Archive of Our Own

Holding Will in his arms, even at thirteen years old, is a way to soothe his own anxiety. The feeling of his small, cold, trembling hand in his was unbearable. His trembling when they stood in front of their new home was unfair but he understood. 

Will is just a child, recently orphaned with only two suitcases, an older brother and now a miraculous house inherited from a distant uncle who took pity on them (but neither of them had ever met). It was normal to be nervous and overwhelmed when you see... well, this is it!, this will be your new life!, right?.

Jonathan's eyes follow the lines... he'd always focus on details that don't help, like now... it's a beautiful house, he needs to repeat this a couple more times, okay? Because... God, he thinks he already hates this house...It wasn't their house, it wasn't their home.

The sun, escaping from behind the clouds, cast tiny sparkles on the surface of the lake but it didn't reflect in the house's windows... maybe it's the angle. It has three floors, looking at them too much feels uncomfortable. Maybe the height played tricks on his eyes. And the smell... two weeks ago his parents were buried and the funeral home offered him two huge bouquets of flowers... lilies, that's it... it smells like lilies... The thing is, as Jonathan walked toward the door, he didn't see any lilies... maybe it's all in his head? There are a lot of  "maybe-s" in relation to how his new house made him feel.

But it's what they have for now, it's a good house! It's their own! They don't owe anything to anyone, it's free... so what if It's far from Hawkins, it's old and apparently there are no neighbors for quite a distance. Jonathan frowns; he's not a people person but having a small child to care for, he doesn't like being so isolated.

Will squeezes him tighter and buries his face in Jonathan's neck as they open the door. Now- he knew nothing about building houses but he considered a serious construction flaw to make a hallway just after the principal door- a black space that swallowed light and sound, five steps in the dark... Jonathan felt like he was walking to hell; there was something about that space that wasn't normal.

Will's arms around his shoulders, his breath on his neck, his weight in his arms and the cold fingers of fear pressing against the back of his head are the only things that remind him he's alive.

The reflection of a beam of light in his eye made him blink. Nancy, his uncle's kind lawyer, opened a window wide. The sun's rays, though few, hit the crystals in the ceiling lights, creating a beautiful rainbow effect on the walls and illuminating the entire room.

"Whoa," Will said, letting go and taking in every little thing in the place... Well, at least there's more light here, everything looks clean and tidy and what he appreciates most is that there aren't any paintings of strange old people on the walls, just pretty landscapes that don't seem to be from this area.

"As you can see, it's a beautiful house," Nancy told him. How many times would he have to hear that, or repeat it, to believe it?

"I know, it's incredible. Hmm, I don't know much about properties... It looks quite big?, Jonathan taps his fingers against his leg. There's a black shadow on part of the ceiling, a leak? A lifetime of patching up imperfections in Lonnie's house, it seems he'll do the same here... 

"Oh yes, it's a big property but despite that, let me assure you that everything is in order, at least as far as the paperwork is concerned," Nancy said, following his gaze.

"It doesn't have heating yet, but everything else works wonderfully... Maybe a few minor details are missing but nothing serious". 

"It's very cold," Will complains in a somewhat childish tone. Jonathan smiles. That's good, isn't it? That he's a child despite all this, is a good thing.

"Yes..." for the first time, Jonathan saw Nancy hesitate. The truth is, ever since he met her-, well he'd secretly hated her... completely unjustifiably of course! but he couldn't help it!. Look at her: a great job, expensive clothes, a commanding presence. Any adult would trust her with just a glance. She's poised and confident. And Jonathan... he's just falling apart... wearing the same clothes for the last three days... An orphan, the father of his younger brother and now living in a huge mansion that's suffocating him!, he doesn't like it! It only inspires fear in him, and that damned board keeps creaking! What's that?!!

Jonathan put a hand to his forehead and took a deep breath. 

"Are you okay?" Nancy was looking at him with a somewhat worried expression, although if he looked more closely, it seemed she was looking more over his shoulder than at his face. 

"Yes, I'm fine- Sometimes I get distracted by noises and there's a board that keeps creaking..." The noise stops. Jonathan turns around, startled. "Where's Will?" 

"What?" Nancy asks, puzzled. "He was here a second ago..." 

yeah, all the children were there just a second ago...

"Will?" Jonathan feels a lump in his throat. "Will?!" 

