I sat at the Host's desk again, eagerly ripping open the prison envelope. Yancy's handwriting had improved since last time. It was still chicken scratch, but a little easier to read. He was going on about how cold it had become at the penitentiary, and that the other inmates were a little jealous of the sweater I gave him. He remarked that Tiny stole it once, making him '...angrier than I's been at them in a while' I chuckled at the thought. It was only reasonable that he would be possessive over something like that.

I shook my head at the next line, '...them guards even let me wears it in solitary...' He had been sent there for fighting one of the others over the sweater. All I could picture was Yancy sitting on a cold and hard bench, shivering from the cold, bundled up in the only sweater that I could give. Was it warm enough? I could picture the fear on his face as one of the guards probably dragged him in there, the same face when I called the guard over in one of the visits. 'Oh Yancy...' I sighed, running my hand over the page. 'It's only a sweater, no need to do something like that.' I mumbled to myself.

He went about more details of prison life, especially all the fights that he seemed to get into. '...Tiny thinks I shouldn't leaves them. We're family and these friends of youses don't seem the friendliest to youse. So, why should I's trust what they tell you to tell mes?' He wasn't wrong, some of the others weren't the friendliest, but I assumed that's because I was still an outsider.

He asked more in depth questions about the manor, saying that he wasn't sure that he wanted to come here, because of the chaos of the others. Two steps forward, one step back. I had another meeting with Dark on the progress and they were not going to be happy about this.

It was a shorter letter than last time, it felt like more was being left unsaid. Though, there was a little star above one of the lines talking about the sweater. I turned the page over, to see a little crossed out line down the bottom. It was hard to read. '...I really like youses sweater. It smelt good, especially when I's wore it to bed.' I read it over a couple times. He was still frustrated at me and the information about the manor, and yet, he wrote something like this. I frowned, blinking and looking at it closer. 'Is he... saying that he likes how I smell!?' I asked in confusion. Turning the letter over and reading over it, before rereading that annotation. 'Is he?' I shook my head and laughed at my own stupidity. Of course he wasn't, he was just talking about the sweater smelling decent compared to prison clothes that didn't seem to be washed that often.

I set about writing my response, trying not to say too much about the sweater, when there was a knock at the door. Absentmindedly I called out, 'Come in' expecting it to be Host or Yan, and yet, with the quiet ringing noise and the cold dread, it was Dark.

'Dark... How can I help you?' I asked, involuntarily putting on some of my customer service voice.

'Shall we have the meeting in here? Or my office?'

'Uh, in here I guess, since you're here'

'Right.' They sat down in the armchair whilst I stayed at the desk. 'I have been informed that you're keeping letter correspondence with Yancy.'

'Yes.'

'And it is proving useful?'

'I suppose so... He still isn't very open to the idea of freedom.'

'I see. It is... a little disappointing for you I am sure.' Dark said, crossing their legs. I instinctively raised an eyebrow. What did he mean, disappointing? Disappointing in that he didn't want to be around, or that he still wanted to see me but not be free?

'Uh, yes.'

'Considering your freedom depends on it.'

Right. That is what he was talking about, my returning to everyday life. Whatever that was. It was almost so long ago that I stumbled across the Host.

'Yes'

'It will certainly be in your best interest to hurry this along. Just before some of the others get too...attached' Dark snarled

'If you mean Yan, I didn't mean to, she just...'

'She has gotten rather attached to you, even with our discouragement. However, you have stood up for her on multiple occasions, which does influence my trust in you.' Dark leaned back slightly, 'However, it is not Yan that I am speaking off...' Dark shook their head.

'I... can I ask a question?' I asked timidly. Dark nodded with a raised eyebrow. 'Um, what did the Host mean when he said that I was good for the house?'

Dark frowned with a loud exhale, 'He believes that you bring some of us together and are a valuable piece of the outside world for the others to connect to. However, I am still inclined to agree with Google, who is still determining how much of a threat you pose to us. Apparently it has declined. Is that all?'

'Um... what happens if Yancy decides that he doesn't want freedom?'

'It will not end well for you. There will be choices and many of them will be unpleasant' Dark said calmly. I swallowed, nodding hesitantly.

They stood up from the chair, adjusting their suit jacket. I stayed put in the chair, watching them leave with wide eyes and mild anxiety.

I laid my head on the desk for a moment, listening to my heartbeat thump in my ears and the sound of my breath against the desk. Shaking my head gently, I continued writing my response to Yancy, trying not to focus on the unhelpful thoughts and threats.

Just as I finished the last sentence, 'See you Sunday', my phone rang. With a wince I picked it up. Reyna.

'Hey! We're going out tomorrow night! My boyfriend, Levi and Oli. Oh and Natalie. You should come! We haven't been out drinking in forever'

I took a breath, trying to stay silent. 'Oh well... I suppose I should ask Da- um, the person that I'm staying with, I'm helping them out, so it's really up to them.'

'Oh. Wait -' I begged for her to not catch on that I almost said a name, 'You started saying a name. Is that why it didn't work out with Natalie? Who's mystery girl? Their name starts with D and has a... Oooh something like Dani?'

'No no! It's not a mystery girl!' I replied incredulously.

Reyna chuckled. 'Sure, sure. Keep your secrets. We'll probably find out over a couple shots anyway, lightweight.'

'Oh I am not that bad! I have to be up early on sunday anyway, so I won't even drink.'

'Come on! That's no fun! Eh, I can't make you. See you at Nine? We're grabbing dinner first... so. Natalie's really excited to see you, are you sure that you two didn't hit off?'

'No promises Reyna. And, no, trust me. We really didn't.'

'I know she comes on a little strong, but... she's super cool. Give her one more chance? For your best friend?' Reyna pleaded.

I shook my head, 'Alright. Just for you. But I have to ask my friend whether they'll uh, need my help around then so, no promises.'

Reyna chuckled, muttering something about fair being fair. We said our goodbyes as I sighed in relief. I felt a little guilty, but I almost hoped that Dark would say no. It seemed like all she wanted to do was set me up with people...No. Reyna is a matchmaker at heart because she hates seeing anyone lonely. She's just being a good friend.

Putting my phone down, I folded up the letter in the envelope, looking around the dim office. The shadows kept me a little on edge, but other than that, it was a comfortable space. Certainly more impressive than my meager desk in my room back in the house. Though, Yan would love the opportunity to choose another outfit for me. The thought of the crazy teenager made me smile, before I jolted upright. I promised to help her with homework.

Pocketing both letters, I walked out of the Host's study, down to the kitchen. She was sitting at the bench, pouring over a textbook.

'Evan! I need help with this. I don't want to ask google because he finds every single study guide. You go to college, you're smart' She looked up at me with big eyes.

'Sure, but, no promises. I do philosophy.' I sat down beside her, looking over the English assignment, 'the outsiders huh? I had to study that.' She took a deep breath in relief.

'Oh thank fuck.' She sighed, opening her notebook.

'Yan! If your fathers heard that!' I chuckled, crossing my arms playfully.

'Right. Right. Sorry' She mocked me, crossing her own arms. I ran my hand through my hair. This was undoubtedly going to take a while.