Y/N took a step back. "What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything. It's just the truth. I suppose I can not be angry with you, though. I'm sure no one told you about who has inhabited this home for many decades." Maestro crossed his arms. "Am I correct?"

She nodded. "Uh, yeah! If I knew this place was haunted, I wouldn't have taken it! And they knew?! Those bastards," she swore under her breath.

"You didn't intrude purposely. I haven't had company in so long. Since 1996, to be precise. It's been lonely up here since my family has left."

That raised her curiosity. She wanted to ask, but her previous statement made her hesitate. "Go ahead and ask." He gestured with his head, nodding.

"Why did they leave?" Almost forgetting about dinner, she turned, using a spatula to move the vegetables around in the pan. "Well, they were all deceased. We lived here together as spirits. They ascended to the heavens above. I helped them achieve peace, promising to protect our home no matter what."

A part of her felt bad for him. They were up there, destined to be happy for eternity. He was stuck down here on a miserable planet called Earth. "Why are you still here?" She asked, glancing at him temporarily before her orbs were placed back on the stove.

"To protect our home, obviously. I never did have children of my own. And besides, I didn't wanna leave. This is my safe haven. This is where I'm happy. I'm even happier knowing that you and your sister will be staying." She agreed awkwardly. Y/N wasn't sure if he was a threat or not yet. He was nice and proper but threatening at points. She wondered if he was bipolar, or if ghosts even suffered from anything like that.

"Y/N, I'd like to know more about you." Maestro spoke out. She subconsciously tapped her chin with the spatula, wincing as she felt the grease on her skin.

"Um, I like to watch TV. I like collecting stuffed animals sometimes. I color when I get stressed. Sounds childish, I know." He chuckled and grinned, shaking his head. "On the contrary. Your hobbies are interesting. They're different from anything else I've heard. I enjoy collecting and reading books. Climbing trees is a personal favorite."

Climbing trees caught her off guard, but she quickly smiled. It was also a juvenile thing to do, but it made her feel understood. Sometimes, they both liked to participate in childish activities.

Y/N finished dinner, calling her sister in. Maestro disappeared. Maybe he was too shy to introduce himself to Vir right now.

"What did you do outside?" Vir ate a piece of chicken breast before she answered her sister. "I made a friend! It was a little hard because no one else lives up here, but a girl was wandering up here, and I talked to her!"

The woman drank from her glass of water and giggled at Virena's excitement. "What's her name?" The little girl kicked her feet back and forth, chewing on a piece of cooked broccoli. "Her name is Jasmine! She's really kind."

"I see. I'm glad you made a friend." She got up and grabbed their dirtied plates. "I told you so!" She nudged her playfully with her elbow.

Their dishes were discarded in the sink. "Go shower and brush your teeth. It's fall break, so I won't force you to take any sleep aids."

The kid nodded and jumped out of her chair, dashing to the bathroom.

...

"Y'know-"

"Shit!" The woman yelled, startled. "You scared the hell out of me."

He laughed. "Apologies. The girl your sister mentioned-she used to visit me. Jasmine Slater. Once the townspeople stormed in here again, she never came back. Very nice girl for your sister to be friends with. Jasmine's mother and I used to be good friends up until that happened."

"That's good to know." She patted his shoulder. "Oh, and, sorry about your ruined friendship. It happened to me way too many times."

Maestro tilted his head. "Care to tell?" She yawned, stretching her arms out. "At some point, sure. I'm tired."

"Alright." The man was quiet before speaking again. "Most people call me Maestro, but you can call me by my real name."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall as she stared at him inquisitively. "And that's...?" Why say that then not say the name?

"Michael," he answered. "Do I have to?" He shook his head.

"No. Some called me Michael, and others called me Maestro. You can call me both." She nodded, yawning again.

"Right, well, goodnight, Michael." She turned towards the hallway.

"Goodnight. Have pleasant dreams." She walked down the dark hallway. "She's special," the pale man said to himself.

The edges of her mouth curved up as she heard him. Maybe he thought she was special, but to her, he was surely unique.

Hope wriggled its way into her heart. Hope that she could trust him. After all, he seemed nice. He was also lonely. Isolated.

And she felt the same way.