He opens the first door he sees, its a- garden? What? There was no roof; it was an inner garden in the middle of the house. Part of Jonathan's brain knows he would appreciate it tomorrow.

There was a staircase that didn't look as perfect as Nancy swore everything was and in the blink of an eye, Jonathan swore he saw a shoe at the top... "William!" He runs to try to climb the stairs- Something cold grabbed his hand. "Jesus!"

"What's wrong?" Will asks, looking at him, scared.

Jonathan grabs his shoulders. "Don't do that, you understand? Don't just disappear like that without telling me!. And I've already told you to answer when I call!, don't just come, answer me!"

"I'm sorry." Will shrank back.

Jonathan sighs and hugs him. "No, I'm sorry, I was scared... How did you get here so fast?"

"Hmm?"

"From up there. How did you get down so fast?" Jonathan points to the stairs. Will frowns.

"I wasn't there?- I found this. Look!." Will had a frog in his other hand.

"Ugh!, God!, Will, don't just grab anything!. You don't know if you'll get sick- Why are you doing this to me?"

Will laughs, he laughs because Jonathan is being a hysterical old woman and not a cool brother, isn't he? Christ, Jonathan really needs sleep.

When Jonathan returns with Will (now clean thanks to the garden hose), Nancy is coming downstairs.

"Oh, you found him!. I came upstairs to look for him... I thought the stairs were a magnet for a kid, you know?"

"Yeah, huh, Nancy, I know there's a lot to do but we're really tired. Would you mind if we continued tomorrow?"

"Oh no, of course not. I totally understand but let me give you a tour of the essentials at least so you're comfortable."

"Sure, that would be great."

They had already seen that strange entrance hall but aside from that and maybe a somewhat gloomy facade, actually... It was quite beautiful. The living room had large windows where you could sit in them and read- Jonathan really needed to get rid of those curtains... There was a beautiful fireplace and very spacious, plush furniture, as if each piece were made for relaxing for hours and not for sitting down for a visit. The inner garden was also lovely. It looked somewhat neglected but they had recently planted new things, maybe flowers. Jonathan hoped everything would bloom. "Maybe you can paint here," he said to Will. "as soon as we can, we'll go buy your supplies, okay?" 

"Really?" Will's eyes sparkled with excitement. 

"Sure," Jonathan said, ruffling his hair.

The kitchen was fairly ordinary and simple; maybe the previous owners hadn't been much of a cook because the design seemed to be the oldest part of the house. But there was plenty of food, a good refrigerator, and lots of firewood...?

Finally, on the next floor, Nancy showed them five bedrooms,They were all beautifully decorated, not excessive but comfortable and soft; one of them looked like a woman's, Nancy told him that if that was the one he liked they could fix it but Jonathan chose the two closest to each other to be theirs.

"There are two more floors, but we can see them tomorrow. There's really nothing in them, For now, get some rest". Nancy said with a kind face.

"Two?... From the outside, it looked like there were three in total...So I just thought there was one more to see, the one at the top, right?"

"there's a basement"

"uh- Well, thanks for everything, Nancy, I promise you tomorrow I will be all yours".

Nancy laughed out loud, "oh god please don't say that, someone might kill me", What a strange thing to say- Well, Jonathan knows he's not the best at jokes.

The bathroom was his favorite spot so far. Jonathan regretted being exhausted and only taking a quick shower because that was for kings!. 

"The bathroom is great!," Will told him while Jonathan tried to understand why so many buttons were missing from this shirt. 

Jonathan laughs. "I know, right?... Will, Where are the buttons?"

"Mom took them off. She wanted to replace them because..." They both froze. Will's lip trembled. 

"you want to sleep with me tonight?, while we get used to it?" Jonathan asks, putting one of his shirts on him.

Will smiled and nodded. There was a small fireplace in the room. After some trouble, he managed to get it working. It might not last all night but it would provide some warmth. He also found some excellent blankets for the cold, clean and ready to use.  At least their exhaustion allowed them to sleep soundly all night.

The next day Jonathan was relieved. The fireplace kept lit all night. He thought he had done a terrible job but everything looked in order. He saw Will still asleep and decided to let him rest so he could go make breakfast.

Everything was silent and dark... as he walks through the hallways, he opens the curtains; a little natural light would make it look more like a home. Every time he takes a step here or there, the floorboards creak slightly. There didn't seem to be any damage, just the natural creaking of wood underfoot. All the windows seem to be in good working order, and every light bulb he passes turns on and off properly.

