his mind hadn’t been in the same place since his misadventure in the basement the other day. gabriel felt more fucked up than he did before coming to the manor. at least he thought something good was waiting for him once he got back from his vacation but now he wasn’t sure. he wasn’t sure if he would see his ex or his brother ever again and those thoughts wore down on him heavily. it didn’t help that he hadn’t had a good night’s rest in the last few days and his thoughts were playing tricks on him every time he dozed off. the coffee from the kitchen wasn’t enough to keep him awake so he found himself up and down during the nights between his nightmares. or was it his realities now?
his head shook as he let out a long exhale, sitting outside to take in the fresh air. his hands were warm from the cup of coffee he retrieved not long before but hadn’t taken a sip. he could hear movement all around the manor but hadn’t paid enough attention to anyone. he didn’t know what to say. or do, really. he definitely didn’t know what to expect anymore. his ears perked up a bit as a voice neared him. his immediate reaction was to sit up straighter, pretend nothing was bothering him but that was easier said than done. “what were you saying?” he murmured, finally lifting the cup to his lips for a sip. the warm liquid calmed his nerves a bit but there was still something gnawing slowly.
@manorstart
Unable to sleep, Fae began to wander around the manor. Using her phone flashlight as a means to see since it was nearly time for lights out. She had somehow managed to make herself coffee in the kitchen, carrying it around with her in her Starbucks cup. It was the only thing she had really brought from home that was personal. Everything else was essentials. Her mind was racing and she thought back to the last time she had really spoken to dad. He had told her to be safe. And for the most part she was being safe. But was agreeing to go on this trip being safe?
Fae started to fill with dread. Had her siblings really looked into this place before booking the trip? Had they known it was filled with these terrors? Did they do this to punish her for leaving them behind in her life? Her thoughts were cut short and she was pulled from her reverie at the sight of a boy sitting by himself. Looking just as solemn as she did.
“You okay?” she asked.
He didn’t respond. She sat down next to him, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin and hands on the tops of them. Her dirty blonde hair normally pulled away from her face was draped down across her legs as she watched him. Finally, he responded to her. Fae knew sometimes you just have to wait for someone to come out of whatever thoughts they had.
“Just asked if you’re okay,” she said softly, “Can’t sleep either?”



















