The Eyes at the Foot of the Bed (Sweet Devil!America x Reader)

Chapter 4: Old Friends

When the twins returned later that evening both were carrying convenient store umbrellas that have been mercilessly turned inside out, both siblings were wet from the tips of their hair down to the toes of their shoes.

   "F..." Arin shivered, dropping her umbrella and handing you the two soaked paper bags that were one mistake close to getting ripped apart.

   "The news didn't say anything about a storm" you said, taking Allen's bags after you set Arin's down on the floor.

   Someone sneezes, it's one of those ogre-like roars of a sneeze. You and Allen turned.

   Arin sniffed, "Fuck"

   "You guys dry up, I'll cook" you offered them each a towel.

   "Thanks" Allen shrugged off his jacket and helped his sister out of hers "I'll help you once I get changed"

   You nodded and picked up the bags, carrying them to the kitchen.

   Arin bent her back, drying her hair so she wouldn't get another scolding for wetting the wooden floor that you and Allen always keep clean. As she wrapped the soft cotton around her head, she caught sight of the basket lying on the coffee table.

   "What's this?" she went to pick it up.

   "Oh, these are pretty, but who gives asphodels?"

   Allen peeked inside the basket, "Where did these come from, Name?"

   "From the guy across the street"

   They shared a look, "Across the street?" they turned back to you, "Are you sure?"

   You nodded "Guy in his early twenties, blue eyes and black hair. I thought you guys knew this neighborhood"

   "We do" Arin said "but if you're talking about the house directly across ours..."

   "It's abandoned, well, it's supposed to be. Nobody's lived there for six years" Allen finished.

   "The guy said he's been away for a while and just got back, he came over this afternoon to give the basket as a housewarming present. Maybe he's new"

   "I'm not sure about that" Arin rubbed her chin, thinking.

   "Name, we've been inside that house before. The ceiling collapsed down on the living room and kitchen"

   "When was this?"

   They shared another look, silently asking the other for the answer. Finally, they remembered.

   "About four months ago"

   "Six" Arin corrected her brother.

   "Four" Allen replied.

   "Allen, it was six months ago"

   "Arin" He raised his voice "I remember the combination of every locker I've had since middle school, I know it's been four months"

   You stop Arin from retorting, not wanting to have them fight again about something so silly, "You guys are gonna catch pneumonia. Go dry up and get changed"

   "Yes, mom" Arin rolled her eyes and jogged up the stairs.

   Allen gave you a shrug before following his sister.

   Meanwhile, you quickly went to the kitchen to start making dinner. Your stomach was distracting you just enough for you to forget about the "neighbor" and the twins' claims of not having any from across the street.