun shells. If you want to threaten me that’s fine I can easily put a bullet in your head but if you want your people safe bring them somewhere else or I promise you they will die before you do whatever the hell it is you planned to do, do you understand me?”

“You think we few are all that carry the torch of our faith? Others will come. While you sleep, they'll douse the walls in gasoline and strike a-“

He leveled his gun with the man’s head and leaned forward closing an eye in preparation to take a shot.

“E.. Even if you survive the blaze, your h..house will be gone!! Where will you ru-“

He cocked his gun and took a deep breath letting out a quiet sigh and watched the man quickly turn followed closely behind by the three robbed figures.

He lowered the gun and waited till they were out of sight before putting the gun on his back.

He walked down to the graves and picked up the shoves hiding them underneath the deck so the wooden rods wouldn’t burn in the daylight. Then he sat on the deck and stared off letting himself zone out.

—————-

He didn’t know how long he was out there for but when he looked to the side he saw what looked like two figures approaching and immediately stood up.

“Look I’m not-“

He squinted, noticing the figure being carried didn’t quite look right though it was dark and the two were still a little far out.

“Can I come in and rest a minute?”

The woman, the figure carrying the other, sounded so tired, so very drained. The homeowner took a step down and met her at the bottom of the steps he had planned to answer but the other figure looked god awful and his focus shifted.

“Is your friend sick?”

“He's my husband. He's dead. I can't give him a proper burial. There's no point in letting him go now. Now.. Can I come in and rest please? I’m at the point where I’m willing to lay under that window”

She motioned to the one nearest to the backdoor. The homeowner let out a quiet sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He’d just cleaned the place of dead bodies.

“Come in..”

“I won't be staying long. I just need to rest a bit.”

—————-

The two filled up the tub as she set her husband's corpse down other than their initial words outside the two remained in comfortable silence.

When the tub was filled and the widow was settled he gave her nod and walked out of the bathroom ready to go to bed when a knock at the door startled him.

He walked over to the door ready to out right reject whoever was there but through the peep while he saw the delivery man panting holding himself up on his knees.

With how late he had put in his order he never expected to get his products tonight. He quickly opened the door and the man took a second or two before speaking.

“Hi! For rest delivery here!”

He lifted up a box containing a pack of cigarettes, three cans of cat food and two six packs of beer, different from the one he had in the fridge but it would do.

“We don’t usually sell alcohol outside of stores but with everything going on the company made an exception though you were charged extra.”

“Uh- thank you I didn’t expect the order to get here tonight-“

“It’s part of the for rest guarantee!”

The man spoke through gritted teeth.

“You can have one of the beers if you’d like”

“I’d-“

He took a few seconds letting himself catch his breath again and then took a deep breath handing the homeowner the box.

“I don’t want a warm beer but thank you.”

The two stood there for a second, the homeowner debating whether or not he should say anything more but decided on just giving the man a nod this time and shut the door.

He threw the cigarettes on the side table next to the door and brought the beers and cat food to the kitchen before finally going to his room.

His hands wrapped loosely around his feline companion before he drifted off.