𝙃𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙋𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙎 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙎𝘾𝙍𝙄𝘽𝘽𝙇𝙀𝘿 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝘿𝙎; 𝙃𝙊𝙊𝘿𝙔

Chapter 16

My body was on fire. I had not run that much in so long. All I wanted to do was relax at that moment and pass out, but I couldn't do that yet.

I dragged my legs, the limbs feeling like jelly as I did my best to control my breathing. Up ahead, I could see what looked like a cream-colored house. It wasn't too visible through the trees, but I could tell it was there. "Is that-?"

"Yes." Hoody's breathing was almost back to normal as he led the way.

Skully stayed silent right next to me. I glanced over at them, causing them to stare back and tilt their head. "What is it?"

"How long will you be helping us?"

"We will part once you're inside."

"Thank you for aiding us, then."

They nodded, and I turned my attention back to the house, which was larger than I assumed it'd be. It was a decently sized two story house that I figured had at least an attic. The wooden steps were slightly rotted as they led up to a porch in the same condition. The front door was made of the same wood as the rest of the trees in this forest, so it was a deep brown. The porch light next to the door seemed blown out and the numbers scraped off. The paint seemed like it was peeling off, leaving spots of white. The windows were grimy, but covered by the purple curtains that hung from inside.

Hoody stopped right in front of the steps before he turned around, making eye contact with Skully. He took his backpack from them and set it on the overgrown grass. He brought them into a hug, arms wrapped tightly around their shoulders while theirs wrapped around his back. It lasted for roughly thirty seconds before they pulled away from each other.

A small smile formed on my face, but I grew to be surprised when Skully pulled me into a hug as well. I hugged them back, saying another small thanks to them before they pulled back. They waved before walking away, and I turned to Hoody, who was silently watching after his friend.

He turned his head to his bag on the ground and picked it up, plucking a set of silver and gold keys from a pocket before carefully making his way up the steps. I followed, mimicking his steps the best I could, tensing a little when it squeaked beneath my weight. He unlocked the door and opened it, dropping his backpack on the hardwood flooring almost as soon as he entered the living room space.

I shut the door behind me and turned, locking the door. The walls were an off-white color that could use some refreshing. The flooring inside was much more sturdy than it was on the porch. The fabric of the furniture was a deep purple with accents of green and yellow to complement it. It seemed like a decent place, but it was old.

Hoody's hood was thrown off his head as he sat at the mahogany table and fidgeted with his mask. My eyes snagged onto a picture hanging on the wall with a few teenagers smiling at the camera, which was aimed a little above them. They were all in swimsuits; the boys shirtless and the girl in a modest bikini. There was a boy who stood out to me.

His steely eyes gleamed with happiness as he stared at the camera, left arm around who I identified as Tim. His hair was blond and cropped short close to his head. His lips were thin and a pale pink against his skin. The faintest bit of a stubble was visible on his jaw. On his right arm, two hand prints wrapped around it, the faintest bit of black that started with an 'S'.

I thought back to when I got the briefest look at Hoody's hair and found him looking at me when I turned to look at him. "Starlight," he started, "that's me." He confirmed, and I could feel my cheeks begin to heat up.

"You were pretty cute back when you had a regular life."

He gave me a blank stare from behind his mask before continuing to fiddle with the edge of it. "You have one strange taste in men."

"Well, obviously if you're my type in men." I responded sarcastically, making my way to sit at the table with him.

"Oh hush. I can't believe you're my type half the time, but here we are."

"Rude."

"As if you just weren't."

"So," I dragged out, "can I see your face with how it looks right now?"

"No."

"Please?"

"Are you not gonna let this go?"

"Nope."

"Fine."