Light in the hallway (scomiche) (boyxboy)

Godnight

It was the beginning of spring and the breeze was felt against their faces as the walked by the shore where the grass stood with the length of half Scott's height up to his dad's hips like its never been cut off or taken care of for decades. Then there was the house they always stayed at. With the fire place inside, the comfortable beds, and not to mention the view of the river. It was the perfect place for them to spend quality time with each other since Scott always has school. They walked inside until Scott had stopped to see outside with uncertainty. He looked up at his dad with squinted eyes and confusion. "Dad, why do I get the feeling someone's watching us?"

His dad chuckled at his words, "the gods are. And the stars in the sky." He said putting his arm on Scott's shoulder kneeling down on one knee to be face to face with him. "Are you scared little guy? Do you want me to stay out here with you tonight and sing that lullaby you always sing at this time around?"

Scott nodded with a smile as his dad pecked his cheek before getting up and rubbing his hair making him giggle. "When are we going fishing?" He said in writhing giggles. His dad pulled away from his side quickly placing his gloves on the table. "Mom said that fishing tests your patience." He followed his dad inside stopping when he sat on a chair.

"Indeed it does. Why do you think that's so?" He asked already knowingly as he shrugged. Mr.Hoying smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay, picture fishing like Christmas Eve. The fish are the presents and you are waiting patiently for it to be the next day to see if you got that Buzz Light year toy."

"I understand." He said nodding slightly before turning his head towards the door where he could see the sun going down already. He smiled knowing it was almost time for him to sing his lullaby to the night before going to sleep. He and his dad both went outside and stared at the stars watching as Scott learned about them hearing his dad tell the story of each star. Scott loved listening to his father, he had the best stories. To him, he was the smartest man on the planet and he wouldn't live hearing stories from no one else more.

Far from where they sat, there was a boy who always hid near the bushes waiting for them to leave to be exposed. He knew them, for it wasn't the first time he's seen these familiar faces. He was already used to seeing them every spring and around the end of summer near fall. When the leaves of the trees turned yellow he knew it was time for them to leave. He never liked it when they left. There were no more stories about stars, no more lullabies, nor fire or s'mores. Nothing. Just him alone in the dark every night.

It was already time to go to sleep and Scott could already feel his eyes getting tired by the second. He didn't want to fall asleep before singing his lullaby to the stars. He stood up firmed with his eyes closed looking up and started;

Close your eyes, lay your head down
Now it's time to sleep
May you find great adventure
As you lie and dream
If you're scared of the darkness
I will calm your fear
There's a light in the hallway
So you know I'm here

So count your blessings every day
It makes the monsters go away
And everything will be okay
You are not alone
You are right at home
Goodnight, goodnight

Just as he finished the boy had the biggest smile on his face. He loved hearing Scott's voice he is the only voice he's heard singing and he loved it. He loved the melody the came out of his lips. He liked to close his eyes and just listen. He started to clap his hand stopping right away when he had just realized he was exposed for him to see. They were just feet away from each other and his eyes widened. Scott opened his eyes and looked over to his side jumping of fear when he saw him. "W-who are you?"

He didn't respond. He didn't know how to.

"How long have you been there? Have you been listening?" He asked as he simply nodded with a huge smile to show that he liked it. Scott smiled when he saw he was happy. He loved making people around him happy. He walked towards him making the boy's smile fade in fear as he backed away. "Oh no, don't be scared! I won't bite, I promise."

Mitch was still insecure. But he stepped in a little closer to Scott.

"I'm Scott.  I'm 8 years old and I come from Arlington Texas." He gave out his hand gesturing him to shake it but he only looked down at it with perplexity. "Is okay, really. Just shake my hand."

He took out his hand and shook it with Scott's slightly still confused. He'd never shook anyone's hand before. Everything was a new experience for him.

"Where do you live?" He turned his back on Scott and pointed at the big tree at the top of the mountain. "A tree?" He nodded. "Well, wouldn't it be more comfortable if you stayed home with us? I'll ask my dad and we could share a room."

Mitch didn't want to be too exposed. But since there were only two people he thought it'd be okay just this once. He nodded and gave Scott a smile.

----

"Dad, there's this kid I found by the shore, he's really adorable and he heard my song and-" he said as he quickly looked back. The boy was gone. "Where did he go?!"

"Where did who go?"

"The boy. He was right behind me. I don't understand."

"There's more people here?"

"No, just him." He said as his dad nodded with relief. "I'm sure he'll come around. We'll find him in the morning."

The thing was the he never went out in the morning. He always loved to go out at night and look up at the stars. He loved how dark it was and how no one was able to identify him. But Scott didn't know that.