In the kitchen, the stove was indeed wood-burning... and Jonathan was surprised. How long has it been since anyone cooked here? He thought it was his uncle's house until very recently- so...The toaster... he'd figure out how to use the stove properly later. 

Jonathan knows there's something strange about that "uncle" but when their parents died, everything was going to fall apart, so he just took the easy way out and ran. He's barely an adult and with a child... he had to get out of that town. He can face the unknown here but not in that town.

The wood crackled behind him. "You can sleep a little longer, it's early... this butter is strange... Will?" There was no one there. "Uh, this old house..." He was momentarily distracted by a nest on the windowsill. He didn't want to disturb them but they were lovely, If he had his camera...

Placing the last items on the table, he heard the floorboards creak again... He looks up-  nothing. Jonathan frowns and peeks into the hallway. "Will?" Half of the curtains he'd opened were closed again. A shiver runs down his spine. someone was there... "Will?"

A tap on the window made him turn around in surprise but it was just the little birds in their nest. 

"Hey," Will said, hugging him.

"Fuck!, Will! I told you to answer when I call, if you don't answer I get scared, answer me", Jonathan shakes off the chills

"But you didn't call me, I just got here"

"I called you twice when you were in the hallway and... you know what, forget it, come eat. Why did you close the curtains?"

"What?" Will asks, confused, grabbing several pieces of toast.

"Why did you close the curtains? We need to let more light into this place".

"I didn't do it".

Jonathan breathed a sigh. He wasn't going to make a scene about this on practically their first day here. He'd let it go. Everything is fine.

"Did you know there's a good spot to look at the stars on the roof?", Will said very excited.

"What?" Jonathan asks, puzzled, as he washed the dishes. "The roof?"

"Yes, it's very beautiful!!. You should come with us next time!. I'm sorry you didn't come last night but you looked so tired-" 

"The roof? You went up on the roof alone last night? What were you thinking!?- Oh god, you could have fallen, and I only found out this morning- Will!" Jonathan gave him a disbelieving and frightened look.

"I wasn't alone and I was very careful. I'm not a baby!," Will said, offended.

"You need to be more respo-!" Jonathan felt a void in his ears. "What do you mean you weren't alone?" 

Will grins widely. "I met-"

"Hello?" Nancy was at the door, knocking insistently. 

"Shit!, How long has she been there?" Jonathan asks as he runs to open it. Almost as soon as he reaches the door, Will asks, "Why not?" 

"Why not what?!"

"Nothing!" Will  yells  . "I wasn't talking to you". 

"What?!" Jonathan yells, opening the door. There she is, perfect and immaculate.

Jonathan cringed at the thought of his appearance. He needs to put in more effort. 

"Hey Jonathan, how was your first night?" There's something apprehensive about the way she asks, as if she's expecting a catastrophe. 

"Uh, pretty good. It was quite comfortable."

Nancy sighs. "I'm glad." 

"You look relieved." 

"Oh, well, you know, first night, new house but also old house." 

"Yeah, sure." he chuckles.

"Shall we begin?" 

The top floor has three spaces. They are completely empty, they could be bedrooms or storage rooms. Will wants a space to paint, so Jonathan imagines himself carrying things all the way up here and he feels sorry for his back.

Downstairs is the basement. When Nancy opens the door, Jonathan sees a staircase disappearing into the darkness and imagines a basement full of dusty, haunted things that would keep him awake at night. He went downstairs apprehensively with Nancy because Will refused to go down after seeing the stairs.

It was a pleasant surprise to find another empty space. There was absolutely nothing there, just a clean, gray floor and completely bare stone walls. 

"Did you clean the house?"

"Oh no... hmm, the previous owner did it".

"So, my uncle?"

"Yes, exactly, of course, your uncle". When she explains everything about the house she's impeccable but every time she talks about his uncle she stutters.

"right".

"Is there anything in particular you need?" Nancy asks as she hands him many folders with papers and stamps and explains where the money was. 

"I didn't think it would be this much... Nancy, are you sure? like...There's no one else who would claim this?, it's too much!." 

"No, I already told you, it's all yours and Will's if you're not here." 

Will came running from another very dark hallway... "Jonathan, you should check the back!".

"Will, turn on the lights. Don't wander around the house in the dark. If you trip... "

"I wasn't on the floor". Will said nonchalantly

"What?", What's that supposed to mean?

