Chapter Text
Drip Drip Drip
Etho strode along the road, careful to stay close to the streetlamps that were casting warm puddles of light over the dark, cracked sidewalk.
He regretted not bringing another layer that day. The moisture in the air set a chill up his spine, freezing him through his bones and chattering his teeth with each step.
It was quiet now, this late at night. Etho breathed in the calmness that plagued the roads and alleys that were usually so filled with people and cars.
All but suddenly, he stopped.
There was something watching him.
Etho scans his surroundings, eyes flicking around in a flurry of movement as he stood there.
He turned his head and his vision landed on an alleyway, shadows spilling out of it, and some ways above the ground, there they were.
A pair of bright green, glowing eyes.
Etho stared in shock for a moment and he squinted at the thing in the dark. It was hard to see, but there was a figure there, misshapen, and lanky.
It stared at him, not moving, or giving any indication that it was actually living.
Etho turned away and started back towards home.
The feeling of unease stayed within Etho's gut as he walked up the stairs, and through the hallway.
The light bulbs to either side of his apartment door were both blown out.
Etho opened his door and stepped inside.
It was waiting for him. The thing was standing there, it was Inside his apartment.
Etho swallowed, reaching for the sword-cane by the coat rack (Doc had gotten him that for Christmas a couple of years ago. Strange gift, but a neat little thing.) as he spoke up.
“Whatever you are, I have a weapon!”
And it spoke back.
Etho could tell that it wasn’t actually speaking, but nonetheless he could understand and hear.
“Stop.”
Etho paused.
“I mean you no harm.”
Etho narrowed his eyes as he let go of some of the stiffness.
“Then why are you standing creepily in the middle of my living room?”
“Because you freed me.”