I nervously knocked on the door, the ringing in my ears growing louder. It opened on its own, and I nervously stepped into the dark room. There was a single ray of sunlight illuminating the desk, from the partially open blind.

The door closed behind me. I was shaking as I sat down into the chair, pressing my back into it as the person behind the desk leant forward.

'I thought, you might not show up for our deal.' They claimed, their voice was measured and icy. Mumbling, I stammered out an attempt of a response but it was unheard by both of us. They cracked their neck, before continuing, 'So, again, I'll give you a choice. I'll let you live your day to day life, but you return here,' I tried to protest but they raised their hand, 'ah. No. You'll do something for me. Possibly assist the host,and. Free one of our brothers.'

'What!?' I yelled. It was too much. How was I going to live here, with these freaks? I felt a little guilty calling them freaks, but that was the truth.

'Or you can have a nice holiday in the basement.' Dark narrowed their eyes at me. I blinked, not believing what was happening.

'Fine, I'll help you... I guess.'

'Good.' They let out a sardonic chuckle, the laugh echoing throughout the room, 'Every third Sunday, go to Happy Trails Penitentiary. Ask, for Yancy. Convince him to be free. Then, you can go home.' They stated, matter of fact.

I nodded. It was better than the basement.

'You'll do that tomorrow, and I need a report afterwards.' Swallowing, I couldn't object.

'But-But-, Sorry. Uh, why can't you go?' I muttered, they only laughed.

'Well, we all look the same, but how do you think the guards would react to the ringing?' They asked, smirking, as soon as they mentioned the ringing, I was made aware of it again. I guess I had just become accustomed to it, like loud music in the club. 'Exactly. It wouldn't end well.'

'So, uh, why couldn't one of the others go?' I murmured. They clenched their jaw, the ringing sound growing more intense as I shrunk down in my seat.

'I'm their leader! I do not expect you to understand, at all. But I, would never send the Host to a place he's never been, nor would I unleash Will upon anyone. Some of us have never seen the outside world. I have. Again, I don't expect you to understand, given the choice you would get rid of them all.' They stated, voice loud and commanding.

'I-I'm Sorry Dark. I'll go tomorrow then. Am I allowed to go home soon?'

They sighed, seeming a little melancholy, 'Yes.'

I walked out from the office, the ringing noise growing fainter in my ear. I was mostly free, I could go home soon. Back to the colourful but still bare townhouse, with the rug that I made in first year of university. With a sigh, I carefully tiptoed down the hallway. The wooden floors creaked and the wallpaper was eerily dim. I suppose it was going to be home for a while.

There was a scream downstairs that made me tense. It was high pitched, but I shook my head, hoping that I was hearing things. Down the hall, there was a dim light above one door that read, RECORDING IN PROGRESS. I couldn't help but wonder who was in there and what they were doing. It wasn't my business, in this freaky house.

Taking shallow breaths, I continued climbing up the stairs. Though they were carpeted, they creaked just as much as the wooden floors. I gripped onto the stair rail like my life depended on it.

The top hallway was pitch dark. I could barely see my hand in front of my face. Carefully, I lightly put my fingertips against the wall. It was cold and smooth, felt like wallpaper or plaster. Which door was mine? I opened the first door, to be met with a bright room and Wilford sitting pantsless in a chair. Squeaking out apologies as quickly as I could, I closed the door with a louder crash than I intended.

The next door, I did not want to open. I could already hear ringing, even through the keyhole. But, he was downstairs in his office? This house was messing with my head. I reluctantly opened the next door, only to see my phone on the side table.

A sigh of relief as I closed the door, locking it behind me. I didn't remember putting it there. One missed call. Laura. I'd call her back later. I'll have to find a way to describe it to her some other time. I put the phone down and lay back on the bed. What the hell had I gotten into? Shaking my head, I rolled over. The bed was soft, if not a little dusty smelling and the faint ringing from next door was almost a gentle lullaby.