Jimmy couldn't help but feel excited as they approached the old mansion. Him and Gregory had explored this place once when they were kids, and ever since then he had been obsessed. Gregory always hated it, but for some reason he really just felt safe there. He almost felt connected to it. He hoped that Gavin would feel the same way. They soon made it to the front entrance. Right as he was about to open the doors Gavin put his hand on his shoulder, gently stopping him.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just a bit worried. What if something bad happens?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. What if we find another dead person? Even worse, what if one of us got hurt? I just don't want anyone to get hurt over this drama." Gavin sighed. Jimmy frowned.

"This drama? Gavin you know why we're doing this. I wouldn't exactly call it drama."

"I know. Just-... just promise me no one will get hurt over this. We're trying to get better, not worse."

He stared at him for a moment, not sure what to say. He knew his friend was right, he just didn't want to admit it. After a minute he nodded, giving him a small smile.

"Don't worry, no one will get hurt. I've been taking my meds and the voices are quieter than they've ever been."

"Good. Aren't you almost out of pills though?"

"Yeah but it's ok. By the time we settle things with the others Johnny should have another dose or two done. ... how does he know how to do that, by the way?"

"What? Make the pills?"

"Yeah! It's kinda weird that he can just make them and they actually work."

"Well maybe Gregory was being serious about them knowing about 'things beyond our understanding' or whatever he said. Maybe he's made them before." Gavin suggested. Jimmy was confused. The Brit had never given him pills before now. Then again, they had only met no more than a month ago. This psyched Jimmy out just a bit. He couldn't believe they met so recently. It felt like he had known Gavin since forever. Same with Johnny. He sighed, finally pushing the doors open. The two entered the building, the familiar scent of wood and general funkiness filling their lungs. Jimmy thought it smelled nice. He took Gavin upstairs and into one of the least destroyed bedrooms. His friend looked around, his eyes huge with wonder. Jimmy set down his bag on the floor, dusting off the giant bed the best he could.

"We can share a room or you can get your own, I don't care." Jimmy told him. Gavin glanced down the hallway, jumping hard when the house let out a loud creak.

"I-I'll stay with you. I'll pull up a couch or something."

Jimmy rolled his eyes.

"We can just share the bed man, it's fine. Unless that's too much for you."

"Too much for me? What is that supposed to mean?" he questioned.

"You know! Your eyes wander a lot. I've seen it a few times now."

Gavin's face turned deep red.

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Dude it's ok! It's funny as hell! ... it's actually kinda flattering too." Jimmy chuckled. His friend looked horribly embarrassed. Jimmy stepped forward, carefully taking Gavin's hands into his own. His friend glanced down at him sheepishly.

"This is kinda sus."

"Sus?"

"Yeah."

Jimmy nodded slowly, unable to stop himself from grinning. He gave the Brit a quick kiss on the cheek before pulling away.

"Whatever. Thanks for coming with me, Gav. I know this is 'sus' of me to say, but I really wouldn't want to be with anyone else right now." he purred. Gavin's embarrassment quickly turned to delight.

"I feel the exact same way."

"Good. Now let's go look around! I haven't been here in years."

He basically led Gavin around, showing him all the cool stuff that had somehow remained untouched since the last time he and Gregory had been there. They entered the pool room, staring down into the pit. At the very bottom of the pool there was a small puddle of what looked like black sludge. The smell of sulfur wafted up, the both of them reeling.

"What the hell is that?!" Gavin hissed, covering his nose and mouth.

"I have no clue! Maybe we should poke it."

"... totally."

The two looked around, eventually finding an old rusty crowbar. They carefully climbed down the rickety old ladder. As soon as they got down Jimmy immediately poked at the goo. It had the consistency of molasses but in the worst way.

"I think this might be sewage."

"Maybe. Or demon jizz."

Jimmy couldn't stop himself from laughing, standing up.

"Oh yeah? Why don't you give the demon cum a poke?"

He handed Gavin the tool, watching him gently stab at the puddle. They joked back and forth for a while, each joke getting worse and worse. Their fun was interrupted when the crowbar was suddenly snatched from Gavin's hand, holding itself upright in the middle of the pool. They stared at it, unsure what to do.

"Holy shit, is it alive?" Gavin whispered. Jimmy was disturbed.

"I think so... uhh... hello?"

The sludge seemed to hear him, slowly starting to inch in their direction. Jimmy picked up a nearby brick, throwing it into the apparently living liquid. The brick disappeared with no trace.

"Oh wow... so this is pretty cool but we should probably get away from this thing. What if it hurts us?"

Jimmy scoffed.

"Gav it's a little puddle of shit. What's it gonna do?"

"Probably kill us."

"I doubt it. Here, let's get out of here before you start tweaking out."

Jimmy let Gavin go up the ladder first, keeping an eye on the creature. It was so fascinating he just couldn't take his eyes off it. It almost seemed like it was calling to him. He didn't realize how long he had been staring at it until Gavin called for him.

"Jimbo? Are you good down there?" he asked. His voice was filled with concern. Jimmy nodded, quickly beginning to climb back up. Right as he got to the top he heard the ladder begin to break. Just as the ladder gave way Gavin grabbed his hand, pulling him the rest of the way up.

"Jeez that was close."

"You're telling me! If you got hurt on my watch Gregory would murder me."

"I don't know Gav, I'm pretty reckless. I might get hurt no matter what you do."

"I guess I'll just have to be extra annoying."

Jimmy scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"So be it, dork. Now c'mon, we don't have a lot of time until it gets dark."

"What happens when it gets dark?"

"The electricity doesn't work here. It's gonna get pretty hard to see."

"... oh."

"What's wrong? Are you scared of the dark?" he questioned. Gavin quickly shook his head.

"No. I'm more scared of what's in it."

"Ok, well I'm crazy or whatever and you have superpowers. Nothing can stop us! Hell, whatever's in the dark should be more afraid of us."

"I suppose so."

Jimmy took Gavin's hand once more, beginning to lead him away from the pool area. He had a feeling that tonight was gonna be eventful. He knew that he had to keep Gavin close and the knife in his pocket even closer.