"The back garden is wonderful, personally it's one of my favorite things about this house," Nancy chimed in. 

"Fine, let's see it." When Jonathan went to turn on the light, he heard the wood creaking. "Do you hear that?" he asks Nancy. 

Nancy's eyes were wide. "Yes... it's such an old house. You see, the cold here affects these things a lot, it contracts and expands. Lots of noises." She smiles. 

For someone so pretty, she has a rather unnatural smile.

"Yes, it's true. I hadn't thought of it that way... Every now and then I think it's footsteps and it was making me nervous." Jonathan laughed shyly. He's coming across as crazy in front of someone so serious.

"It's understandable," Nancy said, grabbing his arm. She's as cold as Will. "It's been a tough few days. You're probably a little nervous and agitated, it's normal. Even Will might be acting strange and that shouldn't drive you crazy. You'll see, it'll pass in a few days."

From that day on, Jonathan dedicated himself to tidying the house while Will painted and relaxed. It turned out there was a set of paints in one of the rooms, and Will had no trouble getting started. Thank goodness someone in this house liked art.

And then when classes started Jonathan was excited. Will had barely started school and already had a friend... Mike. Jonathan is happy because his brother is finally having a normal childhood and Mike is like his partner in co-raising him, even though he's a kid. Jonathan wants to laugh, but it's true. 

Every time Jonathan asked-, "Do you have homework?"

"I'm done".

"Really? If you need help, you can ask me".

"Mike helped me".

"What's that?"

"It's a model for my class today".

"It's wonderful!. You made it all by yourself?!".

"Mike helped me".

"Where are you going?"

"you know Lucas and Dustin?, they invited me to go swimming. There's an indoor pool that's always warm".

"But you don't know how to swim"

"I learned!" Will said excitedly.

"Really?"

"Mike helped me"

"Hey!, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm late. I'll make you lunch, okay? Wait a sec-".

"I already ate. I left you some".

what?

"Will, you can't use the stove. It's dangerous if you don't know how to use-".

"Mike helped me".

"Oh no!, why didn't you invite him to stay? I wanted to see him". 

Will looks over Jonathan's shoulder... "hmm He had things to do".

Well, Jonathan sat down, shocked. Thank God for Mike.

"I swear to God, that kid is wonderful", this food is delicious.

Will laughs. "Can't you tell your super Mike to help me remove all those dead rose bushes from the garden before those thorns finish me off, oh and clean the roof drain so I don't break my neck?" Jonathan asks Will sarcastically while tickling him. 

"Okay, I'll tell him!," Will said between shrieks of laughter.

Everything was fine. Jonathan made a lot of progress on the house. He thought about moving out but Will flatly refused and Jonathan didn't want to upset him anymore. So Little by little, he'd grown fond of the house. Jonathan bought a sound system and at least there was music during the day. He learned how to use the fireplaces, so they were all working, and the house didn't feel cold anymore. But something was wrong with the drafts because sometimes he'd open the curtains and when he came back, they were closed. 

So Jonathan took them all down except in his room and Will's. 

"Hmm," Will said as he walked past the curtainless hallway. 

"What's wrong?" Jonathan asks. "Does the light bother you?" 

"No... not me," Will said, walking on.

That night Jonathan was sleeping lightly, Will's cold nose on his neck kept him from falling into a deep sleep. He didn't notice when Will came in, everything was so dark. They didn't need the fireplace lit anymore because Jonathan had the heating working but he still left it on every night, it was nice... he supposes Will is bothered by the light or smell?. His door opens...

 "Wh-?", he can't see anything at all.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?", No matter his age, Will's tone is always the same when he asks that question.

"Sure, come in." Jonathan hugs him and snuggle against Will's chest so Will wouldn't put his cold nose so close again. 

Wait... Jonathan blinks slowly in the dark, "you just came in," he said to Will. 

Will laughs. "Uh, yeah?."

"I thought you were here earlier..., I must have been dreaming".

"yeah,," Will said, stroking his hair, "something like that".

"You had a nightmare?"

"No, Mike's being really intense because he couldn't be with me all day because of the curtains.... I'm annoyed with him."

"Hmm," Jonathan mumbled something but fell asleep.

When he dropped Will off that day, he got out of the car ahead and met Lucas and Dustin. They seemed like nice kids.

"And Mike? He's not here yet?"

