Chapter Text
Circa trotted up the stairs, her eyes scanning the darkness before she moved toward her human’s room something making her come to a stop. Her left ear twitched as she gazed down the hall towards the two youngest rooms, a shimmer of red catching her eye. Turning she followed after her claws clicking as she walked, her breath coming in pants. Another flicker of red caught her attention as it disappeared into the door to the right. She hated this side of the house, there was always a darkness about it.
A darkness that would gnaw at her with teeth and claws. Where hundreds of eyes watched from the walls, each dark figure moved without a body to call their own. How she hated these rooms and the evil that lingered. Yet she loved the people that lived in these dark spaces, who smiled and would treat her better than others. They welcomed her inside with open arms, and they were the ones who needed the comfort more than most.
A small whisper caught her attention as she moved towards the right, pressing her nose to the slightly ajar door. It swung open slowly letting the faint light of the hallway leak inside as she saw the copper color of the fox. It’s ears flickered backwards as it turned to look at the white husky as she slowly crept into the room. The fox didn’t hiss or call as Circa moved to the animals side, trying to get a sniff but only catching air. The fox gave a slow blink before it returned its attention to the sleeping occupant of the bed. Circa could barely see the rise and fall of the person’s chest, as the fox’s tail swished a bit.
Voices started to stir from the darkness and Circa scanned the black, trying to search out where the words originated from. Shadows trailed the dim light as they twisted and turned against the walls, each moving with grace that she could never have. Their words hissing into the air as the occupant of the bed started to mumble, and he started moving. A pained moan, made her spring into action. Circa trotted forward crossing the distance in a few steps as her head came over the edge of the bed, her nose pressing against the human’s shoulder. They didn’t calm as she pulled her head away, her eyes scanning the moving black around her. A low growl rolled from her throat as her ears flattened against her skull her fur bristling. A soft hum came from the fox as it bared its teeth, mimicking her as it leapt up on the edge of the bed. Slowly, the voices began to quiet and the shadows ceased their movements, returning the room to silence.
The person calmed their breath, relaxing as Circa puts her nose to their neck feeling the heat escaping them. He was the weakest now, but there was a point when he was one of the strongest. The scent of alcohol and traces of blood filled her nostrils, a scent that she has gotten used to around him now. The fox gave a small chirp before leaping from the bed, landing soundlessly as Circa pulled her head away from the human, another mumble passing his lips. Her ears flickered as the fox sat beside the open door awaiting her before the dog gave one final nuzzle to the human before following the illusion.
The door shut quietly behind her as the two slipped into the hallway and the fox moved to the door on the left. Circa’s ears flattened as her teeth bared, this was the room that she hated. The room filled with such evil that it seeped into the others, tainting their silence with the noises of the damned. The door gave a click as it was slowly opened and Circa hesitated, watching the fox disappear inside. Slowly, she followed after the copper canine as the darkness reached out to her. The voices assaulting her and she froze, her body going rigid as she gave a low snarl. The voices grew silent under the watchful eye of the fox before they finally subsided, allowing the husky to move again.
This human slept soundly in the endless turmoil of the room, unable to hear the screams and shouts of those trapped within the space. Circa moved forward following the fox as it jumped up on the bed, its weight nonexistent on the mattress. She continued to move as the red eyes of monsters stared down at her, their shadowy forms hidden in the darkness. The blond was wrapped up tight in the blankets unaware of the beasts that watched him slumber. Another growl threatened to roll from her, before the fox gave a small call stopping her. Circa moved closer still, before placing her front paws on the edge of the bed propping her up. A shadow danced around the headboard as Circa’s hair rose, and she gave a small growl, making the figure dash away into the dark. Huffing, she returned her attention to the human who was starting to wake. Her ears shot up before she leapt down, darting from the room, the fox on her heels as the door shut quietly behind her. She heard the human’s voice, quiet and slurred before silence returned to the room.
The fox continued down the hall as it swerved into a room, she doesn’t visit very often. Another click coming from the door as it soundlessly opens, allowing her within. It’s a vast room, much like the garage where her human spends most of his time. It’s also relatively empty, except for the bed thrust into the back. The fox moves across the distance with grace as Circa tries to remain silent as well, but her claws click quietly along the ground. A dark haired woman is the first thing visible to Circa and she recognizes her. She lives amongst them, only ever disappearing under certain circumstances, but she isn’t the reason the fox brought her here. Her eyes shift to the male as he lays his arm draped over the woman’s body as they sleep together, a silence that is hard to break.
Circa moves forward carefully, her ears flickering upwards as soft voices escape the walls. It seems the shadows are here as well, but she knew as much. She doesn’t need to react as the fox gives a growl sending the damned to be silent as Circa moves to the side of the bed. A soft snore escapes the duo as they huddle close and Circa leaps up, jostling the two and hearing soft murmurs.
“Circa?” The woman asks as she slides from the man’s arms waking him up.
“Circa. How’d you get in here?” The man mutters as he rubs at his eyes and pushing the husky down and off the bed. He gets up, trudging over to the dog and hooking his fingers under her collar before walking her to the door.
“Go to Elton’s room.” He says before pushing her out and shutting the door behind himself. Circa sits waiting patiently as the fox phases through the door and the two make their way to the other side of the house. The door to the left catches her attention, but the presence of the smaller canine gives her some peace of mind. The fox stops outside of her human’s door as it flicks its tail, ears twitching. One final glance to the husky and the fox turns trotting back to the other side of the house disappearing into the dark rooms on the property.
Circa huffs pushing open the door with her nose before slipping inside, and crossing to the bed. She leaps up with ease as a small groan escapes her human.
“There you are…” He slurs his fingers combing against her head as she leans into the touch. Circa settles at his side, her head resting against his stomach as her human falls asleep after a few moments. She can still hear the voices of the shadows, but they are quieter now, their presence starting to lessen, ever so slightly. Circa digs her head into the sheets, listening to her human’s breathing before she falls asleep.