"Who's Mike?" Lucas asks, trying to close his bag.

"I thought... he went to school with you guys?"

"There's no Mike in our group", Dustin said, impatiently holding Lucas's bag so he could finally close it.

Oh

Jonathan was at home trying to fix the garden ladder. He couldn't tighten it enough. He got everything in order but when he went up and down, he still felt tremors. also he couldn't stop thinking about Mike... If he wasn't in Will's class, was he in another grade? But then how did they spend so much time together?.

Jonathan went to get some better pliers and started thinking about everything he knows about Mike. It's a lot... Will never stops talking about him... but nothing too deep or personal, Mike knows how to cook on old stoves, he knows how to swim, he's very smart with Will's homework, he's very sensitive and mature. 

Look at this, Mike taught me this poem and it makes me think of Mom in a really nice way. Do you want me to read it to you? 

He knows about constellations. Come, I'll show you the ones Mike taught me. 

He knows about the history of this place, so his family must be from here. Mike told me that a long time ago there was a fire in this area. Did you know that?

That kid is incredible, how old is he?, Jonathan frowns. The funny thing is, Will never says he's going to Mike's. Where do they meet? It must be at school, maybe during lunch... Jonathan went back with the pliers and tightened the screws on the first step as much as he could. He climbed up... Yes!, he's not shaking anymore. He thought he wouldn't be able to do it but this will work!.

Jonathan glanced around. Sometimes during the day he felt something cold on the back of his neck, like a very delicate touch... He remembered last night- a cold nose on his neck and then will...

"No, Mike's being really intense because he couldn't be with me all day because of the curtains.... I'm annoyed with him."

Last night? At that hour? Was Mike in Will's room? a cold sweat ran down his body, bile rose in his throat and his fingers trembled. Oh my god, sensitive, mature, intelligent.... A kid isn't usually like this..., but a man...

Jonathan runs to Will's room, heart pounding in his chest. He slams the door, darkness greeted him. This room was always dark!. Jonathan had told Will a thousand times to leave the curtain open because the light switch was terribly placed, far from the door... One of these days he was going to hit something- and Jonathan did hit something, he screams, and lungs toward the switch, looking around frantically... nothing.

He's sure there was something there- like a body. Jonathan looks down and sees an overturned chair with a jacket on it. Was that it? He bumped into it and thought-, Jonathan burst out laughing. He runs a trembling hand over his face. What's wrong with him? Obviously, that was it. It was so fast and he didn't hear any footsteps or running. What was he thinking?

Mike... right, Jonathan scanned Will's room helplessly, not knowing what he was looking for... a clue... something out of place. No matter how many little trinkets Will had scattered around his room, he couldn't find anything that shouldn't be there... Okay, Jonathan needs to calm down. Think, think.

Jonathan's eyes follow each brushstroke.

"That's a beautiful color," he said softly and gently to Will.

"yeah" Will replied, quietly, without stopping his painting. You see, when Will paints and it's the right moment, he's very distracted and just answers without thinking much and that's what Jonathan needs.

"Will... where did you meet Mike?"

"In your room.", Jonathan clenches his hands.

"When?"

"The first night. He showed me the stars because I couldn't sleep.", Shit, it's been weeks.

"And what's he like? He looks like Dad or maybe like me?"

"Dad? No..." Will laughs. "He's more like you, maybe younger?... I mean, he looks younger", There's an ironic tone in his voice.

Well, he's younger than Jonathan, not exactly great... but at least he's not an old pervert. "And when do you see him?"

"Always".

"Where?"

"Here, obviously".

"Here? at the house?".

"Yeah, he's always with me, Steve has better self-control". Will murmurs but Jonathan hears him.

Who the hell is Steve? Okay, okay. focus

"Hmm, so he's always with you?", Jonathan doesn't understand...

"Yeah, well, in the same room, I think- He's kind of overprotective?. Steve's the same but he's always farther away. Like I said, better control".

Jonathan is so lost!. "Will-, are you- Mike's always in the same room with you?", He tries to clarify the question, hoping Will understands that what he's saying doesn't make sense.

"Yeah, like now. He's here even though Steve tells him not to be when you're".

Like now?.... Jonathan slowly scans the room. There is no one else-, just the two of them. Jonathan frowns. What is it?- And then it dawned on him.

A thud sounds somewhere and Will turns to look at him, startled. Jonathan is crying silently.

"What happened? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" Will asks, worried.

Jonathan just hugs him and cries like never before, sobs running through his body because in that moment he understood that Mike didn't exist. His poor brother had invented an imaginary friend who was always with him because he felt so alone, and Jonathan had failed him so much!.

That's why he believes Mike is with him, even now that Jonathan can't see anything!. Will learned all those things on his own but his mind invented someone who was always helping him. Jonathan is the worst!.

Will hugged him even when the room turned dark, when Jonathan fell asleep from crying so much, when Jonathan felt cold in Will's even colder arms and Will covered them with the blanket from behind the sofa in the painting room. He hugged him and stroked his hair and dried his tears. He hugged him so tightly that even seemed bigger than Jonathan. fuck! Jonathan should take care of him, not the other way around.

Jonathan spent the next day searching on the topic, so now he knows how to handle it. Not panicking and listening are the key. Will's age is much older than normal for an imaginary friend, but the death of his parents, the move, and the new house are excuses enough.

Also, he doesn't exhibit any negative traits; he still interacts with real children like Lucas and Dustin and isn't aggressive, so according to what he read, everything is within normal limits, of course... in this situation...

This whole Mike thing, maybe affected him more than he realizes. Sometimes he thinks someone is watching him but Jonathan refuses to turn around and be a scared kid, worried about his brother's imaginary friend. like Right now, he feels that cold on the back of his neck more than ever because he's sweating buckets trying to push this stupid piece of furniture that won't budge, all because he thinks it would look better on the other side...

Jonathan tried to hide his frustration, he pushed... it moved! Jonathan must have found the right track on the floor because it was sliding easily now, yes, finally!... there was something in the corner of his eye... "Will?", That's just the dark hallway at the entrance but Jonathan knows... someone is there, someone is there. He stood right at the edge of the room. "Will?"- There's the shape of a figure...

The book he was reading that morning fell off the sofa. Jonathan looked at it on the floor and then back at the hallway. 

"Shit!, Will! I've told you a hundred times to answer me!. If I say your name, answer me!. It's important to me!". Jonathan was trying to calm his heart.

"Sorry, I was distracted."

"What were you doing there in the dark for so long?"

"What? I just came in.", Will looks doubtfully into the darkness and then rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, I know, but -"

"Can Lucas and Dustin come?"

"W-hat?- uh, yeah sure- that would be great. You haven't invited them before. I can make something".

"Yeah, I know. Mike's like...intense-".

"Sure... "

"-but now He's already seen them and knows there's nothing to worry about". Will snorts with laughter.

"They know about Mike?"

"No, He's really weird".

"Sure, sure, when are they coming?",  Maybe it would be best if he went and bought some snacks.

Will turns to look at him with a smile, glances over his shoulder and purses his lips. "I'll let you know." 

"I thought it would be soon..." 

"Yeah, well, it seems like someone lied to me when they said it's my house, right?" 

"What? I never- Why are you mad at me?" 

"I'm not mad at you," and stormed off to his room.

"Wait!, what happened?!" Jonathan sighs. He's sure, He wasn't this dramatic at that age.

hours... Jonathan was sure he'd been lying motionless for hours, trying to fall asleep and failing. He felt the bed sink under the weight of a body. Soon he'd have to talk to Will about this. Sleeping together every night wasn't good, especially if he kept going to bed so late.

There was something cold on his wrist, a bug?- then a small sting. He tried to move his hand but Will held it... huh Will hands were getting bigger...Finally, Jonathan could feel that sleepy heaviness in parts of his body...

Sometimes Will would get carried away with some romantic dream he had with Mike and it would scare him.

"Mike says we can travel to many places! Where do you want to go?, you and Steve can-".  

"Will, see... that's another thing... Who's Steve? I thought Mike was your- "only friend" or something like that here at home?". Jonathan fell in despair; he will have to read what it means when there is more than one.

"Well, Steve isn't my friend but I like him because he takes care of you and helps you". Will shrugs

"what are you talking about?"

"Well, I don't know!, Whatever you do around the house..., you should know better, right?, He's with you all day".

Jonathan sighs, "Nobody's helping me, Will. I don't want you to get more confused, okay?"

"What do you mean?", Will frowns, not understanding.

"I mean you shouldn't involve me in these things".

Someone knocks on the door. "It must be them!. Tell them I'm coming, okay?" Will runs upstairs. 

Jonathan huffs, rude... "Hey guys."

"Hey Jonathan," Lucas and Dustin said at the same time. 

"Wow," Dustin said, trying to see beyond the hallway. "I can't see anything!. Is it like... for security or something?" 

Jonathan sees Lucas's dad at the wheel and waves. "Will!, Hmm- I have no idea. I think it's awful. I thought it was normal in houses around here. Will?, hurry up!" 

"Nah, who would do that?"

"Yeah, I know... Wi-"

"I'm leaving now. I'll be a little late." 

"Fuck!, answer me. I keep telling you to answer." 

"I know, I know, I'm sorry!."

Jonathan watches them leave and couldn't help but smile. Well, at least he left the house with some real people... 

Now Jonathan has been avoiding the back of the house because he knows that sooner or later he'll have to deal with those dead rose bushes and the roof drains. Maybe he should hire someone? That's the thing. Jonathan had never had money before but now that he has it, he thinks that if he spends it on just anything, he'll be one of those people who wastes money and can't do anything for themselves.

So yeah, he doesn't know how to use it, okay... first he'll look at everything again and once he has the task in front of him he'll decide.

From day one Jonathan has known something is going on but there was never anything physical, real, in your face, touch this!, that told him, "run, save yourself" and therefore he always thought he was like tired and stuff, you know? It had an immediate and definitive denial effect because once something happened that made him suspicious, the next second there was nothing there, or there were one or a thousand innocent explanations...

That first day, - looking at them too much felt uncomfortable. Maybe the height played tricks on his eyes but that looked like a hand on the glass.

Will's arms around his shoulders, his breath on his neck, his weight in his arms and the fear pressing cold, solid fingers against the back of his neck-they were there the whole time... 

Sometimes I get distracted by noises and there's a board that keeps creaking. like an impatient foot.

There was a staircase that didn't look as perfect as Nancy swore everything was, and in the blink of an eye, Jonathan swore he saw an old shoe...

Jonathan chose the two closest to each other to be theirs. The other three had a used pillow... he always focused on details that didn't help.

A small fireplace in the room; after some trouble, he managed to get it working. He only put in two pieces of wood... he was afraid of burning the house down. The next morning, there were seven... seven

Half of the curtains he'd opened were closed again. A shiver runs down his spine. someone was there... "Will?"..., no, he's taller.

It was a pleasant surprise to find another empty space. There was absolutely nothing there, just a clean, gray floor and completely bare stone walls. There were recent drag marks on the floor. deep.

Don't wander around the house in the dark. If you trip... I wasn't on the floor-, it's true. No footsteps or running were heard.

Can't you tell your super Mike to help me remove all those dead rose bushes from the garden before those thorns finish me off, oh and clean the roof drain so I don't break my neck?

This here- is something physical, real, in your face, touch this!, that tells him, "run, save yourself"... this is... a garden without dead rose bushes. When Jonathan first saw them, he was very sorry because he bet they had been big and beautiful, covering the whole back garden and that day only sad, abandoned, thorny sticks remained but now not a single one of them is left. And if he climbs that ladder, maybe he won't see any clogged drains, right?.

Joyce and Lonnie died in a car crash. It was fast, out of nowhere. One second he had parents, the next he didn't. The next he had a little brother he had to finish raising. So Jonathan couldn't just fall apart from seeing things here and there. He had to be strong. He had to ignore it. He had to say, "You're seeing things, Jonathan. Rest." Because if he made the decision to accept those things...

Someone could find out and take Will away, leaving them with nothing. So, since Jonathan moved into this house, he hasn't seen anything. That was the plan but the mind is one thing and instincts are another, because now he has Will's words,

you and Steve, 

I like him because he takes care of you and helps you. 

You should know, right?, He's with you all day.

He's with you all day... the air is cold but dry and Jonathan's body explodes with chills, his breathing grew heavier, far behind him a wooden floor creaked- Jonathan runs, he runs straight to the front door without stopping, without seeing any shadows, he enters the dark hallway, grabs the doorknob and opens the door but it closed in his face, he still had the doorknob in his hand, he tries again but the door wouldn't open.

Yes, it opened, it just wouldn't move because something is holding it in place... Jonathan couldn't hear anything behind him, there's no heavy breathing, nothing is touching him but he knows something is there... 

He turns around very slowly and only sees darkness. "Steve?" he whispers, trembling. 

"Yeah?"